Heimdall’s story provides a compelling example of the love of a special pet, and the value of being able to provide excellent care

(Denver, CO) November 4, 2009: The North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) announced today that there will be a reception and news conference to honor the late Heimdall, a much beloved deaf Great Dane as the winner of the 2009 North American Favorite Pet Story. The Rocky Mountain Great Dane Rescue and the North American Pet Health Insurance Association have added a news conference and award presentation to the “Cocktails for Tails”, fundraising reception on November 7, 2009. Members of the media are invited and encouraged to attend.  

The “Cocktails for Tails” event takes place from 5:30 to 8:30PM, Saturday, November 7, at the Rembrandt Art Gallery, 1301 Spruce St., Boulder, for the general public; tickets are $30 per person and $55 per couple.

Meg and Joel Wittenmyer are Denver area Rocky Mountain Great Dane Rescue Group members and the owners of the late Heimdall. Just a few years back, Meg and Joel were as only going to keep Heimdall for a few days until a good home could be located. The dog was very special and not just because of his hearing disability. Meg and her husband quickly found a kind and gentle giant with a soul that could be seen through his eyes and he immediately melted the hearts of what became his new family.

The 145 lb Heimdall would gently approach his new owners and softly lay his head on their shoulder and he pretty much got whatever he wanted. Yes, they spoiled him quite a bit, but he returned that favor a hundredfold with all the love and devotion he could give.

Working with the Rocky Mountain Great Dane Rescue and having Great Danes for years taught Heimdall’s new parents the importance of maintaining pet insurance coverage. “With big dogs there are sometimes risks for big bills, which is why we and the rescue strongly recommend pet insurance to all our friends and adoptive families,” according to Meg Wittenmyer.

 Meg did not know how true that would be when her and her husband took Heimdall to Dr. Carrie Miller, their vet for a persistent cough. In November 2008, what began as an upper respiratory infection progressed to recurring pneumonia and to bacteria that mutated each time the veterinarian tried a new antibiotic.

Like many pet owners with pet health insurance, Meg and her husband had been paying premiums for a long time without actually making a claim. However, within the space of six months, all their expenses and efforts were repaid in ways they had not imagined.

Dr. Miller brought in a respiratory specialist to treat Heindall, and their optimism turned into months of trying one antibiotic after another, included countless lung x-rays and three bronchoscopes. At one point, the Wittenmyers were paying over $300 a day for the special antibiotics, as Heimdall was fighting both staph and E.-coli bacteria which had settled in his lungs. It was at this point that they realized the value of not only having pet insurance, but the added drug and dental benefit they decided to purchase as part of their coverage.

Between November 2008 and May 2009 their pet insurance company had paid their policy’s maximum annual benefit of $10,000. According to Meg, “not only did they pay the bills we submitted in a timely manner, but we knew that the staff of the pet health insurance company cared as much about what happened with Heimdall as we did.”

Very sadly, as Meg was writing the story of Heimdall for the North American Favorite Pet Story, Heimdall passed away (last month), “We would have done anything to get Heimdall the treatment he needed and having insurance meant not having to take out a second mortgage or even selling our house, but more importantly, pet insurance gave us many extra months with our beautiful baby boy, which really is priceless. It's just that simple” continued Meg.

 “It is with a little bit of sadness, but also a great deal of joy that we celebrate the life and bond that was enjoyed by Heimdall and his family. The North American Pet Health Insurance Association is very pleased to share this special story as the winner of the North American Favorite Pet Story,” said, Loran Hickton, Executive Director, North American Pet Health Insurance Association.

A special donation will be made in Heimdall's name to the Rocky Mountain Great Dane Rescue. Also, the family will receive a special award of $500.00 for pet related purchases and future veterinary care for pets. 

About The North American Pet Health Insurance Association

Founded in 2007, the North American Pet Health Insurance Association is committed to educating and promoting the values and benefits of pet health insurance to North American pet owners, the general public, and the veterinary industry.  To learn more, visit our website at http://www.naphia.org

About Rocky Mountain Great Dane Rescue

Rocky Mountain Great Dane Rescue, Inc. is recognized as a major resource for the welfare of homeless, abandoned and abused companion animals in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Utah and Wyoming. Our goal is to lower euthanasia rates in our region by: 1. Bringing adoptable pets into our program for medical and social rehabilitation and re-homing.

2. Providing resources to pet owners to encourage their responsibility and commitment to their pets and prevent them from contributing to the homeless pet population. We want to continue to be a valuable resource to our community. We believe that one person can make the difference in the life of an animal in need, so as an organization, we have more strength to help more animals. As part of our mission, RMGDRI firmly believes that it is our responsibility to do all that we can for every Dane that comes into our haven, into our care. To learn more visit: http://www.rmgreatdane.org