Tough Week

It's been a very tough week for me.
A breeder's worst nightmare one could say.
Mavis had her 1st litter of puppies back in February.
Hagrid is the extra special puppy as he was born with a cleft palate so he's been tube fed him since day 1.
Unfortunately, he wasn't the only special puppy in the litter.
When 6 weeks rolled around I noticed something peculiar on the 4 "normal" puppies so I decided to have my vet check moved up a little sooner than I had planned due to an impending snow storm.
Sure enough, my vet diagnosed them all the same as what I thought it was. 
Therefore, my entire litter now has a genetic defect and tough decisions needed to be made.
Instead of finding a new stud to try Mavis with next time, I will be spaying her in May.
She is one and done with a litter like that. 
Fortunately, surgery will fix the puppies and they should go on to live "the good pet life." 
Like they say, breeding isn't for the faint of heart.
When it's great, it's great, but when it's not, it makes you want to cry and throw in the towel.
I won't be throwing in the towel just yet.
I grew up on the farm and saw plenty of bad times, and good times too. 
You always remember the bad times though.
This is just a bump in the road.
It hurts.
Man does it hurt.
Some times things just don't go right in life.
We're dealing with living things here.
Mavis is still a really good dog.
A great pet, a wonderful companion and friend.
She's just can't have anymore puppies.
I will be on the lookout for the PERFECT home for her because I really love Mavis, but I can't keep them all.
After my adults are spayed/retired, I find them an even better home than my home.