Horsefeathers!

[quote name='Rosebud'] I checked into TDI and decided that I liked Delta Society's program better...[/quote] Off topic, but I took my Lab through Delta Society and had him certified as a therapy dog. If I had it to do over again, I think I would rather have just gotten his CGC. Maybe it is just our local chapter, but I was sorely disappointed with Delta Society. Back on topic, I used to have a Flexi. My dogs are all fine on a leash and I don't have to worry about any of them charging to the end of it, or trying to bolt. The thing I hated about it was the way it felt in my hand. To me, it was just the biggest pain in the butt to keep up with. I'd rather just use a plain nylon leash. I gave my Flexi away.

I saw one of these (or one similar) at a trade show in Atlanta earlier this year. In my ever so humble opinion, I think it's a rotten idea. I absolutely hate it. Not because I think groomers/bathers can be replaced, but because I think HANDS ON is the way to groom dogs. It just goes against everything I believe in to shove a dog (or cat) into a closed box, turn it on and leave the dog there. It sure looks handy, but I enjoy the interaction with the dogs. I totally hate the concept of assembly line grooming. Besides that, it's usually when washing and drying that I am able to discover lumps, moles, parasites, skin irritations, whatever. How can you dethatch and deshed dogs in this thing when that requires plain and simple elbow grease? A balmy breeze just won't cut it. Also, even if it were true that it's not any more scary than a bath otherwise (which I don't believe), it's certainly not any LESS scary. How can you talk to and reassure a dog who is already scared if he's locked away in a box? How can you shield his eyes from the spray (soapy water??) coming at him, or keep it from blowing up his nose? What happens when he gets frightened and pees or poops in that thing? How long before someone notices and turns it off? Meanwhile the dog is being showered in its own feces and urine. After all, apparently no one will be just standing there monitoring it as the point of it is to increase efficiency by freeing up time to do other things. I am all for having the best equipment available and being high tech. I have the best dryers on the market and also a recirculating "power washer," as well as clipper vacuum system to make my grooming life easier, but it's still all strictly hands on for me. I want to see and FEEL what's going on with a dog. I don't care a thing about putting a dog into a cage to dry, anyway. I hand dry everything unless it is an extremely old/frail/sensitive dog that just can't handle the blower. The idea of just plopping a dog into a cage to wash and dry makes me grind my teeth. That whole box thing outright disgusts me. If I were an owner and a groom shop was utilizing one of these, I'd quickly haul my dog out of there and find a shop that isn't too busy to actually interact with my dog. Sorry for the rant. I sat through a presentation of sorts when I saw this thing at the trade show and it made me want to just slam my head on the wall.

Behle, I just wanted to share some of the stuff that helped get me through a very difficult time last year when I lost my best friend. I'm so sorry you're having to go through this. You were a guardian angel for Max and now it's time for him to be a guardian angel for you. Cry all you need to. As long as there are tears left to shed, you haven't cried too much. You may have read these before. I know I had seen them several times, but it's funny how timing is everything. They really meant nothing before, but they became very meaningful to me. :cry: MAY I GO? by Susan A. Jackson Dedicated to everyone who has ever had to put down a beloved dog. May I go now? Do you think the time is right? May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights? I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be. So can I take that step beyond and set my spirit free? I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might. But something seems to draw me now to a warm and loving light. I want to go. I really do. It's difficult to stay. But I will try as best I can to live just one more day. To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears. I know you're sad and afraid, because I see your tears. I'll not be far, I promise that, and hope you'll always know that my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go. Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you, too. That's why it's hard to say goodbye and end this life with you. So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say, because you care so much for me, you'll let me go today. ======================== A Pet

He's gone. The new owner called me bright and early this morning to make sure I knew he was coming. Then he showed up early. Way early. I had planned to finish my work and then spend a bit of time with Devin. I did at least manage to give him a bath. So I take the TWO bags of stuff I had packed for him to the guy and once again go over and over and over all the things I thought he needed to know and then went back and got Devin. My little man just strutted right up to the guy as if he'd known him his entire life. When it came time to leave, I walked Devin out for him (as he was carrying TWO bags of stuff) and opened the car door. Devin looked at me as if, "Oh, cool, a ride... so c'mon and get in wiv me!" The look on his face when he realized that he was going without me... those big, brown eyes looked up at me as if I were just throwing him away. Oh, it made me go back inside and cry. I mean, I know he'll be fine, but I feel so bad. This is his third home in three weeks and I have to wonder how much he knows. I can't help but wonder if he thinks it's something he did. He will be fine, I just know, and the new owner is absolutely awesome, but that initial feeling like he must think I hate him bugs me. I'm a weirdo. It is so quiet around here tonight (even with eight other dogs in the house). We've had several dogs come through here and I get attached to all of them, but Devin was just such a special boy. I almost couldn't do it. :cry:

I would suggest a necropsy. That would give you the most definitive answer possible.

Well, we're counting down the hours. We've been playing with Devin and it seems like he is JUST beginning to fit in so well here... the other dogs are just starting to acknowledge him and play with him. Oh, I'm going to miss his silly little self. It has been such fun having a baby in the house doing all the frustrating things that young puppies do.:cry: I've been packing his bag for him, making sure he has everything he needs. He has food to mix in with whatever new food he gets, lots of toys, several bowls, treats, a blanket and my heart. I really do hope he minds his manners so that he can be a permanent part of this home, but I'm sure going to miss him. My husband is sad as well and took extra time tonight to love him up and play with him. It was funny to watch him talk to Devin as if Devin understood every word he said... "Now, you behave yourself and stay out of trouble. I want to see you again, but not because you were banished for being a brat. You go and mind your manners, young man..." That man has no idea how much I adore him! If all works out, Devin will be gone tomorrow. :cry:

Mouse, you are talking about Razzle, the Standard Poodle. Yes, he was having some major problems with seizures. He found a forever home with a really good friend of mine. He's doing really well. He is off phenobarb for now and he is being fed several small meals a day, just to treat this as if it may be hypoglycemia (which, apparently, is a problem for some Standard Poodles). He's only had one other seizure in the two months she's been doing this and it was a fairly mild one. He's doing great! Thanks for asking about him. :) Thanks, all, for the Devin well wishes. We may get to go back to normal with *ahem*cough* ONLY eight dogs in the house! :roll:

Oh, Behle! I've only just seen this topic (still playing catch up from the days I couldn't even get on here)!! I'm so sorry Max is having to go through all this, as well as you. I wish I knew what to say that could ease the emotional torture. Don't give up hope just yet. Max needs to know that you are his rock and his strength when his own strength is failing him. If you start giving up so soon, he may, too. Just love him as only you can and continue to be there for him. The hard decisions (if necessary) will come all too soon, so for now, just treasure each moment you have and try to put aside all the "what ifs" (I know it's easier said than done). I know it's so hard to watch your best friend who was always young and strong suddenly become weak and frail and feel powerless to stop it. I am all too familiar with that pain. We are all here for you and please do be sure to keep us updated as soon as you know anything, good or bad. I'll be sending all the positive energy I can muster Michigan bound.

At least, he [b]tentatively[/b] has a home lined up. First of all, does anyone remember Devin, my little Lhasa Apso foster? Anyway, I couldn't be more pleased about the home he is going to. This guy lives alone, has one other wonderful little dog who adores other dogs (Devin soooo needs a playmate... all my dogs are getting old and cranky). I'm excited and worried at the same time. The guy met Devin the other day and it was love at first sight for the both of them. They interacted so well, which is wonderful since Devin can be a little brat sometimes with new people :oops: . Anyway, we talked for a while and I went over the things about Devin he'd need to know... he's territorial and kind of bratty sometimes, but we have been working on that (Devin is 8 1/2 months old, just neutered, and still in the middle of puppy puberty... add to that the fact that he is a LHASA and, well...). Also, Devin is backsliding on his potty training a bit and we are trying hard to crash course him in this. He KNOWS what to do, he checks out healthy (no infections), but he sometimes lapses :x . I did mention to the guy that he may have to work a bit on potty training and suggested a crate and keeping Devin leashed to him while out of the crate for constant monitoring. The guy seems ok with all of this. Anyway, he's supposed to pick Devin up on Tuesday for a trial run. I know this guy is an awesome dog owner based on the care his other dog receives, and I know he has the best intentions, but I also am realistic enough to know that every dog is not suited for every owner and vice versa. I have offered to let him keep Devin as long as he needs to to decide if it is going to work out. I also made sure he KNOWS that I will take Devin back at any time in his life. "3 years from now and you get married and your wife decides she hates dogs..." or whatever (I know people can come up with all kinds of excuses), I will take him back. I am also giving him my cell number with encouragement to PLEASE call me anytime, 24/7 with ANY concerns about Devin... training issues, whatever. I am nervous as a pregnant nun. I know this could be the perfect home for Devin, but I just hope he doesn't screw it up. He's an absolute sweetheart and a joy to be around, but he is also a bit bratty when he wants to be, as well as this potty training backsliding :x . Oh well, at least the guy knows to bring Devin back to me if it doesn't work out and he doesn't seem the type to just give up easily. PLEASE wish us luck and hope that Devin has found his forever home (and behaves his silly self :roll: )!!

I just can't even imagine one of my own biting me. I don't know what I'd do, but none of my gang has EVER snapped at me. My two Lhasas and my Schnauzer can be challenging at times, turning back to snarl or "have the last word," but I can still handle them any way I want, pick them up in mid tantrum and whatever and they've never tried to bite. That said, my hand STILL has the mark and is still sore from where my Perry (Standard Poodle) bit the poo out of me a couple of weeks ago. He doesn't have a mean bone in his body. I was playing with him with a squeaky toy and he gets so excited. I was more or less teasing him with it just over his nose and when he lunged to grab it, he got my hand instead. He didn't even realize that he had my hand and he was chomped down on it and shaking it at the same time. What a blissfully ignorant, happy dog he is. My hand STILL hurts and he STILL has no idea that he did it. I have been bitten a few times by other folks' dogs, but only while grooming. I've never been bitten by a dog otherwise. The very few groom dogs that got me have all been small dogs and didn't barely get more than a nip. Only one has ever drawn any blood (nasty little spoiled Pekingese :x ) and even then I had to squeeze at it to see the blood. I've never had a serious bite.

[quote name='DogPaddle']Standerd Poodle - everyone knows their extemely bright and trainable, some people know they are good hunting/retrieving/water dogs, but they are also superior watch dogs and very good gaurd dogs. Usually difficult to find in shelters though [/quote] If I may interject something here, I almost always know of Standards in rescues available for adoption. Just for future reference if anyone is ever interested... 8) Oh, and everything DP said is correct. Standards are way more than just a pretty face. :)

Welcome to my h*ll. :-? Nine dogs in the house at the moment. In addition to the maintenance things like decent food, heartworm prevention, Advantage for flea control, spays and neuters galore and stuff like that, we've had a major hip surgery (cha-ching), an epileptic dog who required medication (cha-ching), a major abdominal surgery (cha cha cha-ching), TWO cats with urinary tract infections and blockages (cha freaking ching), one dog with "issues" who has to take medication (cha?), oh and let's not forget the one going in tomorrow to be neutered (ching?). I feel yer pain. It's a good thing my vet likes me. :o

We had a little ol' dilapidated, rundown Yorkie named Goober. He was a rescue that we fostered until we decided we couldn't let him go. There have been other dogs before him, there are dogs now and there will always be dogs in my life, but Goober was my heart and soul. The short time he was with us made more impact in my life than anything or anyone ever could. His will to not only survive, but thrive despite all he had going against him was an inspiration that I carry with me every day. He's been gone since last September and his pictures still make me cry. :cry: [img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0YADZArkeEOvLArcCLs4f61hFfQ7ZYGRGY1XDLvmJ9dDTPr1WLgGx2n!RonbsnrI*6in0oyeEqJUPf38fhl489GyLGy9CaZNhk6JDAbs0GomfhjGawukOygxwH*9d58pXmK5LAaBuU0uecl4CTW96aQ/Goober%20fade.JPG?dc=4675379079353910575[/img] [img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0aQBBAw0isDPLArcCLs4f69SPpzMxqDcfYnT454HrIKg0Lh1hsSosjOkdUfY1*HXa19LgxOqWEgsXM!O7o7oFL64hQwPMszg4U3Jik66dA89bEX6Yf8ZD3siyQ2Guh2FRh3bDswcuYBC05yse1T62OsZpymgzuCZv/Goober%20work%20table2.jpg?dc=4675379140418355749[/img]

That is too cute! Now I have some questions (you had to know it was coming). Since Kato is in "show coat," what measures do you take, if any, before letting him get into the pool? I let my Toy Poodle swim with me just about any chance I get (water's perfect and I've only been in twice this year :x ), but I am so paranoid about frying her coat. She's not a show dog or any such, but I always wet her down in the house and goop her up in conditioner before I let her into the pool. Overkill? Do you worry about coat damage? The main reason I'm curious is because I haven't quite taken the plunge and let my Standard Poodle (a pristine white) into the pool because I plan to use him for grooming competitions and I don't want to fry his coat (though he's nekkid now... go figure). Does the pool water (or salt water, for that matter) affect his coat at all? [img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0bwDhAvIj!BA*tEKwtiSolX2BPoUlzZapsQDCzhBiYlarT71O8r1zLSwC1QG887!al2qEGILGsCQ9wmrf1gmaYXsnP78N8bwNPljjb5R8wzHHLtjTZgWzuqmTlvgWP!PTYeBDArReFuuVr3NEfdqpQvkYfLVDCAhJ/Peanut%20swimming%20to%20me.jpg?dc=4675379146939558895[/img] [img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0ZQDSAi8hvNs*tEKwtiSolX2BPoUlzZap3*4BIV5utR5mccCKH*iDnSzw9Ojdx2eyLhiyUGdotRQXsMtTUffjG3UOrMJsLHzHU39aK2YNZHKqEwYKYtRhATYR05mehv*1c0z5QA6r4!ZikRGU!Vx*Kg/Peanut%20swimming.jpg?dc=4675379147001374609[/img]

Really, Nancy? I have been considering leather furniture because I believed it would be soooo much easier to keep clean, but I was worried about punctures. I do *try* to keep my gang's nails ground back, but I'm not always as diligent as I should be :oops: . The furniture sales lady that I spoke to about the leather told me that it was nearly impervious to nail punctures, but I am sort of a cynic when it comes to sales pitches. In the future, my home will have no carpet, no curtains (blinds and shutters only), and leather (or its cheaper, more easily replaceable equivalent) furniture. I reckon I really am lucky that my gang isn't that destructive. That thing with the window is the worst that has ever been done and there was only ONE culprit trying to get at a squirrel outside. There are always eight dogs in my house, sometimes nine (at the moment) when an additional furry guest stays, but my carpet and belongings are all in really good shape. I have only one really serious chewer in the bunch (Perry, the Standard Poodle), but as long as I don't leave anything laying out that ought not be (clothing!!), he doesn't bother the furniture or anything else. He's also a stuffy toy disemboweler, so he doesn't get them unsupervised (ever since he pooped a virtually whole towel not too long ago... didn't mind the chewing until I realized he was EATING them :-? ). I really ought not complain about my eight. For there to be that many, there has been VERY minimal damage done here, the window being the worst (and she lost her privileges after that :x ). No carpet stains, no tears, no chewed furniture (well, ok, the very corner of a desk when Chico was a puppy... my fault for not watching because at that time, he was the ONLY dog in the house). Of course, you never know where you're going to find hair around here. :-?

Oh, my... I've been busted. I am the neighborhood badass with my gang of fighting Lhasas and Poodles! We have very little dog equipment actually in our yard because our dogs stay IN THE HOUSE. We probably have more medical and first aid supplies than my vet does. My Standard Poodle, Toy Poodle and right now a Lhasa Apso go with me EVERYWHERE I go, work included. I am frequently seen walking this rogue gang around. Had I known it was a red flag, I would be secretly walking them at night so as to not arouse suspicion. We have an old red wagon in the back yard loaded with clay flower pots. We're busted! Everyone knows how heavy those clay pots are! I have been seen a time or two TRYING to teach my Standard Poodle to pull that wagon only because I thought it would be cute to put my smaller Poodle in it and have them in the local yearly parade :oops: . Don't even get me going on the large number of dogs seen at my house. :roll: I'm in deep doo doo, ain't I? :oops:

Well, good news and bad news. Bad news is that while it rumbled and has rained a little this afternoon, the "storm" seems to have fizzled out. There wasn't enough to get the dogs revved up, so I still don't know if it would have worked. The good news is that Fred wasn't the least bit sedated with his recommended dosage. At least I know he won't be dopey IF it works well for him. He's been alert and active and ate his evening meal just like normal. Hmm... maybe it IS a good thing. Usually, if the weather is even iffy, he won't eat at all. Maybe it DID help after all. Just a side note... I don't know if putting the drops on the nose is more effective or not, but it sure has more comedic value. I'm evil, but every one of my dogs had to come sniff out what I was handling and each one got a dab on the nose. What we do for entertainment around here... :oops: *snicker*

Ack! Ptooey! I got some of that peppermint extract in my mouth. 89% alcohol! It's like a combination of mouthwash and lighter fluid. The taste doesn't just go away; that's for sure! :crazyeyes:

We've had intermittent storms all day, but it cleared out for a good while this afternoon (just long enough for me to run to town and grab some of this stuff). The clouds are rolling back in and it's rumbling in the distance. I just came from town and I picked up some peppermint extract and melatonin tablets. Fred, my older male Lhasa, is the one who usually paces and drools and loses control of his bowels and bladder. I've just given him the recommended dosage of melatonin and dabbed the peppermint on his paws. I'll be sure to check back in later tonight, or tomorrow, and tell you how it goes. I sure hope this helps the ol' man out. 8)

My bay window. :x [img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0ZgAuACog0n9ArdPRRdEl6z5tqI9g1po8m*yoUxVKhjLmAW3p4N3hP1gGekz8TC9yV4UnVAYyHiQGSOO!1SMOxbgpyApRAY!pACBaqICD*XOMle1mF53winleeU6fcoFStz4AY0Wc0FAwOT9XY1crZg/1-12-03Pennydamage.JPG?dc=4675405104763370569[/img]

One of my grooming clients today told me she was looking for a home for her 8 month old Lhasa Apso puppy. I've been grooming Devin since he was 7 weeks old and adore him. Also, I have had pretty good luck placing small dogs (heck, I'm kinda proud of the success record with a couple of large dogs I've placed... bigger dogs are so much harder to find homes for than small, foofy dogs), soooooooo... I told her I'd take Devin. She is a really nice lady who has taken excellent care of Devin (groomed every 4 weeks and never missed once, heartworm prevention, flea control), but admitted today that Devin needs more time and attention than she is able to give him. We could judge her and say she should have researched it better before getting him, but I'm just so glad that she made this decision now rather than just stick him in the yard to fend for himself, neglected, or wait until he's several years old and impossible to handle. Even at 8 months, he has some socialization issues (freaked out when he saw my husband for the first time as he didn't know him... DEFINITE fear biter), but he has calmed down nicely tonight and I think he'll socialize well. I see SO many people come through who have these great intentions when they get these puppies and the romance soon dies, but most of them end up just neglecting the dog altogether, or "trying to get back some of the money I have tied up in him/her..." by either trying to sell them, or breed them. This lady only wanted a good home for Devin. I was kind of sad for her. She paid for the groom, paid for an Advantage application for him and bought him a Heartgard chew "for the road." This means there are currently NINE dogs roaming around my house. :-? Anyhoo, my intention *ahem*cough* is to foster him until he can be socialized and neutered. Did I ever mention that I love Lhasa Apso doggers? I have two of them. After Standard Poodles, they are my next favorite. Once he calms down, he'll be a great little guy for someone. He is set to be neutered (brain surgery) and have his rear dewclaws removed next Friday. The dewclaw thing is because they are the floppy kind and with this being a bigtime groom dog, I just see the potential to be constantly snagging them with a comb, brush, or possibly scissors. I can avoid them, but mats tend to form around those rear dewclaws on Lhasas and brushing that area a lot seems to be uncomfortable as well. Anyway (since I'm validating), it's not an asthetics thing. :P I couldn't get my $#%! machine to upload the photos I took today, but here is a photo of Devin with his Mom that I took when he was 2 months old. He is a doll (sorry for the HUGE photo). [img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0YwDPAswf!16U2yctCMP0hBX!pkyzpEXPGvdFKaMCC9XNotRzmC5IEsaFwISJdT5gdn2V9WtXOCCG4WRZsjwym5FkGRE3S!v1f027gZmjowbzzHD8mnDkmrCzh1FS9PwV*j5u7cMLCRrC00NuepORsg/Devin%20cropped.JPG?dc=4675428803403397154[/img]

In other words, I agree and I don't. Clear? Mud? :P

Maybe food allergies... that isn't my dispute. I know it would start a whooooooole 'nother debate, but my take on food allergies vs. environmental allergies and how to handle them is a bit less conventional.

I know stranger things have happened, but 12 weeks seems awfully young to start seeing environmental allergies, but I suppose food allergies could be possible. I think I would start by eliminating the obvious. It could be fleas. With these little dogs and their sensitive skin (not to mention that fluffy hair that picks up everything), it only takes one or two or a few fleas to make a dog seem crazy. As mentioned by someone else, vacs can cause some problems, too, especially in smaller breeds. I think the breeder does seem a bit cavalier about the whole thing. Heck, even my RESCUE contact that I got my Standard Poodle from stays in constant contact with me to see how the dog is doing, progress, health reports, etc. She's not even the breeder. Seems a breeder would take more of an interest than that. I'm not sure what to think about the vet. I know MY vet goes over all that with puppies... flea control, heartworm prevention (at 12 weeks old, the pup wouldn't need to be tested before starting prevention, but the vet should have gone over that with you), spaying/neutering and such. Maybe this vet planned to cover all this with you during the visit for the last set of vacs? I think (if it were me) I would at least go ahead with the one last visit and see if that made a difference. I have to strongly agree with the advice of being VERY cautious about starting any dog on a raw diet, but especially a small dog. I had a bad experience feeding a Lhasa Apso (kinda sorta similar in appearance to a Shih) a raw diet, though I followed all instructions right down to the letter. I've since learned that it CAN cause more problems than it's supposed to help in some dogs. If it's something you are planning to check into, be sure to research it well and from BOTH sides... not just by joining the advocates' lists and sites. There are just as many sites that can point out dangers as there are sites that promote it. Many dogs do great... many do not.

I agree wholeheartedly with Mary's Mama's advice. I have a stubborn Toy Poodle who may only eat every couple of days. She's healthy and would eat ALL day long if I'd hand feed her, but it ain't gonna happen. I used to worry and go ahead and hand feed her just because I was sure she would starve to death otherwise. Our dogs typically eat twice a day (sometimes only once for the smaller dogs). They have half an hour to eat and that's it. The kitchen is closed. This little knucklehead DOES miss mealtimes pretty regularly, but she sure enjoys it the next. I know it's not the brand of food that has her turned off. She's like this with ANY kibble (and I will never BARF another dog of mine). Sometimes it still does bug me when she goes all day without eating, but I know that if I beg, plead, treat, whatever, it's only going to create a worse problem (actually, I created this monster by stopping after work for doughnuts or chicken and feeding them to her and Perry while going down the road :oops: ). I figure she'll eat when she's hungry. Anyway, I agree that you shouldn't try so hard. If dogs are healthy, they won't starve themselves to death when food is available, no matter whether they like it or not.