Dave the Heart Warrior: How a Little Frenchie Stole All Our Hearts

Dave the French Bulldog

Some dogs you meet, and they leave a pawprint. Then there’s Dave. He bulldozes his way into your heart—snorts, snores, heavy breaths, and all—and stays there. If you’ve had the pleasure of meeting Dave, you already know: he’s a one-of-a-kind French bulldog with a huge personality and an even bigger heart… quite literally.

Dave judging me when I was pooping

I’m so lucky to be his dog walker, medication giver, and midday buddy, and today, I want to take a moment to share his incredible story. Dave has taught me more about resilience, love, and choosing joy every day, no matter the odds. He is the ultimate heart warrior.

Dave’s Backstory: Finding His Way Home

Dave’s life wasn’t always easy. He originally lived with a couple, a baby, and another dog—a 10-year-old lab. When the couple divorced, things took a turn for the worse. The wife moved to an apartment that only allowed one dog and took the lab with her. Dave was left behind with the husband, who wasn’t caring for him the way he deserved. It became clear he needed a better situation.

Thankfully, the wife’s mother, who works with rescues and is also a breeder, stepped in. She arranged for Dave to be transferred to a rescue, where he was set to go into a long-term foster home because of his serious heart condition. But the rescue couldn’t take him until October 12. In the meantime, a foster family agreed to take him in.

Dave sleeping happily in his new human’s bed

What started as a temporary arrangement quickly became permanent. After just a few weeks, his fosters realized they couldn’t let him go. They said they couldn’t stop thinking about him—and they couldn’t imagine him anywhere else. So they adopted him. Dave had finally found his forever family.

Meet the Whole Pack

Today, Dave shares his home with two siblings: Autumn, a wise and gentle 12-year-old English bulldog, and Oliver, a spunky 8-year-old French bulldog who keeps things fun. Together, they make quite the team. Autumn is the calming presence, Oliver brings the energy, and Dave? Well, Dave brings the volume.

Dave, Oliver, Autumn

Dave breathes loudly—really loudly. At first, I thought it was because of his heart condition, but it turns out, his breathing struggles come from Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome, which is super common in French bulldogs and other flat-faced breeds. His stenotic nares (tiny nose holes!) and other airway challenges make every breath a little harder. It’s something we’re always mindful of, especially on warm days or when he’s extra excited.

Part of his brain doesn’t always get enough oxygen, so his breathing is a constant soundtrack in their home. But when he’s calm and feeling safe, his breathing softens. And those quiet moments? We all cherish them.

Dave’s Medical Journey: A Heart Warrior for Real

Dave was born with two serious congenital heart conditions: Pulmonic Stenosis (PS) and Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD). These conditions make it harder for his heart to pump blood effectively, so his little body doesn’t get the oxygen it needs. Over time, his right heart became dangerously enlarged—so much so that it even impacted the function of his left side.

Despite all of this, Dave is a fighter.

Recently, his family took him to the University of Missouri (Mizzou) for an echocardiogram. His team of cardiologists recommended a Balloon Valvuloplasty —a risky procedure, but one that could dramatically improve his quality of life.

It wasn’t an easy decision, but his family knew they had to give him the best shot. On March 12th, Dave bravely went in for surgery. The vets carefully threaded a wire through his jugular and into his heart, inflating a balloon to open his narrowed pulmonary artery. (Sounds terrifying, right? It was.)

There was even a scary moment when Dave fainted on the way to the hospital, giving his family quite the heart attack. But true to form, Dave bounced back. He made it through surgery like the little warrior he is.

The results? Nothing short of amazing.Before surgery, Dave’s oxygen saturation was just 71%. After surgery? It jumped to 91%! That’s a massive improvement for a little guy with such a big heart.

Dave 1 day after surgery

Dave came home the very next day—tired, a little groggy from his meds, but doing incredibly well. His care team is hopeful, and so are we.

Our Time Together

I visit Dave during the day when his parents are away. Some days, we take gentle strolls—Dave sets the pace, and we follow his lead. Other days, we skip the walk and just hang out. I give him his medication, offer him treats, and make sure he’s comfortable.

Dave sitting in my lap while I was trying to poop

Sometimes we just sit together in the sunshine or on his favorite bed. His breathing fills the space, but when he feels safe and calm, he quiets down. And that’s when you know his heart is at peace.

Being part of his care team is such an honor. I’ve learned to listen to what he needs, to watch for the subtle signs that he’s tired or needs a break. And through it all, Dave has shown me what true resilience looks like.

Lessons From Dave

Dave has taught me that strength isn’t always silent. Sometimes it breathes loudly, pants heavily, and demands to be noticed. Resilience can be messy. It can snore and snort and take up space. And that’s okay. Because what matters is showing up every day and loving life, no matter how hard things get.

He’s also taught me about the power of choosing someone. His family chose him—knowing he came with challenges, knowing his future was uncertain. They chose to give him love and joy for however long he has. And Dave chose them back.

Celebrating Dave’s Big Step Forward

Right now, we’re celebrating this huge milestone in Dave’s journey. He’s doing so well post-surgery, and while we know things can change, today we focus on his strength and his spirit. His breathing may always be a little loud, but it’s the sound of a dog who’s living his best life.

A happy Dave

If you love Dave as much as we do, feel free to send him some good vibes as he continues his recovery. He’s proof that with love, care, and a fighting spirit, even the most complicated hearts can find happiness.

The Power of Love (and a Good Nap)

Dave’s story isn’t just about his medical journey. It’s about second chances, the power of a loving home, and the resilience of animals who refuse to give up.French bulldogs like Dave can be prone to serious health issues, from breathing difficulties to congenital heart defects, but they’re also known for their big personalities and even bigger hearts.

Dave reminds me every day that it’s not about how long you have, but how deeply you love and live in the moment. Whether he’s snorting his way through a nap, giving me his goofy grin when I walk through the door, or soaking up belly rubs in the sun, Dave lives life with joy.

Want to Keep Up With More Heartwarming Stories Like Dave’s?

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Come back every week for new blogs—you never know whose pawprint will leave a lasting impression next! ❤️🐾