happypaws

Agree with MEH .. However current owner seems unable to meet dogs needs , or control the situation . Surely in the dogs best intreats to re home to an experienced husky owner . Can't understand how the owner has allowed this , in first instance . And thinks the answer is chaining a dog that requires a lot of excercise

I haven't had my girl that long ( prob about 8 mths ) .. She sleeps in my room on her bed . Every night I get kisses ( weather I want them or not ) .. Sometimes if I am really lucky twice she started this a couple of months ago , funny ... She is lovely .. Even if she tries to sneak on the bed some times :D - ahh Labs !

Aww go Elbie ... Very clever

pure GSP Gold ... These had me laughing ! I am sure you can laugh .. Now about it

Have you been doing obedience with him ? Has your routines with him changed at all ?

Hi Did you post on www.winter paws.com.au and I think they also have Facebook pages .. I hope you find her ..and in good Heath good luck keep us updated

Thinking of you today Jules , hope you managed to get some sleep . At least the kitty kats are aware you need them , I hope you and the gals are doing alright all things considered . Pls update us on how you are ? Big hugs !

OMG ... Just so tragic .. Jules I hope you have some friends who can help you through. I don't want to alarm you but please check your property carefully and if you are on your own be aware of security . I do hope you have ppl who are able to come by frequently , i really hope this was not intentional . But either way shocking and devastating , I really feel for you . All of DOL is here Hugs to you and the pack .

I say no ... I have 3 kids , twins 21 mth and 4 years and when I knew we wanted another dog , I opted for a 2 year old Lab, grown up around kids previous... from a registered breeder . She has been terrific , we love her she is great with kids , sleeps inside , gets walked about 3-4 times a week at the moment ( mostly due to cold weather ) . When it warms up a bit we will go back to reg morning walk . The kids go outside and play she loves to supervise .. They think she is cool . She is such a good dog and good company . She comes inside during the day , and is a part of our family . I want to get a malamute maybe ... But I am aware of the commitment of spitz breeds , and you need to have time to commit . So I am going to wait a while. It really does not seem as if there would not be much spare time in a busy house , if they have set there heart on a husky .. Don't go for a pup - husky rescue for a suitable mature dog . Or do as I am .. Wait .

How lucky Oscar was to have someone who loved him so much . Sunnyflower, thank you for posting this. So many of us were with you in spirit in these last weeks, and it was so kind of you to post this in his honour and memory. I'm another one who admires your decision, and the way you went about it. I'm sure that Oscar's story will help others in a similar situation. He sounds as though he was an absolutely lovely little man, and you will have wonderful memories of the time you had with him, even though it was way too short. Run free handsome man.

He has foster failure written all over him .. He is lovely ! What about Mavrick ?

happy birthday to ol Ollie dog .. A special man !

Are you sure it always was in a state of alter? Akitas have pick ears and curled tails, it's just how they are. Doesn't mean that they are a state of alter all the time. I have to spring to the defence of Akitas, having owned three together. They are known for their proud and dignified stance, always alert, but not about to attack. I love them, loyal and affectionate. I just don't know .. She always seemed to be on guard .. And I get that it is a part of what they do , but she never seemed relaxed . Always watching . I don't think it was alter .. But I could be wrong . This was the first one I came across , but remember her as the dog who never seemed relaxed .

The breed which makes me want to run a mile is Akitas .. I can't really explain it , when we were renting we lived next to one who seemed to always be on guard made me nervous to see a dog in such a high state of alert almost constantly . I have tried to meet a few and had a few chat with owners .. But it's the one dog I worry about .. Not rotties or gsd or pit bull types . I haven't quite got past it yet

Oh wow Gracie ... Clever girl .. I shed a tear as my late Jordi was a rough collie , special dogs. How proud you must be of Gracie ... Big treats for her . I hope your neighbour recovers well and I am sure Gracie will be a welcome visitor to him

Yep Kong Wobbler .. Mia has it once or twice a week with a rotation of toys .. It's easy to clean ;) As she can't have certain foods I use fritz , cheese, kabanos , and chicken liver bits ( not all together at once ) it does help with the Mental drain

OMG how cute are they .... I want them all !!!! But think someone could be jealous .

Oh I want idigadogs ramp and dogs .. Very cute ! I have just invested in KONG Wobbler for the lab when she is board or I need to give her something to do .... Highly recommend !

Sorry to hear this SF , how lucky Oscar is to have an owner who cares so much.... I hope this week is amazing (given whats happening I hope you can have a good time with Oscar ) take care x

Annie have you thought about de-sensitization from a dog trainer / professional ?? I don't know any where you are but I am sure plenty of DOL ppl do .. Just wondering if it's an option or crossed your mind ?

Oh SF I know the pain you are feeling only too well Make the most of what ever time you have .. Spoil him silly in anynway you can . When the time came to give my boy (Jordi ) his wings it was so very tough .. It still is at times (it was Jan this year ) . We buried him in the yard and planted a tree for him . I have another dog and got her about 8 mths ago ... We walk in honor of jordi most mornings or nights I think of him and our good times while I walk her ... It's hard but it helps . Best wishes to you and Oscar Thank you Corvus. Hearing positive thoughts like this makes me feel stronger and know that I am doing the right thing by him. Thank you B xx Thank you KHM. The help and support that has been offered here is more than I could have hoped for. It really does suck Tom but as you say it is the kindest thing. Seems so strange to me but it is completely right.. Thank you. Thank you Shelby, it really does make me feel like I am not a bad owner when I am being told I am in fact a caring owner. I love him so much and will miss him more than words can ever describe. I am sorry you had to part with your girl, I am sure she is by your side in spirit every day. My vet returned my call late this afternoon and he agreed that the kindest thing to do by Oscar would be to put him at rest and out of pain. First he wants to up the dose of his quarterzone tablets to 4 a day and see what happens there. If that doesn't help or he is still experiencing any pain then we will give him his wings! We have two weeks worth of this medication left but doubling it is a weeks worth so if it isn't helping within the week I guess in a week or two we will say goodbye to this very special boy. So close to his 3rd Birthday too.

Remarkable how adaptive they can be .. I now have the general idea ! You can see how they don't suit everyone .. But maybe one day So out of interest is there anything they don't look after or struggle with bonding ( maybe cats ? ) quote name='Steve' timestamp='1306714543' post='5333050'] They are O.K. in town if they are living as if they are humans.If they are with the family [ herd] all the time its no big deal and they dont bark if they sleep inside .We have lots of them in pet homes in suburbia but if you leave them outside spearate to the family they bark.Thats how they work. My house Maremmas are with me all day and when I open the door to go to the clothes line they run ahead of me and Yell "everything back off - here comes Mum" only for a second till I get there then they watch me hang the washing out. Meeting their needs is giving them something to look after .We have one placed with an autistic boy who rarely leaves the house.When the dog first went in the kid was horrible to it .the dog did its stuff and now the dog is the only thing the kids communicates with.The dog is by his side 24 hours a day and goes outside to play only when the boy does .Same thing the dog runs ahead as he is coming out the door goes bark bark get off the property here comes the kid and then stays close sniffing and weeing etc but within a few minutes back with the kid getting a hug. While the kid is on the trampoline or the swings the dog sun bakes. Where you get a problem in suburbia is when you leave them in a back yard with no work. If you have a family - like mine where someone is always with the dog and the dog can live truly as a human rather than a dog there isnt a problem. But when you throw it outside of an evening it will need to shout at anything or any sound that may mean the family would be threatened. One big difference for me was when I had the dog inside and I heard a noise outside - got a bit worried about it so thought I'd let the dog out to scare what ever it was off as she had obviously heard the sound too. I opened the door " Go on then go out and see what the noise is " Nup " Go on go out and check it out for me . 'Nup and she moved to the bedroom - you go out if you want Mum and if anything gets past you Ive got the kids covered" She sat down just inside the boys doorway. Same as she would if it were sheep. Dont leave the animals you are guarding when there is a threat in case the predator gets them while you are not watching. Now I have 2 inside one stays with the kids and the other goes out. 2 Maremmas in a paddock one stays with the sheep and the other chases em off .One Maremma in a paddock moves the sheep to a coner for safety and puts themselves between the threat and the animal. They yell and do scary things to try to talk the predator out of coming too close because taking time out to kill it means the predators mate might slip in the back door. If you understand the breed and forget all the nornal stuff about exercise, training and behaviour and do it all with knowledge of the breed as a difference to dog - its great . If I yell shuddup they think Im barking and upset so they bark more, If I say calmly "its O.K. mate' they shuddup! Within an enclosed area - my home they have perfect manners and do all I ask of them - trained , come, sit etc but when they are turned on and percieve a threat that goes right out the window. Over the last 19 or 20 years Ive owned them Ive learned to trust them and if I respect the breed and what they were bred to do its easy. They make you think they are so in love with you and are so dependent on you but its an illusion I think. For them we are just a job just as the sheep are and its me who has come to trust them and love them to bits just as the sheep do.

Amazing .. Very fascinating ! So in a pet situation .. Can they be bonded to a family ? And given they are not your average breed .. How do you meet the needs of the bread mentally and physical in an average suburban family situation ?

Julie has my details in case she needs help with the Elkhound bitch. Fantastic work Julie, on pulling this together . Well done to those who have helped and donated x

Oh no ... comon Ollie .. healing vibes to Ollie and SL