Our Bruiser, Down by BloatBloat happened, just about midnight/early morning, Thursday 05/3/07, Bruiser was hit by this life threatening illness. Everything was normal and "as usual", which is so common with this dastardly Dane killer. Approaching without warning, hitting quickly and taking swiftly, our giant companions from us. Honestly, we always thought, "this will never happen to us", yet in one quick twist of fate, it happened.
Thankfully, we knew the warning signs and were quick to act, had we waited just 1-hour, Bruiser would be gone. Everything seemed so normal, until he didn't return from outdoors and we had to go looking for him. I don't know why, you would figure a dog, suffering and in pain, would retreat to its family, home, bed. Yet as added by a fellow Dane guardian and a wonderful aaGD.com forum member, remembering her nightmare, "He actually dug himself a hole in the woods and was laying in it when I went out to find him". This disease is the number one killer of our beloved Danes!
We know this now "first hand" and promise each and everyone here to further research, publish and inform all who visits our site, more about this dreadful illness! Our hearts are set and we are currently researching Great Dane health insurance to find the absolute best plan available for all of us, Great Dane Guardians. Also, new articles discussing the pros & cons of preventative tack surgery are nearly finished for publication. Those that live in rural areas, more than an hour away from an emergency Veterinary hospital please take note. Had we been in such a location, we would have lost our Bruiser! Please know that Bruiser is recovering and doing well, hugs to all for your thoughts, prayers and phone calls that have helped us during this difficult time. Yes, life has thrown us a curve, our Bruiser, the BIG GUY who inspired us is down, but not out. We somehow look at this episode, oddly, in a positive way, as our mission is to inform and educate. Experiencing bloat "first hand", gives us an advantage, please watch for new articles regarding bloat, symptoms, surgery, recovery and all issues relevant to this dastardly disease. Below is a photo of our Giant, floored by Bloat and corrective surgery when I visited him Thursday afternoon, just after his emergency gastropexy surgery. I can't put into words how this has affected me. I promise to "pay forward" what we were taught by this valuable lesson. Bruiser's emergency surgery and recovery bill totaled $4,408.00!
Over the years Bruiser has helped us to celebrate, inform & educate Dane fanciers all over the world. Now in pain, suffering and recovering from bloat, he has once again taught us, so we may better inform those that love our breed. As we are uninsured, small donations are now being accepted to help us move forward and continue our site's mission, to educate and inform. Please know that this recent tragedy will soon be published as "practical", "first hand" information, to benefit all of us who love the magnificent Great Dane. PayPal donations can be made using the buttons above. Donation by check/money order, payable "Bruiser", are accepted at the following address: all-about-Great-Danes.com Thank you so much. Jeff Z., Bruiser "still with us":), and your friends at aaGD.com To the top of Bruiser's bloat page.
|
Our Bruiser, the inspiration to aaGD.com, aaGD.com's forum and everything we have accomplished here online is now away from us, recovering from emergency surgery and we miss him dearly.
