Melina Bea

Welcome to the countdown Lee-Ann :D 2 sleeps for me. I'm actively trying not to think about it, or I'd be crawling up the walls with impatience. I have to say, the doubts over my own abilities are starting to surface. I've read so much, asked so many questions, so I was quite confident. Now that's starting to falter a bit. Calling breeder today to see how Louis is doing after his vacs, and to arrange a pickup time on Friday!

Woohoo Smash! Thanks for the heads up Moose :D

Luvsdogs - your dogs are beautiful! Panda is particularly stunning. I think you probably meant to post that in "that other thread" lol...

You can have a house full of furry, non-shedding love too! :laugh:

Lisa........SHARE!!!

:laugh: Yes I'm thinking that Louis will probably come into his own once he gets out from under his sister's paw. She's the bossy yappy one. Sometimes he looks at her and you'd swear he's saying "pleaaaase just shut up already...?" I don't care, I'll love him whichever way he is. I love (Wicked) Willow. Just like Louis, people think its nice and sweet... then you tell them the full name :laugh:

I think they grow into their names too! ...or we imagine that they do :p

That's so cuuuuuute!

Cassis, it'll just come to you! I named Louis before I even met him, when I heard I was getting a boy. I thought being named after Louis the Great just HAD to suit a boy Yorkshire Terror! (That's not a typo ) Funnily enough, he's so quiet and calm... I might have made a mistake!

Isn't it your first criteria? What happens when no non-shedding dog is suitable to a person's lifestyle? Most of them are terriers and I can't think of nothing worse than a terrier breed in the hands of someone who doesn't get terriers. It IS my first criteria, that's why I'm defending it. If no non-shedding dog is suitable, then you consider your options (become more flexible, choose a different animal, etc). In the meantime, you learn a lot. We all started somewhere. The way I see it, when you're getting a pet, you have your non-negotiable criteria and your negotiable criteria. As long as you do your research, it shouldn't matter which of the criteria was your starting point. What matters is that you're honest with yourself about what you need and can handle, as well as what each breed needs to be healthy and happy. ETA: Actually, it's my 2nd criteria. The first was size.

Sheridan, you were talking about non-shedding being the first criteria. That's what I'm arguing for. It being the ONLY criteria is, of course, careless. But no more careless than choosing it for its size, looks, etc. To say "I'm picking on non-shed-lovers" (slight paraphrasing) is to both generalise and pick on someone for preference. A dog should be chosen to fit the owners' lifestyle, personality and needs. The ORDER of the criteria shouldn't matter.

You learn something new every day! :)

Indeed! Unfortunately, there's just no pleasing some people ETA: I spent a year researching before actually getting a dog. Apparently that was useless because my first criteria was that it should be a non-shedding toy breed, and took it from there. Never mind that it's for health reasons! Nope, I should have gotten a stuffed toy instead.

Thanks for the advice! I'll be vigilant, I'm already having visions of a little Hulk-Yorkie! :laugh:

Moosepup, thanks for posting that pic, I was wondering how best to set it up against the wall. Steph, in my case it's because I've realised there's no way to keep all these cables out of reach, so while he's a puppy I can't leave him unsupervised unless he's in a pen. It's good to start getting him used to being alone as I'm starting Uni in a few months. Oh, and its also great for the back yard since we have a large one. (Okay, I'm thinking the back yard only seems large to me because I lived in England for so long...)

Sheridan: I think picking on anyone for a preference makes as much sense as choosing a dog on one characteristic alone. I like non-shedding dogs. Is that the only criteria for choosing one? Of course not, but it is definitely a criteria. If you want to pick on me for that, then there's not much I can say. (Just to clarify, I don't feel picked on by you).

This is my point about preferences. Some of us want to live with a dog that doesn't shed. I don't mind mud, leaves, etc... but hair around the house makes MY hair stand on end. What's so wrong about knowing what you want, why should we justify it? why pick on my post who asked you to justify anything I was responding to the OP. Sorry Rebanne, only the first line was in response to your post, as it sort of supports the point I was trying to make. The other two lines are in response to the thread in general. I'm not picking on anyone, as far as nobody is picking on us non-shed-lovers :laugh: I'm sorry it came across that way.

I've arranged to call her tomorrow to see how he's doing. I'm assuming he's getting a full health check too...? Lol oops I should've asked. Already I'm being an irresponsible parent :laugh:

This is my point about preferences. Some of us want to live with a dog that doesn't shed. I don't mind mud, leaves, etc... but hair around the house makes MY hair stand on end. What's so wrong about knowing what you want, why should we justify it?

I had two long haired cats in the past. No amount of grooming stopped the hair sticking to EVERYTHING. I will never own a shedding animal again! (She says now...) Everybody has preferences, nothing wrong with that.

Ktig - More evidence that the breeder is NOT crazy then!! (as some friends of mine suggested...)

3 sleeps! He's having his shots today! (Fingers crossed...) Smash - Boy, do I know what you're talking about! Puppy-proofing, counting days (first for due date, now homecoming), taking time off work... Yes, definitely feels like having a child!

Woohoooo Dory, let the countdown begin!!! Moose, Nacho is so cute! In Spanish, Nacho is the nickname given to boys called Ignacio. Very pious :laugh:

Lollipup - YAYYY!!! When do you get to see her/him?? Tikira & Dory - Thanks for the reassurance. I've only had cats before and the last thing I want is a dog who thinks he's a cat! Steph - Tumblr users unite! My boy is supposed to have his first round if shots tomorrow. I'm calling the breeder the day after to check how he's doing. Now that the time is almost near, I keep thinking of little things I haven't prepared yet. Hopefully they'll keep me from crawling up the walls! :D

4 sleeps!!! Haha Smash I'm always right behind you :p Welcome Kuuki, and thanks Moosepup - I'll get some cable ties. Tikira, thanks for sharing that lovely poem! Unfortunately I don't think I can even remotely say he picked me. His sister would go crazy for us, but he only tolerates us... until he lets us know he's had enough and wants to be put down. I'm a bit worried, TBH