Many of you will know that Lily has had a few vet appointments of late trying to get to the bottom of some back and leg issues.

Last week she saw a specialist. He’s been in the field for 40 years and his colleague, 20 years.

Sadly, Lily has been diagnosed with an extremely rare degenerative disease only affecting German Shepherds. One that he has only seen twice in his time. Only one vet in the world is doing research into it and the treatment and he has only ever had 6 cases to study from.

It is called Gracilis Muscle Contracture.

It means that her muscles in her back legs scar/calcify and will continue to grow and scar over even with surgery. So surgery is not an option.

In approximately two years we will see the full affects of it. Her legs will completely fold up under her and she won’t be mobile. In other cases, this has lead to euthanasia.

Lots of things are going through our heads atm. But overall, we’re focusing on Lily having the best time of her life right now. She loves so many things about farm life and she’s going to live her life to the fullest. Luke can’t leave the house without Lily hot on his tail. If he ever leaves the property, she is the only dog that will sit right on the gate waiting for him to return. We’re not going to let Lily feel like there’s anything different.

Behind the scenes, the specialists are calling around the world to work out a treatment program that will slow down the process as much as we can. Physio, hydrotherapy etc. We’re told nothing will fasten it up. Her exercise regime should continue as that’s what she loves to do, so that doesn’t need to change.

If I’m the future, a dog wheelchair is an option, we will be getting her the Ferrari version. No question about it.

I’m having a little cry writing this right now. But we’re not going to let Lily know any different.

I’m sorry to share some sad news with you all. We were not expecting this at all. From here on it will be only happy days continuing for our Lil.