Peanut
[singlepic=811,200,200,,] [singlepic=879,200,200,,]* Animal: Dog
* Breed: Great Dane
* Sex: Female
* Age: 2 years
Hello!! My name is Peanut and I am a 2-year old Great Dane. I like to get belly rubs, ear scratches, play with other dogs and treats!! I am told that I am small for my breed and age, but I think I am the perfect size for a lap dog. I have mega-esophagus (http://www.caninemegaesophagus.org/), which means that my esophagus doesn’t work as it should and cannot transport food to my stomach. Pretty much, food can sit in my throat until I regurgitate it, boo. Anyway, my first family, that had me since I was a puppy did not know why I was throwing up all the time so they kept me in a crate or put me outside. Eventually, I got sick enough that they brought me to the vet to have me put to sleep. But the nice people at Westerville VCA took one look at me and said ‘no way’. So they asked my owners to give me over to their care. Once they figured out that I had mega-esophagus, they were able to help me keep my food down and start gaining weight! Now, thanks to the nice people at Westerville, I live with a foster family. They built me a feeding stand so that I can eat standing up, which helps the food slide right down my throat and into my stomach. They also got me a slo-feed bowl. I don’t like that part too much because it takes soooo long to eat, but apparently, that is a good thing and it helps keep the food down. I also take a pill 30 minutes prior to eating, called a pro-motility drug, whatever that means. Anyway, the vet says that my condition is congenital and therefore doesn’t indicate a bigger issue. They also say that with my feeding stand and medicine, I will live a pretty normal life, sounds good to me! Anyway, if you are looking for a loving dog that is crate trained (almost house trained, but nights can sometimes be too long) and loves other dogs and kids and people, I am your girl. I know how to sit, stay and ‘go lay down’, I know my name and I come when you whistle (unless there is something important that needs investigation). I still jump up, but I am learning to stop. It’s hard though, I need to get close for kisses!!