Big Paws Only Dog Forums

I'm so sorry to hear about your baby.  Can I ask if your vet is a cardiologist or a general vet?  The reason I ask is because we have a 16-year-old Silver Persian kitty who was diagnosed with a pretty severe heart murmur by our regular vet.  We were, of course, devastated.  We decided to take him to a cardiac specialist.  It turned out not to be as severe as originally thought, and he's doing pretty well for his age.  I hope that this is the case for your pup.

I'm not a vet, but our mini-schnauzer died of heart disease.  He passed peacefully in his sleep.  He didn't suffer at all. 

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. 

I've actually looked into the American Mastiff and they are on my potential "future breed" list.  Boy though did I get a heck of trouble when I mentioned that on another forum.    Apparently they are still considered a designer breed by some people and we all know how some people consider designer breeds.  Oh well, didn't change my mind at all........... ....lol.

If you'd like to know more about American Mastiffs, I own the American Mastiff Family forum.  The link is in my profile.  I'm not sure of the rules about "plugging" any other websites.... so moderators, please delete this if it's against the rules.  You can definitely learn everything and anything you ever wanted to know about the breed.  We also have all the 10 approved breeders on the forum too.  Like this forum, we have a bunch of wonderful and friendly folks.   

Here's a bit about my furkids...

I've had my AM, Murphy, since he was 8 weeks old. 

I adopted my EM girl, Maggie, just over two years ago.  She was just over a year old.  She is the product of a puppy mill and was bought on a whim as a Christmas present for the kids in a family from a pet shop.  She was abused and given up to rescue at 10 months old because she was "getting too big."  She's a Mastiff for God's sake!  It took her foster mom about four months to be able to touch her.  She would cower in the back of her crate and growl and bare her teeth, all while wagging her tail and giving paw.  She wanted love so badly, but was so scared of it.  The first day I met her, she let me touch her leg after sitting on the floor with her for a long while and talking softly to her.  We took her home that night.  She is THE biggest Velcro dog ever! I am the only one in the world that can touch her though.  She still cowers if she doesn't see you coming.   

Frank was given up to rescue at five years of age after his owners decided they didn't want him anymore after he couldn't walk anymore.  He lived in a cold garage for at least two years that the owners admitted to.  He blew out both knees, and the owners did nothing to help him.  The called rescue when he could no longer walk after three steps. He was also 50 pounds underweight.  Rescue called his breeder (who had the #1 speciality girl a couple years ago).  He asked if Frank was altered (he is).  The breeder didn't want him back.  Rescue asked if he could help financially with his double TPLO surgery. He sent $25.00.  No, I didn't forget any zeros.  I met Frank a few days after his first surgery.  I bring Maggie for "visitation" with her foster parents, and they were Frank's foster parents.  I fell in love with the big apricot boy and I adopted him in October 2007.  He still has a hard time getting around because of his horribly arthritic knees, but he's a big momma's boy.  I still have to help him get up sometimes, especially if he's on a smooth surface. 

I also have four cats, three of them rescues.

So... that's the story of my furchildren.   

Michelle

 

Thank you for the nice welcome and the nice words about my furkids.  I just love them to pieces.  

Holly... Danes have always been one of my favorites.  I think someday I'll definitely have one.  They're so beautiful and such a great breed overall!

Clifford's parent...  I love doing therapy work with Murphy.  I really don't know who enjoys it more, the residents or us!  It is definitely rewarding.  

Michelle