April 2008
Foxi is starting to get a little puppy belly! It is still too early to feel the puppies move. Less than one month left until the puppies are here. We are not sure how many puppies will be in this litter - we do plan on having an Xray done a few days before her due date to get a pretty accurate idea.
Apache and Anika are starting their advanced obedience training. Our plan is to take them through the highest level of obedience training, CGC, level three personal protection, therapy work, tracking, as well as service dog training (just like their Dad.) It is our belief and goal to train our dogs for real life situations and to have them be an active part of the community. Some people do not realize that the first guide dogs and therapy dogs were German Shepherds. In fact Therapy Dogs International was started by a group of Registered Nurses and their GSD's. Being a Registered Nurse and GSD lover, it is such a great feeling to see how a patient responds to my dogs. I also feel that it is great PR for the breed.
Scout is training with the North Eastern Division of Search and Rescue and to be a Service Dog!!!! McKenzie and Scout are doing extremely well!
Henna is doing very well with her obedience and herding training! Lovereen and Andre plan to get Henna titled in Herding. Great job!
Aiko is also doing well with his obedience and is working towards his CGC and becoming a therapy dog! Excellent work Connie, Cal, Zachary, and Aiko.
Foxi -- April 30, 2008
With tears and still unabated sense of shock it is with our deepest and most sincere regret that we must pass on the following information:
Yesterday (4/29/08) Foxi began to labor at home. When her labor did not progress as an Emergency Trauma/Surgical Critical Care Nurse and breeder I quickly recognized the potential for complications. Despite the fact that Foxi did not appear to be in acute distress (her vital signs were normal, her gums were nice and pink, and she did not seem to be in a lot of pain etc.) I just had a feeling that something was going wrong. We transported Foxi to Hudson Highlands Veterinary Medical Center where an induction of labor was attempted to no avail. At that time we went to the O.R. to proceed with an emergency c-section where Uterine Torsion was diagnosed. We are very grateful that the surgeons were able to save our beloved Foxi who is now recovering in the Intensive Care Unit. Sadly, despite every possible medical effort and intervention the puppies did not make it and Foxi had to undergo an emergency hysterectomy. Foxi will remain in the ICU for at least another day to receive IV Antibiotics, IV fluids, pain management, continuous monitoring of her vital signs and blood work. As with any major surgery the first 48 hours are the most critical but so far Foxi is recovering well - we just returned home after checking in on her again.
I will be sure to keep you informed on Foxi's progress. We just cannot wait to have her home with us again.
FOXI IS HOME WITH US DOING VERY WELL
We are so happy to announce that Foxi is home and doing very well!!!! She is not supposed to go up and down stairs so for now we (Maverick & I) are sleeping downstairs with her (on the main floor of our home). Foxi is enjoying the specially prepared meals that my Mom is making for her. Maverick is very attentive to Foxi. He frequently checks her surgical site and then kisses her face -- I think that she appreciates his love and devotion as she will then kiss his face and snuggles up next to him. Before she goes to sleep I give her a massage and then she rests her head on my chest or shoulder and dozes off. After such a traumatic event we all experienced many emotions but most of all we are grateful that we have our Foxi.
Breeding dogs is more than putting a male and a female together and having cute little puppies. Many things can go wrong and sometimes like in this case there is no explanation for why it happened. Also as in this case there were no clinical signs & symptoms jumping out at us or the veterinarians to indicate something was critically wrong --- we (my mom and I) just had very strong feelings that there was something very wrong. Foxi comes from the best bloodlines, she was in the best health, she had the best possible prenatal care and still despite starting out with everything stacked in her favor ... things went critically wrong. This is why it is so important for people to really educate themselves before breeding dogs, especially if their rationale is based on making a lot of money --- that is not going to happen. Reputable breeders are passionate about their dogs, really strive to better the breed and not only know but expect more times than not more money is put out than comes in.
