Our mastiffs are more than just another animal around the house. They are our four-legged children. I don't want to write a novel, but to tell you about me and breeding Mastiffs are not something I can say in a few short words. I am very dedicated to the HEALTH of the Mastiff. While NO breeder can "guarantee" the health of a puppy, we all strive for the perfect puppy. Breeders can breed the best of the best to each other and have a nightmare. As a breeder all I can offer puppy buyers is honesty, and devotion. Any puppy buyer of mine, not only gets a puppy, but they receive friendship and guidance from me whether they like it or not, I am part of there family as well. Every litter of Mastiffs is a learning experience, and I like to keep track of all my puppies’ progress. I can only be a better breeder from this.

Below is my Diary, and will be updated from time to time. As a "new" breeder, I have nothing to hide, and maybe all breeders and puppy owners can learn from "MY STORY".

It all really began a year ago when I had my first litter. I wanted to do everything by the book, and be a responsible breeder. This breeding took me by surprise to say the least. After I knew for sure we were having puppies, I had my male’s hips and elbows OFA'd. I also knew he was PRA-DNA clear. I knew very little about the dam's pedigree, so I had her PRA tested as well. That test also came back clear. As the weeks passed, I tried to call as many breeders as I could, to get as much information and knowledge as possible. My breeder in Wisconsin was awesome (THANKS Terry!!). She told me what to expect and what hard work this was going to be. I wasn't to concerned with Tyche's hips or elbows because she is always running, jumping, and doing flips when she plays with the hose. She has never limped a day in her life. I could not do any x-rays on her anyhow because she was pregnant. 60 days later, at 10:00 pm she had her first puppy. It was a very long night, and she delivered number 12 at 7:10 am. Oh boy, I called everyone to let them know that we had 12 beautiful puppies, and I thought the hard part was over, they all survived. Boy was I dumb-founded. Three days later I found myself bottle feeding every 2 hours, cleaning, and caring for the puppies. Tyche was a very good mom; she just could not keep up with 12 young ones. As the weeks went on I grew much attached to "my" babies. I knew it was going to be hard letting them go, and finding good, loving homes for them. At 8 weeks puppies started going home. I made the first round of calls a few weeks later to make sure things were going well. In April, the pups were 4 months, is when my nightmare began. My daughter was very ill, I was very concerned for her well being, and at 10:30 pm my phone rang. On the other end was a very frantic puppy owner. Queen was having a seizure, and they did not know what to do. This was her second series of Grand Mall Seizures that day. They could not stand to watch this any longer, and asked for me to come get her. Due to weather conditions, my daughter’s health, I could not possibly get to this puppy in time. I asked them to please get the puppy to a vet as soon as possible, and turn the puppy over to me. I also called the vet that they were going to take the puppy to, told them I was the breeder, and I would be responsible for my puppy. The very next day my daughter ended up in the hospital with a serious bone infection. I kept in contact with the vet and stayed with my daughter. I made several phone calls to other puppy owners, to see how the pups were doing. To my amazement, there was another pup that seized at 3 months of age. As the days went on, I sat in the hospital room, reading as much info as I could about seizures, and genetics. I called as many breeders as I could, while bouncing back and forth from the hospital. Two weeks later, I was at home, when again at 11 pm the phone rang. My heart sunk because I knew. Another puppy was seizing. I knew for sure that this was something genetic; I just couldn't figure it all out. After my daughter was released from the hospital, and on homecare, I contacted Dr. Oberbauer. She is in charge of the seizure disorder study. I sent DNA samples from all the puppies and from both parents. I will not get results of this test, but I hope I can help find a test to prevent it from happening again. As of October 16, 2002, these pups have not had another seizure. There are few similarities between the 3 puppies in question.

Right or wrong, I was planning on breeding Tyche again. Of course to a different stud, this time. The stud I had planned on using was Tyche's cousin (Tyche's aunt's son). He is absolutely gorgeous. He is cerf 'd, Thyroid normal, OFA-EL and OFA Excellent for hips. I planned on sending DNA to Dr. Oberbauer as soon as pups were born. I also had a lot of other plans, but as breeders know, nothing goes AS PLANNED. Tyche is due to come into heat any day now, and I decided to have her hips and elbows done a few weeks ago. Remember I said I knew she had no problems what so ever with her hips, well I was right. Her hips are good to excellent, but her left elbow looks to be severely dysplastic. There is a God after all. I left the vets completely devastated, and said to myself, here we go again. On the advice of my vet, I did not send the films off to OFA. Over the weekend I thought about this and decided that first thing Monday morning those films were going to be sent. I owe it to the public, and I owe the knowledge to other breeders. Those statistics will be published for all to view in the OFA genetic database. Tyche will be spayed on October 22, 2002.

You think my story ends there, not quite. I kept a puppy from this litter. Her name is Jennifer's Goddess Thea (Goddess of Beauty). There were also 3 other pups that were sold on full registration, 2 males and 1 other female. My heart is very saddened to know that 1 is already a daddy. No testing, and FULLY aware of all problems I had with seizures. Had they waited till this guy was AT LEAST 18 months, they would have known about Tyche's elbows. Do they CARE, I doubt it. I had Thea's elbows and hips prelimmed two weeks ago because I am so upset. Her elbows are fine. Her left hip does not look good at all. I took the news with a grain of salt and with some hope; she had just come out of a heat cycle. When I walked out of the room, I spoke with the owner of the other female, who works at my vet. She said she would have Tyra's done as well. Well Tyra didn't make it to the scheduled appointment; she had her hips x-rayed a few days later. See Tyra was, is, in pain. She cannot walk, and yes as x-rays confirm, her left hip also looks bad. So here I sit, no self pity, just wondering what genetics have in store for me. Both girls will have x-rays taken again in 10 months. Am I done yet, your wondering? I received a phone call on October 4. The mom of the little girl pup who seized. She asked questions about heat cycles etc. and I did my best to answer her questions. I sold this pup on limited registration, trusting these people. I told her about Tyche's elbows, and we talked about the seizure that Cleo had and the other pups. Then she broke the news to me, they will be breeding her. She will never understand the pain I have gone through, the big mistakes I have made. The pain that more people may have to live through. Am I responsible, you bet. I cannot crucify myself any longer, but I can come forward. Things will be different in the future. I am only human and one who learns from mistakes, and the knowledge of others. This is who I am, and this is MY STORY. Come back and visit as I will keep you posted on the results of my baby girl Thea.

Oct 23, 2002, it is 10 am. I received Tyche's OFA papers yesterday. Her hips passed with a "good" rating. Her left elbow was dysplastic grade I. I took her to the vet yesterday morning to be spayed as planned. They called me in the afternoon to inform me she was doing great. I awoke this morning and left home to do some errands before I went to pick her up. I received a call on my cell phone, Tyche passed away last night. I can't think at the moment, but I want to dedicate this page to Tyche. All the memories she leaves me are great ones. All of my learning experiences and knowledge of Mastiffs come from her. She will be dearly missed.

Nov 17, 2002, 4:45 pm. My phone just rang, it is Addey's parents. Addey is seizing. I ran over there, and made it there in less than 10 min. She was dazed and confused just staring off into space. The mess of the seizure is still evident. A few minutes later she realizes I am there. She continuously barks. I realize quickly I am doing more harm than good, so I wait outside patiently until she calms down. With in 15 min she wants to go outside and go potty. A while longer she is almost herself again. I inform them that there isn't anything we can really do at this point, other than wait till morning and take her to my vet. Monday morning we go see my vet. Addey suffers nothing from the seizure and is herself again. No reason to do blood work this time, this is puppy number 4. We all know its Idiopathic Epilepsy. Later in the evening, I discuss this issue with Addey's owners. I feel Addey needs to be put to peace, and go be with her momma, and sister. I feel very strongly about this after witnessing what I did. Addey was very violent after her seizure, and has a small 2 legged sister in the house. I always put my family first, no matter how heart wrenching the situation may be. The only thing I can offer, within reason is half of the money back, another puppy from a future litter (whenever that may be), or purchase them another puppy. This whole situation is horrible. Addey will be put to sleep today 11/19/02. Another very sad day in my life. I feel so bad for everyone involved.

Dec.2, 2002. Thea made it to her 1st Birthday, along with some of the other puppies. She was spoiled rotten, (nothing new). This morning at 9:30 a.m. I was in another room and Thea was sleeping on my bed. I heard something funny. I don't have any clue as to why I went into my room, but upon entering Thea was seizing. She was at the end of my bed, which is very high off the floor, and about 1 foot away from the wall. She was moving all over and hanging half off my bed. There was foam every where coming from her mouth. Her feet were kicking very fast. Her eyes were open staring into space, and blood was coming from the bridge of her nose. She must have cut it with her paw. It took every bit of strength I had to hold her on my bed, and try to stay calm and not cry. I kept telling her it would be okay. The seizure lasted only about 1 min, but felt like eternity. She was very dazed, her nose was running. She looked at me with her big brown eyes, and was so scared. I kept telling her it was okay. She smelled the blankets where she had urinated, and again I said it's okay girl mom will clean it. I went to get off the bed to make a phone call and she growled. That is when fear sunk in. I knew she would never hurt me, but she was NOT herself at that time. After about 1/2 hour she was ready to get off the bed. She wanted outside, so I took her out on a leash. She slept most of the day, and by night time she was her old self again. I slept on the couch that night, tossing and turning with her every move. Life must go on, and I cannot worry when the next one will be, I just have to be prepared. My life is forever altered by this disease. Thea has been through so much with me. She was there to lick my face when my daughter almost died. She was here when I would cry with the other puppies’ seizing. She lay in my arms the day her momma died. I looked in her eyes and said "you have your mom’s eyes". All I can do is love her back. She was special before, and each and everyday I have left with her will only be the best.

On Dec. 15, 2002, Thea had another seizure. She actually had a “cluster seizure”. We rushed her into the vets, and we decided to put her on Phenobarbital. There is no turning back once you start the meds. She was given the medication every 12 hours, not missing any doses. On Jan. 3 2003, Thea suffered yet another seizure. We did not know if this was because the meds had not reached their full potential yet. I scheduled a vet appointment for Monday morning. Saturday January 4, 2003, Thea suffered more seizures. They were uncontrollable. My heart was/is broken as Thea was put to peace. She will be missed so much. She and the others have endured so much pain. Thea has taught me the meaning of unconditional love.

My story with this litter is not meant for self pity. I am trying to bring awareness to other breeders that Epilepsy is something genetic. We cannot cure this nasty disease, but we CAN control it. By coming forward and sharing pedigrees. There should be NO shame, as we are only human. I am a responsible breeder, and have not walked away from any of these problems. I will do whatever it takes in memory of Thea to bring awareness of epilepsy. God rest your sole baby girl!!!!!