Meraki Cavaliers

11/16/2024

A little over 3 weeks old and trucking along.

11/03/2024

I start teaching them how to snuggle early.

10/28/2024

Pupdate from my first litter. This is Winston out of Rown and Tashi.

10/24/2024

The display outside my repro vet's office.

09/28/2024

I'm not sure what's going on here but it's very cute.

09/27/2024

This is a MUST READ for any breed you are thinking about purchasing. You buy the less expensive puppy you will pay more in the long run with vet visits because of potential serious health issues.

POTENTIAL OWNER: How much is the puppy?
BREEDER: $3,000+ dollars.
POTENTIAL OWNER: What?? It's way too expensive!!
BREEDER: What do you think would be a good price?
POTENTIAL OWNER: No more than $500. You breeders are so overpriced.
BREEDER: I am sorry you see it this way; why don't you try it yourself?
POTENTIAL OWNER: But I've never done it!
BREEDER: For FREE, I can teach you how to do it, and you will also have the knowledge of how to do it again.
POTENTIAL OWNER: Perfect, thank you!
BREEDER: To start, you will need a female(average cost $3500 and up)and a male(average cost $3500 and up) or semen (average $2000-$2500 and up). You will need to do & pass OFA Breed specific OFA health testing on them, which averages about $800+ per dog.
Let's not forget progesterone testings, inseminations, ultrasounds, x-rays, semen collections, semen analysis, potentially semen overnight shipping, and so on ($1500+).
Raise and provide daily care, feeding & grooming for two years. (minimal $250 per month) Oh, don’t forget monthly prevention, annual vet visits, and any other additional vet visits.
POTENTIAL OWNER: But I don't have that much money...
BREEDER: For $1200, you can raise a litter and then keep one of the puppies. Obviously, you will pay the cost of whelping & care.
POTENTIAL OWNER: I can do that.
BREEDER: OK, so I have a female due to whelp in 2 weeks. You will need to be available 24/7 around the clock for at least 9-12 weeks to help with delivery and care. ( a million loads of laundry) Another 4-plus weeks to monitor mom and puppies.
POTENTIAL OWNER: twelve weeks?? It's way too much time for me! I have to work.
BREEDER: Plus, You will need to be available for puppy families to call you 24/7 with a worry or concern, no matter the age. You MUST also be ready to take back the puppy/dog at any age if the family has an unforeseen emergency.
BREEDER: You will also need the reproductive vet to do progesterone testing($110/ test ), X-ray to get headcount ($100) & C-section($1000-$5000 if needed), and initial vet care on pups until old enough to be placed ($800+).
Have on hand a scale, thermometer, latex gloves, puppy pads, incubator, oxygen concentrator, nebulizer, heating lamp, whelping box, puppy pen, blankets, toys, bowls, cleaning supplies, appropriate food with supplements for mothers, formula, medications & hand feeding supplies in case of emergency...
POTENTIAL OWNER: But I don't have all these things!
BREEDER: For $5000+, you can buy them.
POTENTIAL OWNER: Ummm .... You know, I think it might be better if I just buy a puppy.
BREEDER: Wise decision.
For us, there are no vacations or holidays; while you go to visit with family & friends, we are home at our dogs' side caring for them. It is a no-break commitment.
THIS IS THE REALITY
When you choose a reputable person, you aren’t only purchasing the puppy but also knowledge, support, experience, love, time, sacrifices, etc...
**Plus the cost of lifetime support to the puppy owners…
These numbers are just the tip of the iceberg, (best-case scenario!!!) As a reputable breeder who takes on this journey full-time!
Very well said…
*Copied and edited from another breeder*

09/24/2024

I'm going to edit this to note that I consider myself to be an ethical preservation breeder and I meet two of the criteria identified below. I generally prefer cash or cashier's check for the balance due at the time of delivery and I will meet the puppy family somewhere convenient if they choose to, but I also generally take the mom and one or two other of my cavaliers with me.

It's not because I don't want them to see where my puppers live, but because I consider my relationship with my puppy families to be a partnership aimed at ensuring the best possible life for the puppy and a successful introduction and integration into their lifestyle. Not to mention, I turn on the puppy cam and it's in my living room and they can see pretty much the whole downstairs, from dirty floor to unwashed dishes, should that be the case. ;)

09/17/2024

Stole this from an email I just got. This is great. Might need a copy!

Winnie Au’s new photo book flips the script on the Elizabethan collars that dogs often have to wear after surgery. These one-of-a-kind cones are anything but shameful.

09/07/2024

08/29/2024

https://www.rvc.ac.uk/vetcompass/news/new-rvc-research-debunks-belief-that-designer-crossbreed-dogs-are-healthier-than-purebreds

New RVC research debunks belief that designer crossbreed dogs are healthier than purebreds  Published: 28 Aug 2024 | Last Updated: 28 Aug 2024 19:00:24 The RVC has undertaken the world’s largest study into the health of designer crossbreed dogs and revealed that the overall health of three common...

08/06/2024

It's a ruby boy sort of morning.

08/03/2024

How Cinder likes to spend Saturday morning.

08/01/2024

Definitely worth the time to read.

By: Michelle Scott The debates over type vs soundness are endless. Recently I was twice “accused” of wanting a sound dog during my judging so I decided to pencil down my thoughts on the subject. Do I want or expect dogs to be good on their feet? Definitely! But they must look like their breed as...

07/28/2024

Why black and tan boys are special.

#❤❤❤

07/27/2024

How about this?!

A new study suggests that mixed-breed dogs do not have a medical advantage over purebred dogs. Both experience many of the same common health concerns.