Watson, a beautiful sweet Tri-color, was a Cavalier Rescue USA foster who came into our home, on June 8, 2016, after being surrendered to a Veterinary Health Clinic by his owners to be euthanized because of continued health issues. His owners were at the end of their rope both emotionally and financially. A vet tech took ownership of Watson and called Cavalier Rescue USA for assistance. And, so his journey to determine the cause of his weight loss started with a visit to my Vet, along with his previous health records, where additional blood work was done.

Watson had Endocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency or E.P.I. meaning that his digestive enzymes were not working to digest his food and so he was not being nourished, feeling constantly hungry and losing weight. A disease you don't hear much about but more and more Cavaliers are being stricken with this potentially fatal condition. I had never heard of it.

It seemed that all he needed were the Enzymes to be added to his food that would do the work of digestion for him and he could live a pretty normal life. I was thrilled that he would be able to recover and we could get him all healthy and ready to find his forever family in a few months. But, sadly that was not the case for Watson.

Watson lost his battle, June 20, 2016, less than a month after coming into Rescue, which literally broke my heart. In the short time he was with me, my heart was captured by his sweetness, which of course is so typical of any Cavalier! Even though he was somewhat shy and scared of certain things he was such a good boy and I believe that he knew we loved him and were trying to help him. Noah and Jonah accepted him as they do with all our fosters and gave him the space he needed at times. He so loved sleeping in the big bed with all of us and snuggling up close to me. I will look forward to seeing you again someday, Watson, at the Rainbow Bridge!

I found out afterward that EPI is very serious and can be a very hard recovery, and you will need a Veterinarian who is very familiar with "all" the aspects of this terrible disease to treat it properly. I will tell you that if your dog is diagnosed with EPI do more research than you think you need, talk to as many people as you can, keep a log of everything and listen to your inner voice"¦.do not totally rely on one professional. I know of dogs, after the fact, that are leading wonderful happy lives, exactly what I had so wished for my Watson.

Rest in Peace Sweet Boy! Check out Epi4Dogs Foundation, Inc. www.epi4dogs.com