poochmad

Well, we're one of the few on here who include kibble. We feed the dogs pro plan sensitive, mixed with some veggies and sardines. Each morning the dogs get a chicken drumstick (which my family can't believe) and a raw hide chew. On the weekends they get a shank instead of the drumstick. Both the dogs look beautiful, with lovely, shiny coats. It's easy to be influenced on this forum with all the talk about BARF etc, but we have always had dogs even when I was little and all the dogs lived to a ripe old age, without any problems. We see our vet yearly for a check up and a vaccine (which is often discussed for & against on here as well) but this will now extend out to 3 years due to the new vaccine. I've said this before, whatever food / health program works for you, use it. Everyone has a different opinion. Kind of like parenting, really.

Think all the names are great! Same here, nicknames for both. Jindi: Hoover (she eats anything) Chubba Chubba Wubba Chubby Velcro (she picks up everything) Baby girl Bunny boiler (husband calls her this because of the way she's attached to me) Henschke: Henschke pants Larry Barry Goofy Henschke penschke

LisaCC and Puppy_Sniffer, I can relate to both of your posts. 2 years ago I went through a traumatic time and was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and was unable to function for a week; the dogs during this time were a-m-a-z-i-n-g in that they were so quiet around me. They would come up and press themselves as close as possible, putting their heads on me and following me everywhere. I think they were part of the healing process. This year I had a back operation and I was away for 3 nights in hospital and when they saw me they were excited to see me, but didn't jump up like they usually do. The husband was ready to tell them to sit and they didn't need to be told, it was like they knew. They also kept me company during my recovery period. Jindi is quite clever in picking up tricks - she will do anything for a treat and knows, shake hands, rollover, speak, wave (which is adorable) and high five. Henschke, god love him is so dopey he only knows high five, but I'm trying to teach him to bow down as he stretches all the time, but he's a bit of a goofball and won't do it unless I'm down next to him. Dogs are just wonderful. :D

Our female had a reaction to a vaccination and I told the vet the next time I saw him and he gave her a different type, with no reaction.

All the pups on here are just gorgeous!!

Our male absolutely hates having his nails done and he was so bad, I had to put him between my knees while my husband cut the nails. It was a stress for everyone. We tried the dremmel but he is such a sook he ran away as soon as it came on. It also doesn't help that both dogs have black thick nails. It got to be so bad that we dreaded cutting the nails until they came really long and we were forced to do it. I came up with the idea of giving him his favourite treats, not pinning him down, but just giving him treat after treat after treat. It works wonders. We do their nails fortnightly and both dogs lie quite relaxed on their side having their nails trimmed while they wolf down their favourite treats. After the stress we went through I don't care how many packets of doggy biscuits we go through as long as it is done quickly and relatively stress free.

We have both these types of beds throughout the house and both dogs love them. Whenever the stuffing gets flat, I just go and get a cheapie fill in from Go Low or similar shop and use that to 'puff up' the bed. Works great.

Also, the dog could stay outside while you're not home; purely to be a deterrent. I'm sure you could find a lovely large dog that needs to be rescued. :)

Hopefully that's the last time you will have any trouble. I was thinking about this today while hanging out the washing about what an idiot (double idiot now :D) he was for putting his face through. How did he know you didn't have a large dog inside? Now I understand when breeders with little dogs have a large dog, often a Maremma to keep their babies safe...maybe not such a bad idea considering where you live and the tossers you have around?

Her children must be so proud...

I went to the link within the story and maybe that is what the dog has, i.e. canine narcolepsy? Link here: Canine Narcolepsy If not it's pretty cute.

Is there an update to this? What did the police say?

Whenever you write about what happens in your house, it freaks me out. I don't know how you stay there. I'd be gone in a flash.

Sounds like an idiot. (And that's me being polite.) If someone did put their head through the doggy door, how did they get access to the yard? And why would you do that? I feel for the little dog at the end as you can hear the whimper. Maybe get yourself a Bullmastiff, that moves up silently and then !! Surprise!

Friends of ours started off with two beautiful Great Danes, then one tragically died from bloat. Next thing we knew, they had another - acquired from a lady who couldn't handle the bitch...a little time passed and there was another Great Dane in need and he joined the pack...more time and lo and behold, there was a Briard cross needing a home...I think they would get a fifth if they could. :)

Hesa, my condolences go to you and your family at this sad time. :hug: So sorry for your loss. RIP Panda.

When I first saw the heading, I thought they had let the animals out to 'save them', but then when you read and see how they treated the pup, it seems they were just up to mischief. Perhaps it might be good for them to do community service into what shelters do so they can understand? I don't think punishing them is going to help.

So sorry for your loss. We have been using them for the last 4 years and have never had any trouble, including friends of ours who have 3 great Danes. ETA each kennel has air con and heating and both our dogs have stayed there when it was hot and cold. I'm not sure what you mean though about the dogs being shut in a brick kennel as the dogs have free access to the yard? If that is true, did you report them to the RSPCA/council?

That's great. Looking forward to seeing some photos of her. :)

That's wonderful news! So happy for you. It's so great when things work out like this. You will have to post pictures of her when she comes 'home'. When do you get her?

I should not have looked at that, I am a blubber mess now Me too. Off to cuddle my girl.

I like Downtown Abbie.

Hi Wolfhound lover. I live in Goulburn. I have sent you a PM. For those who are interested, I recommend rovers retreat as the kennels are huge and individual. The exercise yard is also large and the dogs are exercised for free. The owners are very lovely and will often sit in the exercise areas with the dogs as they are true doggy people. They offer a shuttle service as well and will follow any instructions you give them. I have a very shy dog and the fact she goes to them wagging her tail is proof of their kind natures.

Why do you need the house "looked after"? If you leave it empty, it won't get dirty or messy and will be there just as you left it :p I hear you! :) But my husband is a funny man sometimes...

I'm quite happy with putting the dogs into a kennel and we have in the past. It is my husband who does not want this; he wants them looked after at home so the house is looked after as well. I agree with what you said megan_, that is exactly why I think they did it. The funny thing is, when they were leaving, they said, we don't think you should walk her down the street and I said I know, we don't due to her issues! I thought what cheek of them telling me what to do, when they had ignored me!