Mo is ME

By Janet Booysen

Imagine having the ability to chew just about anything and the inability to swallow just about everything! Well, that’s ME (Megaesophagus).

This heart-warming character filled with hope and determination to survive, will take you on an emotional roller-coaster ride into the depths of despair and into the peaks of hope. With the dream of lifting the veil on ME, he shares a slice of life into the special aspects of his journey and everyday experiences, while living with an incurable disease that may be more common than we think.

About the author

Janet Booysen is a passionate ME parent and author of her first short story Mo is ME.
With hands-on experience in managing the disease, Mo’s journey has been told through his eyes with the hope of raising awareness around the disease and the plight of an abandoned animal.

Janet lives in Johannesburg, South Africa with her family and two Dachshunds, Honey and the infamous Mo. She is a professional life coach in personal development and sales.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Janet Booysen
• Release date: Jun 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005552152

Book preview

Mo is ME

Mo is ME

A Story of Abandonment to Acceptance

Living with Megaesophagus

janet booysen

Copyright © 2022 Janet Booysen

First edition 2022

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without permission from the copyright holder.

The Author has made every effort to trace and acknowledge sources/resources/individuals. In the event that any images/information have been incorrectly attributed or credited, the Author will be pleased to rectify these omissions at the earliest opportunity.

Published by Janet Booysen using Reach Publishers’ services,

P. O. Box 1384, Wandsbeck, South Africa, 3631

Edited by Jane Goodfellow for Reach Publishers

Cover designed by Reach Publishers

Website: www.reachpublishers.org

E-mail: [e-mail]

janet booysen

The Rise of Mo

Rescued walking the streets of Randfontein

His sad mangy eyes told a story of pain.

Skin and bone – ears tattered and torn

To imagine his journey – so tragic and forlorn.

Nicknamed Miny Mo as his body was so small

But one month later our tears would fall.

Mo was diagnosed with Megaesophagus disease

Which brought our family to its knees.

We learnt to treat our Miny Mo

We could not let him suffer another blow.

Fed slurry four times a day in his bailey chair

Then in our arms upright with tender loving care.

He runs about catching a gecko for fun

Guards it for hours while enjoying the sun.

He watches the fish in the tank swim by

He tries to catch them; goodness knows why.

Mo aspirated and almost died one night

But Mo fought back with all his might.

This little dog showed us how strong he could be

He wanted to be part of his new family.

At night as he curls up snug in his bed

Happy and warm, he covers his head.

I’m sure if he prays – his words would be

"Thank you, Dear Lord, for the day they chose me!"

Lindi Minnie

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

1 - Mega Who?

2 - Abandonment

3 - Salvation

4 - Homed

5 - Diagnosed

6 – Acceptance

7 - C'est la vie

Just a Dog

Acknowledgments

Back to Table of Contents

Introduction

Welcome to our world!

Thank you for being curious enough to open this book.

Your curiosity is what I was hoping for, to help Mo raise awareness on Megaesophagus and the plight of a rescue animal.

More awareness = More saved lives - Donna Challender, Upright Canine Brigade.

Before we get started with Mo’s journey, please note that I am not a veterinarian, nor do I have a medical background or any medical experience. This information is based on my understanding and experience of the disease through our beloved Mo’s journey and at no point does this book offer medical advice, treatment, or diagnoses of Megaesophagus. Please consult your veterinarian practitioner for any medical advice or concerns that you may have with your pet.

We are just your ordinary family, who’s been fortunate enough to have shared most of our lives with a variety of cats and dogs. We firmly believe in the policy of Adopt, don’t Shop and through this policy, our lives have been enriched with the most amazing characters.

I believe that Mo came into our lives for a reason; at the time we had no idea what it was, but as he grew into our hearts and our family, each one of us identified our own personal lessons. Even now that we understand what a few of the reasons may be, he continues to teach us new lessons every day.

For me it is trust - To have such unconditional trust for us, even after what those he previously trusted put him through. He placed his trust in our hands, only a few days after being in our care, and accepted us without hesitation. However, the house broom on the other hand has not been so lucky - there is still no trusting a stick, even if it’s disguised as a general household cleaning tool.

For my mom Barbara it is patience - The patience to relax in our arms while trying him in different positions, for being patient with us while testing various techniques, and his unwavering patience in waiting for his ‘up time’ to end. It’s as if he is playing his own waiting game, allowing us to figure out the situation and develop the best action suited for him. He will sit patiently for his food like an angel watching and waiting, but as soon as he sees the bowl approaching, patience leaves the building and is replaced with the cutest front-legged tap-dance, that is filled with excitement and anticipation.

For my son it is forgiveness - The physical scars he bears on his body probably pale in comparison to the deep emotional scars he keeps tucked away. We are blessed not to know his exact past circumstances, how long he endured them for or the pain he suffered, as I doubt we would be able to forgive so easily. He may have forgiven those who abandoned him, but the extreme emotional distress he displays when we go out and leave the house tells us a different story. The anxiety he shows when being separated or in watching us leave must bring back awful memories of being left alone to fend for himself in dire circumstances, coupled together with the feeling of hopelessness. He would sit in the same position at the window, watching the gate, not knowing if we are ever going to return.

For my husband Pieter it is strength - In engineering terms, Strength measures the resistance of a material to failure, given by the applied stress.

(http://www-materials.eng.cam.ac.uk/mpsite/interactive_charts/strength-ductility/NS6Chart.html)

The strength he displayed in the face of adversity and in not giving up, no matter how difficult and painful it was. The inner strength he found to defend and fight for what was his and to stand his ground no matter the size of the opponent or the level of stress applied. Despite this tough exterior and inner strength, his gentle, warm-hearted, affectionate nature would shine through in his love and adoration for us.

Just because a Rescue animal has been through the worst, has experienced discomfort, pain and harm, some tend to think it means that they are tough,