Clifford was born with a cleft palate and not expected to live. The breeders could have just let him die, but they dropper fed him and when he gained enough strength, they got him surgery to repair his cleft palate. They still advertised him as adoptable on their website, but didn't really think he would ever leave their home.
July 2003: The Davis family was looking for a dog. I stumbled across this website and immediately fell in love with the little white and black ball of fur. After discussing it with the family, and the breeder, we decided to buy Cliff. And believe me when I tell you this, he was NOT cheap. French Bulldogs are expensive little dogs, but we did get Cliff 1/2 off. But honestly, he's worth every bit as much as one of the "healthy" ones!
Blakely and I drove over four hours to pick him up. He rode all the way home with us without ANY trouble. He did bring his "baby" (stuffed toy) with him. Little did I know how important this baby was to him. I'll get to that in a sec.
Arriving in FC, Clifford won the hearts of the whole family immediately. He was just so darn cute! In spite of his handicap, we thought he was just perfect. However, over the years we have dealt with and are dealing with the following "issues":
1. Cleft palate, while repaired, still causes him trouble eating and drinking.
2. Born with the red mange, a skin disease. He can't help that he stinks. ;)
3. One of his testicles did not drop down. So when we went to repair, discovered not only did it not drop but it was wound around his intestines. That was horrible.
4. While repairing his little tatas (actually spaying him), the vet discovered not one, not two, but THREE hietal (sp) hernias. One still remains distended on his belly, while two were repaired.
5. He passes gas often and out loud.
6. He likes to take his paw and rub on his wee-wee. You'd have to see it to believe it.
7. He has lots of trouble breathing. He cannot get overheated, he could die.
8. He has ground down/lost most of his teeth.
9. He has lost most of his hearing.
10. He now has cataracts and can barely see.
11. Oh, and his tongue is too long for his mouth.
I could probably think of a couple of more, but I think this gives you a pretty good idea of just how "special" he is....and we wouldn't have him any other way. :)
Back to his "baby," because he never got to nurse on his momma, his baby is his substituted teat. He is not loyal to any of his baby toys. Santa has to bring him a new baby every Christmas. Usually, the baby lasts all year. Sometimes, I have to buy one before Santa can get here. It can't be just any stuffed animal either, it has to have a certain size nose and paws for optimum nursing. Again, you'd have to see this to believe it.
Yesterday, he turned 8 years old which is 56 in dog years. We can tell he is getting older. Not so much from all his medical issues (we are used to those), but because he's slowed down... a lot. I hope he lives forever, but I know that within the next few years our worst fears could happen. For now, though, we won't talk about it.
I am writing this because I never get to be the lovey dovey Cliff owner. I am his Alpha Dog. I am the one who makes sure he is taken care of. He may love AD and Blakely more, but he is loyal to me. I just wanted to write that I do love him and taking care of him is my way of showing it. Somebody's got to keep him out of prison. ;)
Hope you enjoyed reading about the 4th member of our family. We love him. Later blog readers......
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