Who's there?

C

Cas1979

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Poole, Dorset
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If you asked these questions, what would your answer be?

- Who's there guarding your dreams when you wake up in the morning after you've been asleep?

- Who's there cheering you up when you are sad?

- Who's there greeting you when you come back home?

- Who's there to cuddle you when things haven't gone ok?

- Who's there to make you laugh when you are angry?

- Who's there to give you support when you don't succeed?

- Who's there to keep you company when feeling ill?

- Who's there standing by your side expecting nothing back?

- Who's there to give you loyalty whether you are fat or slim?

- Who's there to kiss you good night and watch you go to sleep?

- Who's given you their heart and love?

- Who's there to walk with you when the rain is pouring down?

- Who's there to comfort you when sorrow has filled your soul?

- Who's there to make fool of themselves to relief the pain in your heart?

- Who's there to carefully rest their head on your legs when tears are streaming down your face?

and who's given you a last sigh as thank you for your sacrifice??


To all these questions, my answer is my darling boy Joey, who is it for you??

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God I pray for strength to survive this life without my sweet boy
 
Cas1979 said:
God I pray for strength to survive this life without my sweet boy
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Grief is such a terrible, terrible thing.

But I'm going to give you a bit of tough love here. You will survive, but you have to take positive steps to move on. Nothing will replace him - but perhaps the space he's left should be occupied which will give you something else to focus on.
 
Agree, it's good to write it down and cry over him, I was in a terrible state when lost one of mine a few years back, but dwelling on it doesn't help.

Two weeks to the day later, I went out and got two more. Perhaps you could pop to a rescue centre and see what is available.
 
cinnamontoast said:
Agree, it's good to write it down and cry over him, I was in a terrible state when lost one of mine a few years back, but dwelling on it doesn't help.

Two weeks to the day later, I went out and got two more. Perhaps you could pop to a rescue centre and see what is available.
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Sometimes that's just what's needed. Something else to pour all that love in to.
 
amymay said:
Sometimes that's just what's needed. Something else to pour all that love in to.
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Thank you all.

I totally agreed, but hubby doesn't seem to think the same way and wouldn't like to go against him, but I've been sending pictures of pups and hoping he will give a green light.

Otherwise, for my sake i'll get a dog with or without his approval.
 
amymay said:
Is your hubby very upset at the loss of Joey too?
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He is upset.

He isn't against it but he said to wait until I've got over the death of Joey. I think it would help, so I've sent him details of a litter is due in July which means pups will be ready to go home in Aug, giving enough time to "patch up my wounds..."

I wouldn't like to go against him, cos as you say it is a big thing to do, but on the other hand, Im not going to keep feeling the way I do of there is sth that can help and bring back some happiness.

He never did much for Joey, he was my responsibility, I took him to vet apps, for walks, fed him, kept his water and blankets clean, did all health stuff like bath him, frontline, worming, grooming, insurance, etc. He played with Joey cos Joey liked playfight and I wasn't much for that.

New baby will be the same. My responsibility!
 
Well in that case Cas, I'd simply tell him that you've found a litter that you like the look of - and are planning on going for a visit with a view to picking one out.

It's nice if it's a joint decision - but not always necessary.

So, chin up lovely - and give yourself something for the future to look forward to xx
 
I lost my horse of a lifetime 4 years ago in July and I was an absolute mess. I think I cried for months!

I did have another horse at the time which helped, but I hadn't had her long and hadn't bonded with her. I'd wanted a dog forever and that was when I pushed and pushed my husband until he relented and we picked up H in November. It was exactly what I needed. (my husband now adores him by the way!)

It was only much later on I found out H was conceived the day I lost my horse :( Massive coincidence but makes him extra special to me :) :)
 
Oh that is so sad brought tears to my eye.

When we had two clumbers spaniels and a boxer we lost the 6year old girl and her mum was 16so knew we were close to loosing her aswell. We shortly after got our gsp he didnt replace and 5years later still think of my clumbers lots.

We made the decision recently to get a puppy as our boxer has hip dysplacia and we chose not to treat other than pain killers as he is older and had lots of operations. Our pointer cant be alone so we would of had to go out and pick a puppy so this way we took our time. We didnt want an empty house with just one as we always had 3. I dread the time we lose him and will feel the same as you as he is a one in a life time dog, I've had and lost lots of dog but each time it is hard.
 
Thanks Amymay, your words have certainly encouraging.. I may have to ask to speak to hubby.. lol

Galaxy that is what I call, meant to be!

thanks you all for those words, I'll be keeping my eyes open for new litters and look forward to something new xx
 
Jojo_Pea4 said:
Oh that is so sad brought tears to my eye.

When we had two clumbers spaniels and a boxer we lost the 6year old girl and her mum was 16so knew we were close to loosing her aswell. We shortly after got our gsp he didnt replace and 5years later still think of my clumbers lots.

We made the decision recently to get a puppy as our boxer has hip dysplacia and we chose not to treat other than pain killers as he is older and had lots of operations. Our pointer cant be alone so we would of had to go out and pick a puppy so this way we took our time. We didnt want an empty house with just one as we always had 3. I dread the time we lose him and will feel the same as you as he is a one in a life time dog, I've had and lost lots of dog but each time it is hard.
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Jojo, Joey was my 1st loss, and I think it never gets easy cos each dog has its own personality and steals a bit of our hearts.

Coming back to empty house is the worse and I thought of it and wanted to do sth about it, but on the other hand Joey was so ill that bringing a bundle of joy and energy wasn't going to be fair on my darling boy.

But is sad, cos just to read your story also bring tears to my eyes, well even more than I've had!!! xx
 
I rescued a gsd after the loss of mine, there are so many sad faces that are desperate for homes (check out Gsdr) it would be lovely to give a rescue the same opportunities joey had :)
 
Laura2408 said:
I rescued a gsd after the loss of mine, there are so many sad faces that are desperate for homes (check out Gsdr) it would be lovely to give a rescue the same opportunities joey had :)
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Laura I don't qualify for rescue dogs only cos I spend a bit more than 4 hours away from home at 1 time.

Otherwise would rather adopt a dog that hasn't had the best start in life and give them my love.
 
As amymay says, not all rescues will discount you if you are away longer than 4 hours, unless of course it is all day every day. Have a look at http://gsrelite.co.uk/. They are a relatively new rescue, formed by people who were involved with a larger rescue and didn't like some of their more stringent rules.
 
I just checked in to see if you had posted as I am worrying about you. :(

The loss of our last dog knocked my husband sideways as we lost him the same week as husband's Mum died from cancer. It was a very tough time but Amyway is right with the tough love bit I'm afraid.

I've just had a quick look on gsrelite.co.uk and there are some super dogs in need of lots of love. There is one dog on here that takes it's teddy to bed and is scared of the dark. I need to sit on my hands now before I do anything silly.
 
When we lost our last dog I would of gone out straight away to get another but OH got very upset and wouldn't even consider it or us having any other pet.

We all grieve in different ways and in time we are ready to love again.

We now have a cat who my OH adores and our life is complete again. That time will come for you too, I truly believe that animals find and choose you xx
 
Sealine said:
I just checked in to see if you had posted as I am worrying about you. :(

The loss of our last dog knocked my husband sideways as we lost him the same week as husband's Mum died from cancer. It was a very tough time but Amyway is right with the tough love bit I'm afraid.

I've just had a quick look on gsrelite.co.uk and there are some super dogs in need of lots of love. There is one dog on here that takes it's teddy to bed and is scared of the dark. I need to sit on my hands now before I do anything silly.
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Thanks Sealine, I think I am defo getting better. I miss him immensely but I've been doing bits here and there that has helped me deal with my grief and hubby has there to help.

I've suggested hubby getting a doggy from a rescue place, Dorset Rescue Centre has lovely young ones but he's had bad experience with a rescue dog. I tried to say that we would be doing something amazing, but he insisted. So cant really go against him about that. I'm keeping an eye on few litters, which is giving me something to look forward too I guess.

Thanks Sealine for your concerns. Im hoping thing will start to brighten up soon. Yes his absence will hurt for a long while but I can start to think about him in a more positive way xx
 
If you are looking at litters please make sure the sire and dam (and grandparents and great grandparents ideally!!) have been hip and elbow scored and have low scores on both stretching back.

There is a DNA test to help identify carriers of CDRM and the sire should have this also.

I would not recommend any breeder who does not carry out these tests I'm afraid, whatever else they might tell you about how wonderful the litter is.

There are lots of slick sales pitches out there but there is no excuse not to health test in this day and age and a good breeder should be keen to show you all the health test results/certificates - if they are cagey and say 'oh yes, they are healthy/our dogs don't get hip dysplasia because of their construction/we don't want to put our dogs under anaesthetic I would run a mile x

I'd also steer clear of people deliberately breeding for off-colours like white, blue and liver as the gene pool is very small and can include some genetic defects.
There is nothing wrong with these colours when they crop up in a litter but they should not be deliberately bred for IMO.

Also the 'heavy/big boned' sales pitch - the breed is not a giant breed, they're meant to be medium to large, athletic, etc and the bigger the dog the more pressure on the joints and the more careful you will have to be not to overdo exercise in youth.
 
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CaveCanem said:
If you are looking at litters please make sure the sire and dam (and grandparents and great grandparents ideally!!) have been hip and elbow scored and have low scores on both stretching back.

There is a DNA test to help identify carriers of CDRM and the sire should have this also.

I would not recommend any breeder who does not carry out these tests I'm afraid, whatever else they might tell you about how wonderful the litter is.

There are lots of slick sales pitches out there but there is no excuse not to health test in this day and age and a good breeder should be keen to show you all the health test results/certificates - if they are cagey and say 'oh yes, they are healthy/our dogs don't get hip dysplasia because of their construction/we don't want to put our dogs under anaesthetic I would run a mile x

I'd also steer clear of people deliberately breeding for off-colours like white, blue and liver as the gene pool is very small and can include some genetic defects.
There is nothing wrong with these colours when they crop up in a litter but they should not be deliberately bred for IMO.

Also the 'heavy/big boned' sales pitch - the breed is not a giant breed, they're meant to be medium to large, athletic, etc and the bigger the dog the more pressure on the joints and the more careful you will have to be not to overdo exercise in youth.
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Thanks CC for this info.

I don't understand the scores in about elbows and hips. I've seen some litters in Champdogs.co.uk and they display that info in their ad but I don't understand it. Am I Looking for low scores? so if I see something like 0/3, what does that mean??

If you look at this link

http://www.champdogs.co.uk/litter/28493

what does that mean??

"Dam; Leadburn Ellis, both parents are field trial champions, hips 5/6, elbows 0/0 and DNA tested clear for gPRA & CNM (Labrokin)."
 
The lowest scores are 0:0 (0 on each hip) and the highest is a total of 108 or so. Uneven hip scores are also undesirable. Something like 5:15 would ring alarm bells. A score like 0:50, which a champion GSD has, could be investigated and attributed to an injury (the owner has decided not to breed from him to be on the safe side, which is very responsible of her)

For elbows, best 0, worst 3.

"Dam; Leadburn Ellis, both parents are field trial champions, hips 5/6, elbows 0/0 and DNA tested clear for gPRA & CNM (Labrokin)."

So that is a nice low hip score and a perfect elbow score and the dam does not carry the genes implicated in CDRM.

MM has posted a pic of scoring sheets in another thread if you would like to see what these should look like, hang on and I will try and find it.
 
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CaveCanem said:
The lowest scores are 0:0 (0 on each hip) and the highest is a total of 108 or so. Uneven hip scores are also undesirable. Something like 5:15 would ring alarm bells. A score like 0:50, which a champion GSD has, could be investigated and attributed to an injury (the owner has decided not to breed from him to be on the safe side, which is very responsible of her)

For elbows, best 0, worst 3.

"Dam; Leadburn Ellis, both parents are field trial champions, hips 5/6, elbows 0/0 and DNA tested clear for gPRA & CNM (Labrokin)."

So that is a nice low hip score and a perfect elbow score and the dam does not carry the genes implicated in CDRM.

MM has posted a pic of scoring sheets in another thread if you would like to see what these should look like, hang on and I will try and find it.
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Thanks CC, this is really helpful!
 
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