I decided after lots of reading that a Staffy would be a great family dog for us. I initially looked at buying through a registered breeder, and at the time I thought I could not justify the $2500 to purchase one. But after all the dramas I have had this year, I have realised these dogs are worth their purchase price, when you have breeders who health test their breeding pairs, and don't breed genetic faults, and where the puppies stay with their mum until they are rehomed at 8 weeks or older. Yes they may not be fed the ultimate raw diet, but at least its better quality dry, and some do include some raw also. This first 8 weeks is crucial to their life long health.

I looked at several litters bred by Back Yard Breeders (ie those who throw 2 dogs together and hope for the best) some puppies did look very healthy etc, but one litter did not. They were so small, all their skin was peeling from their tails and legs, and they had sores on their paw pads. All were so dehydrated, their little bellies looked like prunes and their skin on their back of their necks did not drop at all. The people had no idea. The mother dog had apparently escaped and was hit and killed by a car (the father also got out, but was not killed) when the puppies were only 4 weeks old. Immediately they started them on watered down tinned food, and no extra water, as they thought the puppies would drown in the water bowl. I felt so sorry for these puppies, but initially went away not planning on buying one. But I went back, and Marley was the smallest one out of the 8, and I decided I had to buy him. I knew I would be buying problems, but I didn't care.
I went straight to the vet for a check up, and he was full of worms (saw on scope), and he had gastritis from the worms, he was given an injection of ivermectin. The rest I did at home. Straight away on raw chicken, and raw goats milk, I got up and fed him during the night. He weighed 936 g on that first day at 6 weeks old. To make things worse for him, he was vaccinated 2 days prior to me buying him, but a vet who deemed the entire litter healthy. Unbelievable. Its clear which vets do this just to make money :( Marleys immune system is now very weak, but with time and a few supplements along with the raw diet, I believe it will be strong soon enough.
Following this post, will be dates, and what I did for him on each date, so I can bring this blog up to date on his journey.