OT - senior citizen dog issues

[LBTC]

Beth, I'm sorry for both you and Nala for the loss of Branwen. Dogs grieve too, which can be expressed in some puzzling ways. I'm quite inclined to think the poor old girl is lonely and misses her buddy terribly, and therefore misses you even more when you are not there.

Despite the challenges it my pose, please consider getting Nala a pal of some kind. It worked for our 'Cuda dog after the loss of Yogi, helped him become and excellent dog for our family.

As you think on that, I really liked the idea of providing something to keep Nala busy in the house. I used to hide treats around the house for my border collies - in toys, under toys, behind the furniture - anywhere they were allowed to be. It takes a few minutes to set up, but I think they really enjoyed it. Be sure to use really small treats if you're going to put out a lot, though....wouldn't want Nala to gain too much weight (like mine did!).

Sending butterflies to you both to help you sort this out in a very happy way!

Hugs,
~T~

[DarcyInOregon]

Why not just hire a professional fence company to fix the fence? The fence companies are advertised in the local yellow pages.

Darcy

[farrellcollie]

I got a puppy last year who has helped my 11 yr old collie a lot (she is becoming somewhat doggy demented in her dotage). She was raised with another dog who left two years ago in a breakup (they still visit each other). I would not leave her outside - even with new fence if she is escaping. On long days - could a neighbor or pet sitter come and let her out or walk her?

[bmccasland]

Why not just hire a professional fence company to fix the fence? The fence companies are advertised in the local yellow pages.

I have to laugh - this is post-Katrina New Orleans. Finding anyone to do a "small" job is almost impossible. Took 3 months to get a contractor to fix my bathroom, and I still don't have the screen for the new window. But I digress.

The general consensus from the two lists I posed the question on what to do is the same....
So today I'm off to the local shelter to look for a fur friend. Hopefully after my reconnaissance they'll let me bring Nala to meet and greet before we bring someone home. She has gotten along with the various dogs we meet while out on our evening walks. But meeting someone out on a walk is different than having a housemate.

[LBTC]

Yay, Beth!

It would be so cool for Nala to get to pick her buddy! Or at least approve.

From several past experiences like this, the indicator seems to be that when your dog sniffs the other and then kind of doesn't care that they are there, that is a good sign. I guess it means there isn't hostility or fear....I've never seen any of mine, cats or dogs, act excited and happy to meet the new buddy, but have seen a few react aggressively - of course that would be the buddy we didn't get.

Tell us all about it when you get buddy home!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[bmccasland]

I am SO disheartened! I went to three different Humane Society "adoption centers" today. For some reason these adoption centers are at various pet food stores, you don't actually go to a shelter - therefore only little dogs and cats - but you can look at their photo album of possible candidates of larger dogs, then you fill out an application and they contact you with a "match". Should have seen their faces when I told them the dogs would be outside during the day. AND they want the dog crated in the house while I'm gone. Like I have the room in my 934 sq ft house for crates big enough for 30-40 lbs dogs! Frankly I think it perfectly acceptable for dogs to stay in their yard during the day so long as they have shade, fresh water, and shelter from the weather. AND that it isn't good for a dog to remain in a crate for 10-12 hours/day. At least outside they can roam around and all that. All of the HS people told me that they don't like "outside adoptions" and probably wouldn't recommend another dog for me. But meanwhile they're still aggressively shipping animals out of the New Orleans area to other Humane Societies nationwide. I did buy their arguement that Nala might teach her new friend the escape trick.

So plan B is the local pound, where I can at least see dogs up close and personal.

Then to add the aggravation, when I came home Nala was lying REAL still, and I couldn't see her breathing. But when I touched her, her head popped up, so life is still good.

[LBTC]

Beth, so sorry that the Humane Societies are so difficult to work with! I suppose they try to do their best, but sometimes it gets in the way of honest, good, animal loving people helping a dog in need.

Frankly I think it perfectly acceptable for dogs to stay in their yard during the day so long as they have shade, fresh water, and shelter from the weather. AND that it isn't good for a dog to remain in a crate for 10-12 hours/day.

I could not agree more! Our dogs would be staying outside in our well-shaded yard most of the time, but for the strange new behaviour that 'Cuda has of tearing apart the basement door frame.

I did buy their arguement that Nala might teach her new friend the escape trick.

One thing about dogs, especially puppies, the new one to the pack learns from the older ones, whether the behaviour is good or bad. It would be very cool if you could block her escape area before getting the buddy, if that's possible.

Good luck at the pound - sending helpful butterflies,
~T~

[teigyr]

We have centers like that but they are from rescue organizations. The animals, however, are taken from shelters.

I am so sorry it didn't go well. I think a dog outside is a wonderful thing as long as certain conditions are met and it sounds like they are. I know your area has SO many stray animals (at least that's what I hear) so why should it be so difficult??

Have you tried a rescue group? The ones I've dealt with up here have been very helpful and because a lot of the animals are fostered, they know which ones get along with other pets.

[Tuckervill]

Can you install a doggie door? Since you have a fence, you could put a doggie door into the laundry room or kitchen where there is no carpet for dirty feet.

We have a doggie door for our 40 lb mutt and we love it. (Medium sized door is fine for a 40 lb'er. Larger dogs can go through it, but not as fast.) I wouldn't have a dog unless he could come and go as he pleases.

Despite what people fear about squirrels, etc., coming in the house, it has never happened in 7 years. Some people don't want their cats outside, but I don't mind it. I think my cats are safer because they know they can come in the house whenever they are scared. In this case, my entire house is fenced in all the way around, but I've had houses with a doggie door + large pen and doggie door + fenced back yard.

My dog has a job because of the doggie door. He keeps people from coming in the gate when we're not home. He hears the gate from his position on the couch all day and runs out the doggie door and surprises a lot of people. (I have a beware of dog sign.) I really like that he can do that.

The only downsides are that my cats have occasionally brought in birds, and then there's the muddy feet. I put a gate across the kitchen when it's really wet. They can still get to their food/water and come in to be cooled off or warm up.

I'd get your little pooch a doggie door if I were you. Anyone with basic carpentry skills can install one (mine's not in the door, but in the wall beside the door, which we feel is better).

Karen

[smilingcat]

Hi Beth,

I'm sorry to hear about your troubles at humane society. Different organization have different ideas. crating 10-12 hour is definitly a bad idea.

Are there any other rescue group you could talk to? And before you walk into the pound with Nala CHECK THEIR POLICY ON BRINIGING IN YOUR DOG TO VISIT POTENTIAL NEW BUDDIES. SOME PLACES THINK YOU ARE DROPPING OFF YOUR ANIMAL FOR GOOD!! AND SOME PLACES ARE REALLY MEAN AND WONT LET YOU LEAVE WITH YOUR DOG.

There is a pound in Los Angeles area like that. They are well known for uber-mean-ness. They wouldn't let us have our rescue cat back after the new owners decided it wasn't for them. We had to send one of our friends in for an adoption (we weren't allowed to adopt the cat out). Had to pay adoption fee. The cat was even micro-chipped where we could prove it belonged to the group. Well I could go on and on about the place...

So please check before you walk into a pound with Nala.

And like everyone here, I agree Nala needs a new friend or distraction from separation anxiety.

Smilingcat (currently fostering 6 kittens: pooky, spooky, stinky, sal "the snapper", twiggy, & bela) I am sooo busted with animal laws... :roll: