Category: “Cavalier Alliance”

Compelled to respond. . .

4 puppies Lately, we have noticed several untruthful remarks posted to our Facebook page and other places on the internet. We are compelled to respond to these remarks, both because we are committed to provide the best care for the cavaliers in our program, as we have always been, and because we must protect our reputation.  Otherwise, some people might take our silence for acceptance.  It is not.

 
A breeder called and asked that we take title (transfer) of her litter of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies.  She described symptoms that were consistent with Syringomyelia (“SM”), which is an extremely serious condition in which fluid-filled cavities develop within the spinal cord near the brain.  SM is also known as “neck scratcher’s disease,” because one of its common signs is scratching in the air near the neck.  She sent us video to document her belief that some or all of the puppies from this litter exhibited this symptom.
 
When we picked up the puppies, the breeder transferred title (i.e signed an owner release) to us as is common, for four puppies.  We must have title to the puppies to make sure we have the ability to get them the best possible care.  We immediately took all the puppies to the animal hospital to be vetted, at our expense, including having them examined, diagnosed and treated by some of the best veterinarians in the country.  The veterinarians did not believe that the scratching was due to a vaccine reaction.
 
We also found appropriate, loving foster families for these puppies, which is what Cavalier Alliance does. Contrary to what has been asserted, we do not, and did not, sell these puppies. Any assertion to the contrary is false.
 
Shortly after we began working with these sick puppies, we were contacted by the breeder who wanted the puppies back. At first, she offered to buy them, and for a substantial amount of money. When we refused, she hired a lawyer, which is her right, and brought a lawsuit to try to compel us to get them back.
 
The easiest thing for us to do would have been to sell them back to her and take the money.  We chose not to take the easy way out though, for three reasons:
 
– First, we were very concerned about the health of these puppies when they came to us.  They obviously had not been properly vetted, if they had been vetted at all.  It was also evident that they were suffering from symptoms that were indicative of dermatologic and neurologic issues (consistent with SM).  Their condition had to be properly diagnosed and treated by a veterinarians and specialists- once again this had not been done before we received them.
 
– Second, one these puppies had actually been sold by the breeder to an unsuspecting person who soon recognized that the puppy was ill.  That person should have been told of the symptoms in advance of the sale. The buyer returned the sick puppy to the breeder and this was one of the four puppies that were transferred to us.
 
– Finally, we do not sell puppies and we were not about to start.  We were getting increasingly concerned that there was an effort to hide the condition of these puppies, which is not right, in our view. We were committed to getting these puppies the best veterinary care we could and providing them with loving families if we could, and were not willing to sacrifice these principles for money or to advance ulterior motives of others.
 
That unfortunately necessitated us hiring our own lawyer to defend the lawsuit brought by the breeder.  After all, just as the breeder was entitled to counsel, Cavalier Alliance was, as well.  We decided to pay for legal counsel rather than accept a substantial offer from the breeder to take these puppies back, because we had no confidence that the puppies would be treated properly or that the breeder or others might not attempt to profit unfairly from the situation.
 
We are  happy to report that the lawsuit ended quickly with a judgment in our favor.  This was not a settlement – the breeder’s lawsuit was dismissed and a judgment entered against her.  We are happy to supply anyone who wishes with a copy of the judgment.
 
We are  distressed that we had to spend so much time on this, and that we were  compelled to write this lengthy description of events.  But these are the facts, the truth, and we could not remain silent while others were saying untrue things about us.  We hope that this is the end of this and that we can all get back to spending our time on caring for these beautiful cavaliers, who need and deserve our love and attention.
 

Poppy Needs Your Help

Poppy 8 weeks

Poppy is a darling, 8 week old, under 3 lb, puppy with a heart defect known as PDA, that can be fixed with surgery. Without surgery, her life expectancy will be very short, but assuming she makes it through surgery, she has an excellent prognosis for a normal life. She is scheduled for surgery at Cornell University in the coming weeks and we are asking for your help so that we can fund this life-saving surgery for her! No gift is too small and we will all be appreciative for whatever assistance you can provide.

Poppy was born with a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Normally the ductus arteriosus, an important blood vessel, shunts blood from the heart and bypasses the lungs when puppies are in the uterus before birth – they don’t need to breath, so there’s no need for blood to go to the lungs. At birth, this blood vessel normally closes, so that oxygenated blood reaches the lungs and then is circulated to the rest of the body, providing oxygen rich blood to important tissues. If the ductus doesn’t close properly, the heart has to work extra hard to pump oxygenated blood to these important tissues. Eventually, the heart muscle becomes thickened from working so hard and, in time, the heart muscle weakens and heart failure and death results.

Poppy already, at only 8 weeks of age, has evidence that her heart muscle is thickened. With prompt surgery, her heart can repair itself before the damage is permanent, but there isn’t much time.

If you would like to donate to Poppy’s surgery and care, please visit our donate page http://www.cavalieralliance.org/donate/ or send via PayPal (friends and family option) to CavalierHelp@CavalierAlliance.org . . .

Thank you to the NY / NJ Cavalier Meetup Group!

Huge shout out of thanks to all the amazing folks and cavaliers who came out for the March 5th King’s Tea.  So much fun was had by all and they raised over $6000 for the pups in our program.

Kings tea flyer

2016 Cavalier Alliance Ornaments

2016 Cavalier Alliance Ornaments

2016 OrnamentThe 2016 Cavalier Alliance ornament is now available for pre-order!  This year our ornament was again designed by the talented Lauren Hamelin, and each one will be custom made for us.

This year’s ornament features a sweet cavalier with a matte gold bow, dark red ribbon and a small gold heart charm.  Each ornament is approximately 3″ high and almost 2″ wide.

The ordering period will close soon to allow for plenty of time in manufacturing and shipping.

Order at: Cavalier Ornament 2016 and check out with your Paypal account or via credit card.  If you’d like to order via check, simply send the check with your name, shipping address and details on your order to us at:  64 Cedarwood Road, Boxborough, MA  01719.

Thank you so much for supporting the Cavalier Alliance!

Happy 4th!

Happy 4th of July Weekend! The festivities, and travel, has started in the Northeast. Where ever you are, we hope you have a wonderful long weekend ahead of you.  

If you have plans with your pup, please take a moment and consider the safety points below.

 

Cavalier Alliance with Oblio

A New Start for Lulu

We are so pleased to announce that Lulu was recently adopted.  For those of you following this story, she’s recovered well from her surgeries and is just the sweetest gal.  In the video below you can see how her right ear has healed and just how happy she is is.

We wish she and her new family many years of happiness together. Thanks again for all the care by her foster family and all the donors who made this happy ending possible!

lulu

Vote for Harper on March 21

Facebook-Cover-ImageJust have to let everyone know that we have been chosen to compete in Petplan’s Tournament of Tails this year.  We are one of 32 shelters / rescue groups competing for a share of over $10,000 to benefit pups in our care.

You can show your support, and vote for us, starting March 20th at midnight, straight through the day on March 21st.  www.gopetplan.com/tournament-of-tails?utm_source=tot2016&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=tot2016

All great fun and for a wonderful cause.  Please consider supporting us and sharing this post!

 

 

Welcome Lucy & Zoey

These two sweet pups came to the Cavalier Alliance as a transfer from another group for specialist care.  Their initial vet did a great job of getting them stabilized and we will continue that care.  Lucy has ulcers on her right eye that need reviewed by a specialist and Zoey will need help with a back leg that keeps slipping out of place.

lucy 2015Zoey 2015

Duncan Recovers from Cushing’s Disease

Duncan Recovers from Cushing’s Disease

We thought you all might enjoying seeing the before & after this boy’s transformation while in foster care. The top picture was taken when he first came into foster care and the outdoor ones were taken last week. His skin infection (a typical complication of untreated Cushing’s disease) has resolved and his fur is growing back. Many thanks to his foster mom for his care and all of you who donated and supported our fundraisers so we could provide the veterinary care and surgeries he needed.

 

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Duncan's fur is starting to grow back in!

Duncan’s fur is starting to grow back in!

 

Duncan's recovery continues.  Look at that fur!

Duncan’s recovery continues. Look at that fur!

Sponsor Highlight: Pink Petunia Paws

Sponsor Highlight:  Pink Petunia Paws

As part of our early fundraising activities, we have been fortunate to receive support from small businesses who donated items to our auction! In the weeks ahead, we are going to feature their stories and links to their shops so you all can get to know them better!
Today’s story is from Catherine Carmichael, owner of Pink Petunia Paws and Pink Petunia Cottage Dolls (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pink-Petunia-Cottage-Dolls/129134503765346?fref=ts).


When we asked Catherine about her experience with Cavaliers, she explained,
“We got Oliver almost 10 years ago, one year after my mom got her first Cavalier -Toby. She then decided to adopt one from Cavalier Rescue USA and I met Paula Bailey when she came for a home visit at my parents. They adopted Nevis a beautiful Ruby. I have a little shop where I sell handmade Waldorf Dolls and Quilts and would ask Paula if they needed any donations and of course they did. LOL So I would auction off a doll or quilt and have the high bidder send the money to Cavalier Rescue. I tried to do that as much as I could.


Paula and I kept in touch and my mom adopted another dog from them, Charlie. Then I decided to foster and had our wonderful Phoebe come into our lives. I knew I would be a foster failure that first night.


I don’t foster now, because we have 2 Cavaliers with serious health issues, Oliver has diabetes and is blind and Sadie has SM, Hydrocephalus, IVDD and had patella surgery last year. My way of contributing is donating my quilts, quilted pillows and now my collars and leashes. I love the Cavalier Rescue groups and especially love Cavalier Alliance because of the multiple health issues of this wonderful breed.”

Catherine’s beautiful handiwork can be found on her FaceBook pages and in her Etsy store at:

Pink Petunia Cottage (https://www.etsy.com/shop/PinkPetuniaCottage)

Thanks Catherine for your support of the Cavalier Alliance!

 

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Catherine’s Beautiful Cavaliers

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