My family and friends know how much I love my first baby, Ameera.

Ameera is a German Shepherd mix who was abused and rescued by wonderful people in 2011. I adopted her shortly after and she became my best four-legged friend. She was around one and a half years old.

As life blessed me with a daughter in 2014 and another one in 2018, my love for Ameera did not change. Yet, my time became less and less available for her.
On 02/22/2019, as a celebration to my birthday, I wanted to take care of my special baby. Thus, I went with her to the vet in order to filter through the options available to improve Ameera’s deteriorating health which I ignorantly assumed is due to hip dysplasia – a common condition of the breed.

Instead of the expected multiple solutions, I received a completely different diagnose which broke my heart in thousands tiny pieces.

At first, I positively and patiently listened as the vet explained what Degenerative Myelopathy is.

“Ameera suffers from canine degenerative myelopathy (DM) which is a progressive disease of the spinal cord similar to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease) in humans. Normally, the spinal cord acts as a communication line between the brain and the limbs but as the spinal cord degenerates, this line is essentially cut and results in the loss of hind limb usage.”

And then I ask what any parent would ask… “What can I do to make my baby healthy again?”

The answer, took me by complete surprise and shocked me: “There is no cure. There is nothing you can do”, the doctor said. He continued, “Degenerative myelopathy typically involves the progressive loss of muscle strength and motor coordination in the legs, and slowly leading to the complete loss of function and paralysis.”

All my life I made things work. I did not stop until I got what I want, even if, sometimes took years. And now, a stranger tells me I need to stop believing, trying, and give up hope on such a special soul. That I “need to accept this genetically cursed incurable disease.” Moreover, that I “need to be ready to say Good Bye,… maybe soon.” That, “It all depends on me when I am ready to take THE DECISION.”

I was staring at him like he was a ghost. First, I could see him clearly and then slowly slowly blurrier and blurrier. “READY??!!! HOW CAN I EVER BE READY??!!” I wanted to shout. Instead I used a soft voice “If this disease is so bad, why is she so happy, always wanting to play, walk, greet, and do what she always did? the only difference is that she seems not to understand that her back legs are giving up on her?? WHY?????!!!!”

“Because this disease is painless”, he answered.

His reply felt like a tourniquet applied over my bleeding heart. While my pain was still there, it gave me a sweet relief knowing at least she does not feel anything or maybe not a lot.

Despite the fact that currently, there are no known treatment methods to slow or stop the progression of degenerative myelopathy, the quality of life can be improved, through usage of a wheelchair which offers increased mobility while she can successfully still complete her basic needs.

As the doctor asked me if I would agree to further analyze her condition, I looked into Ameera’s eyes. There was so much love that I instantly said YES!!! despite knowing that I may not be able to afford the upcoming charges.

Ameera is the best dog in the world. I am not just saying this because she is mine, but because is absolutely true. No other dog in this world could replace her. Thus, I have ONLY ONE option: TO GIVE HER THE BEST I GOT AS SHE ALWAYS UNCONDITIONALLY GAVE to me, my family and friends.

In my research for options offering Ameera the best I can as her strength for life is fading, I opted for a wheelchair which can be custom made and adjustable to the progression of the disease at https://eddieswheels.com/p/16/Rear-Wheel-Carts

 The custom made wheelchair costs $670, but at the time when the order is placed, they will also look for an available used one that would cost less. 

In my fervent research for solutions I came across Sanux Biotex. I already bought the trial offer praying that it could help. If it shows to make a positive change. then a 60 days supply costs $129. 
(Details can be found at https://www.degenerative-myelopathy.com/sanus-biotex/)

 
Exercising and physiotherapy is very important because it can extend the life expectancy of the dog. In order for her to truly enjoy the walks (without having bleeding paws from dragging) she will need set of rugged dog boot for the rear legs (a set is usually sold for all 4 paws at approximately $40). 

Ameera absolutely loves to be outdoors. I am happy to know I can offer her plenty outdoor space. Yet, I believe that she would enjoy a place where she can take advantage of privacy while she still has unlimited access to the yard especially that climbing the stairs in order to go in and out of the house, it will be harder and harder.
Someone offered to help with building a similar house (maybe bigger and with a ramp) for a cost not to exceed $100. 
(https://www.hayneedle.com/product/boomerandgeorgelodgedoghousewithporchlarge.cfm)

It may be far-fetched, yet God created me to hope and try my best to overcome life's challenges.

I am by nature a giver, but sometimes in life there is a need to ask and to gratefully receive help as in this instance. Any tiny help for my four-legged baby girl will mean the world to me. I am extremely humbled by the moral support already received.  I believe God makes us, humans, struggle in life, so we can come together and make the pain more bearable.

I thank each and every one of you for allowing me not to give up.
I thank each and every one of you for being who you are.
I will be forever grateful for having you in my life.
And I know Ameera will always love you because ... she is an angel -  born to only love. 


PLEASE take the time to check the videos on a computer - for whichever reason they are not loading on a handheld device. The videos really show how amazing she is. 
THANK YOU for taking the time to know how special, and unique my beautiful fur baby is.