Henry Veach: A Very Special Yellow Lab

Some dogs touch one life deeply. Some dogs touch many lives. And some miracle dogs touch every life they encounter. Yellow Labrador Henry Veach is one of those special few.

Henry’s miracle started with his birth, an emergency C-section, performed by our iPet of the Week sponsor Doc Ceglinski. The first two pups didn’t survive, but Henry did, only after being resuscitated.

At a year old, Henry’s Grand Mal seizures started, and he was diagnosed with epilepsy. He has taken Phenobarbital every day since. Henry also has hip dysplasia.

OK, so this isn’t sounding like such a promising start. But Henry’s owner, Martha Veach, an RN in Western Baptist’s obstetrical department, saw the spark in her dog’s eyes. Together they embarked on a long, rewarding, successful run.

Henry competed in his first Agility Trial with Martha when he was just 16 months old. Along the way, he earned an astounding 12 agility titles, three obedience titles, his Canine Good Citizenship title and his Therapy Dog Certification!

But, like the inspiration for the lead role in the best-selling book and soon-to-be-released movie, Marley and Me, Henry Veach was all Lab!

Martha shakes her head and laughs as she recalls the time Henry helped himself to nine two-inch sirloin pork chops, all set to be cooked for friends. “One time he climbed out of a window in the van at a dog show and tracked me down across a field of about 1,000 spectators.”

Martha expresses her concern that with the popularity of the Marley and Me movie, folks might be tempted to run out and buy a Lab puppy without considering the challenges.

“That cute, cuddly puppy quickly becomes a holy terror with no attention or training,” Martha says.

Hip dysplasia, blindness and epilepsy are diseases that plague the breed. Reputable breeders do health screenings on both parents before planning a litter, and those results should be readily available to prospective puppy homes. A safe plan is: no genetic testing — no sale! Even dogs that don’t exhibit disease can be carriers.

Henry did his part to help his fellow Labs. More than $1,500 has been raised to date in Henry’s honor for the Canine Health Foundation’s Epilepsy Fund.

“I could never list all the great things that he has done,” says Martha. “It would take all day. I always tell everyone that Greg is my husband and Henry is my other half. I cherish every day I have with him.”

Henry retired from agility after his ninth birthday. He and Martha did their last run together at the Paducah Kennel Club’s Agility Trial in 2007. I’m crying as I recall that run, and there was not a dry eye among the spectators, including the judge.

Except for Henry Veach. He was smiling the whole way around.

In June 2008, Henry suffered a stroke after a massive seizure and was paralyzed. Once more, Martha credits Doc Ceglinski with saving his life. (We think Martha’s excellent nursing care came in handy, too!) Now he walks without help, and wags that big thick otter tail at every opportunity.

Rock on, Henry Veach!

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