Bernie is a rescue who has lived with me since he was 8 weeks old. He has pectus excavatum, an unusual deformity of the breastbone, which results in compression of the heart and lungs. In other words, his rib cage will not 'spring' as he matures. Bernie was not supposed to live past 5 months of age without major chest surgery. He turned 5 YEARS old in January 2009 and his only surgery has been neutering. Bernie is the most photogenic dog I've ever owned!