redbud,this may come as a surprise (read dissapointment) but having labs for the better part of 40 years you'll grow old waiting for them to "grow up" they love to play an have a definate personality,we always thought they were "worse" than the kids,the present lab Babe got so upset with me a couple weeks ago at the grocery store when I made her get in the back of the station wagon so I could put the groceries in she turned her back to me all the way home an then wouldn't get out of the car,when she finally decieded to enter the house she soon dissapeared,looked all over for her an finally found her in a closet,again with her back to me,Marley an Me was just a look at every day life of a lab owner
i can always tell when DH has had a 'mishap' in his depend now, as my chihuahuas know the smell and all the implications and yelling it can bring. so since i guess they pick up on it 'know' faster than me when it happens, i can see them skulking around with ears back under the dining table..haha!!! they are sooo good at 'predicting' i can just get DH by the hand and lead him to the bathroom=they have been right 98%...hows that for help?? i have members of the poop patrol patrolling on duty here 24/7..:) Divvi
have a black lab/chesapeke who is five years old. Maggie......... She's serious, obedient, loving, protective, loves bird hunting, swimming, and riding on the 4-wheeler, loves kids, and is my husbands guardian angel. We have had her for five years now......
And than we have Lilly...she's a year old...maybe wire fox terrier, shepherd. husky...... ??She is fun, funny, likes to make you laugh, teases, loving and gentle. I have never heard Tom laugh so much as he does with her.
They are SPOILED, but deserve it as they save me, my sanity, and seem to know something isn't right with Tom and instinctively go with it.
The girls are so attached to each other they eat off the same plate. My grown adult kids say I treat "my girls" better than I did them growing up........ of coarse they are kidding. In reality they can't believe the way I have changed......
Tom loves the dogs so much he wants them cremated and buried with him.....and me too. I'm thinking.....NOT....that's where i draw the line. : )
Sounds like great dogs, Cynfany. So strange/funny, though. My DH told me and our funeral director he wanted our Shih Tzu, Millie, cremated and buried with him also. He mentions this several times a week!
ol don...that's funny about Babe. Maggie is like that. She can pout for a long time.
I took her with to drop Lilly off at the vet to be spayed as I knew she was going to be mad at me not understanding why I left her Lilly there. I was right. She laid on the floor and GLARED at me and would show her teeth if I went to pet her.
She was fine with Tom. When i brought Lilly home the next day all was forgiven...I told Tom she was going to do that but he was still surprised because she's my baby.
Vickie... yah I don't get it. I love my dogs to death too but I don't care to be buried with them....I think to them that is the ultimate act of love and they love them so much because of the unconditional love they get from them.
Jodij, your comment about your dog getting extra treats reminds me of our last dog, a pocket beagle. Her main interest in life was FOOD. One day she started asking for dinner, so my mother fed her. A little later she started asking again, so our daughter fed her. Finally, she started asking my wife for food, and got a third meal. That evening they compared notes. From then on, whenever she had been fed, whoever did it put a note on the food "Wags has been fed".
I have a cat, but I can't wait for the Westminster Dog show next week. I watch it every year. Have to admit I was p*ssed that the beagle won last year. I'm not fond of beagles since my next door neighbor had one & he howled in my bedroom window. Eventually another neighbor complained & he went to doggie court & got sentenced to a farm.
When I took my Bassett to training class it was a disaster. The class was on a second floor and poor Hector had never done steps. When I finally got him up stairs he proceeded to pee all over the floor. I was given saw dust and a dust pan and told to have at it. He was the only dog permitted to sit sideways instead of the usual sit position. This is even permitted in dog shows as long as the dog always sits the same way. We did graduate. And you all thought I was only a cat person!
I had a Brittany Spaniel mix. He went to college with me, all my classes. He had a girlfriend about 10 blocks away, and I had to pick him up from her house each evening. Yes, he was dashing!
Diane V, BTs are great but a high energy dog. Our Rotties were so mellow and kind. The BT at 8 weeks old ran up to 5 yo Rottie and bit her on the lip, hung off of her lip until we dislodged him while the Rottie cried in pain. the mosue that roared - 4 lbs vs 100 lbs. She could have killed him with one bite or a strong paw swat but 'til the day she died she loved that little terriorist. Such a loving kind dog; not so BT. Maybe a french bulldog next time!
We have a chocolate lab 10, a yellow lab just under 2, and a miniature long haired hot dog. They are wonderful and get along great. The Yellow lab could be Marley in every way. She chewed up the couch on our porch and we had to do major work on the whole porch before she finished!
We have a dog and two cats. My DW rescued the dog 9 years ago from an negectful neighbor. DW and Chance are famous in the neighborhood for their walks when she was able to go out by herself. The last 10 days have shown a marked decline in behavior. She is attacking me (punching, biting, scratching [not very effective], but you have to watch the kicks). The dog has been concerned because he knows something is going on. Today she punched him in the face. He looked at me with a sad, WTF look. I am contacting her sister to take Chance to live with her dogs. I will miss him. She's has gone after the cats, but they are fast as a cat and are just mildly annoyed.
I don't know how we (the dog and I) went from helpmates to targets. I can deal with it better than Chance.
We have 2 Labs a black 18 yrs old and a yellow 3 yrs old Each xmas, we say this is the black's last but he continues to enjoy his life thou he sleeps thur most of it.
Checkl with her Dr. about this behavior. Meds. can do a lot to control it without knocking her flat. This rotten disease changes everything--your loving wife has become lost in a maze of anger she has no control over. Getting her brain chemistry leveled out will make all your lives better. Don't wait until her next regular appointment. Call now. You could likely find that Chance would only have to visit her sister for a little while, and you'd all be happier.
yes Dking consult her dr about something to mellow her out better. you shouldnt be suffering her being abusive to you or the dog. the poor animal will learn to stay out of her way my DH was mean at times to our chihuahuas but after he mellowed out on meds they knew he was better and started up with him again. now they are best buddies again. make sure you speak with her dr soon-try something else..Divvi
Agree with divvi. Sending the dog away would probably be punishing her more than she needs. Get some mellowing-out meds and you'll be amazed at the change.
That's fine advice, except of course that I have already done that. Zyprexa seemed to work for a couple of days, but now we are back in it. I am not punishing DW by sending the dog away. The dog is 11 years old with hip problems and just can't take the random acts of violence. I don't think DW will know that he's gone. I've tried psychiatrist and PCP. We have oconolgist on Monday. I don't know if AD or the cancer is driving the behavior. None of the doctors want to take responsibility; it's try this or see this guy. Meanwhile, I haven't been able to get her in the shower for 5 days. She is resistant to taking meds.
Add us to the HAVANESE owners. They are the cutiest, funniest little "people". After years of begging, my DH let me get an "indoor dog". From Day ONE, that little dog was in his arms or his lap. Thank God! Now, Tigger is beside him day and night, and has become a 4 legged caregiver. He is expert in pepping up my DH. He is so funny, when he plays with his toys and sticks his little rear up high in the air while corralling the toy with his front legs. He smiles, shows happy eyes when he is excited and is a total joy and lifesaver in our otherwise quiet lives. They are non-allergenic, non-shedding and do not smell like "dogs". Amazing. Highly recommend them to everyone!
Awh, I love this. We are dog and cat owners. We had cats for years. There was Sylas, a Siamese and Pitter-Pat a Black and White Tabby, there was Clarissa another black and white, Toby a grey haird Himyalayn and Ollie a marmalade. They were lovely. We also are Boxer people. You got to love them, they are kids at heart and think they are lap dogs. We had Elmo, a therapy dog for special eds kids, who we loved and was so much a part of our family. He got me through some really tough spots with breast cancer and with the birth of our little grandson who is a 22Q deletion child. But he also got cancer and we had to put him down. It broke our hearts. We did eventually get another Boxer. His name is Gabriel and we are in training. He is more hard headed than Elmo but is the best buddy to DH and full of fun...(they are always full of fun). We are working agility and obedience now. He might not get to therapy dog, but sweet, sweet dog that is full of exuberance and energy.
We also have a Havenese, Particolored, black and white. My DD has a runt of a Havenese, only 5 #, ours weighs in at 10#. I'm babysitting this week, so I've got the 2 of them, and they are just so much fun to watch. I'm almost tempted to get a second one for us, just as company because the two of them just get along so well. Our Frankie also loves his cousins, 2 labs at my sons home. Havenese are just a wonderful pet, they don't shed,, so I get him groomed about every 2 months, and they are wonderful with kids too, almost like tiny labs with a great personality. Best thing I've done was get Frankie. I must tell a funny story though, I've always owned cats, and when the last one died, in my arms while I cut his nails, (he was 21 yrs old), I went to the humane society to adopt. I got turned down because I hadn't taken the cat to the vet often enough... Now, how often do you take a 20 yr old indoor cat to the vet??? Anyway, that's how we wound up with the dog, Best thing that could have happened. he forces me to exercise 4 times a day (grin)
Hello dog lovers--We lost our beloved Yorkie a year ago Dec. Swore I'd never give my heart like that again.The house was overwhelmingly empty so...I did it again. Saw an ad for a rescue Yorkie and went to check him out. Purposely did not bring cash check or credit card so I could think about it over the weekend. The little guy didn't appeal to me so I told the breeder I didn't have anything on me and I'd call on Monday. My DH reached into his pocket and shouted "I have a credit card." We named him Chase for Chase Mastercard! He had been so abused it took four months for him to let me pet him. He now sleeps with me (under the covers) and is a great source of companionship and comfort. He sits on DH's lap and tries to get him to play. There are times when his former abuse causes problems but he's worth the effort. Love your pets, they return it a hundred fold. cs
As the kids were leaving, we got a couple of cats. One a Persian that my son adopted from a lady at a train station when we lived in Kiev, Ukraine, the other we got from a family in D.C. Love my furry butts and the independence they allowed us. We still have them and they are wonderful, of course. But this is a dog link, not a cat one. With the AD and dh staying home all day while I teach, we needed something to get him moving. We found a Golden Retriever rescue league and after they thoroughly checked us out, we got to interview the dogs as they interviewed us. Hearts melted with the very first one. Abby is 4 but has had a tough life. At least two litters of pups, heartworm, fleas so bad she gnawed her front top and bottom teeth down completely to the gums and x-rays that show a bullet lodged in her hind quarters. But, as long as she doesn't smile too big, she is beautiful and very healthy and devoted to dh. She's so grateful to have a warm comfortable home that she has never once shown us a single bad manner. We love her to death and whenever we come home from shopping she's so excited she does her golden dance of happiness for us.
Liz, I truly believe rescues have a special sense of gratitude. That's all I've ever had, and all have given as much or more than they got from us. Don't know what I'd do without my cats and dogs.
I'd LOVE to have a small indoor dog. Our son has a poodle/maltese mix. So cute. He doesn't shed, is hypoallergenic and beautifully kennel trained and house broken. Sweetest little guy. Maybe I'll go to the shelter when we return from our trip in mid-April. I think with a little bit of extra attention, Noche will warm up to a little dog. We'll see. :)
Back to me, the Havanese lover! I have read your comments, and everyone has MORE than one pet. I have often wondered what would happen to DH if something happened to our only little dog. It could be fatal for my husband. He'd mourn to death. Our little dog is next to us 24/7, sleeps in our bed, eats when we eat, I had to put his dish in the breakfast room because he didn't want to 'dine alone'. He's spoiled us and we've spoiled him. He is our main topic of conversation and our primary entertainment. Would adding a second Havanese be a good idea or a bad idea. Tigger is 4 years old. (I hate to think about having to potty train another dog!)
I have 3 dogs. Corky, who is Corgie mix, and has 3 legs. Shaggy, sheppard mix and Mellie ,Border Collie. I also have 10 cats, indoor/outdoor and a Ferrett. I was a Vet. Tech., I brought my work home. ha,ha
maryann, we used to have a ferret when I was a young sprite. Very sweet little animal -- we walked her on a leash, and you should have seen the double-takes we'd get!
Nancy, i vote for a second havanese! your other one if spoiled like mine may avoid at first but they will soon be best friends. and a new pet seems to bring life into the environment and more smiles. its a good thing for everyone including you too! divvi ps and oh yes, my chihuahuas always have to have theirs with ours, its a pack thing and they get quite peturbed if someone is eating alone.:)
Nancy... Same here. We had Maggie lab/chess mix for 4 years. Realizing Tom would die if something happened to Mag so we got Lilly. She brought lot's of laughter as Mag is the comforter. Took Mag some adjusting time but now you can't separate them.. It's the best thing we ever did. We too eat as a family. : ) In fact we do EVERYTHING as a family. Get another one...You won't regret it.
DH's best, most loyal friend in the world is our Pom-Chi, Charlie. DH was kind of cool to him when he first came home from hospital. Yesterday he asked "who is Charlie?" when I told him Charlie wanted to sit with him. Charlie also knows things are different, but has continued to be real affectionate toward DH. DH loves him so much that he would ALWAYS want to know where he was, give him treats, and leave the TV on cartoon network for Charlie whenever we had to leave the house. Right now DH is dozing and Charlie is asleep on his lap. I think Charlie got to stay in his lap most of the night.
O.k. not trying to brag, but I do believe I have you all beat! I currently have 8 dogs! Luckily, we live on a farm and have plenty of room for them! We have 4 indoor toy breeds, 3 outdoor large breeds, and 1 who floats in-between the 2 groups. Adds to the insanity, but we love them all! :)
And I thought I was bad with my 2 80 pound dogs and 7 cats ranging from 7 months t0 17 years. Countrygirl, I love them all and yes they do bring insanity to my life along with lots of love and laughter.
My 8 yr old, Sammy, a schnauzer, is an escape artist. Our fences only keep out cattle. For most of his life, Sammy has lived 'out of the way' of DH who has disliked any animal that didn't earn its keep. Escape artist means that if he gets loose, off his leash, he takes off like a rocket and will only come back when he's ready. This has been the case since early puppyhood. HOWEVER, DH today, loves pets.. loves Sammy.. feels sorry for him that he has to stay on a leash and if I leave them both together, it has become too often that I come back home to discover that Sammy has escaped and DH is out walking to try to find him.. Once he 'tied' the leash to the fence but didn't actually secure it.. Sammy escaped into the brush pulling the leash. We live in the country with woods and brush and various other hazards for pets.
When I have to be away from the house I make sure Sammy is secure in his room and that his needs have been met. I tell DH that Sammy is fine to stay where he is until I get back.. or that Sammy won't need to go outside until I get back. This morning I went to visit my mother who lives about 20 minutes away.. stayed an hour and came home to find DH walking the pasture looking for Sammy... once again..he took him out to RIDE ON THE GOLFCART and he broke away ,off his leash. DADGUMMIT..I try not to be disgruntled. DH really means well. He knows the dog is an escapist but doesn't seem able resist the impulse of taking him out.
I know I know, the answer is a FENCED yard. In the years during the time Sammy was so disliked, I wanted to get a fenced yard but DH refused. I don't even know at this point if the yard was fenced, that the GATES would be kept shut.. For Sammy's sake, I do have a fenced yard at my studio in town..he gets to roam there freely unless someone OPENS a gate.. then he's off again like a rocket! Its almost like he's tempting fate in trying to get to the nearest busy highway..
I am thankful that DH now likes Sammy. He enjoys petting him and talking to him..as Martha says.. 'A good thing'.. Even so, I guess I'll need to start taking him with me more often as I do errands and etc.. and will make a dedicated effort to get a fence here. I suppose my point is that DH doesn't realize that his efforts to 'take care of Sammy' are causing difficulty.
i just got back from taking our two 12yr/11yr chihuahuas and DH in the back seat for their sunday drive:) if i forget they somehow know its sunday and time to get OUT to the park for some R&R. they do not socialize which is sad. they get quite ansy around other dogs but today across the street in a fenced yard was a baying beagle:) and thought i 'd try to take my male chihuahua to the fence..in my arms was ok but not down! and the beagle bayed incessaantly..sigh. i want them to have friends..awww. but they look down on other pets..haha. in their eyes they are humans! my DH just loves to ride with them on his lap too. its a joy to behold allt he smiling faces thru the rearview mirror!! i will be a basket case for sure if i lose any of the 3 of them..i will never be without a pet in my future-.divvi
The critters definitely improve the quality of our lives. We have been fortunate in being able to add a new rescue from time to time and having him/her fit in well with the ones already here.
Judy, I have a huge (130#) German Sheppard (Pepper) and live on a river with lots of aligators. We installed an electronic fence (much cheaper than a real fence) and it works wonderfully well. The company not only installed it (dug the ditches etc) but also came to the house daily for a week to help in the training. Now I don't have to worry about aligators and Pepper gets to follow DH everywhere..........it's wonderful! There are several brands, ours is Pet Safe (costs under $1000) and it comes with lifetime guarantee.
What a great idea! Thanks for that suggestion. No worries about open gates with something like that either.. Oh it would be a glorious reliefff. I'll check into it. Thanks again.
Our neighbors had a problem with the electronic fence. Their dog was so anxious to get out that he ignored the shock and went right through it. He then learned that it wasn't too bad, so he got out routinely.
I have a number of neighbors with them, and they work very well for the most part. I'd certainly say it was worth it as long as you can train your HUSBAND not to go beyond it too and call the dog to accompany him.
Kitty and Marsh, I laughed and cried at your threads on the beagles. We rescued a yr old beagle in Oct 07. Hunter was an entertaining littel fellow! He DEMANDED affection and got it. As Jim's depression worsened he could not stand Hunter's barking. I got a call on my way home from work one day last summer from my daughter warning me thaat when I got home Hunter wouldn't be there. My DH and Mother had taken him back to the shelter. I still cry when I think of him, I never got to say goodbye to him. He brought such love and joy to my life. He slept under the covers at my feet. Sat on my lap and constantly begged for food. Kitty, he was a barker though. We often joked that he could see ghosts! And oh did that dog love to eat. Ah well, I'm trying to forgive, but I will never forget my little buddy. We also have a beautiful lab mix who is a terrific lady. Holly is 11 yrs old and is starting to slow down a bit. When we brought our twins (2 little black balls of feline fur) last summer, Holly decided she was their mother. Too funny to watch here trying to groom and care for them. Peanut Butter and Jelly (named by my 5 and 9 yr old grandsons :o) chased Hunter's tail and slept on Holly's bed. It is still amazing to watch it. I would never want to be without pets.
Hi Everyone! I too have had extreme success with the underground electric fence. I bought mine from Invisible Fence Co.- and they did have to come back and adjust the strength of the 'warning'. Tigger won't go past the line even when he doesn't have his collar on. He's no fool! He knows exactly how far to go and he'll skid to a stop. You can read about Invisible Fence on their website, - and although they may not be everywhere.. companies lhat do what they do ARE. Saves lots of chasing - and I don't worry about him being hit by a car. I think we'd both die if we lost our litle Havanese dog. After one of my melt downs, where I sat on the floor in my closet screaming into a folded bath towel, .. he stuck near me like glue, and would climb into my lap and hold his little head against my chest, comforting me. So sensitive and so sweet. Who says they're "JUST DOGS!" Mine is a part time therapist.
hi dog lovers we have a cavalier cross cocker spaniel named charlie & a pure bred cavalier ( tri colour )named lizzie.I must say they are a god send to my DH.they are the most placid dogs to have around & love the fact that hubby doesnt go to work anymore.as soon as DH sits on the couch to watch DR. Phil they are on his lap ( both of them ) of course because they are so warm he falls to sleep in minutes & misses most of his show, but we would not be without them.
I have friends whose dog is 17. Just recently he became incontinent. The vet diagnosed Canine Cognitive Disorder Syndrome. Oh no, that sounds like doggie AD...never heard of it.