Who Dares Wins Publishing

www.whodareswinspublishing.com

Copyright © 2011 by Natalie C. Markey

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any

form whatsoever without permission.

eBook ISBN: 978-1-935712-49-7

For Oscar

And all my family dogs before him, that made me a better dog owner.

Holly

Greenly

Tiffany

Fancy

Cloe

Pumpkin

Caring for Your Special Needs Dog

by

Natalie C. Markey

Acknowledgments

Confucius said, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your

life.” I love writing and I love dogs. With Oscar’s inspiration, I was able to combine both of my

passions into this book. I thank Oscar for his support and being my constant foot-warmer during

the writing of this book.

Thank you to all the families and people that I spoke to when researching this book. You

are all very inspiring. I loved hearing your stories, just as much as I love sharing them.

I'd also like to thank my wonderful, supportive husband, daughter, mom, dad, brother, in-

laws and friends for their constant support of my writing.

Oscar was fortunate to be in the hands of the wonderful Bear Creek Animal Clinic when he

was diagnosed with epilepsy. I thank them for their treatment of my “personal assistant” as well

as all my family pets that have come before him. I also thank his current veterinarian, Hartman's

Animal Hospital.

I have been fortunate to write for Examiner.com since 2009 as an expert on several topics.

I thank them for understanding the need of the column, Special Needs Dog Care Examiner,

where I provide fellow dog owners with tips and advice on this topic.

Over the years, I have had many wonderful influences to my writing career. I thank Baylor

University for providing me with the tools for a wonderful education. I specifically want to thank

the Baylor University Journalism and Speech Communication Departments. Special thanks to Dr.

J.R. LeMaster and Dr. Michael Bishop. I also thank the wonderfully supportive ladies of the

West Houston Romance Writers of America chapter.

And thank you to Bob Mayer of Who Dares Wins Publishing for understanding the value

of this topic and publishing wonderful pet non-fiction.

Thanks for all the education and research that Texas A&M School of Veterinarian

Medicine provides animal community. A percentage of profits from this book will go to The

Texas A&M Foundation to the benefit of the Neurology Section, Department of Small Animal

Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinarian Medicine.

Introduction

Dogs have been man’s best friend for a very long time. Archeological evidence can date

dogs’ relationship to man back to 700-5800 BC. Paleontologist have found dog burial sites in

Utah that date back to 11,000 years ago, clearly demonstrating the love and respect that man has

for dogs. Our relationship with dogs began with a necessity to herd and other survival driven

tasks. However, over the years it has evolved into a loving relationship; a relationship that brings

billions of dollars into our economy each year, as we care for and pamper our beloved dogs.

Dogs are like us in many ways. They are not invincible. They get sick. They also develop a

number of disabilities that can make them a "special needs dog." Just like in people, some

illnesses are temporary and can be treated. However, many conditions are a life sentence.

Epilepsy, diabetes, degenerative disorders, sight and hearing impairments just scratch the surface

of disabilities that can affect your dog's way of life.

So, what is a "special needs dog?" It is a dog that has been diagnosed with a medical

disorder that will require special care in order for the dog to continue to live a happy and high-

quality filled life.

Though the diagnosis of incurable conditions may be a life sentence, many come with

treatment options. They are not a death sentence and many dogs bring years of happiness to their

families despite being a special needs dog. It may be upsetting and overwhelming at first, but

caring for a special needs dog does not have to be hard. It takes education, planning and, most of

all love.

3-4 million animals are euthanized at animal shelters each year. The ASPCA reports that

about 60% of those animals are dogs. 5 out of 10 dogs are euthanized because they are not

adopted. Thousands of dogs die each year on the streets. Many of these dogs being euthanized

and dying on the streets are special needs dogs that were given up on. Some shelters (it depends

on the individual shelter's policy and current capacity) will automatically euthanize a special

needs dog because they believe they will not be adopted. Many no-kill shelters struggle to care

for special needs dogs and as a result, they do not get the proper medical attention, decreasing

their quality of life and their lifespan.

If your dog is diagnosed with a disability DO NOT GIVE UP ON THEM. Educate

yourself. Know your options and remember your commitment to those caring eyes that look to

you.

I am not a veterinarian. I have no professional training in animal care other than the fact

that I took a pet CPR class once. I am writing this book because I own a special needs dog who

has filled my life with joy. He is a member of my family. He is even credited for saving our

daughter's life once. It never crossed our minds not to care for him. He has blessed us in so many

ways.

“Caring for Your Special Needs Dog” offers practical advice and hope on how easy and

fulfilling raising a disabled dog can be. Learn real life tips from families that are making it work.

Not a day has gone by when Markey hasn’t owned a dog. Each dog has taught her

something valuable and currently her dog Oscar teaches her about raising a special needs dog.

Oscar has epilepsy but the Markey family has learned simple around the house ways to help

improve his quality of life. Of course, the veterinarian plays a major role in any dog’s care, but

owners have a strong place as well.

Markey also covers what worked for her when preparing her dog for the arrival of her

daughter. Children can also play an important role in caring for a special needs dog. Learn how

you can help your children while helping your dog.

A percentage of the profits go to The Texas A&M Foundation to the benefit of the

Neurology Section, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinarian

Medicine.

Natalie C. Markey writes with humor, compassion, and first-hand knowledge about

disabled pets. Read her easy to use how-to tips and uplifting pet profiles in this common sense

approach to keeping health-challenged pets happy. Parents especially will benefit from the spot-

on kids-and-dogs advice, and the fur-kids will wag themselves silly with approval. I am a fan!

–Amy Shojai, CABC, author 23 pet care books including “Complete Care for Your Aging

Dog” and “Complete Care for Your Aging Cat”

Natalie C. Markey is a born, bred and proud Texan. She attended Baylor University where

she received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism/Public Relations and Speech Communications

with minors in Business Development and Event Management. After several years of working in

PR and communications, Natalie made the leap to turning her nine-year part-time freelance

writing career into a full-time career. She writes for local and National publications and currently

holds three columns at Examiner.com, one of which is The Special Needs Dog Care Examiner.

Natalie also writes young adult and middle grade fiction. She lives in a forest in Arkansas, where

she writes daily with the support of her husband, daughter and, of course, Oscar.