It's back!

[imported_Cassie]

Well, I have gone through quite a bit in the past month. First I had to give one of my Newfoundland dogs back to the breeder. Poor little Gil suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and has been through 2 suregeries to correct the problem. I was finding it very difficult having 5 active dogs and one dog which I had to confine to bed rest and crate rest to repair a leg which will probably never heal correctly. This is the second time he has torn it since living with me. The first time I had to send him back to the breeders to ensure he was completley unactive. She had a special run built for him with a topper on it so he couldn't jump up, but, he still had alot of room to exercise himself.
The whole of Gil's litter had structeral and other problems and all but Gil in this litter have since been euthanized due to these so called hereditary problems. I want to add that all of the lines for both bitch and sire for these pup's had passed all clearances for hips, elbows and all the genetic tests which can be performed. The breeders had done their research very throughly before mating for this litter. I since have heard of many many reputable breeders who are experiencing many many new genetic problems on cleared lines which have never had any genetic problems at all and all cleared. A friend of mine who has been breeding Bernese Mountain dogs has also run into a lot of bad luck as far as genetic problems. I want to stress that these breeders have done every test known to breeders before breeding. These breeders also work for vets so can perform and afford every genetic test known to man. Its quite sad actually, I guess our purebreds are falling apart faster than we think. :(
So, it has been a sad month for me. Gil has since been placed in a new home with older retired folks who have owned Newf's all of their lives. They will ensure that Gil does not do any further damage. Once again, I feel like a failure when it comes to Gil...but, its just so darn hard having 5 active dogs and having to leave one dog out of all the fun. Poor Gil was getting depressed as he was not able to join in...I just couldn't go on doing that to the poor dog. Plus, in the house (as all of you multie dog owners know :wink: ) when you have all the other dogs rough housing and you have to keep the other dog calm and make him lay down...its no fun.
Any way, he was never legally my dog any way and still belongs to the breeder. My friend understood completely and she knew that Gil will just never be able to live a normal doggy life :( He is still young and deserves a loving slower home where he can not damage himself any further.
My main concern for Gil was the fact that I am sure he would have torn his ligament again. The way he moves in the back he definately has some genetic structural problems which made it hard for him to move properly (by the way he is an American, Canadian and Bermuda champion in conformation...makes ya think huh :-? ).

I also moved this month to a newer and smaller home. I have the perfect dog house for my dogs and I am just waiting for the fencing company to come out and get my fencing up. It seems to take them for ever, I called them at the first of october and I still havent seen them.
I am also thinking of getting a new computer so I can post pictures :D

Any way, just thought I would update every one on what has been going on. I feel so guilty about poor Gil, but, he is much happier now and has a very loving new home. BTW, I would have kept him and lived with the inconvience if I didn't think these new people would not have been suitable. I will still visit Gil, and keep him groomed (except now I can charge for the groom instead of doing it for free :lol: )
All of my other dogs are healthy and happy and absolutely loving their new home. My cats are not as thrilled about the whole moving experience, I'm sure once I get their outside kennel built they will be much happier.
Also had to add, I live only 2 minutes away from the ocean now. It's quite lovely, and I have a my own pond and brook in my back yard. :D

[imported_Debbie]

:( Sorry to hear about Gil......that's too bad about having the whole litter euthanized. Poor pups. :cry:
I envy you your new living arrangements it sounds wonderful !!!
Sounds like you have a little slice of heaven ........ :angel:
Looking forward to seeing you more often !! :wink:

[Guest Anonymous]

so sorry to hear about gil.. you were a great owner to him, and it shows when you had to do what was best for him, even if it ment not living with you anymore..

your a great ownwer *hugs*

[imported_Cassie]

Thanks everyone for the moral support. I have never had to give up a dog before, this is my first time :(
If I had thought there was hope for him living with me with out further injury to his leg I would have kept him. He fit in wonderful with my group. Due to his long term health and happiness I am very happy for him being in his new home. It is low key and the owners take Gil on leash walks only. Gil is not far from the breeder and me so he will always be in the loop. Actually the new owners are very close friends with the breeder and they have always remained in the Newfoundland dog clan (meetings, shows etc.).
He also has the one on one attention he always yearned for. Last time I saw him with his new owners he was looking lovingly up at them. I know he is happy and really, I am not hurt over how quickly he took to his new home...really I'm not...(who am I trying to convience :lol: )

I can't believe that about his littermates. I guess I have been very fortunate in the health department.

newfiemom, you are very fortunate and perhaps purchased your pups from more sound working lines?? I seem to recall your mentioning that your dogs were used for water rescue etc. Not one of my Newf's can swim, and they have not had a working dog in thier lines for many many generations. I think this is one of the key problems with our breeders today (and I believe we discussed this before :wink: )
My Newf's have been bred solely for looks and conformation. What I think is happening is the breeders are breeding for the prettiest dogs which will make an impact in the conformation ring. I could go on about this, but, I am sure you know all about the dog shows :lol: . For example, Judge sees well known handler or breeder, and places the dog because of who is behind the lead. Very pretty dog comes into the ring and takes the breath away from every one and the dog is placed. I have seen some of the genetic disasters which are champions and even some which have won the show of shows.
Another problem with the show purebreds is breeding these champion dogs for what ever its worth. I have not seen a natural breeding between 2 Newf's for many many years, this should be a good indication that perhaps the dogs should no longer be bred. My friend does alot of AI's throughout Eastern Canada and the Eastern states, they have even had a few times the AI's wouldn't take and had to have the sperm implanted by surgery into the bitch. They are not looking at the whole picture, if you can't get a natural breeding out of the dogs then perhaps mother nature is trying to tell you some thing.
I guess when you are in the midst of the big time breeders and you are looking at the whole situation with an unbiased view you can see just how wrong it is. Sure these breeders are dumping tons of money into their dogs, and doing all of the proper genetic testing on them and researching lines et. For me, I have little faith in genetic testing and even if a breeder tells me that their bitch and sire are both cleared of every disease known to that breed, that means nothing to me now. Genetically cleared dogs can still produce genetic disasters. Very sad.
BTW, I am not ranting just discussing what I have seen in my life. :wink: