These are a couple of photos of our 2 very spoilt 'kids', Buddy and Taz. They're 12 year old [English] Staffordshire Bull Terriers ("Staffies"), and they're brother and sister from the same litter. They've been together ever since they were born back in 2002 and we've had them since they were only 8 weeks old. They were gorgeous puppies and they're so placcid, loyal and affectionate. We keep forgetting they're not human. Taz is a true hermaphrodite (both male and female). When she was de-sexed at 13 months old, the Vet's described her as being "a big girl and a big boy". She had complete male and female reproductive systems. So she's our "special girl". Their personalities are just as different as much as their looks.
Poor old Buddy has developed crippling osteoarthritis in his lumbar spine, hips and elbows over the past few years now. He has now developed a bilateral drop foot which affects his hind legs and his walking gait. We've tried all the various medical options and latest treatments without any real success. We even had him assessed for Stem Cell treatment but he wasn't a suitable candidate for that new form of treatment. So nowadays, all we can do is keep him as comfortable as we can and medicate him with a mild analgesic anti-inflammatory medication, which he takes orally every day. He's still a happy little chappy otherwise, and he's the best little companion that God, in his wisdom, placed on this planet. We're dreading the heart-breaking day when we'll have to consider euthanasia, we just don't have the heart to do that yet. We cherish the quality time we have every day with Buddy, we know he's living on borrowed time.
Having a family pet, and dogs in particular, adds soul to the home and they bring so much life, joy and memory-making moments into your life. I'd always wanted to have 2 dogs. Dogs are social animals and they have each other's company when we're away from the home or at work.
English Staffordshire Bull Terriers are not a breed of fighting dogs or hunting dogs. They were primarily bred to be the companions for, and protectors of, children. They are therefore a very popular breed for a family dog. Depending on the intellect of their owners, Staffies are usually not dangerous, vicious or aggressive and they have the most friendly and affectionate nature.
Buddy is a 'Pie', he has a white coat with black facial markings (now ageing a lot around his left eye). Taz has a black and brindle coloured coat. She's also ageing/greying in the face and she's put on a bit of weight after dinner tonight (she looks like a little porker in this photo).
(Click on photos to view enlarged images)
Buddy on Easter Sunday, 13 April 2014, with some Easter Eggs (he didn't get to eat any because you shouldn't ever give Chocolate to dogs, their systems can't digest Chocolate like in humans).
It's a hard life for a Staffie. Here's Taz soaking up the radiating heat from the heater in the lounge room tonight on a cold, wet, autumn night.
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