persephone

Tricky. No one can just 'take' a dog, even with the very best of intentions Reporting to the RSPCA is really the only thing you can do

So sorry to read your news ....

Oh, Stitch.... I feel it ! With a large breed it can be physically dangerous for you as well . Glad he enjoyed 'thinking inside the box " ;) Hopefully some more brain games will help give him a focus elsewhere....

All I can say is Poor little dog

I suggest - Find out exactly what is happening, SAVE UP . and fix it so the next 10 years can be enjoyed without extra risk of limping/'sprains etc , or know what management you need to start to avoid him injuring it . perhaps, with a weak ankle, fast & furious games are a no-go .... either way I would think it a good starting point instead of almost $200 on a brace which may not work /may exacerbate the injury if not fitted correctly, or not suited to the type of injury , then perhaps more vet fees another time .... meanwhile you have a dog who limps on that foot . and I'm not sure why you put PAIN in inverted commas ;) it is real - it hurts, and your boy can feel it , sure enough . Rest him as much as possible , and I hope he feels much better soon !

What a wonderful lot of memories for a fantastic dog!

maybe this will help ? CLICK

Awww Thank you for the update! Hope all is going well.

W&H..he's enjoying that walk Picking up the odd wind-borne sniff of goodness....

Tooth chattering(often accompanied by frothing at the mouth) in male dogs- especially if there is bitch-in-season scent is quite common. FLEHMEN response is very different, and is where the top lip is turned upwards/inside out to expose little ducts in the roof of their mouth to the air/scent Teeth don't chatter during this time ..in fact the animal usually holds fairly still . Humping can be done out of pure excitement /aggression /territorial display etc .... sniffing is what dogs DO ..it is how THEY 'see' their world . We check our phone screens, stop to admire a car, or a tree, or clothes in a window..a dog sniffs. If there are certain hormones in the urine/faeces that they sniff..their body reacts. Castration can lower the sex drive, which may stop the teeth chattering . Leg lifting/marking is partly learned, so that may lessen a little ..it will never disappear.

Mister roly-poly!! LOL . he is just lovely

So sleek ....

Thank you for the update, and it's good to hear that things are going OK for you. I am looking forward to the time when a new puppy joins your family , and you can share the happy news with us

how old are the puppies, and why isn't the bitch feeding them as often? if she is just weaning them ..give them raw mince , and/or a puppy milk replacer.Make according to directions.It's best to use the proper milk replacer made for puppies , so they get the best nourishment . if they are very young, maybe increase the bitch's food..feed a GOOD quality meat protein , and give her lots of lactose free milk to drink , so she can produce milk.

Her vet didn't see anything unusual in her past history - the increased sensitivity, etc ? maybe another vet would see things differently. if there are no fleas present - perhaps hold off on medication. Why put her thru that just 'in case? ' If she is so sensitive to chemicals etc , I'd be doing a daily flea-comb instead .... and this, also. This is a concern. the vet wasn't worried that a reaction occurred? they were happy to vaccinate a dog who has bad reactions to chemicals/weight changes? I agree with speaking to her breeder, and perhaps consulting a vet who is expert in maybe immunology/internal medicine ?

Thanks for updating , and glad he's feeling better ! Hope the improvement continues.

Hi .... That's a lovely thought , BUT , do YOU want/need another dog ? Extra vet fees/grooming/food/walking/boarding concerns /possible behaviour problems with two dogs , where one will be fine ... Dogs will often gravitate toward same breed/sized dogs , especially if they have come from the sort of setting your girl has - it doesn't really mean they want to share their new territory every time ...esp with a same-sex dog. Just some things to think on

Ocka just LOVES riding in either this 'work basket' when it's empty, or the laundry basket

Ocka suddenly is growing up ! Funny thing is, he looks so much like the OLD version of his namesake, Old Oscar/"Ocka" from many years ago !

Just lovely ..... (LOVE that collar, BTW) . She'll get new habits soon She's in the right household

Those EYES!!! How was the first night? She looks bomb-proof !

Also for that much money, ask about after-purchase support is the breeder there to help answer your questions/take the dog back if the situation changes for the worse, give support if sudden illness strikes when dog reaches adulthood .....

Eating and eliminating/being clean are instincts which are often among the final instincts to die .... they are not really a judge of a dog's QUALITY OF LIFE . the urge to toilet outside has been there for all his life ...his doggy brain will just keep on sending that message - he doesn't have the ability to THINK ... "I am VERY VERY ill, my body will not be able to cope, I'll lie here and the humans will help " ..his body will just continually fail, as it is so fragile and old. My Old Mitchell became faecally incontinent - was still happy , but stiff & sore , old, and covered in varying fatty tumours. He was embarrassed at his incontinence ..he would try and get outside, and not make it For me, that was the turning point . We had a few good last days , letting him do whatever he enjoyed - chasing rabbits etc ... and then I let him go , a decision I have never regretted . I would have bitterly regretted having him bedridden and unable to enjoy the things he got a sparkle in his eyes from. That would have been heartbreaking for me He was in his teens , had been with me 24/7 for most of those years, and I miss him every day - BUT I remember him bright eyed and in the sunshine , eager for the morning's outing ....wagging his tail madly ...

sadly, no... He is old, and his body is failing . We often forget to keep dogs happyand healthy for THEIR ENJOYMENT , not keep them alive for our benefit . It is selfish of us to expect them to struggle , just so we can have them around a few more weeks