Today for my post I was supposed to go to flickr/explore and use the first picture. I didn’t like it so I dug down to the popular pictures of the week for this beauty:

It inspired me in three ways:

1.) To remind folks that doggies can also get multiple sclerosis! It’s not something that’s talked about much, but it’s true!

Canine Degenerative Myelopathy is basically a mirror of human multiple sclerosis but in dogs. German shepherds, collies, Siberian huskies, Labrador retrievers, Belgian shepherds, and kerry blue terriers are most at risk for this, and is most common in older pure-bred dogs.

Currently they have no medications to help them, but they end up with weakness and poor coordination just like we do.

Click here for more information on Canine Degenerative Myelopathy.

AND

2.) To talk about the fact that no matter what, it’s always good to keep smiling.

Doggies can’t talk to complain or tells us what’s going on. They just keep living their doggie lives, making the best of it as they can. We treat them with as much compassion as we can: we give them whatever treatments we can, give them food and water and playtime, and they just keep going on having fun where they can, and living their lives!

It’s such a good example for the rest of us. It reminds us that we’re still animals, just like everyone else. We can still eat and drink and exercise and have fun, despite our need to rest a little more. But what’s most important is to keep smiling and taking the most out of life where we can get it.

AND

3.) To talk about helper dogs! Some dogs are out there offering help to those with Multiple Sclerosis and/or seizure disorder, and they’re not to be forgotten. My dog Brisco, before he got all ruined by treats and love, was a wonderful helper dog when I was having seizures consistently. He was great about getting me to the couch and warning Adam. (Nowadays, he just wants treats all the time and can’t be bothered… but that’s a whole other story!)

If you have MS or a seizure disorder and need help with basic things, like getting a phone in an emergency situation, or to help you with balance, you might consider getting a service dog.

Regardless of whether we’re loving them for reminding us to smile, being our comerades in the war against MS, or if they’re helping us out, one thing is certain: We love our dogs!