Yoladybug

I'm not condoning this guy's website at all, but maybe he doesn't fully realize what he is doing. He is extremely young. Growing up, my family purchased a dog from what I now clearly recognize as a BYB, but we didn't know any better at that time because we'd never been educated on the issues. I still don't know enough about it to speak intellegently, but maybe some of you who do could write letters to the kid on the website with some resources and other information. Now that he has a successful business, it may not do any good, but at least he'd then have his conscience nagging at him.

Glad to hear it wasn't too bad. Hope he feels better soon!

Ohh...I forgot that our mail-lady ALWAYS has a treat for Abby. Everyday. It's very cute. Good idea...I bet she has a lower instance of angry dogs on her route. We used to have a Schwan's man...that stuff was so tasty! Oh how I miss his visits :cry:

That's really sweet of him! At my bank drive through they always hand out treats if they see your dog in the car, same with a few of the fast food places in town. It warms my heart when people go the extra mile for the doggies :)

[quote name='pwrpufgirlz'][quote name='Yoladybug'] I think I'm just going to have to take my car somewhere to get the charcoal stains out...nothing I've tried will work, not even the beloved Folex. [/quote] Perhaps it is time to change the interior color of your car to charcoal![/quote] Hehe...what a great plan! It truely is amazing how dogs can find a way into just about anything.

Yesterday I had quite the scare. I came home from class (my roommate was home, that's why Abby was out) and found that Abby had dragged my purse off the dining room table and eaten about 12 muscle relaxers out of it. The weird thing was, she was as hyper as she's ever been, not lethargic at all. So of course I freak out and rush to the vet. I'm not sure how I got there safely because I was so worried that I hardly remember driving. They took her, and it didn't occur to me that I'd have to leave her there. The vet was like "why don't you go get some lunch or run some errands, and we'll call you." Run errands...yeah right. Eat lunch, no way. So I just went and sat in my house, completely numb, staring straight ahead. I may have been overreacting, but I was so freaked out. Abby is the first pet I've ever had on my own, and this is the first big medical scare I've had with her. All of these horrible scenarios kept running through my mind about the vet telling me she was dead. So, about an hour later, they called to tell me to come back but won't tell me anything over the phone. So I drive back to the vet, still in my dazed, numb state (seriously, thank God I didn't get in an accident). The doctor said that they gave her stuff to induce vomiting. Luckily they could see the dissolved medication in her vomit. Then he gave her some charcoal to absorb the remaining medicine. She came running out to me, happy as ever. I swear, nothing slows that dog down. The fun (I say that sarcastically, after the fact) didn't end there. On the car ride home I look back to find literally a RIVER of black puke running down the entire length of my backseat. I have no idea how her body even held all of that liquid. Funny thing is, I didn't care. I still don't care. I'm just so happy to have my healthy dog laying in her little spot next to me while I type this. I think I'm just going to have to take my car somewhere to get the charcoal stains out...nothing I've tried will work, not even the beloved Folex. So anyway, just thought I'd share my big scare yesterday. I still don't know if those pills could have killed her, but in my mind I was imagining the worst. Thank God she's okay!!

Most places will take your driver's liscense anyway, so don't fret :)

Last night I came home from a John Edwards rally (yay!)...the house was dark and no one was home. My dog was at my boyfriend's house playing. I turned on the lights and what do I see? A HUGE rat run across the living room. He scurried under my couch. I screamed and ran outside. Needless to say, I slept elsewhere last night (I'm a bit of a wimp). Anyway, I rent this house, so I called the landlord, and he came over to put out pellets that will poisen the rats. Obviously, I'm now worried about my dog. He was very careful to hide them way back in closets and under furniture, so I'm hoping that's okay. Does anyone know of anything that wouldn't hurt my dog that would get rid of the rats?

My dog has had one for months...my boyfriend and I never saw it in that way. But now that you mention it... How Funny

My parents have a Bichon named Maggie. She definitely has an interesting personality. She's very loving with people, but when it comes to other dogs, she's the boss. When I bring Abby over, Maggie attacks if Abby comes anywhere near her. Abby weighs about 65 pounds and Maggie weighs about 10. The funny thing is, Abby goes running with her tail between her legs. Regardless of her size, Maggie rules that house. Anyway, she's been a wonderful dog for my family. She has glaucoma and has for years (apparently that's a fairly common disease for Bichons). She had to have one of her eyes removed a few years ago...she now has a glass eye. She has to see an eye specialist who travels down to Tallahassee once a month. I think my parents have spent more on her medical care then they have on my college! She's definitely worth it though. I'd recommend a Bichon to anyone...they're great little dogs with big dog personalities.

I agree that a dog around 20 pounds would be good. I think a big dog could be a problem with someone who's fearful of dogs. Abby is big but not huge (65 pounds) and she occasionally ends up hurting me without meaning to. She gets excited and doesn't realize her strength. This could obviously be very problematic for someone who was already afraid. I think the only way a big dog would be a good idea is if it was older and fairly calm. My boyfriend used to be pretty scared of dogs. He started looking to adopt one, not entirely to get over his fear, but that was a small part of it. He set out to get a pug, but the adoption didn't work out. He was introduced by the people at the shelter to a pit mix who was scheduled to be put down. They've been best friends ever since :D and he's no longer fearful. So...who knows.

Folex is amazing...simply amazing. It's really easy to use and doesn't cost much at all.

I recall you having this problem in a previous post... :lol:

DAL, that little black dog in your link is super super cute. I'm a big dog person, but seeing a cute little dog like that gets me thinking... But then reality sets in and I realize that my one dog is all I can handle right now in grad. school. Anyway, hope you find the perfect little guy/girl!

Here's the place I'm going to see tomorrow: [url]http://capitalcanine.com/boarding.htm[/url]

Thanks for all of that info. I was thinking about posting a question about this, so how convenient! My dad decided to take the family (and my boyfriend) on a cruise, so all of the people that I trust to watch Abby will be with me on vacation. Looks like I'm going to have to board her. I'm scared to death. I've heard so many horror stories...my sister boarded her dog during the week of her wedding, and he came back a completely different dog. He turned aggressive and they've gone through hell and tons of training to repair the damage. I know that's just one instance, but it still sticks in my mind. I love my Abby so much...I'm probably completely over protective, but it scares me to leave her. I'm going to tour the kennel tomorrow. It's out in the country and owned by a trainer who comes very highly recommended (he's the one who worked for weeks and weeks with my sister's dog). I'm only going to board her, not do any training, but it's good to know that my sister trusts him so much. Thanks to you Matty, I now have a good list of things to look for and ask about. I may be back tomorrow night with more questions for all of you experts out there.

When Abby was a puppy, she would eat her poop (or anyone else's) every chance she got. My friends all still make fun of me for it. Nothing could deter her, aside from pulling her away. She grew out of it after the first few months...hopefully that will happen with them!

Everyone's pictures are wonderful, but Divine, those pictures are some of the cutest I've ever seen. Show those to people who think Rotties are mean!

Very interesting stories everyone has. Thanks for the thoughts and advice. Maybe she'll come around, maybe she won't. I'll love her no matter what :) [quote] teach her to call the police, since you seem to be reluctant to do it yourself! [/quote] You got me there. And Courtnek, that's a good point about her knowing he was just yelling and not trying to hurt me physically. Who knows...I should just count my blessings because I have such a sweet dog. Thanks again :wink:

When I got Abby, I fell in love with her because of her personality. She's not your "typical" GSD...she loves new people and is always wagging her tail. She's not really cautious or aloof as I've seen the breed described. Anyway, I never wanted a guard dog, and it's a good thing, because she's just way too sweet and much too mellow. People have always told me that if the time came that I was in danger, that her instincts would kick in and she would do something to protect me. Well, to all of those people, you're wrong. Tonight, at 11:30pm my new neighbor (who I've never met) was knocking on my door. He's a real big guy with an even bigger anger mgt. problem. Anyway, to give a little background, I live near my university, so the street is packed with students. It's basically impossible to find a place to park, so naturally, if any spot on the street opens up, you park there. Last night, a spot in front of his house (across from mine) was open, so I parked there. Earlier this morning, he left a lovely note on my car telling me I was not allowed to park out in front of his house (someone should tell him that he does not own the street). I went along my day thinking nothing of it. Flash to tonight, he's banging on my door. He starts screaming at me...cussing and threatening and all. I can't handle confrontation (I, like Abby, am way too nice most of the time), so I was really freaked out. I was shaking and my heart was beating real fast. He yelled at me for what seemed like quite a while. I was obviously pretty distressed. And what did my dear sweet Abby do...wag her tail happily the entire time, whining for me to let her outside to greet him. She's only about 1 year and 4 months old. While I did not get a dog for protection, it would be kinda nice for her to kick it into intimidating GSD mode when absolutely necessary. Like I said, people have always told me she'd come through when that time came. I know many people who's sweet natured dogs have recognized threats and acted accordingly, even if it's not part of their normal persona. Do you think she'll ever develop this (ie: is everything people have told me complete BS) or maybe it's just her young age and it will come later? I hate to sound totally ignorant...I'm just curious to hear some opinions. Like I said, I'd never change her personality...I was just surprised that she didn't recognize my distress at a possible (and very loud and scary) threat. Thanks!

I live in Tallahassee, so we were suppossed to be right in the path of Hurricane Frances. Did anything happen? Nope. It sprinkled and the wind blew a bit. We watched the radar and it said that it was storming very badly, but it was actually a pretty nice day. That happened with the last tropical storm...go figure. I'm not complaining :lol: I should add, those of you who were affected by the recent storms, you are in my thoughts.

Congrats...what kind of dog are you getting?

[url]http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/poodlemix.htm[/url] These are lots of examples of mixes. Some have pictures (the labradoodle is pretty ugly if you ask me). I can't even imagine what some of these dogs must look like! Is it healthy that they would mix a full sized german shepherd with a mini-poodle to make the mini mixes? That just seems un-natural (well, I guess all of it is pretty un-natural).

That is truly one of the most horrible things I've ever heard :cry: .

I'm allergic to dogs...have been all of my life. I love them too much to give them up, so I just always have a steady supply of Sudafed and Claritin available.