persephone

he makes me smile :)

seren - some things to note when reading descriptions. words to be WARY of : exuberant outside bouncy energetic watch dog needs company clumsy busy ...when he/she gets to know you... chain talkative timid shy sensitive :) A lot of these are scaled DOWN from things like CRAZY, SCARED, NERVOUS, A BARKER, etc etc . A story you might like : In my previous life, sourcing dogs from individuals .. one of the questions was always "Is Spot/fido housetrained?" This particular lady, sounding very confident says "Oh yes! I've taught him to NEVER come near the house" :( true story .

Boy - am I glad you didn't rush in & buy thyis dog ! an outside only entire male lab who I have not ever seen/touched is a dog i would have to think carefully about , and I've handled lots (and handed BACK lots, unfortunately) half a step back - smile, breathe --and thank Lace for whiskering in your ear that perhaps you better go back to D O L ;)

No! I had to chase it around! Very much alive and trying very hard to attach. Oh! Tough Tickies ;)

the gallomphing gorgeous Gruf :) weird that the tick is still there !maybe it's dead?

What you describe is almost exactly how I lost my boy Hamlet almost 2 yrs ago .. He was racing around madly 2 days previous ... When I look back on photos- I could see how he had lost some muscle tone .

rehab in progress :D

eeewww .. I certainly would not like to find a plastic bag with dog poo in my bin could you take another small shoulder bag or similar .. ..and extra ziplock bags or something so you could then wait comfortably until you find a suitable bin?

what colour is pup? definitely make contact with the breeder!! What a disappointment

males are often the sookier and cuddlier ..and there is a lower risk of fights between the two dogs than with two bitches . ;) glad you had a laugh.

gremlins

Seren .. Stirring here ....:p You need to realise that when you ask something like this , some of then have an excuse to peruse the dog pages , and ooh & ahhh over the rescue crew. ;) of course i've been looking .. (for males - they will fit in easier, probably) and so far have found lab x's .. and ...... HERE HERE *sigh*...... HERE

:D I am so glad that another person had a look - and that you now have a measure of relief :)

Seren Our brains let us work thru things in different ways .....one day the dream will change .. I am sorry you feel so bad

I wonder how some of them would go running! ;)

yonjuro - that seems a good plan :)

Cookie is a golden retriever? hoe shouldn't be huge- and they are a fairly gentle and caring dog ... if you are confused by teh names - think of a human child ... kindy/preschool /primary school/secondary school/college/uni BOARDING SCHOOL The residential training - there is no way I would suggest anyone who has a normal puppy use something like this. Why? because it is OWNERS who need to learn how to communicate with their puppy , so they can help puppy fit into their lifestyle. how is some trainer in a kennel to do that? you will have already taught Cookie LOTS of things - but you didn't drill him /work hard at it, did you? I bet there are bad habits, and good habits he has learned from you in all this time :) see? you CAN do it- you just don't know how :D Find a local obedience class ...and take cookie there each week - practice every day at home . it will be MUCH cheaper , and far more interesting for you - plkus Cookie won't have to leave you & stay with strange people in a kennel - totally removed from what YOUR homelife is like. have a read of these :) they may help you , and encourage you & Cookie to study at home ;) CLICK HERE CLICK HERE CLICK HERE CLICK HERE

Hopefully all will be well ..BUT: have you luna, spoken with the breeder and discussed what information/support they give? Do you know if these puppies are well handled/raised indoors ? have you actually seen the parents- or photos of the actual mother with her pups? Is the pup on mains or limited register? the impulse buyers ( I was being general) are one of the mainstays of breeders in it for financial gain . A lot of these breeders may have more than one "cute/novel " breed - so there are often/always really appealing puppies around with something a bit different - be it colour /'mini/teacup' "rare" I know, I know - we are all being snarky and pessimistic :p In the years this forum's been supporting people - so many new puppy buyers could have avoided a lot of vet bills/heartache .... $250 IS a lot of money -- but I think it could be saved fairly painlessly by - making beds ,instead of buying ... using household things for toys when pup is very small - avoid buying blingy stuff/clothing for pup ..just a suggestion if you ARE still undecided ... that's all. Of course I do not wish for a pup who needs lots of vet visits - I hope the pup you bring home is hale & hearty!! :)

Excellent - the novelty of the real world is wearing off :)

Are these dogs supposed to have odd fat rolls , & chests like ...like..... a mack truck?

Why introduce a new puppy when there are queries /concerns? You will have many many years with any pup you buy - why not buy a puppy who comes with a good pedigree - whose family are known, and are health tested..and have been bred by someone keen to make their breed BETTER /Stronger/Healthier... not breeding cute sounding colours and probably asking for extra money because of it( and being supported by new/impulse buy owners) ? I wish you a healthy puppy - whichever way you go ... :)

:) Rocky - certainly suits the life road he's on .

DEf a second opinion , and some decisions, I think . She is an old girl , and her body now seems to be letting itself slow down . Can you talk the family into getting someone else to see her ?

yay :) Good work, *kirty*