Features

Site mascot Eno, celebrated his 11th birthday today, July 18th, 2005—a major milestone for a Bernese Mountain Dog.

This breed has an average lifespan of around 8 years due to size (big dogs have shorter lifespans in general) as well as a variety of health issues includng cancer.

Mr. Eno has had 3 different cancers: two of which were dealt with using radiation therapy. His latest cancer is lymphoma, which is being treated with chemotherapy. Despite the grueling treatments, he's loving every minute of his long life, as are we.

In a more serious note. PLEASE don't buy a dog from a puppy mill or pet shop. Don't buy a dog from the Amish. Despite their wholesome, benign image, they are notoriously cruel puppy mill breeders operating mostly in Pennsylvania and Ohio.

And please remember: a dog's being "AKC registered" means nothing. Buy only from a reputable breeder. The best way to buy a dog is by going to a dog shows and talking with as many owners and handlers of the breed as you can, keeping in mind that the politics of the dog world are often more odious than that of audio or music. Yes! It's that stinky—and that's not counting the dog poop!

Finally, be sure to become acquainted with the needs and behaviors of the breed you are considering. They vary greatly and you cannot expect a dog to "compromise" its behaviors to suit your! It's the other way around, so choose a breed compatible with your lifestyle. Dogs are not fashion accessories.

For instance, while Bernese Mountain Dogs are a wonderful breed, they are prone to various cancers (as are a number of other breeds), and they can have hip and other problems. Even buying from the best breeder cannot prevent those problems, but knowing the bloodline can surely help you avoid these problems as much as possible.

End of sermon, but if you do all of that, you may be lucky enough to have a wonderful dog like Mr. Eno, who managed to reach his 11th birthday in good health and better spirits! We are lucky to have had such a wonderful friend at all, and especially to have had him for this long!