Horsefeathers!

Courtnek, I'm guilty of that with mine, but I didn't want to sound overtly paranoid (which I'm accused of alllllll the time). :oops: The lady at the bank is downright offended that I won't let her give my dogs biscuits anymore. I always decline politely by saying something about my dogs having allergies and being on a very restricted diet (well, true for Devin, but applies to all when convenient). Then again, they give out Ol' Roy biscuits, but I just don't have the heart to say, "sorry, but you have crap for snacks."

It sounds kind of similar to some of the seizures we've handled. The thing with seizures is that it can happen once and never again or it can become a regular thing, they can be mild or they can make you think that it's surely the end... *sigh* I hope it was just something minor. Maybe something he got into, or something that got hold of him, but won't have any lasting effects. Good luck at the vet's and let us know how it goes. Poor Re-Run, but I'll bet it was worse on you as far as being scary. It's funny how dogs can kind of shake these things off while we agonize over them.

[img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0bAAAACYiwlX*oh2gmDIgQBIkgowMKeiTEAAQwYSyhvHznn9LKEj**cbVlY3tLV3KgIqH5o!R7XL7d!EdGYXLlwHTSCGaHONniuhR1YDWSWQLL35c!I7Te3B!dXahzVtTePx4x1qanMLrUswzIPk*Ylj85oCe!cTM/dead%20at%20THE%20window.jpg?dc=4675379144570709451[/img] [img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0aQAAALwhPyY2VboZUdcoRnShYHSjAAco5ryhPLTaFXl7miyLgB*SZyxLBB42KbhDRJmtPEPk6IPg!1vd3urX8*!95uOtf0ho2r3aHTDCEhSuVbhOlgdiem!F9Gb3pCRAmNwRPg6cXdg6dMXbTdud9Zp9HxokN7If/Tomcat%20and%20Goober.jpg?dc=4675379145121678991[/img] [img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0aQAdAy0hk!uABp1GCty!OJ0BW3ByGf68EpVeUMKKIsw9vpmZAsubLSVgo3BCfyp8Me*UA9OGXPSLYSrY7q2j6pGRki!MYjxjV05nkYUTBz1xmXD7chpcqL4E2DhUoDFpBHTdyqs8uMiKE7qcWaJrjy0shpEQreRb/12-23-02PerrySnowball.JPG?dc=4675415887964641640[/img]

[quote name='hillside']At least he didn't come in to lecture you about your killer "rockwilder". See there is a silver lining. :lol:[/quote] Aren't they related to those "rock crawler" dawgs?? :o That was funny. Proof again that dogs are smarter than most people. *snicker*

He sounds like a winner! I so hope it works out for you!

Thank you so much, everyone, for the kind words and virtual hugs. Sharpei, I love the picture and poem, thank you! This has been really rough. I know we have a lot of dogs, but it's never easy losing one, especially when there's so much self doubt and a sense of guilt attached. It's so hard not to wonder what we could have done differently. We use elevated feeders, feed smaller more frequent meals rather than one large feeding, even add a bit of water to the food to keep them from wanting to guzzle after their meals. I even double checked to make sure the food we feed doesn't swell in water, but even still, it isn't solely a commercial diet, but supplemented with fresh foods. I'm SO super conscientious to the point of paranoia about bloating that I'm just so stunned and upset that it happened and can't help wondering what we could have done differently. Even though Rocco wasn't here long, we loved him and miss him SO much. He was probably the first dog we adopted that was perfect from the start... no behavioral issues to deal with, no lack of manners, no socialization issues, wonderfully trained already, intelligent beyond belief, a way of looking at you like he knew exactly what you were saying and could almost finish sentences for me. He had none of the problems I USUALLY deal with in the dogs we foster or adopt. Dealing with "only" a physical disability was a refreshing change and so worth it for the joy he brought. He was so easy to fall in love with very quickly and he left a big hole in our hearts. :( SizzleDog, there will definitely be other Dobes in my future. Probably not the real near future because I think I'm ready to let these guys I have now live out their lives and then maybe have only a couple of dogs or so when the next generation starts, but indeed there will be another Dobe. One of the hardest things I've had to do was email the rescue coordinator who let us have Rocco and tell her. She was very nice, but with battling the guilt, I don't know if I'd have the courage to ever face them again to ask about adopting another. I'm almost afraid my name is going to go in a nationwide database for a DO NOT ADOPT list. Of course, all that's way down the road and maybe I'll be thinking a little more clearly then. [quote name='sashagirl']I hope it helps you to know that you do not cry alone for this boy[/quote] You just don't know how much it helps hearing from others who can relate to this kind of hurt and those who hurt for me. Thanks for that. *hugs*

We couldn't save him. RIP, sweet, sweet boy. [img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0YAAdA8Eel*oxEK2bnXJI5MXG3cijv9nULUBKiY42UYROuFGoiJ3o5cQ9ztbrCfMTocxwMWaw3VKa3JTh2EyKnTpEsbKQnRQr9nl14F!RuDL*i0*GFFJr4W1gAmSXSPuqY8NJ3YWzmJjXcpECTW96aQ/Rocco%20face.jpg?dc=4675472236210631530[/img]

Rocco is bloating! He had been acting restless, but now he's swollen and miserable. He has a bleeding disorder and is a very poor candidate for surgery. Please wish us luck!! Off again in the middle of the night to the vet we go. :cry:

Uh, no, but thanks for thinking of me enough to ask. :P

I say leave the dogs at home and take ME! [img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0YQAAAGwfWDmPoHbo*VO*k6YkVsjsui1KYGfqoPb3PGet0mEYsc71EksSfApXuugKjHdt1Ms4!cD27pQV8nrn8dzBRpWxqkPfRgDBKL3nnYMN1QoUodCLibxYtLd10SpViVMWgr1sQAB*kHQgPyzEsA/crying%20girl.gif?dc=4675436072349453090[/img] [quote name='Malamum']I say take Zaphod. You never know he may totally surprise you and be on his best behaviour. If Kaviak is generally good on trips like that Zaphod may follow his lead and do as he does.[/quote] Actually, I think that's pretty dang good advice. In my experience, the best teacher a dog can have is another, well behaved dog that can lead by example. That is, of course, unless your well behaved dogs forget all about their manners and training and get totally stoopit following the lead of a "free spirit" (yeah, call it what you want). Nah, your dogs are probably normal and will likely do fine. 8) Seriously, the best life lessons any of my dogs have ever learned came from senior dogs, so I say go for it! :kciuki:

Court, will your vet not sell you the shots and let you administer them at home? My vet does that. The only thing he won't sell is the rabies vaccine and that's because state law says it MUST be administered and recorded by a vet. I know laws vary from state to state, but I just wondered if it were worth asking if vets in your area are allowed to dispense vaccines. I don't do yearly vacs, anymore, but when I did, it saved me a buncha buncha money to do it myself. If you're really needing to save money and not particularly wanting a checkup or wellness exam at this time, it'd be worth checking out. You have experience with needles, so I can't imagine you'd have any problems giving the shots. My dogs will protest an application of Advantage more than a jab with a needle. Weirdos. :wink:

[quote name='MajiesMom']I mentioned about the vasoline because we get Westies at work that get that done twice/day but she thought it wasn't a great way because the tears just run off the vasoline and stain around it. You could always shave off the stained parts like I did to the toy in the pic above, the staining was pretty much gone after. It seems to me that the only thing that would actually could get rid of it (not mask it) is diet (for some dogs) unless it is a blocked tear duct, then what do they do, is it fixable? I should know about this if I'm going to be a groomer and owners ask me about the staining. Ahh so much to learn. :)[/quote] Of course, most things ARE masking staining. Depending on the problem, that's all some owners are willing to do. The vaseline trick is just another "mask," but before I learned that changing the water for mine was enough, it worked well to prevent the staining. It didn't prevent the actual tearing, just the staining and I never did have a problem with the tears running off and staining around it. I don't know why. Duct problems can be fixable AFAIK, but most vets I know of are reluctant to do much since apparently it's kind of a sensitive surgery for mostly aesthetic problems (my interpretation of it, anyway), so sometimes "masking" is about the only thing to do. I have even chalked stains away. It's just another mask rather than prevention, but it makes owners happy. Not many of my clients are going to do a homecooked/raw diet and sometimes even getting them to switch to a higher quality commercial food is tough. Sometimes you can only do what you can do. It's great to be able to offer alternatives. If one thing doesn't work, at least you have some other, if less than perfect, options, especially for those people who want a quick fix rather than having to commit to a change in lifestyle. Then again, maybe you're in an area where people are more receptive to new ideas. I'm in the southeastern US where it's hard to pry that $13 bag of Ol' Roy out of people's hands. :-? I'm all for a healthy diet and push it pretty hard on clients when the opportunity presents itself. I just know that sometimes diet change helps, but not always, especially when clients don't believe they NEED a change. Again, it just depends on the dog (and client). Raw feeding isn't an option for mine, but fortunately, changing the water was enough to eliminate the staining. :D

[u]Only[/u] [i]three[/i] dogs?? I hardly remember what it was like... :o Seriously, he's beautiful. He looks very similar to a large shepherd/collie/chow(ish) mix I placed a couple of years ago. I really hope it works out for you! Wishing you luck!

I just read this whole thing. I can't believe I wasn't able to respond to it before now, but let me tell you that my heart was in my throat reading it all. I'm SO glad Tabatha is home. My Devin went missing once and was gone for two days before he was found hiding in someone's garage, so I was going to encourage you not to give up. I can't tell you how relieved I am after reading all this that Tabatha is home. I'm sorry for the injuries and I hope she's able to make a full recovery, but it could have been so, so much worse. **hugs** to you, your wife and Tabatha.

Majies, we must have posted at the same time last night because I didn't see your photo. That dog is beautiful. You should be so proud! You are doing great, girl! :bigok: [quote]I talked to my grooming instructor today about tear stains, she said the only way to fix it is diet change i.e. a raw food diet [/quote] Now, see, I'm kind of uncomfortable with advice like this. It's not that I think it would or wouldn't work. It's just that things like "the ONLY way" as in all or nothing make me uncomfortable. It may well be what works, but it really depends on what's causing the staining and, well, we just don't know what that is. Could be blocked ducts, could be a lot of things. From my grooming forum, there are still raw fed dogs who get the tear staining, so it really depends on the dog. I'm certainly not trying to discredit your instructor. From your training, it looks like she knows her stuff and I love a school/instructor that also focuses on nutrition and health rather than JUST waving clippers and scissors around, but I'm just leary of "all or nothing" advice. :oops: BBB, your little fellow is gorgeous! I love that he's so active and busy! My little Poodlet swims and gets out like that, too. Some people don't realize that they are more than just ornaments, but DOGS as well and like to do normal dog things. He's awesome! I just LOVE to see a Poodle in the water. :bigcool: Gigi, now that you mention it, our dogs sneeze and snort first thing in the morning. I never really thought about it before. Now that I think about it, we must sound like the geriatric ward of a hospital with all the sneezing and snorting and wheezing and sputtering we all do in the morning. :oops:

Oh, about the coughing thing... not that I'd ever dismiss something as nothing, but my little Poodlet does it, too. She's five years old and is recently beginning to show some tracheal(?) sensitivities. She gets kind of coughy and gaggy, too, when she drinks and sometimes if she's excited. It seems to pretty fairly common in smaller dogs, I reckon.

Oooooooohhhhh, another Poodle fan. I guess with all the evacuation preparation, I missed this post. :oops: I'm just going to copy/paste here what I posted on another thread. ======================= The staining can be caused by several things and "treatment" can be as simple as changing food and/or water, or it could be something that needs to be treated surgically. Sometimes they have blocked ducts. Just switching from tap water to bottled distilled water has been enough to eliminate the staining for my Toy who had HORRIBLE stains. Also, it does seem to be worse with one food than another (more staining on Wellness than Canidae, for example). Daily applications of Vaseline can help. Just apply a very thin smear of it right from the corner of the eye. It doesn't prevent tearing or anything like that, but kind of wicks the moisture away and keeps it from settling on the coat (which DOES cause staining). The face still needs to be washed daily and a fresh smear of Vaseline... it doesn't have to be globbered on. There are eye wipes and lotions for staining that some people swear by, but I've never had any luck with them. ================================ I, too, would love to see Poodle photos. I have a cream colored Toy and two white Standards. My Toy (Peanut) used to have horrible stains, but since switching her to bottled distilled water, I never have to even wipe her eyes or her face except for when she gets a bath (anywhere from two weeks to a month). Even if her grooming is neglected and she gets wooly :oops: , her face stays clear. [img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0bADlAiki41c*tEKwtiSolSx!!yx8i1rVnz4H*zHnjS6M4!Diz210iV*lvnNev12W9CV8GUyibHFGU6oXHIC*!Aaf7xAdyoTWViMTTzhYzoQnLPYo2NH!I9y2cbail6aq4nJR*CP3vMILuEZBk*Vep**9a3rNco5J/Peanut%20face%20on%20fade.JPG?dc=4675379141831936064[/img] [img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0bwCtAgAjOrQhJNSjCczJkIMMJN*a0c*Oqiyexf6xW3T8Pc00*nfRn6SRAS3V*veST5U3Jdl1NATZI96jPv8qmAHFPBf5WI*P6v9dfdsnVedIQb!F5Ej3V4Ks9ghtKYdujIStSX7iTL9hFF5gwFMiASNK75cG0szv/Perry%20%26%20Pauly%20bored.jpg?dc=4675444591936308075[/img] Please post some of your photos as soon as you get your hosting problems sorted. I use MSN groups and it's usually pretty reliable.

My two Standard Poodles were once called long haired Pit Bulls. :-?

[img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0awDdAigiPlAmJrhh6PUbtNm8s1NZ1HZfQv*ey18pSlPs9HGQHsgVcuSQGCLL7jM44jkS8BPJ4!e*7XQwKGAz!fSyRxzH3sTlMHZnzcPmQD!I1TXUEV8PNYv3mgHSwIxyYh2g8ytqVvsT2uyJYzowqoKJlOEflPnJ/cat%20what%20the%20hell.gif?dc=4675474715519778235[/img]

I know we've all read the Rainbow Bridge poem thingy and after a while, it can lose its "oomph." You read it so much that it's just not the same as the first time. I just saw this Rainbow Bridge animation slideshow and it really put a lump in my throat. It has sound, so turn your speakers up (no, this is not a prank to scare the bejeezus out of you). If it's been posted here before, my apologies to the original poster... I've just never seen it. Just a share. [url=http://www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html]Rainbow Bridge slideshow[/url]

I don't see the Poodle in him :oops: , but I still think he's cute as can be. He's the kind of dog I'd adopt. :)

Good luck, all of you! One thing to be aware of, though... make sure you give one little light spritz. You can do it as often as you need to, but only a teeny spritz at a time. My husband got a bit carried away with "rewarding" them and they'd sputter and cough like he was strangling them (he means well, but it was almost like he thought he was macing them :-? ). Just raise up that lip and give one teeny tiny "spptzz" straight on the tongue if you can. They'll taste it and it'll work without taking their breath away and, more importantly, without frightening them (hopefully). Just remember... perky perky perky!! :D :D :D

For you, court! :wink: Bear in mind that I don't claim to be an authority on anything, but this has worked on my little gang of hooligans. :P I give them the first few barks "free." I figure they're dogs, that's what they do. Then I'll say, "thank you" or "enough." If they continue, I just spurt a little Bitter Apple in their mouths. I try to communicate with my dogs. I want them to think that by barking they're telling me they want a "reward." The reward is the spray. I'm always perky and upbeat about it ("ok, here ya go!!" :D :D :D )and I don't use it as a punishment. I want them to think they're asking me for a treat and the treat is the Bitter Apple. So they think I'm a dumb*ss for misunderstanding them, but it works like a charm. Now they mostly settle right down once I say "thank you" or "enough" and if not, all I have to do is reach for that bottle and they pucker right up and don't make another peep. For mine, it's important that I don't make it a punishment since I have some special needs dogs (that's putting it lightly) who don't respond well to punishment training. That's why we make it a treat. Either way, they don't want it and will work hard to avoid it and they just think I'm a moron. :roll:

Court, I'll start another thread. Maybe scotty luver will post there, too. :D

[quote name='courtnek']does it really stop them from unwanted barking/baying? [/quote] Yes, yes and YES! I've posted several times of how I use it on my gang, court, but I use it as a "reward" more than a "punishment" like SL does. It accomplishes the same thing, though.