“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”—New International Version, 1984, Psalms 23:4
This article is my personal testimony of our Golden Retriever’s struggle with esophageal dysfunction and how use of a Bailey Chair alongside changes in our living skills have prolonged his life.
Meet Shiloh—
Our Golden’s name is Shiloh, also known as, our “Little Prince.” Well, not so little any more as he’s a full-grown loving 12-year old senior citizen who continues to give us oodles of joy and happiness.
Shiloh’s story starts as an isolated case of pneumonia in February 2020. After being treated with I.V. antibiotics and a 2-night hospitalization, he fully recovers to return home to resume his main occupation as playmate to his littermate, Shenandoah.
In October of 2020, Shiloh is again diagnosed with reoccurring aspiration pneumonia, now under the care of a Veterinarian Internist at a specialty clinic per referral from our regular veterinarian. A barium swallow study is also ordered and conduced by a Veterinarian Radiologist who diagnoses Shiloh with Esophageal Dysfunction.
In my own words, Esophageal Dysfunction is heart-wrenching. Even people are afflicted with this awful condition. Due to problems in the esophagus, Shiloh’s food can travel into his lungs instead of his stomach causing labored breathing problems, coughing, and pneumonia.
Other canines suffer similar conditions one of which is Megaesophagus. Although different than esophageal dysfunction, the outcome is similar in that it can also lead to the same incomprehensible and unimaginable outcome. Lives cut short!
Back to Shiloh’s story! After the results of his swallow study, our Veterinarian Internist suggested we buy Shiloh a “Bailey Chair” for vertical feedings. This chair puts him in a vertical position to improve swallowing and esophageal motility. This chair is unique in that it positions Shiloh in a “beg position” to allow gravity to assist the food to move down into his stomach instead of the lungs. This position decreases or eliminates the episodes of aspiration pneumonia.
THE POWERFUL BAILEY CHAIR
A picture paints a thousand words, so let’s get started. First and foremost, in my opinion, the Bailey Chair is an ingenious invention unparalleled to even Michelangelo’s and Leonardo DiVinci’s inventions. Ok, that’s a huge endorsement, I know! But when something is saving your furry-friend’s life, it’s easy to get excited. Looking back, we did much research and even hesitated about ordering the chair (I mean would it really work?). Well, we finally took the plunge, measured Shiloh, and ordered his chair in December from www.baileychairs4dogs.com. Accepting and adapting to this change in our lives was difficult. It took a mind-shift and a new way of thinking that was a big adjustment in our lives. Looking back, we’re glad we took the leap of faith and we’d do it all over again.
In mid-January we received and assembled the chair and acclimated Shiloh in its use. We trained him to enter and exit the door, help him get his tail out the opening, assist him to get up into the “beg” position, place his paws alongside the bowl while eating, and to become familiar with the bowl attachment and paw rest. To prevent Shiloh from leaning on the door as we lock and unlock it, we give him some physical support.
Shiloh ate his first meal in the chair as if nothing had ever changed and adapted to it immediately. Perhaps due to the prior familiarization. We were quite impressed with the whole process and wished we’d have ordered the chair much early than we had, but hindsight is 20/20!
So, here’s how the process works for us—
In Reflection—
The Bailey Chair, if not saving Shiloh’s life is definitely prolonging his life while also allowing him to be comfortable while enjoying his remaining time with us—and we cherish every precious moment.
Throughout this difficult time, we’re reminded that Shiloh is our canine champion, our furry-friend, our fur-baby, and our most cherished creature of God – given to us to make the world a better place!
Like many, our pets are like our children and part of the family! And when they suffer, we suffer. Such as the song, “he’s not heavy, he’s my brother” (Scott & Russel, 1969). I see my dogs as my brethren— never heavy but the complete opposite,—the light of our lives!
And, like all lives, Shiloh deserves a compassionate “end-of-life” journey commensurate with the love he’s given us! We want to “give back” and do what’s within our range to comfort him, be empathetic to him, and embrace him throughout all his life’s stages! It’s not just his cute puppyhood years but also his senior citizen years that matter equally.
The Human-Animal Touch (HAT©), which I’ve coined is a give-and-take relationship that reminds us of our own fragility in life and our own desire for dignity in the death and dying process.
Epilogue—
This post is dedicated to all the fur-parents out there who are suffering alongside their furry friends who have these devastating swallowing problems that lead to aspiration pneumonia, starvation, and far too often a journey across rainbow bridge.
I’d further like to thank all our friends, family, pet insurance, Veterinarians, and specialists out there who’ve guided us through Shiloh’s treatments, medications, equipment needs, and care plans. Without them the world would be a less furry and loving place.
And, I‘d also like to leave you with this inspirational saying of St. Francis of Assisi—Patron Saint of Animals, Prayer for My Pet (and if praying is not for you, then whatever practice brings you calm and peace)—
In your infinite wisdom, Lord God, when You created the universe you blessed us with living creatures. We especially thank you for giving us our pets who are our friends and who bring us so much joy in life. Their presence very often helps us get through trying times. Kindly bless my pet. May my pet continue giving me joy and remind me of Your power.
May we realize that as our pets trust us to take care of them, so we should trust You to take care of us, and in taking care of them we share in Your love for all Your creatures.
Enlighten our minds to preserve all endangered species so that we may continue to appreciate all Your creations. Grant this through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Some Further Considerations—
-Never leave a pet in the Bailey Chair unattended.
-Ensure that your pet’s tail is unencumbered and is positioned loose through the tail opening if your Bailey Chair design has one.
-Keep your Pet in the Bailey Chair only for the allotted time prescribed by your veterinarian.
-We put non-skid padding or rug-lock on the platform to ensure that Shiloh’s paws are securely grounded and free from slipping, to protect the vinyl from Shiloh’s nails, and to catch any food droppings.
-We also put the entire wooden base of the Bailey Chair on a silicone pad that prevents it moving while Shiloh transitions in and out of the chair, and to protect the floor.
Thank you for reading this article and visiting my site. To me, humans and animals touch each others’ lives leaving indelible handprints and pawprints of love. Oh, what a friend I have in Shiloh!
Resources—
Check out this website—it has much information about support groups and helpful organizations that you can join to learn more and to share your story with others.
Disclaimer—
This author is not a veterinarian. This article is not intended to provide medical or veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Refer to full disclaimer page for more.
References—
New International Bible. (1984). International Bible Society.
Scott, B., & Russell, B. (1969). He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother [Recorded by The Hollies]. On Hollies Sing Hollies [Stereo LP]. United Kingdom: Parlophone.
