My plan was to breed Locki with Bella and then with Bonnie and Boo when they came into age. Unfortunately fate brought about a few blows to my plans. Firstly, Bella passed from thyroid carcinoma which was devasting to say the least.

Then when I went to mate Locki with Bonnie the veterinary reproductive specialist advised that Locki had no semen, that in fact he was sterile. After the initial shock I asked the specialised veterinarian, as prior to this Locki had a UTI, if this would be why and he resoundingly said no. So, after realising that I bought a dud stud dog, I decided to get him desexed and then possibly look at re-homing him.

Locki had excellent hip and elbow scores, however according to my very experienced veterinarian was advised that he would have arthritis issues as he aged which was another blow for this lovable boy. So at the tender age of 3 years, yes he indeed start having hip and elbow issues. He would easily pull a hammy and our walking ceased.

When you think that nothing else could happen Locki who was also susceptaible to entropion (a condition in which the eyelid rolls inward) decided to scratch his eye and off to surgery we went to fix the eyelids and repair the scratch to the eye. This recovery again meant wearing the very large “cone of silence” around his neck. It had to be hand made from two largest cones and along with this came “hot spots”.

Hot spots are another issue of concern for the bullmastiff and when Locki got them, which was every summer, they were big. I would have to pin him down with all my weight to shave the area so that I could treat it. He didn’t take too kindly to me doing this however persistance always wins in the end.

YAY! Locki made his 5th birthday and he was celebrated for being an older big brother to all the puppies and his mates. This big fella was intimidated by the little puppies and would run in the opposite direction whenever they were brought out to play. He had a fasincation for them from a distance, however just didn’t like them touching him. It was classic to watch this gentle giant leap frog over them in every effort to go in the opposite direction.

Our excitement was short lived as Locki passed very suddenly on 6th April 2024 (one month after turning 5 years) from a GDV (twisted stomach). Although there was not a lot we could do for him we rushed him to the vets only to have him pass away in the back of my car. An autospy revealed that this beautiful boy had an underlying lung issue which is probably what brought on or didn’t help him when this condition started.