This is the story of a Berner that, at first glance, does not look disabled – but she is. In early 2006, Koko came to the attention of the BMDC of Greater Seattle. At only 5-6 months old, Koko had been relinquished for the second time in her short life. When BMDCGS acquired her, she was seriously underweight and suffered from a severe case of demodicosis, which resulted in her immediate quarantine. Once her skin healed, she moved to foster care.

While in foster care, Koko was always thirsty, urinating more frequently than normal. Blood tests revealed that she was in chronic kidney failure, probably due to a genetic or congenital defect.  It was determined that she had less than 25% kidney function.  The attending veterinarian gave her less than a year to live.  Sadly, her kidneys were not her only problem.  Koko limped on her foreleg, had a bad under-bite, was extremely cow-hocked, and was shy of strangers, especially men, and moving hands. BMDCGS Rescue was not confident that a forever home would be found for Koko.

In May, we attended the Maifest celebration in Leavenworth, Washington. There is always a large Berner contingent at this event and so it was a good place to search for a new puppy. As we met and spoke with different breeders, someone among them suggested that we talk to BMDCGS Rescue.  It seemed that there was a rescue girl looking for a forever home – her name was Koko.  Koko immediately warmed up to me.  She was such a sweet little puppy girl, still skinny, with such a coarse coat.  We were told about Koko’s health problems.  We really liked Koko.  After a few weeks of thinking it over, we adopted her.  We would give Koko a great life for whatever time she had. Fortunately, with diet, medication, and supplements her kidneys were better.  

In July, Koko came home to us in Oregon.  She made herself at home and quickly became the heart of our house.  She had shed her coarse coat and replacing it was a lovely wavy coat of lustrous Berner hair.  With her odd lopsided blaze and her silly Berner antics, I thought she seemed a clown, so we changed her name from Kokomo to Kokopelli, the trickster and comical flutist from the southwest native traditions.  The hunchbacked symbol of Kokopelli seemed to fit her.

I read everything that I could about chronic kidney disease before Koko arrived.  The DogAware.com website was a huge help.  With my vet’s help, we developed a plan for Koko that we hoped would slow the loss of kidney function. Koko requires a diet restricted in phosphorus and until the end stages, the diet needs to contain really high quality protein. So we feed a combination of premium kibble and a cooked and raw diet of good meats, adding phosphorus binders. She is also on a number of supplements and a few prescription medications.  We limit any unnecessary use of drugs. We administered no vaccinations and instead have used titers to determine her need for vaccination, and added immune-boosting supplements to keep her healthy.  With the help of an advanced veterinary hospital, their monitors, staff, and special hemoglobin support we managed to spay her with little damage to her systems.

Koko is now more than 2 years old.  She has grown taller and filled out, growing into those huge paws.  The vet says that she is a good size and weight for her frame.  She sheds normally and has a nice coat. Her skin causes her to scratch more than normal and, of course, there is the kidney failure problem.  Nevertheless, she bounces around, rarely limping.  She has picked up a habit from our Rottie of hopping on her hind legs!! She has become so strong that she can jump onto the bed and into the car, carefully sliding off in ways that protect her elbow.  She loves to run around the house and yard! 

Because of her shyness and how quickly she tires, we haven’t done any obedience competitions, yet.  We attended a tracking workshop, which she both enjoyed and performed very well.  We want to do that again. I want to try drafting with her just for fun, knowing that the freight haul and the head pat from a stranger required by the test are probably beyond her capabilities. I wish that she could become a therapy dog, but with her shyness issues, that isn’t likely.  For now we enjoy being together, with no goal beyond love and happiness.

Koko’s kidneys are slowly deteriorating, but she doesn’t know that.  She doesn’t know that she has severe anemia and fatigue because her kidneys are failing.  She runs, romps, plays and cuddles, just like any other 2-year old Berner pup.  She just can’t do it as long as other dogs.  I try to not focus on her kidney failure.  We treat the dog not the test results.  I know if I look at her gums they will be very pale, so I don’t look.  I let her rest when she needs it. I let her bounce and play when she has the energy.  I love on her at every opportunity.

Some people think we are batty to adopt a disabled dog knowing her life will be short.  Some believe that because of my own physical limitations I should not have a large dog.  But what serendipity! I found a dog that is perfect for me, not destined for the agility ring, but one that fits neatly in my heart and is a part of my life.  She keeps my spirits up. 

Koko may not be here for long, yet she has already outlived the vet’s prognosis.  My heart will surely break when the time comes to let Koko go on to that other world, but I do not and will never regret letting her into my heart.