pLaurent

I got my dog Muttluks last year and they are great! I tried cheapie brands but they didn't stay on and Muttluks do. Very important - make sure you order the correct size, just big enough for the dog's feet. If they are too large, they will twist around and be uncomfortable. My dog prances like a circus pony when she gets them on, but I know she loves not having her feet freeze! :D

[quote]Internal bleeding is more of a worry in a situation like this, [/quote] Exactly goo. This cat should be taken to the vet ASAP.

There are no free dogs. Even if you get one for nothing, it will need shots, spaying or neutering, heartworm tests and preventatives, leashes, toys, a crate, a bed, food. All this adds up to QUITE a bit of money - MUCH more than if you pay a 200$ adoption fee to a rescue and get a dog that is already spayed, has shots, been heartworm tested, etc. Dogs are expensive. What if you get a free dog and it needs surgery or expensive treatments? Are your parents going to pay for it? This is a 10 - 15 year committment.

I"m very sorry Tammy. :cry: NO matter what the reason, it's always so very hard. At least with you, she knew a kind and loving home. Many other people may have abused, neglected and dumped her.

[quote]I have never gone to a rescue for a dog I always go to the shelter. For those that have why does it take so long?[/quote] It takes long because most rescues consist of just a couple of people who have jobs, families, kids, etc. They usually get tons of calls and emails from people trying to dump animals, and other calls/emails from people wishing to adopt. Many require an application to be filled out before anything else. This is because there would be no sense arranging to have someone come meet a dog and then find out this person plans to make it live outdoors, or that they dumped their last dog(s) or live in apartment that does not allow pets. They must be careful and picky. This is for the protection of the animals, who have already been abandoned and maybe even abused once already. Everything possible must be done to make sure the next home is a loving and permanent one!:) I'm with a cat rescue, and my advice is: The first email you send, include lots of information about yourself, your lifestyle, and your home. Mention other pets you have had and what happened to them. Say why this particular dog is one you would like to adopt. This saves a lot of time. Getting emails - as we do - just saying "How much for the cats/dogs?" is not enough.

My personal opinion - I would NEVER send my dog away to be trained. You can't possibly know what methods are being used on them, and some might be ones you will not approve of!

My pit bull was also 2 yrs old when I adopted her. She had no training or manners, so the first thing I did was get her into obedience school since her pulling nearly dislocated my arm! This is great for socialization and desensitizing to the presence of other dogs. Of course, the training is great too, because a dog can't lunge after other dogs if he/she is in a "heel" or "Sit/stay!" Pit bulls are smart and easy to train and I highly recommend obedience school. :D

[quote]I guess it's not fair to say people are stupid for not knowing because if your not a dog lover you don't know every breed[/quote] Of course you are right about that! But it's very scary that these are the people identifying breeds in dog bite incidents. :o

Otterhounds are pretty rare (only about 30 registered with the AKC last year) so I would say the odds of your puppies being part otterhound are very slim.

She is simply adorable!! Congrats. :D

Why don't you just get her spayed?? That will put an end to false pregnancies, heat cycles and the risk of accidental breedings.

[quote]i try to tell them it wasn't all dogs ingeneral it was THAT dog. and not all boxers ingeneral it was THAT boxer. i dont think people should blame the breed of the dog.[/quote] Right!! If one person were to rob you, and he happened to be a 25 yr old man with blond hair, does that mean ALL 25 yr old blond men will rob you?? Every dog is an individual.

Oh I remember how upset I was over that dog LisaH!! I'm so happy to hear he's doing well! :D

Love Bostons!! They make great house dogs because they are rather intolerant of a lot of heat or cold so don't need huge amounts of outdoor exercise. Greyhounds are also intolerant of extreme temperatures and are couch potatoes, but do need a good run once or twice a week in a safe area. I think either of those would be an excellent choice. And that's the Tall and the Short of it. :lol:

[quote]I have an American Eskimo in an apartment.. I can not train this dog NOT to bark, lol. She likes running at people, but will not get to close at the same time. If the person tries to approach her, she runs away and starts the process all over again[/quote] Is this behavior a breed trait? I ask because someone near me has one, and he always does EXACTLY this when he gets loose - running at us from behind, barking, and as soon as we turn around, he runs off then starts up again. And the barking is of the type that goes in your ears, around your skull and out your eyes! :lol: :lol: