Our Beauregard

by Valerie Hartman
(Sioux Falls SD USA)

Beau had Atypical Addison's disease and lived 2 years with it. He was a small, 50 pound, white Standard Poodle. Our kids and grandkids loved him. He seemed to know when to make us laugh and was a great family member. He'd stare us down like we were having a contest and he'd usually win. He loved to walk and Frisbee, he really could jump! If we were on the phone talking to family he'd join in, funny how he seemed to know who it was on the other end.

We got him as a plump and round puppy, when he was 4 yrs old he was diagnosed with Atypical Addison's disease. He went on medication and was doing well. After 2 years he had 2 relapses within a month of each other. We were RVing at the time and so our vet wasn't available. The second vet we took him to, did a work-up and the results showed he had gone over to Addison's. His kidneys and other organs were failing and he wouldn't be the same Beau again. We made a hard decision to euthanize him and were with him at the end 3/12/08. The vet was a wonderful help, worked with us not to feel guilty because of our choice. I'll always be thankful to her for her guidance.