Dear Dog

[grey]

I only thought this fair, since some of us do not have cats :D

Dear Big Dog:
Why do you turn in a circle three times before lying down?
-Annoyed at the bed shaking

Dear Little Dog:
Why must you lick us to death? We're clean. Honest. The soap and lotion were applied on purpose.
-Licked

Dear Too Smart Dog:
I shut the bedroom door on purpose: to keep you out. Please do not open it.
-The Boss

[DebSP]

Dear Dogs, why are you shedding in November? I have brushed you until my arm ached and now you are supposed to keep your fur to prepare for winter.

Signed,
The Cleaning Woman

[snapdragen]

Dear dog, you farted. It was noisy. You don't have to run from the room when it happens, nothing is chasing you.

[ClockworkOrange]

What a lovely thread, these days I don’t have either cat or dog.

OK, this is about my grand-dog, a beautiful Beagle from a rescue home.

Dear hound Dog

Why can’t you be bothered to turn your head to look at me, instead of just moving your eyes like ‘Eagle Eyes – Action Man’? :)

[Trek420]

Dear dog,

We tried a longer walk today and met you. I'm sorry your people leave you out in the front yard all day. You deserve to be inside on a warm lap. But thank you for being a dog my dog immediately took a like too. You played with my poorly socialized mutt and even backed yourself to the fence for a polite butt sniff.

We will come visit you again now that we've met.

[colby]

Dear Dog,

I'm sorry I don't always understand when you stare through my eyes into my soul and try to beam thoughts directly in.

with love,
the human

[beccaB]

Dear Dog,
Why do I love you so much even tough you are a very high maintenance herding dog with no sheep and cows to herd, thus increasing my activity level to a new high standard?

[Trekhawk]

Dear dog, you farted. It was noisy. You don't have to run from the room when it happens, nothing is chasing you.

I think our dogs are related.:D

[westtexas]

I just brought home my new baby on Saturday, so I can finally post to the dog thread!

Dear Dog,

Why are you so afraid of the stairs? When you get to get 70 pounds I am not carrying you up and down 3 flights!

Also, the car is not a bad thing! It's the main mode of transport for humans and I really need you to just sit down and be calm and not drool on everything.

Love,

Your new person

[skhill]

Dear Dog,

Who's a good girl? It took you less than 2 weeks here to master rule #1: don't hassle a cat who's eating or on the litter box. Brava!

Sorry you had to learn what a cat's hiss means the hard way-- but it was only a small scratch on your muzzle. And now you know to back off, right? Just a hint: the cats do not like being chased.

I'm so happy you're here, and settling in well!

[lph]

Dear Dog,

Who's a good girl? It took you less than 2 weeks here to master rule #1: don't hassle a cat who's eating or on the litter box. Brava!


:D

Yeah, and how long would it take a cat to figure out the equivalent? ;)

[marni]

:D

Yeah, and how long would it take a cat to figure out the equivalent? ;)

less than 30 seconds and they would never forget or forgive you or the dog!

As for teaching dogs to master the stairs. My own private feeling is that the second and third floor, if they are bedrooms, or anything other than the kitchen, dining area or communal family area should be off limits to dogs anyway which is why I am perfectly happy that the corgie and Dads dog cannot climb stairs to my workroom and weaving studio.

I would seriously consider the benefits of teaching your new puppy to climb the stairs. When he gets bigger he will do it anyway, but if you decided not to allow that, he will be easier to teach not to if he hasn't already been taught to.

but that's just me

marni

[Chile Pepper]

Dear Golden Retriever:

Why do you like to carry around rocks? Why the bigger, the better? I understand that you like a challenge, but the rocks are chipping your teeth. Normal dogs like sticks. I can see that sticks might be less satisfying since they aren't round and thus don't fit in your mouth, but at least they don't chip your teeth.

Signed,
The woman who doesn't throw the tennis ball nearly as much as you would like

[Blueberry]

Dear dog:

Please don't step on my feet! 105lbs of dog + nail does not feel good in the AM when I'm trying to wake up and get you out the door as quickly as possible.

Signed,

Bleary eyed, sore footed human

[Trek-chick]

Dear dog/s

Why is it that since you came around, I resort to spelling out certain words, when spoken aloud?

Thank you for teaching me that sometimes, you just need to roll in the grass on your back, with legs in the air and a big grin....Ahhhh life is good:D

Can you drive this time, while I hold my head out the window??

[Roadtrip]

Awwwwwww... You guys are making me miss my furry friend and it's been nearly two years.

Dear Dog,

When you forget about your tounge and leave the tip sticking out its really cute, but I'm really afraid you'll bite yourself and off to the doggie ER we go. I've even grabbed ahold of it and you momentarily remember it belongs IN your mouth, but not for long.

Thanks,
Mom

[Aquila]

Dear Dog,

I'm just going to the bathroom, really. I don't think I need a chaperone.

And thanks for always being glad to see me when I come back out. The ego boost is wonderful.

Love, Your Pack Leader



Dear Dog,

I love that you're always convinced that the other side of any door is better. And that Halloween is your favorite holiday because little kids come to pet you.

Love, Your Pack Leader

[Dogmama]

I just brought home my new baby on Saturday, so I can finally post to the dog thread!

Dear Dog,

Why are you so afraid of the stairs? When you get to get 70 pounds I am not carrying you up and down 3 flights!

Also, the car is not a bad thing! It's the main mode of transport for humans and I really need you to just sit down and be calm and not drool on everything.

Love,

Your new person

Dear Mom,

Try putting a treat on each stair for me. I'll forget about the scarey stairs & happily eat the treats.

Cars frighten me. Maybe I just need to sit in it without it running, & then maybe you could start it up & not go anywhere, and then maybe just back up & go forward, etc. And I bet if you give me treats when I calm down, I'll learn that "calm car riding = cookies. Yea! I love the car now!"

[Dogmama]

Dear Golden Retriever:

Why do you like to carry around rocks? Why the bigger, the better? I understand that you like a challenge, but the rocks are chipping your teeth. Normal dogs like sticks. I can see that sticks might be less satisfying since they aren't round and thus don't fit in your mouth, but at least they don't chip your teeth.

Signed,
The woman who doesn't throw the tennis ball nearly as much as you would like

Hi mom,

Tennis balls wear down my teeth too. Maybe I'd like a nice hard nylabone?

Your dog

[Dogmama]

Sweet Boy,

The UPS man is not an Invader Who Must be Barked At Continuously.

(Sometimes he brings doggie treats!)

Signed,

Woman with hearing loss

[goride]

Dear Ninja Dog -

Every morning you sneak into the bedroom and steal my socks. I left them out so I can take you out in the morning without freezing my toes off. It's getting cold out again, you know.

Signed,

Cold Feet

[skhill]

Dear dog,

Why do you drool in the car but no where else? You left a puddle there on your seat. That's a lot of drool dripping off your chin.

Love, your chauffeur

[Aggie_Ama]

Dear Jensie Dog,

You can sleep eight hours when you want to but when I want to you want play time at five hours. Why???

Signed,
Your tired and owned human

[badger]

dear dog,

I miss you a lot. I hope you're running around with a lot of friends and eating everything you ever wanted across the rainbow bridge.

[snapdragen]

Dear dog, thank you for being a nice hostess to your little cousin Jack. Yes, he is a funny looking Toto like dog, but he just wants to be friends. I was very proud of you when you did not remove his face when he grabbed your lamb toy.

[PamNY]

Why are you so afraid of the stairs? When you get to get 70 pounds I am not carrying you up and down 3 flights!

Stair parties are fun! If dog likes people, every single person who visits climbs some stairs. Lots of fun things can happen in stairwells. If dog likes paw targeting, you can target the first stair.

Treats, happy people, toys -- find out what is reinforcing for your dog, and stairs can become a favorite place to hang out!

[Catrin]

Dear Dog(s),
I do not believe your hearing improves that much just because I happen to be holding a piece of bacon.

LOL, this is priceless.

I've not had a dog since I was 6 years old, but it is great reading all of these funny stories about them :) If I were home more, I would consider getting a small dog...but it wouldn't be fair to the dog.

[trbl_mkr]

Dear Scotty,
please forgive me for not always being the person you seem to think I am.
Love,
your human

[ursalilah]

Dear wonderful dog,

I know that it was the best choice, leaving you with your dad, but I miss you so much. Not a day passes that I don't wish you were here with me. I'm sorry I had to leave, but I still love you.

[skhill]

Dear dog,

Don't look at me like that-- it's not my fault it's raining yet again. Your bladder capacity is amazing, but not unlimited; I don't think you can hold it for 3 days.

I'll hold the umbrella over you while you pee, if you like!

[Becky]

Dear Brown Dog,

Thanks for playing nice with the other dog at Thanksgiving dinner. Yes, he's a little strange, and yes, he insisted on chewing on your bone and your squeaky chicken. Thank you for understanding that "Chikin" had to go away in order to preserve the peace.

You're a good dog, and your dad and I love you very much.

Mom

P.S. Why is the squeaky toy more valuable than the bone? Every potential scuffle has been over a squeaky toy, never a bone. Please explain this to your confuzzled momma.

[snapdragen]

Dear dog, I know the eight legged "snax" that sometimes appear on the floor are fun to play with before eating, but must you roll on them too? Smooshed bug is very unappetizing.

[ladyicon]

How did you ever figure out how to open the fridge?????

[Dogmama]

How did you ever figure out how to open the fridge?????

My Flat Coated Retriever did it by pulling on the towel hanging on the handle.

[skhill]

Dear Dog,

It's pretty obvious how you got up on top of the piano-- the piano bench was a convenient stepping stool. What I really wonder about is why you decided to climb a baby grand.

If you ever do it again, would you stay put up there long enough for me to get a picture?

[beccaB]

Dear dog, I know the eight legged "snax" that sometimes appear on the floor are fun to play with before eating, but must you roll on them too? Smooshed bug is very unappetizing.

Dear Dog,
I would really appreciate it if you would be as good a killer of 8 legged freaks as you are a mouser. Your mom becomes psychotic from seeing the 8 legged freaks.

[TsPoet]

Dear Dog,
I have been training dogs for years, I really can do it. Shaping is simple and fun, dogs love it. Now get in the darn box!
The mutts can do it, the mutts each learned it, by shaping and clicking, in the matter of minutes. You are a pure bred dog with immaculate lineage, now get in the darn box!
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/392237_10150467855457328_659382327_8526889_739429681_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/386122_10150467854507328_659382327_8526888_1593118857_n.jpg
..and my photo of you, my beautiful pure bred Italian greyhound... it doesn't exist, because you won't even try to get in the darned box!

[marni]

Dear Dog,

It's pretty obvious how you got up on top of the piano-- the piano bench was a convenient stepping stool. What I really wonder about is why you decided to climb a baby grand.

If you ever do it again, would you stay put up there long enough for me to get a picture?

well he was looking for a new perspective as well as a challenge. :0

marni

[Dogmama]

Dear Dog,
I would really appreciate it if you would be as good a killer of 8 legged freaks as you are a mouser. Your mom becomes psychotic from seeing the 8 legged freaks.

My guy is fascinated with bees. So far, no bad reactions. He eats them.

[grey]

My guy is fascinated with bees. So far, no bad reactions. He eats them.

My shepherd mix does that also. We had a hornet in the house once - sounded like an airplane. I was trying to chase it out the door with a broom, and she jumped up and clipped it in half - ate the non-threatening end. Has done that with several wasps since. I keep Benadryl on hand in case one manages to sting her, but they never do.

Course, sometimes she smooshes the bee, then barks at it to get up and play some more. :p

[Dogmama]

Dear Dog,

I haven't had a new bike in 17 years. That's 126 dog years. As you know, this week I laid out a serious chunk of cash for a new bike. So, WHY did you pick today to counter surf, knock down a bowl & eat glass? Did you think the vet's kids need new shoes?

Signed - Exasperated Dogmama

[makbike]

Dear Dog,

Could you please refrain from feasting in the cat's litter boxes. Those little treats you are after are not toostie rolls!

[skhill]

Dear Dog,

When you enjoy your litter-box crunchies, could you please not breathe or drool on me immediately afterwards?

[smittykitty]

Dear Crazy Choc. Lab:

Why do you stand there and bark at us like that! We played, we ate, we petted, we went outside, we played ball, we got treats, we petted some more. You know you will get sent to time out in your kennel (the extra one we keep in the family room just for time outs). You seem happy when we send you there, but the door is open. You could just go in on your own!


Dear Cute Little Beagle:

Why are you so food obsessed. You haven't missed a meal yet! I know its your linage, but really, so annoying.

Signed, Mom

[goride]

Dear Dog - you can tell time, can't you. How? How do you know it's time for your supper? At 4:30 you go in the kitchen and stand in front of the closet where your food is kept. By 4:40 you are pacing and crying if you haven't been fed. Then you act like Lassie and you come to get me in case I didn't hear you crying. (And yes, smittykitty - he is a beagle.)

[snapdragen]

Dear Dog - you can tell time, can't you. How? How do you know it's time for your supper? At 4:30 you go in the kitchen and stand in front of the closet where your food is kept. By 4:40 you are pacing and crying if you haven't been fed. Then you act like Lassie and you come to get me in case I didn't hear you crying. (And yes, smittykitty - he is a beagle.)

And I thought this was only a corgi thing...:p

[smilingcat]

Dear very old golden,

I first saw you when your mom brought you home, your forever home. That was 14 or so years ago. I remember you were just this bundle of energy running under the coffee table and running out the other side. Watched you pee as your mom picked you up, ran outside and show where you were supposed to pee. You always have a smile on your face.

And now, you have arthritis, and you don't hear too well, don't see too well, and your sniffer isn't that good anymore either. Sometimes, you don't remember what you are supposed to be doing. But I understand. And you are still furry as ever and you always have a smile on your face.

I love you very much. I wish I could make you young again.

[Dogmama]

Dear Zack,

Cataracts? Really? You didn't get the memo about my new bike did you?

Signed,

Very poor Dogmama

PS, I love you anyway!!

[lph]

And you are still furry as ever and you always have a smile on your face.

I love you very much. I wish I could make you young again.

Awww. I have a special soft spot for goldens :) There's no other dog that can smile with their whole body like that.

[skhill]

Dear Thrifty Dog,

It's cool how you will save for later dog biscuits you don't want at that very moment. But my dressy boots are not a suitable place to keep your stash. 4 biscuits in the right boot, and 1 in the left... If you're looking for them, they are in a bag, on the kitchen counter.

[GLC1968]

Dear big boy dog - I know the new little dog is annoying, but she is still little. Please wait until she is bigger than your mouth before you try to bite her. Thanks.

Dear big girl dog - Thanks for being such a patient and understanding puppy-sitter. I could not have asked for better behavior from a big sister. You truly are a wonder.

Dear little dog - Why is it that you can learn from the big dogs how to play, how to behave for treats, how to ask for dinner, how to 'kill the squeek' in a toy, how to use the dog door, how to NOT chase the ducks and how to sleep quietly when the humans are in bed...but you cannot figure out that peeing happens OUTSIDE (and not just inside) the dog door? Is it something we are doing? If so, give us a clue. Thanks.

[trbl_mkr]

Dear dog,
thank you for agreeing to be my running buddy. Your pleading eyes and wagging tail motivate me in a completely unique way!

[skhill]

Dear dog,

What's up with chasing off cats when they try to join us in bed at night? Are you trying to raise your status in the heirarchy? Are you defending your stash of chew toys in the room? Are you trying to defend me? I like having the cats join us; please get over it. You are the number one dog, even if at least one cat outranks you. The cats aren't interested in your treasures, either.

If this keeps up, you might find yourself spending the night locked away in a bathroom.

[beccaB]

Dear Dog,
You are a herding dog and supposed to chase just about every thing that moves. You should actually be a better mouser than my cats. So why has there been evidence of a mouse in my kitchen?
Mom

[tzvia]

Dear dog,
Yes, you are a dog. That is why you are named KELEV- dog in Hebrew. I promised myself I would not spoil you but I failed, and you strut around with that smug little grin that comes with knowing that you can get whatever you want by making a goofy face or trying to look deprived.

But yes you proved that you are more than just a dog. Somehow you 'got it' when my father became ill and I became a caregiver. You became a caregiver, a companion, a watch dog who always came and got me when dad needed something or had to be assisted. How did you figure that out? Who taught you that he did not belong in the kitchen alone at night? A dangerous place for a man with Dementia, and you came and got me to go investigate with a look like I have never seen before. I did not understand at first, thought you wanted another cookie, but found dad there instead, and got him back to bed. It took me a few times to figure out; you were never around for that cookie after I took care of dad- you got me because of dad.

Now he is in a home, and you are unemployed. No more caregiving. You can be that goofy dog again, older and wiser though. I'm wiser too. It's amazing what a dog can teach a person. Enjoy your retirement, Kelev.
http://home.earthlink.net/~l.segal/images/kelev.jpg

[pll]

That's an incredible (and gorgeous) dog, tzivia. Sorry to learn about your father's illness.

[skhill]

Tzvia, what a great dog! And a great name too. Are you going to be able to take Kelev to visit your dad in the home?


Dear bouncy dog,
Please don't pull so hard on the leash when it's snowy. It's cold, so you want to move fast, but I'm walking on only 2 feet and can slip and fall a lot easier than you on your 4 feet.

[PamNY]

tzvia, incredible story and beautiful dog.

[tzvia]

skhill- wish I could, but he is almost 14 now and having hip issues, his legs give out. Which means he has access to that part of the yard that he can get to without stairs. I live on a hillside, and it's a flight of stairs down to get to the street or up to the main part of the yard. He can't do it currently. I did take him about a month ago, but it was too much for him, and he is afraid to try the stairs again. He wanders around the house sometimes, and I get the feeling he is looking for his 'job'. Now he watches me where ever I go.

That photo is like 4 years old, his face is all white now.

Dear dog, yes it sucks getting old. You and me both kid. We both need new bodies. I am glad you are still smiling. Me, I've got my Ben Gay and DMSO...

[Catrin]

Tzvia, I almost teared up reading about your dog, he just sounds so sweet and just plain incredible. I can just see him still wanting to do his job :)

[chosen1]

Dear dog,

You're quite the little magician. When I got into the shower this morning you were all snuggled in your bed, but when I walk out I get to see this http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y257/spiritualtygr/IMG-20111128-001591.jpg

I know my bed is comfortable, but I was a tad bit jealous that I wasn't still in it and you were! You got a new bed for Christmas, please stay out of mine.

[marni]

dear little Beau,

I'm sorry but he's never coming back. He died and we will do the best we can to love and cherish you since we cannot do for our dear father in law, your buddy, any longer. Roweena can be your buddy and I promise I will give you lots of belly rubs and milk bones and walk you as slowly and as leisurely as you like as often as you like.

your now owner and caregiver.

[bmccasland]

Marni and Beau,
Sorry for your loss. It's great that little Beau has a new loving family instead of being turned over to a shelter.

When Beau is feeling better, will he pose for a photo?

[Norse]

skhill- wish I could, but he is almost 14 now and having hip issues, his legs give out. Which means he has access to that part of the yard that he can get to without stairs. I live on a hillside, and it's a flight of stairs down to get to the street or up to the main part of the yard. He can't do it currently. I did take him about a month ago, but it was too much for him, and he is afraid to try the stairs again. He wanders around the house sometimes, and I get the feeling he is looking for his 'job'. Now he watches me where ever I go.


Don't know if this is an option for you, but we recently started our dog (Katy) on Adequan injections. Katy is 10 and has always had hip dysplasia that was mostly controlled via glucosomine. We noticed though that she was starting to have more pain and difficulty. After a long talk with our vet and much research, we decided to try the Adequan. She's only had 3 shots so far but we have already noticed improvement. We are keeping our fingers crossed this works.

[skhill]

Dear Dog,

I appreciate your desire to guard me while I sleep, but the cats are no threat. Please stop chasing them off when they dare to join us in bed. I really like having then curl up with us on a cold night, promise. What I don't like is being woken up by your vigorous defense, then going to comfort a scared and pissed off cat in the middle of the night.

love, your sleep-deprived human

[Pax]

Dear soon-to-be-our-dog,

We hope you love your new home, we'll try to make it a wonderful place for you.

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb217/Deepliquid/Maggie/w6nutmeg6jpg6.jpg

Love,

Your new moms

[Sky King]

Dear soon-to-be-our-dog,

We hope you love your new home, we'll try to make it a wonderful place for you.

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb217/Deepliquid/Maggie/w6nutmeg6jpg6.jpg

Love,

Your new moms
HOW CUTE!!!!
makes me sad as I really, really miss my spastic, neurotic border collie

[Pax]

HOW CUTE!!!!
makes me sad as I really, really miss my spastic, neurotic border collie

We lost our older BC's seven years ago, we figured it was time to have a family again.

[ClockworkOrange]

How I have laughed, smiled and also cried at the posts on here. :p


Dear Grand-dog

I just love you so very much, when I see you several lunch times during the week, you are such a lovely dog to cuddle.

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j353/1Clockwork1/TE.jpg

[smittykitty]

Gorgeous Beagle. What a wonderful grand dog.

Grand dogs are great!

[PamNY]

Dear Lloyd,

Thanks for continuing to be a clown even though you are getting on in years.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8867349@N08/6733264431/in/photostream

[Dogmama]

Cute!!

[goride]

Dear Dog - Thank you for barking like a really big dog when some guy was banging on our back door at 5:00 a.m. When DH came to the door, the guy heard you barking and charging against the door, and stammered that he had the wrong house. Guess so! You can have all the treats you want. Even the piece of red licorice that you stole off the kitchen counter :)

[ann_w]

Dear Dog: I know that you love popcorn, but barking repeatedly at the hot air popper will not make it pop any faster. And when a stray popcorn misses the bowl and hits the floor? It's an accident - the air popper is not trying to reward you.

[skhill]

Dear dog,

Thanks for deciding to bark at everyone who steps onto our front porch! But especially when it's just the mailman, it's OK to stop once he moves on to the next house. Really.

[TxDoc]

Dear dog,
thank you for being such a good friend and sharing many of your happy years with me. I hope you enjoyed our time together as much as I did.
And, yes, I am certain that you will have plenty of time to rest and play in Dobermann Heaven.
Find Peace.
Love,

Your mom who is feeling kind of lonely today

[Catrin]

I am sorry :( It is indeed hard to lose a beloved pet, but if it is any consolation he looked quite happy!

[PamNY]

TxDoc, so sorry. That is indeed a photo of a happy dog. Sadly, our time with them never seems long enough.

[mtbdarby]

Dear Cooper,
You are such a great guard dog and barker, but I have never seen a dog hightail it upstairs so fast because a bad guy was attaching someone ON TV!

Thanks for protecting me man....:)

[ladyicon]

Dear dog,
thank you for being such a good friend and sharing many of your happy years with me. I hope you enjoyed our time together as much as I did.
And, yes, I am certain that you will have plenty of time to rest and play in Dobermann Heaven.
Find Peace.
Love,

Your mom who is feeling kind of lonely today

Sorry for your loss :(. What a beautiful Dobie. He is probably running like that at the rainbow bridge.

[snapdragen]

Dear Puppygirl, I'm so glad you are feeling better. I was so scared you were going to be permanently disabled, back injuries in long dogs are not fun. I'll start weaning you off the muscle relaxers tomorrow. In the meantime, rest.

[skhill]

Dear Puppygirl, I'm so glad you are feeling better. I was so scared you were going to be permanently disabled, back injuries in long dogs are not fun. I'll start weaning you off the muscle relaxers tomorrow. In the meantime, rest.

It sounds like she has the best of nurses on hand. It's so hard to see a pet in pain, tho.

Dear dog,
Thanks for insisting on the multiple daily walks. We've seen such cool things lately! Over the weekend, the fantastic night skies had me looking up astronomy sites, and I now know that we saw Venus and Jupiter up there. And then yesterday morning, wasn't it amazing to see that hawk swoop down and grab a squirrel?

Love, the holder of the leash

[skhill]

Dear Dog,

When it's as cold as it's been the last few mornings, it takes me longer to get ready for our walk. You have a built-in beautifully warm winter coat; I need to put on warmer pants and socks and boots and coat and hat and scarf and mittens. Don't worry, the walk will still happen, just have a little patience. And trying to climb into my lap while I'm putting on the boots won't make it happen any faster.

[Dogmama]

Dear Dog,

And trying to climb into my lap while I'm putting on the boots won't make it happen any faster.

And running off with my shoes only delays your departure as well!

[skhill]

Dear dog,

The cats are not interested in your pig's ear. Or doggy biscuits. Trust on this one. They might sniff them, but they are not going to steal them. Snarling and snapping at cats is not a good idea-- remember the scratched snout Mica's claws gave you?

[Blueberry]

The cats are not interested in your pig's ear.

I had a kitty who used to eat pig ears. He loved them. His vet ok'ed it - and he never needed a dental. Never say never:eek::eek:

[smilingcat]

Dear Cody,

Yo do realize that you are part Labrador Retriever, and part Great Pyreneese or part Golden and part Pyreneese. But you are NOT a RAT TERRIER!!

I hope you don't get sick from catching and eating a field mice. You were so fast there was no way I could stop you. And now your mom is very worried that you might get sick or pick up some nasty worms or bugs.

Vet bills aside, I really hope you don't get sick.

And please do not catch and eat anymore field mice!!

Being vaccinated for Rabies, distemper are two that I know of. I think you do have other vaccination but that doesn't mean you can go out, catch and eat a field mice.

BAD BAD DOG!!!

:mad:

[snapdragen]

Dear Chloe,

We don't have to get up at the crack of dark anymore, I'm retired. Let's try to sleep in to at least 7 am....please?

[skhill]

Dear Stella

You know how you use our walks to "hunt" squirrels and rabbits and scavenge under the picnic tables in the park? Well, from time to time I forage on our walks. Wild strawberry season is just starting! I'd appreciate it if you don't pull me into a tree while my head is down, looking for flashes of red in the green grass. Also, please be patient while I'm busy picking the berries.

[skhill]

Dear Stella

It's our 6 month anniversary! Thanks for using sad puppy eyes on me and convincing me to bring you home!

But I do wish you'd warned me about the shedding issue... The house is covered by a film of golden fur these days:eek:

[Trek420]

Also, please be patient while I'm busy picking the berries.

Some dogs like berries. Perhaps Stella can be trained to "wait" for the chance of a berry treat? :)

[skhill]

Some dogs like berries. Perhaps Stella can be trained to "wait" for the chance of a berry treat? :)

I've offered her some; she sniffs them and then goes back to looking for those dastardly squirrels!

[Trek420]

I've offered her some; she sniffs them and then goes back to looking for those dastardly squirrels!

Ok, so that's not what she'll "work for". ;) :p Oh well. :rolleyes:

The trick may be find what she will "work for", hide in pocket, ask for the "wait" and quick with praise and high value reward.

You might even be able to use squirrels as a treat! No, not that way.

You always have "life rewards". My mutt had an odd fascination with storm grates. So if she wants to dash and sniff one or I just know she will that she has to do something for me; a quick sit, "watch me", wait ... sumthin' then a "good dog!" and she's off to the grate with what she wants to do as the reward.

With timing it's your walk and her training. We found that to be fun on both ends of the leash.

[tulip]

Dear Dog,

You are not a Squirreldog, you are a Sheepdog. Was it really necessary to catch that squirrel, flip him up in the air a few times, and watch him quiver and writhe in fear and pain? Ugh, that's what cats do, not dogs. At least you didn't bring this one into the house as a gift.

Your friend,
Tulip

[skhill]

Dear dog,

If you tried really hard, could you maybe get all the follicles that were planning on shedding hairs today to expel them all at once, while you're outside?

[countrygirl]

My dear beloved Doberman,

The UPS guys and all who wander up to our house are not afraid of sweet little you, who could resist your goofy smile and cute pointy ears at half mast? They are, however, afraid of being goosed by your giant nose that goes in places it never ever should! Regulars to our house now fan their hands behind their butts in a futile attempt to keep you at bay. And I really appreciate the continuous goose from the hall to the kitchen table while those guys installing the stove were chatting with me. I'd like to pinch your nose hard sometime but you would look so stricken and hurt, so we do our best to be just a little faster than your advancing nose.

Love,
The girl you adore (it's mutual).

[Tri Girl]

Dear Dog,

My house is 90% tile. There is only carpet in the hallway.
I understand that accidents happen and that you defecating in two places last night was probably beyond your control, and that when I let you out at 3am you probably didn't need to go. I'm sure you REALLY didn't want to do it.
Do me a favor tho, will ya buddy? Could you PLEASE just do it on the tile instead of the one swatch of carpet in the house.

Thank you,
Mommy (NOT your inside pooper scooper)

[skhill]

Dear Dog,

My house is 90% tile. There is only carpet in the hallway.
I understand that accidents happen and that you defecating in two places last night was probably beyond your control, and that when I let you out at 3am you probably didn't need to go. I'm sure you REALLY didn't want to do it.
Do me a favor tho, will ya buddy? Could you PLEASE just do it on the tile instead of the one swatch of carpet in the house.

Thank you,
Mommy (NOT your inside pooper scooper)

Same here! I'm just glad that my dog has settled on the really ugly rug in the spare bedroom as her emergency spot...

Dear Dog,
I'm willing to take you for a pretty decently long walk in the rain. I'm not willing to cuddle with you when we get home and you are soaked. And is my bed really the best place to curl up for a post-walk nap while you are so wet?

[TsPoet]

Dear Dog.
I love you!

[Tri Girl]

Dear Dog,
Thanks for FINALLY giving me a kiss (a lick) after owning you for a year. Your first 6 years on this planet must have been very sad and lonely and frightening, but you are slowly coming around. I'm so glad you chose me at the pound.
Love,
Your BFF until the end




Dear Dog.
I love you!
awwww :)

[Tri Girl]

She is the SWEETEST, most docile dog. She was surrendered to the pound with heartworms and seizures. They treated her for heartworms, and after a year of trying to control her seizures without phenobarbitol, we recently put her on it and her seizures have stopped. I just love her. I cried when she gave me her first kiss. She just walked up to me with her head down, looked me in the eyes, licked my mouth, then walked away. :)
Her teeth are worn down to nubbins, and the tip of her tail was broken when we adopted her. She still won't eat a biscuit from me- she just gently takes it and sets it down on the floor and walks away. Like she doesn't want to be rude. Maybe some day I'll get her to eat a treat out of my hand.

Sorry- Kona-dog hijack over. And yeah- that's the sad little look she gave me when she poo'd in the house. ;)

[skhill]

Dear dog,

You know, when you kill the mole you just magnificently caught, it's not going to "play" with you anymore. Once it's dead, it'll just lay there. And don't look at me like that-- I can't resurrect it. Like I can't turn off the rain or adjust the temperature outside... You can still count on me for belly rubs and feeding, though.

But thank you for being so willing to *not* bring your treasure home with us.

[grey]

Dear dog,

You know, when you kill the mole you just magnificently caught, it's not going to "play" with you anymore. Once it's dead, it'll just lay there. And don't look at me like that-- I can't resurrect it. Like I can't turn off the rain or adjust the temperature outside... You can still count on me for belly rubs and feeding, though.

But thank you for being so willing to *not* bring your treasure home with us.

My dog barks at it, like that will make it get up and "play" again. :D

[skhill]

Dear dog,
New rule: no digging in the cemetary. Not even to enlarge the back door to the groundhog housing complex. Hopefully everyone was buried deep enough that you wouldn't disturb anything, but we're not risking it. Especially since it's old enough that most burials were in wood coffins, with no concrete vaults.

[snapdragen]

Dear Chloe,

Only you would manage to get a urinary tract infection - with FOUR different forms of bacteria. :eek: Let's hope the month long course of antibiotics does the trick.

[2wheelr]

Dear Dog,
I realize you need to go to the bathroom at 5am, and beg to be taken out. At this point I'm sure you must know, after 7 years of the same, that NOTHING will be jumping out of the bushes onto you in the dark. So, if you could not try to jump into my arms, at odd moments, leaving me holding 90 pounds of quaking dog, lying on top of me sprawled in the middle of the road, I'd appreciate it.
OH, and if you could refrain from trying to play tug O'war with the full poop bag, I'll be happy to play tup o'war with an appropriate toy back at home.

Thank you,
Road Rash Rosie (otherwise known as "Mom")

[barrelgal]

Dear Ace,
4 am is not play time or potty time and it never has been. Please stop the cycle of waking me up 2 hours before my alarm goes off.
Love,
your sleep deprived mom

[silversurfer]

Dear Dog,

I'm not sure yet what we'll do if you don't get the use of your legs back but we'll work it out. You're my puppy and I'll always take care of you. We'll just have more time to smell the flowers. But I'm hoping you'll bounce back like you always do.

[feral1]

Dear Jada,
You have been gone a week and I miss you with all my heart! I'm sorry I had to make that decision for you :( You will always be with me my little girl.....15316

[Pax]

Dear Dog,

WELCOME!!

Ladies, I give you Abby! She is a 10 week old Border Collie, and is so very sweet... and scary smart.

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb217/Deepliquid/photo-5-1.jpg

[Pax]

Hi Abby!!!!!!
She says "rrrrrrrUFFrrrrmffmph" back. :D

[Trek420]

Dear Jada,
You have been gone a week and I miss you with all my heart! I'm sorry I had to make that decision for you :( You will always be with me my little girl.....15316

((( feral1 & Jada )))

And "Hi, Abby!" you picked some great moms.

[Sky King]

ohhhh, be still my heart. Put my border collie down just over a year ago
Yes, he was super smart. When hiking, if I said "bike back" he would get behind me and stay there until I told him to release. He is buried in the hills overlooking his favorite trail with his tennis ball and his stuffed animal for company.

Dear Dog,

WELCOME!!

Ladies, I give you Abby! She is a 10 week old Border Collie, and is so very sweet... and scary smart.

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb217/Deepliquid/photo-5-1.jpg

[Catrin]

Pax - congratulations on your adorable puppy! I've heard so many good things about Border Collies over the years. While I've not had a dog since I was something like 7 years old, if I had a yard I would be seriously tempted to have one :) Hi Abby!

[indysteel]

I'm sorry about your loss, feral1. Hugs to you.

[Pax]

Thanks everyone, she is such a good little girl!

Sky King - we lost our two BC's back in 2004, it's taken us this long to get over it... they sure get into your heart.


feral1 - I'm so sorry about your loss.

[indysteel]

Abby's too cute, Pax!! Congrats on your new addition!

[Elphaba]

Dear Dog,
Happy 6th Birthday sweet girl. Some may think it is odd to celebrate your birthday on a day like today, but I see it as a sign that in spite of the bad, good things can happen.

Your Human.

[marni]

dear Rowena,

Cataracts. really? You're only 4 1/2 years old. No wonder your behavior has become more insecure and scared. You have an appointment with a veterinary opthamologist next week. Here's hoping it goes well.

[skhill]

Dear Stella,

Just what was that expression on your face when you saw the alpha cat eating your food out of your bowl? Frustration, confusion, annoyance, a touch of anger? Perhaps we need to clarify something: the rule that you don't bother a cat who's eating doesn't appy when the cat's eating out of your bowl. The cat might have a different idea, of course...

Would you have been so patient if it had been one of the other cats?

[snapdragen]

dear Rowena,

Cataracts. really? You're only 4 1/2 years old. No wonder your behavior has become more insecure and scared. You have an appointment with a veterinary opthamologist next week. Here's hoping it goes well.

Marni - the veterinary opthamologists are amazing. My dog had corneal ulcers in both eyes, it took a bit, but they are all healed. Best of luck to you and Rowena.

[tzvia]

Dear dog,

I wonder why your soul is so restless... I can still hear you walking down the hall at 4:30am as I silently eat breakfast, can still hear you moan as you stretch and plop down on your favorite rug in the dining room right behind me, feet from where your urn silently sits. I swear I catch a glimpse of your dark form as my head turns and for a moment my heart lifts...

Nothing.

Is it my wish to see you again? My inability to let you go, let your memory cross the rainbow bridge? Are you really a restless apparition; that formless something that haunts the corner of my eye and echos down the hall? Something creaks the floor, something shifts in the periphery of my vision; something is making me stop my morning cold for a moment. Is it you, or is it me?

Are you still trying to quietly catch my attention as you did for many years in the wee hours? Shhhhhhh.... Kelev, it's too early for breakfast. Dave will feed you when he gets up. Don't give me those big eyes, you are not starving. I'll give you a hug and a big scratch but I really have to get going...

Bye Kel. I still love you but it's really time to go.

[snapdragen]

Maybe Kel is your guardian angel?

[Wahine]

Dear Fosco,

I know that you were really excited when SB showed up last night. She's cute and fluffy and playful. But did you really need to keep us and SB's fur parents up all night with the whining and scratching because you wanted to play? You were afforded at least 1 hour of playtime before bed and were to be allowed to play to your heart's content in the morning. Why did you find it necessary to keep us up most of the night?

I love you. I love that you adore all other dogs and want to play with them, every last one. It really is a refreshing change from having to manage dogs with dog to dog agression issues. But 2 to 6 AM is really not the time for play.

Sincerely,
Your sleep deprived fur mom.

[snapdragen]

Ooh Wahine, Chloe will do the same thing, only she wants to sleep with the houseguests. Crys and stomps all. night. long.

[Wahine]

Have you found a solution Snap? We have guest over a lot and I really don't need a repeat of last night.

[snapdragen]

If it's my brother, she sleeps with him. Non family = sleepless night.

[TsPoet]

dear Rowena,

Cataracts. really? You're only 4 1/2 years old. No wonder your behavior has become more insecure and scared. You have an appointment with a veterinary opthamologist next week. Here's hoping it goes well.

Any word, Marni?
My old guy got cataracts in his left eye. His way of handling things changed, but he still goes and goes. Hopefully your young-one will be well.

[tzvia]

Cataracts? When my then 11 year old Kelev got cataracts, and was overweight, I got an idea. He wants a snack around 11am? Ok. Carrots. He hated them. So I steamed baby carrots, then ground them up in my Magic Bullet. Enough for a few snacks, they stored well in the fridge. I then added like 1/4 teaspoon of canned dog food to 4 tablespoons of crushed carrots and mixed thoroughly so he could not pick out the dog food. Wasn't thinking it would affect the cataracts, how cloudy his eyes were getting and how it affected his ability to be confident going down the stairs, I was thinking a snack that was healthy and not going to add pounds. Within 6 months, I noticed his eyes were clearing and he did loose a little weight. Up until the last 4 months of his life (he lived to be 14) he bounded down the stairs with confidence and could see birds and lizards down the street. Yea he hated the carrots, but his eyes were clear when he crossed the rainbow bridge.

[marni]

Any word, Marni?
My old guy got cataracts in his left eye. His way of handling things changed, but he still goes and goes. Hopefully your young-one will be well.

Rowena had a visit with a veterinary opthamologist last week. The cataract is fading slowy but the lens in being reabsorbed. It makes no difference as it turn out since she apparently has been blind and is permanently blind in that eye . Vet said it was probably some sort of traumatic injury that possibly detached the retina when she was younger, before we got her. It goes a long way to explaining why she is so nervous and hypervigilant.

The good news is that she is incredibly well adapted since we never noticed anything wrong with her movement ever, even with the cataract. She doesn't need surgery sice it can't be repaired. Right now she is on steroind drops to hlep cut the infection and irritation apparently from the cataract. I will be weaning her off of them over the next two weeks. Other than that we just have to watch for changes in the eye that might indicat further infection or glaucoma, get her eye pressures check every six months and watch that she doens't start showing any symptoms of anything in the other eye.

I have dealt with blindness in a dog before, but it was due to old age and general eye deterioration. It's just odd to see it in one so young but it does't affect her quality of life, she still scampers, jumps and scrambles around, loves her pets, being brushed,and going walkies and gets along fine with cats and the other dog who is just old and crotchety.

[Wahine]

Dear Fosco,

You've been quite the handful the last couple of days. Don't get me wrong, I still feel like we won the rescue dog lottery. But did you have to roll in that dead what ever, just before our obedience class such that I didn't have time to wash you before we went? Did you have to mess up on your big recall moment tonight, right after I'd been bragging about how we'd been practicing and how well you were doing? And the whining in the car tonight, oy!

When it came time you did co-operate well with the bathing, even though you didn't much like it and now you're all cute and snuggly on the couch, totally passed out. I guess that makes up for it. :)

[snapdragen]

Stink = Greatness in the dog world

I remember during "finals" in obedience school with my first corgi, Rikki. She was in a down/stay, looks at me, then rolled over on her back and started "talking". :rolleyes:

[Wahine]

Stink = Greatness in the dog world


I tried explaining this to my BF who has never had a dog before. He didn't seem to agree. ;)

[skhill]

Dear Stella,

While your were nose to the ground, tracking where the rabbit had been, I was looking at where the rabbit currently was. Sometimes that nose blinds you to the rest of the world...

[skhill]

Dear Stella,

Happy anniversary! It was one year ago this weekend that you picked me out when I was visiting the shelter. Wonder if you knew you'd be coming to a home with cats who would insist you mind your manners....
Anyway, there's a porkchop bone with your name on it in the fridge, as a cake didn't seem like a good idea!

[happyscientist]

My Flat Coated Retriever did it by pulling on the towel hanging on the handle.

I used to have a flat coat. That dog was way too smart and curious. Eventually, we just started leaving doors open because she would open them all if they weren't locked.

Dear dog,
Yes it is hilarious when you steal my socks, but do you have to slobber on them?

[smilingcat]

Dear Holly the snow bear,

Yes you are a Great Pyrenees only 13 weeks old and almost as big as our full grown golden boy, Flynn.
But just because you a still a baby doesn't mean you can do what ever you want.

Don't:

1. chase the cats. You're supposed to protect them. They are not your chew toys.
2. chase the layer chickens. You're also supposed to protect them against racoons and such. They are not your chew toys.
3. counter surf. There are no food within your reach on the counter anyway.
4. grab your mom's shoes and chew them. They are not your chew toys. We put them away where you are not supposed to be able to reach.

and please don't rough house with the golden boy inside the house. Flynn is just over a year old golden with lots of energy and so do you. But 120 pounds of dogs running around the house is just too much and even for the cats and our elderly pyrenees-golden mix Cody.

Lastly, I need to be able to sleep without you practicing howling at night.

[thekarens]

Dear Dog, please stop bringing me presents.

16694

[Trek-chick]

Dear Wilow,

You are a Welsh Terrier bred to rid the world of vermin (badgers, rats, etc) NOT bugs!! You must have had great fun running around the yard with a big Cicada buzzing in your mouth while we chased you. I offered up that piece of chicken so you would drop the bug not swallow it whole!!! I must admit you are a great bug catcher--just wish you would stop eating them :)

Dear Tiger,

You are a Shih Tzu not a bird dog. We had a Lab/bird dog. Please stop eating feathers off the ground. I hope the Momma Robin forgives us ...for when we walked by and the baby bird was on the ground, you scooped it up like a prize. Raven the Lab would have been very proud but, I think I was traumatized trying to get it out of your mouth.

[thekarens]

Your doggy LUVS you!!!

:eek::p

The sad thing is it's not our bird dog that does it. It's this one

16697

This is the same dog that brought us live baby possums.

[Dogmama]

Dear Holly the snow bear,

Yes you are a Great Pyrenees only 13 weeks old and almost as big as our full grown golden boy, Flynn.
But just because you a still a baby doesn't mean you can do what ever you want.

Lastly, I need to be able to sleep without you practicing howling at night.

13 weeks is a good time for a puppy class. Lots of exercise and mental stimulation - "a tired puppy is a good puppy."

[thekarens]

That's not a dog, it's a fuzz muffin!

What's your bird dog do, spend the days on the couch getting its belly rubbed?

Jeeze, you need a family meeting to get this straightened out.

Pretty much, the standard poodle only hunts food off the counter. The Boston (who is the only boy) is a complete princess. Then there's the 5lb Maltese terrorist named Gemma. She has also brought me cockroaches, cicadas, June bugs, rocks and sticks. She also chews anything within reach. I've lost two phone chargers in the last week

[snapdragen]

Dear Dog, please stop bringing me presents.

16694

Oh dear g_d....

[skhill]

Dear dog,

Are you psychic? How do you know to bark at cyclists only when they're riding on the sidewalk or on the wrong side of the street, and not when they're riding in the street, with traffic?

I swear I didn't train her to do this!

[marni]

its called sharing.

[Trek-chick]

Dear Willow,

You amaze me. I have never owned a dog that actually like to watch TV. I have never seen one watch an entire show before.

I love how you rest your front legs over the arm rest and just sit there for "TV time". LOL Poor thing...you even get scared when we rent and watch horror movies. There really is no need to bark at-- and protect us from the zombies, monsters and killers etc on the TV screen but Thank You.

[Pax]

Dear Willow,

You amaze me. I have never owned a dog that actually like to watch TV. I have never seen one watch an entire show before.

I love how you rest your front legs over the arm rest and just sit there for "TV time". LOL Poor thing...you even get scared when we rent and watch horror movies. There really is no need to bark at-- and protect us from the zombies, monsters and killers etc on the TV screen but Thank You.
Your post made me smile, big time. :D

[Owlie]

Dear sister's dog:

Please, have your seizure be a one-off thing. Don't worry your Dearest Human that way.

Also, there is no need to bark every time someone locks a car door.

[skhill]

Dear Stella,

You did a public service by finding that stolen and ransacked purse on our walk. But was it necessary to growl at the police officer when he finally showed up? You made him nervous!

[smilingcat]

Dear Holly Spirit Bear,

Thank you for dragging me to your puppy intermediate class tonight. I needed the break from the same old same old. And you did pretty well. Being the kind of breed you are (great pyrenees), instructor and I know that you are not the most sociable dog. You breed tend to be very aloof and solitary, so it was pretty amazing that you only snarled at one dog, an Akita. Well he snarled at you too. not sure who started it (simultaneous). I know you get overwhelmed with 9 other puppies and you do just fine when its one on one. So neither the instructor nor I are too concerned with your bad behavior. You are quite okay with all the people. You just don't like that Akita. Yes that Akita is bit smaller than you. We just need to work on it.

Overall, you did great with leave it, doggie push-up something you hate. Sit-lay down-stand, sit-lay down-stand... Your big long leg makes this a real work out. but you did great with three repetition. And for a Pyrenees you did pretty well with Come... And you did really well with ignoring distractions.

Will keep practicing this week till the next class. And the practice will keep me out of trouble too.

love mom,

[Dogmama]

Dear Holly Spirit Bear,

You breed tend to be very aloof and solitary, so it was pretty amazing that you only snarled at one dog, an Akita. Well he snarled at you too. not sure who started it (simultaneous).
love mom,

Puppy class is the BEST!!! Get them out EARLY and expose them to new things. I'm a HUGE advocate (can you tell?)

Snarley dogs - here's my experience and thoughts. Dogs can sense other dogs' emotional states in a way that humans can't. Akitas are typically not sociable dogs and if your dog sensed some anxiety, he (she?) might have simply been reacting. Remember too that your puppy doesn't have a lot of experience with other dogs yet so reactions can be all over the map. Two main things to remember:

1. Don't over react to anything your puppy does. If your puppy snarls at another dog and you react with alarm, your dog might think, "Hey - I snarled at that dog and my human got excited too. There IS something wrong with that dog! Next time I'm really going to snarl at him - maybe even snap too!" You should calmly redirect your puppy's attention without rewarding the behavior.

2. Do NOT punish your puppy for any unsociable behavior. Dogs are not innately aggressive but they can be fearful. That fear is shown as aggression. You cannot fight fear with punishment. I do counter-conditioning and desensitization - or as I call it, "I see a dog I get a cookie." The book Control Unleashed outlines this beautifully.

I always tell clients to get their puppies in all kinds of safe environments (I do not consider dog parks to be safe, BTW.) More dogs are euthanized because of bad behavior than communicable diseases. Early socialization is key.

[smilingcat]

Dear Holly,

Please do not eat things which are not food. You were very lucky that your other mom saw you downing two tulip bulbs. We are not happy about losing more tulip bulbs.

But more importantly, tulip bulbs are poisonous to you. So we and you were very lucky. We gave you the peroxide to get you to throw it up. Not to make you feel awful. You would have been in lot worse shape if we didn't. It wasn't very pleasant for me to go through your regurgitated stuff and made sure we had all the pieces of the bulbs.

Please don't do this again. And yes when your tummy settled back down, we gave you treats to make you feel better. And we've put barriers up so you can't dig anymore bulbs. "childproofing" the yard.

[smilingcat]

Dear Cody (Pyrenees, golden or lab mix),

The first time I met you, your mom had just picked you up from a rescue place 3 hours away. Your fur was scruffy, awful and you absolutely looked pitiful. Your stole your mom's heart that day when you tried and succeeded by jumping up and down, bobbing your head out of the crowd of Pyrenees. boing boing boing you jumped, each time, your head popped out of sea of Pyrenees head. And so you came into our lives, always happy, always cheerful.

Cheerfulness was your defining character and we loved you very much. So much so that even the cats loved sleeping with you and to be groomed by you. You even let the kittens climb on you, kneaded your fur and you were happy.

But today, we all had to say good bye to you and let you cross the rainbow bridge. You managed to live to be a very old grampy dog and over the years you've helped us foster many many orphaned kittens. We are sad to see you go, but we are also grateful that you are no longer in pain from very old age, arthritis and other ailments. The least we could do was to let you go in peace in your home and on your favorite rug. And you were happy as you went to sleep.

We'll see you and visit you in our dream.

lots of love

[snapdragen]

I'm so sorry smilingcat.

[smilingcat]

Dear filthy mouthed dogs yes YOU Austin, Holly and even Flynnie-winnie,

Kitty roca is not food. Kitty roca is not food for people, its not food for the kitties and it sure isn't for the dogs. STOP trying to get "morsels" of kitty roca. NOT FOOD. NOT TREAT. And never will be. And yes it does resemble almond roca but its not the same!!

And you Austin, somehow you figured out where kitty roca comes from. DO NOT STICK YOUR NOSE INTO THE BACK END OF THE CATS!! THEY DON'T LIKE IT!!

gahhh!!

[Helene2013]

love this. haha

[smilingcat]

Worth watching if you are planning of getting a dog or cat for that matter.

Video is called GIFT (https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=252&v=JMs7dkdO4YY) and it made me think and look at myself deeply. Some days, my partner's dog makes me really angry, but after watching the video, I now step back and think about it from the dog's point of view.

Having a furry children is a big commitment. Watch the video and think about it. One of the best video's I've ever watched.

[IBrakeforPastry]

Well, I figured what was coming and still managed to break down in tears. My avatar kitty died in March and one of my two new adoptees climbed onto my lap and rubbed my teary face just as the video was winding down. I've heard that dogs (maybe other animals, too?) often search out water right before they die. Thanks for sharing.

[Helene2013]

I've seen this before.

I have 3 dogs and 3 cats. And since 5 are "old" I sort of manage a geriatric house here. hihi

I can tell you that some days...I'm ready to quit on them (but never would - til death do us part!). It is not always easy. Especially with one of the dogs who's on Reconcile (prozac) because of behavioral issues. We tried taking her off it twice already and she has to be put back on it. She's totally nuts and we can't give her an inch. But when she is good (and she's more good than "bad"), she is such a sweetheart. Just need to totally control her environment...which means, sometimes - ok...often, we don't have a life. haha So I can relate to that video in some parts of it.

At least I am lucky enough to have a background in dog training (took 3 years many years ago) so I know how to handle her...but it does not make any thing easier.

But when it is not a cat vomiting hairballs (even when being brushed), it is my prozac pup doing something she should not be doing. Never a dull moment at my house.

And as much as I love them all, I won't have that many pets in my future once they are dead. I think I don't have as much patience as I used to in my "younger" days.

[Aromig]

Having a furry children is a big commitment. Watch the video and think about it. One of the best video's I've ever watched.

I agree, this was one of the most poignant short videos I've seen in a long time. I saw this a few weeks ago and just cried and cried and cried. Like Helene - I feel like a geriatric pet ward. A 19 year old cat, an 18 year old cat, and a who-knows-how-old Jack Russel (who is blind, and going deaf). I'm tired of all of the changes (after 15 years the cats have decided they don't like to be fed in the spare room and are missing the litter box and the Jack Russel doesn't like to go outside anymore) but these are life-long commitments and I can't imagine doing it any differently.

When I first saw the video, I had the thought that it should be mandatory viewing at all pet adoption places - but unfortunately I wonder if it will get to the people that need it (rather than just breaking the hearts of the people who don't need to see it).

[smilingcat]

Dear trouble making dogs,

I do not want any false alarms at 2:30AM or 3:00AM. then again at 6:00AM. Lack of sleep makes mom very grumpy. Please no more false alarm in the middle of the night. I know that two of you are a guard dogs (Australian Shepherd and Great Pyrenees) but really? Maybe I need to tell you a story of boy who cried wolf.