Pesticides and Puppies; Leo's Story

I had an unusual situation happen last month; that I feel warrants a post.  Here at Winters Wind we are organic as we can be.  Being a cancer patient and having animals I naturally lean toward a holistic lifestyle for myself, family and my dogs.  I had a puppy here from a litter that my male had sired; due to the death of the breeders husband she asked me to raise them for her.  I wanted to help and so raised these puppies and found them homes.  Leo was here for extra training and twelve weeks old, he was full of life and happiness.  He was getting ready to go home in one week.  

We live in a rural farming area and surrounded by fields of corn and soy beans; large steel irrigation arms dot the landscape.  The sound of whish, whish, whish fills the air along with water being thrown high over the silken corn stalks.  Most children, myself included desire to run under one of cold streams of water on a hot summer day.  This day was like most others quiet; dogs sleeping in the shade, the buzzing of a beetle or a fly, too hot to do much.  So the droning sound over the fields was out of place; the sound getting louder but no plane in sight.  Suddenly a small bright yellow plane, skimmed over the tops of the corn and lifted slightly as it cleared our fence and trees.  Crop Duster!!!! 

We scurried as so many army ants; yelling as I go to my son "Crop Duster!  Get the dogs in!"   We work in tandem, opening gates and running with the dogs into shelter to be clear of any over spray.  I can smell the odor of chemicals as I run.  Quickly closing windows and turning on the air conditioning, like a type of gas mask.  The sound of the plane going over our home; is like being in a war zone.  It just clears our roof as it makes it's assault on the insects that are invading the fields.  Twenty minutes go by and finally it is quiet once again.  The yellow hornet has left and I sit and wait to see if it will return.  After waiting another 20 minutes I venture outside; the air is heavy with the scent of the spray.  We remain indoors the rest of the afternoon.  Only allowing the dogs a potty break, near the house.

The following morning we go about our day as usual.  Dogs and Pups go out to play after breakfast.  Before the heat of the day invades us; they come in and nap.  More play time will come after the cool of late afternoon arrives.  We let the crew out again around 4 PM to play and enjoy the last of the day's sunshine.  Around 5, my son comes running into the house yelling their is something wrong with Leo!  I bolted to the pasture where the pups had been playing.  Leo was shaking, barely able to stand and his head was twitching in an odd sort of way.  I scooped him up, took him inside and began to asses the situation.  

Thinking he may have gotten overheated I began to cool him off in the tub; the odd twitching continued.  Took his temperature it was normal, but he was beginning to have convulsions.  I loaded Leo into the truck, called my vet as I backed out of the drive.  

By the time we arrived at the vet's, Leo was in full blown convolutions and having tremors.  I love my vets; its a clinic of 4 women who still make house calls!  I knew Leo would need to be admitted.  After his evaluation they felt he had gotten into chemicals, but I don't have any chemicals he could get into!  Leo, kept trying to wag his tail, and licking anyone he could, while twitching.  It was heart breaking and I thought he would die.  I called his owner to let her know what was happening.  She is a lovely lady, who lost her last standard poodle to seizures and was devastated to hear the  news.  I promised to keep her updated.

Leo was at the clinic for 4 days; he was put on all types of medications, flushed with IV fluids, and still stayed the same.  The vets said they had done all they could do; so I brought Leo home.  He was on seizure medications and steroids.  I called his "Mom" and we chatted at length.  She had spoken to her vet and felt that she could not take Leo.  She just could not go through that again.  I understood and said Leo could have a home here with us.  

Leo, was a heart ache to watch.  He was so happy, and wanted to play with the other dogs. Taking him out to potty, was so hard; he kept falling and joyfully getting back up.  I was afraid he would break his neck.  It wasn't long before I realized he needed the one on one attention of a special caring family.  I posted his story on a FB page for special needs standard poodles.  The right person responded; she was an acupuncturist who specialized in  neurological issues!  She feel in love with Leo's story and photo. So after talking and getting vet references; arraignments were made for her to come and get Leo.  

The ensuing time while waiting for her to come were spent getting Leo ready.  Everyday he made progress!  Less tremors, the convulsions were getting milder so he stumbled and fell less.  In 5 days we all marveled at his joyful progress and can do attitude.  I was sending videos and in phone contact with her during this miraculous time.  She was surprised and so pleased at his progress.  He was now able to play with the older pups; as in the days before the yellow hornet descended breathing fire on our prairie.  

The day finally came for Leo's new family to come.  He and I spend our last time bathing and grooming.  My husband suggested a final walk down the lane to the butterfly tree.  The evening was waning, and the glow of the sun setting turned our walk rosy.  As we reached the tree; a white SUV came down the road toward us.  I knew somehow is was Leo's new family.  The car stopped, a willowy young woman stepped out of the passenger door.  "Is this Leo?"  She asked as she looked with awe at this handsome little man, standing so tall.  "Yes" I responded.  She knelt down, embraced him and Leo in turn snuggled into her; I think he knew this was his new forever Mom.  I asked her if she wanted to take the leash and walk back to house with Leo.  The three of us took that slow stroll, chatting about his miraculous come back, her awe of him and how excited she was to have him be part of their family.

When it was time for them to leave.  We snuggled our sweet Leo, the puppy that could; kissed him and knew in our hearts that the story was just beginning for Leo.

I touch base weekly on Leo and his family.  Leo goes to her clinic and greets the patients!  He has made a recovery that is nothing short of a miracle.  Leo is also going to train to be a diabetic alert dog for his "Dad"! 

Leo's story has a happy ending..........it may not have.  The moral of this story is:  When the lawn green man puts out that sign that says safe in 24 hours for pets and children or the neighbor sprays round up on the property edge ...... BE AWARE it can take up to 48 hours for chemicals to clear off the grass; especially with no rain or sprinklers.  Keep your pets chemical free as possible.

I am contacting our local farmers to make me aware when they are having their crops dusted, to prevent this from ever happening again on our prairie oasis.

Good Article on Doodles

http://www.alternet.org/culture/heartbreaking-truth-about-those-cute-doodle-dogs

 

December 2016~ End of Year Musing

Gazing out the window next to my desk, the landscape now barren and brown, my thoughts turn toward this past year.  What a year we had at Winters Wind!

In March, on Good Friday, we greeted our Tommi x Indigo parti litter of seven adorable babies, in blue & white and brown & white!  Being the Easter weekend of course the theme was anything Easter!  I have to admit that seeing a litter of parti puppies is like standing in front of a VanGogh painting and drinking in the color and swirls of the artist brush. Each puppy marked differently and the variation of coloring; it's truly a touch of the master's hand!

Around three weeks later, our Luna x Roux litter made its grand entrance! Grand it was!  Fifteen, yes 15 puppies were born in April and Luna made it look easy.  We had a mixture of colors: white, cream, black and blue. One little male was born outside as Luna took a potty break!  Ever prepared I had a towel ready and so our outdoors man was born!  I was so proud of this litter with: 6 puppies now in service work, 6 puppies in the show ring and 3 in wonderful pet homes.  This IS the reason I breed!  

So we had 22 puppies running around and what a feat of organization it was!  I was blessed to have my daughter in law there to help with the puppies and when they all had their land legs......they were quite something to keep ahead of!  I smile as I type this; as most mornings Amber and I had a Chinese fire drill going!  Trying to usher outside 22 pudgy bodies that wanted to make a jail break and run through the house and trying to catch them when they did succeed!  We had little sleep but oh so many good memories!

There truly is something magical about seeing and holding new life! The mystery and the awe of watching a new Mom, instinctively know what to do, the first attempt of baby to suckle and the sounds of new born puppy mewing, scooting toward Momma.  Such tenderness and love between the new born and Mom.  

It was during this exciting time that I learned I had stage IV cancer and would need to start treatments.  I believe in God and I knew he would be with me through this next battle.  My dogs too were my battle cry, as each day during treatments I would get up to care for my fur family. My son, Hobs and hubby, Rob were awesome help during the times when my energy was just a slow, molasses drip.  They would rise and we would work as a family team to care for puppies and adults.  

Show schedules and performance events were all cancelled.  The focus was on the fight.  Most families and people have been touched by this horrible illness.  It is draining for the loved ones who watch and support us, the patient.  Laughter and smiling is still the best medicine I know for both the patient and those around us.  We need to spread more of this wonder drug to others!  Even if you don't deal with cancer; take time to laugh, make another around you laugh and to be kind to everyone.  Sometimes it takes a BIG thing like a heart attack, car accident or even cancer; for us to see there is way more to life then us.  We are connected whole and so we should care, really care about every person our life touches.  This is the musing that I end the year with.

I am a Mom, Nana (grand mother), Wife, Sister, Daughter, Aunt, Friend and a Poodle Breeder.  I am grateful for my world around me; family, friends and my Poodle family.  Cancer is life lesson professor.  As you sit in this class room, you learn that life is short, there are no guarantees and anyone can be effected.  Treat each day with care, compassion and respect of the individuals that come into your life. Whether it is for a moment in time or a lifetime.  For each finger print we leave here is our legacy.  It will speak of us when we leave this globe; the whisper of who we are at the core will continue.

I share my thoughts as we close the year 2016, hoping that those who read this blog, will consider the ripple they leave here.  Make it one of kindness, generosity, compassion and of love.  Peace on Earth will only happen if we as individual people bring it into the sphere around us.

I am so blessed!  As I end this blog, my cancer has disappeared!  A PET scan revealed even my infected organs are back to normal size! My doctors are puzzled......I am not.  I believe in miracles and a God that is still here and active in our lives.  After all it does say in Proverbs that: "Laughter IS good Medicine!'  So take a dose often everyday! Share a spoonful with others and those you love.

 Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

Testing isn't just for those in school!

Just think back; remember the days when the teacher or professor said, "Tomorrow we will be having a test over......" you fill in the blank.  For me it would evoke panic, terror even for I have test anxiety.  I would study, know all the answers and then........a veil would drop and B L A N K!

Okay, I'm definitely not a college student any long :)  And the Testing I want to talk about isn't Reading, Writing nor Arithmetic....oops now I am showing my age!  It is a much greater matter, that of Genetic Health testing in dogs.  

It is amazing to me to hear from potential Puppy buyers how they feel that reputable breeders charge more for their puppies.  Well, let's talk about just that. 

BYB (Back Yard Breeders), these are people who breed with no thought to their prodigy or the families who will buy one of their puppies.  It isn't really that hard to take two dogs, one a male and one a female (if designer dogs they aren't even the same breed!) and put them together at the right time and produce puppies.  To the buying public, these puppies are cute and adorable; just like our well thought out, championed and performance titled, health tested litters.  

For a reputable breeder the planned litter of puppies has been 2 or more years in the making!  We study pedigrees, make decisions on which male or female puppy will be adding to our lines and we set goals as to WHY we breed.  It isn't just to have puppies to sell but rather it is about how we can IMPROVE our chosen breed.  To add to the structure, temperament and health of the breed we love and live for.

After those careful decisions are made we then start the task of training the next future generation.  So after the original purchase price we spend hours raising a puppy that will walk into the conformation ring with confidence and take that ring and make it theirs!  The cost to Champion title one dog varies, but a breeder will plan a budget of $5000 + for and AKC title and around $2000 for a UKC title.  This cost is based on show fees, photos lodging, gas and meals.  If you use a professional handler for AKC the budget is going to be over the $5000 dollar amount.  So then if you want to move on to a Grand Champion title those fee's will be double!  Let's not forget all the grooming costs and equipment and time to maintain a Poodle show coat.

Now that our dog has his conformation title we move onto performance events.  It's great to have a beautiful dog however, we also want a dog that is sound and has the ability to do things!  Let's us a weight pulling title as and example for costs.  I need to have custom made harness that fits my dog, that is $350 average.  A wagon to practice with $90, sand bags for weight will add another $30.  Hours of time spent training and conditioning the dog for the event.  Now we are ready to compete; entry fees are $35 for each trial.  To title we must pass the designated weight for my dog; 3 times.  So that is a minimum of $105, again add the travel costs and we are at $500 or more!

Now I have at a minimum; a Champion dog with one performance title and I haven't factored in the cost of said dog!  Now it's time for health testing.  Let's say i do the minimum testing which is; Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), Neonatal Encephalopathy,  Von Willebrand's Disease, hips,  cardiac, eyes, thyroid: I will spend around $1000.  Now if I do VGL testing that's $100,  Macrothrombocytopenia $75. Coat Color testing $65 per test, you can see the costs adding up and I have not factored in food, routine vet/health checks or leashes, kennels etc.

Now let's look at our BYB, what have they "invested" in their dogs and breeding.  Well, yes they had to buy a dog; the question here is what caliber of dogs are they investing in for their "lines".  They don't show or do performance in many cases so there isn't any investment there.  Most do NO health test, so again no cost incurred.  Yes, there is food and we hope routine vet care for their dogs.

Our BYB is asking around $850 to 1,500 for their puppies.  Do they offer a lifetime of support and a health guarantee for their puppies and the family?  A BIGGER concern for me as a Breeder is once that puppy goes home and the kids and family have fallen in love with their new family member, what happens 6 months or 2 years down the road and their beloved pet has hip problems or a genetic defeat that could have been prevented!  That poor family and dog are faced with large vet bills or worse yet the hard decision to euthanize their pet.

So when pet buyers ask WHY my dogs cost more then that BYB down the road; I have to wonder at the lack of knowledgeable pet buyers.  I mean would you buy a car and not have looked at reviews, ratings, checked under the hood and done a test drive!  You wouldn't buckle your children into a car that once down the road would malfunction or worse!

Why then would you invest in a lifetime family member and not have armed yourself with breed knowledge, ask questions of the breeder and checked for health testing! When you buy a puppy it isn't just an emotional investment because that face is so cute or that color is just what you wanted!  I know most people aren't looking for a SHOW dog but rather a nice family pet; okay but don't you want the BEST for your family!   To know that your dog is of sound structure, balanced, even temperament and intelligent.  A dog that you can trust with your children and grandchildren.

As a Breeder of quality, health tested standard Poodles; I expect you to ask questions and have your concerns answered.  To know that I will always be there to support and help you for the life of your pet or show dog.  I desire for you to take pride in your companion. it's pedigree and heritage.  It is a reflection of years of planned and careful breeding in preparation for YOU and YOUR FAMILY.  

That is what a true Breeder is thinking every time a litter is born.  We dream of the homes, families and achievements our little furry bundles will be in this life!  So count the cost....you can pay a good price for an outstanding companion with years of planning or PAY the price later.  That decision is yours.