Updated: 10th Jan 2010
Our two dogs are Lofty, a springer cross, who will be 11 this year and Tyler our Giant Schnauzer who will be 8 in July.
Tyler and Lofty are house dogs, although they have a 30 ft run in the garden to do their business ;-)
Lofty and Tyler at Pembrey dog beach 30th May 09
We had a lovely afternoon at the dog beach and in the woods and the dogs really enjoyed too;-)
Lofty and Tyler
Tyler- moves beautifully!
Lofty having a paddle- he loves the water;-)
Bat dog! LOL
Tyler 6th aug 09
Lofty- snow Feb 2009
Tyler and I- Snow Feb 2009
Lofty
Tyler and I- Snow Feb 2009
TZAR
After alot of consideration, talking and upset, John and I decided to try and rehome Tzar- Our Russian wolfhound/ scottish deerhound mix. When we moved ( due to the house we rented being put on the market) it was to a smaller house, with a smaller garden and then we had our last two children, we have found as a result that we do not have as much time for the exercise he needs and as he is only three years old, we both knew it would be fairer to him to find somewhere where he would have more room and with someone with fewer responsiblities and the time that he deserves.
He is now living on an estate with plenty of land and woodland, he shares a house with his new owner who is at home during the day. He is surrounded by horses and sheep and enjoys going for long walks and spending alot of time outdoors which suits Tzar's breeding to a 'T'.
UPDATE: Tzar is fully settled in at his new home and just loves it! His new owner is very happy with him and loves him as much as we do, He goes out every day to have a gallop through the woods (hounds do not just run!;-)) and has a go at catching rabbits. We miss him and I must say the place is quiet with out him! But, He has a great new home and all his needs are met and he is happy! So we know we did the right thing by him and are happy that we did.
I would just like to take this opportunity to say that, animals are for life, and I do not believe that they should be taken on lightly, they are a great responsibility, cost money and are time consuming, not to mention the cost of damages often caused by pets!! If it had not been the best thing to do for Tzar we would never have let him go, and we did our homework and took the time to not only find the right person but the right person in the right environment for him.
As with the cats, dogs should be picked for their temperament and how well the breed will fit in with your lifestyle and personality, and the time you have for it. Please think carefully and do your homework before taking on a pet. Also PLEASE check out the breeders of your new family member, visit their home, have a look at their cats/dogs and go to several people if possible, not the first one you come to.
Tyler and Tzar in their run.
Thanks Lofty, you make a great pillow!
Tzar as a pup- 13 weeks old
If you are considering looking for/ buying a puppy please read the story below and please don't ever think it won't happen to you- thats exactly what my friend thought when she bought Alfie.
16TH JAN 2009
TRUE STORY:ALFIE
Recently a friend of mine bought a puppy, it was not registered although has it's pedigree, She named him Alfie. He is a gorgeous Bull mastiff puppy, with a beautiful temperament and has fit into the family as if he has always been there! Alfie is 10 wks old.
Alfie was taken to the vets for his first vaccinations ( in my opinion initial vaccines should be the priority of the breeder) it was noticed that Alfie has weak and abnormal knees and whilst having his health check it was discovered that not only is there leg issues, on top of that Alfie has a heart defect! ( which the breeders would have discovered if they had bothered to have him vaccinated!)
When she approached the breeder about the situation, they did not believe her, and asked for her to bring the puppy for them to have a second opinion. They also asked as to why she took it to the vet in the first place!
After talking to the breeder and them claiming to not have had any problems before ( even though they initially told her it was a first litter) they eventually said she could return the pup and have another in its place ( assuming they are healthy!) To which she refused as having already grown attached to Alfie, she enquired as to whether they would refund all or part of what they paid for him, as eventually he may need medication, and his life span is questionable, it is a matter of wait and see. They refused, but said they would refund her money if she returns Alfie, where they will have him PUT DOWN. Obviously my friend refused!
So as it stands Alfie is staying with his new family, and they will make as much of him as possible, and hopefully his condition will not be a problem, but even the vets cannot say for sure what will happen, the worry is that his legs may be too weak, especially with him being a larger breed of dog, to carry the weight of him. They say it could be 2 yrs before he may need to start taking medication for his heart, maybe longer maybe sooner, nobody knows! Then it depends on how long the meds work for, how long his heart can cope, nobody knows!
All we do know is that a puppy was bought, a puppy that should be healthy, should have had his vaccines, should have had a health check, should have a long life ahead of him, a puppy that the breeders could not care less about, but a lucky puppy that found someone to love him, despite his heart defect, a puppy that God willing will grow into a beautiful big boy and have a happy life ahead of him for whatever time he does have- A puppy called Alfie!
UPDATE 20th JAN 09: ALFIE
On the 20th of January Alfie was taken to the vet for his vaccination booster, my friend had concerns as his legs seemed to be getting worse and Alfie was tripping himself up.
The vet confirmed that the legs were worse and the bones in one was actually twisting as it was growing and his heart condition was actually alot worse than the initially thought! There is an operation that can be performed on the legs, but sadly this isn't an option for Alfie as his heart would'nt be able to hold up during the operation. The vet advised that Alfie be put to sleep, as he is in constant pain from his deformed legs as he is growing day by day. My friend took him home that day to explain to the children that Alfie would have to go to heaven as he is very sick and so that they could all say goodbye.
21st Jan 2009
Alfie was taken to to the vets this morning, after a third opinion, the final decision was made to put Alfie to rest. My friend stayed strong and tried to remain calm, for Alfie's sake. (as animals pick up on emotions and become stressed) Alfie calmed down and went peacefully to sleep, Alfie was 12wks old!
The vet stated that this was is the worst case of bad breeding she had ever come across and advised my friend to contact the breeder and tell them they need to stop breeding! People like that never stop breeding
for the sake of the animals, they do it for money.
It is only our vigilance as buyers of puppies and kittens, our
knowledge of what we need to look for, and research into breeders that help to stop the puppy/ kitten farmers, and through us they can be made to stop!
If people do not buy from them, they will not breed, it is that simple. At the end of the day you pay for what you get- Alfie cost £200, no vaccinations, no worm treatment, a carrier bag of food ( apparently James Wellbeloved- but actually not!) No insurance, not registered, no feeding plan/information he came with a piece of paper that is apparently his pedigree, and no after care.
Look what happened- it is sad but a reality- PLEASE DO NOT buy an animal out of pity, you might save that one but you only encourage the breeder to keep on breeding and bring more into the world.
Please beware people who talk the talk but don't walk the walk! ;-)
I asked my friend WHY? Why did she buy a puppy from these people, with nothing but a scrap of paper as a pedigree. And her answer was she just wanted a pet.
If you want a pet, show or breeding dog go to a reputable breeder, one that is recommended by the Club associated with the breed, even talk to other owners of previous pups. Sometimes you may pay more, but you should get more for your money. That price should include healthy pups that have had vaccinations, sometimes microchipping, worming, been anointed with a flea treatment, parents tested for relevant health problems that occur in specific breeds i.e hip scoring ( hip dysplasia), eye testing, plus any other tests that should be performed. A full pedigree, maybe KC registered, Pups fed on good quality food and on top of that a breeder that is there for the lifetime of the pups they breed, for information, advice or just for a chat. It sounds alot, and it is alot to think about, but believe me it is the best way to find a suitable pup, as the breed you like may not be the one that is most suitable, and you need a breeder that cares about the home their pup is going to and can advise you on maybe a better breed that is suitable for your lifestyle. If they do not ask YOU questions then you have to think about how much they care, they don't know you and have no idea what kind of life you are going to provide for their pup, ASK questions and be prepared to be ASKED questions too.
Prices can also differ, the main thing is not the price but the people breeding and the health, temperament and type of the dog is right for the breed.
Everything written on this page is my own personal opinion from my own experiences as well as from friends/ people I know, I hope it may be of use to someone;-)
thanks Charlotte