persephone

In false pregnancies, yes :) their hormones are dictating what they should be doing - I usually leave them to it . They pick a toy or a few ..and do all the mothery things. You may want to try an adaptil collar to make her feel happier :) One of my brother's bitches carried a squeaky to with her - and even took it to work! It travelled with her about 50 km ...sat in teh 4WD while she worked goats ... and apparently she held it in her mouth all the way home ! She 'weaned' it after a couple of weeks .... Widget has a green monster toy at present which she 'hides' if she's off doing something ..then gets it back and takes to bed ....won't let anyone near...

Short term, or long term - NOW he feels good - and that is terrific ! :D

I just read this. That vet would be called various things by me - and none of them "nice" ....sorry. I know you don't want to face the thought your baby is dying .... and so ill ... Most of us have been there, done that , and it is a harrowing experience ...just so painful ... Sometimes, though , the most loving thing we can do is to keep our little one warm & comfortable, and gently ease their pain forever ..letting them know we love them , and holding them tight .Love is hard ...

..So sorry - what is his chance of having a good quality of life ? Is he able to walk now? How are you keeping him hydrated - is he drinking happily again, or has the vet given advice on how to keep his body comfortable ? :) A dog who is bleeding internally , shivering , who cannot walk, and is only eating peanut butter would seem to me to be in a critical and final stage of an illness , I hope you can keep him well hydrated , pain free and nourished while you wait to see the results of the herbal treatment .... and hope it does what it promises quickly. From what I've just googled it has good & not so good reviews ...

looking forward to more pics of the little/big boy :) I love the name .

BC Crazy .... perhaps some of these ideas will catch your interest - for specialised leashes. I will also suggest something which has been SO good for me - I have some arthritis in my thumbs ..and often find gripping things tricky .These glovesalso have made such a difference - and I gave dad a pair as well - his old hands are getting weak , and sensitive ..but now he is very happy with what he can now do with comfort :p) link link link link

I made my own long leash walker thingy - luckily there are no neighbours to see ;) One old car fan belt to fit a loong length of plastic coated steel cable two brass snap hooks with swivels one strong largeish carabiner. Find someone who is strong-has pliers,and can tie professional knots!! Attach a snaphook to each end of your line . clip caribiner onto fan belt ..slip fanbelt on so it rests comfortably around you, with plenty of free space - teh carabiner can then slide around .... Attach one end to dog collar/harness ..and other to carabiner. if knots are done properly - NO breakage !!!! I have used the current one for years ....

jed .. I remember your hospital interview .... You are , and have been battling , and yes, your babies will be forever in your heart and memories .

posicle - you will find this THREAD HERE the best !! it has everything from the science, to quantities, to mistakes, to 'how-to's- :) enjoy .

because ours are done home , usually by me , they have a bowl with sardines/cat food /eggs & peanut butter as their last memory ...

I like the way you think - he will drift off in a chocolate euphoria ...sounds good to me ;)

Puddleduck - if he is eating /toileting OK /still wagging , and interested in life - then it seems to me you have no decision just yet. Take lots of photos , spoil him and enjoy his happy times with him , this may be a not-so-gentle reminder that his body is old ....

:)

BAD hubby, BAD !! *smacks Hubby with rolled-up newspaper* JOKE!! :) ALWAYS have at least one leash on your person . Good advice from others .. maybe find a couple of cute 'man tricks' which hubby will find useful and funny ..and get him to teach Scotty? let them bond over something like "pick up the can/tools/socks" ?

:) YOU need some training so then it can be passed on to your dog. Please do not let him run around off leash - the next dog he annoys may not be all noise! Dogs can live very fulfilling lives without bouncing on others - join an obedience club which you like the look of - practice lots of tricks at home , give him a sandpit & some soccer balls etc to bounce in/on ..and learn to walk him , in a controlled way, in interesting places. :)

ahhh OK .....

actually, if I am reading it right - it's not. I saw it as a body awareness exercise .. a handy thing - but can be taught MUCH more gently . We used to use a vaguely similar principle in guide dog training ... WALKING along, and brushing a bush/tree limb overhanging a footpath ..we would stop, hit the offending branch, gruffly complain..and yes, the dog would get a bit of a shock (they're not used to avoiding obstacles at human head height ;) ) .. then we would back up ..gently guide the dog around - making sure they looked up at what it was - MUCH praise when they looked ....rinse & repeat .... I use the same principle when having a dog on a long lead .. if it goes around a post/bush etc . I increase tension , until that first step backward ..then say "back" , & praise lots ,vocally .. usually the dog gets the idea , and untangles :) Hamlet was terrific - if I saw him about to put something between he & I at a distance - I would 'stop' him , then just tell him 'back' ..& he would back up, then take off again .... What that man was doing though could have badly injured a dog ..or himself ..and I cannot imagine someone untrained attempting it safely or effectively His manner is just so brusque and condescending Awful.

she has a bell on her collar - cos a lot of the time she cannot hear ME - but I can hear HER ;)

Here is this morning's snap of Gertie - Once a good worker , retired very early due to a back injury - then Mum's companion of many years ..,well into her teens , mostly deaf , losing sight , has a step so she can still use 'her' lounge chair. , She sleeps outside by choice but has her hot water bottle , pillow and blankets . She still keeps the young ones in line - and LOVES playing with Ess&Don , even though her contribution is to stand on the sidelines and bark hoarsely at the movement

Oh .My.Gosh. How that lady stood there and took all that calmly I do not know.

I can understand that!! Wise decision :)

CLICK HERE excerpt :

if anyone wants to see photos - new ones will be added on flickr from time to time :) CLICK HERE

That's pretty well permanent - weird ears & all ;)