[Cody'smom]

Hi everyone,

This is my first posting on this forum. I have just finished reading all of your posts re this terrible subject and my heart just breaks for you all who are going through this.

Laurie and Mike, my heart so goes out to you and I totally know how you feel about Lucas and Xena. I lost my boy Zack at the tender age of two to a kidney defect. We nursed him from diagnosis at 8 months untill just after his second birthday and the decision to let him go was the most agonizing I have ever made.

And Laurie, it's true, we love these dogs so very much because they are such special dogs. Mine are like my kids. And only another dog/rottie person will understand that. It took me three years after Zack died to finally get another one and had I known how healing it would be to my heart I would probably have done it sooner. I have not replaced him, I have allowed myself to love another one.

So now I have 11 month old Cody and I have set myself up for this all over again but I cannot stay away from rotties! And yes, again, he is one of my kids.

Let me ask you guys this: What do you think of the studys that show an increased risk of OS in dogs that were spayed/neutered at an early age? (before 8 to 12 months old)

I had no knowledge of this and went along with my vets "puppy plan" and he was neutered at 4 months. Almost immediately after that I came across this info by chance and was horrified to think I have unwittingly increased my dogs chances of getting this terrible disease when this breed is already over represented in this diagnosis.

You guys take care and hang in there. I'm not going to say it gets better with time when you loose one, I think you just find a place inside you to put it away and keep it so you can go on. I'm glad I found this group, you are all very supportive.

Sherri