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Pets, Pets, Pets
The Darcy Fund, created to support research into the causes and cures of CVD, was established by Darcy’s owners, Kim and Jerry Thornton of Lake Forest, California, in conjunction with the American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Charitable Trust. Kim Campbell Thornton happens to be an award winning author and past editor of Dog Fancy who has written extensively about dog and cat health. The Thorntons chronicled the heartbreak of Darcy’s ordeal and expert advice at darcysdaily.blogspot.com. Though the Darcy Fund is linked to Cavaliers, any discoveries resulting from these grants have the potential to help every breed, perhaps other species as well. A cardiologist at Tufts says that about 11% of all dogs seen by veterinarians have some form of heart disease. Of those dogs, about 75-80% have congestive heart disease (CVD.) The University of Pennsylvania already received funding for projects with Darcy donations.
According to CavalierHealth.org, Cavaliers are the most vulnerable to chronic valve disease. It is a multi-gene condition that affects about half of all Cavaliers by age 5 years old, and nearly all Cavaliers by 10, if they live that long. In these Spaniels, the prevalence of mitral valve disease is 21 times that in the typical canine. The disease manifests itself earlier and accelerates more rapidly in Cavaliers.
Cavaliers are the ultimate companion dogs, natural stress reducers- once only a luxury of the British aristocracy. Darcy herself was an import from Ireland. She adored people and Kim joked that “it was her friendly Irish nature coming out. She must have licked the Blarney Stone before she was shipped to us.” An ambassador of affection, Darcy loved meeting new people and tailored her greetings. She was gentle to kids and the elderly, yet planted more rambunctious kisses on everyone else. She wilted if a stranger chose to ignore her CVD presents itself in insidious ways. When Darcy was a puppy, a cardiologist noticed that she had a soft murmur. By the time she was 3, the murmur was louder, but Kim hoped she’d remain symptom-free. On her 6th birthday annual tests showed that her heart had greatly enlarged. Medications began but were hard to stabilize. Unfortunately, studies show the medicines are not effective until symptoms appear, and the side effects are such that owners hold off as long as possible. Genes shaped the wonderful Cavalier temperament, but also weakened their hearts. When Kim describes Darcy, I see my tiny Cavalier mix. These clever characters know how to commandeer laps. They anticipate your couch arrival—be it the remote’s click or the coffee’s perking. They are most content when snuggled on you or flipped over in your arms. One of saddest parts of CVD was that Darcy was no longer able to rest this way. She had to lie alone on a hard surface to lessen her discomfort and labored breathing. My holiday wish for my dogs, and yours, would be to “freeze them in time”- keeping them as vibrant as they are now. I know that is impossible. The Darcy Fund, though not magical, may conquer this cardiac crisis so someday all our dogs can enjoy longer, healthier lives. A tax deductible donation to the Darcy Fund- by mail: C.Tennille, Treasurer, ACKCS Charitable Trust, Inc., 14430 Overlook Ridge La, Beaverdam VA 23015 or at: www.akcsccharitabletrust.org - www.ackcsccharitabletrust.org - “in memory or in honor of” a dear dog is a gift of life and love from our hearts sent straight to theirs. The poster pets at Babylon Town Shelter (643-9270) Lamar St. W. Babylon are all decked out because they know they have limited chances to attract a home of their own for the holidays. The shelter is closed Fri. and Mon. this week and next. “Fanny”, a mature, but perpetually playful Husky mix in Cage 93, is waiting since Sept. “Bosco” (#18483) is a gorgeous longhaired tux, about 5 months, who presses his polydactyl paw against your cheek. Females: a Wheaten/Sheepdog mix in Cage 81 found at Pathmark; “Candy”- a 1 yr. brindle Retriever mix in Cage 65; “Mona” in C-1- the surrogate Mom tortie cat, now spayed and FeLV/FIV tested. Males: “Bullet”- a red Siberian Husky in Cage 7; “Panda”- the gentle Border Collie mix in Cage 11; an assorted group of the sweetest teen tabbies you’ll ever meet.
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