BEHAF'S
Special Friends:

In some extraordinary cases, a Berner may not meet the BEHAF criteria and/or funds may not be available, or sufficient, to offer assistance, yet the case may have captured the sympathies of the Berner community. In such cases, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, a Berner may be granted status as a "Special Friend of BEHAF" and funds will be accepted specifically to help that case.

CHASE'S story:
"I  (Dawn, Chase's owner) attended the 99 National Specialty show with three dogs and my young daughter. We drove from Dallas Texas to Tucson Arizona, and stopped at rest areas in Texas, New Mexico and southern Arizona. Three weeks after returning we noticed that Chase was off his feed, very lethargic, had a slight puffy cough and was running a low grade persistent fever. He was placed on amoxicillin, with no change in any of the symptoms. The fever persisted.

At four weeks post trip I remembered that there was something in our info packet from the National about an illness. Yes, I actually read the packet! I called Susan Ablon who had also attended and asked if she kept it....she did and when we read the sheet out loud my teeth almost fell out. It was symptom for symptom what Chase was experiencing. I returned to the vet for a blood titer to be sent to California, and we took x-rays....however the vet did not believe my theory, he insisted that the films indicated lymphosarcoma, as did a radiologist....five days later the blood titer returned very positive. He was started on the expensive Ketoconazole immediately. In the meantime through the berner-L I spoke with Joanne Prellberg...who was a calming factor in my life at the time. She had experienced Valley Fever in her berner and has treated many other dogs for it. She has been there for me to answer all my questions and I am so thankful.

Other information has come from searches on the internet...not much positive information to be had! We have had several setbacks, needed a visit to an internist for further tests, and have contacted vets at Texas A & M and the University of Arizona. Chase has been a trooper, and when things looked bleak, and costs started to mount, honestly his future was debated. BUT, when his name is said out loud and that tail starts to thump, well the debate was over quickly."

When Dawn wrote to the Berner-L, many thought that Chase's story could have been any one of our dog's stories and so made donations to help Chase. Some also gave to Sindi Leo when she posted Harleigh's heart wrenching bloat story, knowing that too could have been anyone's dog. But Sindi felt Chase needed it more and donated the funds earmarked for Harleigh on to Chase. Dawn has been gracious enough to accept the funds for Chase's sake.

We all wish her the best in the fight to help Chase back to health. Chase has become a Special Friend to the members of the Berner L and we at BEHAF are happy and proud to be a part of it.

UPDATE:

I have some good news about my Valley Fever boy, Chase! Several weeks ago I made contact with a local veterinarian, who also raises field labs, about Valley Fever. He treated his own dog many years ago for VF and was receptive to meeting Chase and I. He gave Chase a good exam, and reviewed his lab work and x-rays.

Chase's lungs will most likely always remained scarred from the VF and the titer will not drop suddenly. The vet suggested another three months of Ketoconazole, at a slightly higher dose....so I am once again trying to research the best price for another 3 month supply. He said that with his own dog, and with this crazy disease, it was his feeling that I will never feel that he is completely rid of the disease.

On the up side of things...Chase went to a berner Romp two weeks ago and had a ball...several asked how old he was, as his color is so weird, but listened to his story while he sat on their feet and begged for belly rubs. Also Chase has a very increased interest in his granddaughter who just went into her first season. While I wouldn't let him investigate it was encouraging to see him throw out his chest and be a macho boy once again. So we see the light at the end of that tunnel...just have to be on this darn $$ drug for another three months...
Thanks for listening, Dawn F. Letry

Chase and Dawn would like to thank the following for their generous donations in their time of need:

• Kathy & Jim Copeland
• Toni Davies
• Cathi DeSantis
• Suzanne E Hartigan & Scott Lintzenich
• Beverly S. Hilmes & Michael L. Hilmes
• Cynthia K. Hilton
• Sindi Leo
• Patricia Long and Paul G. Dangel
• Joye and Dr. William B. Neff