Staffyluv

OMG........ I was just filmed on Bondi Rescue (on a phone call with one of the lifeguards).. He wants to adopt Gussy... He has been emailing me and called today to discuss him and then they had to ask me if I gave my permission for it to be included in the show because he is really looking for a dog and fell in love with Gusta guts on the ACT Rescue and Foster website... Excited much!!! I am blown away - Gussy might end up being famous and on TV if this one works out for him. He is coming down from Sydney tomorrow to meet Gus. Gus also has a meeting with a Queanbeyan family in the morning... Lots to do tomorrow...

I don't think you ever get over it. It's now 3 years and 4 months since I lost Sophie after her battle with cancer. I think of her and miss her every day. I couldn't watch that video. When I think of Sophie's last minutes I still feel the sting of tears. Death can't take my love for her away from me though. Losing her was a life changing event for me. R.I.P Oden I think it depends on the individual and how they respond to grief. I don't think you ever stop missing your dog, but the pain decreases over time. I can look back now and appreciate the good things about my last dog's relationship with me, rather than dwell on the fact that she's not with me anymore. When I think of her now, six years on, I smile rather than cry. I'm not very religious, but I do hope more than anything that there is a place where we will see each other again. That is what I cry about - the things I miss about him (and I miss him like crazy but it is early days, he only went at the end of October last year).. I miss our early morning walks - they were so slow and chilled out, I miss how happy he was playing under the sprinklers at the park, the way he used to make snuffling noises at my door to wake me up of a morning if he slept on the lounge and not with me... Gee, I could fill this whole thread up with what I miss about the old man.. All those wonderful things that used to make me smile - he bought such joy to my life... I still smile everyday about him.. I also hope there is a place where we will get to see them again..

I don't think you ever get over it. It's now 3 years and 4 months since I lost Sophie after her battle with cancer. I think of her and miss her every day. I couldn't watch that video. When I think of Sophie's last minutes I still feel the sting of tears. Death can't take my love for her away from me though. Losing her was a life changing event for me. R.I.P Oden I think you are right cNr - I can't imagine I will ever 'get' over Ollie dog. He was such a big part of my life for over 14 years.. I didn't even know Sophie and I still think of her from time to time. I honestly don't know why I watched it but once I started, I just felt I had to finish watching it.

and a couple more...

A few updated pics of the little lad with our Ziggy (staffy cross pound pup)... Gussy is off to meet a (maybe) forever home owner on the weekend... Fingers crossed for the little guy - he has had quite a bit of interest over the Christmas break.

Why the hell did I watch that? It just bought back the last six years of fighting cancer with Ollie dog and giving him his wings two and a half months ago.. I wonder if you ever really get over losing a dog that was so much a part of your life... Cause it sure does not feel like it yet... RIP Oden, what a brave little soldier...

Totally agree with jrm88... IF you can afford it, do what is best for the animal.

There are so many to choose from: 1. Staffordshire Bull Terrier 2. American Staffordshire Terrier 3. Bull Terrier - and the mini's, they are so cute 4. Doberman Pinscher 5. Siberian Husky

I walk the boys really early on hotter days. Itis usually cool enough at the park if you go before 8am. We also play when it is hot in the backyard but we have the clam shell withnwaterbso the lads lay in it whenever they get hot. I would never walk or exercise them if it was hot and we had no access to water and shade

That is awesome news. I knew he would find a home quickly, he is such a special guy... Well done

Same here, I used it for years and never measured it when washing the dog.

Totally awesome, what a special girl.

Thanks all, I think he is pretty special. I just had to bring him in as he was outside swimming and we have thunder going on with a storm expected. He loves getting dried off with the towel, he has made a real game of it. He is really submissive to other dogs but loves to play and so far he meets other dogs respectfully. He even crawled on his belly towards the vets cat to say hello and was so happy when she rubbed up against him. He has the waggiest tail and he just always seems to be really happy. He has bought a lot of happiness where there was a lot of sadness and loss.

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Pics as promised of the new staffy cross

Thanks all, I have the name of a few trainers now and have chosen to call a local one that come recommended by a few DOLers. Hopefully we can nip (no pun intended) in the bud before it becomes an issue. I am just glad that my staffy type boy is so submissive and just rolled over - he has a good 6kg on the Kelpie now and I hate to think how it could end if let go... At the moment, I am watching the two of them in the pool out the back, while there is thunder clapping overhead - they are taking turns jumping in and out of the pool... They are such clowns together, I think that is why it took me by such surprise that the Kelpie would do that.

OK thanks everyone - I will look into a trainer/behaviourist as soon as possible and walk them separately from now on... The funny thing is that he does not react to these sorts of things when the staffy is not there. If it is just him, he is an absolute delight to walk and meet other dogs and people.. Does anyone know a particular trainer in the Canberra area that is good (we have who the vet recommends to us and I was going to call him when we first got the boys but we had a couple of really large expenses and just could not afford it at the time - all resolved now, so will get us the help we need).

I have 2 pound dogs here: 2 year old Kelpie cross (Gussy - foster) 9 month old staffy cross (Ziggy - keeper) Walking the boys together is not the easiest of tasks. The staffy is still 'exhuberant' on the start of every walk but the Kelpie is great - he keeps pace with me. Walking them separately is great and joyful. Walking this morning we had a teenage skateboarder come up behind us (we were on the path, he was on the road next to us). The staffy did nothing but the Kelpie started barking and growling and actually went for the kid. When the kid was out of reach, he turned and started to growl at the staffy and lunged towards him. I used my 'stop' command - which bought the staffys focus back on me but it took 5 or 6 firm 'stops' to get the Kelpie to sit but he was still very aggitated. So we waited until he calmed a bit before moving on. So my question is - do I try and get some of the local kids with skateboards to ride past us on walks so he gets used to it and learns to ignore them? Should I do this with him on his own or take the staffy as well (I don't want this to escalate). I was very surprised that he went for the staffy like he did this morning. He is not past telling the staffy to back off when he has had enough and the pup does without any issues (so far, so good) - this has only been a couple of times and we have had them both for 2 months now. Also I noticed when we all walk together the Kelpie is not happy to meet other dogs but when it is just him and I, he is happy to meet others. The staffy is really submissive and very friendly - always happy to meet others (dogs, cats and people - not so good with birds). Thanks in advance (again)

Will post some pics later as I am on the iPad and it is not playing nice with attachments. Thanks all we think he is pretty special.

We picked Ziggy up from the local pound October 31st. He was listed as a staffy cross and he would not even come out of his pound cage at first. He was terrified of everything, his collar and lead, his food bowl, the car, the crate. The only thing that made his transition easier was our adorable foster boy, Gussy. We have been doing basic training and as of today he can sit and drop really well. We are working in staying. He loves fetch and drops the ball so you can throw it again and again. I had to take him to the vets for a shot and he wets himself when we get there every time. But today he is scared but still walks in with encouragement. He sits and waits for his turn and was so good in there (I guess the treats helped). He is really submissive and when we came out there was a really huge dog with a very sore foot in the waiting room and his owner immediately grabbed him, I let her know Zig was submissive and she was happy for him to say hello. So over he goes on his belly, woo wooing and wriggling all the way. It is almost like an army belly crawl with a tail wag added for good measure. He did not want to leave but when we did he was so puffed up, with his tail high and wagging away. I am just so proud of the little guy, he has come so far in a couple of short months.

Heinz variety Bitsa cutie Whatever he is, he sure is as cute as a button

Sending you strength for tomorrow... It is the hardest and kindest thing we can do for them...

I am so sorry D mentias... Rest in peace Maggie

What a beautiful photo of her.. Goodbyes are always so hard but they are the kindest gift we can give them. I am sorry

That is good news (the CT scan), I hope it gives you a dx. At least then you will know what you are dealing with. Wishing you and your girl all the very best