hortfurball

In my opinion, any encouragement to desex is good encouragement. Those responsible owners who have done their research and know better will desex at the appropriate age, and those who are completely ignorant will do whatever they want to anyway, but it just may save a few "Oh, she's so cute" litters, and that's never a bad thing.

That's why I will only ever admire other people's sibes! Gorgeous dogs but not for me. You know what, I think part of the joy of dog ownership is what it teaches you about yourself, your limitations and your ability to adjust. Let's face it, there is no such thing as the 'perfect dog', mine have collectively had issues such as reactivity, separation anxiety, selective deafness etc, but none of it matters - when you love them, you find a way to work with them. Absolutely! I like a dog with a bit of cheek, but probably wouldn't cope with something like a flock guardian. If that's standard for kelpies, it sure explains a lot with Ella, we still describe her as "10, going on 2" She finally lost the exasperating constant puppyness at about age 5-6, and became the adorable creature I now love, although when you don't live with her, you only see the hyper side, and maybe she's not so adorable! ;) My first dog as an adult was as perfect a dog as possible for me. Easy going, laid back. The faults he had as a pup were ones I could stand to live with, rather than the ones that would have had me tearing my hair out. Thankfully he never dug holes or pulled washing off the line. He had some issues (which I learned from) and wasn't always perfect but was perfect for me. He was the quintessential big gentle giant, he forgave me all my training faults and didn't turn out disastrously due to my lack of knowledge and I loved him to pieces. Thank dog Ella wasn't first is all I can say!! I have adapted to her though, and although she's poles apart from what Kuges was like, she makes me smile with her sheer joy and exuberance, even if I still can't get her to shut her mouth when visitors arrive without a timeout .

The dog in question is supposedly a pitbull x boxer, so not that big, no bigger than the K9 dog would have been. Photos of the dog shown on the news support this. I'd like to know why the police took a k9 dog onto the property in the first place but if they had reason to do so then I suppose they had to shoot the dog once it went for the police dog, even though the poor thing was just defending its property. RIP doggie.

That sounds so wrong, but I thought exactly the same thing Some DOL dogs just have a presence and Benson was one of those dogs. I've long admired him in your various siggies - such a stunning boy. I still remember the sig you had with just Dusty and Benson on the beach, fur blowing, such a beautiful photo. So sorry that you have lost him too soon, your post and poem brought tears to my eyes. Huge hugs to you and the family Gayle for your devastating loss. Run free Benson

The best way to correct this problem is to observe your dog and reduce the amount of food if there are any signs of putting on weight, it's not rocket science. The fact that labs are prone to obesity merely means the owners have to be super vigilant and dedicated to the health and welfare of their dog, even more so as they age, and if they give them any treats, learn to reduce the dinner accordingly. There is no excuse for an obese dog and blaming genetics is a cop out. Sure, if breeders can address the tendency in labs to weight gain, that would be great, but a predisposition to weight gain doesn't excuse a single one of the owners walking around with grossly fat labs, or any other dog for that matter. The other way to address this is to teach people that human food is for humans and dog food is for dogs. I doubt Samson got that fat on dog food alone, no matter how much of it. Feeding your dog stuff that will make it so fat that it's health is affected is NOT showing love. Ella thinks all her christmasses have come at once if she gets some apple peel or the occasional raw egg, or a couple of dog treats outside of normal feeding time in a quick training session- none of which is going to create a weight issue.

For me, there will only ever be one Kuges. It just wouldn't be right to call another dog his name. It took me over a week after I got him to settle on his name, it was the same with Ella and no doubt will be the same with any future dogs. Also, someone mentioned it earlier but how would you distinguish whether you were talking about a dog that had passed or a new one? I'm forgetful enough without having to try to remember whether it was Bob I, II or III who did something. Much simpler for a new dog to have their own name.

Oh how devastating! I'm so sorry.

So sorry for your loss. Your lovely tribute letter shows how well she was loved. Run free Sassie

So sorry for your loss. What a gorgeous looking girl. Obviously well loved and cared for to almost make it to 14. Run free Sophie

Puppy Sniffer, never doubt yourself over the decision you made.. I was in the same position, I had to decide 'when', and then I doubted myself. The times I thought of how happy and well he'd been I thought I'd acted too soon, then I went the other way and thought maybe I'd waited too long, until I decided to stop wondering and stop over analysing it, because I couldn't change anything, and I did my best, and what I thought best for him, and that was all I could do. Someone once said it is better to let them go a day too soon than a day too late, and that is what I used as my guide. Don't forget that dogs are stoic, they put up with pain and discomfort in a way that puts us mere humans to shame. You said yourself that she was tough so never doubt that you did the right thing. So lovely that you get to keep her paintings, what a wonderful idea! Wish I'd thought of that - so unique and her footprints are there for you forever, as are the photos of that gorgeous smile. Run free Ricky girl, you were well loved

There's nothing to say you can't keep them in your avatar if that's what you want. Kuges is still in my sig and I don't think I'll be changing it any time soon. My avatar has temporarily changed but he'll be coming back 'cos it feels weird to not have him there. I also still have Kuges as my desktop background, and look into his eyes every time I turn the PC on, it almost feels as if he's still here. There are photos of him on the fridge, in the lounge and in my bedroom. The wooden box with his ashes in, another photo, his collar and obedience ribbons are all together in the bookcase behind me as I sit here typing in the office. Ok now I sound like I need help but I was really trying to say that it's natural to want to keep their memories alive.

K9Angel your first post brought tears So sorry for your loss. I know exactly what you mean about it feeling like she's been gone so long and yet not. It feels like forever and yet unreal that they're gone, as if they could walk through the door any second, or if you walk through the house the slow thump of a tail will welcome you. I still have Kuges as my desktop background, and look into his eyes every time I turn the PC on, and it feels as if he's still here, but at the same time I know he's not and miss him like mad. In time, the pain dulls and although it is still there, you will mostly just feel blessed to have had her in your life. Run free Jay Jay

So sorry Persephone. I don't venture into OT much so am sorry to hear you've lost both your mum and her dog recently. Hope they find each other. Tiy was a gorgeous looking girl. Run Free

So sorry for your loss your choice of poem brought tears to my eyes What a lovely looking boy, run free Alex.

So sorry for your loss Ker. What a beautiful looking boy. Your tribute was lovely. R.I.P. Nova

Just lots of hugs for you both Staffyluv Aren't the 'stolen' years beyond the vet's 'best guess' prognosis just the best years ever! I also had five precious stolen years with my boy. Keep it going, Ollie old boy. Best wishes for tomorrow, hope it was just a bad day and he bounces back well.

Oh Julz, I'm so sorry! What lovely photos of a beautiful girl! (I have a soft spot for the brindles) She looks like such a gorgeous natured girl, I can clearly see the bond between Bonnie and your children in the photos, as well as between the two dogs. Like Persephone, I just adore the three in a basket photo, and your children are so cute! They look like little ragdoll cat versions of kids the way they're draped all over the place! My Ella also misses my Kuges so I know what you are going through with Indie, but try not to baby him and make a big deal of it - his healing is greatly in your hands. The more you try to reassure him, the more he will sook, so try to be a little hard, it's difficult, but in his best interests. Most of all, love and hugs to you at this time - every pet lover's worst nightmare, losing one of our beloved babies too soon. Run free beautiful Bonnie

Kelly Louise said it so perfectly...what a trooper Blind Billy was, and what an angel you are for seeing a lost soul that needed help and taking him in. So happy that the two of you were able to share 15 months of joy in each other's company and that the poor boy learned in his last months what life really should have offered him from the beginning - the love and care of a good person. Run free Billy Hugs to you Lowchenlove

Curlybert, I'm sorry I didn't realise you'd recently lost your girl Snowy. It is testament to the wonderful loving environment at your home that a timid dog that hid under a bed for most of 12 years would feel secure enough to not only venture out but play with your two. So happy for Snowy that she got to spend her last years living as a dog should. So sad for you that it couldn't have lasted longer. Run free Snowy I know what you mean about the pill routine, and how ingrained the habit gets. After 5 years of pills morning and night, and writing down what time they were given so I knew what time to feed the horde, I felt quite disorientated the first week or so when it came to feeding Ella and the cats, it seemed like I'd forgotten something very important.

I have posted studies that suggest that you might need to rethink that. You may want to read your studies again then, because according to your studies, between 40% and 65% of people (depending on which problematic behaviours are being addressed) are going to be disappointed if they desex their dog with the expectation that the operation alone will eliminate unwanted behaviour. I don't think that supports your argument at all. Other than pulling on the lead, who says that this dog is hard to handle? The studies do not support a desexing argument for this dog for the purposes of controlling behaviour - nowhere in the studies does it mention the issue of pulling on the lead or the effect of desexing on that issue. Before you think that I am having a go at you or arguing against desexing, look at my first post in this thread, where I gave reasons that it might help to have this dog desexed based on my own experience. The only issue I have is the relevance of your arguments to this particular case, as outlined above and in my previous post, which you did not address.

So sorry I missed this before. Monty sounds like an amazing little guy and you went to great lengths to help him stay that way, obviously a dearly loved member of the bossyboo family. I'm so sorry for your loss. Run free Monty

I miss this so much. He was such a snugglepot, would lean into a cuddle so hard he nearly pushed me right over backwards! When I close my eyes I can still feel his beautiful soft velvety ears.

What a stunningly beautiful girl! and taken way too soon. :D So sorry for your loss. :D Run free Folly

A devastating way to lose your girl. Too sudden to emotionally prepare, you are probably in shock at the moment. You never have to apologise for rambling, you are among friends who understand only too well. :D So sorry for your loss, ramble all you like if it helps. Run free Kelly

I am not campaigning for that. I don't have to offer that understanding in this topic. If people are against desexing, they should not expect me to express my understandinmg here in a thread called Reasons to Desex a Male dog. This topic about this man and this dog. There are good reasons why some dogs should be desexed. I have given them and this dog is one of them. Maybe some of you should start your own topic where you can all be mightily impressed by both your dog's balls and your superior handling ability. Can I just point out that the post you partly quoted and responded to in a negative manner actually began with this compliment on your previous post: The dog that this thread is about is a big strong dog who pulls on the lead and is managed by an elderly gentleman who doesn't have the physical strength to control the dog. Desexing will not reduce the physical strength of the dog, nor stop it pulling on the lead. It will reduce the registration fees, which may help him as a pensioner, but possibly won't outweigh the initial cost of having the dog desexed. It may reduce some behaviours such as roaming/dog aggression but in this dog's case, we don't know if it has any of these issues. As we have not been told it does, we can most likely assume that it does not. What does 50% of a problem that wasn't there in the first place equate to anyway? I am picturing a half dog half squid combination. Same :D