Kelly_Louise

Oh DW – I read the title and hoped against hope it wasn’t your Diesel. Before I even read your post, I admit there were tears flowing freely. I think we all went into battle for Diesel, we wanted so badly to have a good outcome… however, some battles are just too much to conquer. You and Diesel together fought a good fight, and I hope, through your sadness, you feel proud that you did every thing you could for your little guy. No one could have done more, and when the time came – you made the utterly selfless decision to let him go before he suffered too much. I’m in awe of both yours, and Diesel’s bravery throughout this whole ordeal. I can only smile when I think of Diesel happily running free at Rainbow Bridge with so many others. He is well, there is no pain – no more battles to wage, and he has a massive smile on his face. I have no doubt he will wait patiently to see you again one day far from now. DW, I feel terribly heartbroken for you – and I’m so very sorry you’ve lost your beloved friend. I know he will forever thank you for what you did for him – how hard you tried – how much you loved – and in the end, how you let him go when he needed you to. I hope his love for you, his friendship and his courage will stay in your heart and memory forever. He crept into all our lives somehow – and today will be a sad day for all that followed his journey. May you rest in peace and happiness forever Diesel. Never forget you were loved and admired by so many. Hugs to you DW and thank you for sharing your life and inspiration with us. If you need anything ever, please let me know and we’ll be here for you.

I would not change from BARF to Nature's Gift straight away... it will only end messily :rolleyes: No I don't think that Nature's Gift canned food is anything like BARF at all. I have tried BARF, Sasha loved it, it was cheaper - but she did not hold condition and it upset her tummy. I had no choice but to switch to canned food, I use Advance canned - it's much more expensive to feed this way but it's the only thing I can do to keep her in good condition and to avoid upsetting her stomach and she now has nice, consistently firm poos rather than consistently runny ones. Stick with what your dog does best on. I'd love to be able to feed a raw diet - Sasha gets a small meaty bone every week and it is the only thing we can get away with without upsetting her belly and putting her off food. She loves chicken necks too, and chicken frames - but they just don't agree with her...

Hey mate - I think I missed this post Good news about the vet visit... so how are things going now? How's he using the leg? I would like to hope he's using it much more now? Update please - was just thinking of you guys and thought... HANG ON... I haven't been updated for a while!!! Hope all is well

Ohhh I just love Ruff!! He's divine!!

What a beautiful girl - although, having an ACD myself I may be a tad biased LOL! They are great dogs aren't they? I have to say, I adore that last shot - with her big smile. That's classic

Rest in peace and happiness Bo

Thank you to you and your family for providing Patch with the life they all deserve, and our condolences. RIP beautiful Patch. I can see why she would touch your heart.

That's the funniest thing I've seen... I wouldn't be able to look at them staring at me... I'd get performance anxiety methinks!! One good thing about SAsha's fears, is that she will just peer from around the corner of the door... she wants to come in, but is afraid of the flush. She also wants to sit in the shower with me... but is too afraid of the exhaust fan. Thank goodness, or I'd have a mastiff x ridgie stuck to me 24/7. :D

I've passed on all the suggestions so far - THANK YOU! Hopefully she can find something that works, so if anyone else has any other ideas or something they've had some success with, bring them on. She's trying so hard with her dogs and if it's not one problem it's another!! Thank goodness my girls don't eat their own... :D Ewwwwwwwww. Sasha doesn't even like to retrieve a toy that's gone anywhere even close to the vicinity of her poo!!

I'm terribly sorry for your struggle and loss. Jordy was indeed a very brave boy, fought the good fight... but these diseases can be so tragic and strength sapping. RIP sweet Jordy, your battle is over. Bokezu, I know that no words will take away your pain - but your boy is now free and you will carry his memory with you always. His photos are magnificent - I can see why he holds a special place in your hearts.

I have a friend that has 2 big dogs that eat their own poo. It seems to have gotten worse since they were put on a diet (due to family who were minding them over feeding). Firstly, just like to know what causes them to do this (could there be something lacking in the diet)? Secondly, how can this be stopped or discouraged? Thankfully Chloe and Sasha only eat cat, duck or bird poo... THANK YOU!

Thanks guys! Justice - that's my fav pic too :D I've got a few others like it too. Absolutely, there is something special about a grey face... but an old cattle dog face especially just melts my heart. Her body may be old and creaky, but her mind is still in puppyhood, and still thinks it can do anything Bless her.

A few more

As some of you know, Chloe has had numerous health issues the last few years - very much up and down. Her Cushings disease seems to be under control at the moment, however - we're always on edge... it can turn so quickly. Anyway, at the moment, she is looking really good - her energy levels are great - and she is a happy, bouncy girl at almost 12 years old. She's looks fantastic, I'm really happy with her - and going into the holiday season I'm confident she won't need another test until January to check her levels are all satisfactory and her medication is correct. So here she is, she's certainly a lovely girl. Her smile can tear your heart, especially when you understand how brave she has been through her surgeries and illnesses. Enjoy.

Sash is pretty tall, she comes to about mid thigh on me. She has looooong legs! I've just sent some enquiries to some agility equipment makers in the US - they seem to be much better quality. If they are too expensive I might enlist OH to make some basic gear for her. He loves making things LOL. I am in the Liverpool area, and that is such a lovely offer Vickie - thank you. However, the biggest problem I have is that Sash does not travel well in the car (5 - 10 minutes is max before the vomitting starts ) - I think it has something to do with her past as I don't believe it is car sickness, she gets so anxiety ridden. But we're working on that slowly. When I said her temperament is not suited to a public agility group - I mean that she is quite frightened in new situations with groups of new people and dogs. I have no doubt she would acclimatise to that after a few weeks (like she has to her obedience group), but she is terrible offlead (if she was afraid she would try to run away) and a bit of a social nutter - once she is comfortable she loves all dogs to the extreme!!! Kills them with kindness and licking!! I've seen lots of photos of your crew and set up in the photo forum and have no doubt Sash would be in heaven - maybe one day when she is travelling better she'd love to have a visit! I guess I just something different for her that she will enjoy and keep her mind active and learning, while getting physical exercise too. She learns SO fast, it's insane. Gotta keep the challenges coming

Yes that's the only one I can find too... one is an Agility set, one an Obstacle course - the only difference being one has a round tunnel, one has a square tunnel. I was just hoping there might be more brands to choose from. I guess if she shows alot of interest we could make some other equipment ourselves. Thanks for all your input

No I haven't - but it would just be for back yard use, nothing too strenuous. Sasha's temperament would not be suited to public agility groups at this point. I was hoping a basic kit would be okay for us to use in the backyard. Thanks for the link, will definitely have a look

Hi guys, I'd like to get Sasha a basic agility kit for Christmas – I think she'd really enjoy it, and I'd really enjoy training her to use it. The only one I can find is this one (at many various pet outlets): http://www.petsplus.com.au/pet-shop.asp?id=1536 However just wanted to know if anyone knows of any other ones I could have a look at please, or if that would be my only choice? Thanks!

Unfortunately the odds of that happening are pretty good... but think of it positively - at least you know what you're in for this time, and an old pro at it all. It will be a breeze second time around right? (NOT)!! Best of luck to you all, hope the second time is successful as the first.

BAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Love those mud monsters... They truly look happy as pigs in.... Great photos!

You beat me to it Loraine, and as always - some wonderful advice. I agree that at first - the diagnosis is really daunting, and people's experience can be really frightening. But not everyon'e is. I won't say it's been an easy ride, but it's been manageable - and OUR experience, so far after 2 years, has not been anywhere near as scary as some others that I've read (touch wood and thank Dog). I also agree that your client needs to arm themselves with as much info as possible... so that they can be prepared. Loraine, just a quick note - wanted to share that Chloe is doing REALLY well at the moment. She's full of beans, looks fantastic - I'm really happy with her. She's not due for another test for a while, but might get her tested just before Christmas to ensure that all is on the right track.

My old girl has Cushings. She is controlled very well on daily medication. It can become expensive, and she requires regular testing to ensure the medication dosage is correct - however she is doing well 2 years after her initial diagnosis. They need to be monitored - kind of like a dog with diabetes to look for symptoms. But once you understand the disease and know the symptoms and warning signs - it's not as hard to control as some think. It's just a matter of ensuring that a cushinoid dog is getting the correct dose of medication... which can be tricky sometimes, but then can remain stable for a period of time - just depends on each dog. Every Cushings experience is different. Chloe remained stable on her meds for just over a year, and then changed dosage, went into remission and out of it onto a lower dosage this year. It also needs to be determined what is causing the cushings disease (whether it be a tumour on the pituitary gland or the adrenal glands) as to how it will be treated, and how successful the treatment will be. Until all that is determined, and the severity of the cause (Chloe has a small pituitary tumour - doesn't affect her at all so it's a matter of treating the symptoms only - another dog on here Diesel has a larger pituitary tumour that is affecting him also, so he must be treated for the tumour and the Cushings symptoms). The most common cause is a pituitary tumour - and although that sounds scary, they are usually slow growing and will not affect the dog in it's natural lifetime - however each experience is different. I would recommend that the dog be taken to a specialist to deal with this disease. Normal vets, even good ones - I feel are not equipped to deal with is as well as a specialist is. If you have any specific questions - please let me know. Happy to help.

Well he will be in good hands there - have no doubts. If there is a chance for Diesel, then they will find it. If the worst happens (let's hope not) then at least you will know you've done everything you can for Diesel - and no one could ask any more than that. Praying for some good results for you and Diesel. I also hope that he will come back out with you too, but again, that decision will be up to you and depend on the results you get. Do you know the name of the specialist you will be seeing? It will most likely be a different one as I'm assuming Diesel will need a different field of specialty. Chloe's specialist is a medicinal specialist - ie specialising in conditions that can be controlled with medicines. Perhaps if the news is good, Diesel will also see the same specialist. Best of luck anyway, and let us know - we'll be here for you and waiting... how are his symptoms lately?

I used to feed Iams Large breed and was really happy with it. Sasha liked it and has a sensitive belly, but seemed to do well on it. I've changed over to Advance of late, and she is thriving on that now and it keeps her tummy issues at bey, so we'll stick with that. I find it very similar to Iams. If I was in a financial bind though and budget conscious - I would definitely go back to Iams without a worry. Sorry your crew have had such a bad reaction... I would think it just a bad batch or maybe it could be something else that's triggered them? Hope they improve soon though ;) - and thankfully the shop are doing the right thing too. ;)

DW - every day you have with him is your miracle. Don't ever forget that Have a chat to both specialists, and see who you feel comfortable with if you are unsure. A certain vet can be good for one dog - but not suit another. You know Diesel best, and your gut will tell you who is the right specialist to look after your precious boy. The ARH are great though, I've only had one slightly negative experience with them when Chloe's specialist was on holidays... however other than that I can't praise them enough and have been dealing with them for more than 4 years now. Still, they may not be what you are looking for - I think you need to be able to trust a specialist 100% if you go to see them. Otherwise it's a waste of time and you will just stress yourself more than you already are. But if you find the one that you trust fully, it will take some of that worry and pressure off you. Bless you both xox