Annie's Story - Part 1 - The Beginning

[Finding_Beau]

My English Setter, Annie lost her life at 13 weeks of age. I never imagined that I could suffer so much trauma and so much grief from purchasing a purebred English Setter puppy from a registered English Setter breeder. Purchasing a puppy is supposed to be a happy experience. 

Annie’s death has had a profound effect on my health and my life. I have never cried so many tears. The week Annie died, the rain poured down heavily and constantly. I felt as if the Heavens themselves were weeping for my baby girl and for me. 

Annie’s death has also adversely affected the health of her English Setter brother, Hobson. 

The tragedy is that Annie’s death could have been easily prevented. 

Exclusively Setters (ES) is the only internet community I have found over the last 9 years, since my English Setter, Beau was stolen, where I have made genuine friends around the world. I feel that ES is a safe place for me to share Annie’s story. Based on my moral values and standard of behaviour, I believe Annie’s story needs to be told. I am writing Annie’s story in a series of blogs. I had planned to do this before Annie died showing her progress from a severely malnourished puppy to a healthy young English Setter lady. Annie was always beautiful. 

I wish with all my heart that Annie was still alive. I have had enough of writing blogs and a website with unhappy endings. I wish with all my heart Annie’s time had not been cut so short and she had lived to be my English Setter girl for a very long time. I believe Annie’s story is a truly heartbreaking story. 

Annie’s story begins the day she was born on 26 March 2012. She was one of 13 puppies born prematurely by c-section. There were 3 girls and 10 males in the litter. On 27 March 2012 a male puppy died. Annie’s breeder advised me this puppy died because he was very small. She said she was keeping an eye on the runt of the litter. 

On 26 March 2012 I was visiting my veterinarian, John again with Hobson. Hobson has required constant veterinary attention since another veterinarian almost killed him in 2009. This was followed by a succession of incompetent veterinarians. Incompetent veterinarians are responsible for Hobson's health problems. After trying various forms of treatment, John believed that Hobson’s health was not improving because of grief and stress. Hobson’s English Setter brother, Hammer had died. I received the phone call from the Veterinary Specialist Hospital at 1.10am on Wednesday, 3 August 2011 that Hammer had died unexpectedly. Nine days after Hammer died, Rose suffered her first seizure. Rose then suffered an extreme adverse reaction to the medication. The seizures slowly destroyed her brain. Hobson watched me care for Rose and he watched Rose suffer and die on 6 March 2012. Hobson was left on his own for the first time in his life. I had to go to work part-time. Hobson was not coping. After Rose died, he lost all the weight he had gained. He was 5.5kg under-weight. John, my vet, urged me to find a friend ASAP for Hobson, and preferably an English Setter.

 

This is a photo of Hobson with Hammer and Rose, before Hammer and Rose died, on a walk in their favourite place. Hobson had so much energy I sometimes struggled to control him so he is wearing a halti. Hammer has been shaved for another ultrasound. Rose had not yet suffered a seizure and she was still able to go for short walks.

 

This is a photo of Hobson taken 6 days after Rose died on 12 March 2012. His allergy problem flared up again, he lost his coat as well as weight. His energy had gone. His digestive system was poor. I had, and still have every reason for concern about Hobson’s health. 

Unfortunately “history had repeated itself”. I was planning on purchasing an English Setter puppy from my friend, Jean in 2001 but the planned mating in March did not result in puppies. The puppy who eventually came to me in 2001 was Beau.

At the end of 2011 I placed an order for a puppy with another English  Setter breeder in Tasmania for a planned mating around February/March 2012. Jean had seen the English Setter sire and dam and she was impressed. Unfortunately, again, the mating did not result in puppies. 

I contacted many registered English Setter breeders throughout Australia but was advised no litters were planned or else the puppies had been sold. On the evening of 26 March 2012 I visited a website where some registered English Setter breeders advertise their dogs. I noticed the advertisement for Annie’s litter. I did not know the breeder. I carried out some research. Other breeders, who are supposed to be reputable, had exchanged breeding dogs with her. Annie’s breeder advised me she also rescued English Setters. She knew I was only purchasing a puppy to help Hobson, she knew Hammer and Rose had died recently, she knew about Beau, and she knew how much I loved my English Setters.

This is an extract of my email to Annie’s breeder on 30 March 2012:  “I have chosen a name for Hobson's baby sister .. "Annie". I wonder which of the 12 puppies she will be.” At that time I only knew that a male puppy had died. 

This is an extract of my email to Annie’s breeder on 31 March 2012:   “I just had a look at your website. I notice that there are only 3 girls in the litter. Because Hobson will be happiest with a girl, even if none of the girls turn out to be show quality, this does not matter. All that matters is seeing Hobson happy again. I believe Hammer has had a paw in this so I trust that the perfect puppy will come to us.” 

On 9 April 2012, when Annie was 14 days old, her breeder emailed me 3 blurred photos of the girls and wrote: “let me know what think”. I was uncertain what she meant by this but replied that if she was offering me a choice, I would prefer to wait until the puppies were more developed. 

I have owned purebred dogs for a long time. An example is the purchase of my purebred longhaired dachshund, Benmore in 1985, which is 27 years ago. Benmore was approx. 8 weeks old when I went to see the puppies which comprised long haired, short haired and wire haired standard dachshunds. There were approx 30 puppies and I chose Benmore. Whereas the other puppies jumped up onto the wire fence to greet me, Benmore sat back on his haunches, surveyed me from top to toe, decided I belonged to him, then moved forward and thrust his paw through the fence (similar to the story of the English Setter, Cider). Benmore’s breeder advised me that she was running him on for a few weeks but if I wanted to wait, he may be available for sale. I waited. This is the behaviour I am used to when dealing with a registered breeder.

 

This is a photo of Benmore when he was approx. 3 months old. He was a strong, healthy puppy and he did not have worms. This is what you expect from a registered breeder. 

Annie’s breeder specifically chose Annie for me.  

On 22 April 2012, when Annie was 27 days old I received an email from the breeder who wrote: “i will send you a pic of your girl today :-) the other two girls are pet quality.” 

Annie’s breeder sent me another email on 22 April 2012 with the subject heading of English Setter Puppy Show Girl and attached this photo of Annie.

 

What came through to me from this photo was a vulnerable, pretty girl with a nice head and skinny front legs. I loved Annie from this moment. I printed this photo and showed it to Hobson and said: “This is a photo of your baby sister, Annie. Your baby sister is a gift to you from me. Annie is coming to love you and help me look after you”. 

At the time I wondered why Annie’s breeder was so certain Annie was show quality at 4 weeks of age because the reputable breeders I know have advised me that a puppy has to reach at least 4 months of age before this assessment can be made and even then, there is no guarantee. However, I did not request a show quality puppy. I requested a healthy puppy. Every purchaser of any purebred dog deserves to receive a healthy, well socialised puppy from a registered breeder.

Even though Annie’s breeder failed to send me photos of Annie’s mother and the litter including Annie because she said she was having constant computer problems, it never entered my head that this was deliberate on her part. Annie’s breeder advised me in writing that Annie was the best quality girl in the litter and she later advised me verbally that Annie was the “pick” of the litter with a male sibling. She led me to believe that she was selling me one of her healthiest puppies to help me because she understood my grief for Hammer and Rose and my worry about Hobson. It was beyond my comprehension that any registered breeder could lie to me, or any purchaser, about issues as important as these. I was not buying a puppy from a back yard breeder. 

Never “in my wildest dreams“ could I anticipate what was going to happen, and therefore, understandably, I was not prepared in any way for the terrible state my baby girl, Annie was in when I first met her.  

This is Part 1 of Annie’s story. I do not expect comments but if anyone wishes to comment they are welcome to do so.

[Peter Hennig]

you have had an absolutely horrific time , I hope there is some light at the end of the tunnel for you Susan 

[Angela Clarke]

Today my arms are reaching out to you across the sea`s to hug you so close, excuse the tears on your shoulder. You are so brave to tell your story to warn others, a selfless act that should be rewarded. Be safe, be strong take care. Give Hobson a big hug from me.

[Chantal McIlveen-Wright]

Poor Susan, really a lot for you to cope with!!!  like Peter said, I really hope there is some light at the end of the tunnel for you!!!  Take a very good care of yourself and plenty of cuddles to Hobson.

[Rhonda Fisher]

Love and hugs to you and Hudson. Stay strong and spoil that lovely boy Hudson rotten. Rhonda Kerry and Murphy.

[Lynn Spencer]

Thankyou for telling us a little of Annie's story Susan. 

I am so sorry for everything you are going through.  You know how I feel xx

Hugs

[Nardi Rowe]

What a shocking story.  I am so sorry for you and your bad luck with your dogs. I can't imagine going through what you have had to go through with your dogs.  I am blessed as my dogs live long and healthy lives.  Give Hudson an extra big cuddle tonight and yourself.  There are people who are really feeling for what you are going through with this latest loss.  God bless.

[Catherine Carter]

Poor Susan, and how much strength you have to be able to write it all.....I am thinking of you ....lots of cuddles from us all to Hobson and you xxxxxx

[Corinne Wakefield]

(((hugs))) - you have had such a horrid time. I am so very sorry. x

[Barbara]

Thank you for telling us poor Annie´s Story. I cried tears for you and your sweet little girl. Love and hugs to you and Hobson! Take care B + T