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:

One of the many sad facts about these crosses and breeders, is that if the person who paid

*Takes a bow* :lol: Seriously tho - breeding is my pet hate. I can just about bear those that do it responsibly once in a blue moon - but cant stand by and go ahhh at people who put their bitch through this repeatedly. And the creme de la creme are those who say theyre doing it for their kids - pull the other one! Dont think their kids'll be pocketing the money. Also yesterday I spoke via email with a lady who thinks its cruel [b]not[/b] to breed from your bitch, as "she deserves to go through the joys of motherhood and decide for herself whether to make babies" ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! :evil: :evil: :evil: Like the poor dog'll get a choice when her owner was advertising on eBay for a stud :evil: :evil: :evil:

[quote]I enjoy that show...i'm breeding my Bitch next year and its my first time..i think it gives me a good heads up on how to do things..i like see the animals being born and seeing how they have developed..i appreciate birth and i think its a beautiful thing. I also think its a great for kids to learn. I knew all about sex and where babies came from when i was a child through animals..i think it makes for a great learning experience for everyone..[/quote] Right, bear with me: Are you saying that you think its okay to breed animals as a learning experience for kids, or that you think the program is a learning experience? If the latter, fair dos, I can think of better educational tools though. If the former, you have to be kidding me! I think the best educational tool for showing kids the "miracle" of animal birth is to take them and show them the thousands of dogs/pups and cats/kittens in rescues that are being added to by people breeding their pets because "theyre cute" or "my kids need to see this". Or take them to the zoo and show the cramped and cruel living conditions. Pets giving birth are not miracles, the real miracles are the dogs that are rehomed from shelters rather than PTS. Anyone who breeds their pet for money, or because they think pups/kittens are "cute" or because they want their kids to experience it, should not be allowed to have a pet in the first place. Surely its better to teach kids about responsible pet ownership including neutering etc rather than to teach them its okay to add to the numbers in rescue?

Surely they must see a vet for at least 2 healthchecks if they have their shots? The vaccinations are a course of two, and vets have to give a healthcheck before administering them? I'm sorry to say this, but if you dont get the relevant healthchecks before breeding, and the pups dont see the vets, AND you dont vet the homes they go to, you cant really blame me for coming to the conclusion that you are not a responsible breeder. I assume you at LEAST get the owners to sign a contract saying that they must not breed from these pups and should they not be able to keep them they must be returned to you rather than getting put in a rescue? Also, out of interest, why are these pups put outside at 5 weeks old? :o I suppose the real blessing is that you only have one litter a year, is this from the same bitch each time or do you have two bitches?

Unfortunately thats not always the case. With the sheer amount of puppies being bred irresponsibly, there just arent enough homes for the thousands dumped in rescues. Many dont even make it to the rehoming blocks, as there isnt enough space to take them in. Take Ruby's case for example - her AND her puppies would be dead now if it wasn't for the help of some wonderful people, and they were "desirable" boxer x pointers. They were due to be put down until those people stepped in.

I get what you mean now, and agree with you - sorry 'bout that :D That pup sounds gorgeous - hope he found his forever home :iloveyou:

Thanks - that explains it! Seems more suited to have the name "New American Bulldog" :lol:

Why not a rescue puppy though Mutts4me? Ruby had 4 little babies (Boxer x Pointers) that wouldve been PTS - theyre not all snapped up in a second. :-?

I know this topic is just about over, but this is a subject VERY close to my heart, and I want to speak for Ruby here. 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 Message from Mum - its not just the profit makers that are BYBs - its the ignorant and uncaring too.

Is the Olde English Bulldog the US version of a British Bulldog? If so, have to say its a pretty naff example on that site - looks nothing like one :lol: Have to say I fell for the Black Mouthed Cur - cutey pie. I would imagine that many of the breeds (such as the Black Mouth Cur and the Alapaha Blue Blood Bull Dog? - new one on me :lol: ) will have some kind of link to the Pittie anyway? If you look at Am Staffs, which are basically the show APBT, etc, it WOULD be hard for people not to link them in with APBTs, wouldnt it? Not condoning DDA whatsoever, but many US bull type breeds do have links to the pittie, and therefore do look pretty much like them (I wouldve guessed the ABBBD as a pittie if I hadnt seen the site before) so they are more likely to be guessed at as such?