A flight to Australia for Ace.

I have been breeding Pedigree/purebred German Shepherds for six years, along the way you meet some pretty amazing families who purchase a pup and luckily for me I get to be a part of that families life and watch that pups journey.

Two years ago I was contacted by a family in Nelson, I had a beautiful litter for sale, this lovely lady named Carole was in search of a four pawed family member to complete there family, she was so eager but also so authentic, so I had to make this happen. So on the 26th of December 2015 I was up early and over to the airport to get this handsome 8 week old boy off on a plane.

Fast forward and with plenty of photo's video and conversations over the last two years between myself and Carole, tragedy struck in August this year, Axl's stomach filled with gas, it rolled and he slipped disc's in his spine from all the violent vomiting, Axl was rushed to the vet and all measures were used to save him, he made it through surgery, but the road back to recovery was not a simple one. Axl was in constant pain due to the disc slip and stomach surgery, he could not eat, so a feeding tube and medication line were inserted, his mental health started to grow weaker, and I suggested to a now very distraught Cooper family that what ever the outcome it would be better to take Axl home.

It will be to long of a story and way to emotional for me to express that this amazing family went above and beyond with around the clock nursing, feeding and maintaining medication, and of course over the top love for there boy, after Axl taking a one step forward and two steps back approach to recovery over a two month period. countless vet and specialist appointments, rehab to get him back on his feet etc, we all had to face the facts that Axl was not improving and could not eat for himself and despite all efforts perhaps he would not recover.

The decision was made on the 7th of October to end his pain and let him go, Axl's family and I were truly devastated.

Then on the 7th of November 1 month to the day of losing Axl I was contacted by Axl's brother's family in Christchurch, they no longer wanted Ace now two years old, there situation had changed and they felt they were not giving Ace enough attention, and he was spending all day alone loose in there backyard and he was causing problems with there neighbours with constant barking. I felt helpless being in the North Island, so although I did not want to reach out to Carole and her family for help I had no option.

I messaged Carole to ask if she knew of anyone who could help take Ace out of his current situation until I could arrange a permanent home or a flight back to me, within minutes of sending the message Carole replied with "we will take him" I was blown away, and so appreciative, Carole flew from Nelson to Christchurch paying for the flights on her credit card, picked Ace up and took him to there home.

Ace was in a bad way, Carole took him straight into there vet, he was full of internal parasites, under weight, his coat was poor, and he had been on a sub standard diet to say the least, he had no training and would not walk on a lead.

Firstly Ace received love, unconditional love, the best vet care, and a high quality diet and of course time and patience from this amazing family, Ace has come far in a month, and has settled in with his family.

Carole and her family had stated they would foster Ace until such time that he was ready and we all found the best possible new home for him, although secretly I have hoped that Carole and her family would give Ace a permanent home as he is Axl's brother and if in some small way he could help them heal after there loss that would be a bonus.

Unfortunately the family have been offered a job opportunity in Australia, and after much heartache they simply cannot afford to take Ace with them at a cost of $4,500. There debt from Axl's battle is still so high, total cost was over $10,000 so this is where I have come in, I have to help them and keep Ace with them, they want Ace with them and if I haven't made it clear enough, this family are one in a million, so if I can help in a small way to ensure this family and Ace stay together then that's what I have to try.