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RACHEL’S STORY

Rachel is a tiny Cavalier who was born to Champion Tamarindo Kathryn De La Rock. Her sire was Caruaidd Sammy Winterburn. She was one of six babies. Her mother had a difficult delivery and required a C Section to deliver the remaining four puppies. Rachel was one of the pups born by C-Section. When she was delivered her head was twisted around to her back and her chin was facing her tail. Dr Lewis said she would never have been delivered normally.

At six weeks of age we noticed that she was choking when eating solids. She was diagnosed with a condition called Crycopharyngeal Achalasia, a large word for stricture of the esophagus. Many people told us to euthanize her, but by that time she was so sweet and cute, we decided to make a lifetime commitment to Rachel.

She has had three surgeries to correct the problem, the last being done by a wonderful surgeon Dr Dave Szentimery at Western Veterinary Specialists in Calgary Alberta. Since her last surgery, she is able to eat well, but chokes because she eats in a gulping way.

We hand feed her and she lives a very normal and happy life. She is five years old at the time of writing this page. She sleeps between my husband and I, with head on pillow and covers up to her neck. She loves to go anywhere we go and is a beautiful traveller. She is slightly under size weighing in at 10 lbs. dripping wet. We love her and could not imagine life without her.