A heart wrenching decision

[CorgiMum]

What options did the Vet suggest to you?

[Corgis'R4me]

*~* I feel your emotions...and I truly believe that this is NOT an
impulsive thought. I feel that you are truly agonizing over what to do.


I am glad that you feel comfortable enough to share your thought & feelings with us here !

Thank you !

I am PROUD OF YOU for having so much compassion for the puppies.

Please remember...that you can talk WITH us about anything....we are here to HELP !

*~* Nikki

[newcorgiowner]

We went and talked to the vet to get the puppies checked out. We talked with the vet about the situation and she said that while it could be done, the bond will certainly never be as strong between us and the pups as it would be with one. She did not come out right and recommend that we take one of the puppies back but after we mentioned we were considering it she seemed to jump on the idea. I think she was just too polite to come right out and say that we should return someone that we have come to love already.

Something the vet discovered while doing the exam though really tipped the scales for me. I will be starting a new thread about it in the health sections to see if anyone can reassure me because I have been freaking out about it all night. The short of it is that both pups have a 1 to 2 degree heart murmur. I came out of the appointment terribly sad but sure of my decision. The vet couldn't tell us at this age whether it was something to be worried about or not, she said we'll know more in a few more weeks and we'll know for sure if we do an echo scan (which is very pricey).

So we went home for a minute so that I could write the breeder an email and then we gave her a call and headed on the two hour drive back to the breeders.

That has to be one of the hardest, most miserable drives I have ever had. The whole drive my fiance and i were in tears. Now I am not a crying kind of guy. I think the last time I cried was like two years ago. But I was balling like a baby while driving up there. All I could think about was the mornings when Matti would climb up my chest to lick my face or how I spent half the night on the bathroom floor lying with matti because she couldn't fall asleep.

We got to the breeders and she was pretty pissy with us over the whole situation. She made a few back handed jabs at the reliability of our vet and questioned the whole heart murmur situation (again, I'll go into detail on this in another thread).

After dropping her off we started on the long trip home. Which was made even longer by the fact that we missed our exit and because we were so depressed, didn't realize it till we were an hour and a half in the opposite direction.

We brought Gizmo along with us though because we didn't want to leave her home alone while we would be gone. This proved to have a side benefit that we hadn't considered. She had quite the healing effect on us as we drove. Everytime I looked over and saw her smiling at me in her upside down way (she loves to lay on her back) I knew I had made the right decision.

Now I am feeling better about the whole thing and my fiance seems to as well. It was hard and painful but we knew from the beginning that it was the right one. Unfortunatly our optimism and hope allowed for the possibility that there might be an alternative, which there may have been, but we didn't want to risk it. As my fiance said when we were making our decision "We know we can raise one, we're not sure we can raise two with what we know now and if we're wrong it could bring great unhappiness to both us and the dogs for potentially the next decade and a half".

Thanks everyone for their support and advice. Things may not have been as dire as I thought they were and I am sure there are many people who pull this off successfully, but I feel a lot happier now that we didn't take the gamble.

[Corgis'R4me]

Originally Posted by newcorgiowner

We went and talked to the vet to get the puppies checked out. We talked with the vet about the situation and she said that while it could be done, the bond will certainly never be as strong between us and the pups as it would be with one. She did not come out right and recommend that we take one of the puppies back but after we mentioned we were considering it she seemed to jump on the idea. I think she was just too polite to come right out and say that we should return someone that we have come to love already.

Something the vet discovered while doing the exam though really tipped the scales for me. I will be starting a new thread about it in the health sections to see if anyone can reassure me because I have been freaking out about it all night. The short of it is that both pups have a 1 to 2 degree heart murmur. I came out of the appointment terribly sad but sure of my decision. The vet couldn't tell us at this age whether it was something to be worried about or not, she said we'll know more in a few more weeks and we'll know for sure if we do an echo scan (which is very pricey).

So we went home for a minute so that I could write the breeder an email and then we gave her a call and headed on the two hour drive back to the breeders.

That has to be one of the hardest, most miserable drives I have ever had. The whole drive my fiance and i were in tears. Now I am not a crying kind of guy. I think the last time I cried was like two years ago. But I was balling like a baby while driving up there. All I could think about was the mornings when Matti would climb up my chest to lick my face or how I spent half the night on the bathroom floor lying with matti because she couldn't fall asleep.

We got to the breeders and she was pretty pissy with us over the whole situation. She made a few back handed jabs at the reliability of our vet and questioned the whole heart murmur situation (again, I'll go into detail on this in another thread).

After dropping her off we started on the long trip home. Which was made even longer by the fact that we missed our exit and because we were so depressed, didn't realize it till we were an hour and a half in the opposite direction.

We brought Gizmo along with us though because we didn't want to leave her home alone while we would be gone. This proved to have a side benefit that we hadn't considered. She had quite the healing effect on us as we drove. Everytime I looked over and saw her smiling at me in her upside down way (she loves to lay on her back) I knew I had made the right decision.

Now I am feeling better about the whole thing and my fiance seems to as well. It was hard and painful but we knew from the beginning that it was the right one. Unfortunatly our optimism and hope allowed for the possibility that there might be an alternative, which there may have been, but we didn't want to risk it. As my fiance said when we were making our decision "We know we can raise one, we're not sure we can raise two with what we know now and if we're wrong it could bring great unhappiness to both us and the dogs for potentially the next decade and a half".

Thanks everyone for their support and advice. Things may not have been as dire as I thought they were and I am sure there are many people who pull this off successfully, but I feel a lot happier now that we didn't take the gamble.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*~* Try to tell your heart & mind...that you have no regrets. You made a decision...now you can focus on the future with Gizmo.

You did what you though was best...

I am proud of you...you had a tough decision to make.

Matti WILL find a new home...and have a GREAT life !

I believe...I believe !

*~* Nikki

[corgimom]

NewCorgiowner,

That must have been a very hard trip for the two of you and the breeder, I am sorry to say, doesn't sound like the most kind hearted person - did you happen to get the Heart Murmur diagnosis in writing from the vet so you could show her.

I am in no way giving out medical advice, but I had a cat that was diagnosed with a heart murmur as a kitten, and he lived to be 12 and he was never given any medications for it - I know cats and dogs are different and I don't remember what "grade" it was, but he did live a full, active life - so maybe all will work out for you in regards to this.

I am not sure what else to say, except you seem to have made a decision that was best for the two of you and your other pup. I hope it all goes well.

linda

[Fluffypants]

Wow - the drive must have been sheer torture! I hope that your hearts heal soon . . . and I'm sure that little Gizmo will help out there!

I also had a cat with a heart murmur, and it never affected him either (although I confess that I also don't know very much about it). Just trying to provide a small ray of sunshine. And the good(?) news is that, if something does happen, you can concentrate on what's best for Gizmo, without having to worry about Matti.

[Michael Romanos]

I think the point about giving every dog individual attention such as walking and exercising and playing separately can be over done or overstated. It is necessary but not hard and fast or done religiously or at most times or daily or every second day.
Anyway, two Corgi puppies of the same age is more than a handful for anyone -unless they are wealthy enough to be able to engage a Kennel Maid.

[Chip's Mom]

Two puppies of any kind are a handful and sometimes and will try the patience of a Saint! Chip and Maybelle played all night last night. This morning Chip was exhausted and didn't even raise a fuss when I left - He was sleeping on the sofa. Tonight they will be separated all night.

[trainurk9]

Did you make a decision with what to do with your puppy? I would be interested in offering a home for the pup. I am in PA - please email me if you would consider this.

Lisa

[corgimom]

Lisa,

Newcorgiowner decided to keep one of the pups and the other one was returned to the breeder.

Linda

[trainurk9]

Thanks for the update!
I am glad the puppy is well.

Lisa

[corgimom]

Lisa,

If you are looking for a Corgi - you can go to www.petfinder.com and click on
breed to get to the "corgis". There are lots of good ones in rescues and some
are of a young age.

linda