When buying a puppy avoid this heartbreak

Two years ago my daughter bought a little chihuahua puppy from an ad in the paper. She didn't know anything about the breeder but she fell in love with this little guy so we paid the $200 for her to get him.He quickly became part of the family and we all grew to love him.We all grew attached to this little loveable guy,he loved people too and everyone was his friend.
When she took little Petey to the vet, the vet detected a heart murmur but she thought he might grow out of it. He didn't grow out of his heart problem though.
Yesterday my wife and daughter noticed that Petey was struggling to breath and so they took him to the Dove Lewis emergency clinic in Portland. After x-rays it was found that Petey had suffered heart failure and his heart was irrepairably damaged. It was actually twice the size that it should be.
So now I'm taking my daughter to tell her beloved little dog goodbye and her heart...and mine too, is breaking.
Had we done some investigation of this breeder and a background of the parents we could have been able save the heart ache.

*Removed the picture of my daughter and Petey. Too difficult to see right now

[ 02-25-2004, 05:54 PM: Message edited by: Stew ]

[Stz ll]

Stew, I am sorry to hear of the loss of your little dog. We lost a dog several years ago due to poor breeding.

Pete

[Cool Texan]

:depressed:

[Tanner]

Stew,
Sorry to hear about the loss. One thing though, look at all the joy that lttle fella brought to you and your family. At least he got to spend a couple years with some loving people.

A few years ago we bought a Beagle that has been plagued with health problems but we love her. She is one of the most loving pets I have ever had. I know that she is probably going to have a fairly short life so we make sure to give her lots of love.

Tanner

[DanS]

Stew,

It sounds to me like your pup had the same heart problem my son has. Drew was born with a murmur that an untrained ear could hear, which was caused by a faulty aortic valve. By the time he was two weeks old, the left side of his heart was much larger than it should have been and we had to rush him to Chindren's Hospital for a valvioplasty.

He went into cardiac arrest on the table, but the doctors (who I consider heros) were able to revive him and balloon the valve. He was home a couple days later.

The only problem is that the aortic valve was torn by the balloon, and it will have to be replaced some day. My wife and I are hoping it's later rather than sooner, but we have to have an echocardiogram done every six months on him to see how badly the valve is regurgitating.

Some day we know the doc is going to say it's time, and we'll have to go through the stress of having our son go through an open-heart surgery.

I'm sad to hear your story. Petey loved you, and you loved him. Try to feel good about that part of the story, and the sadness will pass with time. Best wishes, Stew.

[Tilla]

Sorry to hear of your loss. It was not your fault.
Just a few words.
There are good reasons for buying from a reputable breeder or someone who is responsible and knows the particulars of the breed. As with many people out there there seems to be confusion between bargain and value. When you are looking for a pup you should keep in mind that this will be your best friend for 10-15 years. And your pet will look up to you and consider you his best friend for his entire life. Don't wait until that day that you have to make that way-too-early final trip to the vet to realise an error.
So when you look at that $600 or so tab for that pup, divide it into the years that you will have the truest friend you'll ever have.
Talk about a bargain.

[GOT2FISH]

:depressed: :depressed: :depressed: :depressed:

:depressed:

[ampersat]

Think of it this way: if his condition had been apparent to everyone who came to see him, in whose home would he have spent his life? Would he have been taken home at all or would his life have been cut even shorter because of his condition? It sounds like everyone he came into contact with was enriched by the experience and in turn he had a wonderful, albeit brief, life.

Even though I never met you, I'll miss you Petey.
:depressed:

Thanks everyone for your kind words [img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img] I think what's making it so tough on me is the fact my daughter is soon moving to Colorado :depressed: So for the first time in many, many years my wife and I will be alone.
So everyone go hug your pet tonight for me :smile: ****** my offer to you about that great dog of yours still stands :grin:

[sparkleboy]

I know it never helps to hear the words "I know how you feel," but I really do.
Our yellow lab became sick the day after Christmas, and progressively got worse and worse. A week at the vet's and a surgery later detected a canerous pancrease. Medication and a surgery couldn't help her, and we had to say good bye to her. She's was the only dog I've ever had, and it's pretty difficult for me to write about her now. I loved her just like a family member, as you did.
I really can't offer any words of advice, because I haven't really found anything that's made me feel much better about my dog being gone, but I know how you feel, Stew. At least you have some wonderful memories.

[Steelie Steve]

:depressed: :depressed: :depressed: :depressed:

[brshooter]

Sorry to hear that Stew. :depressed: My heart goes out to your family.

Our 2 year old boxer recently played tag with moving vehicle. No major injuries, but the x-rays did show an enlarged heart. We have been refered to a doggie cardiaologist. Hopefully, there will be able to diagnose the actual problem and that something can be done to slow the progression of the heart disease.

[TundraIII]

A couple of years ago my sister bought a miniature Doberman from Scamps pet store at a mall. She paid 600 bucks for the ugly little thing. She called me two days later to come check out her pup because she detected that its behavior was a bit unusual. So I go over to her place and witness the dog running around like a freak bumping into table and chair legs, not to mention the walls. The dog seemed to be calm and lovable when held but put the thing down and total mayhem! She took it to the vet, turned out that dogs skull had never sealed and it had water on the brain, was nearly blind and certainly retarded. Hip displaisa and something else, I cant remember what. She had a hassle taking it back to pet store, Scamps were creaps about the whole deal because she didnt use their vet. They took the dog back and 4 days later she went by the pet shop and there was the same dog back in the display case. The vet said the dog probably wouldnt live past 6 mos. There are stories like this everywhere, sorry to hear that this happened to your family :depressed:

[Reel Premier]

Stew.

I'm truly sorry to read of your loss. :depressed: I too know what it is like to loose a memeber of the family like Petey. I'll give my two dogs a big hug from your family and Petey. It's hard right now, but try to remember all the love Petey brought to you and your family, and hopefully that will ease your pain.

Again to all the great people who have responded my heartfelt appreciation for your kind and encouraging words. We are missing little Petey real bad right now but I know it will get better.
Petey had a lot of love for all of us in his little 5 lb. body and his loss is just real tough to deal with right now.
Our Border Collie has been looking for him around the house so he misses his little pal too :depressed:
Thanks [img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img]

[AuntyM]

Stew,

I'm sorry about Petey. I know he was very loved. I hugged my dog and told her it was from you. She smiled.

[DriftR]

My dog was my constant companion 24/7. I still miss her. Every now and then my wife, daughters and I comment how we have flashbacks of our favorite other family member. I still catch myself telling my buddy to hold on when I turn the corner in my truck. I think I still hear here neck chain clank and I turn my head to see her. She was the most loyal, loving and fun friend I ever had in my life. She has been gone for over a year now. Those memories of good times will remain with me forever. If people who I meet don't like dogs then I just don't like them.
Hang in there during this sad time and remember how many good years you had with your buddy. They would still be with us if their bodies would have matched their will and heart.

:depressed:

[Ryan Pultz]

Hey stew sorry about the loss man it must hurt. Our pets truly grow on us.
About you and the wife being alone for the first time that could be a blessing But if you ever want som company I'm a little bigger than a chihuahua ok a lot bigger (you seen me at the fly fishing get together at Tanners)Id come watch steelie videos with ya any time as long as we can watch the one were he gets a steelie on the wakeing fly i still have dreams of that! cheer up You and your famaly our in my prayers Ryan

[LQQKASTAR]

THE RAINBOW BRIDGE.

there is a bridge connecting heaven and earth. its called the rainbow bridge because of its many colors. just this side of the rainbow bridge there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass.

when a beloved pet dies,the pet goes to this place, there is allways food, water and warm spring weather. the old and frail animals are young again. those who are maimed are made whole again, they play all day long with each other.

there is only one thing missing. they are not with there special person who loved them on earth.so each day they run and play untill the day comes and one suddenly looks up. the nose twiches,the ears are up! the eyes are staring! and this one suddenly runs from the group!

you have been seen,and when you and your special freind meet, you take her in your arms and embrace. your face is kissed again and again and again. and then you look once more into the eyes of your trusting freind.

Then you cross the rainbow bridge again, never to be seperated again....

posted in memory of my dog Summit.. R.I.P.8/4/99

auther unknown
[img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img]

[ 02-28-2004, 07:54 AM: Message edited by: LQQKASTAR ]

[Jennie@ifish]

Now you went and made me cry. :depressed:

I'm so sorry, Stew. I had no idea. I haven't read much on ifish lately, and this is what I miss when I don't read it. Would I have been better off not reading it? Well, as I wipe my tears, I say yes, but... I know how much it hurts, and I know that it helps to have friends understand.
I understand, too well. :depressed:

To me, and you'll probably think I'm awful: I almost feel worse when I lose a pet, then when I lose a people. I don't know why, and I can't explain it, but it just hurts so much. :depressed:

Pets are everywhere with you. From the bathroom, to the telephone, to wagging their tail against you walking through the house.

They are constant companions. No matter if you get irritated at them, they still love you.

I always try to be that way, to the ones I love. Some ask, "What would Jesus do?" And that's important, too... but in relationships, it helps to ask, "What would my dog, do?"

Why, he would wag his tail, jump up on you and love you, no matter what!

We could all learn a huge lesson from our pets.

I'm so sorry, Stew. My prayers will go out to you and your family.

Please consider replacing the dog, soon. It's hard to think about, but in the end, it really helps.

Jen