BS: Our Amazing Dogs

Subject: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: Ebbie
Date: 03 May 14 - 03:03 AM

I found lots and lots of lovely threads about dogs but I decided a more current one would not come amiss.

My little Chinese Crested Hairless dog watches television actively. (For that matter, he even reacts to a still picture of a dog)

Anyway, evening before last we watched a Nature about how different species interact with each other and with other species. In the process they followed a pack of wolves and as wolves do, from time to time they howled. Sometimes a whole cacophony of howls.

Now, Ellery does not howl. I didn't even know that he could. But that night he had a dream.

I woke to the lamest howl ever emanating from the little guy. I even put my hand on him to see if it was really coming from him, and it was. Two howls and he was finished. He never even woke.

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 03 May 14 - 03:12 AM

How fascinating Ebbie! He'd obviously taken the wolves programme into his mind enough to make a dream out of it. Our cats differ. Only one watches TV and reacts to it, the other two don't seem able to see it.
We clean a holiday barn near the Norfolk coast, and yesterday two couples arrived with FIVE dogs. They were gorgeous, two Labradors, a golden retriever and two Jack Russells. I adore all animals, and they came flying over to greet me as they were let out of the two cars. My husband was a bit scared, but patted them as best he could. But our groundsman who mows all the lawns and tends to the big pond was there. He's a real Norfolk chap, very dour. He sighed, looked up to heaven and muttered, "Bloody shit machines!"

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 May 14 - 03:47 AM

Now, my Shih Tzu, Ralph, is very good at sleeping and eating. He was named after Jackie Gleason's character, Ralph Cramden, from The Honeymooners. Need I say more?

Oh, yes, and he knows how to look cute when he wants food....

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: Musket
Date: 03 May 14 - 04:05 AM

When you get an ex racer from a greyhound sanctuary, they waffle on endlessly about how little exercise they actually need, how placid and quiet they are etc etc.

They never mention how much or how often they fart.

Yesterday, as part of our touring holiday in Scotland, we went from East Fife to Aviemore, a distance of 130 miles or so, and only the last bit on what you might call a fast road. The windows were being wound down on average every 10 mins.....

The charcoal based treats that are supposed to help don't work. They are a con.

And whilst I am on my soapbox, a word about dog ice cream.... Non dairy, etc. Honey and carrot flavour we bought him. Which sadistic swine of a chemist decided to put aloe vera in it? Also known under it's other name, senna.

I had a full pocket of poop bags when we started that walk.......

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: Ebbie
Date: 03 May 14 - 02:07 PM

My Ellery could use a bit of your Ralph's hair, Joe.

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 03 May 14 - 02:13 PM

Joe, your Ralph looks absolutely adorable.
Musket, I think nearly all dogs have a wind problem. We have a very respectable Ladies Group in our village, and we meet round people's houses in turn. We were at a Scots couple's place, and they had a beautiful old and fat pale golden retriever bitch called Isla. As we took our seats she made a tour of everyone to be patted. I thought I could smell something, but most of us are ancient and have uncontrollable wind from time to time. A woman was giving us a talk about Reflexology, and my goodness that dog let rip almost constantly. Like an Airwick-from-hell the smell kept coming. The owners didn't seem to notice, but we surreptitiously protected our noses with our hands. The air seemed to turn a yellowish colour like a London smog. I didn't even fancy a scone afterwards, and we all made our excuses sharpish and rushed for the open air.
But she was a very bonnie dog.

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: Ebbie
Date: 03 May 14 - 03:55 PM

I was playing cutthroat pinochle one day. As usual, my dog lay obediently at my side- one could not ask for a better dog in public.

I became aware of an odorous substance wafting among us three at the table. Mind you, I like the two gentlemen with whom I was playing cards but I don't know them well enough to joke around with either of them about their personal habits. Besides I could not tell from which of them came the smoggy blanket. So I kept my face straight and said nothing and so did they.

That evening I was in my apartment reading on the couch with Ellery at my side when here came the same aroma. Horrors. They probably thought it was I.

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: Rapparee
Date: 03 May 14 - 04:03 PM

We used to have a dog named Scrapper. Great little dog -- whenever he felt that my brothers or I needed "female companionship" (beyond that of my mother, my sister, my grandmother, or my twice-great aunt) he'd run right over to the neighbors and fetch us some. Of course, at 9, 8 and 6 we just played tag or something with the neighbor girls.

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: Ebbie
Date: 03 May 14 - 04:20 PM

Last month I had a bout of pneumonia which put me in the hospital for a few days. For 10 days or so before I was diagnosed, well before I felt really sick, my little dog walked right by my feet, rather than frolicking about as usual. The night that my friends took me to the ER, Ellery took one step at a time down the stairs just as I did.

I've decided that I need to look at my dog to see how I am. :)

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 03 May 14 - 04:49 PM

Hope you're feeling much better now Ebbie. Pneumonia isn't good!

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: JennieG
Date: 03 May 14 - 05:42 PM

Ebbie, just as well you have Ellery to keep an eye on you!

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: Wesley S
Date: 03 May 14 - 06:07 PM

We have a rescue dog. A little 12 pound chiweenie. That half chihuahua and half dachshund. He came to us with the name Oompa but we quickly changed it to Buster. Mostly back with some white spots ob his toes and his chest. He's the fastest little dog I've owned. He sleeps in his own bed most of the night and then slips under the covers about 4 in the morning. The first time I reached over for my wife and got Busters paw instead was a bit of a shock. And he loves bananas.

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: Ebbie
Date: 03 May 14 - 09:03 PM

Ellery, too, is a rescued dog, Wesley. Probably due to the fact that he needed expensive surgery, he was in the Humane Society for more than 8 weeks, until I just couldn't stand it any more.

(Thanks, Eliza and JennieG, I'm fine now. Just this week I got my energy back.)

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: Rapparee
Date: 03 May 14 - 09:36 PM

I see lots of Service Dogs, both doing their job and in training. The most recent was Raven, who was in training -- a Great Dane, and I mean Raven is BIG.

Always ask before you touch someone's dog. It might be working.

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: Janie
Date: 03 May 14 - 11:23 PM

WE just lost our darling old girl 3 days ago. A rescue mutt who came into our lives just over 12 years ago. Every dog we have ever had has always been the best dog we ever had. Her included.

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 May 14 - 12:36 AM

My pitbull Cinnamon turned up as an injured stray nine years ago this month. The vet thought she was 1 to 2 years old and had been hit a glancing blow by a car that threw her face-first into the ground and broke her front teeth between the canines. She had been bitten by something, probably another dog, and she was covered with ticks and fleas. But she was so sweet and smart, and I kept her. Advertisements for an injured pit bull didn't bring any response, and in addition to the vet bill I had to replace the stockade portion of the fence on the property.

Our catahoula/blue heeler mix was also a rescue, from the Humane Society. Cinnamon craved other dogs to play with and would break out of the yard, or when we walked she would strain to meet other dogs being walked. In September, after Hurricane Katrina, the shelter put the "local" dogs on sale so they'd have room for some of the Katrina dogs. Cinnamon by then had learned to walk on a leash, and I picked a dog I thought would be good then took Cinnamon down to meet her. Cinnamon is a gorgeous red nose American Staffordshire Terrier, and I didn't leave her in the truck while I waited to sign the papers (it was 100^o that afternoon). The staff were making everyone who wanted to adopt answer questions - "do you really want a dog, or do you just feel sorry for the Katrina dogs?" "Do you have a yard for a dog?" "Do you know how to care for a dog?" etc. As I waited my turn Cinnamon lay quietly on the cool concrete floor and wagged at people who approached to pet her. Some people crept around the room, fearing she would be the pitbull on the news and tear them limb from limb, others asked if I was giving her up for adoption. There is such a range of feelings about these dogs, but for me, she is the smartest dog I've ever owned, and is a total sweetheart.

My turn came to talk to the volunteer and she could see that my dog was well-behaved and well-cared for, and I was looking for a companion. We filled out the papers without all of the questions. When Poppy finally came home (after they spayed her) she wasn't allowed to run around for an entire week. Cinnamon was outside and knew Poppy (originally named "Sister") was in the house and was dying to meet her. Poppy couldn't go race around, but I compromised - I got a folding kennel and at night I put Poppy in it and let Cinnamon in the house, and she would sleep leaning up against the wire to be next to Poppy.

Zeke, my big goofy lab, came to live with us because his original owner, my best friend Susie, was critically injured as a pedestrian struck by a car in a parking lot. She was four months in the hospital and rehab, and Zeke had been a handful before she was injured. We'd met every morning to walk for a year or more, and over time Poppy finally accepted Zeke as a friend (she used to snap at him). Cinnamon adored the big galoot. After a few months we formed a routine - Susie would walk to my house and we'd eat breakfast and drink tea while the dogs ran around like crazy in my 1/2 acre yard. He started coming to stay over the weekend with us when Susie took her husband down to Houston for his cancer threatments. And he stayed with us for 2 weeks when she took Ray on one last good family vacation. Ray died in October, and Susie was hurt in January.

I got a call from Susie's daughter on January 12, 2012, around noon, telling me that Susie had been hurt, and would I mind going up and getting Zeke? They'd arrange for a kennel for him, but for now, could he stay with me? Of course! We all loved Zeke, and after a couple of weeks her son apologetically said he'd make arrangements to board Zeke. I told him there was absolutely no need, he was happy with the girls and he wasn't too much for me to handle (he used to break out of Susie's yard and go looking for dogs to play with, he wandered into my yard when I originally met him, and through him, Susie). I got a Gentle Leader head collar for Zeke and he walks perfectly with us now.

I took Zeke down to see Susie when she was able, but she is kind of like a stroke victim, weak on the left side (they did a craniotomy on the right and she wore a rubber helmet for months until they put the bone flap back in May of that year). Zeke knocks people over in his enthusiasm, and there came a day when Susie called and tearfully said that she was going to have to find a new home for this dog. I told her that if it was anywhere else than my house everyone would be very unhappy. So Zeke lives with us, and Susie's grandson makes play dates - he comes to get Zeke and they go play in Susie's pool.

Susie still wanted a big dog, she just couldn't have a young big strong pushy dog. A co-worker of mine with inoperable cervical cancer had three dogs and was in hospice when she finally announced that she needed to find them homes. I'd told Susie about them because I knew they would need a home, and because they were sedate dogs. Susie had expressed interest in at least one, though it turned out that she ended up with all three, plus her daughter just had given her a little King Charles Spaniel rescued from a ranch where a horse took exception to the dog and kicked her.

Someone spoke for the golden retriever, so Susie and I picked up Bug and Piper at my friend's house. Puddin' wanted to get in the truck also and didn't understand why she wasn't going also. That home for Puddin (the charismatic golden) fell through and she was so unhappy in a foster situation that she made herself sick. The friend who was managing the adoptions asked if Puddin could visit the other two, and I spoke to Susie about it. We decided that Puddin needed to come to stay, that if she just visited they'd all be unhappy. So she came to live with the others. Facebook video of Puddin reunited with Piper and Bug. At the time they met, none of the dogs had ever been around a big swimming pool, only a child's wading pool. Sorry for the noise and the chatter on the video. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 May 14 - 03:01 AM

What a wonderful reunion! There is no doubt in Puddin's mind that she is home forever. Thanks for sharing the video, Stilly. Sweet, sweet.

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: GUEST,McMusket
Date: 04 May 14 - 03:06 AM

One thing I forgot to mention about our Rio. We love the little bugger to bits.

He comes and lies on the hearth rug in my study and let's me tell him all my problems. We agree on courses of action for everything from equitable access to cancer screening across England to whether to risk planting potatoes yet, in case we have more ground frost to come.

Yesterday he walked up two mountains, covering over 10 miles and to be fair, this morning we had to literally push him out for his morning piddle.

The farting is insignificant compared to everything else about him.





(His predecessors, mongrels, farted too. But trust me, they weren't in his league on that score.)

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: eddie1
Date: 04 May 14 - 04:10 AM

When we had our beautiful Golden Lab, Sheba, I got a lot of laughs when she farted and then whirled around to see where the hell the terrible stench was coming from!
Didn't help the stink though!

Eddie

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: Musket
Date: 04 May 14 - 05:27 AM

My bugger's too lazy to jump up even. He presumably holds his breath...

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 May 14 - 04:17 PM

We had a German shorthaired pointer who used to walk over and want to nuzzle at your lap when you were sitting on the couch reading. Upon being told "no," she would go quietly to the other end of the sofa, climb up very slowly, and creep down to where you were lost in your book. Suddenly you were aware of having a dog's head resting in your lap. Which was fine, but she also had the problem Musket describes - a fart was more often than not what got your attention, not her gentle breathing as she slept on your lap.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: Rapparee
Date: 04 May 14 - 09:08 PM

Nigel.

MWDR = MidWest Dachshund Rescue.

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 May 14 - 09:59 PM

Good luck to Nigel.

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: BrendanB
Date: 05 May 14 - 08:59 AM

We have got a rescue dog, a saluki called Millie. When we got her she was terrified of everything and everyone. It took a long time but she gradually learned to trust people and got happier. Now she is very laid back and calm. She is however very talkative. She looks at you and grumbles until you go and stroke her, she tells you when it is time for her food and sometimes she just chunters on for no apparent reason. She is beautiful and we love her to pieces. She has slowed down a bit now (although she is still quicker than most dogs) but when she was younger her speed was breathtaking. I will never forget the feeling of despair the first time she took off when we were on the beach. She was gone in seconds. Fortunately she came back about two minutes later, ran in a big circle and then came to us with (I swear) a grin on her face.

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: Rapparee
Date: 05 May 14 - 10:37 AM

Then there are the Oneida Dogs. Sorry, but I can't get a link to work -- that's our local newspaper!!!

Oneida dogs reunited: Adoptive families gather in Boise to share successes

By Michael H. O'Donnell [e-mail] | Posted: Sunday, April 20, 2014 2:45 am

    Scarred, starving and neglected just one year ago, pit bull terriers rescued from the scene of a triple-homicide near Holbrook had a big reunion with their new owners in Boise this month. They're called the "Oneida dogs."

    Eighteen of the dogs adopted by families in the Boise area met at the Idaho Humane Society complex April 5 to share stories and take photos.

    "It was amazing," said Hannah Parpart, communications and outreach director for the Idaho Humane Society. "Everyone had a great time."

    Parpart had prepared a slideshow to share with stories about all 18 of the terriers that found homes in western Idaho complete with photos taken by their adoptive families.

    Among those attending were Tracy White and Jenn Graham and their rescued pit bulls, Gilbert and Dottie.

    When Dottie arrived at the Humane Society she was 28 pounds underweight and suffered from a heart murmur due to a congenital defect. Today her weight is good and she is on an exercise and medication regiment to keep her going. When Graham adopted Dottie, she joined three other pit bulls at the Graham home.

    "She loves to play with the other dogs in the home," Graham said. "She's a social butterfly and very sweet."

    Dottie has also been asked to play the role of mother to pit bull puppies that Graham takes in temporarily as foster care for the Humane Society.

    "She was a mom so she does very well with the puppies," Graham said.

    Where Dottie was once limited to the length of a chain on ranch 25 miles west of Malad City, she now takes car rides wherever the Graham clan goes.

    "She loves to go in the car and she gets to go a lot of places," Graham said. "She loves to go to the shelter."

    Parpart said it may surprise people how much the rescued dogs have no fear of the shelter in Boise — a place that made their new lives possible as they were examined, treated and fed.

    "It was so nice seeing the 'Oneida families' and all those dogs together," Graham said about the reunion. "They were so healthy and happy."

    While Dottie was an older adult dog, Gilbert was about two when he was adopted by the Tracy White family. Shannon White works for the Idaho Humane Society and it was her mother who took Gilbert in.

    "He's doing awesome," Shannon White said. "He loves to go camping and has become best friends with mom's miniature schnauzer and coyote mix."

    Gilbert doesn't just socialize well with the other dogs in his adoptive family, he mixes well with other dogs at large family reunions the Whites hold often. And because Tracy White splits time between Grandview, Idaho, and Winnemucca, Nev., Gilbert's world has been expanded tremendously.

    Shannon said the transition wasn't easy for Gilbert and many of the other pit bulls rescued from the ranch in Southeast Idaho.

    "A lot of them became very demanding," she said.

    In the case of Gilbert, he had a habit of grabbing his leash whenever he was anxious.

    "We used that to teach him coping skills," Shannon said. "He was afraid of new stimuli during the night time."

    The Whites discovered that as long has Gilbert had a toy or leash he could hold in his mouth, the anxiety went away.

    "The biggest thing was building trust with these guys," Shannon said about the Oneida dogs.

    Now that Gilbert has found his happy place, he has actually helped raise a litter of kittens at the White household.

    When all the adoptive families gathered at the Boise shelter, they formed a big circle with their rescued dogs. And the owners made plans to repeat the reunion again next year.

    "It was very emotional and nothing short of amazing," Graham said. "It was a new beginning."

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: Rapparee
Date: 05 May 14 - 10:47 AM

Oh, and the Vicktory Dogs.

Of course, there's my friend Cole. When Cole was a kitten he was shot with 37 air gun pellets, including having his eyes shot out. Friends of mine adopted Cole and had him as repaired as possible. Within a couple of weeks in his "forever" home Cole had escaped from the kitchen area where he was kept and had learned to negotiate the stairs to the basement and the second floor. Now grown, NOTHING gets past Cole -- he can literally hear a feather played across the floor. (No, the unmentionably foul scum who "did" Cole were never caught; I pity da fools if they ever are for there is a long line of people waiting to "talk" with them.)

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: gnu
Date: 05 May 14 - 12:31 PM

Wonderful stories.

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: Ebbie
Date: 05 May 14 - 02:38 PM

Over the years I have adopted many animals from local 'pounds' and Humane Society facilities. I too have found that most of these animals are not afraid to re-visit those places. Maybe it is because those facilities were their first rescuers?

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 05 May 14 - 02:44 PM

Oh rapparree, how utterly WICKED to shoot at a little kitten like that, and blind it. I've never heard anything so dreadful. I'd have literally torn the person limb from limb.

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: Claire M
Date: 06 May 14 - 07:01 AM

Hiya! Used to have a dachshund, Fritz. He was gorgeous. Used to bark @ his own reflection, loved fruitcake, chicken & chocolate (dog =/=owner) & let me put my arms round him & kiss his nose.
Then we had a collie, Sam, who weed on said dachshund's head & used to go "woooo" when he wanted a walk. It wasn't a dog howl, it was a human sounding wooo – we couldn't work out why for ages. Mum used to ask him if he wanted a walk, then say "OOOOO you do, Sam -- yes you do, OOOOO he does" & he was copying the way she said OOOO ! Clever Boy! Got collie now, Merlin, who worries if I cough. It's if he knows I need extra help.

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 06 May 14 - 02:38 PM

Love the name Merlin. I reckon our pets, both cats and dogs, know a lot more about us and our feelings than we give them credit for Claire.

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: Amos
Date: 06 May 14 - 07:41 PM

Maggiue Darlin Dogg, whose secret identity is Mudflanks McFuzzbutt, has been a complete joy to my life ever since I retired and she arrived. We exchange opinions telepathically.    She has a really ironic sense of humor, but has unbridled enthusiasm when it comes to fun and edible treats. Smart, comely, well-mannered, well-built, conisdeerate and cooperative. And, an endless source of humort and affection. Who could ask for more? She's a half-breed Ridgeback, the other half being unknown, possibly beagle. She has four or five distinct graceful paces. Her coat is ticked with reddish gold, and she has the most persuasive built-in mascara. ;And RUN? Oh, my, you should just see her go!

What a complete bargain of joy!

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: Ebbie
Date: 07 May 14 - 02:32 AM

I play music several times a week with a woman here at the apartment house community room. Yesterday I was packing up when Ellery began barking at a nearby wall of the room, not frenzied and not growling, just barking. In between his barks he looked over his shoulder at me.

Hmmmm? What's that about? (He is not a yappy dog.)

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 07 May 14 - 03:05 AM

That's a bit spooky Ebbie! I've had the odd occasion when one of my cats has looked at 'nothing' late at night in the house, his fur bristling, and given a low 'growl'. Frightens the life out of me! Wonder if they see things we don't?

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 07 May 14 - 03:17 AM

Our current dog is mostly black lab.
A rescue dog we think about 8 when we got her two and a half years ago, so ageing now.
She is so happy now and constantly shows us her love.
She was depressed and fat when she came.
She would not go in the garden by herself for fear of being shut out. She had horrible callouses on her elbows from lying on hard ground.

A different animal now and a joy to share our lives with.

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 07 May 14 - 09:36 AM

That's absolutely lovely Keith. It's uplifting to hear of an animal whose life is enormously improved thanks to someone's kindness and love. What is her name?

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: Rapparee
Date: 07 May 14 - 09:50 AM

Miz Eliza, should those who shot up Cole ever be found there is a long line of cops, animal welfare workers, and general people waiting to discuss the matter with them...it being in the Chicago area they would like to see them fitted with a "Chicago overcoat" after the discussions are complete. Knitting needles are the least of the topics for the discussion.

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 07 May 14 - 09:51 AM

She now knows she is Poppy.
She did not respond to the name we were told was hers.

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 07 May 14 - 09:56 AM

She sometimes lives up to her name with little "popping" noises, but no competition for Musket's old greyhound.

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 07 May 14 - 10:31 AM

A Chicago Overcoat, Rapparee! Excellent suggestion! If Shariah law applied, he's have his own eyes shot out.
I wonder if Poppy refused to acknowledge her 'real' name because she associated it with suffering, Keith? I once took in an emaciated stray cat, a poor, scared and vicious tabby hanging around in the snow in our garden. I was very patient and eventually he surrendered and came to live with me, and grew quite plump and calm. I called him 'Solo'. Not long after, a neighbour told me he was 'Oscar' and his owners had simply moved away and abandoned him. (Cruel) I tried him with 'Oscar' and he actually hissed and shrank away. I never used that name again, and he remained my Solo until he died of old age.

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: Musket
Date: 07 May 14 - 12:34 PM

I wish my bugger made popping noises. I'd have time to evacuate the street. No. The bugger is into silent but violent butlers revenge farts.

You got lucky there Keith. Popping is almost pleasant.

Our Greyhound was from a rescue place but one specialising in ex racing dogs. The life they lead as racing dogs is cruel by domestic standards but wouldn't fit the abused category your pet must have suffered from. I take my hat off to people who give a dog a second home.

Dogs give so much love back and bring out the best in us.

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 07 May 14 - 01:06 PM

Our local garden centre allows a lovely chap to bring his rescued, re-homed greyhound and collect for the charity that takes them in. His bitch is a brindled one with beautiful markings. I spend ages patting her and talking to her, and slowly but surely she starts to lean against me until she's nearly horizontal with her whole weight against my legs. She gazes up into my eyes in ecstasy, wearing a comfy knitted woolly jacket that the chap's wife knits for her. Apparently she's terribly lame and can't walk far, after being raced to the end of her 'usefulness'. I always contribute as much as I can to his collecting tin. I'd love to adopt one, but of course with three cats it would be highly disastrous!

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 07 May 14 - 02:01 PM

They do Musket.

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: GUEST,Musket
Date: 07 May 14 - 02:58 PM

I don't know Eliza. My greyhound would love to share a house with three cats. Both cats would keep fit. In fact the cat would

Oh...

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 07 May 14 - 03:49 PM

Exactly, Musket. The man and I always laugh and he says, "Those Siamese cats would make three nice sandwiches for her!" It's a pity, because I took in an emergency temporary cocker spaniel bitch not so long ago. Her owners (a horrible South African couple we used to clean for) announced they were going away for the whole weekend and were just intending to leave her tied up in their yard with some water and some dog biscuits. I was horrified and said I'd either call the RSPCA or have her myself. They didn't much care, so I brought her home. Our cats were quite calm surprisingly, and she was jolly, and not nasty to them. I cried absolute buckets when I handed her back. They gave her away soon after. I just hope she found a good home. Her name was Pela. I felt she loved me too. Oh dear... (tears...)

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: Janie
Date: 07 May 14 - 11:44 PM

They are creatures, just as we are creatures. Because of our long and mutually satisfying/beneficial association over thousands of years of coevolution we often "grok" across species lines in ways that seem magical or mystical from our species-centric point-of-view. Via magical and mystical to the extent it furthers our appreciation of the connection we have with these other species. Let us always respect they are different species and our connection with them is likely perceived differently on their part.

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 May 14 - 11:09 AM

A friend of mine will be doing a lot of dog sitting in the neighborhood this summer as various people take trips. He was looking for more work a couple of years ago so I started putting out the word about his helpfulness here (working in my garden, taking out trees, etc.) and a couple of other neighbors took up the cause and now he says he is quite busy. He still does a lot of yard work, but the real treasure is that he's trusted (we've known him for a long time) and he likes the dogs. Theses neighbors know him because he has done a lot of their yard work and occasional painting and dry wall, but the dog sitting could be a real calling - people will pay substantial sums to let their animals be cared for at home while they're away.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: GUEST,Musket
Date: 13 May 14 - 03:11 AM

Mind you....

My dog isn't completely amazing. Oh, his food in to dog eggs out ratio never ceases to amaze, and his noxious qualities are already mentioned on this thread.

But you know what? He is totally crap at poker.

I thought the poker face expression would be an advantage but no.

Every time you deal him a decent hand, his tail starts wagging.

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 13 May 14 - 03:22 AM

I absolutely adore Paul O'Grady's 'For The Love Of Dogs' on TV, featuring the long-established Battersea Dogs' Home in London. He's surprisingly upbeat and not too sentimental. It's very heart-warming to watch as a dog finds a new home after treatment and care by the staff. Far too many people get a dog without thinking it through. A dog needs plenty of human contact and interaction. It can't be left for hours on end alone, shut in a yard, house or garden. It needs long walks (not just a quick trot to the corner and back) It needs grooming, worming, de-flea-ing, inoculations, training. It's a lot of work and responsibility, and ignorant spur-of-the-moment buyers cause a lot of suffering and often abandon the animal later. Thank goodness there are kind and sensible people (such as those on this thread) who understand dogs and are prepared to take in a poor needy rescue dog and give it a new and happy life. Lovely, lovely dogs! (And cats!!)

Subject: RE: BS: Our Amazing Dogs
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 13 May 14 - 02:10 PM

What does amaze me are the expensive breeds that are abandoned, not that any animal should be treated that way whether it is a thoroughbred or mongrel. Whatever is it that makes people neglect, mistreat or abandon dogs after spending a lot of money to purchase them in the first place? The cost of dogs, care of the dog or license fee hasn't deterred this from happening still.

What is the answer? Luckily rescue centres do match up prospective owners with dogs to find out if the home or owner is right for the temperament or disposition of the dog but do independent breeders do the same as thoroughly? People can seem convincing but after the dog is taken home then I presume that the breeder just has to hope that all will be well.