We took Zola to the Vet, explained her symptoms and the Vet done a few tests which revealed she has Left Sided Heart Failure, which has also caused fluid to build in her chest cavity and abdomen, he told us that Zola's heart is weak and has put her onto some tablets to help regulate it, ( although they won't cure it ) she also has some tablets to help to stop the fluid build up, and will have to be seen every two weeks from now on.

The Vet told us that due to her age and condition of her heart, Zola is now on borrowed time.

I am going to treat every day I have left with Zola as a precious gift, surround her with love and tenderness and be there when she needs me most of all, how I'm going to do it!!  when all I want to do is break down and beg her not to leave me,, I just don't know!! but I will for Zola's sake.

This sweet little Mastino of mine has spent a whole 10 years giving us her love unconditionally, her loyalty has never faultered once, and Zola will continue to do so right to the end, ( which I hope is a way off yet ) our Grandchildren all love her, as she does them, she will always sit close by them when they visit, watching them play and keeping her eye on things, if any of them have cried she will lick their tears, then fetch a toy from the toybox and drop it at their feet in an attempt to cheer them up, failing that, Zola will then roll over onto her back to be tickled, or fetch one of her tripe sticks for them, she has even brought in bread from the lawn, ( which had been thrown out for the birds ) for them, her patience, compassion, love and intelligence goes far beyond what I ever thought possible for any breed of dog, and Zola has taught me a lot over the years, but then this breed are unlike any other, you have to live with one to know this.