tdierikx

Specialists aren't usually known for their bedside manner... be that for human or animal patients... I've always found that once you find a vet that can understand that your pet is also your best friend and devoted companion, they will tend to go that extra mile to make the processes relating to their care less traumatic for everyone. T.

... and me... T.

That depends. Will you eat veggies with your meat? Do you like gravy and/or soup added to you meat in winter time? Do you like the occasional chicken drumstick or osso boco as a snack? Do you like watching DVDs on the couch with the humans in winter or at night? Do you like long walks in the country, going to markets, swimming and visiting people, especially kids parties? Do you like dixie cup ice creams in summer? Or watermelon? Do you like lazy mornings reading the paper in bed or out on the back patio in the sun? So many conditions to follow living in this house It would be a stretch... but I think I could manage all that... lol! T.

If I pretend to be a dog, would you adopt me grumpette? T.

I shudder to think of the cost to feed a litter of growing Dane pups... it used to cost me a small fortune to feed litters of crossbreed rescue pups that were nowhere near as large as a Dane pup. If the breeder is feeding cheap because it's cheap, then I'd probably walk away - I'd be worried about what other expenses they'd possibly foregone due to costs also. T.

The groundwork laid down from birth to going to the new owner makes a huge difference as well - on top of the health checks and temperament choices for sire and dam... who wouldn't want one of these glorious little masterpieces of doggydom? Makes the follow through by the owner so much easier when you have a stable tempered and healthy pup to work with, yes? T.

No? Who?? :p :D *grin* T.

Has he just had a growth spurt by any chance? I had a Rotti that went through something similar at around the same age... turned out to be that his tendons and ligaments weren't keeping up with his bone growth and were stretched after a growth spurt. We treated with anti-inflammatories and complete rest while his tendons adjusted to the bone growth. No running or playing for a few weeks, and he came good once his growth spurts slowed down. T.

There will never be another Woosie... you can't improve on perfect... *grin* I know I'll never find another dog exactly like her... but I reckon Allerzeit may just breed something that will be darned close... Can you tell I've already decided which breeder I want my next Rotti from... hehe! T.

How about these eyes? ... or these... ? Hehe! T.

Every male Rotti I've met has been a cuddle hound... even ones supposed to be guard dogs. It seems to be common then? Ooops - I lie - Steve Austin's boy King wasn't cuddly if he saw the training arm... but he WAS cuddly smoochy boy when that wasn't around - I even got kisses! I've had 3 males, and they've all been hopeless guard dogs - more inclined to ask for cuddles than bark or anything else. My heart (soulmate) dog was my gorgeous BYB girl Woosie. It's been 10 years now since she went to the Bridge, and it still hurts like yesterday when I think of her. She was the best dog ever born. I WILL have another Rotti (or more than one) in the years to come... life really isn't the same without one... *sigh* T.

So can my Trouble... T.

There is something seriously beautiful when you see a sighthound run... magic! T.

Absolute cracker of a shot there Kirislin! T.

OMG!!! How adorable is that last photo? T.

Voted... *grin* T.

*me wants... but can't have... yet* *pout* T.

Sure - you can show your friend the photos... you might also note the lean body on my Lab girl... best not to let them get too fat, yes? My girl was back yard bred and may have a smidge of something else in the mix (we think Dingo), and she's probably a great example of what NOT to get unless you are looking for a high drive, high energy dog that will find things to do if not stimulated enough. Luckily around 200 foster pups over 7 years gave her a big enough job to keep her stimulated... lol! She also sheds all year around... another thing to consider if your friend is a neat freak... *grin* T.

Waaaahhhhh!!!! I want one even more now!! One day I WILL have me a gorgeous Allerzeit puppy... one day... T.

My Lab girl's "job" for 7 years was to help me raise rescue foster pups... she was definitely designed for it... endless energy and a love for playing... lol! T.

I think it all comes down to the owner's expectations, and the individual dog. Thus it makes sense that researching what you want from a dog, and then researching which breeds may have those traits, then researching which breeders of that breed do their utmost to breed for those traits (as well as all the relevant health tests for their breed)... will result in you being more likely to end up with the dog you have been dreaming of. T.

Let's face it... the general public's perception of the Labrador is the "perfect family dog"... and the fact of the matter is that for every Labrador bred well by a good registered breeder, there may well be a dozen or more available that simply aren't. Doing good research into what you want from your dog, and finding a breeder that is happy to sell you a puppy to suit - and then possibly having to wait some months (or even years) to source said well bred puppy may be a little disheartening for those who want a puppy "now"... I'm a big lover of all dogs, and would classify myself as far from a novice owner - but I probably wouldn't opt for a Labrador again... it takes a fair bit of work (and patience) to get that "perfect family pet"... T.

Harper was dead easy to do as a pup... her entire litter had them done regularly, and would lie on your lap soaking up the cuddle time and get their nails cut with no fuss. What upsets her now is the "click" noise that happens when the nail is cut, as her nails are no longer the slender and soft puppy claws they used to be... she doesn't like her feet being held at all either - I can touch them, but if I put my hand around the foot, she's off like a shot! I can't even touch Pickles' feet, as she doesn't have proper feeling in them and goes through stages of either numbness or hypersensitivity - she WILL bite if you try to hold her feet at all. Luckily her mobility issues mean that her walking style keeps them from getting dangerously long... *grin* T.

Pickles and Harper carry on like pork chops if I try to cut their nails... but Zeddy actually trims her own with her teeth so I don't have to do hers... *grin* T.

Has your friend read "Marley and Me"? Most Lab owners can fully understand some of the antics that dog got up to and what his owners went through... it does take a heck of a lot of patience and understanding though... T.