Elvis Braveheart is three years old today, December 13, 2005! Elvis came to me in June of 2003, when he was almost 6 months old.  He came to me sick and having been diagnosed with a severe heart murmur that would eventually lead to his death.  No one knew how long he'd live, but the three vets I talked to all said a few years at best.  He would die of congestive heart failure and would soon be put on medication he'd have to take for the rest of his life.  I was supposed to restrict his activities and not allow him to run and play. This was his first day home.  I woke up to this face and was totally in love. He was so tiny, only 2 pounds.  He was scared and unsure and untrusting, but he responded immediately to love.  Toby was so mad and would not come around me for days and Elvis was so happy running and chasing Toby.  Toby was miserable. Everyone wanted to see how small he was, so I put him next to this can.  I still have this sweater, it is so tiny! After taking Elvis to my own vet and getting the same diagnosis, I decided to do some research on my own.  No one seemed to be able to tell me specifics, or facts, about his condition and his future.  I felt like something could be done and I wanted to exhaust all my options before I decided to just accept his future. I went to the C.A.R.E. Center in Cincinnati and saw a wonderful doctor, who immediately told me the other doctors were wrong.  She listened to his heart and said she suspected he had a hole in his heart, or a PDA, and that she could fix it.  We had to go through several expensive tests to confirm the PDA, but the news was good.  The doctor said that, at six months old, Elvis was so lucky that he didn't already have heart muscle damage from the blood gushing out and hitting his heart or that he didn't already have congestive heart failure.  If he had either of these, she would not have done the surgery. Time was of the essense, as every day we waited risked heart damage.  After several scares from test results (including a Bile Acid test for Liver Shunt), Elvis finally had his surgery.  He was so little and did not respond well the first few days.  I went to visit him and he didn't even respond to me, and seemed so frail. The next day the doctors were concerned because he wouldn't eat.  They wouldn't even think to let him go home until he could eat.  I cooked him some chicken (the beginings of another chicken monster!) and I took Toby with me for our visit. Elvis saw Toby and his eyes just sparkled and I could see his little spirit coming back!  He gobbled down the chicken and even tried to play with Toby.  His whole side was shaved and he had an incision and stitches all up his side, but he wanted to play with Toby. This is the C.A.R.E. Center in Blue Ash, Ohio, near Cincinnati. I cried all the way home that day and felt such relief.  I think I had not let myself love him completely yet (I had only had him a short time) because I was afraid I was going to lose him.  I could feel the fear leaving my heart and could feel how much love I had for this little guy.  He was so brave (and was later dubbed 'Braveheart'). I was able to pick him up a few days later and he was perfect.  I held him close and could feel his heart beating perfectly.  Before the surgery it was irratic and now it was beating completely normally.  He seemed like a totally different dog. I was supposed to keep him quiet for awhile, but he was jumping on Toby within minutes of coming in the door. This is the nurse bring Elvis out to me to take home. What a brave little guy! Here he is in the car on the way home. He was really happy to be going home. Once home, he slept a lot, but he also was very playful.   He tired easily and it took quite some time for him to get completely well. After Elvis came home from his surgery, Toby seemed to know that Elvis was special.  Toby's attitude changed and the two of them have been the best of buddies ever since.  Toby put up with a lot of abuse from little Elvis, like Elvis pulling the hair out of Toby's topknot, but Toby never acted bothered again. The first day home, Elvis was jumping all over Toby wanting to play. A year after Elvis' surgery, I was able to have him neutered and he was given a completely excellent prognosis.  He doesn't have to go to any other heart doctors or have any follow up.  His life expectancy is the same as any other Yorkie. Elvis' next big adventure was about a year after the surgery, when we packed up and Toby, Elvis and I drove out to our new home of Santa Barbara, CA.  He loves it here and loves to walk on the beach and especially loves his new daddy, Chuck. Elvis has been on many adventures, and will go on many more. He spent his first Christmas in California on the beach, of course. And spent many other days on the beach, as well.... Every once in a while he goes for a swim... Ah, we all gotta rest sometime..... Elvis is a wonderful boy and everyone that meets him falls in love with him. He really does have something special about him, and every time I see him so happy and healthy and ALIVE, I am so glad I listened to MY heart and not to what everyone else told me.  We have had some very special angels in our lives that have helped us and helped Elvis, especially.  We pray that his health remains as it is and have no reason to suspect any problems.  We are truly so very blessed to have this little boy in our lives and in our hearts.   Happy Birthday, little guy! Have some cake, enjoy the beach and Leave a birthday message for Elvis    Beware of Bad Breeders Elvis came from what I call a "bad breeder".  A bad breeder is someone who breeds for the money, not for the health and betterment of the breed.   His breeder breeds specifically for tinies, and tinies often are born with heart problems and many other health issues.   I adopted Elvis, he is a rescue.  I didn't find the breeder or purchase him.  I took him into my home knowing that he might not live very long.  He was purchased to be a stud in another kennel and his heart condition was found when he was getting the vet check to go on the plane.  He stayed at the breeder until someone approached me about taking him. I have learned so much through all of this.  I try to educate people who are looking for a Yorkie, but many people don't want to listen. There are so many bad breeders out there, especially on the internet.  There are so many things you should check on before you purchase any dog of any breed.   I learned that Elvis' breeder did not take his parent's out of her breeding program, and I believe his father is still producing pups somewhere.  So, be careful where you buy your pup and do your research!  There is a lot of good information on the internet about what to look for in finding a good Yorkie breeder, or a good breeder of any breed.  Care enough to take the time to learn! Information on Canine PDA's (Patent Ductus Arteriosus) Some links to information about 'Bad Breeders' Imom.com Bad Breeders and Sick Puppies Bad Breeder's List Do your research when buying any animal.  Know the breed characteristics, use Google.com OFTEN, and join dog groups and ask questions. Don't always take your vet's advice, either.  They are only human and are fallible. You are responsible to yourself and to your animal.  Make sure YOU know the facts and you've done the research.