persephone

Please read and share : PLEASE SHARE yes, I did ask the person who posted this story. This is a true story, and is shared with the person's permission. names have been changed > Hank is a Cavoodle, gorgeous one at that! Before I got Hank I lived on a farm full of animals my whole life whether it was cattle, sheep,bunnies, kangaroos etc. To moving into a town, were everyone was gutter to gutter, no backyard, nothing. Something I was not used too one bit! I was lost without my furbabies of every size as they were my therapy, one day, little did I know my Mum & Nan had organized little Hank as a surprise gift.He was bought from a backyard breeder and they spent $800 on purchasing him, thinking he would be my life partner in crime. Little did Hank know this was the start of a very long fight for life.He was 8 weeks old when we picked him up and looked in perfect health. two months went by and still a happy healthy baby boy, who had all his shots and was due to be desexed, microchipped and then registered. The end of the second month owning Hank things started to change dramatically, I was woken up at 1am one morning with a god awful smell to find Hank had literally sprayed the laundry with watery poo and blood that absolutely stunk the house out. I rang the vet and was told to take him in straight away because it sounded like Parvo, in the end the vet told me to monitor him til morning. First thing the next morning I whizzed Hank to the vets, they did god knows how many tests while i was standing there, to find he was extremely dehydrated (from pooping) and wasn't eating.My Mum got in contact with the person she bought him off and he said to keep in contact and that he would help with the Vet bills.They come back to tell me that he would have to stay a couple of days, this was the first time leaving him behind and I bawled my eyes out. A couple of days went past and Hank showed no improvement, he was still on an IV drip and I had to go in there everyday to hand feed him. Anyway they seem to find nothing wrong with him, I rang my mum and told her and she told me to go up there and we would seek a second opinion.Long story short, 3 weeks after being at the vets almost everyday running tests, Hank had to be syringe fed every meal, he had that much water weight every time he moved he moaned, he wasn't playful, he just wasn't himself. We went to the vets on a Thursday to have an ultrasound done to try and find out what was wrong, unfortunately it came back with Hank was born with Right Side Congestive Heart Failure. Yes, you are probably thinking he was born with that? Yes, you are correct. But this also comes from backyard breeding.Hanks medication was going to cost upwards of $120+ a month for the rest of his life, I was willing to sacrifice what I could to keep my baby. 3 days after he was diagnosed, Hank went to sleep in my arms, his body was just exhausted from fighting. By the end of this battle Hanks total for vet bills come to $3000 not including his medication. When we contacted the "breeder" and told him what happened, we never got a reply. Money had nothing to do with this, I would have done anything, even if I had to sell a Kidney.Hank was only 5 months old when he died, he didn't even get to start his adventures. . So, please all I ask is you think twice when buying a puppy from a backyard breeder. Thank you for reading Hank's story.

Half of my backyard is undercover if that helps? Or will it still be better to get a kennel? I would still get a kennel. Wind. A nice snug kennel for cold windy times is a must :)

not saying that this 'ignoring strategy' doesn't work at all, but I'm always concerned that this 'waiting period' becomes a habit or part of the game - my approach was to teach her sit, drop and stay (comes with normal obedience training anyway). Once the dog response is reliable you can stop the jumping before it starts. if a puppy can do all this - that's fine :) the puppy concerned is a 3 mth pomeranian - so I very much doubt she has learned all this so far ... I have found the ignoring works well with our pups ( koolies) ..

:) I suggest you just use a collar for now .... dog has collar on - and IMMEDIATELY gets a meal, or treat . Easy . When dog is used to having a collar put on /taken off /eating something yummy .. then move on to harness , using the same cues/words/treats....it may take a week ..maybe longer, maybe less. When leaving pup .. just do normal things , and walk away . When coming home ..IGNORE the jumping. COMPLETELY . no pushing away ..no talking . yes, it may get worse for a few times - but she will stop if there is no contact . One important bit of advice which I will NOT charge $500 for ;) ONLY speak to/pat puppy if four feet are on the ground ..or she is doing what you ask . You speaking her name is a reward - so - she gets it when she is doing something you like :) I second watching the KIKO PUP videos :) You might also enjoy watching videos like this : My link

:) good news !

oh :) THE hands have a gorgeous pair of eyes to go with them :) Thank you Marcus. Obvious!! LOL> Love the pixie ears photo :D Thanks for sharing, Kirislin

We are pretty well equipped here for human and animal ..being a couple hours away from decent help . We have coped OK with big wounds, cut blood vessels, busted ribs, broken toes ..... So glad your dogs have you looking out for them :)

ha, ha ..got me !! :)

awww :D

Any reason she cannot stay indoors?

I like shops which have stuff like F10 disinfectant , raw food , and plain, strong leather collars! ;)

Yep, I think I might get Marcus to help me move them tomorrow into the laundry with access to the hallway which is all lino. I'll put a baby gate up so they cannot come into the kitchen but they'll be more involved with the goings on in the house but still be able to have quiet and privacy in the laundry which is quite a big room. They haven't yet got the courage to venture out of the whelping box as yet but once they do it will be easier to clean up all their messes on lino too. sounds a good plan :) Hmmm..THE hand Model !! ;)

precocious little bubs _ you are in for heaps of fun!

ohh Nora took the decision out of your hands, really ......I am glad she is now not in any more pain , and that you know you cared for her as much as you possibly could .

That is such good news :)

I am so so sorry. This thread is one I avoid these days???? Take care, both of you ????

Yes!???? I thought the same - baby Neko, a Mum? LOL

Perhaps get the tear ducts checked ???? It's a simple and fast test!

Where can I get a dog who takes washing out of the machine? Think I really need one that can do that, will it hang it out and iron as well? F R , if you have a front loader .. it'd be easy enough to teach :)

Antlers would be good ... and also frozen chicken carcasses , and frozen turkey necks (whole ) . they would be a meal , and a good chew!!

I am one who firmly believes that dogs arrive just when they should - even if YOU aren't aware of it .... Jules...

hopefully you will be able to fill the days with happy things :)

I beg to differ ;) my absolute heart dog ..one of the nicest dogs ever, was one who found me when he was nearly two years old. We had just over 10 yrs together ..and he was brilliant . our bond was 100% > Pups are such hard work sometimes ... a young adult dog , temperament tested, thoroughly vet checked would be my suggestion for you :)

It is a good time to bring a new dog into your family when you want one :) there is no 'right time' . So sorry about your puppy - that is very sad . One thing - make SURE everything is new for your next dog ... water buckets/bowls/bed/toys , and use F10 disinfectant to wash floors etc ....

Our guys are like this , but perhaps yours are ahead a tad - getting ready for a lifetime of running!!