Where to begin

I sat down to write this newsletter once when

summer started, again once fall arrived, started
again once Christmas was upon us and again
earlier this year when winter was blanketing us in
snow, and more snow, and more snow, and more
snow
There has been so much that has transpired since
my last newsletter. The biggest by far is that the
babies turned ONE! How did that time fly by so
fast?
In 2013 we were very fortunate to enjoy visits with
Anzo and Ashby. We are planning to see Diesel in
Massachusetts this year! Surprise Alex and Jen!!
We spoke earlier about finding a date to venture
up your way. We will be in touch!
We have seen some major accomplishments by
our babes, and have heard amazing stories of love
and compassion that our pups have displayed!
How wonderful to have such awesome dogs and
people in our Dane family!
On the home front we are planning to go full speed
with training Max and now Tara to get into some
kind of therapy work. We are also looking into
Rally competitions that are a form of obedience but
more laid back and fun! Anyone who may be
looking to join in with Rally competitions or
therapy work, I hope to be chronicling our
adventures right here. (If I technically smart I
would like to make a Hammer Creek Danes web
page too.) We spoke with a great local Service Dog
Organization when we attended an expo for
children with disabilities.
I will be honest and say this is uncharted territory
for us, so we by no means have all the answers but
will be happy to share any information on how
things worked for us in our area.
Lastly, mommy Bella sends her best wishes for
nothing but all the best to come your way this year!

(She was roped into playing dress up with our

grandchildren.) Oh what a mommy has to endure
for her babies!
We always encourage your stories, pictures and
anything you wish to share. If you dont mind, we
will use or showcase them in the newsletter!

"If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in
your pocket and then give him only two of them." Phil Pastoret

One For the Ladies

Dean and I are by no means veteran
breeders, we are still in the learning process
too. As we learn and experience the good, the
bad and the ugly when it comes to owning a
dog, we certainly would love to share OUR
experience and knowledge we gain by going
thru many of lifes ups and downs
So here is a question going out to
anyone who has owned an unspayed female
dog Have you heard of Pyometra before?
Dean and I sure hadnt. But we learned a very
valuable lesson about this horrific infection that
can afflict unspayed females.
This particular week for Tara was
planned to be one of shows and visiting with
Oma Wanda (the proud grandma in our line and
Taras escort into the ring) as well as Pop Pop
Jere and Maxs brother Molsen. However fate
had another plan in store for all of us.
On March 21st Tara was rushed into
emergency surgery to be spayed because she
had developed Pyometra.
We were lucky that Wanda was with her
that Friday as Dean and I would have been
away at work. Her maternal instincts and quick
reaction saved Taras life.
This is not a breed specific infection. It
can affect any breed, at any age with
devastating results. Taras Pyometra was of the
open kind because her cervix did not
completely close. It however made the
diagnosis no less extensive as having to be
completely spayed, removing all female
reproductive organs down to the stem of the
cervix.
I looked up Pyometra on Wikipedia and
following is their definition

Pyometra is a result of hormonal and

structural changes in the uterus lining. This can
happen at any age, whether she has bred or not,
and whether it is her 1st or 10th heat (although it
becomes more common as the dog gets older).
The main risk period for a female is for
eight weeks after her peak standing heat (or
estrous cycle) has ended. Normally during this
period, the cervix, which was open during her
heat, begins to close, and the inner lining begins
to adapt back to normal.
However, cystic hyperplasia of the
endometrium (inner lining of the uterus) known
as cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) may
occur at this time for some animals, as an
inappropriate response to progesterone.
Under these circumstances, bacteria
(especially E. coli) that have migrated from the
vagina into the uterus find the environment
favorable to growth, especially since progesterone
also causes mucus secretion, closes the cervix
(preventing uterine drainage), and decreases
uterine contractility. The condition of the cervix is
a major factor in the severity of the condition.
For all you ladies out there,
please heed this warning carefully and
watch your girls after their heat. The
results of this infection has ended
Taras show career, but around here
we never let the sun go down, we just
allow it to illuminate a new path!

Money can buy a lot of things but it

doesnt wiggle its butt every time you
come in the door.

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Diesel and Raven enjoying the

new couch smell!

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Anzo hanging newsletter
with mom,
dad and
Teddy!

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Ashby during our visit while at a show in NY!

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Diesel growing into his antlers!

Learn a Lesson from your dog. No matter what life brings your
way, kick some grass on that shit and move on!