bronsonb

Thanks, cav and trifecta, just letting you know that Hamish was given his wings yesterday morning,not quite the outcome I had hoped but I suppose we know what we have to do, don't we? Tyson seems to be coping ok, doesn't seem to be looking for Hamish too much, so hopefully he will be fine. Time to concentrate on him now. Thanks for the kind wishes, peace at last for Hamish RIP xx

Thanks,Cav. I will also speak with my vet too, Hamish is booked in on Monday. I noticed this afternoon that he is not weeing properly so a little concerned that the mass is causing problems there. I lost my first Rottie to osteosarcoma so know what a ratbag the disease is. So sorry about your Bronson, my last Rottie was a Bronson. Special place in my heart for all of them.

Hi Dolers, I have Rottie brothers that are nearly 7 years old. Sadly, one has been diagnosed with bone cancer in his hip and to make matters worse, there is a large mass in his belly too. I have made the painful decision to give palliative care until, well, who knows how long. My big question is how will Tyson cope losing his brother, they've only had 1 night apart since being with me. Should I take them to the vet together, when the time comes so that Tyson will see that Hamish is not coming home? Any experiences shared would be much appreciated.

Thanks, westiemum. Will keep going as we are and use the z/d for the time being. I suppose when you weigh up the cost against all the vet visits, pathology and anti-biotics, not to mention the stress of knowing my poor boys are suffering, it's not that bad at all. Well done for taking that huge step for your boy, but I suppose when you get to that stage, you know what you have to do. Thanks again, and I now know where to come if I need further help.

Thanks to everyone who has replied, certainly lots to digest. We don't really want to go the surgery option, Westie, but if it's the only way, it will have to be. Will keep going with the z/d for the time being and see what happens. The vet had suggested a dermatologist, worth it, do you think?

I have 2 male Rotties aged 5 and we have been battling ear problems for a while now. My vet has finally diagnosed it as pseudomonas infection and been treating with antibiotics. In an effort to try and discover exactly what the trigger is we have eliminated everything from their diet and have just been feeding Hills Prescription z/d. The infection is now clearing but as you can imagine the Hills is quite expensive especially feeding 2 big boys. My question is, would there be any benefit in going on to a raw diet, and if so, how would I go about starting them on it and what sort of quantities would you recommend? Looking forward to some useful responses.

Thanks for the suggestions, I decided to block off both boys from the areas and only give them access to the carpet and guess what.... no wees. He is a bit of a sensitive soul and was just upset with this nasty stuff covering the floors and perhaps he thought if he did wees on it we might take it away!!! Will have to introduce him slowly when the tiling is done, I don't want him christening them!! Thanks again.

I have a 4 year old Rottie boy who has recently decided he will start peeing inside when we are not home. I am out of the house about 6-7 hours and always when I get home, there it is. He can go 9-10 hours overnight with no problems. Now, I am wondering if he is unhappy with the living arrangements at the moment.. we are renovating our floors and they are covered with cloth and plastic dropsheets while we organise for the tiles to be laid, he only seems to go on the plstic sheets. Could it be worth a trip to the vet? The fact that he can last overnight suggests that it might not be an infection. My only other option is to start crating him again to see if he pees in there (and also reinforce his hygiene etiquette!!) Your wonderful DOLers knowledge and experience would be much appreciated.

Dear SC, I totally agree with dyzney's comment. There can be no "should've, would've, could've" thoughts, you must trust that you are doing the best for her (you know in your heart you won't let her suffer) and just enjoy every day for what it is. Glad she had such a wonderful special day and I am sure there will be a few more special days to share with her. Just know we are thinking of you and hugs to you both xx

Dear sc, I am so sad to hear about poor darling Emma, and the dreadful choices you are having to make. Rest assured, we are all here for you, know what you are going through and will be doing the same for our own beloved pets when the time comes, makes you wonder why we get so involved with them doesn't it, but they are worth every tear we shed over them. Always rememeber that you are doing the best for her, whatever you do, and just enjoy your time with her now, and always know that down the track you will have wonderful happy memories of her and will think back on her with a smile. Just look after you as much as her, much love and cuddles to you both xxx

:I had an issue with a loose dog charging me while walking with my dog and I reported it to the council and they sent a warning letter, the dog was out on a second occasion and the owner came out and told me they'd been reported but still did nothing about containing the dog Back to the council again. Chris, report it, I know it's hard living in a small neighbourhood, but your pleaure in walking your dogs shouldn't be spoiled by someone else, what do they say about the minority spoiling it....

Kirty, you are so lucky to have each other, she is gorgeous!!

My OH always feeds the dogs, they are given their bowls on opposite sides of the breakfast bar and that is where they wait. Hamish will always finish first and then goes and politely waits behind Tyson to finish off the leftovers!!

Bronson - Rottie - 11 years 7 months and one week. Think it was arthritis related as he lost the use of his back legs over a period of literally 3 or 4 days, we decided we had no option but to give him his wings. He was my heart dog and we still talk about him 3 years later (I am tearing up now just writing about him). Have 2 new rotts now and they are 3 years old and hope they have a long happy life too.

Number 3 was a mini schnauzer and number 1 - wait for it - is a Cavalier King Charles, but crossed with something... anything!! I heard it on Melbourne radio as I was driving to work.

I got told by a couple of young men that it was against council by-laws for me to even be walking my dog on the footpath. I have been practising using the white lines in the middle of the road to make sure we don't get hit by the traffic!!!! I am afraid for us dog owners, where will this madness end?

My rottie's are both avid tv watchers, but only for 4 legged creatures, humans don't interest them at all!! Tyson ( smaller boy) will see things first and run to the tv screen and as soon as Hamish (the bigger one) runs over, Tyson will jump on Hamish's back, bite him, growl and try to push him away, as if he is saying "no you are my friend, you can't play with them, you must play with me!!" Makes it very difficult to watch any nature programmes or nice warm and fuzzy animal shows.

Bronson is my heart dog. He went to the rainbow bridge 14 months ago and he is still very badly missed. He was something special, I would talk to him and he looked at me with such love, I swore he understood every word I said. My daughter had a painting done of him for my first birthday after he went and it is the most precious thing I own. I have since replaced him with 2 new boys but I can't help thinking that they will never compare, I feel guilty but I just can't help it, I love these boys too but they will never be my beautiful Bronson.

I have looked at their website and will definitely go and have a look. Have you used them and were you really happy, megan?

Can anyone recommend a good kennel in Melbourne, preferably northern suburbs near the airport? I need somewhere for my boys while we go on holiday and it is important that they get somewhere nice. I worry more about their comfort than my own!!!!!!!!!

Signed. There aren't enough words to describe what he did. Poor horse.

So sorry to hear about your beautiful boy, it is hard enough to lose them after they have had a long life, but so much worse now. Your only consolation is that he has been blessed to have had you looking after and loving him. Damn the mongrel breeders for what they have done.

Not much advice to add but just wanted to say I know how you feel, I have 2 9 month old Rotties and one has destroyed 2 padded beds, they both sleep in separate crates but one now has a folded up quilt cover and the other has the luxury of his padded cushion. Guess it must be something only some puppies like to do!!

I have two 7 month old rottie boys, I know that a lot of you would say that we made a mistake getting two and especially from the same litter, but it's done now. The boys get on really well, we have a lot of rottie wrestling and things get very vocal but neither one seems really dominant (they like to take it in turns) :p I was just wondering if there was any particular age when one would try to become the dominant one and we should take extra special care. They are not desexed at the moment and we are hoping to keep it that way, but I am completely open to the idea if the need arises.

I've found with my previous dog that anything with beef in caused him to have very smelly farts. Maybe just check his dry food.