stellnme

Our first family dog was a Beagle x Kelpie the kids called Marley. The first few years were "interesting" and she sure taught us lots about living with dogs. She grew into the most sweetest natured girl that we loved for all of her 17 years with us. After having two more "Marlies" over the years (of different breeds) including a current one , we affectionally refer to our first as "Big Marley". Many other dogs have come and gone but I'll never forget her.

How long would the dog be alone in the apartment every day?

I'm so sorry. What a beautiful little boy he was. As for dealing with the pain and loss - having lost many dogs over the years, it is always the same. The joy, love and companionship they offer us are the reasons most of us will eventually have another dog in our lives. Be kind to yourself and keep your lovely memories of Kane close to your heart.

Bruce sure got lucky when he came to you. Hope he has gone where there is lots of low hanging fruit, pups to chase and dreams to dream.

I'm sorry your little Tamar has this. I've no experience with dogs with MND but my father died from it and it's a progressive disease that only gets worse. The specialist told our family that the progression (in humans) depends on where the symptoms first manifest. In my father's case, he kept stumbling on his daily walk, so they think it started in his legs, but he didn't seek help until he had constant twitches in his arm - by this time it had progressed upward. I think talking to the vet who diagnosed Tamar, as you were going to do, would be the best because progression in dogs may be very different. It's my guess wheels may not be much of a help, as her muscles in other areas will probably not be able to support her, but be guided by the vet's experience. It doesn't affect the brain at all. Make your house as safe as possible for her and enjoy your time with her. Not much help, but wanted to let you know I am thinking of you both.

Nothing like an old dog - and an old Beagle is so beautiful. Our first dog, a Beagle x , lived to 17 years and was the sweetest girl ever. It's always a privilege to look after an oldie and they certainly teach us a thing or two!

I've just put my older, tiny girls back onto Nexgard Spectra. They are old and don't leave the house/yard too often but I think the wet weather and rapid growth of vegetation has brought in grass fleas and mites so it's a good idea. A good bath and a preventative would be the best idea, but considering Justice's medical history, a phone call to your vet to ask which one would be the best for him would set your mind at ease. With the house, thorough vacuuming is the best - wash the sheets, dog blankets, wipe down couches and vacuum every couple of days (pay attention to skirting boards) and empty the bag or clean out the canister after every vacuum. Also hot wash tiles, floors. I also spray with Eucalyptus spray around the bottom of couches and skirting boards - it's meant to repel fleas as they don't like the smell but it's also natural and freshens everything. Pretty well normal cleaning, except maybe a bit more often! With the car - a hot wash of the cover and some vacs of the car should be all you need. I'm not sure about the chemical spray causing toxicity but maybe something to ask your vet as well? The less chemicals the better, I think, but sometimes they might be necessary to control the little blighters in the environment. Hope it helps a bit!

I've just read this @Loving my Oldies. So very sorry to hear that your Jeune has left. I know from your posts over the years that she had the best life, as did all your dogs. It's so very hard in some ways living with the oldies but for every heartbreak when they go, they give us so much during their long times with us. Jeune was a special girl who knew a lot of love and care with you.

It's so hard, Sandgrubber. I lost my Basil at New year - he was only 7. Somehow it makes it worse. Thinking of you and sending sincere sympathy on the loss of your sweet Patty.

I'm so sorry, Tikira. Kira will be even closer than 3 feet now - she is in your heart.

So very sad to hear that your Bunter has passed away. I remember reading about him when you adopted him and the funny bits through the years. The gap that they leave in our lives is huge and it's probably only then that we realise how very much a part of our lives they were. He had the good fortune to come into your home and be safe and loved for his last 9 years. Although the time we have our dogs is never enough, what you gave Bunter in those 9 years was everything to him. Keep your good memories safe in your heart - Bunter is there already. Thinking of you.

Would a soft crate suit your dog rather than a wire one? The XL one is still 107cm but may be more "squashable" to fit inside your vehicle.

I'm so sorry, BJ. I hope your beautiful boy has found Nash. They leave such an empty space in our homes and our hearts when they leave us.

@Boronia oh he was , that describes him beautifully.

We had quite the journey, Bas. From the moment you chose me in the pound - when I wasn't even thinking of another dog, we had a bond. That bond grew with time and training, through early morning walks in the park, through other dogs in your home. I just knew what you would do. When I had a fall while walking you, you just sat by my side until eventually help came along. You weren't going anywhere without me. It isn't fair that Megaesophagus, then pneumonia, claimed you so quickly when you were too young and had so much love left to share. I hope you are playing with our other dogs who have passed and barking at the Magpies. I'm sure they would still be laughing at you, you couldn't hurt a fly. You were one cool little dude and our very good boy and you've left such a gap in our lives. I'm so glad I brought you home that day and kept you. I think you knew you would never leave. Safe in that little corner of my heart where all good dogs live.

After a battery of tests on Christmas Eve, my Basil has been diagnosed with Megaesophagus. We're waiting on the results of some of the tests to see if they can determine a cause. We're quite devastated by what's happened in a relatively short amount of time - we were investigating a collapsed trachea, but this is far worse. I'm interested to hear if anyone has gone through this with their dog and if so, how did you cope with the management and change in lifestyle? I know about elevated feeding and the Bailey chair, which apparently isn't available in Australia to buy, but some handy people have made one. Anything, really that might help. Our healthy, cheeky boy has gone downhill rapidly and it's heartbreaking.

Just saw this and today is the date that the puppy was supposed to be picked up, so this information may be irrelevant now. Tamworth is the closest airport to Quirindi and there's only one airline (Fly Corporate) that goes to Brisbane direct and that's only several flights a week. It's a small plane so I don't think there would be provision for animals to be transported. The only breeder advertising has had a litter on 15 December so doesn't sound like them. Quirindi is a very small place. My advice would be to be very careful. If you have missed out on this puppy, source a good breeder close to Toowoomba so you are able to see the setup before you choose.

I'm so sorry. Another sweetheart for the Rainbow Bridge. Keep the good memories of your girl safe in your heart.

Very sad to hear your boy has left. My Tuppence died one year ago with an aggressive MCT, so sudden and so unfair. So glad that you have beautiful memories of Dozer to keep safe in your heart.

What a beautiful girl. We have taken the hard flap off our doggy door for our two little ones - it was too hard for their tiny heads to push. We get the odd fly finding the gap now and then, but it makes life so much easier to have the girls use the door.

If she were mine, I'd get to the vet as soon as possible. It could be any number of things. I hope she will be okay.

I, too, always loved seeing the pictures of your beautiful dogs on Dol. I'm so sorry that Zephyr had to leave - what a productive and good life he lived. I hope he is reunited with all the others and has found some sheep to herd. His memory will live on.

The owner kept the microchip active all that time and changed her details! How wonderful it would be if all owners did the right thing and gave them and their pets the best chance of being reunited if the worst should happen.

While I agree Brock has some challenges which would definitely be obstacles to anyone wanting to adopt him, there are many of us who like senior dogs with few years left in them - and often they surprise us with many extra, good years. I hope there is someone out there who can meet his challenges.