ReCOHllections

        At Cob, we are proud to say that our dogs may not be the best but at least, we are honest.  We have this habit of trusting people too much and we never learn however much experience has tried to teach us.  Maybe because, we simply are just dog lovers and couldn't care less about structure and form, breed type, and all of that stuff.  Yes, we try to read as much about the breed but when the puppies are already in front of us, we forget about what we ought to remember.  All the breed that we have had have gotten us into have taught us a number of things and these we share with you.

        Probably much like the gold rush that took place in America,  I rushed into the Golden Retriever breed just as I have done in most of the breeds anyway.  The first Golden Retriever we ever acquired was BLONDIE.  When I chose Blondie out of the litter, I specifically picked the darkest one.  It was only later that I found out that hair colors get darker when dogs get older. After I have bought Blondie, I met the Philippines' Top Golden Retriever breeder and she informed me that in picking puppies, the final shade is usually determined by the color of the ears.  She started babbling about this and that especially about the hair standing up in the middle of Blondie's muzzle, it being a fault and an indication that Blondie is from a working line.  Yes, I realize that having taken a good look at my Blondie and the puppies she was selling that mine was ... hmmm, very different. 

        I bought a male and a female from Care Bear Goldens, BOWIE and BANGLES. Bowie didn't quite make it from the parvo-virus infection and passed away.  Now, I know better and  have shifted veterinarians who administer better brands of vaccination.

        The rush for gold did not stop with the three.  From another kennel located in Forbes Park, Makati, I bought BEE-GEES.  It was only after a couple of weeks when his shots were due that I brought him to my veterinarian.  After having done a physical examination, she suggested that I bring the puppy back to the breeder and ask for a refund or a replacement because BEE-GEES did not have any testicles.  I was promised a replacement at half of BEE-GEES' price on the next litter, BON JOVI.  

        I was impatient and just went looking for pups from one advertisement to another.  I never even bothered to pick a book about Goldens.  I just took all of the breeders' words that I talked to.  Hey, it's not like I didn't memorize breed standards when I was 9 years old, I thought.  From what I recall, the pictures of the Goldens in my mind was like Blondie.  I couldn't wait for Care Bear's next litter nor the one at Forbes.

      It's a learning process especially for one who was just as stubborn as I was.  I understand that sometimes good-meaning people do come too hard sometimes and that in all of us, we don't really like it much to be told what to do and what not to do.  It is also, I suppose, a part of growing up.  Realizing your mistakes, correcting them if you can and moving on.  Had I listen right away to what Care Bear was babbling all about, I would have spared myself the trouble of my hard-earned money going to waste.  Well, not really waste.  I learned form it plus I did enjoy all these dogs ... Just because they were not up to par doesn't mean they weren't able to give me love that only money can buy.  These dogs too along with my experiences with them taught me a lot.  And yes, irresponsible breeders ...  I can now spot you a mile away.  And believe me, they are all over  world-wide!!!

THE GOLD RUSH...

Remembering The Past That Was

         Consider this a rush for gold if you must but BRUCE (Springsteen) and BOLAN (Marc) have a different story from the rest.

        The father and son team came to Cob much like how SLY, the Basset Hound ended up in our kennel. The owner was migrating for the US. In situations like this, enterprising dog people are quick to make a profit.  A friend of mine bought the sire, the dam and the 3 puppies at a goodwill package.  He sold the two pups and the dam separately but could not dispose of BRUCE and BOLAN because of the way these two looked.  Their condition deteriorated as time passed.  I decided to take Bruce and came along Bolan.  I did the best I could for Bruce. Vitamin concentrated injections and all the works.  Bolan was more manageable since he was not really ruined and had more chances because he was still a pup. By the time Bolan turned almost a year old, I found him together with Blondie a new home. As for Bruce, after 2 years, he looked better and now that he has a more loving home in Angeles, he certainly looks better and very much well loved.  A lead vocalist from one of the bands that I manage is a dog lover and wanted to have a purebred but couldn't afford one.  I gave him Bruce to take care of.  Bruce serves him well by his side now that he's bedridden from an incurable infection.

LET'S PAWS FOR A THOUGHT

Things I Learned:

1.  Keep the good people you meet along the way, pray for those who preyed on your ignorance that they may be enlightened someday.  Don't hold grudges, bad-mouth them either because it just makes you less of a good person too, like them.

2.  Thinking I could do over and over again what I did to the Basset Hound I rescued, the English Bulldog I conditioned ...  not all dogs are created equal.  Some just don't have it in them for rags to brags stories to tell like Boris and Bolan.  An apple tree will always bear an apple tree.

3.  Learn to accept.  When you see something wrong already, try to do what is right.  Try not to justify or rationalize.  Keep an open mind.

4.    For goodness sakes, DO YOUR HOMEWORK!  Develop your eye by going to dog shows, looking at other people's dogs, talking to people but do learn to discern at not believe everything you hear.  But don't play "he said, she said" too.

5.  And whether you have a Best-In-Show material or the runt, a dog is a dog and will just as well give you the same unconditional love.  God bless!