W Sibs

No flaming either! that's awesome!

Actually, Charlie loves other dogs (especially puppies). When he was having a bad day, the only thing that perked him up was when his best mate, a beagle, comes over for a visit. they just lay around and snuggle... it very cute. I wouldn't consider getting another dog if I thought it will harm or stress out Charlie out at all. I know it would be harder then normal to have a puppy around with Charlie. But, when the time comes, we are all ready to put in all the work to do it to make sure that everyone is happy. We are thinking stage at the moment. When the time is right to get another puppy... then we won't mind waiting for the right one to come It's amazing how dogs very quickly get over other dogs, especially puppies, when they're sick. Noted. Thank you. I will keep that in mind

This is exactly how Charlie is when he is playing Tug a War with the BF. Charlie only plays tug a war with him... no one else. I did not know that, that's how people train their dog in tug in prey drive! I don't play the game with Charlie. Charlie likes giving me toys.. he will bring a toy over and I hold out my hand and he drops it in my hand, then goes and get another one for me ;)

Signed! You are signer #497

Answer is no. They don't know enough about it... some of the treatment they use on human is very extereme for Charlie (who is treated as a human toddler).. like radiation treatment. that's a bit too much to put a pup through, even when they aren't 100% sure it would help him. ohh.. thanks for link. i'm going to have a look!

I did wanted to give her a earful and some... the boyfriend said I had my evil look in my eyes, which is a sign that I was going to explode and totally destroy her for being so rude and, i realise that she wasn't worth it... although, it would of felt nice to tell her off. if she did approach me nicely and commented on Charlie's weigh... I would be happy to stand there talking to her and telling her about charlie's condition and why I have to keep him lean (he is not even underweight according to the vets). I've seen fat dogs, especially Cavaliers, at the vets (i go to the vets a lot)... it's really sad. They go there because of heart problems or knee problems, due to their weight. There was a lady at the vet was telling me that she is struggling to feed her dog 6 days a week to get her Cav weight down, but if she didn't, her dog can have a heart attack! ;)

Aww, isn't that funny. My OH likes Charlie very much, too. Sorry to hear everyone has drawn a blank. It must be so frustrating. FYI, my corgi, Penny, had back troubles when we got Kivi. She was a bit sturdier than Charlie, but she was old and already arthritic. She had a degenerate disk up just above her shoulders. Kivi never touched her if she didn't want to be touched, but Kivi is about the most submissive dog on the planet. Penny made it clear when she didn't want to be messed with and he respected it. It was hard on him, though, because he really wanted to play with her and snuggle with her and towards the end she wouldn't let him anywhere near her. I think we were extremely lucky with Kivi, because he had endless tolerance and patience for Penny. I'm pretty happy with Erik as a small dog. He's short and portable, but he's very outgoing and drivey and he's tough. He doesn't think twice about doing all the things bigger dogs do. He loves big dogs! He's like a Kelpie in a smaller, stocky body. He's definitely the kind of small dog a man can have without feeling silly. ;) Also, he looks like a short wolf. :p He's very solid and muscular for his size, though. Lots of little dogs feel intimidated by him. He is their height, but they can see he's considerably heavier and stronger. Big hugs to Charlie. Hope he can come to some of our future beach parties. Awww... my boyfriend is going to read this and will want one even more! I love Erik, he sounds like a character!! ;) So much personality and completely fearless! But, he will definitely be too much for Charlie to handle.. ;) We will try to make the next beach party... Actually, Charlie loves other dogs (especially puppies). When he was having a bad day, the only thing that perked him up was when his best mate, a beagle, comes over for a visit. they just lay around and snuggle... it very cute. I wouldn't consider getting another dog if I thought it will harm or stress out Charlie out at all. I know it would be harder then normal to have a puppy around with Charlie. But, when the time comes, we are all ready to put in all the work to do it to make sure that everyone is happy. We are thinking stage at the moment. When the time is right to get another puppy... then we won't mind waiting for the right one to come

well, when i went to puppy school and they discouraged it. when charlie was a puppy... we use to play tug a war. I start it and I end it. I stopped playing tug a war with him when he showed small signs of dominance though. Even though I am confident that I could stop the game with him anytime, I didn't want to encourage that behaviour. I'll put his energy in other games like 'Search' or other games that makes him use his nose and brain.

Yeah. I find it really amazing too how fast he accepted what he has and move on. Not sure if he fully understands or know... but he isn't at all bothered by stuff we don't let him do. He just goes off and do something else.

That's another option we can look into... it would be very interesting to bring Charlie into my mum's chinese doctor and see what his reaction will be, when I ask him for his suggestions!

I have no idea. when my boyfriend said that, I burst out laughing... it's a fact in our relationship that I'm more manly then he is. he is the one in the kitchen baking and I'm the one at the garage servicing our cars! LuvMyCav... I will pass on the message to the boyfriend from Charlie and Leah! thanks everyone for the kind words. Charlie is awesome.. so it's very easy for the boyfriend and I to look after him. he is just so good and happy, that's impossible not to feel positive around him.

Yep, take him out everyday Did you socialise him when he was a puppy? So, he is use to seeing and smelling other dogs? To me it sounds like your pup is very excited. At that level, it's hard to get his attention (even won't treats won't help). I would suggest that you do some training with him, at home and in public places. Train him to have total focus on you. If it's gets to much... I will turn around and walk away from the other dog. Don't be mad or embrassed or frustrated.. simply turn around and walk away, he has no choice by to follow you. He isn't allow to go to any dog with this kind of behaviour. When he calms down, you can bring him over, but until then... not a good idea.

yeah, i'm keeping that in mind. OH doesn't want CKCS... he wants a man dog. this coming from him who will make a good wife to anyone, i roll my eyes... Does he want a dog that may harm Charlie? Seriously CW, its something you need to talk about. I'd say the smaller the dog you get the better off Charlie will be. The dog sports breeds of choice in the smaller size ranges tend to be poodles, CKCS, Papillons and Shelties. Does he realise man + cute small dog = chick magnet? he ain't allow to be a magnet for any chick!! but, if it could help his brother.. hmmmm.... Nah, we are just thinking stage. Just throwing out breed of dogs we like, see if they are will fit in our lifestyle, suits Charlie and all that. I still have to find a place first, then make sure that Charlie is 100% ready for another dog (strength wise). But when the times comes, it's will be my decision and my decision will be the best for Charlie, me and him (yes, in that order! lol). Despite me saying that I will probably never own a small breed dog again... i may have to eat my words... ;)

Timmay has learnt a new trick all by himself!!! What a smart and talented dog you have there...

yeah, i'm keeping that in mind. OH doesn't want CKCS... he wants a man dog. this coming from him who will make a good wife to anyone, i roll my eyes...

Hey T, you know, I thought about that. But, where his back is weak, it's in an arkward position to brace him up! It's close to his hips and we braced it up, he won't be going to toilet properly and he won't be able to move. I have tried to make him a coat for him when his back was shaved from his operation and I was worried he will get sunburnt... but it just didn't work.

awww.. thanks! definitely getting a registered puppy next... i did consider rescueing, but I think I want a puppy so I know all medicial history of both it's parents. very important. Have no idea!!! All i know is that I'll be looking for a puppy with medium-low energy, who's submissive and tolerant (this is for Charlie). also, a puppy that will be fun training and maybe interested in doing some dog sports like fly ball or rally o (this is for me). also, a dog that will eventually like to go running and play ball (this is for the boyfriend)... lol. it's still thinking stage and going through breed of dogs. my boyfriend heart set on a finnish lapphund (he loves kivi - corvus's dog). me... i think i will be happy with any breed! lol

Well, they say Charlie has a rare diease called 'Bone Vanishing Disease' (although no one is still 100% sure he has this)... first dog to ever have it, and in humans about 200 people ever to have it on record. There is no cure for it and uncertain medicial treatment for it. A part of his dolfin (??spelling??) bone has not been fully developed, and no one knows why or how. But, it's only those bones that effected but his other bones and organs are 100% fine. This can cause a lot of pain for Charlie. But, whatever Charlie has no one has seens it (his xrays has travelled around the world too! LOL). So, how we have been treating it is... Charlie is on a high calcium diet (lots of bones, cheese, milk etc), we feed him more dry biscuits (he doesn't like this very much.. so we make a game of him searching for them to eat). He has inflamantory medications if he is sore or if we think he had a full and hard day of activities. We give him light exercise (walks/strolls) to build up his muscles and give him brain stimulation. That's the basic gist of the whole thing. Charlie is very much part of the family... there is absolutely nothing we won't do for him. grandparents, aunts and uncles included...

So after going for seconds and thirds opinion about Charlie... there is nothing anyone else can do, that hasn't been done before. SASH did an awesome and thorough job with Charlie. Doing every test they could on Charlie, they've talked to everyone about it. When we took Charlie to the university... they said that every test and theory we've heard before, it's what they can tell us. They can re do all the test SASH has done.. but it's not not the money or time, because none of Charlie's other test are more than 6 months old. It's kinda frustrating because we still have no idea how Charlie became that way or anything. No one knows till Charlie passes away (and that won't be for a long while) and they can do an autopsy (that's if i decide to donate his body to science). So, the boyfriend and I had a long talk and decided that, we will let it be for a while. We will still be doing our own research and talk to them if we find something new, and they said they will do the same, but until then we're just concenrating on Charlie's well beginning. Just keeping him happy and healthy (healthy as he can). He is getting stronger everyday and he has accepted that there are things he can or can't do. Call us crazy but we are evening considering on getting another puppy (don't flame me yet! it's still thinking stage!) after I find a place. Charlie likes other dogs (especially puppies) and it would keep him busy and happy. It will also keep my boyfriend and me busy (a good kind of busy). We all right now need an emotional boost up, and a puppy will do that for all of us (Charlie's the boyfriend's first dog.. and he has to go through all this... not a really great introduction of dog owning). Again, it's just a thought. Just though I will let everyone know the latest about what's happening with Charlie. The boyfriend, Charlie and I really appericate everyone's support, help and suggestion. All the healing vibes you guys sent over, must of worked on Charlie. Despite his rare illness, the little fella is running around, being cheeky and simply being an absolute joy to everyone. Thanks you Vi, Richie and Charlie ;)

haha.. i heard someone say that to a whippet once at the dog park... the owner just gave the owner a look saying 'who the hell are you?' and just continued walking, shaking her head.

The boyfriend was there... he stepped in before I went off at her.

well, i would say she is beyond the chubby side

Took Charlie for his morning stroll this morning... some idiot woman comes over to Charlie and said 'oh. you come home with me. I won't starve you'... my boyfriend and I were standing right there! Rude much? Maybe it's that time of the month, but I let it get to me, I snapped backed at her telling her I wasn't starving Charlie! And, she said that she is a Cavalier breeder for years and that Cavalier's are meant to be taller and more rounder around the tummy, so she knows when she looks at Charlie that I'm starving him. Then, start saying that Girls like me always worry about their weight and I'm punishing my dog to do the same because I want a little thin dog! WTF? I told her if she was a Cavalier breeder then she will know straight off that Charlie is a Cavalier X... and before I could go off and put the idiot lady in her place, my boyfriend step in and told the lady to mind her own business, and pulled Charlie and me away. ;) so after reading that, it does sound silly... but I was so mad about the whole thing. Note: Charlie is 5.5kg (he always been this weight since he was 7 months). As if anyone can say no to this face? (this is how Charlie begs for food (or anything)... he has this mastered at 8 weeks old!)

I've seen it... it's a really eye opening episode.

OMG.. haha!!