When I was born, my owner noticed right away that something was different with me. Although I was quite feisty, I seemed to tire out quickly, and no matter what I was doing, I would always breath really hard. This made me sad, cause I could not keep up with my littermates when they ran around the house.

So my owner took me to the doctors when I was real young, to see what could be wrong with me! An xray indicated that my little heart looked to be three times normal size. But, before my vet would go any further, she recommended we see a cardiologist.

So, off we went to see Dr. Tyrell of Chesapeake Cardiology. Boy, did I sure like him! He was so gentle, and always talked real softly to me, so I wouldn't be scared.

They took me into a dark room, laid me on a table, and put this sticky ball on my chest, and moved it around a lot. The cardiologist was actually taking an echocardiogram of my heart. Neato!! He could see exactly how my heart was functioning.

Upon reviewing my heart results, Dr. Tyrell said I had PDA (patent ductus Arteriosus), a birth defect, in which a duct that is suppose to close when your born doesn’t, and causes turbulent blood flow through heart.

After VERY cafefull consideration of the consequences and my age, my owners and my cardiologist, decied I should have corrective surgery, to help me to live a long stress free life! Boy, I sure was scared, but I knew my owners would do anything for me, and I trusted them.

My big day of surgery was finally here. My cardiologist took one last echocardiogram of heart right before surgery. …But, wait…he stopped! Next thing I knew I was being put back in my carrier! Whats going on? Where’s my owners??

My cardiologist, after further examination, realized I now have an enlarged Left Ventricle. I didn’t know what this meant…but next thing I knew, I was going home with my owners, and they were really, really sad! I heard them say this enlarged ventricle was something called HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy) <>.

I started taking yucky medicines everyday, that helped clear some of the fluid around my heart. It did help me breath easier, but I still could not play very much. I also knew that my cardiologist told my owners, that since I had PDA and HCM, that my outlook was not good. This made me so sad, but I refused to give up! I was having to much fun with my brothers and sisters, and I told myself I would fight till the very end!!! Plus, my owners were doing everything they could for me to keep me happy and comfortable, and I loved them dearly for it.

Today, I’ve reached the Rainbow Bridge. It is so beautiful and peacefule here!! And you know what? I’m not having any trouble breathing anymore! I feel great! I can run all day, and play with the kittens here. I know my owners are probably quite upset that I’m gone, but I hope they can one day realize, that I’m not in pain anymore, and I appreciate all the wonderful things they did to help me feel as comfortable as possible!

I will be waiting to see them again at the Rainbow bridge!