[Sweet Apple]

I've got so many feelings about this particular subject...I bought an AKC English Mastiff, about 12 years ago, from a very reputable breeder, that was well known in the show circles of English Mastiffs...The dad was a champion w/"excellent" hips, her mom was a fine looking dog, w/"good" hips...I paid almost $2000, for her, and had her flown here, from Kansas w/a health guarantee, including hips, etc...Her parents had all the preliminary tests done, and the pups were well screened, as well...Anyway, at her 18 month screening, she showed to have severe hip dyplasia...I called the breeder, and they said I could send her back, and get another pup...Send her back to where??? To someone that didn't know her, love her, a family that didn't care about her? I said forget it...She was w/me for 9 1/2 years, and never, once complained about the pain...At 9 1/2, she laid down, one day, and couldn't get up...After three days, I knew what I had to do...Most heartbreaking day of my life...Almost two years later, I got Apple, and didn't know I was buying from a "broker"...At a year old, she had one or two episodes w/LP, but hasn't had one, for over a year now...I think it's the raw food! Apple exhibits more features of the standard for a yorkie, than my little guy, Buzz...I bought Buzz, from a breeder, on YT, that had all the preliminary tests, and was sold as a pet...He has no health problems, that I know of, except, possibly, an elongated pallete, (the vet told me this) that causes him to do that backward sneeze/cough (?) sometimes...I've had him x-rayed, and it doesn't show CT...Bottom line, is you can do all you know to do, or do nothing at all, and you never know the outcome...I'm sure I paid waaaaaaaaay too much for Apple, but I feel the breeder was more than fair w/me w/Buzz...At the end of the day, you do what you think is best, at the time, w/the information you have...I wouldn't trade either of my yorkies for all the tea in China...I am blessed, beyond measure...