Our 2018 desk top calendar is now available for preorder. It’s a perfect size at just 8.5″ x 4.25″ and makes a perfect gift. To order, clink on Shop in the task bar above or visit http://cavalieralliance.org/shop.
Poppy’s cardiology recheck this week was great! There were no signs of heart failure and though her heart is still a bit enlarged (typical at this point), the team is hopeful it will continue to resolve (remodel). We will know more in another 8 -10 weeks.
Best news of all? She’s cleared for normal puppy activities and play. 
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.
The 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!
If you have plans with your pup, please take a moment and consider the safety points below.
We are so excited to share this update with you! HONEY CAN SEE!
Honey, the sweet blenheim with severe cataracts, came to the Cavalier Alliance several weeks ago. She struggled with pneumonia, severe dental disease, and was basically frozen in place due to her blindness. Her cataracts were almost 1/2″ thick.
In this early photo you can see the cataracts on her eyes:
And just look at the post-surgical difference:
And the best part of all? After two days of hospitalization, she returns to her foster home and sees her four-legged buddies for the very first time. Her tail hasn’t stopped wagging! Click on the line below to see the short video:
Many many thanks to Deb Glottman, Honey’s foster mom, the amazing team at Vermont Veterinary Eye Care including surgeon Sarah Stone Hoy and techs Angi and Ashlie, and all all of our wonderful supporters and donors who made sight possible for this deserving Cavalier.
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.
One of the tough realities of opening our hearts to a Cavalier (or any other dog) is that their life span does not match our own. While their life span may range 12-14 years (or longer), we all know that 25 years would not be enough! As our pups age, or deal with serious illnesses, managing their quality of life becomes key.
Since our work in the Cavalier Alliance is focused on senior and special-needs Cavaliers, we created a spreadsheet to track our dogs’ health while in the program and shared that data with our veterinary care providers and 24 hour animal hospital affiliates. We also shared the prototype with several families to see if they found the tracking helpful. We incorporated changes and now want to share it with you as a resource.
Of course, an assessment like this does not make recommendations as to quality of life decisions – it simply provides a tracking and a discussion point as to your dog’s health and activity levels. We recommend completing this assessment on an annual basis while they are healthy and more frequently (weekly or monthly) if in the midst of a more serious illness. You can download the pdf below:
Cavalier Alliance Quality of Life Assessment Chart
We hope you find it a useful tool in the on-going care of your Cavalier. If you find this chart and the other resources on our site useful, please consider making a donation to benefit the Cavaliers in our program.
Duncan, our long-term foster boy who has been struggling with Cushing’s disease, is finally on the mend. His recovery is progressing well and our vets tell us that most pups with this disease take 3 – 6 months to stabilize. Since joining our program, this sweet Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has had four ACTH tests to ascertain his cortisol levels and had his medicines adjusted to stabilize him.
Due to the generosity of our donors, he has also had a much-needed dental, with extractions, to allow his gum disease to heal. His tail was also amputated – only part-way – a complication of his untreated Cushing’s disease.
Now his skin is healing, his fur is growing back and he loves to wander the garden. Take a look at his latest home movie!
Duncan is ready for adoption and a more detailed overview is posted on our Rescue page. At this time, he is taking a daily dose of Trilosane to manage his Cushing’s disease and will be on it for the rest of his life.
If you would like to contribute to Duncan’s on-going care, please consider sending a donation to our paypal account (cavalierhelp@cavalieralliance.org) or consider sending a check to our address at: 64 Cedarwood Road, Boxborough, MA 01719.
