Max#1

Well that sounds like good news!!! And don't feel bad for when you don't feel like it. You are the human/boss/(dare I say)pack leader after all!

Yeah so I just went outside with him for five minutes and thought about it. If he was a monster, he'd be unbearable to live with. But he's not. He's not destructive either. He's funny, playful, sweet, smart and really good company - as well as being a good conversationalist!

KTB and Wuffles: Max doesn't have anyone to play with during the day, and I'm it in the evenings. Part of me likes that he wants to play with me all evening (you should see the look he's giving me now) - but now I'm worried that I should be training for more calm. I've seen that relaxation protocol by that lady - and it doesn't do it for me. I'm not that calm!!!! Am I creating a monster??????

I'm with you. We're at demos in Vic this weekend. Should be fun!

I've thought of that too. But to be honest, you know what's going to happen. Firstly, you won't be able to take the dog unless you feel that *tug*. Then, it will steal your heart - you know it will!

Hey I know how you feel. With Max - I was aware he would be a high energy dog - and I was prepared for that and wanted that. So fine. But the actual reality of it is something else. He can go all day. Problem is - we both work full time, so he doesn't go all day - which means he goes all night . He gets walked twice a day without fail (okay except for once I was sick) - with both walks involving at least 50% off lead. I figure that way he's running around as much as he wants, and he plops down when he wants a breather. There's no way I could fulfill his energy requirements by pounding the pavement!!!! I'd still be out there!!!!! We do flyball, but to be honest, I wouldn't say its that much extra exercise. Once a week training for two hours, its hardly record breaking. So don't worry about that. He's nearly 12 months now, and we notice that he's settling down ever so slightly. Did I say slightly????? Right now he's dropping a ball behind me to make me come play. When I see all these photos of sleeping dogs I do have to wonder! What can I say? Hang in there? That's what I'm doing! I love that when I get home from work he's ready to go - and I don't sit on the couch all night. I love it and wouldn't swop it for anything. I sometimes wonder if a second dog would help take the edge off - in that they could play together instead of only wiht me or the OH (the OH and Max have a delightful routine of some bitey face before bed... )....... we'll see.

Oh... so you don't want an Akita then??? It'd be smaller than Mindy for a little while (like 8-9 months) so you'd have time to get used to the size What are you thinking about getting?? My criteria are medium size (preferably less than 20kg) and short coated...so maybe not an akita I'm thinking a rescue or pound lab x at the moment I'd also be open to a BC or kelpie, i know there are plenty of those in pounds, but they'd have to get on with Mindy and I've heard that herding breeds don't tend to get on well with labs (though Min has quite a few kelpie friends). I'd love to get a rescue Grey, but I just don't think they'd be able to keep up with us and Mindy, being the friendly thing she is would probably annoy the s*** out of it! Aussielover - I'm on the same page as you! Thinking same sort of dog and everything!

My OH was taken with border collies after seeing that you tube clip where the border collie says 'hello'. The more he read about them, the more he liked them . I have to agree!

That's really sweet! My puppy also has made me laugh at critical moments...... dogs can be so special.

Thanks for the reply. I guess it was just the size of it, and the fact its persisting which was a bit of a worry. Hopefully the antibiotics clear it, we are loathe to give antibiotics for no real reason though, so fingers crossed.

And its kind of acrobatics, but here's a description of one particularly heart-melting position he likes to get into.... If I'm lying on my side, he'll come and sit in my stomach facing away from me. Then he looks back at me over his shoulder once or twice, then lets his body flop down so that his head lands in the crook of my arm. Its so adorable.... and in those moments he's so cuddly.... I don't get half as good cuddles from the OH! By the way, I'm unlikely to capture that on film as I'm usually mostly asleep!

And proving you don't have to be small, white and fluffy to be a lap dog...

And a naughty one... That is actually our kitchen table...

ooooo... and now I'm looking, here's one putting the crate to good use

Here's one from the puppy days.....

My dog (he's nearly 12 months) has swollen lymph nodes - vet diagnosed. We had felt the lump under his neck, large grape sized (he's 20 kg), and thought maybe an abscess or grass-seed - though us touching it didn't seem to bother him or cause any pain. The vet has given us broad spectrum antibiotics, hoping that'll clear it. He is otherwise his normal self - eating, pooing, playing and sleeping. Has anyone else experienced this?

Good luck! Been there - done that! That's for sure!

We have a bissel and have used it for all sorts of carpet-doggy related disasters! (And the odd red-wine spill - they really work!).

Lot's of people have written about this so I think it must be really common. Do you think about life without Echo?

Oh Diesel is so handsome! There's something about the red (sorry if that's wrong) border collies - the red and white together just makes me think of caramel icecream!!!! Still very jealous of everyone's second puppies!!!

I can't believe what I've missed! I'm very happy for the new doggy-owners! I am a one-dog person looking to become a two-dog person...... all the things that you guys write about I also have considered, so its been very educational for me . I guess we're just waiting til 'the time is right'. Not wanting to get a second dog purely for company for Max (though its very tempting - like Ava, he is so disappointed in the morning when he realises we're leaving.... he hangs out in the bathroom with us as we get ready looking glum....) I guess just waiting til we're sure??????? Who knows!!!! Waiting for the right dog????? ha. So if Willow needs somewhere to go...... . Max and I are like this - he's my dog through and through and I'd almost feel bad to bring another dog into our home where Max misses out on something. Though having had two dogs before I know its not really like this - each fill their niche and everyone is happier for more love going 'round. And yes, that is as mushy as I'll get . Oh, and my OH needs a dog. A girl dog. Seeing as how Max and I are..... The only thing is as more time goes by I get a better idea of the kind of dog that would suit our home. Good grief - children. I won't get there. Yet. Luckily my sister is taking care of that for the family.... (she's due in May too!). Very jealous of Mindy coming to work too.... funnily enough while Max wouldn't fit into my workplace much at all - most of my workmates suggest I should bring him in....

My favourite is the second outtake.... And the video is extra cute. ;) Welcome back KA. And see you in another week once you've caught up! Some people round here sure are chatty....... We just had our first team training for flyball. Went pretty well. Any mistakes were mine and not his. I have a lot to learn it would seem! Poor little pooch is completely tuckered out! I think he just had a bout of reverse sneezing, I better go look that up again.....

Okay so ages ago I promised a video of Max doing cuteness when my OH gets home. He usually gets home quite late, so the puppy is sleepy and cute when he does. Where he is standing he can see the back door - but its through two rooms - so he doesn't wait at the door. Sometimes Max'll see him coming, then come running to me and sit on me, and do 'thump thump thump' with his tail. I'm sure there's some pack dynamics going on there, but I'm stumped to interpret them . And welcome to KobiDaisy! here is the link... Gotta love the waggily's!

That people discuss 'what you keep vs what's suitable for rehoming' is great. An important and interesting discussion - with many people from many backgrounds and experiences having different viewpoints. To answer PF - I didn't take it literally that those were the only two options for puppies. I thought the third option was non-show, non-breeding quality puppies going as pets to normal non-showing, non-breeding people. If getting a dog from a breeder means I have to show/breed I'm in big trouble if I ever want one. I should add - I thought that option was obvious enough it didn't need specific mention?

Have you considered that the Ark implied that many breeders would kill "pet quality" dogs? The idea that "many breeders" consider pups not worth showing or breeding should get a needle is offensive - or it is to me. Comparing those dogs to the pups in this thread is ludicrous. To PF and others who were offended: don't you think getting that implication from the Ark's post is taking it a bit far? Aren't we all here on this forum for the same basic reason? Or is it to beat each other up?