This is Dobbyn, She is an AKC registerable Australian Shepard, except we never registered her. She was born March 2, 1992. Her father is a champion from Connecticut, and as soon as I find her file we'll even tell you his name! I finally found Dobbyn's records. Her father is Meri Mors Out Scout'in Bear from Harwinton, CT and her mother is Propwash Remarque from Hatfield, MA. Although she is not a rescued dog, her sister Sally, the Boston Terrier, is a rescued dog.

Dobbyn was born with a congenital eye defect; so she was spayed to prevent the spread of this problem. Dobbyn's page includes medical resources for animals on the net. The Australian Shepard HomePage has some great information on owning, caring for, and buying an Australian Shepard. In addition you can contact the Aussie Rescue and Placement Help line at 1-800-892-ASCA. Had I known about the rescue service when we started our Aussie search, I would have used it. Getting a rescued dog saves you money, and saves a life.

At eleven Dobbyn still acts like a spry 6 year old, except she's in need of some serious dental work. Recently she's started showing some signs of arthritis in her hips also. Glucosamine seems to relieve some of her pain, but I may consider perscription medications. (added 12/25/03). Dobbyn had oral surgery June 2, 2004 to remove a teratoma tumor from her mouth. A tooth was removed, along with major amounts of dental plaque and guck. ("Teratomas represent well-differentiated germ cell tumors arising from several embryonic germ cell layers." Web research claims theses tumors most often grow in genital areas, but it was in Dobbyn's MOUTH!! They're the ones that can produce bone, teeth and hair inside the tumor.) She is now a happy 12 year old, who acts like 8.(added 4/12/06).

Dobbyn died on February 28, 2006. When I can breathe again, I'll write more about the last years of her life. In the meantime, there is a large empty, black hole in ilene's machine.

Cyberspace Veterinary Sites:

    Canine Dental Disease
Dobbyn's mouth looks a whole lot worse than the dog pictured here. She has a severe abscess and is in need of surgical extraction.

    NetVet Veterinary Resources

    DVDU - Derwent Veterinary Drug File

    Veterinary Medical Database

    Encyclopedia of Canine Veterinary Medical Information

    American Veterinary Medical Association

Dobbyn in 1998

Dobbyn in 1992

Please note, my son drew the Boston Terrier icon and we'd appreciate it if you asked permission before reusing it. Thank you.