BJ.

I think you have hit a nail on the head Dogbesotted my hubby rarely sits still he is always on the move. Our GSD thinks that"s wonderful because there is always somewhere to go or somewhere to stick his nose in, Jester is always worried about what hubby is up to.

I am sure he would follow Shandy anywhere Lol, maybe she reminds him of duck jerky. No he is not clicker trained, I actually think a clicker would freak him out to start with. Isn't funny that he can't deal with loud noise when he is not exactly a quiet retiring wall flower? Hubby sat down with half of Jesters dinner in his pockets last night and we did make some progress, so we will keep trying. We can't drop it on the floor or the other 3 dogs will catch on but Jester was happy to take it out of hubby's hand. Hubby was only home for an hour or so but at least he is willing to try while he is here.

I am having problems with my basset Jester and his relationship with my husband. Jester is a sookie la la ( I am sure that's a scientific term;) ), he will shut down completely if yelled at or corrected severely, so I try to keep everything in his world calm and positive. He is easy enough to live with, happy with a walk, his dinner and a lounge chair to curl up on. I can clean his ears and eyes and even cut his nails all without drama. My husband is a nice guy who tries his hardest with the dogs even though he is not naturally a "doggy" person. He works away from home for about 6 months of the year, but when he is here puts in a lot of time and effort into interaction with the dogs. He is though a "loud" person, his voice is loud and he tends to talk with large gestures. My other 3 dogs are not fazed by this at all, in fact he is my GSD's favourite person but Jester goes straight into avoidance mode and won't even stay in the same room as hubby, fleeing in panic. Hubby came home last night after 6 weeks away, Jester sat with me for a while but then it all got too much and he went outside. I had to put a lead on him to get him to come back inside to go to bed and hubby was down the other end of the house. Hubby has never yelled at or raised his hand to Jester, the disciplining is my job. My hubby gets quiet hurt that Jester won't even stay in the same room as he and I would like us all to be able to be together in the evenings without Jester being in self imposed exile in the backyard. Hubby asked me to "ask my on-line doggy friends" for some tips on things that he can do with Jester to try and establish at least some understanding between them. Jester is very food motivated so that may help but he is not very bright so I am afraid that trying to get hubby to do any training may just result in frustration and more angst.

Sarah, I am working in the mornings but will finish up around 10ish, so am happy to work around you.

OMG he is gorgeous ILDD, can I beg puppy cuddles, .......pretty, pretty please!

My sister recently got a Lakeland Terrier for her kids (and her too), her children are 13,12,11 and 10. Roxie thinks the kids are the bees knees and vice versa. I too would be going with a Parson Jack Russell or a smooth Foxie. When I was growing up just about every kid had a Foxie who went every where with them.

I have two who will walk whatever the weather, but Nash (GSP) despises the rain and won't go out in it at all. He gets all excited when you put his lead on but get to the end of the verandah and its raining then its all stopped thank you very much. He plants all four feet very firmly and starts to head back inside, the only thing that will move him off the verandah is pulling the car keys out so he thinks he is going for a drive in the car, then he walks no further than the cars in the driveway. We have been caught in the rain a few times walking and the walk home is at double time. Once we got caught in a summer squall, the wind whipped up and the rain was really driving into our faces, we were still a good half hour from home. Nash kept turning looking at me and barking his woo woo wooo noise as if to say "you silly woman, this is a fine mess you have gotten us into". If it is raining and he needs to go to the toilet I go out with him and hold an umbrella over him or he won't go off my back porch and I worry that his bladder will burst. Great pics of Heidi VJB, especially the head shake one. I think next time its raining I will drive Nash to the dog park and see how he goes.

My husband calls him "the great sack of sad", does Ruffles try and do the basset mind meld with you? Jester will climb up into my lap and put his forehead against mine and just stare into my eyes. I am not sure what he is trying to achieve but it cracks me up. Oh and Bundy's Mum every home should have at least one basset, if only to teach you patience.

What a lovely group of photos. He was obviously having a great time and well done to you for letting him get out there and do it.

Lol well for Jester to reach me with his paw he would have to jump up and he has almost learnt that jumping doesn't achieve good outcomes. Whenever I start to type anything he moves forward and puts his head against my leg...like now...staring, staring staring. I have just noticed he has an awful lot of cat hair stuck to his nose, whats the bet he has been annoying the cats and been told off so has come in here near me for safety.

I have spent a lot of time procrastinating on the computor today, its cold and overcast and a great day to be in your trackies and ugs, but everytime I look down I see this. He doesn't whine or moan, he just sits there staring.

Well Happy Birthday, hope you are celebrating. I am free sunday, just shoot me a pm with a time and place. Not too early in the morning though

Lol well at least she is exercising Sarah. We really should get the 2 stumpy legged characters together sometime, I am sure Jester is developing an inferiority complex trying to keep up with all the long legged ones around here.

My daughter bought her 2 little dogs for a visit over at grandma's house today. They are very difficult to photograph together. Not are they always on the go but being such contrasts in colours its always a balancing act with blowing out the colours. Anyways this is Jet and Elsa(cream) the schipperke's.

I took my dogs out to my Mums today for a run. After an afternoon of chasings and hunting rabbits Jester took some time out to cool off his tummy. I have lots of photos of the others to upload but I really like this one of my handsome young man.

I voted but it was a bit airy fairy. If I was going to get a pup, I am still tossing up on breeds, it would be from a registered breeder and not necessarily one on DOL. I have a senior here though (16 and going strong) and once he passes would be happy to take in another oldie through a rescue organisation. We have always had a rescue or two and a dog of a chosen breed. PS would be more than happy to take on another senior GSP at some stage. I have been bitten by the GSP bug but don't think I could handle a puppy one.

Oh I have missed Teddy! Lovely photos as always KJ.

Sarah you have written lovely tributes to both your boys. RIP Memphis.

Sarah my heart is breaking for you. There is no words.

So sorry Griff, RIP Sinna.

And Jim is very easy on the eyes too. Helen at the same practice is also very easy to talk to and has a great bedside manner.

Thats what I have done with cats but a pup may be able to chew through both? Depends how determined she is.

Jester has a soft tissue injury to his shoulder. He originally hurt it when wrestling with another dog. That was about 6 weeks ago, vet checked no anti inflammatories as they felt it would just encourage him to use it. It had all seemed to clear up fine but during the week he jumped out of the car before I could grab him and now he is limping again. Vet checked and x-ray this time, same diagnoses, soft tissue injury. Again no anti inflammatories as they don't want him using it and there is no swelling etc. He is already on a fish oil tablet and joint guard but is there any other natural supplement I can give him that will help the healing process? Not being able to walk or play is making Jester a very fiesty boy and he isn't interested in chew toys at all. I spend most of the day with a basset attached to the back of my legs.

Just a small point before you go to all the trouble and expense of replacing the power cord (an easy job for someone in the know), think of a way you can connect without the pup being able to get to it. Sure as eggs if she can she will.

I am so sorry for your loss Paula, RIP Angus.