It's been a long time since I visited this site. I switched to WheelCorgis after Gwenny was diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy. After two years, the symptoms had progressed to become a quality of life issue for her. We said goodbye to our brave girl on August 21.

Now for the part that the admins will not like.

Although most people believe this horrible disease (identical to ALS in humans) is a German Shepard/large breed problem, the fact is, it has become a real threat to Pembroke Welsh Corgis in the USA. Just one of the of the numerous wheeled cart companies is shipping 5 carts per week to Corgi owners!

The typical age of onset is 10-11 years but they are born with the gene. It is an ascending paralysis (from the rear toes up) and if a human has the heart and fortitude to hold on to the bitter end it will eventually paralyze every part of the dog except their brain. Few dogs make it that far. Most have repeated and worsening UTI's (loss of bladder tone) or other infections (i.e., pneumonia) that causes system shutdown.  It could be purged from the breed in two generations if all breeders would do genetic blood tests and stop breeding positive dogs. If you have a senior dog who is unaffected then know that you are blessed. If you bought your dog from one of the few breeders who willingly tests their dogs then you are exceptionally blessed. Gwenny's breeder knew what was coming and just quit breeding with no explanation.

Be sure to give yours extra hugs and enjoy watching them run. I pray that the day will come when no one has to watch their beloved Corgi lose everything but their mind and spirit from this devastating illness.

My best to all of you.

Deb Smith