How often does he get fed??Quote:
Originally Posted by Roadrunner
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How often does he get fed??Quote:
Originally Posted by Roadrunner
"What is that bulge? Food?"
Gotta admit, I like the idea of bulge food :D
Ooo beautiful Golden.
He gets fed between 2 and 4 weeks because he's a bit fat. He's slimed down a bit since the photo was taken, so I'm thinking of maybe feeding more often.
He seems happy enough as it stands at the moment.
JaniceG - That is one GORGEOUS dog!
Ditto on that! What a beauty!
You can tell Toby is a show dog. What a lovely boy.
No photos tho...
Herald was feeling pretty frisky this morning, and of course I was running late... Anyway, I was trying to give him his insulin shot, and he'd roll over, so I'd get another pinch of skin and almost get the needle in, and he'd roll over. :rolleyes: We played this game several turns before I managed to be quick and get him poked.
Toby is beautiful!
Do you believe in karma??? Remember my rescue earlier this year, Rusty? After 4 months of trying to retrain his fear agressive behavior, we gave him to the trainer we had been working with. A week after he had him, he sent us an email saying he was doing well.
Over the past 5 months I have sent him 3 emails asking for an update on how he was doing. Nothing. I got a phone call this morning saying Rusty was on some guys porch this morning! I called the number I had for dog trainer dude (DTD) and a guy answered saying I had the wrong number.
So I did some googling this morning and found he has a facebook page with a picture of his two dogs he had before Rusty, and Rusty! So, do I take Rusty back or hunt DTD down to pick him up? Because of his lack of replies I was wondering if he was for real and Rusty was safe. And what dog trainer wouldn't change his tags and put his info on it?
The real concerns are if the aggressive behavior has been corrected, which I would think it was since there are 2 other dogs in the house. His 1 email told me he had bonded with his cat, lol. And I don't have one of those! Just Zeus, my 13 yo border collie who Rusty had taken to biting at the end. And I still don't have a job so it's gonna be a tough winter anyway.
Any thoughts, ideas, points to ponder?? I've always felt bad giving him up and my son has asked about him during this whole time. I thought maybe this was the worlds way of saying he belongs with us. Or worse, that Zeus didn't have much more time with me (he's healthy though).
OK, enough rambling. TIA.
So what's Rusty been up to the last five months? Has he, in fact, been with a trainer who has worked with him effectively, or has he been ignored, neglected, or worse, abused? I find it very strange that the so-called trainer seems to have disappeared. I would find it very surprising if DTD actually made progress with him. But maybe I'm being over skeptical.
In your last posting when you had to give Rusty up, you were very concerned that he would bite your son, and that you son was scared of him. I don't see how taking Rusty back without knowing how he has been treated the last five months. You could be putting your son in danger of being bitten and developing a lifelong fear of dogs.
I don't think your only options are the two that you stated. You could contact a rescue organization or a refuge. Rusty needs a place that is appropriate, and it does not seem like your place is appropriate for him, at least it was not five months ago. He probably needs a place without other dogs or kids.
EDIT: If you do take him back, I would really encourage you to work with a reputable trainer, not just with the dog, but with the whole family/household. It's not enough to have a trained dog. The people need to know how to interact with the dog, and so do the other dogs. That's going to cost $$, which I know is tight. Something to think about. Best of luck to you.
+1 No kidding! Lovely. Makes me want to get the brush out and go spend some time with my dog!Quote:
Originally Posted by Pax
Wow. I think Tulip has some good advice.Quote:
Originally Posted by mtbdarby
I do believe in Karma, so if it were me, I'd give him another chance. But, that isn't the smart thing to do.
Do you have a dog training club? If you could get in touch with dog enthusiasts int he area, they might have training options and/or training advice for you.
I basically agree with Tulip.Quote:
Originally Posted by mtbdarby
If you are really interested in possibly keeping him you could give it a week or two and see how he is. You'll probably get a sense by then if his old habits are returning or if he's significantly better.
In that time look at rescues/no kill shelters/and other options. I don't remember his issues, but it could just be he needs a house with no small children and no other dogs. That's not a terribly uncommon request from independent rescues, so they'd probably be willing to work with you/him. Especially if you're willing to "foster" him while he's up for adoption.
I think I'd be very hard pressed to track down a "trainer" and give the dog back when that "trainer" never changed the dogs info, won't answer your phone calls, and lost the dog though.
Finding a good trainer would be a Godsend if you wanted to keep him, but could be expensive especially for one on one work (I pay $70 a session). That may or may not be feasible at this point.
Anyway, I'd say yes it is fate. I wouldn't say that means you have to keep him. Finding him a new home either independently or with the help of a reputable rescue is another option worth exploring; especially if his aggression is still showing.
Thanks for the insight Tulip and TS. I called my vet and she said a similar thing but didn't have any rescues to recommend me to. I left messages for 2 rescues in the area I found on the internet and am waiting to hear back. If they could help me screen him I'd be more comfortable. I also posted an ad on CL to see if DTD will email back with a current phone number so I can see if he'll tell me what the heck happened.
When we worked with this trainer (who had good references) he did work with us as a family. His website has a lot of pix of Rusty in different scenarios so it's weird he updated the pix and not his phone number. Of course, that was his only job and in this economy in a sparsely populated area, maybe he had to give up his cell phone/business recently. Who knows. All I can do is try my best to find the best home for Rusty, regardless of where that ends up being.
This will be an interesting day!
Rusty update - after serious thought, I decided not to take him back. I did talk to the people that found him and they were just a few blocks from the address on DTD website. They took him over and returned him. Guess he's still training dogs and Rusty seems to be fine there so he's "home".
It would still be nice for the guy to return my emails but what can you do?
Thanks for walking me through the dilemna!
he's all alone and no one knows!
and he sounds like he's about to throw up :( Poor Lorenzo.Quote:
Originally Posted by Zen
One of my cats came RUNNING over here when I played that! Poor Lorenzo.
Karen
Are you particularly attuned to the 'cat-about-to-throw-up' sound?Quote:
Originally Posted by lph
:D
I am! But only one of my cats uses it.
Karen
God yes. You don't want to know why.Quote:
Originally Posted by Zen
When my little renal failure girl was still around, that sound could wake me out of a sound sleep. Miss that little girl, though obviously not the restless sleep!Quote:
Originally Posted by Zen
I've had three cats and I really don't remember that sound.
maybe not all cats do it. I've had many make that ow-ow-ow-yowling sound and barf the next minute.
Funny thing is, when my son was small I remember him once or twice making a sound quite like it, a sort of non-stop verbalized crying for a minute or two before he, yup, puked everywhere.
The cat in the picture to the left did not do it. The renal failure cat was an exceptionally vocal cat though. Some would say she was much like me - loved to hear herself talk! :)
I want that cookieeeeeee!!!!!!
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...t/IMG_0108.jpg
oldie but a goodie:
The following was found posted very low on a refrigerator door.
Dear Dogs and Cats: The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.
The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Racing me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.
I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort, however. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpe ndicular to each other, stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out on the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.
For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom! If, by some miracle, I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge in an attempt to open the door. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years - canine/feline attendance is not required.
The proper order for kissing is: Kiss me first, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough.
Finally, in fairness, dear pets, I have posted the following message on the front door:
TO ALL NON-PET OWNERS WHO VISIT AND LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR PETS:
(1) They live here. You don't. (2) If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That's why they call it 'fur'-niture. (3) I like my pets a lot better than I like most people. (4) To you, they are animals. To me, they are adopted sons/daughters who are short, hairy, walk on all fours and don't speak clearly.
Remember, dogs and cats are better than kids because they (1) eat less, (2) don't ask for money all the time, (3) are easier to train, (4) normally come when called, (5) never ask to drive the car, (6) don't hang out with drug-using people; (7) don't smoke or drink, (8) don't want to wear your clothes, (9) don't have to buy the latest fashions, (10) don't need a gazillion dollars for college and (11) if they get pregnant, you can sell their children ..
Poor Margot. I had to rush her to the vet Friday when I got home. Her face was swollen---apparently she was having an allergic reaction. Vet thinks it might have been a bug bite, which makes sense (I've seen more spiders in the house since we had a cold snap last week). Other than the swelling, she checked out OK (heart, breathing, no swelling in her throat, etc).
After a shot of benedryl and an IV of steroids, the swelling went gradually went down. $200 later.....
The final indignity: the vet looked at her and said, "she's FAT." I tried to tell her that Margot was just fluffy and big boned, but the vet wasn't buying it! :):):) She's just about 8.5 months old and has to go off puppy food. My poor pork chop.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mickchick
Glad to hear she is ok. My poor Fergus got told he was a little fat last time we visited the vet. Since then he has lost about 2 kilos. The vet was pleased but Fergus still looks a little sad when he sees the smaller amounts in his bowl at dinner.
The cosmic law behind the disproportionate space a dog occupies on its beloved owner's bed and the insistence to sleep more or less 90 degrees to the owner's centre line is as awesome as any. It shocks me how much bed space your sweet little pooch will insist on occupying! And how much I will contort my body to accommodate them!Quote:
I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort, however. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpe ndicular to each other, stretched out to the fullest extent possible.
I am awed by the truth of this. Why is it so hard for my S.O. to appreciate this??Quote:
TO ALL NON-PET OWNERS WHO VISIT AND LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR PETS:
(1) They live here. You don't. (2) If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That's why they call it 'fur'-niture.
thanks, badger--that was a fun read!
If it's any concellation, she's not fat. She's POOFY:D (that's from Manny in Ice Age!)Quote:
Originally Posted by mickchick
Love the sayings Badger. Priceless!
It's between -20 to -30 with windchills now. Poor Zeus went out to go potty and stayed a bit too long. I was just getting ready to go check the snowbanks at the 10 minute mark. He came back limping and shivering. I wrapped him in a blanket on the love seat and cuddled with him and my son says - "Mom, why are you sitting with him and not me?":p I love both my boys. And they're both high maintainence!
I went to bed and Ruthie was sleeping against my back. I woke up at one point and found that I was on my back in a plie position with her smack in the middle. Amazing the subliminal powers she has over me in my sleep.:p Of course, this was after she threw a fit when I tried to take a Christmas picture with her. Take a camera out and she walks right up to it, ruining whatever scene you were trying to capture. Take a camera out because you actually want her to look at it, and she runs in fear. Apparently things have to be on her terms.:rolleyes:
I felt like Jackie Kennedy this morning. My little doggie hurt his leg really bad. There was blood everywhere. Fortunately my vet could see us right away. Twelve stitches, some antibiotics and painkillers and he's as good as new again. :)
What happened to the pooch, Papaver? Which one was it? Glad things are better now.
So this is why I usually run or ride my bike to work. Trying to exercise at home just doesn't work.
Attachment 10557
Eddy always laughs at Twiggy's jokes. He's the purrfect guy.
DB, those your personal trainers? Too cute!
Good lord, DB, is dog wearing leopard fur? What a vixen.
I had "pork chop" (Margot) out for a walk this morning and she stole a stick from a sweet little yellow lab named Dorothy. I had to pry it out of her mouth to give it back---it broke and each dog got her own smaller portion to carry. Margot carried that thing more than a mile home and of course, wanted to bring it inside. It's now on our front porch, waiting to be carried on her next walk.
Uh, the "vixen" is a boy.:p That's the only sweater I have, and I keep the temperature kind of low during the day, so the two old dogs get sweaters. Sammy chewed through his yesterday, but he's a heat box anyway so he doesn't need one.Quote:
Originally Posted by mickchick
Ooops, sorry, no offense intended! That can be a unisex sweater---Tarzan for boys, vixen for girls. You are such a good mommy!Quote:
Originally Posted by divingbiker