EPI * Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

My husband and I first learned about Leonbergers in 1997 when our Golden Retriever died. We thought Goldens would be the only dogs we'd ever have. After having one Leo, we were sold on the breed.

Barnum is the third Leo who has owned us. Out of the three, he is the most affectionate. I picked him out of the litter at six weeks old. After a group of prospective puppy buyers had left, Barnum still wanted to be picked up and held. Most important, he was full of affection for me. Barnum licked my face and arm and then snuggled down on my lap for a while. For a six week old puppy, his disposition was excellent. Very calm. When I brought him home at 8.5 weeks old on October 3, 2009, Barnum enjoyed snuggling on my lap and stayed there all the way home.

This picture of Barnum was taken the day after we brought him home. After napping on my husband's lap, he came over to mine and totally relaxed, stretched out on his back. Barnum was definitely our bundle of joy and the first young puppy in our home since 1997.

Bailey, Barnum's half-brother, same mother, we purchased at nearly four months old on November 8, 2008. Bailey is one year and two weeks older than Barnum. He has his own medical problem — alkaline urine. Bailey needs lifetime urine acidifier. The cause was a long term urinary tract infection which was never addressed. I cannot imagine the pain Bailey must have been in when we brought him home. It took us months to get the proper diagnosis and for him to get treatment.

Here is Bailey when we brought him home on November 8, 2008:

The cute little girl next to him is our grand-daughter. The two of them are best buddies still.