Cavalier Rescue: It's a Good Story

Cavalier Rescue: It's a Good Story

by Graeme Landis

Our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel love story began when Treva and I got Oliver for my 50th birthday.

(Flashback) At the ripe old age of 4 years, I became the proud owner of Whimpy, a black Cocker Spaniel farm dog. He became my best buddy. We chased rabbits together in the fields and generally had a wonderful time around the farm in Northwest Oklahoma. Whimpy went with us when we moved to Wichita, Kansas for my Dad to finish his education. Then came the big move to California. My Dad decided that it was in Whimpys best interest to stay on my Uncles farm in Oklahoma rather than have to learn to be a city dog in California. I was 9 years old when Whimpy and I wept together (I wept and I am sure Whimpy did too, even though I couldn't prove it.) during my long goodbye talk with him on the back step of the old two story house on South Dodge Street. We moved to California and Whimpy lived on to be 14 years old before he finally ran out of dog lives on my Uncles farm. It was a sad day when I heard that Whimpy had finally passed away.

After I was married I repeatedly told my wife, Treva, and our kids that one day I would have another Cocker like Whimpy. He had a very special place in my heart. Well, just before my 50th birthday, my wife and two grown kids all said, Dad, if youre ever going to get another Cocker Spaniel, its about time you did it. Well, I said, youre right. I had better do it. But, I had heard that some improper breeding had allowed some serious defects to become common in the breed, so I decided I would do a little homework before buying a problem I wouldn't wan to live with. My reading confirmed the hearsay and I decided I didnt want to take a chance on a Cocker. So, I decided my next dog wasnt going to be a Cocker after all. I still did want to get that dog that was going to be my good buddy like Whimpy was. So, Treva and I sat down and first made a shopping list of the characteristics of the dog we wanted to have in our home. It had to be small, have the sweet soft look of the spaniels, have a sweet temperament and require that I get out and give him a good walk on a regular basis (because, of all things, I needed the exercise).

Eventually, we discovered the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. And in particular, we found Oliver. He was a joy and about 9 months later we decided he needed a friend and so we then. found Emma Rose, a female Cavalier. What a wonderful life we had together for 12+ years before they both succumbed to Mitral Valve Disease, a heart condition all too common in Cavaliers. With a great amount of grief and lots of tears we sent Emma Rose off to the Rainbow Bridge shortly before her 12th birthday as she battled with her second episode of congestive heart failure. Ten weeks later and shortly before Olivers 13th birthday I sat on the floor of the Vets office and loved on him as Doc and I said goodbye to my sweet good buddy Oliver " also sometimes known as Whimpy II " a second tearful goodbye following years of joyful delight with the two of them, Emma Rose and Oliver

Almost immediately after they were gone I began noticing how Treva was pining for the presence of a Cavalier in the house. She would talk about getting another puppy but I knew that with the changes that had taken place in our lives that a brand new little puppy wouldnt work for us. So, we turned to Cavalier Rescue and after a couple of false starts, we were rewarded with Max. What a character that little tri-color is. Four and a half years old, full of life and sprinkled with a fair amount of mischief and at least as much love. Max was in pretty good shape. He ahd been well cared for. His previous owner had run into some financial hardship and couldnt afford to keep him.

About a year after Max joined us, we were called upon to help out with another rescue situation that wasnt so good. There was an older female Cavalier, probably ten years old, no one knew for sure, who had been abandoned and picked up by an Orange County shelter and there was no one closer than us to pick her up. At first, we were just going to act as foster parents until a home opened up for her. Then we saw her, Charlotte Rose. Charlotte was the scrawniest, most pathetic little thing I had ever seen. She was on the verge of final starvation. Most of the fur from her body was gone due to extreme flea allergy dermatitis. She was very anemic and had mammary tumors along with a fair amount of arthritis. It was quite obvious that some cruel breeder had just pumped all the puppies they could out of her and then abandoned her on the streets of Orange County. Its a wonder she didnt become a Coyote dinner. She also had a slight heart murmur, the first tell tale sign of Mitral Valve Disease - the same disease that took Oliver and Emma Rose. There was a terrible odor from the awful skin condition that took several weeks to clear up.

Four months later she is practically unrecognizable. In fact, one neighbor of ours did think we had a new dog when she saw Charlotte after a few months. She has had her treatments for her skin disease with antibiotics and two baths a week with medicated shampoo the first few weeks. And she started out with 4 big meals per day, countem, 4! As soon as she had gained enough strength she was spayed and had all the tumors removed " major surgery for such a weak little one. Then came a good dental treatment and cleaning during which she had several extractions to clear up some problems in her mouth. She has increased her body weight by 17.5%! She's no fatty either, just a healthy weight for her skeleton. I have been thrilled with how healthy her coat has grown back in. It is really thick. Charlotte Rose is now a beautiful Cavalier old lady " and she found some folks to love her as she deserves. We are happy.

Well, this little short term foster girl is now becoming a permanent resident with Max and Treva and me. She has her new forever home and we have the joy of another wonderful Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Its a good story. - 20511

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New Unique Article!

Title: Cavalier Rescue: It's a Good Story
Author: Graeme Landis
Email: cls@charleslstanley.com
Keywords: cavalier king charles spaniel,rescue,dog,family pet
Word Count: 1135
Category: dog
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