The Tail of a Belgian

This is our tale of falling in love with a hairy black beastie. Her name is Shady Mae or Shady Lady or sweet dawg depending on what her mood is to respond to us. She was taken to a shelter by the adult children of her previous owner, the women had passed away and they did not want to keep her. Enter THE VET, known to us a Kathy S. she is a vet and a breeder of Belgian Sheepdogs and is on the list to call whenever shelters recieve one. She took her into her home and rehabed her, from what I hear she was pretty rough looking. A friend of mine went to Kathy's house and was introduced to this very loving dog and of course thought of me. I had been in the market for a dog but wasn't sure Daddy and Lila would be on board. Ava on the other hand jumped at the chance to possible have her own dog. I took a look on line about Belgians, they are great companions, loyal, gentle, just what I wanted for our home. After meeting Shady and Kathy in her home, she offered to bring Shady over for a "home visit", Kathy came and took a look around at our place, fenced yard, plenty of running room and indoor sleeping quarters (a must), we were approved for a week long trial run. I consider the week of July 4 her birthday, since that trial run became a long term assignment. Lila did not like the idea of a dog following her around hoovering up her crumbs, she prefers to eat them herself of course. She took a while to warm up to Shady still doesn't gravitate to her but doesn't tell her to "go away" like she used to. My husband became attached to her once he saw how much Ava and I sucummbed to her doggie wiles. We went happily along until she showed signs of labored breathing, it was and is one of the most scary things I have been through (and I have been in a speeding ambulance at midnight with a toddler). I called in to work and loaded her in the van for a over the speed limit trip to Kathy's office. Once xrays were done (even saw buckshot), we knew we were in trouble. Her larnyx had become paralyzed and is common in large breed dogs, this was slowly stopping her from getting enough air. I sat in the exam room and cried. How could I have let myself fall for this? Evidently I am a sucker for big brown eyes. I called my husband, my sister in law and my sister all asking the same question, should I put her down. John and I decided to go with the recommendation of taking her to the Gulf Coast Veterinary Hospital. At this point I know all of you are thinking, "are you mad, woman". When we arrived the next day, we were awed by the set up. This is a self contained building near downtown Houston and has the latest in technology to help our creatures, we saw all sorts of animals there, 3 legged dog, shaved cocker spaniel with cancer, rescued bunnies, squirrels, possoums, skunks, they even have a section for birds (didn't go in there). The staff was spectacular and the surgeon explained all that could be done. We went for the surgery, other then the breathing she was healthy. Of course after the surgery was done, another problem reared its ugly head. Megaesophogus, basically what goes in by mouth, without intervention by the esophogus contracting, would come right back up. With this comes pneumonia. At that time, I was ready to lose my mind, here I am nursing a big dog back to health, working full time, and helping raise two kiddos. This is what a stolen heart will get ya. So once you see the pictures, you will see what we have had to put in place, we call it the contraption. She does really well now and takes two pills morning and night. I have gotten really good at shoving them down her throat without gagging myself. I love this darn dog. Thank you to my best friends Liana and Martha (our go to dogsitter) and to Kathy for guiding her to us. My Shady Lady I love you my big beastie!!

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