Comfort dogs
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Glennie, is that Ava in the little picture? What a sweetheart! Can you post a bigger one?
Sadly, a lot of disreputable breeders in the dog-fighting circuits still cross breed pit bulls w/English Bulldogs because they want a dog that's more impervious to pain. English Bulldogs have an exceptionally high tolerance for pain - that's why they used them in the old bull-baiting pits in England back in the 19th Century. Their pushed in noses and nose wrinkles allowed the blood to easily drain away from their nostrils while they latched on to the bulls with their strong jaws. It's what they were originally bred to do, just as pit bulls were bred to fight in the dog-fight pits of old England, too. (I had to do a lot of research on dog fighting for one of the young adult historical fiction novels I wrote some years ago - it made me sick. Michael Vick got off WAY too easy, if you ask me.) It disgusts me that illegal dog fighting still exists today, not just in rural settings either. There are places in the urban Bay Area where it still happens according to the police. It breaks my heart to think of what my late Tiffy and Maddie's ancestors had to go thru a couple of centuries ago - just to entertain the public. Practically every little town and shire back then had a bull-baiting ring or organized dog fighting.
And don't get me started on puppy-mill breeders. Gees, they should all be strung up for what they do to innocent dogs.
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She just woke up from a nap. Tongue sticking out!Agree with you that Michael Vick got off too easy.
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Lita: OMG ' Over the bulldog's life, you may end up spending 5 times that or more on vet care, surgeries and rehab. Cruciate ligament surg can end up being $5000+ depending on where you live.' Are the bulldogs breeders trying to breed out some of these problems? I've heard that their massive heads make non cesarean birth for these and french bull dogs almost impossible, is that true?
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Magiclight - Yes, it's true. Most bulldogs have to have C-sections because of narrow hips.
The bulldog breeding circle is very controversial. While many reputable breeders breed only off champion dogs with sound heath and obviously won't breed dogs with hip dysplasia, and really bad elongated soft palate issues, they can't control for every bad health trait. Sadly, bulldogs are seriously over bred - not by reputable breeders as these people usually don't breed that often and they only sell their dogs to people who fill out an extensive questionnaire, and you usually have to get on a waiting list. The over-breeding is by puppy mills and back yard breeders who are just in it to make a buck. These people have absolutely no idea what they are doing in terms of animal husbandry, and they are destroying the breed. A good number of dogs that are surrendered to rescue come from these awful breeders. Dogs are surrendered because the family simply can't afford the dog and it's health expenses anymore.
The irony too is that the dogs you see most on commercials (and bulldogs are in a LOT of commercials) are often the ones everybody wants to run out and get. The non-AKC (American Kennel Club) unregistered breeders are feeding the demand for these dogs, but the people who get them have no clue what they're getting themselves in for. B4 we got our first English Bulldog, I read whatever book I could on the breed, so I knew from the gate that these dogs have tons of issues.
Pet insurance, unfortunately, is a joke. It won't cover certain things, and if your dog has a pre-existing condition, too bad for you. Some policies "might" cover one cruciate ligament surgery, but if the dog has to have it done on the other leg later on, nope! It's now considered a "pre-existing" condition! Basically, you have to have a savings account set up for the dog to cover expenses. That's why rescue orgs like the one I volunteered with ask so many questions and want to know how much you make. We don't want to have to "re-home" the dog a couple years later because the rescue family can no longer afford the dog. We would disclose everything regarding skin, ears, neurological disorders (such as seizures), etc., and let them know that Bully Boy is not going to be cheap to care for.
I love Bulldogs, but my absolute favorite dog is a Siberian Husky. However, I won't get one because we don't the yard space for one. Huskies are working dogs, and they NEED to run and pull. If they don't get enuf exercise, they can develop behavior problems. It's really important to research the breed before you get one so you know what you're in for - whether it's a Chihuahua or a St. Bernard. Time to climb off the soap box
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Thanks, Glennie. Ava is darling.
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Lita, you sound like a big dog advocate! Rock on!
Ava was saved by an English Bulldog rescue group. So I know all about the extensive questionnaire that they required. Same issues with them,, they didn't want to adopt out a dog and get him back a couple years later. They made sure people were aware of the health issues that bullys have.
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Lita: When I was looking for a puppy I learned about the UC Davis genetic diversity testing so that I could find a breeder with dogs not overbred.
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Marley is going back tomorrow...untrained for them. Doing great for me, but I don't take my eyes off her.so sad:(
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Misty stayed at my side 24/7 through all my treatment. She's 12 1/2 yrs oldand has some worsening health issues of her own, but I am trying to give her the best summer ever
Actually the only "good" thing about my cancer is that it hit while I still have her. Would probably have never made it through chemo without her 
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Tessu - Misty is darling.
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Tessu, I'm sorry about Misty's poor health but I'm sure you are doing everything to give her a great summer of love and fun and special treats. With the long summer days you have in Finland I expect you will cherish every minute. Many years ago I was in Finland for summer solstice so got to enjoy a great deal of your beautiful country from Helsinki up through Lapland to North Cape, Norway
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Just got a new picture of Maddie......such a cutie......
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what a face! Priceless!
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I think she is ready for her morning kisses.
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Our Sofia's always watching over me...unless she's on the patio sunning herself.
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Susan: Don't think this is the end of the Marley story.
Lita: Looks like he is getting ready to settle down on that comfy spot.
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oh I think I won't be seeing Marley again. My brother and I don't get along and I told him off for talnkg an untrained dog back. When he and my mom came for the dog, I wasn't here, my hubby said she was confused with my 15 year old dog and the puppy. Her 10 year old dig died in April. That's why my brother got another one. She kept talking about a dog. I think she wants her old dog back, not this puppy, that she thinks is obnoxious . Oh well. She has a caretaker now. Hopefully the caregiver loves dogs and knows how to train them:
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Susan, fingers crossed for training! BTW how do you feel post chemo round?
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My DH shot this pic of Sofia on the scale...."Mom, do you think I need to go on a diet?"
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so cute!!!
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It's all muscle, right?
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Dozer gets in the funniest positions - this is his morning, I don't want to do anything photo.
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You all are making me jealous! Older dogs rock --says this lady with a puppy. At this moment, however, mine is asleep and I dozed off earlier and I think he ate a large piece of a bully stick so am a bit worried as he only weighs 15 lbs. The package says digestible, but I'll keep a close eye on him.
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This is S'more's "I'm too tired to move" pose. He usually gets a nice neck scratchy from anyone passing through the room.
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Seems to be the way with them this time of year. All sleep.
I can't feed any bully sticks or bone type items to Dozer - he swallows them whole and then throws up for 3 days.We learned the hard way. I have been doing the dehydrator lately and found that sweet potatoes are really chewy and Dozer loves them LOL.
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such cute pics of all the digs . My 15 year old likes to sleep a lot now
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Magiclight, I got chemo today , will be mostly ok tomorrow, then I sleep Friday Saturday, and feel better Sunday night. Not to bad. Every21 days is chemo..
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Susan, warm hugs and gentle going for you the next few days. I hope you have something cozy to snuggle up with, maybe a favorite tea, book, blanket, or binge watching your favorite shows.
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Magic, as you can see from the post ahead of me, my old dog, after pain pills, will snuggle all day....as long as I give her the pillows
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You are so lucky to have a snuggle doggy. Dozer is a bit large, but he tries to snuggle. Just try to enjoy the snuggles and rest. Gentle Hugs coming your way.
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