On a therapy visit with "his" kids

Another amazing creature has passed on to the bridge.  Sweet Merlin was from our Macie and Been litter.  He was only 6 years old and was sick most of his life.  This didn’t stop him from making a difference in the lives of others.  He attended his Rally Novice title in AKC and was an active Therapy Dog.  After many many years of poor health, Merlin was finally definitively diagnosed with Addisons.  He suffered with Liver problems and was diagnosed with Copper Storage Disease years before, though it is not known if that was the problem or if it was autoimmune related the entire time.  He had allergies and skin issues most of his life, often a sign of autoimmune issues.  Addisons Disease is an autoimmune issue that is so very hard to diagnosis.  It mimics so many other issues and the dog will not test positive for Addisons until their adrenal gland is almost destroyed.   If you contact me with chronic illness in your dog, I will always ask first if you tested them for Addisons.  If you did and the dog did not test positive, yet still remains sickly for years, do not discount that your dog IS indeed affected by Addisons.  Addisons IS the great pretender disease!

In his short life, Merlin touched so many lives.  A Therapy poodle is one who gives so much to their community.  He was here for a short time, but his time was well spent.  Sherri and Mark are amazing people.  They never blinked at the cost of the vet bills, the expensive food he needed.  They told me once that they felt Merlin was suppose to be their dog and no cost was to high for his health.  I could never ask for a better home for my dogs.

~ Becky