Sammy's Story
Sammy is a Bernese Mountain Dog.
Sammy’s story is true.
Sammy could be the puppy you buy if you think wanting ‘just a pet’ means the source of your puppy does not matter and that health clearances are only for ‘show dogs’.
Sammy’s breeder chose to send him across the country to a pet store where his first owner purchased him for $2000. Two years later he was dropped off at a Worcester, Massachusetts animal shelter with a medical file an inch thick. His owners had spent over $6000 on his medical care.
Sammy’s Second Chance
On New Year’s Day Sammy became the first rescue dog of 2006 for the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Nashoba Valley. He is a sweet, kind dog, typical of many Bernese, and captured the heart of a club member who adopted him on January 21. Sammy’s array of health issues' include severe allergies and orthopedic problems which will require tender loving care and several thousand dollars for surgery to 'fix' his joints.
When Sammy came into rescue he had a double ear infection, a torn ear flap from shaking his head so much, raw chewed up feet and a nasty nasal discharge. His coat was a mess; his skin was dry and flakey. Sammy’s new owner switched him to a raw diet. Only time will tell whether the change in diet will make a difference. Sammy's allergies may be a life-long problem.
Sammy walks very stiffly and resembles a daddy long leg spider in his movement. But he keeps on smiling and will give anyone a kiss. After x-rays and a consult with an orthopedic specialist, Sammy’s new owners were told there are six problematic joints which cause Sammy to “walk funny”. At the tender age of two he has already developed arthritic joints. While his left knee will likely give Sammy problems for the rest of his life, Sammy’s biggest problem is his right elbow which was diagnosed with severe arthritis and a detached bone fragment. His first surgery will be to ‘fix’ his elbow joint. [OFA Links]
With proper nutrition, appropriate exercise and lots of TLC Sammy may live a better life. He will require strict confinement following his surgeries. There will be weeks or months of gentle rehabilitation therapy and leash walking designed to safely restore strength in his legs. Even with corrective surgery, Sammy may never be able to pull a cart, or jump and run like a healthy Berner. Throughout the rest of Sammy’s life, he may require special handling, a special diet to control his allergies and joint supplements to address the condition of his joints.
It is hard to imagine a precious 8 week old Berner pup being sent to a pet store by a breeder who never wanted to know anything about the pup’s new home or how he was faring. Likely the breeder lost interest in Sammy when payment was received. The breeder was never available to Sammy’s new owners to give counsel and support as his health issues emerged. Do Sammy’s littermates or pups from other litters have similar health and orthopedic problems? Who owns those dogs and are they experiencing the same kind of issues Sammy’s owners face? Will you be the next buyer of a pup like Sammy?
The orthopedic status of Sammy’s sire or dam is not known. Maybe the breeder didn't think doing X-rays prior to breeding the parents was important since the pups were "only going to be someone’s pet". Did you know that puppies inherit their structure from their parents and their extended family? Some puppy buyer's don't think it is important to ask breeders about whether the parents of their puppy have orthopedic clearances because they "only" want to buy a family pet.
Is having a healthy pet important to you? Can you afford surgeries to 'fix' your dog's joints? Can you afford special diets or bimonthly visits to a vet’s office? Is the breeder of your puppy concerned about the quality of life of the pups they produce? Are you even able to get in touch with your breeder or did you buy through a ‘middleman’ usually known as a ‘broker’? Has your breeder made every effort to produce pups with the potential to live comfortable, healthy lives? Does your “pet” deserve the best chance possible for a happy health life?
Sammy’s Future
Pictures of Sammy show that he is not in very good condition. Sammy's new owner hopes her care will make a difference over the next few months. Sammy is a lucky dog. He found an owner who saw his value as a companion and, with the help of generous friends, has been able to provide him with medical care so he has the opportunity to live the rest of his life more comfortably than his first two years. Sammy’s new owners say “He's had a tough time adjusting because his body is such a mess, but everyday he gets a little better. Sammy's Berner bounce is definitely returning.”
The Worcester animal shelter, the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Nashoba Valley and Sammy's new owner, Michelle Keck are Sammy's Heroes. Sammy has a couple of dog pals at his new home too, Toby and Lucy. Sammy was even a television star. He made his TV debut on February 6 when the Nashoba Valley BMD Club convinced a local cable station (New England Cable News Network - NECN) to do a segment on pet store puppies and the health problems that come with them.
Michelle says, "I see Sammy as a teacher. If we can stop one person from buying a Berner pup through a pet store, then everything he has been through is worth it." Although Michele does not advocate dumping your sick dog off at a shelter, she says she really can't disparage Sammy's previous owners. Every time she looks at his medical file, she sees only heartache. Vet visits, follow-up visits, emergency room visits... Sammy's first owners tried everything they knew how to do and finally their patience and their wallet gave up. Michele only wishes the people who owned Sammy had done proper research in the beginning and looked for a reputable breeder, instead of taking the easy way out, and going to a pet store and spending $2000 for a pup they knew nothing about. Michele also wishes Sammy's first owners had found the local Berner club, even if it was after they bought Sammy. The club has members who could have helped them over some of the hurdles.
Through it all, Sammy is a sweet and smiling Bernese Mountain Dog which makes him a hero too.
Please browse this Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America web site to find more information on Bernese Mountain Dogs and locate a local BMD club to help you find breeders or get answers to questions or help with a problem if you already own a Bernese.
Last modified: July 7, 2008.