French Bulldog Celebrated at Philanthropy Campaign Finale
Gus Gus was treated for aspiration pneumonia at the UC Davis veterinary hospital
“Incredible Tails of Triumph”
Gus Gus made his stage debut on October 18 (along with Whitney and Daisy—their stories below) as part of The Greatest Show a campus-wide celebration of philanthropic impact UC Davis’ historic campaign, Expect Greater, raised $2.25 billion in donor support.
Meet Gus Gus, a French bulldog and the unofficial lap king!
Chad and Grace DeMasi were grateful to welcome Gus into their family, thanks to some dear friends. His story began in Davis, where his first family—a busy household with three kids under 5 and another on the way—decided to add a French bulldog puppy to the mix. The kids, of course, fell in love and named him after the lovable mouse in “Cinderella”—Gus Gus. Gus Gus had his paws full with that wild bunch, but it seemed he found his happy place in Grace’s lap during their visits. (Chad insists Gus Gus was just escaping the kids, but Grace knew it was something deeper—they had a special connection!)
Just three months later, a family member’s allergies meant Gus needed a new home. Thankfully, his owners thought immediately of the bond he shared with the DeMasis. So, in May 2018, Gus joined the DeMasi Family—perfect timing, as their oldest was heading off to college. Gus became Grace’s almost-empty-nester baby, fitting right in from day one. Sweet, cuddly, and always zooming around, he quickly became everyone’s best buddy, even getting along with their other pets!
However, Gus’s journey took a turn on August 29, 2020. What began as a typical Saturday changed when he suddenly became quiet and lethargic. After some observation, the DeMasis rushed him to UC Davis veterinary hospital—the same place that saved their German shepherd a few years earlier. Gus was diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia, a condition that occurs when food, liquid, or other substances are inhaled into the lungs, leading to inflammation and infection. This is a common issue for breeds like Gus, whose unique anatomical structure can make breathing difficult and increases their risk of aspiration.
At UC Davis, the veterinary team acted quickly to assess Gus's condition. He was placed on oxygen therapy to help him breathe more easily, and a series of diagnostic tests were conducted to determine the extent of his lung involvement. The staff monitored him closely for signs of respiratory distress while administering antibiotics to combat the infection. Gus spent five days at the hospital, receiving careful treatment to help clear his airways and restore his lung function. Gus made a full recovery, and his family couldn’t be more grateful for the care, compassion, and personal touch they received.
Today, Gus is back to his zooming (though slightly slower), snuggling self. The DeMasi family wouldn’t be complete without him!
Meet Whitney and Daisy, also stars of the Expect Greater stage. Their “Incredible Tails of Triumph” are nothing short of miraculous.
You can read more of these amazing case stories here.