Well if i thought that way i wouldnt have Boxers!

So many dont reach double figures & with some of the health issues they can be prone to, you wonder why people (like me) continually have them!

Having said that our boy - Harvey sails from one booster visit each year to the next with no visits inbetween & long may it last!

NB: once you have a Boxer, you will never be without one.
A better friend/companion you will never equal ....

I'm drawn to the dogs I'm drawn to, so do my best to find one from health tested parents preferably with long lived ancesters to give them the best chance of a long healthy life but there are no guarantees. Although I have never owned a dog that needed frequent vet visits and they all seem to have reached a reasonable age. Fingers crossed the current lot will fare just as well but it's not something I dwell on.

I was very worried about going for the Bernese as I had already lost a dog young and he was a mongrel but I just fell in love with them and after meeting the breed was hooked. We got Ollie and as most of you know we lost him recently at 41/2 it was devastating. But we are thinking about having another puppy and I am afraid to say even with the heart ache we are thinking Bernese again we just love them and to own one is a privilege for us.

So even after our bad experience we are thinking down that route again and will cherish the time we have and hopefully next time it may be a lot longer they can live into their teens although most live to about 9-10.

Fortunately I generally prefer smaller breeds so it's not really been an issue...

...But when I win the lottery and have a huge house and land and get an Irish Wolfhound I might have to think about it more seriously!

J.

Whats the saying ?

Better to of loved and lost than never to of loved at all.

sums it up for me.

Never used to but I do now. Couldn't be without my beloved GSDs but now I'm getting on & have ill health I take in oldies so I don'thave to worry about how I'll be in 12 to 14 years time.