Horsefeathers!

Oh, let me, please! :lol: We have eight dogs currently residing in our home and are considering one more (Standard Poodle) and have had as many as ten at one time when fostering. I have caught some grief from some of the diehard Dudley Doorights who believe, without knowing anything about how our household is run, we simply cannot care for the needs of so many critters. It is irresponsible, they declare, and you can not possibly be "in tune" with each individual animal. I say pppppffffffffttttttt to them. I believe things should be considered on an individual basis. There are not many willing to care for so many animals, but I wish those folks wouldn't think it can't be done simply because they can't or won't do it. I believe people should only take on what they can handle, take on as much as they are willing to handle and the rest be danged. There is only my hubby and me in our home and we are both dedicated to the care of these animals. We are very "in tune" with each individual critter. All are spayed, neutered, fed a healthy diet, medical needs met as necessary. Last year, there was a major hip surgery on one dog, abdominal surgery on another, two cats with urinary tract problems, our fiasco with the little old dilapidated Yorkie who became really ill and finally died, all the exams and testing for our Pit Bull to be sure she wasn't ill when she became so aggressive and consequently the medicine to help keep her settled, and who knows what all else. In between all this, there are various fosters who come and go. My point is that as long as you're willing and able to see to the longterm care of any potential new critters, go for it. This is certainly not the lifestyle for everyone, but I can't imagine living any other way. Each critter here is an integral part of our household and I love them all dearly. I share my bed, my couch, my heart, my life with them. We are a family. A huge family, but still... The one thing I urge you to think about is the longterm stuff. I mean, you are in school now, but what about after that? That's the only thing I would worry about with someone so young. Your life is going to probably take on many changes before you are finally settled in. You will need to be sure you are able to care for each of YOUR dogs when you're on your own. I really don't know your circumstance at all, so I'm not knocking anything. Just offering food for thought. One other thought... isn't Tessa (I think it's her? :oops: ) dog aggressive? That will need to be a consideration. I would hate to see a little Pap injured or killed. I know with dog aggression, size doesn't always matter. My Penny will jump ANY other bitch (other than the ours), regardless of size, spayed or not, or anything else. Big dog, little dog, Penny doesn't care. Just keep that in mind if you are dealing with any dog aggression. Good luck with whatever you decide. For me, the more, the hairier. 8)

Other creative contestants. [img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0XQDEAkYeucZCnfKyacun1JMgkP7GjdbDujlSVzjVLUaq1NZz3jR08wG8uHh8auf5bdvl4wSlGI9srkcUTVn6kRpzOzM9tDlhlXoARgmvclsEVNX8iFreNkn!uh5B2!sl0v0GMvwIB7c/creative1.jpg?dc=4675434978543789583[/img] [img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0XADMAhUe*7JCnfKyacun1FKavHJJWURMf2v7GhVQbtPIJeTA28ufrDJrBKsQSwIzCBaNJSGwJMJa3xIy6FAqB2I5bBSO7SAJT4fsN7CHMxvc82zXLyi*oZoW1F8x3fFLajkXzielPnU/creative.jpg?dc=4675434978515628914[/img] [img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0XQANA0ceDMdCnfKyacun1E4Bu7Qcp9sanC!SYHvC!YI6wZWQi8M19a7DjNXTkDnlIq2I8DTqJ448V9MKG!xvRWd9H3l99NWUiMKqnP9ncqYssm1O53GyBVRnG*2TPHy9me4EfQ8y818/creative2.jpg?dc=4675434978570238628[/img] There are some other really awesome ones somewhere; I can't find them! :cry: Two of my favorites that I can't find were a red, white and blue dog tastefully done in a space shuttle tribute to those astronauts who lost their lives earlier this year. Another was made up like a court jester, but had amazing coloring. Anyway, there's way more to coloring dogs than meets the eye! :wink: I will be doing a creative someday, as soon as I've finished mastering my patterns (I've evolved from my meager beginnings posted earlier in this thread :oops: ). I will be coloring both my Toy and Standard Poodles for Spring to be in our town's Rose Parade. The Standard will (hopefully) be towing the Toy in a little red wagon. 8)

Here is a photo of the dragon dog. The picture doesn't do it justice. That dog was AWESOME! [img]http://www.groomers.org/discus/messages/91/17325.jpg[/img]

[quote name='HazelNutMeg'] Whatever, it's just a COLLAR![/quote] Right! Just like it's JUST colored dog hair. To each, his/her own, see? :)

[quote name='courtnek']I find it interesting that this came out right about the same time we saw that post asking for APBT's and AST's to donate blood for "research"..... I wonder if someone intends to try to take on the Supreme Court Ruling using genetics..... I'm too suspicious, I know..... :o[/quote] Courtnek, I'm every bit as suspicious and not quite ready to celebrate. I mean, I do think it's a good decision (and forgive me, Guest, if I'm wrong), but I am questioning Guest's motives. I'm wondering if it's the same person who so adamantly refuses to believe that APBT's are DOG aggressive and is using this as a means to say they aren't aggressive at all? Like you, I'm just too cynical, I reckon, but I do welcome the opportunity for someone to prove me wrong.

Actually, I dyed my dog prior to a charity event to raise money for the local shelter. It was a big attention getter which is a GOOD thing when trying to raise awareness. I will do it again. I've been taking creative grooming courses at some of the trade shows and I'm thinking of eventually competing. Some of these dogs are awesome. One winner makes her dog look like a dragon. The whole dog! It's colored, sculpted, beautiful. I'll try to find some pictures to post. Also, as far as dogs being as nature intended, think hard about that. Depending on how one wants to perceive that, dogs would never be bathed, brushed or clipped. After all, if left alone, "nature" stinks them up and mats them. There would be no Cocker clips, no Schnauzer clips, no Poodle clips, no big hairy beasts being shaved down for summer. "Nature" didn't grow them that way to begin with. I still say to each his/her own. I personally detest jackets and coats for dogs for the sake of fashion (not talking about a Chihuahua going outside in subzero temps) and those studded and spiked collars designed to make a dog look tough, but I would never belittle anyone who chose to do it. I pick and choose my battles carefully. There is far too much abuse, neglect and abandonment going on out there for me to worry much about people dying dogs, or putting jackets on them. By the way, I've not seen ONE incidence of harm in the dozens of people I've known to dye their dogs. Not a single one. I've seen far more dogs harmed by annual vaccinations, off the shelf shampoos, cheapo flea spot on treatments and the like... all of which were designed FOR USE on dogs. I would have no problem with people saying, "that looks silly to me," or, "I personally wouldn't do it," but it's just plain wrong and judgmental for people who know nothing about it to claim it's cruel. I go to great lengths to ensure proper care of my animals and to be labeled as cruel just kind of bugs me. Call me silly, call me crazy, laugh at me, tell me the dog looks goofy, but don't label me as cruel just because you don't like the way my dog looks.

I dyed my Poodle pink (for any Poodle lurkers out there, I know the pattern is all wrong and the rosettes are sliding off her butt, but this was my first stab at a continental). Who knew it would be so controversial? :-? [img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0YgAuAIogCJWtdeMrfzd0dE6m6OYwObfrcMhIjTjnUPajbZZGLGigzasmkJ1OtzRcV8rOteAYapQXWTXVGnLSKybza4RsW9dvtyXUm3FUI7HYoOPT2ZEBWCXBGzPpHKsWYUCAPFHoHaElxoUEUOsQUg/pinkpeanutheart.JPG?dc=4675379141890447836[/img]

I just realized I hadn't re-updated Devin's umm progress. After he got away and was missing for two days, the guy that had him decided not to keep him. He adored Devin, but was afraid something like that would happen again and he just thought it would be cruel to crate him (I had strongly suggested he crate Devin when unattended from the very beginning, not as a lifetime thing, but just until he could adjust to his new environment... geez, he went through four homes in three weeks). Anyway, it didn't work out for him, though I lost no respect for the guy. His intentions were good. He admitted that Devin was just too much for him. His other dog is MUCH more easy going and docile, but I had been upfront that Devin would need a lot more socialization and training and had insisted that he would need to be crated when not supervised. Ok, not all dogs need to be crated, but trust me... this one does! Anyway, a really good friend decided to take him. I'm so tickled. She has two of my other rescues and Devin will make three for her. She has the Standard Poodle that I placed that has seizures. Devin has been there for a week and so far, so good. It's been a bit tense for him with the Standard who is king of his castle and Devin doesn't have enough sense to understand "pack order." As long as there is no actual bloodshed, we are sure they'll adjust. My friend has no problem at all crating Devin when she's not able to monitor him. I am sure that he will eventually not need the crate anymore. At my house, we were to the point of only using the crate for him to sleep in at night and that was only because he likes to play all night if he's not confined (squeaky toys... ACK!). This little guy has been, by far, my most difficult rescue, but I think he is going to be so worth it. Despite all his "ways," he really does make up for it with his charm and sense of humor. He's such a character and I think all he needs is a chance to show the world what he's got. So far, he's been there a week and is doing great! Me, on the other hand... there are two Standard Poodles locally looking for homes (rescues). I keep saying I have eight dogs because I don't want nine and if I'd wanted nine, I'd have kept Devin (was actually going to if my friend hadn't taken him), but they're STANDARDS. Can't....... say....... no....... The more, the hairier? :-?

[quote name='Hollywood']Pitbulls are not "Time Bombs" waiting to explode one day. If you think they are, then the owner was the one that put the bomb together (part by part) and set the timer to create that explosion some day.[/quote] At least two people have given examples of dog aggressive dogs and what we did to socialize and train our dogs. They are still dog aggressive despite the training and socialization. If it's ALWAYS the owners' negligence that creates these temperaments, I'd still like your input on what could have been done differently in our cases (posted previously in this discussion). I say that with sincerity; no sarcasm intended. I would really like to know how you think the "timer" was set on my dog and what you think we should have done differently to not create this "time bomb." For what it's worth, I used to believe until only recently that dogs were solely a product of their upbringing and care. I believed for 30some years that enough love and training would make a "good" dog out of any dog and that any dog with behavioral "problems" (for lack of a better word... not that I'm implying that dog aggression is a "problem" for Pits... more like a fact of life). The behavorial problems in my own Pit Bull (and her dog aggression IS a problem to me) are what have convinced me that some things are indeed instinct rather than learned behaviors. I did not raise this dog any differently than I did any of my others and none of them are dog aggressive. There has to be a reason for that. It took me 30some years to ever learn that some dogs are just hardwired for certain things. Labs will always tend to retrieve (mine was never taught to retrieve... he always seemed to instinctively know how), herding dogs will always try to herd, Terriers will always tend to be (uh, what's the word I'm looking for here?) ballsy :oops: . It's just what they do. You may never have a problem with your dogs. No one is saying it's imminent. Just be aware that the potential exists. My Pit Bull was a bit over two years old before she began displaying her dog aggressive tendencies and it did seem to come totally out of nowhere. She is wonderful on leash, sits, downs, heels, stays, lets people approach (if in public) and does anything I ask of her. She would never just pick a fight with a dog in a park, but if she perceived another dog as challenging her or invading her personal space, she would joyfully kill them. I shudder to think of having her unleashed where other dogs roam. All it would take is some little old lady's Chihuahua to come sniffing around too closely and that dog would die.

Thanks. That cleared it right up for me. ? :-? ?

I can't help but wonder where I went wrong then. I have a (usually) wonderful Pit Bull who has been a member of our family since she was 4-5 weeks old. She has been properly socialized, behaves well in public, could easily pass the Delta Society therapy dog test as well as CGC and I'm sure many others. No problems on a leash, no problems with people in public (at home is a different story) and was raised in a house with 7 other dogs of varying breeds as well as cats. She has been spayed since she was about a year old. At about 2 years old, she began displaying aggressive tendencies toward our Lab. We attributed it to her challenging him since he is bigger than she is. As time has passed, she has become increasingly unpredictable and volatile in her attacks. The thing is she is USUALLY very well mannered around our other dogs. However, when she "snaps," she means it and would cheerfully rip which ever dog she's after to bits. For this reason, we never ever ever trust her unattended with other dogs. Even though I have no problem with her in public and she is a perfect little lady on leash, I know that she would gladly take down any other dog she perceived as challenging her (think of some of these small terriers who just love to run wiv da big dogs). Especially a bitch. She is extremely bitch aggressive. She very rarely gives blatant warnings such as growling, raised hackles or any of that. She just goes. We have had bloodwork and examinations out the wazoo to try to see if something physical was going on (pain? thyroid disorder?), but could find nothing out of the ordinary. At this time, she is medicated just to try to help keep her a bit more mellow and is always, at all times, under extreme supervision when with the other dogs. Again, she is USUALLY very good with them. I, too, always thought that enough love, care and training would make a "good" dog of any dog. If I'd known then what I know now, I honestly would have probably left my Penny where she was (or maybe not), but all I saw was a young pup who needed a home, abandoned by the bred-to-death mother. I am certainly not claiming to be a Pit Bull expert and I truly do want to learn more because since our ordeal with Penny, I have read and read and researched and read some more to try to learn. If someone knows something else I need to know, please pass it along. If it truly is training and socialization ONLY that makes or breaks a dog, why is my Pit Bull still dog aggressive? I do now believe that it IS a genetic predisposition (for lack of a better way to put it) that makes her this way and perhaps a screw loose, but I would LOVE for someone to tell me how *I* could have influenced her behavior better if her aggression problems are indeed a result of my negligence.:(

:new-bday: :bday: :BIG: :multi: :smilecolros:

[quote name='courtnek']Does the lady who rescued him live near you? I was afraid he might be heading back your way...you're his owner in his mind, he hadnt adapted to his new home yet. [/quote] Actually, I live in a town about 30 miles away from the town where Devin was adopted and found. The town he was adopted into is also the town he has spent his entire life prior to coming to stay with me. I was actually thinking he may have been on the hunt for his previous owner, but I really and truly think he was looking for ANYONE. Devin simply hates to be alone. Imagine my red face (yet relief) if he had turned up at the previous owner's house, who trusted me to find a suitable home for her baby. :-? :oops:

Yeah, isn't it WONDERFUL?? I am still on top of the world to know that he is safe and sound (and stinky at this moment... what did he get into? :-? ). The poor ol' boy... tonight he's banished to solitary confinement. He has come back itching and scratching like you wouldn't believe, but has no fleas (he was recently treated with Advantage, but I did look, anyway). I thought maybe he had gotten into some poison oak or ivy, but the vet said he may have come into contact with (ack) mange. He said that it wouldn't take long at all for him to start itching if he has sarcoptic mange mites on him. So Devin is under solitary confinement until tomorrow morning when I can get him in for a mange treatment just in case. I LOATHE dips like you wouldn't believe, but will make an exception where mange is possible. I have too many animals in my house to risk it. Anyhoo, thanks again for the well wishes. I will know tomorrow whether Devin is going to be with me a while longer, or if the guy will want to try with him again. :angel:

Hmmm, thanks for the tip, but these folks live outside the city limits and there is no limit to how many "pets" one can have there. They are supposed to have a kennel license if they breed more than so many litters a year, but that's governed by the state department of agriculture, not the local government. Trying to get the ag department to do anything about smalltime backyard breeders is useless (I've been trying for years to get them to shut down a local horror chamber of a pet store). It was a good thought, though.

[b][color=red]He's home!!![/color][/b] Well, he's HERE, anyway... not exactly sure where "home" is at this moment. A lady called today to tell me that she'd found Devin hiding in her garage yesterday. She said she'd tried to call earlier and couldn't get anyone(?). Anyway, she was soooooo nice and even took pictures of me and Devin just because she was so happy this had a happy ending. As it turns out, this is a lady who also does a bit of independent rescue, too. It seems Devin has had himself quite an adventure. The new owner was thrilled that Devin has been found, but he is still so freaked out by this whole thing. He has spent HOURS and HOURS hunting for Devin in daylight and darkness, going from door to door (they did do a radio ad and we were in the process of making up posters) and was devastated and I think he is feeling like it was his fault. He isn't sure right now that he wants to keep him. I think he's feeling overwhelmed. I don't really blame the guy. Devin is with me tonight, but the guy said he'd let me know tomorrow if he wants to try it again. Another friend is supposed to stop by to talk to him tonight to perhaps calm him down and see if he can help come up with solutions to prevent this sort of thing from happening again. If he decides not to keep Devin, he'll just be with me a while longer; no big deal. I'm not going to be angry about it. Some dogs and some people just don't go well together, though it seems Devin was enjoying himself. Oh well, I'm just glad he's safe and sound!! I was soooooo worried about this boy, I was just plain sick over it. Thanks so much for the prayers and positive thoughts!! Apparently, it worked!! :angel:

No sign of him yet. :( We're hoping against hope that someone has picked him up and will report him found tomorrow morning. Thanks for the thoughts. I'm so worried about him. :(

Yes, Devin is wearing his tags. I hope he doesn't intend to head back my way. I live 30 miles away. Devin is a cool dog and I've heard of dogs traveling long distances to go "home," but I just don't think he has it in him. Thanks for the positive thoughts. I'm so worried about him. :(

Remember my little foster dogger Devin? I got a frantic call from Devin's new owner a little earlier this afternoon. It was the first time he'd ever left Devin alone at home. There is a doggy door that leads out to a screened in porch. Devin apparently went out the doggy door and clawed/chewed through the screen and is now missing. Several people and I searched the neighborhood and further for a long time this afternoon. We couldn't find him anywhere. We've knocked on doors and stopped people who were walking and driving by. It's a really nice neighborhood and not a high paced traffic area and we didn't find him lying in the road anywhere, so we can only hope he was picked up. Then we can only hope that whoever picked him up will be honest enough to report him found Monday morning. I am worried sick about this little guy and the new owner is absolutely devastated. I really can't blame him or call him irresponsible. He never thought Devin would chew through the screen to get outside. It was just one of those freak things, I guess. He thought he was doing the right thing by leaving Devin a way to get outside. He feels horrible and said he will be periodically going out tonight and looking some more. Please send positive thoughts that Devin will be returned safe and sound. :(

Here's a BIG piece of advice. If, by chance, you do end up keeping him, I'd strongly suggest having him neutered way before you even consider having him in the house. Tomcats LOVE to spray (it's what they do) and that smell is nearly impossible to get out.

Also, many people get relief from allergies just by giving their cats regular baths. It's not as impossible as it seems. Apparently, some of the problems of allergy sufferers is actually from the saliva the cats deposit when they groom themselves. Regarding the claw issue, I've found the most practical solution is just keeping those nails trimmed. Cat nails are extremely easy to trim and most cats can be taught to tolerate it. You could have your vet or a groomer show you how to do it the first time. You would be amazed at how easy it is. I just never really cared for the soft paws. I mean, it's certainly a better alternative than declawing, but trimming the nails requires so much less effort and time (and money). If kitty is absolutely adamant about not having it done, you could just have it done by a vet or groomer the first several times. She will eventually get used to it and you should be able to do it at home. Good luck.

If you can get a Coat King, it's well worth the money (I didn't realize PetEdge was carrying them now... at one time they were kind of hard to come by). They are kind of expensive, but I wouldn't want to be without my set. They come in various sizes. I would suggest a coarser one for you. They do a combination of raking out (carding) and cutting. As mentioned, don't concentrate all your effort in one spot too long, or you'll have patches.

This is a quote from her "Caring For Your Dog" page. >>"The best thing about buying a mix is that heriditary problems are gone. Cocker's have bad ears, Shihtzu's have bad skin, when you mix them with a Poodle - NO MORE PROBLEMS!"<< Another thing I can't figure out is why her grooming prices are bottom of the barrel cheap, but she charges a small fortune for these dogs! :-?

Speechless! :-? [url]http://www.annapet.com/aboutme.html[/url]

Locally, we have a <sarcasm> wonderful </sarcasm> pet owner (family) who believes they must breed everything they own. There is no "educating" these people; they know it all. Let's see... for a while, they were breeding (very ugly) Cocker Spaniels with demodex, so for the longest time, we got to see a whole bunch of mangy Cocker pups coming through. The female was finally (I almost want to say thankfully) hit by a car and killed, so now they only have the male Cocker (of that pair, but there are other dogs). By the way (to illustrate their care), these dogs were groomed about twice a year. Loaded with fleas, matted to the bone and filthy. After all, they were just free roaming yard dogs. Lately, these folks have been trying to breed Labs. Very big, very aggressive (a Lab??), very nervous Labs. Chocolate Labs with white blazes on their chests. Real prize winners, these dogs. The biggest and meanest Lab they had was recently hit by a car (ya, another one). Rather than dump the money into patching him up, they opted to put him to sleep. Only after leaving him there for a while to think about it. They authorized no treatment during that time. They just needed time to "think about it" while the dog was laying at the vet clinic all broken up. At least the vet was compassionate enough to keep the dog more or less sedated so he wouldn't suffer any worse than he had to. Anyway, so they let that dog go. After all, they have plenty more and dogs are disposable, anyway, right? I just found out that the lady had apparently been watching some show, or reading some article (these people READ??) about *groan* Labradoodles... Labs crossed with Standard Poodles. She was going on about how people are paying $1500 for these mutts and there aren't enough of them to go around. You can just see the dollar signs in her eyes. She is all excited because she plans to get a Standard Poodle for Christmas. The rest of their dogs are so neglected, but to know they are going to have a Standard Poodle roaming loose and I know it's going to be matted and nasty and neglected... it just pisses me off like you wouldn't believe. That whole idea of getting a SP so they can make mutts and attempt to get rich bugs me. The lady never once said anything about how she likes their temperament, or that they are beautiful, or anything. No, all she knows is that people will pay $1500 for these dogs. Now, I'm not getting into the whole cross breeding vs. pure breeding debate, per se. I mean, I know of people who cross breeds for working purposes. The problem I have is that these people just see freaking $$ signs. I don't know how she thinks anyone HERE is going to pay that much for these dogs and I wonder if she's even taken into account how many puppies this dog will have. I reckon she will just ship them off or something. Plus the idea of her getting some likely ill bred (must be cheap) schizo Standard and breeding it to one of their ill bred psycho Labs makes my skin crawl. Guess who people will be calling to groom these monsters?? I have always hated these people, anyway. Anything they own, the feel they must breed. No matter the temperament, health, or any of that. Nope, as long as it brings in a buck, let's breed them. If a few get killed in the road here and there, oh well, it was just a dog. I'm sending word out that I will not be grooming any more of their dogs (like I'm getting rich grooming the remaining Cocker twice a year). If they get a Standard, there is not another groomer within 30 miles who will touch it (there is only one other groomer in town and she doesn't do big dogs, period). As much as I love the breed, I'm not going to make it any easier on them than I have to. Besides, there is no way these people would pay what I would charge. I wish there was SOME way to deal with these people and "educate" them, but they won't hear it. The truth is they don't care. It's one thing when someone is just totally ignorant and doesn't know better. These people just don't give a crap. They already know it all. The arrogant, pompous jackasses. :madgo: :evil: :onfire: :bad-words: :angryy: :eviltongue: :zly7: :snipersmile: :chainsaw1: