My children were grown and my marriage of 25 years had come to an end. After several years alone I decided to get a companion in the form of a Golden Retriever puppy. “Luke” proved to be everything I wished for.

On his second visit to the Vet for his puppy shots, a heart murmur was discovered. Upon recommendation of his Vets, an ultrasound was done by Texas A&M University. Unfortunately, the results were devastating....He was diagnosed with a stenosis of the sub-valvular region of the left ventricular outflow tract of his heart (Subaortic Stenosis). A disease inherited from his parents, one that continues to be passed on to other litters through unknowing or uncaring breeders. As a result, Luke would most likely never see his second birthday. My tears were only comforted by the sweet “kisses” he placed upon my cheeks.

Following that day, every six to eight months Luke and I made the trip to A&M from San Antonio to check his heart and hopefully come up with a miracle that would save my friend’s life. Each time we returned home, Luke’s tail always wagging, my heart getting heavier with every visit. Luke turned two in April of 2001; he had beaten the odds…temporarily.

To me Luke didn’t look sick. His coat was beautiful and would shine like spun silk in the morning sun. His eyes were clear and bright and easily touched your soul. He was and is a happy dog who steals the heart of all he meets. His weight and energy level was dropping but I was blind to his deterioration.

Because of the illness, Luke’s metabolism was very fast, and it was necessary for him to have access to food at all times. I free fed him dry food, and he ate two cans of food in the morning and two cans of food in the evening as well.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Luke & I were on our way to A&M, most likely Luke’s last trip. The drive to A&M took 3 hours. News on the radio that morning was tragic. Luke’s tests took about 5 hours. As I entered the consultation room with the Doctor following the exam, I braced myself for the news to come. His condition had worsened. As the Doctor continued to speak, I couldn’t believe my ears. A new surgical development could possibly correct Luke’s heart. My prayers were being answered. I wanted to shout for joy but New York and the world was witnessing an unimaginable loss. My emotions were stifled.

In the days that followed, Doctors from A&M informed me that because of Luke’s overall good condition, except for his heart, he would be a perfect candidate for the surgery. A pediatric cardiologist has volunteered to assist, providing the surgery could be done on October 20. This was a research project; one that had been done on only 12 dogs previously in the world but surprisingly had been done on thousands of humans including infants, successfully.

The surgery was performed at Texas A&M as scheduled and six days later I was able to bring Luke home. We had a couple of scares until medications were adjusted but I am happy to say at his check-up in October of 2003 he was given a clean bill of health, a small murmur the only remaining sign of a disease that could have taken my best friend’s life.