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[Billy Woody]

Thanks to all the supporters. 

Billy

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

How do you call this a "rescue"?  You are the breeder correct?  You brought these darling puppies into the world, they are with you now - why don't you love and care for them and let them be a part of your family? 

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

While I appreciate you not putting these puppies down - megaesophagus is a very serious, life long situation.  My father has a rescue with megaesophagus and let me tell you most people will NEVER understand the financial, time and emotional committment that megaesophagus involves.  Many of these dogs end up being put down or dumped into shelters by owners who in the end just could not carry the burden.  As a breeder I'm sure you'll agree that the sire, dam and any of their offspring should now never be breed.  Wonder how that is going to affect your dog population limit.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jane doesn't have an opinion against breeders, she has an opinion against irresponsible breeders.

And so do most of the other members on this site.  

Megaesophagus is a horrible disease that has a very poor prognosis. I have had one foster who died of it, and we have another member here who depleted her retirement account trying to treat a doodle with megaE, only to have to euthanize him within months of the condition being diagnosed. The care of dogs with megaE is extremely time-consuming and difficult, and obviously not many people are willing to do it, or you would not have had both puppies returned to you by their owners.

 "I think they both deserve homes where they may be able to get more attention than I have time to give in a day."

Do you think you are the only person who is busy? You brought these dogs into the world, and it is your obligation to care for them. And if that sounds critical, you're right.

This whole post is exactly why many people do have opinions against breeders. You're more than happy to make money off the puppies you bring into the world, but not willing to take responsibility for them when they need help or might cost you something.

Most disturbing is the way you attempted to minimize the seriousness of megaesophagus

I WOULD STRONGLY URGE ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN THESE PUPPIES TO RESEARCH MEGAESOPHAGUS IN DOGS. LOOK AT A FEW ON-LINE SUPPORT GROUPS FOR OWENERS OF DOGS WITH MEGAESOPHAGUS. IT IS A HEARTBREAKING DISEASE AND THE DOGS REQUIRE A LOT OF TIME AND A LOT OF SPECIAL CARE.

DK member Christine (& Camus) had her last doodle Nietzsche die of megaesophagus. I am sure she will be happy to tell you all about it.

[F, Calla & Luca]

All of what you say is true Karen. But I for one think that sometimes people can become overwhelmed by problems that were not or maybe could not be anticipated. This breeder is willing to care for these dogs for now. That is the responsible thing to do. But there are children involved and their needs are paramount I think. If there is someone willing to take on these pups that would be great. And that person(s) should have all the information available in terms of what that would entail. If not the outcome may be sad indeed. Yet this breeder is asking for help, of which there may not be much available. Heart wrenching decisions may need to be made. I for one think no one should use up there retirement account to pay for care for a dog who soon ends up being euthanized. I realize this may not be a popular stance but so be it. Nature is tough and sometimes we need to be too.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Being tough also means understanding that we can't save them all. The shelters and rescues are full of puppies and dogs who need and deserve good homes. With limited resources available, rescue groups must, and should, be selective about which dogs they can help.

Heart-wrenching is watching a dog with megaE bleed out in his owner's arms 9 months after being adopted.

I am slowly depleting my retirement account taking care of JD, but of course most of us who are caring for sick dogs do not anticipate having to have them euthanized any time soon, which is why we're doing it.

 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agree that they can't all be saved. And that rescues need to be selective. And watching your dog die, no matter the circumstances is beyond painful. These dilemmas are all too frequent in life and human medicine is not immune. It can be very difficult, that is my point too and I feel bad for the breeder and the pups as well.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I feel very sorry for the pups.

As you say, human medicine is not immune. I would hope that when a human brings new life into the world, they understand that there may be lifelong medical problems and that if there are, they will be responsible for caring for that life they created, regardless of how many other children they may have, how busy they are, financial restraints, etc. I would also hope that breeders are aware that this could happen with the new lives they create, as well.

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

Billy -

I would suggest that you contact DRC - Doodle Rescue - http://doodlerescueinc.ning.com/

 

Perhaps they can assist you in re-homing them.

 

I know they have placed at least one dog with megaesophagus.

 

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

To my knowledge, the one doodle with megaE who was co-sponsored by the DRC with another rescue took more than 6 months to place, and I believe was recently returned to the original rescue by the adopters.

[Adina P]

I think the best thing is to contact doodle rescue and see if either DRC or IDOG has space for pups with known health issues.

DRC - Doodle Rescue Inc:  http://doodlerescue.org/

IDOG - International Doodle Owner's Group:  http://idog.biz/IDOGRescue.html

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

While I do appreciate your not just turning these two adorable doodles into a county dog pound like many of the not so reputable breeders do, asking a rescue to take on these two dogs is a huge undertaking on their part!   I can't speak for IDOG, although I'm sure it's the same, but the members of the DRC have hearts of gold and always go above and beyond for the love of the doodle.   I would hope that should you decide to go that route that in addition to turning them over to the rescue, you might also consider making a somewhat healthy donation to the rescue so they can continue to help all those doodles that others can't or won't.  

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

Several years ago when I was looking for a doodle to fill the holes left in our hearts from the death of our first one,  I searched the web and found a breeder that had what I thought were nice-looking dogs. I was uneducated back then -- all I wanted was a "doodley-doodle" and the heck with testing, etc. Anyway, it just so happened that she had one doodle that had a "slight problem -- one that he would most likely outgrow" that she was willing to sell to me at a discounted price. In fact, the price she set was the cost to put him on the first plane to me!  His "slight problem" was megaE, a condition that I knew nothing about.  I called my vet to inquire about it and the first word out of her mouth was "DON'T"  My vet knew me too well -- she knew I would be in for a life-long heartache. Billy, I'm telling this story because although there are some owners who may be able to handle this condition financially, very few of us can handle it emotionally. As a foster-mom with the DRC, I would have to say "no" if asked to take them.  I hurt for them and am glad you are saying that you will do the responsible thing and care for them.  After all, they are your babies...