PROTEIN

Protein

Proteins are made up of amino acids, in predefined chains that determine their roles within the body. Amino acids, which are produced by the breakdown of dietary proteins in the digestive tract, play a role in synthesis of proteins needed to build and repair organs and tissues, transport molecules, send messages from one organ to another (hormones) and help combat disease (antibodies). Good sources of proteins are from animal products (meat, offal and fish) and some vegetable products (cereal gluten, rice and soy). Some physiological conditions require more protein than others; for example growth, gestation, lactation or physical activity are demanding in terms of protein utilisation. Dogs and cats use 30-35% of dietary protein to maintain skin and coat health.

Amino acids

Building blocks of proteins

Background

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and their derivatives. Proteins include a total of 20 different amino acids, only 11 (cats) or 10 (dogs) of which are essential; that means they cannot be produced by the body so must be provided in the diet.

Role in the body

Amino acids are required by the body to ensure healthy physiological function. Without essential amino acids, the growth of kittens and puppies will be slow and health may be compromised. Processes such as nitrogenous waste elimination and haemoglobin synthesis will be disrupted in deficient adult animals.

Common sources

All dietary proteins of animal or plant origin are composed of a series of chemically bound interlinked amino acids. Dietary proteins of ‘high biological value’ are those that combine good digestibility and a high content of essential amino acids, such as egg, meat (including organ meats such as heart, kidney, liver and lung), fish proteins and cereal glutens.

Deficiency and excess

The absence of any of the essential amino acids from the diet stops the synthesis of essential proteins. Under these conditions, the animal then breaks down body tissue to provide the required amino acids, seriously compromising health.

Methionine and cysteine

Key ingredients in the hair protein, keratin

Background

Methionine and cysteine are sulphur amino acids that are important for the synthesis of the hair protein, keratin. The keratin synthesis needed to maintain skin and hair can account for up to 30% of an adult dog’s daily protein requirement.

Role in the body

Methionine is essential within the diet. Cysteine can be synthesized from methionine. However, if cysteine is provided in sufficient quantities, it helps free up methionine for other functions. The metabolism of sulphur amino acids produces sulphuric acid, which is eliminated through the urine. A carnivore’s natural diet, rich in sulphur amino acids, therefore tends to produce acidic urine.

Common sources

Methionine and cysteine are particularly abundant in fish and egg proteins, as well as casein. Wheat and maize glutens are also very rich sources.

Deficiency and excess

A deficiency of methionine and cysteine can result in hair loss, slow hair growth and a generally dry and brittle appearance of hair.

Taurine

Healthy eyesight, healthy heart, natural antioxidant

Background

Taurine is only essential for cats as, unlike dogs, they cannot synthesise it themselves. Taurine was discovered in 1826 in the bile of cattle (Bos taurus), hence its name. It is a sulphur amino acid found in most animal tissue. Unlike other essential amino acids, it does not have any role in protein synthesis. For reasons yet to be fully understood, wet cat food requires twice the level of taurine supplementation of dry food, to allow the cat to absorb adequate levels of the nutrient.

Role in the body

Taurine enables the liver to synthesise bile salts. It also works by regulating calcium flow into and out of the cells and has a role in healthy cardiac function. Taurine is required for healthy reproduction, healthy eyesight and hearing. It is an important antioxidant, as well as playing a role as a precursor for the synthesis of complex fats (glycosphingolipids), that support the barrier function of the skin.

Common sources

Animal protein sources, in particular the organs (e.g. heart, kidney, liver), are the main natural sources of taurine.

Deficiency and excess

Taurine deficiency can result in feline central retinal degeneration (FCRD) and subsequent blindness, inadequate immune response, poor growth, and poor reproductive function including decreased live birth rate and congenital birth defects.

Arginine

Essential amino acid for growth and urea production

Background

Arginine is important for the synthesis of urea from ammonia. In the absence of arginine, cats rapidly develop clinical signs of ammonia intoxication (hyperammonaemia), which include vomiting, hypersalivation and nerve problems. This deficiency may prove fatal within hours if left untreated.

Role in the body

In addition to its involvement in the excretion of ammonia, arginine plays a role in blood vessel relaxation and the release of several hormones.

Common sources

Arginine is abundant in meat including organs. Gelatine is a rich source.

Deficiency and excess

Arginine free diets are associated with excessive salivation, muscle tremors, vomiting and death. In the long term, marginal arginine deficiency can lead to cataract development. Signs of deficiency tend to be more severe in cats than dogs. As ammonia is produced from the breakdown of protein, the higher the protein content of the diet the higher the arginine requirement.

Lysine

Essential amino acid for the synthesis of all proteins

Background

Lysine is often the first limiting amino acid in the diet, which means it has the greatest risk of being deficient if a pet food is not carefully formulated. Lysine is sensitive to heat, and during pet food processing it undergoes a chemical reaction with sugar (Maillard reaction), thought to be important for generating flavours and aromas.

Role in the body

Lysine is an essential amino acid that is used for the synthesis of proteins.

Common sources

Lysine is abundant in animal sources especially muscle tissue. Soy proteins are also a good source.

Deficiency and excess

Lysine is an essential amino acid that must be provided in the diet. Deficiency can lead to reduced food intake and weight loss. Too much lysine in puppies can cause signs of arginine deficiency.

Phenylalanine and tyrosine

Thyroid and adrenal gland function, hair pigmentation

Background

Phenylalanine and tyrosine are aromatic amino acids (so named because of their ring structure) that are vital for the production of pheomelanins (yellow to red pigments) and eumelanin (brown to black pigments) that define the colour of an animal’s coat. Of the aromatic amino acids, only phenylalanine is considered to be essential. Tyrosine can be synthesised from phenylalanine. However, if tyrosine is provided in sufficient quantities, it helps free up phenylalanine for other functions.

Role in the body

Phenylalanine is essential for the production of thyroid hormones and other key metabolites as well as being vital for tyrosine synthesis. Besides its role in hair and iris pigmentation, tyrosine is also a dopamine, noradrenalin and adrenalin precursor. These molecules are required for the proper functioning of the brain and in reproduction.

Common sources

Phenylalanine is found in most animal protein sources such as beef,pork, poultry and fish. Tyrosine is either provided directly in the diet or synthesised from phenylalanine, an essential amino acid. Rice is the only vegetable source to contain useful quantities of tyrosine.

Deficiency and excess

Signs of deficiency include neurological dysfunction, uncoordinated gait and hyperactivity in cats. In dogs, signs include weight loss and reduced food intake, and reddening of black coats.

With phenylalanine and tyrosine

Without phenylalanine and tyrosine

Branched chain amino acids (BCAA)

Essential amino acids for synthesis of muscle proteins

Background

Leucine, isoleucine and valine constitute the class of branched chain amino acids (BCAA)within the essential amino acid family. The body is unable to make them sufficiently quickly, and therefore a dietary source is required.

Role in the body

Leucine, isoleucine and valine stimulate the synthesis of proteins and slow their breakdown in the muscles. The effectiveness of BCAA in both these actions appears to diminish with age. BCAA help increase lean mass and help prevent muscle wasting.

Common sources

Leucine, isoleucine and valine are commonly found in muscle meats including beef, lamb and poultry.

Deficiency and excess

Deficiency of any of the BCAA can result in weight loss and lethargy. Deficiency of isoleucine in particular can result in rough coat, lesions on the paws and an uncoordinated gait.

Histidine

A structural protein

Background

Histidine was first isolated in 1896. Histidine acts as a precursor for a number of important compounds.

Role in the body

Besides its structural function in proteins, histidine is a precursor for a number of neurological compounds such as histamine.

Common sources

Meat is a good source of histidine. It is present in particularly high concentrations in blood.

Deficiency and excess

Histidine deficiency can result in weight loss and refusal to eat. In cats, even a marginal deficiency when fed over a long period of time can result in cataracts.

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Threonine

Essential for energy production

Background

Threonine is an alpha amino acid and is the only essential amino acid to contain an alcohol group within its structure.

Role in the body

Threonine acts as a precursor for a number of metabolically active molecules including pyruvate, involved in the production of energy.

Common sources

Poultry, fish, lamb, pork and beef are all good dietary sources of threonine.

Deficiency and excess

Threonine deficiency can result in weight loss and refusal to eat in both cats and dogs. In cats, even a marginal deficiency can result in nervous system problems.

Tryptophan

Required for hormone production

Background

Tryptophan was first isolated in 1901 and is a precursor of many important metabolic molecules.

Role in the body

Tryptophan acts as the precursor of niacin synthesis in dogs. Although cats do have the ability to synthesise niacin from tryptophan, the activity of the enzyme picolinic carboxylase diverts tryptophan away from this function. Tryptophan also acts as the precursor of serotonin and melatonin.

Common sources

Poultry, fish and soy are excellent sources of tryptophan.

Deficiency and excess

Tryptophan deficiency can result in refusal to eat and weight loss.

CH BANCROFT'S BLUE EYES (4XW)

http://www.apbt.online-pedigrees.com/modules.php?name=Public&file=printPedigree&dog_id=48743

Many breeders always try to breed better dogs than both parents, after all, if you don't try to improve with each generation, your dogs and your success will fall by the wayside. BLUE has quite a pedigree and to elaborate on it seems appropriate.

BLUE's father, Busdrivers' CH TY, was a good dog with average bite and good wrestling ability. His gameness was proved in his last match against Carter's STARE, I believe a product of Mason's CH HOG, in 1:57. His other two fights were not very tough, especially his second when he was conditioned and handled by the late Bert Clouse. TY's sire was Jackson's AMOS MOSES, a littermate to Carver's DIAMOND, and I believe a two time winner. TY's dam was Henneke's COWGIRL, who also produced a two time winner called STOMPASON.

BLUE's dam, my RED DARLING bitch, was never matched due to the fact she lost all her teeth in a game test. RED DARLING's sire was the two time winner Jackson's TOAD, a littermate to Bancroft's CH SPADE, double bred off Walling's BULLYSON. RED DARLING had three littermates make it to the pit, the best of which was Petrie's BUDDHA. RED DARLING's dam was my KNUCKLES bitch, she was by Carver's DIAMOND out of Tonn's CH MISS J. MISS J was out of AMOS MOSES.

BLUE being out of the first litter I ever bred and raised, is special to me. He was named BLUE because he had blue eyes as a pup, they later turned gold. He is definitely a product of selective breeding. He has more talent and bite than either parent and is as game as either. Imagine a Champion in the first try at breeding!

His first match was into a dog from the east called DARTH VADAR at 49 pounds. It was the first time out for each and VADAR stood the line for his third at 0:50.

The second was into a dog from the Wilder bloodline, named 3-TOOTH, and he was also a one time winner. This time it was at 50 pounds. BLUE was getting the old ride the head treatment at the start and was having trouble getting in. By 0:20 BLUE finally drove him into a corner and went into the chest which let the air out of 3-TOOTH's balloon. 3-TOOTH stood the line his second time up.

GR CH SCHOOL TEACHER'S SHEP

BLUE's third was against a dog named APOLLO, who had previously beat a good dog from the Midwest. Again at 50 pounds. From the start it was easy to see that APOLLO had the skill and finesse to ride the head and he had the bite to go along. When BLUE could not get in for the first hour, I knew we were in for a long one. The pace was very fast for big dogs, BLUE would hurt APOLLO in flurries, but it was clear that APOLLO was in great shape and was such an athlete that he would dominate the action. By 1:30 BLUE was the down dog and was being drug around. I knew I was in trouble now and just prayed to get a handle to get BLUE up. With every handle and scratch BLUE went hard and straight, even though he got the worst of it when he got there. At 1:45 APOLLO's handler fouled but the referee only warned him. After a couple more APOLLO seemed to be losing interest and got busted in the corner on BLUE's scratch. Finally at 2:11 APOLLO came half way across and then went to a neutral corner. BLUE ran a courtesy scratch and then went home a Champion!

CH. BLUE...The Dog Behind Schoolteacher's GR. CH. SHEP 

COLBY'S PINCHER (24XW) 1910

http://www.apbt.online-pedigrees.com/modules.php?name=Public&file=printPedigree&dog_id=5650

Pinscher's pit record is vague, and for that reason he has been a subject of some controversy. However, Colby always referred to him as one of his all-time great dogs, and others who were in the area during Pinscher's heyday confirm his greatness. He apparently was game and a killing punisher. Most of our dogs have him in their pedigrees if we trace them back far enough. For those who wonder about the name, there were no Dobermans back in those days, and pinscher was the German word for "terrier". Unfortunately, that leaves us with another mystery: why would an Irishman give the German name for terrier to a box-headed dog like Pinscher?

Colby's Pincher was a white dog with black patches. He weighed 72 lbs. (32,659 kg), chain and better conditioning weight was 56 lbs. (25,401 kg). 

Pincher beat on more than 20 dogs and never found one that could face him over 40 min. He was a working dog in the throat and chest, and his determination was only do in a short period of time. No dog that has fought Pincher and has managed to survive, and served for stud dog, or to guard or fight. His ability to hit was amazing and is rarely found in ordinary pit dogs. 

Pincher became one of the most famous dogs in the world fights. Fans came from all over New England to see the great Pincher. Dogmen Boston area throughout the country seeking a dog that could overcome. They invested a lot of money fighting dogs to face against Pincher, who only made ​​them lose their dogs and their money. 

The money earned by Pincher battles, stud services and the sale of puppies, resulting in over $ 7,000.00, a record hard to beat for any man and dog. 

Pincher was considered the best dog catch weight in the country during his tenure. Fans who got dogs or puppies blood near Pincher highly valued and received good pay for their puppies. 

Despite his fighting weight, he was a docile dog to train and loved to do. He possessed a kindly disposition and was very good nature, except when he was in the pit. Pincher lived to be an old dog, but in his later years became blind at what they did everything they could to help. Anyway, he died naturally and went to where all the good dogs fighting.

THE BOYSCOUT'S BAD BOY

http://www.apbt.online-pedigrees.com/modules.php?name=Public&file=printPedigree&dog_id=32373

This dog was given to me at 10 months of age by my long time friend Gee-Man. Gee-Man called me up and said that he had a male that was destroying his house and had to move him and was wondering if I was interested. He told me this male was out of Lil Nardi, son of Lenny's Ch. Beast, and Diamond, daughter of Giroux' CH. Booger ROM. This was one of the last breedings Gee-Man ever made himself. I was told that Lil Nardi was chosen over his brother Butch as stud because he bit harder.

Gweedo, as his name was (after the reverend Gweedo Sardoochie from SNL), was brought home with me to NC and later rolled twice at 16 and 18 months. Each time showing a treamendous mouth, both rolls had to be stopped as his first was against a Red Boy dog who was too game to realize that he was going to be killed and kept scratching with a busted shoulder. His second was into a Panther male who punished his muzzle, while taking punishment to his chest and shoulder. A call was then made to Gee-Man telling him Gweedo is ready. Gee-Man asked what did he look like and I replied "he's a bad boy" and thus his name change. His match career never got started as Gee-Man informed me that he is the last of the pure Gr. Ch. Virgil ROM / Ch. Booger ROM blood due to his father and uncle's death and Diamond was sold and later died. So, considered too valuable to match Bad Boy was never contracted out. 

His career as a stud had really never started until late as I began bouncing from state to state and got caught up with other breedings and I guess the old saying came into effect; "Out of sight, out of mind". That in addition to the fact that I lost contact with Gee-Man and Lenny. He was bred a few times and his progeny have shown the hard mouth his line is known for. One male that I had, who was out of the breeding to Egypt, got loose at 10 months of age and ran into a match prospect I had off of Super Gnat breeding and was killed, but the prospect suffered severe damage to the head and chest.

Bad Boy's pedigree is composed of O. Stevens' Gr. Ch. Virgil (5X), Giroux's Ch. Booger ROM (4X), and Adams' Gr. Ch. ZeboROM 7X.

GR CH SOUTHERN KENNEL'S MAYDAY ROM

http://www.apbt.online-pedigrees.com/modules.php?name=Public&file=printPedigree&dog_id=560

Mayday and his siblings were all impressive and well built but Mayday always stood out. He was BIG, CONFIRMED, and fearless, He walked out of the van as a puppy after the long drive, barked, and marked my kennel as HIS territory right when he hit the ground. He had a huge head, long ears and barked at the other dogs from the start. His head was always up high. He really thought he was the MAN. He was a happy and energetic pup. The first time we put him in the box, we did it with Ch. Leroy (heavy Paladin). Leroy was a HARD biter. He got a hold of Mayday's chest and bit hard. Finally, Mayday got a hold of the head and got him out. After that, Mayday was PISSED. For the next 5 minutes, he mopped the floor with Ch. Leroy. We had to stop it cause he was killing him. Of Course, Leroy was pushing 9 pounds, and it was not fair. BUT from that Moment on Mayday SCREAMED in the corner. He really was impressive.

We go into, SLK & Dennis Ls HI VOLTAGE (2X), at Catch Weight. This match was special to me because of the adverse circumstances.

A. - Mayday, (First time out)

B. - Choice, (First time out)

C. - Leroy (1X)

We arrived late Monday night in PR and we went with Choice and Leroy. Both of them won. Ch. Choice won in an impressive match against a HARD biting daughter of Garner's Frisco ROM. We arrived at 2 AM to the kennel and I knew something was wrong. Whenever Mayday heard my voice, he would SCREAM and bark, and go crazy cause he knew it was time to work. The problem was that it was SILENT. We took a flashlight into the kennel and to our surprise we find Mayday inside his cell but with another DEAD bulldog. The dog was a brother to Southern Kennels Xuxa. He had gotten loose and they fought fence to fence, but I think Mayday grabbed the fence and pulled it enough for the other dog to come through. It was no big deal that he killed a smaller dog but the match was that Saturday and he looked exhausted. We cleaned him up; we locked him in a totally dark room with all the food and water he could handle and on the next day's walk. He looked better; we did the same thing the next day. I was really worried that the accident might have tired his mouth. One b/c of making the hole in the fence, the other in killing the dog. At the time of the show, Mayday only had some scratches and swollen lips. hehe HI VOLTAGE; weighed 67Lbs, and was a monster, Mayday weighed 59 pounds. He looked Tiny next to High Voltage. But catch weight is catch weight. Finally, Mayday won in 35 minutes, He never showed tired, and after the 25-minute mark, he took control and finished.

Soulman & Plumb Dave BIG RED (2X), Southern Kennels had taken 5 dogs to PR and won 4. We lost one game to Stone CityKennels Ch. NICO (4x)(ROM) with a son of Ch. Rattler at 1:13. The time before, we took 3 dogs to PR and won ALL 3. People in Southern Florida said that Southern Kennels was only winning in Puerto Rico and they weren't quality wins. Especially Soul man he was really being vocal. He said Ch. Whitehead toughest match was against a pure Red Boy-Jocko dog. Southern Kennels had lost to BIG RED before with a different son of Ch. Rattler who stood the line at 1:05. After that, BIG RED had won his second match in 1:25, and now he was ready for his championship. I had lost to BIG RED before and wanted a piece of him with Mayday so after many calls, it was hooked. Mayday's pit weight at that time was 60 but we conceded to bring him at 58 to make it happen. I was crazy about beating BIG red to prove that the previous wins in PR were the real deals and that the dogs in PR were also the real deal. As much as we tried, Mayday only came in at 58.5. We paid the forfeit and they gave me an hour to lose .5 pounds. We did and the party started. It was Mayday's easiest fight. He used big red like a punching bag. He mopped the floor with him. People watching wanted to change his name to PAYDAY. Others were calling him KILLING MACHINE. Havana Tito was screaming. "It's Gr.Ch. Rodney. Gr.Ch. Rodney, Gr.Ch. Rodney reincarnated. Big Red stood the line at 37 minutes and it ended with Mayday SCREAMING in the corner. He was just getting started. He wanted another hour. It was an impressive victory. Later Soulman called me and said that his dogs were still better than the ones in Puerto Rico but only 2 minutes better.

After this 2nd win it was extremely difficult getting him hooked again. We had to change his name and so forth. He had won impressively and no one wanted any of Mayday. My GREAT friend Angel hooked him with the Gator Boys in NYC area against a supposed 4x winner. They ended up bringing Pete Jr. who was in my opinion half CROCODILE. This dog could BITE. He was more to the ground and thicker than Mayday. He looked like a typical Bullyson/Cowboy, but 60 pounds. hehe. That dog was a true killing machine. It was Mayday's toughest fight at that time. It was the shortest but the most SAVAGE. Mayday somehow knew that he had to kill this Croc before he got killed. He finished in 29 minutes BUT with TERRIBLE chest injuries. At about 2AM at the Vet's Mayday was cold and dying. The wound was only an inch from his lung. It was a miracle he lived. We worked on him long and hard and my friend Angel kept him for a few months. After that He was Southern Kennels Ch. Mayday.

For #4 we didn't have to look for anyone, they came looking for us. We didn't have to change names or nothing like that. We hooked into Big Dust's Ch.Budda, (6X); he had won 6 but only had reported the last three to the SDJ. This time it was 65 pounds. In the first 5 minutes, Budda BROKE Mayday's Leg. Budda was a rough dog, after that Mayday stay there with three legs, and still coming and coming, it was a classic match. After 30 minutes even, they both slow down and pace themselves. At the 45-minute mark, Mayday started to take control and I urged him to finish. I would yell, and Mayday shook violently. at 1:05. Buddah stood the line.!! Mayday once again SCREAMED in the corner. After this match I retired him for a year. This is when I first bred Xuxa to produce Gr. Ch. Lukane.

GR CH S.T.P.'S LUKANE (5XW) ROM

I never thought to match him again because he only walked on 3 legs after that. Then I met Cuban Missing Link who probably knows more than Vets do. He told me that Mayday walked on three legs only because he THOUGHT his leg was still hurt. I had seen the x rays and told him he was crazy. He replied that that break in the leg only made it stronger and that a pre-keep would fix the problem. I tried it and to my surprise, Missing Link was right. He not only fixed the leg, but Mayday looked 2 years younger again.

The best match was Gr.Ch.Mayday against Tant's Cody, not only because of how good Cody was, who later on showed to be DEAD GAME, but also because of all the circumstances surrounding the contest. It was almost impossible for Mayday to win this match. The odds were stacked 99% against us. Mr. Tant didn't know that he was going into Mayday. My good friend Angel hooked Mayday into Mr. Tant for us. We respect Mr. Tant like as a good breeder and dogman, but we had to show that Mayday could handle any Red Boy/Jocko dog as well. So, we went into the main source of Gr.Ch.Yellow blood, Mr. Tant.

Mayday before his Grand Championship

We conditioned Mayday in Fla, and flew into SC a few days before the contest. That match was hooked at 65 Lbs. We made a mistake on his last feed, and we were at 65.5 Lbs, just half pound over weight, so we had to pay the forfeit. Mr. Tant was OK with that and he still wanted to do it. At 65 Lbs, a half-pound would not make that big a difference. We paid it and started to wash Mayday. Toward the end of the wash, Mr. Tant started to look at Mayday, and he started saying "That is a nice looking dog, "He looks just like my Yellow dogs, "Is he who I´m thinking he is?????? ". At this point we were getting edgy. Then asked us directly, " Is this dog Ch.Mayday???? " Well, what could we say? We had to admit it. He was very UPSET. I couldn't blame him. He said, he didn't want to go into his dogs. I told him that "YES, Mayday is off of Gr. Ch. Yellow, BUT you weren't the breeder. The breeder was Mr. Hollingsworth who paid the stud fee. All you did was collect the money.

He is only 50% your bloodline. The other 50% is Hollingsworth's careful blend of Bolio-Tombstone. "Any ways, after he collected our forfeit, he ran out of the place with his dog, and left us there with Mayday all wet. We didn't even have a chance to finish washing him. We were very frustrated. I told myself that was the last time, I will condition Mayday!! It was extremely difficult finding any dog able to go into him. A few friends like Cuban Missing Link were there in car, and I ask him to just take him (Mayday) back to Miami in his car that same night. Of course we didn't feed Mayday that night, he was in the car all night long, until they arrived home in the morning. At that time, they just gave Mayday a cup of dog food. Everything was gone. We already lost the chance to make the match. That Sunday's morning on March 1996, when I wake up, I was very hyper and disappointed. I decided to call Mr. Tant and have a meeting with him. I wanted to renegotiate the situation and make that match possible, after a 2-hour conversation, we agreed to the following terms….

CH SOUTHERN KENNEL'S DRAGON LADY

A. We will do it Thursday night

B. Not 65Lbs but catch weight.

C. We will play only 1K, against Ch.Dragon Lady (Champion Dragon lady was well known as the best 47lber in the world and Mr. Tant wanted to snatch her from us.)

D. I had to take it or leave it, like that, so I took his offer.

Immediately I called my friends in Fla, and told them what I had decided to do. ALL OF THEM SCREAMED over the phone that I was crazy!! All of them told me that Mayday looked TERRIBLE. He was completely stressed, skinny, and under Pit Weight. ON TOP OF THAT I had to put him back on the airplane. My friends refused to send me my dog but I told them that he was MY DOG, and that I would take responsibility for him. I spoke to them firmly and they finally sent the dog. Dr. PEPE from the lab was the one who sent Mayday. After he shipped him he called and said Mayday was in terrible shape. He said he was very stressed, tired, and unrested, not to mention, way under pit weight. All my friends said I was crazy, and that all I was going to do was lose a great dog. They said it was impossible for me to win, especially against a seasoned dogman like Mr. Tant. When he arrived in SC for the second time HE WAS JUST BONES. I started to think that maybe my friends were right. The circumstances were too much for even the greatest dog of all time. He looked completely destroyed. I have a picture of him that day; He was a completely different Mayday. A package of Bones. My great friend Angel was the only friend I had left that was willing to help me in my task. He helped me try to recover Mayday in only 4 days. He stayed with me and worked alongside me. We had him on IV. Forget conditioning, forget the keep, all we were trying to do was recover Mayday from all the long hours of travel and malnutrition. Well, we arrived there Thursday night, and Mr. Tant brought Cody, at 72 Lbs, he was a horse.

That was a smart move He gave Cody all rest he needed and very good food. On top of that he let him gain 7 pounds. Now, we had to go into a bigger, stronger and completely rested dog, Things were looking bad. Mayday looked a lot of smaller than Cody, and was all stressed out from the travel back and forth. RELEASE YOUR DOGS and the party started. As was expected, Cody led the contest early pushing and punching very hard into Mayday for the first 35 minutes.

Mr. Tant

Mayday was just trying to keep that big strong dog out with defence. He held on to the nose, face and throat. A few times Mayday tried to go into the back-end but Cody was too strong and kept him out. Finally, Mayday understood that he was in front of a lot of stronger dog than he. So, he never tried to go into the back-end again. He just kept working up front...... nose, face and throat. After 35 - 45 minutes, Mayday started to show the lead a little bit!!! Mayday had got a good throat hold on Cody. He held that spot for a few minutes. At the 51-minute mark Mayday was on top of Cody and was really working his throat hold. Mr. Tant asked us to scratch to continue, Cody. Cody wasn't moving, wasn't breathing, or anything. He was like a dead dog. So we said OK. We didn't think there was any way possible Cody could scratch. Boy were we surprised when that CODY dog started to scream in the corner like a maniac. !!!!! We were in front of a DEAD GAME DOG!

Cody worked Mayday over really hard for a few more minutes. Then, Mayday caught him in the same throat hold again at the 1:03 mark!!!!! Tant asked us again to scratch Cody to continue, and we said NO!! " YOU EITHER PICK THAT DEAD GAME DOG UP OR MAYDAY WILL FINISH HIM RIGHT THERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BOX!!" Mr. Tant made the right decision and both boys made good hard courtesy scratches. Mayday was on fire!! He was screaming and pulling in the corner and looked like he was ready to party for another hour!! We were finally able to calm him down after about 15 minutes. This was his 5th match, and is also the greatest fight I have ever witnessed.