Handsome...

Isn't this the most handsome face you could ever see??

Heartbreaking Stories...

It broke my heart this week to hear about the abuse of a dogged called 'Boof', in Mareeba.

See story here: http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2010/01/14/87505_local-news.html

I just can't comprehend the callousness and cold-heartedness within a human being. How sick these individuals must be. On the odd occassion that I have stood on my dog's tail or paw (by accident), I am distressed to think I may have caused him pain. There is no way on earth I could inflict brutal and torturous acts on Darcy, and hear him howling in pain, such is my love for our pet. How can they do it? This abuse is such an act of betrayal. The ironic thing is, a dog of Boof's size and ability could have easily attacked his owner, defended himself, but of course a dog would never attack it's master, even to save it's life.

I have to be careful what I allow myself to see on the news and internet. The internet is full of animal abuse stories if you wish to see one. For me, it is something I try to avoid. I remember when little Buckley was found. He had had his ears and tail cut off. I was tortured by images of his dear little face for days, even weeks. Every night before I would go to sleep I would imagine the pain he must have felt. It really rocked my world, and I would literally cry. To my horror I discovered that cutting ears off dogs is quite a common thing in some parts of this world... some people like the look this produces and do it for their own twisted and perverse pleasure. Sometimes I think I must live under a rock, because I am 40 something, and was blissfully unaware of these acts of cruelty.

To be honest, I just can't cope with it. I don't know what is happening to me as I get older, but I am haunted by these types of stories. It breaks my heart. Our boy Darcy is so loving and loyal... he lives for us. Most dogs are the same as him. They depend on you and look to you with unconditional love. How can man betray that? All I can answer that with is they must be so tortured inside their own hearts. They must have had lots of abuse inflicted on themselves during crucial times in their own lives. They must be full of pent-up anger and hatred and therefore take it out on their defenseless pet.

I am glad that Boof was rescued in time. I hope and pray that he goes to a worthy new home, and that the rest of his life is lived out in love and respect. Sadly, Boof is one of the few 'lucky' ones who is rescued in time.

Darcy, you don't know how good you have it Boy!

One of my favourite photos...

Savouring the ocean breeze at dusk... quietly reflecting.

aaahhh, it's a dog's life!

Ella Bay and Coquette Point...

(Click to enlarge photos, esp the last 2... cute!)

Swimming at Ella Bay ~ probably his favourite place.

At Coquette point... Darcy is wondering how to leave his mark on that stick whilst treading water, lol.

Here, he is doing his Bo Derek impersonation... oohhh! what a sexy boy he is :P Actually, he was with his Dad (my husband), saw me, and came running to his Mummy. He is a Mummy's boy for sure! lol.

Darcy is a water boy. He l.o.v.e.s. water! Crocodile infested waters don't deter him, neither does the hidden dangers of the ocean. We would be devastated if he became Charlie the croc's lunch, but there is just no keeping him out. Thankfully, he only goes in for a quick dip to cool off.

Time to cool off!

I am still posting photos of Darcy when he was a puppy... we don't have as many photos these days, until I buy a new camera that is. I guess puppies are like babies, you snap many more pictures of them then, as they grow so much so very quickly. Too quickly, actually!

We bought Darcy this pool whilst we were still living in Brisbane. On very hot days he would just sit in the pool, until he cooled off. He loved it! Somehow I don't think he would fit in one of these pools today ~ at least comfortably. Now, he loves to jump into rivers or waves when we take him for walks... he is, afterall, a water dog (or should I say baby!)

Darcy ~ King of the Kong!

When Darcy was a young whipper-snapper, he loved nothing more than to play with his Kong toy. We started off with the small one, then as he got a little bigger we bought him larger ones.

As anyone who has owned a lab knows, they get very bored, very quickly. And, as they teethe, they chew everything in sight! So, the kong was a welcome diversion... for 10 minutes at least.

As a treat, I would fill the kong with some beef mince. And Darcy loved it! He would keep at it, until he had devoured every last morsel of mince from the deep bowels of the kong. I am sure he wore himself out!! But, he loved, (and still loves, loves, loves) mince, so he never gave up, until he the kong was as clean as new...

As the photos show, you can see he was very sick at this time with the puppy strangles I mentioned in my last post. He was in fact, at his worst stage of it. Thankfully, that was many whiskers ago...

'Puppy Strangles' - an illness

Sick and bloated...

His little eyes tell how sick he is!

About a week after we brought Darcy home, he developed a little bit of a sagging mucky eye. We thought it was perhaps a grass seed or similiar that was causing a problem. Soon after, little pustules began breaking out all over his nose, and mouth area. It was so worrying!

We took him to the vet, and they didn't seem to immediately know the cause. We purchased creams and bathing lotions, as the vet suggested. Boy, these items can be expensive! Unfortunately, his symptoms only worsened. We were so worried about him. Next thing, he started to have large lesions break out on his back and neck area... one by one. Now we were horrified! Back to the vet we go, and his diagnosis was discouraging. He even offered to put Darcy down! No way! We decided to keep working with whatever medication was offered.

These lesions resembled boils, or even tumours. He would scratch them, and they would explode. Not a pretty sight, but he seemed relieved when this happened. The vet, and later ourselves, had to shave these areas to enable faster healing. We actually thought Darcy had cancer. At the onset, Darcy was given steriods. I can't remember the exact reason, but may have had something to do with aiding his immune system. Whatever the reason, we were warned that he would put on weight with these. And boy did he what! Darcy became like a little tank and couldn't eat his food fast enough. He already had a healthy enough appetite (what lab doesn't) but it tripled!

I researched the internet and found another dog, a sheltie, who suffered the same things. The lesions and symptoms, right down to the eye, were identical. It started as an irritated eye, the same as it did for Darcy. The owner posted the full details of this sheltie's journey. And, I discovered the name of the illness. It was 'Puppy Strangles'. Apparently horses suffer from 'strangles', but it is not the same strain as happens to dogs.

We went back to the vet with my 'findings', and he said he already knew what it was. Yeah, right! If he knew, why did he suggest all sorts of blood tests etc, which is hugely expensive for dogs and no guarantee of any solutions, if he knew it all along?! Puppy Strangles is an illness that passes with time and the medication we were already using. It is not fatal, however horrible it appears.

Darcy went through a very sick period, and we did at times think he wouldn't make it. It is an illness that attacks the immune system (hence the steriods), and once a dog has contracted P.S., they should reproduce. It can be passed along.

The breeders said they have never had any other puppy of their contract this. They had never even heard of it. I guess we were just the lucky ones, lol. And yes, we were/are. Despite a traumatic start, we wouldn't trade Darcy for the world. He is the best dog ~ and he has the scars to prove it...