It’s truly a dog’s life. Running the fence with my buddy Gooney, next door, barking wildly at passers by proclaiming that this is my turf, chasing bunnies and squirrels and looking fine and healthy. I sure am a good-looking Golden Retriever! Mom had supper waiting, as it should be, and after a quick scarf down I went back to playing fence tag with Gooney. But then I didn’t feel so great. My belly looked like I’d swallowed my beachball and it hurt!!! I was scared, my mom was scared and Goony’s mom rushed us to the emergency hospital. What was happening to me, why did I hurt and why was mom crying??? I was so scared! The nice surgeon gave me a shot and it’s been a scary adventure ever since. Diagnosis? Canine Bloat. Prognosis? Not good.

We did lots of research on why it happened, what caused it, and why I was a good candidate for it. I was very lucky, very many dogs die of bloat, but not me and I’d like to tell you and your moms how I got better and what it took to get me here. My surgeon will share the technical stuff (I sure don’t want to hear the gross stuff) and the nutritionist will tell how to feed us to prevent bloat and care for us after surgery and mom will tell all about the daily joys of having me and getting through bloat – financially and logistically.

Please share this new book with all of your big breed friends, shelters, rescue groups, pet supply stores, kennels and veterinarians so that no pup has to look like they swallowed their beachball by mistake and feel so much pain.

The proceeds of this book will go to some special places; a fund to help pay emergency fees for other dogs who get bloat and a fund for old dogs (like me) who get dumped because of dumb reasons (like they’re not cute puppies anymore or a few steps too slow to play with), find good home with people who love them.

P.S. Oh, and Gooney’s real name is Sunny, but he’s a big sweet goon so the nickname stuck!