Leavitt Bulldog Association

Old Olde English Bulldogge

Posted by Joe A <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/LBA/info/user=JoeA' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 6, 2012, 7:09 pm

Hi Everyone. Not sure where to start... I have an Olde English Bulldogge (Leavitt blood lines, from Standing Stones Kennel) named Indie, that is over 15 years old now. She's undoubtedly losing steam these days. She's deaf, has a hard time getting around (osteoarthritis in hips/lower back), gets tired/winded easily, but otherwise seems to be doing ok. She survived bloat & torsion (D&V) surgery about two and a half years ago, has been across the US twice, tolerated our two children that are 8 and 4, lived on the East Coast, the West Coast, and back to the East Coast. The dog is a trooper... I really have no idea how she is still alive other than sheer stubbornness. Even though I almost lost her back in 2010 to the bloat & torsion, and a few scares since then, I am not prepared for her to go... and I don't think anything will help prepare me... and I'll just leave that at that. Health-wise, she checks out well except for a red blood cell count (hematocrit) that has been slowly dropping over the last couple of years. It recently reached the low end of what would be considered normal range. Vet thinks that there is not much that can be done that would be viable given her age... I tend to agree. Also, some weight loss over roughly the same time frame. She did lose her spleen during the bloat surgery, so maybe that's a couple pounds there. lol. These days, she's about 62 pounds, where she used to weigh about 70-72 (ideal weight). Bottom line, she doesn't appear to be in any pain, is as stubborn as always, and is happy to see me every day when I come home... nope, she can't hear, but is always up within 5-10 minutes of me getting home.

I just wanted to share our story with the community!

Re: Old Olde English Bulldogge

Posted by Marian <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/LBA/info/user=Marian' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 15, 2012, 12:50 pm, in reply to "Old Olde English Bulldogge"

It is stories like yours that make me strive to do my best as a breeder. To hear of your dog living the good life as a loved family member and to see her doing well at age 15 is an inspiration. Thank you so much for sharing.

www.legacyleavittbulldogs.com

Re: Old Olde English Bulldogge

Posted by Joe A <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/LBA/info/user=JoeA' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 13, 2012, 11:03 am, in reply to "Old Olde English Bulldogge"

Thank you all for the wonderful responses! It warms my heart knowing that there others that have had bulldogs like Indie... stubborn, incessant, feisty, mischievous, etc. All very good words to describe Indie. She's outgrown a lot of that, but the determination and stubbornness is still very much in her. She doesn't try to knock our kids over anymore, but she will still step on them if they're in her way.

I have to dig around my photo backups... I know I have pictures of Britta and the rest of the litter somewhere.

I'm starting to wonder now, is there an oldest Leavitt Bulldog on record?

Re: Old Olde English Bulldogge

Posted by Laure <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/LBA/info/user=Laure' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 15, 2012, 5:32 am, in reply to "Re: Old Olde English Bulldogge"

I think it was 18 years old. And I've recently heard of a female living up to 15. Their avarage lifespan is pretty good for molossers.

Re: Old Olde English Bulldogge

Posted by Joe A <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/LBA/info/user=JoeA' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 15, 2012, 7:20 pm, in reply to "Re: Old Olde English Bulldogge"

Indie turned 15 in August and she's old, but 18.... WOW!

Re: Old Olde English Bulldogge

Posted by Carol M <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/LBA/info/user=Carol+M' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 12, 2012, 8:44 pm, in reply to "Old Olde English Bulldogge"

Joe - Congratulations on having your Indie with you for so many years. I, too, knew your dog's mother. Our Phoebe was a half-sister to Britta and Caesar. Indie's grandfather Otis was the reason my husband and I felt we had to have this breed of dog in our lives. Otis was beautiful inside and out and Britta was a lot like him.

We lost Phoebe in 2005 at the age of 10. She was a little spitfire and we missed her terribly.

We now have an 8-year-old Leavitt, Mergenthaler's Hercules, and he is as spunky now as he was five years ago when we got him. I remember him getting off of the transport van with a "honey, I'm home" attitude. He is such a great little character. I hope we will have him with us for many more years.

It sounds like Indie has a great spirit and is comfortable and happy. What a tribute to the love and care you have given her all these years.

Re: Old Olde English Bulldogge

Posted by Altajoe <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/LBA/info/user=altajoe' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 12, 2012, 11:23 am, in reply to "Old Olde English Bulldogge"

Joe,

It's wonderful to hear about an Olde that has blown away life expectancy targets. Cheers to Indie.

I also feel a bit of a connection to Indie. My wife and I were parents to her Uncle Caesar. Caesar and Britta were litter mates and I still remember watching Britta and Caesar romping around the living room peeing and pooping all over the carpet between wrestling matches when they were a mere 4 weeks old. Britta was such a beautiful little girl.

Caesar was such a mischievous boy that "Grandma" always said that if he was a boy he'd be in reform school. It was that indomitable personality that made him such a part of us. He left us back in 2005 and it broke our hearts. I'm so happy for you that you are able to enjoy Indie for so much longer than most.

Re: Old Olde English Bulldogge

Posted by jmp <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/LBA/info/user=jmp' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 8, 2012, 1:53 pm, in reply to "Old Olde English Bulldogge"

We wish you a happy day full of his company, wonderful story

cordially

Re: Old Olde English Bulldogge

Posted by Marie <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/LBA/info/user=Marie' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 8, 2012, 8:47 am, in reply to "Old Olde English Bulldogge"
Top Notch Bulldogs

Welcome Joe. Thanks for sharing your story with us. You seem to have an amazing dog that is as stubborn as they come..lol

We also had one of those... Our girl was 12, we recently had to put her down. She was hit by a car, broke her leg, had a rod and pins put in it. Was also shot by a hunter, but that old gal was stubborn too and survived both tragedies. She stayed strong through it all but at age 12 her battle wounds caught up to her.

Anyhow, it is nice to see more and more of these dogs living a long happy life. Thanks again, we all really appreciate you taking the time to share with us.

Life is to good to be bothered by ignorant people.

Re: Old Olde English Bulldogge

Posted by annelies <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/LBA/info/user=annelies' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 7, 2012, 1:26 pm, in reply to "Old Olde English Bulldogge"

Whauw what an old lady she is...amazing..
Good to hear she is still a happy Bulldog...

Gr Marco and Annelies
http://www.sundancebulldogs.nl/

Proud member of the L.B.A.E.
http://www.leavittbulldogassociationeurope.com/

Re: Old Olde English Bulldogge

Posted by FREEDOMBULLS <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/LBA/info/user=Barry+and+Cindy' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 7, 2012, 3:23 am, in reply to "Old Olde English Bulldogge"

Wow incredible

Also looking very good for that old age

Do you also have pictures when she was in top shape
And who are the parents?

Gr Barry and Cindy

Freedombulls breed to''succeed''
http://www.freedombulls.com

Proud member of the L.B.A.E
http://www.leavittbulldogassociationeurope.com/

Link: http://www.freedombulls.com/

Re: Old Olde English Bulldogge

Posted by Joe A <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/LBA/info/user=JoeA' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 7, 2012, 1:01 pm, in reply to "Re: Old Olde English Bulldogge"

Her parents were Fletcher Jenkins and Britannia from Standing Stones.

Here she is in 2008:

2004:

And, back in 1999:

Re: Old Olde English Bulldogge

Posted by Freedobulls <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/LBA/info/user=Barry+and+Cindy' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 7, 2012, 2:53 pm, in reply to "Re: Old Olde English Bulldogge"
Freedombulls

Very nice ;-)

Freedombulls breed to''succeed''
http://www.freedombulls.com

Proud member of the L.B.A.E
http://www.leavittbulldogassociationeurope.com/

Re: Old Olde English Bulldogge

Posted by Laure <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/LBA/info/user=Laure' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 7, 2012, 3:08 am, in reply to "Old Olde English Bulldogge"

Wow 15 years old! Very impressive. I know what you're talking about: that stubborness. That's what I call bulldog heart.

I lost my almost 13 years old old female few weeks ago, but she was under pain killers for years (and deaf too).

I wish you still lots of time with her... that's priceless. And thanks for sharing your/her story and pictures.

Regards

Laure

Re: Old Olde English Bulldogge

Posted by Joe A <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/LBA/info/user=JoeA' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 6, 2012, 8:01 pm, in reply to "Old Olde English Bulldogge"

Here's a couple of recent pictures of her...

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