New Family Member
- Thread starter bmac
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Inspector507
Super Member
She is a very nice looking pet for your kids. Sorry to hear of her future problems but after all, she is family already /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
We had a family meeting where I said exactly the same thing as you. Once we brought her home with us she became a family member. I could have returned her to the breeder but decided that this was a teaching opportunity for the kids. I used the situation to provide an example of loyalty, commitment and love. In our household, we have always treated our pets as family - they live inside with us, get plenty of attention and are well-cared for. I would like for our children to learn to respect our furry friends in the same manner. Returning her to the breeder because of this imperfection I think would have sent the wrong message. I hope I can continue to take the high road if faced with paying out the wahzoo for hip surgery in the future.
Junkman
Super Member
Depending on the type of defect it is, depends on what can be done. My Weimeraners brother had to have both hips operated on by an orthopedic veterinarian and it was very expensive.... about $1600 per side. I was concerned that my dog would need the same surgery, but lucked out. The x rays didn't show the same defect. Her brother is owned by my veterinarian and when he learned of the defect after x raying his dog, he called and had me bring mine in on the day that his dog was scheduled for surgery. She was examined by the surgeon before he started on the other dog and determined that her hips were sound. The dog is doing fine now and you wouldn't know that he had surgery the way he runs. I believe that he was 4 or 5 months old when the surgery was done.
wroughtn_harv
Super Member
Yesterday's Dallas Morning News had a story about how science has discovered that dogs have unique personalities! Duh!
If your dog has a neat personality her being a little more hip than the rest of us is nothing but an endearing trait. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Since you mentioned your lesson for the kids, high road, all that. Let me offer a theory.
I think one of the many things our children and grandchildren are missing growing up today is intimate exposure to the less fortunate. It used to be a child was exposed to fraility in others because they had grandma and grandpa if not in the house close by. I believe the intimate exposure to those less fortunate gives us empathy and sympathy, something we need for survival and happiness.
So your new family member might end up being a real blessing for lessons on life for your children.
Congradulations on your dog. Kudos for your attitude and love of your family.
If your dog has a neat personality her being a little more hip than the rest of us is nothing but an endearing trait. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Since you mentioned your lesson for the kids, high road, all that. Let me offer a theory.
I think one of the many things our children and grandchildren are missing growing up today is intimate exposure to the less fortunate. It used to be a child was exposed to fraility in others because they had grandma and grandpa if not in the house close by. I believe the intimate exposure to those less fortunate gives us empathy and sympathy, something we need for survival and happiness.
So your new family member might end up being a real blessing for lessons on life for your children.
Congradulations on your dog. Kudos for your attitude and love of your family.
jfh230
Bronze Member
If they had an applauding smiley face I would use it here. I commend you and your family on a great choice. All to often pets become part of our throw away society. The imperfection can never diminish the love and companionship that she will bring you and your family.
You may want to consider a health policy for her. I have one for our wolfhound because of their susceptability to cancer and short life span. It costs $122 a year and covers a wide array of ailments and can be used at any vets office.
the web site is ph.petinsurance.com
I don't know what their policy is on pre existing conditions but it could help with the $$$ down the line.
Jack
You may want to consider a health policy for her. I have one for our wolfhound because of their susceptability to cancer and short life span. It costs $122 a year and covers a wide array of ailments and can be used at any vets office.
the web site is ph.petinsurance.com
I don't know what their policy is on pre existing conditions but it could help with the $$$ down the line.
Jack
Junkman,
Glad to hear you dog is well. My vet said that he would not have picked up this abnormality on a routine exam. However, I had my wife specifically ask him to check the hips because she seemed to have a funny gait. He noted a little clicking on one side so he did an x-ray which showed a difference between the two sides. Again, he does not know if this will become symptomatic over time or not.
I have had 2 bulldogs before this one. My first had severe skin and eye problems. Despite 3 eye surgeries, he lost much of his vision but still enriched our lives until the day he died. The second had to have surgery on both knees for torn ligaments. So I know what you mean about costly medical problems.
Harv,
<font color="blue"> It used to be a child was exposed to fraility in others because they had grandma and grandpa if not in the house close by. I believe the intimate exposure to those less fortunate gives us empathy and sympathy, something we need for survival and happiness.
</font>
My in-laws spent a year living with us when my mother-in-law was diagnosed with cancer. We all grew from the experience of living with and loving on a dying loved one. I understand what you mean.
Jack,
Thanks for the advice about health insurance. These are high-maintenance dogs with a myriad of health problems. May make sense with this one. Thanks for the link.
Glad to hear you dog is well. My vet said that he would not have picked up this abnormality on a routine exam. However, I had my wife specifically ask him to check the hips because she seemed to have a funny gait. He noted a little clicking on one side so he did an x-ray which showed a difference between the two sides. Again, he does not know if this will become symptomatic over time or not.
I have had 2 bulldogs before this one. My first had severe skin and eye problems. Despite 3 eye surgeries, he lost much of his vision but still enriched our lives until the day he died. The second had to have surgery on both knees for torn ligaments. So I know what you mean about costly medical problems.
Harv,
<font color="blue"> It used to be a child was exposed to fraility in others because they had grandma and grandpa if not in the house close by. I believe the intimate exposure to those less fortunate gives us empathy and sympathy, something we need for survival and happiness.
</font>
My in-laws spent a year living with us when my mother-in-law was diagnosed with cancer. We all grew from the experience of living with and loving on a dying loved one. I understand what you mean.
Jack,
Thanks for the advice about health insurance. These are high-maintenance dogs with a myriad of health problems. May make sense with this one. Thanks for the link.
5030
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Nice pup.
Will become a "valued member of the family" as my wife calls our 4 in house dogs....Pearl (Golden Lab), Bebe (Rat Terrier), Cookie (Chocolate Lab) and T.G. (Black Lab) and our 5 in house cats.
Whomever said that cats and dogs don't get along is full of ****. They sure do in our house.
Hip displasia (I think I spelled it correctly) is common in some breeds, especially pure breads. Our Chocolate Lab has it. My wife has her on prescription meds all the time.
Will become a "valued member of the family" as my wife calls our 4 in house dogs....Pearl (Golden Lab), Bebe (Rat Terrier), Cookie (Chocolate Lab) and T.G. (Black Lab) and our 5 in house cats.
Whomever said that cats and dogs don't get along is full of ****. They sure do in our house.
Hip displasia (I think I spelled it correctly) is common in some breeds, especially pure breads. Our Chocolate Lab has it. My wife has her on prescription meds all the time.
