Blondiemonster said:
“" I'm against pure breeds". "You should get a cavalier mix next time, or a dog from the pound.."
I can ignore those comments especially about getting a dog from the pound because there will always be people that think never to buy a dog when there is one in a shelter. There is nothing wrong with their opinions and those are not going to change especially ones with dogs. However a mix is not an answer to be healthier because you can mix two of the worst and add MORE health problems but there is no use to give them thought.
"I can't believe you own one of those dogs, it's unethical..." "They should make those dogs illegal" etc.. Blah blah blah etc..
It makes me mad. I may have not made the right decision by not researching the breeder enough and asking for parents MRI's but seriously; it offends me that people blame owners for current health status or just simply think eliminating the breed all together is the solution.”
This and what ByFloSin said is where I get hurt:
“People stop me when she is out in the stroller with me, while using public transport or at the vet's. They ask what breed she is, then make remarks about sick dogs. One idiot even said in a very loud voice that I was some poor old dear who had 'lost the plot' and been sold a sick pup. 'That's what them breeders are like' she said. One of the neighbours makes a point of stopping me in the street to tell me what a cruel woman I am by keeping a sick and ugly dog alive.”
I am so sorry you are told that! We did not choose this like Sins said and I would never choose to have another dog with health problems unless I happened to run into money and wanted to help a rescue. I have changed a great deal and this has been the worst year but one where I realized who was there for me and Ella. We DO hurt too and I wish I could feel what Ella feels. Maybe since Ella is my first Cavalier, I would have a different opinion if I have seen several Cavaliers I loved from 30 years like Margaret die. However, why should I feel the way I do sometimes like I am being cruel to keep Ella alive? I know SM is painful and even CM can be more painful than an asymptomatic SM cavalier. So knowing that, it kills me inside. I only know if she is in pain by her eyes. Many others can not see what I see. So yes every time she licks her paw or scratches, I KNOW it might be something with SM. She has bad days and I freak out at every little thing. She is being managed on medication but I do wonder how much she is in pain and reading some comments or hearing things makes me feel that I am being selfish and how can I let her suffer?
I agree with Sins that there is a time to let go but not now. She was running and jumping, playing at the meet-up yesterday and had so much life that it is not the time now so why should I feel that this is being cruel? The only thing people notice about her is her eye which just seems a little red or different. Her eye like BloFloSin I spent several nights wondering what I should do. Should I just take it out and be done or since it does not seem to be bothering her I waited. A decision that turned out to be good since her eye greatly improved.
I am the only one to notice things right now since she doesn’t scream in pain. Yes she will yelp occasionally if I pick her up in a way it hurts her but that yelp hurts me to the bones. So why should I feel cruel since I own a Cavalier with SM and agree with Lynn that I don’t want to be blamed for the condition of the cavaliers health? No one should place blame since there are several factors including pet owners that choose to buy a puppy without researching the breed, Clubs, breeders, government etc. Yes, I too should have known more and I simply relied on the Club referrals. CHIC certificates, heart certificates, eye etc. and knew nothing about SM. I thought that the National Clubs would have the most information and I did not go to Rod’s website. I still wish they would put more on specifics on the club sites, however, I know now.
“I know that you love your cavaliers, and they are special, and you would want another cavalier, but do you think it is right that a breed of dog continues to be bred and suffer, in the way that so many of the SM dogs suffer, so that pet owners can have the dog of their choice?
I am talking about what is in the dog's interest here, not what the owner is prepared to do for a special needs dog, because it is not the owners that suffer the pain.
Is there a point at which caring people should say no more? “
I still keep thinking about this because no I don’t want the breed or a dog to suffer and the way it makes it sound is that since I do want the opportunity in the future to own a cavalier, I am contributing to this. If I said no more, then I still would be hurting inside. It is hard not to say anything but the answer is not simple. Margaret, I have no idea what you have gone through and I feel so bad to know you have felt heartache for so long.
I feel everyone has the right to an opinion and there is no right answer. You have to do what you think is best not just breeding but with decisions regarding their health. It is hard not to feel bad or blamed for things or think that Ella should not be around because she has SM and I see her having difficulty climbing stairs. I am always asked how old she is because she seems older. So after feeling like I am cruel and she is in pain, I went to the meet up and I could see her how she is always greeting people, getting excited at the word squirrel, yesterday jumping up on her back legs to play with another, and it hit me. She does have a very serious condition but she is HAPPY and I will not let her not have a life because I am scared of what is around the corner. I have to enjoy every day with her. I know more now about her symptoms, the look in her face, the things others can’t see, but when the day comes like Sins said, I will count on others to help support me.
You have a very difficult decision to make.
