'Dear Sweet Brandy' our GSD a sad day and found helpful forum.

[Debbie, Brianna and Duncan]

Sad today, it has been a 'down day' for you sweet Brandy even though you seem unaware. Your spirit is always so bright my girl, and you are the bravest dog I have ever known......always getting to where you want to go. Maybe I am seeing things today. But, never would I not know your loyalty, love, and spirit for life and for your family, we will never forget either. Never would I miss a sign from you telling us it is time, please let me go :( I could only be hopeful that this terrible dx never effect your bright light that everyday shines. But that would be unrealistic, it would be selfish to ignore and I know it will come. Lord help me to be aware before it effects her in that way, and let her go to you at Your good time. To be running and romping with Bozo, Tiger, DeeDee and all. Today, you eat well, drank well, eliminated fine and enjoyed your day! But mom saw the front not working so well. Tomorrow, I hope I see it your light and you find strength and enjoy a springlike day. Come on girl, lets see you. The arrangements will be made soon I know, I have to do this, but it is so ......I can't write this out. If anyone reading this has ever had a cherished family member dx'ed with Degenerative Myelopothy you could only know. This painfree, uncurable disease is so unfair! it is a degenerative neurological disease, an autoimmune disease, and progresses through stages. At first, your normal happy nothing wrong dog appears to stumble placement of a back foot "Huh, did she/he just mis-step..so what's up with that?" Call into vet for an exam...Vet starts the Rimidyl for hip dysplasia, cuz you know GSD's have a high percentage....OK thinking your so much loved dog is suffering from pain, you pump the meds prescribed and wonder if they are too old for surgery. Quickly though, the legs start to misplace often, within months....back to the vet and say 'what is up with this'?

Diagnosis it is Neurological. That is it.. all the vet says, and we stop pain meds and glad she is not in any pain.

You get to have a small window of nieve wahoo because the vet left it with NO mention of it progressing!! Month maybe, passes, wobbles get worse. OK, so here I go.... Thank goodness for the internet! and my DK friend Karen (Jack) and found it, DM! read like a textbook FOUND IT! But oh CARP!! OK, back to the vet and say HEY BUDDY, why did you not tell me the whole story??

New vet, new knowledge begin.. Electro-Acupuncture..and supplements to stave off the progression......Future is not bright, but we can do this, my sweet girl! As long as you are willing, and happy! We will do the best we can, we promise and try to do what right and Pray, may you have a year or more! This was Christmas 08' through the second stage with not a bat of the eyes, bright and full of life and loving. Winter has been hard, but Love the snow.....

Here we are now 'bad day' mom is thinking and writing helps and maybe to help someone else in the process. Could this be our first sign of the "late stage"..............from what I have read, a quick stage. So, so sorry Brandy.

Anyone reading this, this far, I found a forum/support group that is helped me with info.....if you know anyone that may be in our boat, PLEASE pass this on to them. Every dog is different, and handles DM effects differently. It has a wealth of information/postings.

Here DM dog owners sharing through their forum discussions. http://www.mzjf.info/Forums/index.php http://www.mzjf.info/dm.html

We love you so much girl!!...our beautiful girl!

[Nicole Ehlert]

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May Jesus confort you during this difficult time.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks for the update, Deb. I'm so glad the appointment went well. Many more happy days together!

[Debbie, Brianna and Duncan]

Our Friday appointment went very well! Thanks for all your kindness and prayers. She is in good health. Very good spirits! Her heart is very strong, no infections, and appears to have an overuse injury to her front shoulder causing pain, and causing her to stay down.... and treatable! So the best news of our visit is that he feels it is not associated at this time with DM and in the DM progression meant it would have been a very sad point in our lives together.....
The vet prescribed a pain med, Cal. Poppy and performed B-12 Aqua Acupunture to various areas including along her rear spine/hip, front shoulders, elbows and top of neck. I am truley amazed at this treatment, and I would never would have guessed this could happen but today I got a right rear leg response to a good ear rubbing and a tail tump too!!! (just at the base but I will take it! ) She is up very well on her front to drink/eat and observe, getting around some and walking with an easy up harness for little assistance. Still need full rear support ..........but I said a big Yippy Brandy to her and I know she knows we are happy for her.

We have a follow-up appt next Tues the 6th and will have another treatment of B-12 injection acupunture. I feel so blessed to say many more days to share ahead of us.......
My NEW harness, and I am styling!

homecoming from Fri. appt....My mom is so happy! and I just want out of the car, darnit and chase that squirrel!!

Thanks everone, please say more prayers for us for many more wonerful days here on earth and the strength to let her from this body, when she lets us know it is time and no longer happy..............We love her so much!

[Valarie]

We know the pain of loss of a dear friend. Our Clay died last year. It was sudden and without warning but grateful that he did not suffer long term. Best wishes for many happy days to come and Love to Brandy and your family.

[Debbie, Brianna and Duncan]

Thank's everyone....your kindness and prayer is unmeasurable. I wish for a fraction of Brandy's bravery. Today we found a remarkable spot to lie in the grass and share the sunshine, had a great rubdown, kisses, brush and treats, and a warm belly bath, her favorite. DM dogs have trouble in the areas that stay moist, and Brandy seemed to really enjoy being bathed in warm sunlight. Thank you spring. Aloe/Comfry jell next, and oh she sooo loves this stuff. Spirit is bright today, she barked at the mail truck like a true champion. The wobbles getting up to find our spot have me very worried, owner posts indicates in this stage, don't ignore possibilities that will come with it. I have called this morning, and made an appt. for health evaluation on Friday. Brian will be with us, and we will be doing what is best for our sweet girl.....very difficult for us.

[Penny, Comiskey & Beemer]

To Brandy...the strength to endure....To You...joy in each day that you are together....many prayers....

[Leslie and Halas]

So sorry about Brandy. Just enjoy the good days that you and she have left.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I am so sorry about Brandy....we will be thinking of you. I hope she has more days ahead...

[Carole (*Koda*Monty*Bindi)]

Much love to you and your family. We had to walk this path in December and the love and support here in this forum was invaluable to us and still is. Let it embrace you. Our prayers are with you and your beloved Brandy.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This is me with my arms tight around you and Brandy. Love surrounds her, Deb.
You, too.