KathyM

Thank you all so much :angel: Saying this very tentatively, but Ruby seems a lot better today. She got a parcel off her boyfriend on another board, and has even played! We are going to try the treatment, so please keep your fingers crossed!

Thank you all for your support. :buzi: Sadly, Ruby went to the vets last night, and her cancer has spread to her lungs. She is now incredibly ill, and unless she makes drastic improvement by tomorrow evening, we feel its time to let her go. :sabber:

Thanks Hazel, she's doing well at the mo (just sleepy), but I'm glad I live in England and not in Ireland where she came from, or I'd be round their house in a flash :evilbat:

Tell that to Ruby will you - she hasnt worked out shes a Boxer yet - she sleeps all day :lol: :lol:

Ooo thanks! :D :iloveyou:

Thank you so much :cry: :angel:

Please can anyone who has/had a dog with cancer visit the link to the Canine Cancer Project who are doing an online survey to benefit other owners/dogs. [url]http://www.caninecancerproject.com/[/url]

Definitely a hairy smelly troll :evil: [img]http://www.sct.gu.edu.au/~anthony/icons/large/troll.jpg[/img] I dont think there are really people THAT thick are there?

Thank you all so much. I have already updated the Puppy Farm thread with Ruby's story, so forgive me for not wanting to type it again, its pretty painful :(

[quote]Dear Back Yard Breeder You might remember me, you must've paid a lot for me. I was from good lines, was of sound temperament, and at one point must have been a little loved by you (I remember all the things you taught me, like "sit", "stay" and the rest). I was a good girl, you even bought me a friend, another boxer like me, but a boy. No doubt seeds were planted in your head, and soon I was expecting, and after that first litter, you just kept on breeding me. The vet knows that I have been pregnant most of my adult life, my body is ruined, my boobs hang down, and I am malnourished. I have scars on my body - some suspiciously in the shape of a boot, but I want to forget that now. My mum says I must have been tethered ouside in the cold, as I know to have a lead put on my collar, but I have no idea how to walk on it. Mind you, the muscle wastage doesnt help with that. I didnt even know what toys were with you. I was good to you - you raked in money as I wasted away - the vet says one more litter could have killed me. I think that would have been a blessing compared to how I lived with you. I dont understand why you did it - I couldnt help the advances of the nextdoor neighbour's dog when I was tied out, unable to escape. You said I wasn't worth it if the pups werent pedigree, so you made plans to dump me at the pound to be put down. I dont know what that means, but a lovely lady told me I didnt have to worry any more. She took me to a kennel with my babies, and one by one they were rehomed. Another lady looked after me there, and one day she told me I was going to a new home. Home? Wasnt that where I was treated so badly? I was wrong! It was a scarey journey over the sea and in a car to my new home. Lots of people helped take me to my new home, where I met my new mummy and daddy and their bald pups. I was poorly for a while, and I've still got a long way to go, but hey! I've learned about toys, and good food, and more than that, about love. I hope my friend is better cared for than me now - you didnt want to hand him over did you? Was he better than me? What did I do wrong? From Ruby [/quote] An update on Ruby's story: Well we're back from the vet. He examined Ruby's boobs and her skin and added up all her other health probs and such, and its not good news. He is certain that the lump in her boob at least is malignant, and although Mast Cell Tumours in Boxers are normally not aggressive, the fact that she has several new ones, the placing of them and her age, they are highly likely to be malignant too. Because she is tired a lot, and pants is also a very bad sign, as although her lungs sound clear, just listening can be deceptive, and these tumours normally metastisize in the lungs. Her skin infections and lowered immunity are also a big clue. The options available were to confirm it by needle aspiration, to have them ALL removed and start chemo immediately, to have chemo to TRY and shrink them then remove them, or to let her come home and spend her last weeks in peace. The middle 2 options are not available to us, as she is too high risk for sedation or GA. The first option is only going to confirm what he is certain about, and he advised that it wasnt needed. The last option is what we are going for. He asked us if she had a reasonable quality of life, and I said yes. So all we can do is make her happy and comfortable. I asked him how long we would have our baby for, and he guesstimates at 4-6 months maximum - with a lump this size and no treatment options she is highly unlikely to make it past that. Still want to breed?? :niewiem: [img]http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/contrib/aahmed/azcrying.gif[/img]

Breeds I have owned/fostered: Crossbreeds - corgi x GSD, collie x greyhound Pedigrees - 2 foster greyhounds, bearded collie and boxer Couldnt pick a fave, as I loved them all equally, but if it came down to my theoretical favourite breed, it would be the boxer. [img]http://volcano.photobucket.com/albums/0803/KathyM/Ruby/bb010523.jpg[/img] Breeds I'd like to own: More crosses, bullmastiff, more boxers, rottie, rhodesian ridgeback, leonberger, any other large/giant mastiff type other than the Neo. :)

[quote]And yet, most of you would 'look down' on me because I don't research pedigrees, the pups usually don't see a vet, and I don't do extensive background checks on prospective parents.[/quote] [quote]No, I mainly do it because I LOVE puppies but I don't need any more dogs! Although I do make a little money on the pups (by the way they're Shih Tzus, but pet quality). They are just sooooo cute & fluffy & cuddly [/quote] [quote]And if they're at my house LONG enough I start to consider them 'mine' -- although I may have to give them up at any time.... [/quote] Sorry happybooker, but you condemn yourself with your own words. People dont just assume you are a back yard breeder, you as good as admit it. Your pups dont see a vet AT ALL, you dont do background checks and you're in it for the money and the cute puppy factor (thats what you said). What the heck are people meant to assume? I take it you did 7 years of veterinary training and are a qualified vet to have determined without visiting one at all that your dogs are fit for breeding and the pups are healthy? What contract do you draw up with potential owners? What knowledge do you have of PRA and how to make sure you're not breeding dogs prone to it? Quote from a Lhasa info site: [quote]Both parents should be screened for luxating patella and renal dysplasia (kidney disease). Renal dysplasia is the most serious hereditary problem in Lhasa Apsos -- a DNA test for it is currently being developed. Also ask about hip dysplasia, bladder stones, allergies and skin conditions, diabetes, seizures, and heart murmurs.[/quote] Can you tell us if these tests were performed? If so, what were the results? Thanks Kathy

[quote] still wonder.....How a Pappilon, and 2 blue lacys add up to 2 dogs you own and how do you make SHIH TZUS out of them??????????? [/quote] LMAO :lol: :lol: K - dont let the beggars get you down, sounds like you've got a lot on your plate and I applaud you :D :klacz: :laola:

The vet would be able to advise you what testing was required :-?

What's the name of that thing that sits under the bridge in the 3 Billy Goats Gruff? :drinking: :stupid: :niedowiary: