To all would be breeders. I bred a litter of GSD's just over 5 years ago to get a bitch that would have that very special bonding with me because we could start when she was 1 day old. She lived life to the full, loved agility & obedience & was a credit to me as her temperament was outstanding. Her only fault, she continually stole food from the kitchen worktops. She had successfully raised 2 previous litters so I could see the type of pups & have followed their progress with eagerness as I planned all along to get my next bitch from her. I spent a long time choosing a good stud dog, had Abbey checked by my vets, and with an "all clear" proceeded with the matings. There were no signs at all of anything wrong, just the usual discomfort when lying down to sleep. She was 61 days pregnant & I was prepaired for the happy event. She got up fron the settee & gave me a funny look, then went outside. I followed her because of the look she gave me, to see her collapse & die. I later found out she had a heart attack. I lost my best friend & her litter. This happened 2 weeks ago & I can only just write this now. What I can't understand is, my lines are healthy & long lived, so how could this happen to Abbey.
So when breeding goes right, it's like being on cloud nine, but when something goes wrong the price can be too high to pay.

Elmbridge

I'm so sorry to hear your heartbreaking news. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
Cathy

I'm so sorry to hear that, my sincere sympathies.

Joan
Take the rough with the smooth

That is so very sad, and brave of you to share it and hopefully will make some people think before breeding that it is not always plain sailing.
Best Wishes

I have sent you a message, and copied it to two ladies in my breed that have had the same experience only last year, it may help to talk!! I am so sorry :(

So very sad. Don't know what to say as nothing anyone says will make you feel much better. The old saying that time heals springs to mind. Not much help, I know as at this moment you must feel totally bereft and in shock. My thoughts are with you.

Sharon

So sorry to hear your sad news.

Thinking of you

Hugs

Pauline

Just so sorry to hear of your loss
Kindest regards
Sweep :(

What a horrible thing to happen. Hopefully things will get better for you soon,

Luv and hugs,

Fiona and family
xxxxx

words fail me . poor you . mari

Elmbridge,some years ago My friend lost her Labrador aged Four one minute he was playing the next he keeled over and died, it was a heart defect.my friend was devastated,unconsolable two nights later I woke up in the night and wrote a poem which though may sound daft to some I'm sure was 'meant' for her.Here it is I hope it helps.

Dear Mum

When Jesus sent me down to earth
To show the folks just what I’m worth
He said go and find a Mum and Dad
Give them the best love they’ve ever had
Do everything that you can do
To make them very proud of you
But when I call you back to me
You must come back immediately

Well then he called to soon I Know
But I knew I had to go
He needed special help you see
He knew he could depend on me

My Job is to wait at heavens gate
And welcome folk inside
One day I know I’ll see you there
With both arms open wide
I’ll run so fast to get to you
we’ll cuddle and kiss as we used to do

Be patient Mum and don’t you sigh
It makes me sad to see you cry
I’m so sorry that I had to go
remember though I love you so

Time stands still in Heaven
So when you knock upon the door
I’ll be just how you remember me
A beautiful dog aged four.

Glenys Fryer (for Buster)

Oh Glenys, I'm crying again!! I'd only just stopped having read the Puppy Mill poem.

That is a truely beautiful poem.

Fiona 'sob' 'sob'

Mattie that is sad and beautiful :-) I must remember not to read these poems whilst at work !!

I may have some funny ones somewhere Ill email you one,Ive been a bit down all day thinking of this poor dog and the one in the paper in Zimbabwe :( the little JR

OMG Mattie I'm not the only one then. I saw on the news last night the little JRT curled up next to it's dead owner in Zimbabwe. I pray someone looks after it, poor little soul. I haven't said anything to anyone cos I thought they'd think me silly :-(

This situation involving white farmers is just barbaric

The pictures I saw were of the dog trying to get the blanket off his owner. I suppose we may never know what happens to the little beastie.

So sorry Elmbridge.You'll be in my thoughts.
Jaq

Ceefax, in reporting the death of Prince Charles' very old JRT said that the Zimbabwe JRT had been taken in by a close friend, it also said the dog was 14 ...trouble is you can't always believe what they report :-((

Thank you so much for sharing your tragic experience. I don't know what words to say to something like this.

I hope things are better for you in the future.

very best wishes

Pam n the boys

So very sad for you -it'll take ages to get over this, I know, but I hope it's a little help to think we're all thinking of you. Hugs

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

having lost my westie aged 18 months tragically three weeks ago, I know the pain you feel. My thoughts and best wishes are with you.

How hurrendous for you Elmbridge. Thinking of you and yours at this difficult time.

Praying for you....so sorry. Hope that lovely poem helps.

Elmbridge I can think of anything that will help to make you feel better, I wish I could. My thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless.

im thinking of you - ----its never easy is it?:(

Tears in my eyes again. Understanding in my heart too. I have been grieving now for about 8 months and I hope you find, as I did, that the healing process has already started for you, even though you can't tell yet.

Not sure if this will help, but it helped me; I think of my boy, not old and frail like he was in the end, but young and fit and beautiful like he was for most of his 13 years, living in doggy heaven where he sleeps on a cloud, floating next to lots of other dogs on clouds, and he gets whatever I wish for him. Normally fish or a long walk on a Scottish beach. And he isn't lonely without me (this worried me a lot at first as heaven for him was wherever I was) because, in thinking of him, I am wishing myself by his side and he knows I'm there.

Thinking of you and hoping all these wishes from everyone here, especially the poem from Mattie (who makes us all cry on a regular basis with her poems!), go some way to help.

God Bless
xx

So very sorry to hear your awful news.

Lisa

im so sorry. love Kath

Sorry to hear of your tragic news. My thoughts are also with you

Carol

so sorry to hear this my heart goes out to you. Just remember all the love and affection you gave to Abby, the short life she led was full of love and happiness that is all down to you.
Thinking of you Tracey

You have my heartfelt sympathies, in October I lost my 2 1/2 year old akita during whelping, she had a heart attack during a c section, I still see her face most days and have a blubber now and again,

hugs Lorraine

A very greatfull thank you for all the kind words and thoughts you all have posted regarding Abbey. Maybe I'm still in shock, because I still talk to her as if she is still arround, only to turn arround and not see her.

Thank you
Elmbridge

Elmbridge

I was so sorry to read about Abbey - you will probably "hear" her for some months to come, as your initial grief fades then so will the frequency with which you hear her.

Best wishes
Christine

Sorry to hear your sad news. You keep talking to her! I talk to my 'Dex' frequently as I lost him suddenly last October! They will always be a member of the family whether they are here or not.

Good luck my thoughts are with you.

'Chelle..

Elmbridge, you know that my heart goes out to you, nothing can ever replace that first special bond you have with an animal... Abbey will be waiting for you and you and her will be together again one day.
Please do not blame yourself, this could have happened anytime....please do not give up breeding those gorgeous dogs of yours.

Lots of love

Bear xx