Hello Gorgeous

Is it possible for the dog to stay with grandparents/relatives temporarily while you work the situation out? That way your other children can go around and still play with her I've got a cousin who is simply terrified of ... small, fluffy animals. Terrified as in she will burst into hysterics and almost had to be sedated in order to calm down. Anything small and fluffy - kittens, puppies, rabbits .. it's bizarre! But anyway, she's been seeing a hypnotherapist lately to get out of it and she says it's really begun to work, and she actually feels like cuddling one now - she used to freak out at even a PHOTO of one. Might be an option, although I'm not sure if she's old enough.

*bumping* this because he's such an absolutely beautiful dog who doesn't deserve his circumstances

This may be off-topic but I walked into a pet shop a week or so ago just to have a cuddle with the puppies and what not, and saw one of those designer dog litters for sale, I think it was Chihuahua x Maltese or something of that sort. I enquired out of curiosity and nearly fainted when I was told that one puppy was $750!!!!

I think a really big problem (which can backfire on you later!) with puppies is separation anxiety. I remember the very first puppy I had, I allowed her to sleep on my bed, follow me everywhere, gave her the run of the house, and she got REALLY attached which is great, but when I wanted to go out by myself, she'd cry up a storm! Also, showering and brushing my teeth in the bathroom grew to be a whole family affair as she somehow learned to open sliding doors (the bathroom door is a sliding door) and halfway through my shower, I'd suddenly get a flurry of white fluff trying to launch herself into the tub with me!

I finally decided to take the plunge and get a French Bulldog after admiring them and researching on them for years! I was eyeing British Bulldogs for a very long time originally but decided a Frenchie would suit my lifestyle more right now (although I do hope on getting a British Bully within the next few years hopefully!) I'm quite excited as I haven't had a puppy in years, now the waiting begins as I'm only going to be getting him around end of June/July. I've been doing research and so on, but does anyone have any advice on Frenchies?

She's gorgeous! And she looks so happy with all your other Cresteds too!

Poodles are really intelligent (I think second to Border Collies or something?) and are generally very pleasant dogs to have. They're not all yappy, but you might get a barker! However if you're after something which can be more of a guard dog, I'd really recommend a Cocker Spaniel because they're extremely loyal, pretty low maintainence (you'd have to watch out for the ears though and will require at least a brushing) and are great with children, especially if they grow up together. I've been doing some research on Papillons but decided they weren't the breed for me because they are quite energetic, and the problem with small dogs is they require a lot of training and obedience, else they'd develop what I call "small dog syndrome" like my friend's Chihuahua who seems to attack every single big dog it sees! You'd have to invest a lot of time in socializing and training (as with any dog, I suppose).

I had to put one of my cats to sleep almost a year ago now and it was the most heartbreaking incident ever, especially because he was only about 4-5 years old. He had a mini stroke and a blood clot got stuck in his spine paralysing him .. and a whole bunch of other things which I couldn't really process at the time because it was so devastating He was born in the house (my cat had an unexpected litter) and we kept both kittens who were really our lives. I went to visit him at the vet and he was in so much pain and so terrified, we researched and researched but in his condition, we had to put him to sleep. I couldn't stay with him because I was crying so much, but my sister did. I think all my crying traumatized the poor young vet who looked dangerously close to tears himself!

Sorry it didn't work out, but I'm glad you're doing the right thing by returning him immediately so he can find a great home that suits his needs too Have you considered a Cocker Spaniel? They're not toy/lap dogs and are roughly medium sized, so if you like large dogs but it seems impractical for you to get one, it's a great option. I grew up with them because my Dad loved the breed. He bought me two older retired show dogs when I was about 4, and I used to sit on them and ride them around like ponies, clip their ears back with hairbands, chase them around the garden (... gosh I was quite the tyrant!) and they never not once snapped or barked at me. Patient little things, they are!

I'm so glad you managed to find a great home for him, especially with people who know enough about the breed! I'm sad to say that I know of someone who bought a husky from a pet shop on an impulse. She lives in a one bedroom apartment which doesn't even allow dogs, so to walk her she has to take the stairs all the time! She got so frustrated with the poor dog as well, and well, when I tried explaining that huskies are a tough breed for someone who's used to lap dogs and placid little Maltese/Poodles, she didn't take it so well. Plus she's really tiny too (5'4") so she has a really tough time trying to exert that she's the "alpha" and the dog just bullies her all the time. Sigh!

That is the most precious pug ever, Bluefairy, and the last photo is too cute!!! *hearts*