We lost our sweet "Lil Bo Peep" Westie girl at 15.5 years old on 12/31/07. I miss her so much. My husband, our rescued lab mix and I are ready to love a new member of the family. I mailed my application today and hope to find just the right westy to fill our hearts.
9 March 2008 - Poway, CA
Webmaster comments
Hello Marijane;
So, very sorry for the loss of your beloved Westie. Thank you for wanting another Westie for your home and hearts.
Susan
Caroline
Hi, i have a 10 week old Westie that I got at the pet store yesterday. Since then, she constantly coughs. She also bites a lot. It's playfully, but can hurt at times. As much as I'm trying to tell her to pee or poop in the "wee wee pad" a sheet of papers where it's supposed to pee, it just pees whereever it feels like it. It enjoys ripping the pads a lot. Please help!
29 December 2007
Webmaster comments
Hello Caroline;
Well, we would say congratulations, however what you are describing is a puppy with 'kennel cough'. Probably other animals within the pet shop are affected as well. Apparently, the puppy mill breeder who supplied this little Westie, shipped the dog with the disease in incubation (no symptoms) or the pet shop has an outbreak. Check your copies of the Purchase Agreement/Contract, the Lemon Law forms (given by Pet Shop at purchase) for information on how to proceed when a dog is ill. Usually, the pet shop tries to give a limited guarantee, based upon several days after purchase to be able to return a sick dog, obtain a health check, etc. Do not allow the stated time to pass. The dog must be seen by a Veterinarian for exanimation, medication and be placed in isolation (which if you wish to keep the puppy can be your home). The pet shop owners should have observed this illness, especially since the dog was coughing when brought home. The incubation period, prior to coughing, is 14 days. If not treated, the dog's virus and discomfort can be very long lasting especially with a puppy. Follow directions from the pet shop's contract, regarding proper steps when a dog is found to be ill. If you are to contact the pet shop, do so immediately, or if you are to take the dog to the pet shop's Veterinarian, do so immediately. Remove the puppy and any thing touched should be sanitized, keep all away from other animals within your home. DO NOT allow the puppy outside your home, the dog is contagious and will spread air borne virus. Do not handle the puppy, then other animals. Wash your hands, arms, etc thoroughly after each contact. Cross-contamination can and will occur.
The Veterinarian will treat the dog with cough suppressant medication, possible liquid antibiotics and/or other medications as necessary. In any event, the dog is ill. The pet shop sold you an ill dog. Do not wait, the puppies health is the most important thing. The puppy is the victim of puppy mill breeding and pet shop purchase. Usually dogs are kept in quarantine, for up to 14-20 days while being treated by Veterinarian medications. The puppy will NOT get better on it's own, it must have professional Veterinarian intervention.
Pet shop puppies do not come housetrained nor crate/kennel trained. Housetraining a puppy takes dedication, crate training procedures, a consistent feeding, exercise, and elimination routine. Remember the foundation that is established will reward you with a wonderful companion animal who displays housetraining and housemanners. If you are unfamiliar with housetraining, crate/kennel methods and puppy scheduling purchase a book from the local Petco, Petsmart or book store on the subject. Read it thoroughly and begin the process immediately.
Please contact us via our email address WestieRescueCA@cox.net for updates or further specific questions.
Susan Reeves, Director Westie Rescue of CA
IF PET SHOP IS UNCOOPERATIVE: We do not know which state you live in, but most states have a puppy 'Lemon Law' if the pet shop did not give you a copy of this law. Our website homepage has a section which indicates 'Lemon Law'. Print this out and keep it in your records. Inform the pet shop, if you still wish to keep the ill puppy, all Veterinarian expenses incurred by you will be paid by the pet shop.
Regulation of puppy mill supplied pet shop animals is usually done by local animal control (selling sick animals), health officials (physical visit guarding against unclean and unsafe housing conditions) and the state's Attorney General. We would suggest you contact the pet shop immediately. Make a detailed log of your attempts, in case the pet shop is unwilling to correct the situation. In any event, the puppy is an unsuspecting victim If the pet shop is unwilling, after notice, to secure appropriate treatment....then take the dog to a Veterinarian for appropriate treatment. Good luck!
jessica
my westie died of old in in january of 2006, and am finally ready for another dog, but ireally only want anothert westie i am in florida please contact me if anyone becomes aware of any adoptable westies in my area,they are such loving companions i really miss having one around
17 December 2007 - FORT LAUDERDALE, FL
Webmaster comments
Hi Jessica;
Simply Google Westie Rescue of Florida, there is a organization now in Florida. Good luck in finding another wonderful Westie to love!
shirley miscevich
I have an 8 y/o male and a 1 1/2 y/o male. The younger one has started itching. They've been on Science Diet Lamb and Rice all their lives. No fleas. What is the best treat for them. I know now to watch for corn, wheat and beef in their treats and diet. I had to put down my 14 y/o girl last year. She was on Prednisone most of her life as the vet always called her problem allergies. I almost refuse to start the Prednisone with these two. Love these guys and want to keep them happy and comfortable.
19 November 2007
Webmaster comments
Hi Shirley;
We will be contacting you privately to answer your medical question. If you wish to reach us again with personal medical questions, please email WestieRescueCA@cox.net. We will be in touch.
Gail Basford
Your site is wonderful, and I think maybe a good place to share a problem. I'll apologize in advance for being long, because I know I will be. My Westie is 12 years old, and he has been SUCH a great dog all these years. Friends and co-workers have been amazed at how well-behaved and obedient he is. he follows me around like a tail. Although he does show agression toward other dogs (usually German Shepherds) he could usually be controlled by voice. Until just recently. Also, he had never bitten anyone. Last year we visited my sister and Lowil found his place under the table and went to sleep. (He has visited this house with us frequently for his entire 12 years). My 2-year-old grand niece went under the table, woke him up from a dead sleep, and got snapped at for her trouble. Lowil caught her little nose and she had a minor cut that bled for a while. An hour later she was looking for the doggie again. This past weekend we visited and same scenerio - but this time it was my 5-year-old grand nephew who woke Lowil up under the table. Lowil snapped at Brandon's head but only got his hair (and scared him quite a bit). We went through the warning about waking him up unexpectedly and went on with the day. About an hour later I was on the floor in the living room playing with my niece, Brandon was across from us with his cars, and Lowil was in between but closer to Brandon. Brandon leaned over and put both both his arms around Lowil's neck to hug him, and at that point Lowil went after him full force with vicious growling and bit his nose, puncturing it and causing profuse bleeding. This has NEVER happened before and was therefore completely unexpected. Now my sister and niece have said that I can't bring Lowil in to the house, even with a muzzel (which I bought immediately). Obviously all holiday plans are ruined forever-after. I took Lowil to his vet, and she found only that both his ears are very inflamed - and some of his recent symptoms made her think he might be having minor seizures. But nothing that was acute enough to cause such an incident. The growling was bad enough to give me nightmares all by itself, and now I don't know what to expect. Can I ever trust Lowil again? He has been his same loving and cuddly self with me and my roommate since this happened. Is this a common problem when Westies get older? Do you think the muzzel will help? Or do you think he should be kept away from children completely? He's such a huge part of my life and I just don't know what to do. Thank you for sharing any suggestions you may have.
14 November 2007 - Billerica, MA 01821
Webmaster comments
Hello Gail;
We are sorry for your delimma and hope the child is alright. We will be addressing this personal issue in a private email. Obviously, our guest log is not appropriate for these type of questions.
Thank you for your question.
Dee
My westie Jackson is now 11 yrs old and has had skin problems since he was one. Reading all the posts I feel so much better to know we are not alone, I just wish I'd found this site years ago. I am very excited about the westie diet and plan to start asap. Just need to source the ingredients here in Australia. I am very concerned about him at the moment though, as he has lost a lot of weight over the last six months and is now very thin. His appetite is huge (think ravenous) and yet he continues to lose weight. He is also drinking a lot of water. We suspected diabetes however all his bloods came back good. He is also suffering many age related conditions such as arthritis and hearing loss. He is barking more and often I feel he is trying to tell me something. wish I could understand!! He is the most beautiful dog and wins absolutely everyone's hearts, but don't they all?
13 September 2007 - Australia
Webmaster comments
Hi Dee;
I think we helped you with your 11 yr old Westie, Jackson via our email address and not the guest log.
Hope all is going well on the Westie Diet.
Diane Mediate
I have two wonderful wesites. The older one had tons of problems with food and vomiting. She also chewed on her paw until the fur was discolored. I tried many different dry dog foods none worked. So I put both on the RAW diet. They love dinner time.they go nuts. It cleared up the problems with my older one. She no longer licks her paws or vomits. The problem is the younger one. She now gets red ans swollen around the eyes. Her lips swell and get scabs. I am worried she is alergic to something. I am thinking of going off the RAW food and found your site. The westie diet looks close enough that it may be a good compromise. Can I feed the beed not cooked since they have been on RAW? I am so afraid to switch foods since it works for the older one. I need one food that will work for both. Can you also make some ahead and freeze for the next day. It seems like this will take some time to prepare so I would like to have it done in advance. Is that possible? Thanks so much.
18 August 2007 - Ohio
Webmaster comments
Hi Diane;
Please email directly for specific information about our Westie Diet. Our email is: WestieRescueCA@cox.net. Unfortunately, we do not have the space to premit these type of personal responses and private information. Thanks for loving your Westies!
Chuck & Marc
We had our kids for 16 years and they were only nine months apart in age. Our little girl passed away last week only nine months after her brother passed away. We feel blessed that we had them for such a long time and aquaint it to the love, nutrition, and exercise they got. The Westie Diet does wonders also, and we recommend it to everyone. One needs to be responsible for the food our "kids" eat, and after the pet food recall, you would have that control. We are now looking for two "kids", because we love Westies alot!
21 March 2007 - Baja California, Mexico
Webmaster comments
Hello Chuck and Marc;
We are so very sorry for your loss. You are absolutely right, all three things that you touched upon are very important for the health of our little fur angel Westies.
Look at our adoptive page, we have several 'pairs' incoming that need loving homes.
All the best, Susan
Diana McLaughlin
My 13 1/2 year old Westie "Angus" died on 2/12/2007 from complications from Congestive Heart Failure. It was a devistating blow for my husband and I. That little guy was our life and we immediately started looking for another little Westie to fill the hole that Angus left in our hearts. We now have "Bentley" a 10 week old Westie baby. He is already the sunshine at the beginning of every day. He was a gift sent to us by our Angus, since he was actually born on Angus Road.
3 March 2007 - Riverview, Florida
Webmaster comments
Hello Diana;
So very sorry for the loss of your beloved Angus.
What is the saying; When one door closes, another one opens! And there was Bailey.
Our blessings sent to you and your husband. Give Bailey a BIG HUG for all of us here at Westie Rescue of CA. He is a lucky little fella.
All the best, Susan
Ann C. Beaulieu
We are new Westie owners. Toby is such a darling 12 week old pup we both love him dearly having had him only since Christmas! But the vet thinks he might be headed for skin problems as the hair/skin on his feet looks a bit strange. So I got online and found the Westie diet.but the response I read on the guestbook makes it sound as if I should not start him on it until 6 months? (see response I refer to below.) This diet can be given from the age of 6-9 months, depending upon the dog's maturity throughout it's life.
7 January 2007 - Tacoma, WA
Webmaster comments
We have a puppy diet which we suggest. It provides all the appropriate dietary requirements for a puppy. Please email our website for the diet. Also, it is very important to provide flea control (Frontline Plus) and appropriate shampoo (Bio-Groom Wiry Tearless). WestieRescueCA@cox.net. Unfortunately this is not a message board so we do not have the space to engage in personal dialogue.
