Tiny Babe was part of an unexpected litter of puppies, and as it turned out, she was quite the surprise herself! Just a few weeks into her young life, Babe was having trouble keeping food down. Diagnostics from our veterinary team confirmed our suspicion: Babe had Megaesophagus, a condition where the esophagus is enlarged and/or unable to properly move food down into the stomach. Dogs with this condition can live relatively normal lives as long as it is managed carefully. That involves a very special mealtime routine: eating meals upright, usually in a special "Bailey chair"!
Thankfully, Babe’s condition didn’t stop her from stealing the heart of her adopter, who shared, “It was meant to be! I saw a puppy posted on Animal Haven’s website that I wanted to adopt. However when I got there she had already found her forever home. I was so sad because I had traveled all the way from Massachusetts to New York to adopt what I thought would be my Bambi. Seeing how sad I was, Rose, a staff member at Animal Haven, asked me if I wanted to hold the puppy’s sister, Babe.. I was told that she hadn’t been posted for adoption because she had a hereditary condition that was being worked up called Megaesophagus. The minute they put Babe (now known as Bambi) in my hands, I knew she was coming home with me.
"I really wasn't sure what I was getting myself into when I adopted Babe, but everything about her made me fall in love with her more and more each day. She’s feisty, demanding and assertive but at the same time, she’s gentle, loving and so playful. I’ve learned how to feed her in a way that minimizes her vomiting episodes, she’s 90% potty trained and I do a lot less laundry! The thought of Bambi not being able to live her best life, like many other dogs, because of Megaesophagus breaks my heart. Bambi has been an amazing addition to my family and we will not let her condition be a barrier to love.”