01/12/2025
A story about a very little ME puppy named MEgan.
Kathy and Lee McConnell, StoryBook volunteers and founders of WeBe Boarding, received a phone call from Freedom Run Express’s owner and founder, Crissy Spalek , about a puppy that was at a local veterinary office. The puppy was brought into the vet because she was regurgitating and unable to eat without regurgitating. She was diagnosed by an x-ray with mega esophagus that day.
Megaesophagus, also known as esophageal dilatation, is a disorder of the esophagus in humans and other mammals, whereby the esophagus becomes abnormally enlarged.
This is a very difficult diagnosis. The owner made the difficult decision to surrender the puppy to the vet and possibly euthanize. An Angel in the front office at the vet contacted Crissy at Freedom Run Express because she had heard that there was someone that might have experience with megaesophagus. Crissy knew exactly who to call. She placed a phone call to Kathy and Lee McConnell who have had a megaesophagus dog, BaeLee, for almost 10 years. They have tons of experience and have even fostered dogs with ME. Kathy and Lee knew they had to help this puppy and give it a chance. Kathy called Merrick Stern founder/owner of StoryBook rescues who was at that exact vet picking up a cat. Merrick, without question, brought the puppy to Kathy and Lee McConnell ‘s home within hours of the phone call. Storybook also agreed to sponsor the puppy through StoryBook rescue in case it needed any further medical care or special food that she may need and until a special-needs rescue was found for the puppy. As the puppy was settling in, a friend gave it the name MEgan. Meaning Mega Esophagus Warrior. MEgan was put on a very strict routine and with their experience in ME, Kathy and Lee were able to stabilize her. MEgan thrived in their care. She has gained weight. The plans were started to prepare her for transport to Connecticut to Perfect Imperfections, a rescue for special needs dogs. Crissy, founder/owner of the transport company Freedom Run Express took time to visit Kathy and Lee to learn how to feed MEgan and learn her routine. Trisha at Perfect Imperfections rescue has tons of experience with ME dogs and is a perfect match for MEgan.
Yesterday, January 11th, MEgan left on big Bertha one of the transport vans with Freedom Run Express. Transported to Connecticut and delivered to her new special needs rescue, Perfect Imperfections Rescue on Sunday morning. Megan is doing very well. None of this would have been possible if not for all these wonderful women who gently passed MEgan from hand to hand with full intentions of saving her life and getting her ultimately to a forever home. The forever home part is now in the hands of Trisha at Perfect Imperfections Rescue. StoryBook would like to thank everyone that was involved in this rescue. And especially for believing in each other. Many people behind-the-scenes also helped reach out to Perfect Imperfections Rescue. We would like to thank Donna of the UCB (Upright Canine Brigade) Crissy (Freedom Run Express ) Kathy (WeBeBoarding) for reaching out to perfect imperfections. StoryBook for sponsoring this baby. Also Lindsay McNutt (concierge, canine care ) for trimming MEgan’s itty bitty nails.
We’d like to especially thank Trisha at Perfect Imperfections for adding yet another ME Warrior to her pack. It has been an amazing experience to work with so many great people. This made it possible to save the life of this precious little girl, MEgan, the MEWarrior.
