And Now Some Good News

[Ninabike]

Python, Max' "story" is so sad and so beautiful. Thank you for adopting Max.

[rij73]

Oh Python,

Your story and the latest update made me so happy. I do believe that rescued dogs understand what it means to be rescued. Their relief at finding a home is palpable. Over the first few weeks my Hudson (see avatar) was with us, we could feel him gradually coming to the realization that this was his real and final home and family. It was so moving to see him get more comfortable and relaxed each day. Now one year later, it's as if he was always here. I can't imagine life without him and I hope we've replaced his bad memories of the past with happy ones.

[PinkBike]

python, look into "the dog whisperer," cesar millan. if you haven't heard of him he's got a show on the national geographic channel. he's also got books and dvd's. this man knows dogs. watch him once and you''ll get hooked.

i am not a dog person, i like cats, but i watch his show every day for the shear beauty of what he can accomplish. his website has clips.

http://channel.nationalgeographic.co.../dogwhisperer/

anybody with a dog should at least know the basics ("exercise, discipline, affection").

[Python]

Thanks Pinkbike. I'll have a look for that. We're going up to the vets in about half and hour. They usually have details of dog training classes as I think Max would benefit from that (and us too). He did try and chase my cat last night (the old, crippled cat who lives in our bedroom) and was scolded for it ("No!!! Bad boy!!!). He knew he'd done wrong and lay down quickly. Our last dog was the same initially with our cats but learnt very quickly not to chase our cats. She also learned the hard way when she went too close to one of our cats - and got her nose shredded. She soon learned chasing cats wasn't a good idea and for years the cats used to curl up with her, especially in winter. Us humans couldn't get anywhere near the fireplace. The furkids were all curled up in front of it

[Velobambina]

What a lovely boy! Those eyes--you can just see the intelligence in them. He sounds quite spirited. Bet he's a real character. You're gonna have some good tales to tell about this boy, I suspect. Give him a big smooch for me! He looks like the perfect addition to your family.

I don't dig the dog whisperer, although some folks swear by him. I think he's a meanie! LOL. Tamar Gellar's book, "The Loved Dog," has given me some helpful advice in teaching my very active 7-year old golden, Maeve, some manners. Tamar's approach is love, positive reinforcement, etc.

[Python]

We're just back from the vet. Our vet thinks Max is still a puppy! She said he's not fully grown yet. She also says he's 100% German Shepherd

We noticed last night that Max was sneezing quite a lot and had a bit of discharge from one nostril. Our vet thinks he's got a slight infection in his nose so gave him an antibiotic injection (he cried like a baby) and a course of antibiotic pills. As soon as the infection is cleared up he's going back to get vaccinated. As we're unsure if he has been or not we're going to get the vaccinations just to be on the safe side.

My reasoning (and our vets) is as he was abandoned by such uncaring owners, then the chances of him being vaccinated are very remote.

He is also booked in for castration on the 5th October. This will give him time to get over this infection, the vaccinations and allow him more time to settle in.

Poor dog. He looked really worried at the vets and was very subdued on the way home. No wonder. The last time he was at the vets, he got taken to kennels His eyes lit up when we got home. You could see the relief in them. He's such a gentle, loving dog I can not for the life of me understand the mentallity of his previous owners abandoning the way they did

However, I am a great believer in what goes around, comes around and they'll be punished for what they've done to him As my late mother used to say "There's always a higher hand".

[rij73]

I'm glad Max is so young! What a lucky boy to have you.

For what it's worth, most dog trainers do not like Cesar Millan. I personally am not fond of how he handles dogs. I find him a bit cruel.

I highly recommend the books: My Smart Puppy and also Bones Would Rain From the Sky

Those two books together give some great training ideas as well as a wonderful perspective on dogs.