Yes, I am a cleft palate baby...
 

YES!!! I myself am a cleft palate baby!! I had the palate only...my lip was intact. A wonderful plastic surgeon repaired it when I was 24 months old. I actually remember having braces on my arms to keep my fingers out of my mouth...but I NEVER SUCKED A BOTTLE...MY MOM HAD TO FEED ME WITH A MEDICINE SPOON! I have had to have several surgeries. Cleft palate babies have inner ear problems...so you guys watch for that with these puppies! KEEP WATER OUT OF THEIR EARS! THEIR EARS DONT DRAIN LIKE NORMAL EARS! WATER WILL SET UP AND CAUSE INFECTION! TAKE IT FROM ME!
I am fortunate to have a mother who was determined that I was not going to be different from any other child my age. Today, I am married, have two beautiful children and my two puppies. I have a college education and I am a teacher. I am hearing impaired. In fact, I probably will have surgery on one of my ears next month. Growing up I had to deal with the cruelty of children. :cry2: (I had speech therapy until I was a freshman in highschool! In fact, I work at the same school as a former speech therapist!) But as an adult I make sure to instill in my own children that they are above no one! All people are precious in HIS eyes...no matter their "specialty.";)
I am sorry this is so lengthy. I just think it is precious that you guys lovingly care for these pooches. :thumbup: I think of how my mom had to care for me. She had to quit her job and put her life on hold. Keep up the good work! Let me know if I CAN HELP IN ANYWAY. I am sure the condition is similiar in pups as it is in humans. Up until now, I HAD NO IDEA PUPS COULD HAVE CLEFTS!!:eek:

tassibo

Thank you for responding to this thread. It has been quite insightful.
The cruelty of children? Oh heck I lived through that. And it sure did hurt. I hate to think my own children going thru it, but they will.
They will just be stronger for it. I hope they learn to be nicer people because of it, and not hateful people.

This is such an inspirational thread
 

True!! I know I am stronger because of it...

This is a great thread!

I'm so glad more people are joining in here with us !!!!!

Weight Update!
 

I weighed Tia tonight...................drumroll please............................................ .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................3 pounds and 2 oz !!!!!!!!!

I remember freaking out because she wasn't making it to 1 pound!

Thank you!! I'm very proud of Tia. Thanks so much!

Disapointing
 

Well after trying and TRYING Tia will NOT stand for clothes. She put up such a HUGE fight last night that after a few munutes (that seemed forever) I had to stop trying to get the sweater over her head for fear she was going to hurt herself. I mean she put up a fight like you would never beleive. It was horrible! And if you could have seen the way she looked at me after running and hiding under the playpen.

I don't think I'm going to be able to have her wear any of the beautiful clothes you wonder people had made her and given her! :( As soon as anything starts to go over her head she FREAKS out. Its horrible.

I'm wondering if there is naything that she could wear that doesn't have to go OVER her head?

Trying last night put her into such a panic that I don't think I should try again :(

I am so glad that Tia is doing so good. Wow...over 3 pounds. She weighs almost as much as Lizzy. (a whopping 4lbs) You have done a great job. All that hard work is paying off. Way to go!

Thanks! All you guys made me try even harder!!!!!!!

Update
 

Hi everyone, just wanted to update you all on Tia. She's doing real well! She's had her 2nd round of vaccines (which she HATES, poor baby, and needs to be held for awhile after:()

She has a new play buddy ! Brodie seems to have taken to her and they play the whole time they are together! Non stop!!! Its funny to watch and she chases him !!!

I'm attaching some pics. One is of just Tia to show you how pretty she has become :) She is as skinny as a toothpick though. She has these long ole legs and her body is bony. She eats? I don't know if the cleft palate has something to do with it still? She actually is turning into a junk food junky! Everytime I have a snack she thinks she has to too! Lets see, she's had doritos, popcorn, chex mix, pretzels...... :D :D :D I know I'm bad, but I can't resist that face!!!!

So here she is, and then some of her playuing with her special buddy, Brodie.

Hi Breny

Tia is so gorgeous !!!! And what a lovely new buddy Brodie is!

Thank you! They really have alot of fun together!

They are really cute...

6 months - WOW!
 

Well Tia is 6 months old this month!!! See. Cleft babies CAN survive !!!

She is the most hyper, spazy, little girl I've ever met! She's soooooo funny, and to watch her run, cracks me up every time!

She eats fine, drinking still is a challenge but she knows what to do.

She's become a complete daddy's girl (which makes me jealous, as I'm the one who spent MONTHS , 24 hours a round the clock feeding and caring for her :eek: ) She will run to him on the couch and want up and just lay in his arms in his chest and kiss, and kiss and kiss !!! Oh she's a BIG kisser, with her bad cleft puppy breath!

Meanwhile the little bugger will run from me and think its a game!

Her mom is still a great mother to her and STILL will try to diaper her!!!! Can you beleive it ! But I'm proud of Zoey and Tia. They have come a long way !!!

Wow, you totally brought a tear to my eye. What an amazing woman your mother must be!


Also wanted to say came across this post, and have been stuck reading it for over an hour! Amazing. I love your little chi and cannot believe the progress you guys have made together! Excellent job! Congratulations!

Thanks! :) Little Tia is amazing, and has beat all the odds and we love her very much!!!!

Here is an updated pic :)

OH they are soooooo cute..........

And more pictures!
 

My Meiah had a little girl on 12/21 and Tia has taken to her !!!! Its funny, whenever I bring the puppy out Tia is right there and wants to be the only one with her! Everytime the mama (Mieah) goes near her own baby, Tia will growl and lunge at Meiah!!! I think Tia thinks the baby is hers!!!! Is so cute that she loves the new baby!!!!

I took some pictures!!!

Awwww...Tia finally found someone smaller than her!! It's sweet that she likes the new baby!

(forgot....that baby is ADORABLE!!!)

Oh ....................thoses were the cutest pictures ever...

Great pictures! Just so wonderful to see Tia doing so well, and playing with the baby. Very cute and brings a smile to my face.

Thank you!!! She really is doing great! She still makes quite a bit of noises, and does have issues with drinking, but she seems healthy!
She is a HUGE kisser. She loves kissing your nose. She is so silly too. I wish I could tape her for everyone but I have dial up and its hard. She is a VERY happy little girl. Still real skinny :)
Her new thing is going to our bathroom in our room and licking the water out of the shower!!!! Whenever she disappears, we always find her back there! Its funny.

You have done an incredible job with Tia - she is so precious. She must be so proud to have a little sister to take care of and protect. She is the perfect little Mommy. The pics are so cute.:)

Update on Tia
 

Hi! I quoted this from what I wrote way back in July of 06. Tia is doing GREAT! She's 8 months old now. She still breaths and sounds raspy, but she eats well and she drinks from a water bottle. She likes to stay where she feels safe and is kinda of timid, but she is a complete joy! I can't beleive I saved my baby and I'm sooooo proud !!!!!

I wanted to share an updated picture. I took this today. She's wearing a T shirt sent to me from another YT'er. It still fits her!

She is beautiful. breny, you have done a great job with her. She looks so happy, too.

Its so funny that you posted a message today, I just spent the last hour or so reading your posts about Tia from the beginning in July. Its incredible what you've been able to achieve. I heard breeders say that they put down a puppy with cleft palette and look what you did. It is wonderful.