Archive through June 22, 2002
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TV ClubHouse: Archive: Dogs: Archive through June 22, 2002

Nashbag

Monday, June 03, 2002 - 12:37 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks Owl - you made me smile again...
LOL about Nashville.

I am really glad that Spirit does not have CCD, and that i misunderstood - that is really good news.

Well, it looks like i have given everyone a blueprint for CCD, so recognizing in your pets should come a lilttle easier.

take care Owl, big love to you and yours.

Kstme

Monday, June 03, 2002 - 01:40 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Nashbag...Our Cocker, Roman, had to be put to sleep because of Alzheimer's! It was also coupled with a herniated disc. The dr. thought the disc set the Alzheimer's in motion. He was only 8 yrs. old.

You are the only other person I've known that has gone through it! Geez...it was the WORST! After 6 months we just couldn't let him or us go through it any longer. Poor George couldn't understand what had happened to his "best bud" either. All of a sudden Roman became violent and would start fights with George. George is the Alpha and it had never happened before! They'd been together for over 6 yrs. Roman barked at his food and literally THREW it across the room! He'd head-butt the water container and growl fiercly! When he tried to kill Emma, we knew it wasn't fair to him to live like that. He'd have such a dazed look on his face after one of these sessions, it would break my heart! He was "my" dog, which made it all that much harder to "give him up!" Yes, it was unbelievable! You have my deepest sympathies!! I am so sorry you had to lose your dog to this horrible disease!

Nashbag

Monday, June 03, 2002 - 02:44 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Kstme:

Thanks - and back at ya.

I know all of the behavior you are talking about.

I am surprised that your Roman was only 8 yrs old.

It is very hard to watch too because PHYSICALLY they are as they always were. We just have to stand by and watch them go berserk for no particular reason.

They would not be happy if they knew the pain they were causing us.

Our "boys" are better now - clear headed, and romping thru the parks, and peeing on everything in sight!

talking about this is very cathartic for me.
thanks

nash

PS: keep an eye on George for same patterns. Don't let it sneak up on you.
good luck, and may you have a long time of sloppy kisses.

Kstme

Monday, June 03, 2002 - 03:35 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Nash...thanks!

I just remembered the FIRST indication Roman gave us. He went off his food...this guy was a "chow hound" and could finish a cup of food in seconds. He began bouncing it out of his dish and then looking for it later. The rest of the behavior followed soon after. Don't know why I just thought about that...the whole horrid experience seems like a blur to me now. I've tried not to think about that side of him since August.

Riviere

Tuesday, June 04, 2002 - 06:08 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Dahli ~ I can only tell you Greyhounds are greyt and the ex racers are naive but not stupid! My first and Alpha taught himself stairs in 2 days, to my shock. Now he races up & down 3 steps at a time.. My 2nd hound was a wounded foster, and he did the stairs in 3 days just by watching, though I didn't want him upstairs, silly me. And Shaq knew stairs but had been abused and afraid of so many things, it took 6 months to get him to look into my eyes, although he'd come downstairs to do yard biz, to this day I feed him upstairs and his condition, I want him to stay comfy without major changes. Greys thrive on routine, that was all they ever knew in racing. Some call them one of the most intelligent breeds, like a Poodle, whom if you shave a Poodle guess who they look like? I call them deviously cunning! At least my Alpha was.. He was 22 months old and never in a house but he liked retirement, though I wouldn't let him on furniture. One day I'm on my pc and he's on a rug watching me, my bed being on other side of room. I went upstairs and coming back I just wondered, what did he do when I'm gone? Quietly sneaked down and hey, he's on my bed, rolling on his back, paws a waving! I figured cool, I would duck back around the corner and make noise and catch him in the act! So I stomped on the lowest step and came into the room, and where was he? Oh, innocently on the rug exactly as he'd been in the first place.. But he had that look in his eye, and my pillow had a Greyhound head dent in it, but nothing I could do. He outfoxed me and he knew it!!! That's so sad the way Greys are shot or clubbed to death or left locked in cages to starve when there's no reason and I'm thrilled to see the murderers punished.. Like I always say, if you can't adopt a Grey make your state legislature aware that you want tracks closed!

Dahli

Tuesday, June 04, 2002 - 05:24 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
OH My Gosh Riviere! what a great story, they are so adorable when they do stuff like that - just like a kid jumpin'on the bed - I can just see him.
Our pups are still crackin' me up daily and getting smarter every day! hounds are so wonderful and if I could demand tracks close I would.

Abbynormal

Tuesday, June 04, 2002 - 07:42 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Riviere, some long ago friends had a greyhound that just came up into their yard. The inside of her ear was tatooed so they knew she had been a racer. That dog was gorgeous, a true silver color. And so smart! Very well behaved too. I wonder if they still have her, because I would have taken her in a second.

I applaud your involvement in the rescue of these animals, they are so beautiful.

Urgrace

Tuesday, June 18, 2002 - 12:15 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Top 10 Dog Pet Peeves About Humans
--------------------------------------
1. Blaming your gas on me. Not Funny
2. Yelling at me for barking. I am a dog you idiot.
3. Taking me for a walk then not letting me check stuff out. Exactly whose walk is this anyway?
4. Any trick balancing food on my nose. Stop it.
5. Yelling at me for rubbing myself on your carpet. Why did you buy carpet?
6. Getting upset when I sniff crotches of your guests. Sorry but I haven't quite mastered the handshake thing yet ¦
7. Any haircut that involves bows or ribbons. Now you know why we chew your stuff up when you are not home.
8. Taking me to the vet for "The big snip", then acting surprised when I freak out everytime we go back.
9. Dog Sweaters
10. The sleight of hand, fake fetch throws. You fooled a dog! What a proud moment for the top of the food chain you nitwit.

<received this via email today>

Nightcrawler

Wednesday, June 19, 2002 - 10:57 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
we had to put one of are dogs down last weekend he (duke) had started to get mean in the last 3-5 mo. he is (was):( a 5 year old 50 pound Blue Healer mix. 3 weeks ago he bit a little 3 yr. when she tryed to give him a hug??? she had to get 1 stich in her face!!! not like him??? and he has been mean to the other dogs too. not like him ether??? he niped at my older son??

and on last sat. he went after one of my sons friend, he had been to are house befor and new the dog. the friend had to kick the dog in the head to get away from him and back in the house. the friend only got his pants ripped to sheds.

when I went out to put him in are dog pin (are dog time out) he turned on me biteing me 4 time befor I got him down and too stop??? he has NEVER done that befor. I was not even yelling at him or anything? I was just leading him too the dog pin when he went nuts??? he was not just niping at me. I had 4 BAD bites 2 on each arm. and I was bleeding evry were!!!!!

I told bookie what had happend when she got home. and if he would turn on me. he could do the same to her or if he got in the house. and are baby 10 mo. (wiggals) tryed go over too him. he could really hurt the baby!!!!!!!!!!

so we had duke put down that day:(:(

anyone have any idea why he turned mean???
he was only 5 and all of his shots were up to date.
we were never mean to him or any of are other dogs???
we got him when he was 2 the famly that had him keeped him on a chain all the time and lived it town (we live in the country on 4 ackers) they had seen some of the kids throwing thing at him just out side his chain reach. and they did not want him to brake the chain and bite the kids

so we took him in (we allready had his sister)
he just loved running all over the place and he was fine untill the last 3-5 mo.
any ideas???????

Julieboo

Thursday, June 20, 2002 - 08:24 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I am sorry you guys had to go through that. I don't have any ideas on why he turned on you. As much as I love animals, I think you did the right thing. There are so many good, yet unwanted animals in the world, I think the right thing is to remove the mean ones so that more of the good ones can have a good home.

Theowl

Thursday, June 20, 2002 - 08:29 am EditMoveDeleteIP
{{{NC and Family}}} So sorry about having to put Duke down!! I can't imagine having to do that, but it is for the best. (I can't believe I said that.) I hope all the injuries will heal, and the heartbreak, too. My heart goes out to you all!!

Imbewitched

Thursday, June 20, 2002 - 08:57 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I am so sorry you and your family had to go though that horrible experience. I know it had to be a heart wrenching decision but I too feel you made the right choice. As much as I love my 4 legged kids, I could not put a child or anyone else in danger. You had no way of knowing what Duke would do next. That had to be very frightening.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Rissa

Thursday, June 20, 2002 - 09:13 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Nightcrawler. I am sorry you lost your dog too. I also had to put a cat down at a young age and this could relate to what happened to your dog. Sam (the cat, short for Yosemite) had apparently found and eaten an elastic band. I won't go into details but the band got caught in his system and he was bleeding internally. He had two days where he got continually more mean.. was quiet on his own but the moment we approached him he would hiss and lunge, biting. We had no idea about the elastic and he certainly LOOKED healthy. We took her to the vet still not knowing anything was wrong except that he was hysterically in attack mode. There was NO way the vet could even touch the cat to examine him, finally we coralled him into a crate where they inserted some tubing and piped in gas to knock him out. An x-rayed showed the elastic and that there was at that point no amount of surgery that would have helped. We couldn't even really say goodbye because he was so out of control. Was the last way I expected to have to lose a pet.

As for the original food topic, I think other's have said this already but I will endorse it. Try putting the dog food out for only a short period of time twice a day and then take away what isn't eaten after 15-20 minutes. You will probably find that the piggy will be too busy eating his own food during that time to bother the others. The other dogs will learn as well that they can't leave their food around for nibbling either. When the dish is there, they will eat it more promptly.

Weinermr

Thursday, June 20, 2002 - 09:29 am EditMoveDeleteIP
{{{{Nightcrawler}}}} and {{{{Bookworm}}}}

What a terribly sad thing for you. I'm so sorry. Did you ask the vet about what happened? Maybe they have some ideas.

I know this isn't the cat thread, but we knew two couples, each took a kitten from the same litter. One grew up to be a sweet, docile, loving, cat. The other was wild, destructive, uncontrollable, mean, and completely unpredictable. They eventually had to do what you did. Similar living environments, both with plenty of love and attention to the cat, and yet the cats were complete opposites.

Sometimes there are no explanations for these things.

Sia

Thursday, June 20, 2002 - 10:57 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Nightcrawler, I'm sorry for your loss, but thankful that the children (Wiggles and the friend's son, as well) weren't hurt by the dog. I have to wonder if there was more teasing going on by the neighbors' children than you were told of by the people who gave you Duke.

If the weather is really hot where you are, too, I would think the dog would be more easily agitated and more aggressive. I agree with your decision to destroy the animal; after biting the three-year-old, he proved himself untrustworthy. In fact, you're to be commended for following through with the disposal of the animal. I believe that many serious dog maulings/attacks would be avoided if more dog-owners would recognize their animals' increasing aggressiveness and put the dogs out of commission before they become walking time-bombs.

A side note: my nephew was attacked by his mother's dog, a dog he knew and who knew the boy. This happened years ago and my nephew was bitten in the face. Even though he had plastic surgery at the time of the attack, my nephew's face is still scarred, very noticeably, too. I feel that he is probably self-conscious about it, but I don't really discuss it with him much. (We did talk about it once, when I told my nephew that my husband's beard mostly obscures the big scar he bears from a chainsaw.)

My point is this: an angry dog can do unbelievable damage to a person, and that damage can never be entirely undone. You did the right thing in putting the dog down, and although you will certainly miss Duke, you would feel much worse if the animal had killed or maimed for life a loved one. My heart goes out to you, Night.

Urgrace

Thursday, June 20, 2002 - 02:12 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
NC and Bookie, there never seem to be the right words to express for the sadness of losing your family dog. I am so sorry.

NC, I hope your external wounds heal quickly and completely. The internal wounds will probably take longer, but it was the right thing to do for the safety of your family. ((((NC))))

Bookworm

Thursday, June 20, 2002 - 07:32 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thank you everyone for the kind words. Yes, we believe we did the right thing as well. But Duke will be missed. I wanted to share a couple of Duke stories.

We tried to give Duke away once. We had taken in too many dogs and were trying to thin them out some. So a farmer in the next county over offered to take Duke as a work dog to assist him with his cattle. (Blue Heilers are Australian herding dogs, and Duke and Jesse <his sister, also ours> are Blue Heiler mixes.) So he took Duke along with his favorite toy and we never heard from him again. About a week later I was letting Jesse out early in the morning and who did I find in front of the door, but Duke. He was thin and covered in ticks, but just a-smiling away. We think he decided to come back to us and walked the thirty miles home. The odd thing was he hadn't been living here that long at the time, but I guess he considered this his home.

Another thing that was really odd about Duke was his fear of heights. He loved to sit in the bed of NC's pickup, but would refuse to jump down. He would whine and whine until you came to help him down.

I feel like I am eulogizing good old Dukie. He is missed, but I am sure he is running around in doggy heaven somewhere, just hope his fear of heights doesn't kick in when he looks down at us.

Thanks for listening everyone.

Sia

Thursday, June 20, 2002 - 08:35 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
That's okay, Bookworm. Go right ahead and eulogize Duke. Those are good stories and I will read as many stories about him as you want to post. (((((Book)))) My thoughts are with you.

Nightcrawler

Friday, June 21, 2002 - 04:02 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
ok all of you just made me cry
I was not sure how all of you would take a story were we had to kill a pet? I have been felling very bad about my decision to put duke down:(

but hearing all of you tell us it was the right thing to do made me fell SO MUCH BETTER about it!!!.......don't get me wrong I still wish we didn't have to do it at all!!!!!!!!!!!!

I still wish I new what mad him change???
we will probly never know:(

ok here are some more Duke happy:) stores

Book was telling all of you that Duke didn't want to jump out of the truck.......well......
since he didn't jump out of the truck I would let him ride back there,but one time when I was in the Mcdonolds drive throu there was a long line behind me and as I was makeing my order I see Duck jump out and start peeing on the tires of the cars behind me about 7 of them when he was done all I had to do was ask him if he wanted to go for a ride and he jump back in:) from there on he got to ride in the front:)

one more

I go to work at 6am so most of the time it is dark on this day not only dark it was VERY foggy too as I was getting in my truck a for got my lunch in side. so I went back in to get it(I gess I left my truck door open?)anyway I left for work like normal. but it was VERY dark and VERY foggy one of thous days that are kinda spooky.
I kept hearing sounds in the truck but did not see anything in the truck. when I got to the stop sing. in the rear veiw mirror I see this BIG BLACK think coming at me then giving me a big kiss yes it was Duke, I gess he jumped in when I went back in for my lunch???
anyway he scared the sh** out of me. I truned a round and took him home:)

I gees I'm trying to show he was a good dog untill just a few mo. ago??? he will be misted I'll just keep thinking of the good times there were more of them!!!!!:)

Theowl

Friday, June 21, 2002 - 04:08 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Now you and Bookie made me cry!! I love happy doggy stories. Just keep thinking of these good times, and he'll be with you in "spirit" always.

Riviere

Friday, June 21, 2002 - 08:32 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
My very deepest sympathies for the loss of Duke. It's a tough call when a young otherwise healthy pet has problems like that, but the msgs seem like he was very aggressive and intolerant of certain things. Some breeds never mix well with kids for instance...
:(
On a sad note but almost a relief, Shaq is free. Latest xrays June 11 showed cancer in his chest and time running out. Luckily the detection in April prepared us but it's never easy losing such a wonderful, gentle, beautiful hound.. Just this morning getting to his feet he yelped and I saw his left hock bulging, he could put 0 wgt on the leg, and with his very weak left foreleg it made him unable to stand or walk since his right legs only couldn't balance him. At 87 lbs I couldn't lift him either, but called the vet who agreed it was a sudden turn for the worst and quite a bad predicament nobody could foresee even last week. A pal ran up to the vet's for tranquilizers and I sat with Shaq all day just petting & cooing and keeping him calm. He was very restless and tried to shift around but I plied him with fresh ground beef meatballs & tranqs every 30 min, the vet had said don't worry about overdosing him. Shaq just looked into my eyes and I knew he was ready to be helped leave us. The doc was so busy and didn't arrive until 6pm but how lucky he agreed to make a housecall, so Shaq could pass over peacefully here at home. There was no way to load him and drive him to the clinic, without causing him more pain, and Shaq was always shy of being in public anyway; how grateful I am my vet understands the needs of large dogs, he didn't charge a penny for coming after hours to help Shaq either. It was all very very fast and peaceful, I stayed with Shaq's head cradled in my lap. The surprise was seeing him walking yesterday and flat down unable to even stand today. Bone cancer is a horrible and fast spreading type, this appeared overnight in his lower spine & hind leg. My hubby's been in PA on biz all week and I'd told him, better say a final farewll to Shaq, things could go from bad to worse anytime, so we're glad he did, since the big old white tail wagger won't be here on Sun eve to greet him. My other 2 hounds were so subdued all day, hanging around me & Shaq, put them in the yard when the doc came. Romeo the Alpha ran to the door and barked but had to stay out of the way. After the doc left (with the remains) Romeo came in and laid his head between his paws and gave a sad sigh. I know they knew Shaq was dying quite awhile now, dogs have a keen sense about health matters. But they'll miss him too, and I'm sure glad they're here to comfort us because one thing about keeping a zoo of critters is the amazing bonding & mutual comfort between a pet and owner when a beloved family member leaves us.. Anyway, Shaq's woes are over at age 9.8 and he lives on in our hearts, I already picture him young & healthy again running for fun through the meadows across Rainbow Bridge! You have to smile to know he's free now, and was given the best of everything to never let him suffer. Wish he'd had a few more days but when every day counts so much, there never seem to be enough.. Goes for cats, too, birds, whatever a beloved pet. Think of the lifelong zoo awaiting me when I cross the bridge to see them all again..!

Gail

Friday, June 21, 2002 - 09:12 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Riviere, I was thinking about you today for some reason and wondering how Shaq was doing. I'm so sorry he's gone. What a terrific vet you have to come over to your house for you. Even though you try to prepare yourself for losing a pet, it is still incredibly painful. When one of my dogs died in September, one of the thoughts that helped me was that I knew that he had the best life a little dog could have had. It sounds like you gave Shaq a terrific life right until the end.

Theowl

Saturday, June 22, 2002 - 06:30 am EditMoveDeleteIP
{{{Riviere}}} So sad, but he's all better now. I know we have to think about how much better off they (he) are, but it's so hard to think that way, because it's like missing a part of you. My heart goes out to you, and I'm wishing you strength to go through with getting another GH and giving it the love and care that you gave Shaq. Give your other "kids" a hug for me.

Bookworm

Saturday, June 22, 2002 - 01:16 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Sorry for your loss Riviere. I am sure it must have been hard, but maybe a little nice too, for you to take care of him that last day. It sounds like you made his last hours as peaceful as you could.

Riviere

Saturday, June 22, 2002 - 08:59 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks for the very kind thoughts, I'm thankful Shaq left us so peacefully and already smile at funny memories. He was such a big shy baby, at the vet's once a small Lab pup came out of the treatment room and Shaq (30 inches tall, 85 lbs) cowered, tried to hide behind me. The pup took one look at the big hound, whimpered and piddled on the floor! Who was more scared of whom? :) Shaq didn't trust folks he hadn't known a year, if the doorbell rang he'd give a huge WOOF, over his shoulder while running to hide in a bedroom, as if to warn us an intruder was coming and hey, we'd better follow him to safety!!!
Was thinking of senility issues & aggression. My ex inlaws had a Goliath Doberman (the variety bred for size) who by age 8 became hard to trust, he'd growl at them, seemed to not recognize them half the time. Their vet noticed similar traits in other linebred Dobermans in the area and told them it may be a factor. They had him put down after he lunged at their 9 yo granddau, and that dog had grown up with her, gentle as a lamb.. Our Collie, Brandy, at age 11 went downhill very fast in her last 4 months. She no longer wanted any contact with the cat she'd been best pals with for 4 yrs, she'd leave the yard and shuffle down the road like a lost and lazy furry buffalo until I'd have to call her, she'd come back and look puzzled, like Alzheimer's patients who have wandered away from nursing homes. I think many dogs do have senility issues. What breeding or environment contributes is hard to say, but large dogs who 'turn' can't be trusted with kids and sadly few folks want an older dog anyway. It's easier (for me) thinking of a dog put down for age or aggression issues than healthy young dogs killed for just being unable to find a family to love.. It's odd, but when my doc came to help Shaq I had to sign a release saying he hadn't bitten anyone recently, some state law paperwork, but Dr. B could verify the hound was dying of cancer and the state had to take my word he was not rabid nor biting people. Isn't that weird? Makes me giggle to think of Shaq biting anyone, he'd be running away too fast afraid they would bite him! :)