Disabled dogs are rarely a topic of interest in the official dog world.  Yet, some dogs, like some people, are disabled.  While many of those dogs are euthanized by their owners or breeders, those given the opportunity often go on to live extended, productive lives as companions and working dogs. How do they do it?

Canine disability strikes in different ways.  Some disability hides as genetic or congenital flaws, revealed as a beautiful puppy matures.  Other disability is the result of injury during a traumatic accident or a veterinary procedure.  Still other disability is the result of a degenerative neurological condition, the cause of which remains a mystery.  Aging, also, takes its toll on joints, limbs, eyes and ears.

Canine disability strikes all canine social classes -- international champions and stud dogs, imported show puppies, whelps that might otherwise be the “pick puppy”, the “less-than-perfect” Berner dumped at the shelter, and the pet dog next door.  Owners of these disabled dogs cover the gamut, too -- well-known breeders, show people, performance people, average pet owners, and veterinarians.  

As sure as the sun rises, there will be disabled among us and our dogs.   The question is, what do we do when we encounter disability?  The articles collected here demonstrate a set of people and dogs who took disability and transformed it into ability.  The "enabled" dogs and their owners are just downright admirable in that they describe the challenges, speaking directly to self doubt, struggle, re-education and quiet triumph. Interestingly, as is so often the case, in all these instances the owners feel they got back more than they gave. From the descriptions, the dogs all feel/felt the same, which is what love is all about.

If there is one message that pervades this collection, it is that when faced with a diagnosis of a disabling condition in your Berner, there is not necessarily the need to euthanize.  Neither should you assume for the near future the limitations that are implied by the end-stages of the disease.  With advances in home care, a dedicated owner and veterinarians skilled in rehabilitation and acupuncture protocols, the lives of many disabled dogs can be productively extended with good quality.  Indeed, many of the dogs featured in this collection have experienced “second careers” in performance competition, as therapy dogs, companions and, in one case, as a distinguished international “ladies’ man.”

Last updated: December 14, 2007