| Tribute to the Dreams of the past may they live on always in our hearts and teach us to strive for the stars. My very first sheltie was acquired through an advertisement in a local newspaper. Little Cessna BushHawk was about 14" inches tall and a petite little lady. In no way was she of show quality, but she certainly grabbed at my heart and held on with a grip only a sheltie could maintain. She whelped a litter for me - and her personality changed dramatically when her puppies left for their forever homes. It was then that I began to realize just a few of the reasons for spaying/neutering companion animals. Placing puppies meant, to me at least, taking the responsibility to make sure that those who would pick a puppy would also make a long term committment to providing a permanent, loving home. Cessie was never the same after she was bred. As each 'baby' left for its new home she became more distraught and anxious. We finally had to find her a home where she was the only pet, a couple who led a quiet life and could provide her with a feeling of security she lost when her puppies went to their new homes. The expense of beginning a hobby/showing kennel was much more than I could have ever guessed. Testing, health care, research of pedigrees, bloodlines and possible 'mates' became almost an obsession. I had Sheltie magazines in every room of the house, my phone bill was through the roof. I took a job with a nationally known handler/breeder - scooping poop and bathing dogs - she never considered me anything more than kennel help - but I learned alot and got to care for some young adults affected by DM - while the breeder continued to promote their father. I watched as this breeder scorned those seeking a pet from her and learned firsthand of an 'unkind' attitude which exists within some parts of the purebred dog community towards good hearted people wanting the priviledge of sharing their lives with a pedigreed puppy. I went elsewhere for my furkids - not impressed with the ethics or the practices of one now so famous When given the opportunity to breed the last daughter of a famous ROM CH - I literally broke my family's bank with the added expense. Though I shipped her to the best stud I could locate - the breeding did not take. There were no puppies, and my one opportunity was gone. In the meantime I bred another of my ladies.... several hundred dollars in vet bills later, the one whelp she had conceived was taken via c-section. We barely saved mom's life and the puppy was 'gone' days before the veterinarian would agree to take action. DreaMagyk's Amazing Grace was buried under a circle of roses in our front yard - and a part of me was wrapped in the pink silk with her lifeless body.Feeling lost, alone, and very inadequate as if I had let down my furkids.... my life went into a tailspin. My marriage broke up, all but one of my shelties was placed into pet homes and I moved to another state with my 7 yr old daughter and my best bitch puppy - the new beginning if I should ever be in a position to try again. My dear sweet Layna, a wonderful companion, a beautiful show/breeding prospect. She would prove to have very moderately low thyroid function - meds would take care of it. But breeding her would mean very likely passing the condition on to her offspring. I did the right thing and had her spayed. She has been my emotional salvation through some of the roughest times in my life. The 'perfect' almost babysitter for my latch key daughter and an angel who stayed by my side through all that life could throw my way - she was far more valuable to me as a friend than I could ever have imagined. Those are just some of the 'highlights', briefly described and without all the heartwrenching detail of what one can expect as possiblities when breeding. You might thank me for not going into the details on tube feeding, every 4 hours round the clock and then having to let the puppy 'go' when I just couldn't save her. The expanded stories would prove that I am indeed, very possibly, certifiably missing some portion of normal intelligence to even consider continuing to persue this dream.... and yet as with all who feel the connection to their chosen breed The heart does go on and we remember the dreams which passed us by, the furkids who received and returned our love and we do our very best to do our best.... A big part of my motivation is to play a part in creating that special companion for someone who just might need a friend to help them see they can indeed continue. In even the darkest night we can dare to DreaMagyk! |
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