Virtual Breeding 2

To: Sue Samuels From: Gretel Cosby Subject: update Date: 3 March	Hi Sue - just a quick note to say that Camilla is just doing so well. I took her to a show this past weekend, and she did really well. I know she's my first rottweiler, but I truly believe she is just so perfect. You've really done a great job in breeding such wonderful dogs. Thank you for letting her live here with me. Gretel
To: Gretel Cosby From: Sue Samuels Subject: re: update Date: 5 March	Dearest Gretel, it's wonderful to hear how you are progressing with Camilla. Yes, she is an outstanding bitch. I hope you are enjoying her. Her brother and sister are doing well in the show ring, and between the three of them are a good reflection on the kennel. Jeremy was saying that he saw Camilla in the ring the other day and how lovely she looked. Did you get that problem fixed with her ear? And as she is approaching her second birthday, it's time you started thinking about when you are going to get her checked for hip dysplasia (HD). Best wishes, Sue
To: Sue Samuels From: Gretel Cosby Subject: hips Date: 6 March	Hi Sue - oh yes, we've been working on that ear infection now for a couple of months. It's difficult to get rid on, but it's getting there. Yes, I know about Camilla's hips. I'm not sure if I want to get them done though. I'm not even sure if I want to breed Camilla. It just seems like such a major undertaking. I don't have to breed her do I? ....Gretel.
To: Gretel Cosby From: Sue Samuels Subject: re: update Date: 15 March	Dearest Gretel, Sorry about the delay in getting back to you. Remember Jeremy - turns out that while he originally said that Benji, his old boy, had been tested for HD, he actually didn't. He never got around to it, or so he says. Oh, he's a nice man, but boy, this was a real mistake on his part. Turns out the Benji actually has mild HD. This is a catastrophe. Benji is Camilla's great grandfather. I've been working for years doing the right thing by ensuring that we did everything to eliminate HD from our lines. And now this! I am furious and sad at the same time. No, there is no need for you to breed Camilla. I've been breeding for 25 years, and I've had my ups and downs. Right now, and this situation caused by Jeremy, I'm feeling rather down, as you could imagine. Jeremy is in deep trouble now. HD has come back in a big way in his lines now, and he is having to make several calls to people who have bought his dogs over the last 10 years to check the status of their dogs. At least he's doing the responsible thing. Many breeders would just hide this one under the carpet. Oh, I know I'm going on and on, but if I lived closer to this man, I'd grab him by the shoulders and give him a darn big shake! And in answer to your question, no you definitely don't need to breed Camilla. If nothing else, this incident between Jeremy and Benji and the HD makes it more and more clear - if you're not going to do the right thing by the breed, or you feel that breeding is not for you, don't do it. Camilla is a wonderful bitch (although since I bred her I am very biased! LOL), but breeding is a very hard road. It's much cheaper for someone to buy a nice dog off someone else, than breed a nice dog themselves. Think about what you want to do, but I know you'll do the right thing. Remember, if you choose to go down the track and breed her, I'll give you all the support I can, but there are no guarantees that it will be easy and fun. In fact, the only guarantee I can give you is that it will be hard work and cost you money. Even if you were just breeding for the "pet market" - oh I hate that term - it's as if people think that because they aren't breeding dogs that will go into the show ring that it's ok to breed with no thought of the future. No matter where that dog is destined to go, it is our responsibility as breeders to make sure the pups have the best set of genes to start their life with, and that the people buying "just" pets get quality dogs. Let me know what you want to do. Best wishes, Sue
To: Sue Samuels From: Gretel Cosby Subject: update Date: 20 March	Hi Sue - thanks for your note. Oh I appreciate your honesty. And I know your position on breeding pets - remember - that's why I chose you as a breeder - I wanted to learn from someone who had "been there done that", and still maintained a love of the breed, a desire to produce good puppies no matter their destination, and still had the ethics. Thanks for letting me know about Jeremy and the HD that Benji has. I certainly will have to keep that in mind if I decide to breed Camilla. Of course, as you required, I am feeding Cammy an all natural diet (hey, do you know that some people are calling this the "Barf" diet now - oh that's so funny! LOL). She's mostly eating chicken carcasses these days - RAW of course!, and I don't feed grains of course. I know that by feeding a raw natural diet this significantly reduces her chances of getting HD, but I also know that we must remain vigilant about this and all health problems. Makes me wonder if I'm ready to take the step to breed Camilla. I know how much work you put into it. I can't believe that you have to work full time in order to support your "hobby" of breeding, and then come home and put in all those hours into looking after the dogs. I do know, if I want to do it properly, then it will take me work and commitment. I know I don't have to decide right at this moment. I'll go and talk to a few of my friends and see what they think. ttys, Gretel

Decision Point

After much thought and deliberation, you (you're Gretel!), decide that you are not going to breed Camilla. If this is your option, click here to proceed.

or,

Okay, you've done the research, you love the breed, and you think you can do it. Click here to take the journey of learning in breeding Camilla.