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Growing up as a child our home
was always filled with the unconditional love of a dog. I have
always felt that a home just wasn't a home without one it in and
sometimes that meant two. I look back now over the years and I
am forever grateful for the enriched life I lead today because
of the dogs that shared it with me.
I was looking to adopt a dog in
March of 2003 and living in northern Wisconsin at that time gave me
the perfect opportunity to offer a dog a wonderful life. My
prayers were answered not long after that.
When I met him for the first time
that spring day, I looked into his beautiful-brown eyes and my
heart just melted. It's like falling in love for the first time
or meeting that special someone who makes your heart skip a
beat. My heart grew wider that day all because of a dog named
Brando and a day that I'll always remember.
We spent five great
years in northern Wisconsin before moving closer to be with
family. We'd go running everyday and I never had to ask him
twice. Just putting on running shoes would send him into a
frenzy of barking, wagging, excitement and yes those wet kisses.
Putting on his orange safety vest was like trying to tie my
shoes while running. I mastered it quickly. He was in his glory
and so I!
In our time together, I have
learned so much just by watching him. He completely understands
me and it's almost like he can read my mind. He can lift my
spirits when I'm feeling down, can make me laugh so hard, bring me tears of joy, but most of all he gives me
total agape. In some ways, I think that he saved me.
In life, we
all go rough waters and sailing isn't always smooth. He is just
amazing-my hero!
They say in life there is a
reason for everything. That we all have a purpose on why were
here. It took me a while to figure that out but I now know what
that purpose is and I'm 'paying it forward.'
I'm sharing this so others can be
inspired that there is hope and know that prayers do get
answered and you are never alone. Never give up! Believe
in miracles. There are angels all around and as my little niece
would say, "Just keep our eyes and mind wide
open."
Back in March 2006, Brando
developed a hacking cough that quickly worsened overnight.
What
I didn't even know that right out my backdoor was a monster
lurking around in the soils near the water called, 'Blastomycosis.'
I later found out that Eagle
River, located in Vilas County, is known as a 'high-risk'
endemic area for Blastomycosis. Every time we went near the
water I was putting our lives in danger.
So I took him to the Northwoods
Animal Hospital in Eagle River where the vet listened to his
lungs, took chest x-rays, and showed me the 'snowy' pattern
growing in his lungs. A trach wash furthered confirmed the
diagnosis: Blastomycosis.
Blasto what?? That couldn't
happen to us. How? Why? When? Where?
I learned quickly just how
serious this disease is and how deadly it can be if not detected
early.
He spent a week in ICU at the
Northwoods Animal Hospital in Minocqua with follow-up care and
medication for three months. I'm so grateful for the dedicated
medical team that gave Brando a second and third chance at
life!
Brando was one of the lucky ones.
Others aren't fortunate. I cried last fall after reading how
Angus died in his owner's arms or how Blasto is robbing Wilson
of his vision at this very moment.
I know that through education and
awareness that lives can be saved. I believe it can and will
happen. It's no different than early detection in cancer.
So please learn about Blasto.
The
life you save may be your pet(s), your friend's pet, neighbor's
or even yourself because humans can get it too.
Now it's time to 'pay it
forward.' That's why I've dedicated the website to the dogs and
for those who in the future will have to go through it. Just
know that you're not alone. There are many people who have
stories to tell. Brando's story is just one of many. We just have to come together and conquer Blastomycosis.
I'm not a medical doctor and I
don't claim to be. I'm just Brando's mom who loves him dearly.
I thank God each and every day
for my best canine pal, Brando! It's been one great journey.
I
pray that our journey will continue on for years to come.
And now these three remain:
faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
~1
Corinthians 4-13.
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