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Originally Posted by newyorkiepup  We met with a surgeon yesterday. We have decided not to do the surgery. It isn't as cut and dry as we had hoped. They don't know what kind of shunt it is, sometimes they come back even after surgery, and complications can arise that would result in a seizure that he can't come out of. It's too risky as far as we're concerned and we can't put him through that. Cruiser will be going back to his breeder on Monday to live out the rest of his short life on the farm with all the other puppies. He should have fun there and she's able to do more medical care at home than we are. I have not stopped crying in 24 hours. I am not looking for any judgments or even any advice. Please don't tell me to get more tests or anything like that. We've made the decision. It is the hardest decision of my life. I feel like a horrible person giving my puppy back. He is MY puppy. I love him more than anything. My heart is breaking right now. I'm just going to hug him a lot and try to cherish every moment that he's still here with us. I just wanted to let everyone know that might be interested after having read this thread. No one will ever know what this is doing to me. I hope he remembers me and knows that I'll be his mommy forever. |
Your reply made me cry, I hope no one makes any bad judgments about you, you did what is best for your family, and that's all anyone can ask. Sometimes breeders work with rescues, and can get these puppies the help they need. Not everyone can afford to pay for these surgeries, and I fully understand that. Years back we lost a dog due to a genetic illness, and doctors can do so much more nowadays, but the cost can be more than most of us can realistically work into our budgets. Since then, I have become an advocate for good breeding, and I hope you do the same. There are many good breeders out there, who do health screening, and you are much less likely to get a pup with a genetic illness. I hope if you consider getting another puppy, you will look into breeders who are members of the YTCA. Many people say they don't want a show dog if they aren't going to breed or show, but these dogs make excellent pets as well, and show breeders are much more likely to do health screening because they are after all, creating a "line." There prices are much more affordable than most people realize, and can be purchased often for well under $2000.00, since show breeders aren't in it as a "business", but are truly trying to better the breed. This money is well spent considering the cost of surgeries. My prayers are with you.