Meet Jordan!

Every one of our pets are special to us and I wouldn’t trade them for the world but there is just something about Jordan that still makes our heart shiver when we think about him.

We adopted Jordan, a Great Pyrenees, from the local Humane Society in June, 1991. We already had an 85lb Husky mix Maverick but I knew the first time I saw Jordan, it was meant to be. My husband was sold when Jordan saw him for the first time and walked up and licked his ear. So off we went with this 10 month old, 90lb. ball of fur - cough, runny nose, diarrhea and all!

We took Jordan to the vet for his initial check-up. His was diagnosed with kennel cough and later misdiagnosed by two different vets as having distemper. Because of this, Jordan was given three long acting shots of cortisone within a week when they were supposed to be given once every three weeks. His immune system was basically shut down. In other words, they almost killed him and told me it would probably be better just to euthanize him.

We were not going to give up on Jordan that easily. The Humane Society called his previous owners to see if he had any medical problems before and what shots he had received. We found out, they had bought him as a puppy, put him in the backyard and never took him to the vet. He had not had any of his shots. We took him to a third vet, one recommended by a co-worker. It turned out, Jordan had a severe bronchial infection, not kennel cough, not distemper. He was put on the proper medication and began his recovery, but not without a price. The vet said, because he was so sick, so young, his organs did not get the opportunity to develop as they should so he could be faced with a lot of medical issues in the future.

The next thing we needed to tackle was his grooming, or lack of. His poor skin was covered with hot spots and his hair was matted. In order for his skin to be treated and receive some air, we decided to have him shaved from his neck to the base of his tail. He may not have liked how he looked but I know he felt better! We finally got Jordan back to where he needed to be but it wasn’t over for him.

He was so good. Regardless of what he had been through or what he was going through, he kept his great personality and disposition. He still wanted to run, play and have fun.

He received his Canine Good Citizenship Award on May 1, 1994.

The following years were met with allergies, cherry eye which required surgery,  a benign tumor in his mouth which required surgery, hip dysplasia and arthritis.

Even though Jordan’s first years were rough, his real problems started in February 2002 when he was inflicted by Vestibular Inflammation. The symptoms are very similar to a stroke. He lost the use of his back legs and his head had a definite twitch. We rushed him to the hospital where he stayed for two days. The vet felt he was so depressed from being away from home, he had given up on even trying to get up. We took him home on a stretcher. His prognosis was not good.

We lived in a bi-level at the time and the thought of Jordan even trying to go up and down stairs was out of the question. The only entry to the house without steps was through the garage and into the family room. We carried him into the family room where we stayed with him but we knew he wouldn’t be happy being stuck there all the time. We installed chain link gates across the garage door openings so he could see and "be" outside when he wanted to be. He couldn’t be left alone, so we set up our chairs, table, TV and space heater and took turns going upstairs to eat. The garage and family room became our "home".

Jordan still could not stand on his own and needed assistance when trying to walk. We did this with a make-shift "sling" made from a sheet. We slipped the sling under his stomach and when he walked we would provide support for his hind legs. After two weeks of steroid shots twice a day, which we gave him, moderate exercise, massages and lots of love, Jordan began showing improvements. He still couldn’t walk unassisted but could stand alone to eat. Our vet was actually amazed at his progress.

After 3 months, with a little help from us and a lot of determination on Jordan’s part he worked himself to within 95% of being fully recovered. He still could not master the stairs but was actually back to going on his regular walks.  He had a little cock in his head but that would probably never go away.

We were so excited! When this first happened, we thought sure we were going to lose him. Then, the bomb dropped. Jordan was diagnosed with liver cancer. He had a tumor the size of a grapefruit on his liver that was seeping blood and fluid into his abdomen. We had the choice of exploratory surgery but as bad as we wanted to keep him, we could not put him through anymore pain. We lost Jordan on June 1, 2002, at 10:00 p.m. , just two months before his 12^th birthday. The thing that actually gives us the chills? We lost my husband’s mom on June 1 at 10:00 p.m. just five years earlier – of liver cancer.

I only pray, as I approach my senior years, I can maintain the attitude, determination and strength Jordan showed throughout his many challenges.

We still miss him and will always miss him. I know though, when I cross the bridge, this big, white, hairy dog will be there to meet me, with his tail wagging and a smile on his face!

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