Comfort dogs

Susan: agree! You have done the right thing by taking the puppy home with you. Your Mom is in no condition for a puppy. Sorry you have to deal with the daily phone calls, but you are doing the right thing for the puppy and for your mom so she doesn't fall over the pup again.

Ducky!! Love seeing the pics of Stella and Maddie.

Lita: love your baby! So cute! Ava is missing a couple of teeth so her tongue usually hangs out when she is sleeping. She came from a Bulldog rescue. They pulled her from a kill shelter in South FL cuz she is a low-rider and has the body of an English Bulldog (and the stubbornness!) but the head of a pit bull. So who knows exactly what breed she is??? She has a lot of health issues too. Hypothyroidism, Cushing's disease, arthritis. But she is a sweetie.

She just woke up from a nap. Tongue sticking out!

Agree with you that Michael Vick got off too easy.

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 ).

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.

Marley is going back tomorrow...untrained for them. Doing great for me, but I don't take my eyes off her.so sad:(

Tessu - Misty is darling.

Just got a new picture of Maddie......such a cutie......

I think she is ready for her morning kisses.

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.

Susan, fingers crossed for training! BTW how do you feel post chemo round?

so cute!!!

Dozer gets in the funniest positions - this is his morning, I don't want to do anything photo.

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.

such cute pics of all the digs . My 15 year old likes to sleep a lot now

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.