Yes the things we will do. I was in the supermarket the other day and they had chicken breast on special and I found myself buying large quantities and am now having to mash pumpkin and grate carrot and think about fat content when making up food for my dog with a suspected suscebtibility to pancreatitis. I spend more time cooking for her than I do me. Fortunately at the moment she is a young healthy and very sassy little dog and I hope to keep her healthy although pancreatitis can be unpredictable.

I just try to forget the bad details around the time leading up to the loss of Holly. They are very upsetting and there is nothing I can do to change them. For you it would be even harder because your battle for Steffies health was long and sustained.

Yes I fractured the head of my fibula and fractured a verterbra in the weeks preceding Hollys death which is why I wasnt on top of the situation and missed the signs I suspect, because I was in so much pain myself. Very bad timing.

Believe me, I feel for you. I hope your puppy pulls through. Having to make special meals becomes a priority and you usually forget about yourself. As we said before, as per all those negative things occurring at the very worst time, why.....why then? No doubt that you had it bad. You need a break, and I just hope for both, your puppy and your sake, that you are able to get the pancreatitis under control.

For me myself, I'm just trying to find some form of peace in my life. Every week my Sister informs me of something about my Parents thats upsetting. I have to depend on her for the correct story, not from my Parents. Parents are just a step away from assisted living. Then of course this idiotic 'ITAR' fee case that I sit here not knowing the outcome YET. It seems, everyday, I find it harder and harder to accept that Steffie is gone, and this isn't good.

Hang in there with your friend. I hope there is a positive outcome.

I am pretty positive I am on to it early, so will be dilligent and it should be fine. She is very full of energy.

Yes parents are a worry as they get old, my mother has been hit hard in the last few weeks with shingles. She has always been very fit and healthy and I forget sometimes how old she is and things like this can knock her around.

It is hard to accept they are gone, even me who is always pretty upbeat and positive still find it very hard to come to grips with Holly being gone, and I have my others to keep me company and sane so I can well imagine what it is like for you. Not so good at all.

Good to hear your buddy is doing good. You definitely need 'Positive'. We take it for granted when we simply put some normal food in a bowl for our dogs to eat, then they devour it. Its not a good feeling when we have to start a specialized feeding program, because, now, we are walking on pins and needles....technically.

Yesterday, I finally got to printing out some permanent pics of Steffie, to frame. There is one that still, just tears me to shreds. Everytime when we got back home from riding in the car, after I pulled in after opening gate, when I would get out of car, Steffie would always 'nose me' on my back as to 'hurry up and get out', so she could go sniffing for any unwanted entries while we were gone. This one picture was 10 days before she was gone, and she didn't get out of car. She just sat there with no desire to get out. Everytime I see that picture, I've always thought of how I wish the Vet would have taken care of me, the same time as Steffie. For the life of me, I just cannot get past Steffie's age! I would presently be doing a whole lot better, and I am really, BUT, I can't kick the age deal. I've tried, and I've tried to find an exit to this, but NOTHING seems to deminish it. Why I had mentioned before, that no one or any professional could do anything to eliminate it. Actually, I think it is a direct complication from allowing oneself to be consumed into the 'false hope' thing, when they have lived longer than you ever dreamed they would,.....in other words, immortality. I just pity anyone that has had to endure through the same set of circumstances.

I do know this,.........'IF' I 'EVER' got another, and 'IF' it was a purebred puppy,.......there is NO WAY I would entertain such if I detected 'INBREEDING' on the inheritance sheet. Yow, I know.......probably impossible this day and time. SURELY there is STILL a breeder out there that still believes he or she wouldn't mate with a human family blood line let alone breeding a canine family blood line!

As with you, I'm technically getting better, but, for me, I'll never have the zest for anything I once did. Its just 'It Is What It Is', and I'm older now, and once this type of damage is done, there is just no way to hide the permanent, noticeable scar.

Keep up the the positive progress with your Buddy.

I do understand the age thing, the scars from losing my father way too young are still there and particularly with my mother. I even think I lost Holly too young, I expected her to still be with me as her breed commonly is a very long lived breed and 16-21 is not uncommon. Friends of mine with great danes commmonly lose them around 8 yo.

It would be unusual to find a purebred pup with no inbreeding. It is also a very common practice among working dog breeders as they try and fix desirable working genes. It can be done successfully if as a breeder you are also breeding for health as a priority and really understand how to use inbreeding and not just chasing ribbons based on a certain look.

Sadly crossbred puppies can also have severe problems. My mothers poodle cross had health problems all her life and she was from a random cross and a friend euthanaised a mix she bought from a pet shop with severe hip dysplasia. My working dogs all have an element of inbreeding and they are exceptionally healthy and strong dogs, but come from breeders with very good proven working dogs on the ground. My dog with pancreatitis is a rescue dog so the details of her breeding is scetchy.

Some breeds seem to have had a higher level of poor breeding practices than others and I know where I lived the kennel club has moved to make health testing of certain conditions mandatory in some high risk breeds based on the large number of complaints coming from the public purchasing pedigree puppies. I renewed my membership recently as I compete in dog sports and for the first time I had to supply photo identity as apparently banned and suspended breeders are trying to register under different identities.

It does seem that there are more and more potentially unscrupulous breeders out there not to mention people taking advantage of the designer dog craze and operating puppy mills and charging big prices for crosses from dogs of debateable health and temperament, again certain laws have come into place by the government to try and stamp that out. Not sure how successful they will be.

I think it is just a fact that as we age we do become less resilient to loss. As youngsters it would seem that our whole life stretches out in front of us and we are busy with living. Age brings us closer to mortality eapecially when we start losing friend and animals. I have several friend who have lost the fight or are battling life threatening conditions and it really does hit one hard.

I was looking at my dogs yesterday and thinking that they are all of a similar age and that it is going to be hard work to say goodbye to each of them possibly fairly close together and I will be that much older. So I can only let myself think about that briefly and make sure I enjoy their living years.

Photos can be difficult especially ones taken just before you lose them. With Holly the ones taken very shortly before her death when I didnt know anything was wrong are particularly hard. I find that they are the ones that make me sad because they are closest to when you lost them. The ones of her as a young dog doing the dog sport she loved or running on the beach are the ones that make me smile.

There is no answer really to any of this. I will keeping missing Holly and some days will be worse than others. I will also keep loving my other dogs and be very grateful I have them despite the fact that I will one day have to say goodbye to each of them.

I've often wondered if those that get Great Danes, if they are aware of their short life expectancy. My nephew has one.

The whole thing with any breeder today is their 'costs' with litters, let alone what method they are using, such as frozen semen, etc.. All of them go into a litter with 'costs' at the forefront of their plans. Those that are going the frozen semen direction are most likely not inbreeding. Most of the good breeders have since retired. Irregardless, there are at least 500 known genetically transmitted diseases as a result of inbreeding.

Theres no eutopia, you just have to lesson the odds. Theres no doubt that 'Pet Stores' are your worst choice, then there are shelters. In this part of the world, heartworms are your number one threat as per getting a rescue/shelter dog.

Unfortunately, I'm at a crossroads due to my age. My Parent's ages and health, loosing Steffie at a disgraceful age after a long battle........theres not a blue sky presently or ahead, other than my health is good at the present. I definitely couldn't sustain another financial strain like I experienced with caring for Steffie. I often think back to 2011 when Steffie was diagnosed, and they asked me if I would permit a kidney biopsy for $1,000.00. I was already at ~$3,000.00 because of ALL the many tests that had to be run to 'rule out' ALL potential causes, not to mention all the return visits to monitor medications etc.. I would have gladly paid the $1,000 but it wouldn't have made any difference in the long run. In the last month/weeks, my Vet suggested doing a test for Addison's Disease, just to rule that out. When the test came back negative and while talking to the Vet, she even told me, "I hate to see you spend any more money".

Its just simply no fun to get old. Everything has to 'count' and 'last'. Pot holes to most, are Grand Canyons to the elders. If only Love could have saved Steffie.

Yes it is difficult but there are healthy dogs out there. I guess my sheepdog breeds have proven to be pretty good and there are working breeders breeding good healthy dogs. One of the breeders I know well imported semen to provide some good outcrossing but instead introduced hip dysplasia into her lines, so outcrossing also has its hazards. It really is about having a very good historical record of all the dogs and their offspring. I have no problem with the use of inbreeding to fix excellent working traits as long as it is done in the right way. However working breeders are not precious about putting say a splash of kelpie into a Border collie breeding.

Inbreeding in show lines because their obsession with looks and breed purity is very different to that of a working dog breeder and I dont really understand how some breeds can be allowed to become so narrow in its genetic base without the ability to stengthen genetics with the use of a similar breed. Or the obsession to produce a certain, often bizzare looks at the cost of the animals health, or to breed dogs that cant give birth naturally because a certain look is required. Humans are just plain weird at times.

I could never own a breed that has a short life expectancy, it would be too heartbreaking.

Yes I understand the age thing and dislike growing older, however I need dogs to help me run my farm, so for as long as I am farming I will have dogs, hopefully well into old age is the plan. Trying not to let age get in the way of what I enjoy, I fight it every inch of the way LOL, no ageing gracefully for me, not as long as I have my health! Fortunately also the breeds I love generally have very few health issues.

If you ever decide to have another companion just take your time and do your research. I usually always insure mine for the first 2 years while I assess their health. My pancreatitis dog is insured and the others I have let lapse as they showed no genetic or other issues except my elbow dysplasic showline cattle dog and insurance paid for her extensive scans and surgery when she was just 9 months old.

Yes sadly love is not enough to keep our companions always with us, but to have loved them is still precious.

Hi, Earl, stopping by to say hello and to let you know you are in my thoughts and prayers every day. Indeed, love will not give our beloved companions physical immortality, but love is eternal - - it is not restricted to the physical laws of time and space. Because love is eternal, our beloved companion's sweet Living Spirit is always with us - - whatever we do and wherever we go - - both during their earthly journey with us and when they precede us to the angels. It is the adjustment to their physical absence that is so very, very difficult - - and is one that we never entirely are successful during our remaining earthly journey - - particularly as we get older. As you say, "It is what it is" when we get older - - each of us do what is best for us in order to have a good quality of life, and holding onto our treasured memories of our beloved companions hopefully brings comfort and joy to our hearts.

I hope today is treating you kindly, Earl, and that you will have a peaceful evening blessed with your beloved Schatszie's, Steffie's, Victor's, and all of your beloved companions' sweet Living Spirits to comfort you. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Earl, and that I always look forward to knowing how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

There is no way I could own a breed knowing ahead of time that they always had a short life span. I saw a young Great Dane this morning and the owner was a young guy. The dog was beautiful, but, my first thought was his pitiful longevity. I guess my nephew will figure it out later.

Yes, I've considered insurance if I 'ever'. I see 'pros' and 'cons' with it. I haven't done an ehausting type research of it, but, I'd appreciate knowing what company you use, and what they don't cover. I know theres been many of pet insurance companies go broke.

Theres no eutopia, you just have to do research anymore, but, in the end you are technically still rolling the dice. Hip Dysplasia should have shown up in prior generations, as a noitice to breeders, but, they probably ignored it for others priorities and goals in their quest for a certain phenotype.

I think my Vet's offer to find me another is not a bad direction to take. But, thats another day in time.

Hi Moon_Beam, I appreciate that, and you are also in my daily thoughts and prayers. Its nice to know somebody does care. Kind of like my Vet texting me on Christmas Day, that she was praying for me. Obviously, she didn't have to do that, but she 'knew' all the history of Steffie & I......she 'knew' 'this one' would be bad.

Moon_Beam, we(as with SummerHolly) had previously talked about being single, free thinkers, etc., all creating a seperate category when dealing with loss, and in particular with our companions. But, you know, theres another dimension that even makes such loss worse than most others on the outside looking in, and that is our age. When you are much older, ALL of your cards are on the table and you're not playing for chump change. In the past couple of years, I've noticed more and more older people with their pets with them in their cars. Their 'Best Friends'. They are usually ALWAYS a smaller breed of dog, and I'm sure, of course, this is for a good reason............'Longevity'. I'm sure the size is one thing, but, no doubt, the owner is hoping that in their remaining good years, that their Buddy will be with them for an extra long time.

I just hope that one day Vet Medicine would have progressed to where they can regenerate the kidneys just like they can with the liver. For Steffie and ALL the other animals that have succumbed to the horrible disease of CKF, I hope that day is very soon. Sure, there are other horrible 'lingering' diseases', but, none are as insidious as CKF, especially, when caught early. My Vet 'knew' 'exactly' what I was doing daily & nightly for Steffie for a VERY, VERY long time. As with her Technicians, they knew at the very last that it would be BAD on me. I could see it in their lack of eye contact with me in the last weeks.

Take care of yourself and Noah, and I hope you both are having a blessed day, and upcoming week.

Regards,

Earl

Yes I have a friend who recently lost her Dane at age 7 from Wobblers, she has since switched to another breed. I have another friend whosw Dane lived to 14 but that is very unusual.

Insurance is a tricky one. I usually take insurance for the first couple of years and then if everything seems fine I drop it. I only have a couple of my dogs insured at any one time. I use PetSecure which is in Canada but I dont know about the U.S. I think it is just very important to check the fine print. I specifically look for coverage of conditions like hip and elbow dysplasias and other genetic conditions that may be relevent to the breed you are dealing with. Insurance companies generally offer a range of plans so you need to understand each one specifically before you choose. Some people have got burned big time with insurance. I have been lucky so far with mine in that they have always payed my claims. Probably a good idea to read reviews. Maybe your vet can help as you seem to trust her.

Yes there is a lot of dice rolling but a breeder who is scrupulous in ethical breeding practices can reduce the risks particularly if they have do health testing and have good knowledge of previous generations and also have feedback from owners who have purchased puppies.

Thanks for the insurance tips. You're right though, I'd probably consider what the Vet would suggest. It all boils down to affordability for many, but, on the flip side it can cost you a lot more in the long run without it. Steady blood tests are a big deal with me and I wonder if most of these companies would exclude them as being part of a wellness exam.

Yes, 14 for a dane must be a record. Kind of like that Weimaraner that was supposedly 16. Either way, when they attain that age, they are no longer active with abilities to jump up into car, bed, etc.. They are just old.

I still visit the Weimaraner rescue sites, I think to test myself, but, nothing really grabs me. Its just a sad thing to go through a bad experience and having such a strong bond. I know that I've never cried so much my entire life as with loosing Steffie.

As far as another dog goes you just have to take your time and do whatever feels right. I still shed tears for my Holly, I still say to myself that I cant believe that she is gone. It just seemed that we were meant to always be together. I have no idea what happens, if anything when we die but I sure hope that Holly is there waiting for me.

So I can understand how you feel about Steffie. It is amazing how strong a bond is that you can form with a dog. I guess dogs and humans have been together for a very long time and I think they have scientifically proven that dogs are very tuned in to everything about us. Shame that we as humans can often abuse this. Thankfully there are still good people in the world who value this love.

I fight it daily, accepting that Steffie is gone. As my Vet referred to it,....'A Bad Experience'. She just simply deserved a better life she never got, and with a better ending. The only thing I can say is that she never had any surgeries.

I hope they are all waiting for us.