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Highlander Updates
 

This is a new part of our website that we thought you would enjoy.  This page will be updated frequently with the latest Highlander German Shepherds news.



 

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. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



May 2008
 

May 2008

Thank you to everyone who supported Team Highlander German Shepherds in the American Cancer Society's Dogs Walk Against Cancer!  Again this year we raised over $500!!!  This is the first year that we were physically unable to attend as we remained at home to care for Foxi.  We were there in spirit and Aiko did a great job representing team Highlander German Shepherds at the walk.

Aiko, Connie, & Zachary    Aiko, Cal, & Zachary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foxi is doing extremely well.  She is back to herself.  We would like to thank everyone for their support, love, and prayers!  We also would like to extend a very special thank you to Dr. Haumaier, Dr. Scheck, and Veterinary Technician Linda of Hudson Highlands Veterinary Group for their expertise and tender loving care!  They are real life heroes!  Everyone at Hudson Highlands Veterinary Group is phenomenal, they are the best of the best and second to none!

We will continue with Foxi's training for animal assisted therapy and service work.

 

Highlander German Shepherds is very excited to welcome Jorja v Bullinger to our family and breeding program.  Jorja is from the world renowned Bullinger German Shepherds!  Thank you Tracy for another wonderful girl!  We have decided to call Jorja: Zeba.  Zeba means "beautiful; life goes on"

Zeba will be 2 years old on August 15th.  Her preliminary xrays show excellent hips and elbows.  Her personality is outstanding, Zeba has excellent conformation and is gorgeous.  She is exactly what we desire: the total package.

 

 

JUNE 2008

I cannot believe summer is finally here!  We are anxiously waiting for the upcoming breeding of Maverick and Phoebe as are some of our future puppy parents!  We will be sure to keep everyone up to date when we know that Phoebe is expecting. 

Apache and Anika's training is going really well.  We really enjoy working with Mike and love his training techniques.  Training is very similar to the medical field in the respect that you are always learning and you never know everything.  On our "Links" page you can visit Mike's website and see what he is all about.  His philosophies are the same as ours ... train for real life, don't limit yourself or your dog by only training for a sport.  

Nutrition is another aspect of continuous education.  It can be frustrating when you have done tons of research and finally find a really great food for your dog, they do very well on that food and then..............................................the company decides to change where or who manufactors that particular food.  Another common issue is the company that you trust to provide your best friend with the best nutrition is bought by another company who will use the same name but decide to cut costs in various ways; of course the product is not the same.  When you want to provide the very best for your furry family member you cannot afford to stop learning we must keep on top of what the companies are producing and how they are producing it.  For this reason we have chosen Life's Abundance - formulated and maintained by a holistic veterinarian.  To find out more info on Life's Abundance and other Trilogy products go to the "Buy Holistic Dog Food" page on our website.

We spend a lot of time researching the best products available and keeping up to date with the many changes, we then pass that information on to you. 

Until next time --- everyone enjoy their summer!!!!  Highlander German Shepherds.

 

 

 

 

 






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