[KarenC]

Thank you for your response. I read in another post where you work in a shelter so I know you have been exposed to a lot of different dogs in a high stress situation. I’ve never been bitten, thank goodness. I have been scared back into the bathroom by a friend’s unstable boxer though. No doubt she would have ripped my face off if I hadn’t gotten the door closed.

Deana isn’t without her issues, behaviorally speaking. She came with them and we’re working on them. I’m hyper careful, probably to the point of contributing to her neurosis. Lol. She’s muzzled in close quarters (vet’s office, vaccine clinic, etc) and faaaaar away from other dogs in an open area with no play in her lead. And you’re right about protecting my dog and not assuming the other person has control. Though, I know without a doubt, that this never would have happened if not for that darn retractable!

[KarenC]

I think retractables have their place–in the middle of absolute nowhere, teaching your dog recall, and you don’t want to fool with 30 feet of check cord (been there, done that, it was a tangled mess!). I keep one on hand in the box of spare stuff just for walks out in the middle of nowhere. I’ll ask my manager friend what corporate policy is on that sort of thing. I imagine they take some sort of report to absolve themselves from liability?

[KarenC]

I see what you’re saying. And, for a long time, she simply didn’t go places where there would be other dogs. But, I decided if I was ever going to help her get over it, we HAD to go out of the house. That’s why I picked some place that was spacious enough we could keep 8 feet of space between us and others, not busy (by choosing a time of day that was perfect for that), and she’s on a halti with a 6 inch handle only leash so I have strict control of her. And, it’s helped, we’re on the right track. A dog getting away from it’s owner is something I can see coming, since we do stay so far away from others. However, this dog was leashed, as they’re supposed to be, but still not under it’s owner’s control which is really chaps me about the whole situation.

[KarenC]

Oooohhh Working dog in training! I like it! Maybe I need to find some sort of vest… I know I steer clear of dogs wearing “working dog” or “assistance dog” vests, unless I’m in a position to ask for permission to greet them. And thank you for understanding. By nature, she greets strangers with skepticism. She sits politely, but will give you the “side eye” when you approach. She still has relaxed posture, but she’s aware. That’s part of what I love about her, and the breed in general. Her ears and tail are all natural so people assume she’s a bouncy friendly lab (I think that’s actually what her tiny bit of a mix is). But no, she isn’t. Couple all of that with the fact that Dobermans aren’t all too common where I’m at. It is very much my responsibility to protect her, and also myself, from liability, so I am hyper aware and careful in public. She’s always at heel and under my control. What really grinds my gears is if she HAD reacted, because she’s a big dog, everything would have automatically been her fault. I don’t have a problem with little dogs, I love all dogs big and small. I do have a HUGE problem with irresponsible people. In the media, and in the public eye, when a big dog bites it must immediately be put down and banned and rallied against. When a little dog bites the reaction is “GASP! What did YOU do wrong?!”. I’m sure as the owner of a large breed dog, and of one that comes with its own misconceptions, you can relate. (BTW, never met a Rottie that I didn’t like. I love their big ol’ noggins!) Oh, and the joggers! Lol! I had a GSD mix growing up that tried to herd the neighborhood kids on their bikes. Made her crazy to watch from the house or fence. She didn’t want to “get” them, but oh boy did she want to herd them into a circle.

[KarenC]

Harry sounds wonderful! And it sounds like he has adapted nicely. He’s a beauty for sure!

[KarenC]

If I didn’t go through bags of food so fast I’d be a hoarder too! It just so happens that my bags and cans run out right at pay day so I never have much hanging around. Just enough to start on the new while there’s still a day or two of old to mix with. I’ve never really transitioned a food. I always just add to the last of what’s there and go for it! I’ll risk a few days stomach upset, though it’s never really been an issue. Even with the fosters and the who-knows-what they’ve eaten in the last few days.

Abby is extremely lucky! And Ron is right. Too many people consider their pets throw-aways. We get several a year through the rescue just because they don’t like the new puppy. That is the most jaw dropping reason I’ve ever heard. I appreciate people who see their pets as a commitment. So few do. No matter how you acquire your pets, either via shelter, rescue, or breeder, you make a promise to them. Sure, unforseen circumstances happen, but you’ll always see a person’s true character when you watch how they care for their animals.

[KarenC]

That’s such a sweet story about your Eddie! He knew he would be safe with you (and have a full tummy!). Dogs always know when they are rescued, don’t they? I hope Abby fills what you’re missing from Eddie.

Someone said above to stick around here and you’ll learn a lot…They aren’t kidding! I’ve always been a kibble feeder (due to budgets and lifestyle constraints), and have always gone for the best I could afford at the moment. Believe me that there were some days when me and all the dogs were sharing a bologna sandwich and can of soup. But reading here and the review comments has taught me so much. Things that now make perfect sense, but I never really thought of before. Rotating being one of them. My dogs never ate one single food for years and years because I tried to improve as I could, but now I know that rotation more often is even better! They’ve also gotten cooked or canned toppers as often as I could, but I never would have considered sardines or other canned fish! There hasn’t been a single question I couldn’t get answered by some of the experienced posters here. Stick around and you’ll learn a ton!

[KarenC]

What kind of dogs do you have, Ronald?

[KarenC]

I find it rewarding. I’m not gonna lie, those first few fosters were hard to let go. But, the more I did it, the more I realized that not only was I helping a dog; I was completing a family. Oh, there are those dogs that I can’t WAIT to get adopted. They test my very last nerve, but, it’s worth it. Taking a dog from a shelter (we only have kill shelters around here) or abuse situation and turning them into a beloved family pet is challenging, fun, and gives me a ‘purpose’, so to speak. I don’t have a lot of money so this is my contribution to society.

[KarenC]

All 6 of mine are foster fails. Either because I fell in love and couldn’t let them go or because they were really “unadoptable” to the general public and just sort of stayed. Molly, the dog in my gravatar, came from a horrible abuse/neglect/abandonment situation and was so terrified of humans that she wouldn’t let me touch her for close to a year. The only time she was comfortable and would relax was around Judd, her “boyfriend”. In her best interest, we decided that she would just live out her life with me..and Judd. They are inseparable. When he goes, I don’t know how she’ll react. She has come so far modeling his happy-go-lucky behavior.

[KarenC]

FreeholdHound-I love Harry’s picture. He does look like a Harry! I’ve always wondered what the transition is like from racing life to life as a pet. Is it true that the racer never really leaves them? I heard someone say once that the only racing their retired hound does now is to the couch for a nap! Lol!

[KarenC]

He is a mess! He’s my comedian dog. Grammer is the live bird eater of the group. I always thought he’d make a fine hunting dog…aside from the consuming part. He’s a lot of fun. He came straight from the shelter to my house to be fostered for the rescue. His very first night here I was grilling outside and THOUGHT he was napping in the living room. Came back inside and he was on the counter, all 4 feet, eating the baked beans out of the pan on the stove. I hollered at him and he just looked at me like “What? Did you know these beans are delicious?!” and kept on eating. He was such a comical thing that I couldn’t bear to let him go and adopted him for myself.

[KarenC]

It was Deana. She’s fine now. Cut her back to 1/2 a tablespoon and that fixed it. Everyone is doing wonderfully! I’m not usually the type to buy into the “cure-all” hype, but my 9 year old, who has had arthritis since he came to me at 2 (old injury) is running and hopping like a pup. Everyone’s poo is NORMAL! I have one that I’ve battled runny poo off and on forever (and we’ve exhausted all medical reasons). Never diarrhea, never solid–regardless of food, eliminated foods, medicines, supplements, etc.

Good luck on that treadmill. A trainer friend of mine (she rehabs former fighting pitties, actually) relies heavily on her treadmill and swears by it. Never can get any of mine to use it. Well, Grammer does. He rides it like a carnival ride. Run run run WHEEE! Fling off the end into the side of the couch. Run Run Run WHEEEE!

[KarenC]

Lol! We call that “living room zoomies”. Deana does it when she hasn’t been walked yet, and a couple of the labs do it when they get all wound up over treats. They always look so surprised when they stop…like they didn’t know they had it in them!

[KarenC]

I definitely see pittie. The shape of her head, for sure. Bet she’s a lot of fun!

[KarenC]

Even my “meanest” Lab (if there is such a thing), would have just asked the stranger for a snack! Lol! Is Bailey a staffie or pittie mix? I love her ears!

[KarenC]

Salty! Cute name! We get a CBR pass through Lab Rescue every now and then. The last one ended up a therapy dog. Smart pups!

[KarenC]

I always liked the name Moose for a dobie, Cyndi. It just seems to fit the bigger boys. Those dobies…they have a way about them, don’t they? I think we’ve talked about it before, I love my labs like there is no tomorrow. But Deana, it’s different. She’d throw herself in harms way for me and not think twice. She stopped a stranger from coming at me once while on a walk. He came around corner on us fast (I don’t know if he was TRYING to attack me, or just scare me, or what), and she jumped at him and knocked him down so we could get away. She didn’t even think about it. Just reacted. And I love her for it! She’s a total B with the other dogs, but I don’t care about the extra work segregating her. She accompanies me almost everywhere and sleeps in my daughter’s room at night…just for the extra piece of mind.

[KarenC]

You didn’t hijack at all! I really like the Five Shy Samuel Angyus Adams. I don’t know anything about naming a registered dog though. Mine are all homeless pound pups from rescue.

[KarenC]

Mr Ducky is so precious! He has a very expressive face!

[KarenC]

That’s quite a list Patty! Did you train the GSDs or the Mals for police or military work? I met my first Malinois about a year ago (not too common around here). She is something! She’s a K9 officer at the jail but, off duty, she’s a big ol lap dog.

[KarenC]

Who is the kid in your gravatar, pugs? Cutie! A good friend has had pugs for years and I always love to go visit them.

[KarenC]

OHMIGOSH HDM! You give middle names too! Lol! I do also, but didn’t say as much for fear of being poked fun at. Here goes- Judd Mitchell, Molly Elizabeth, William Joseph, Grammer Edward, Stone Michael, and Deana Marie. The list of nicknames is endless-Juddster, Mols, One-eyed Willy (he is missing one), Grammy, Stoney Bologna… It goes on and on and on!

[KarenC]

dogmom2-Your dogs are beautiful! I love your yellow. My Judd, who is 9, is a big yellow too. He’s a lunk head, doesn’t do much more than hold the couch down these days, but I love him dearly.

[KarenC]

Cute names pugmom! We have to get creative sometimes in the rescue and we had a litter of 5 pups come in once that we named Michael, Marlon, Tito, Jermaine, and Janet…that poor little girl kept us from having a true Jackson 5.

[KarenC]

And too many foster Labs over the years to mention, but currently–Gunner (11), Mandy (2), and Royal (2).

[KarenC]

First and foremost, do you have a Bailey Chair? (Google it. You can buy or build). We had a megaesophagus dog pass through our rescue and the chair saved his life. As far as type of food, he excelled on high quality canned. We used Merrick, Wellness, and 4Health from Tractor Supply. If anything we poured out of the can was a large chunk, we just smashed it with a fork. For kibble, which he got sparingly, we used the same brands and softened it with water. We also added cooked ‘people’ foods–ground beef or turkey, chicken, eggs, etc to get his protein up. By the time he made it to us he was VERY skinny and malnourished and being treated for a variety of other health problems (some related, some not). That’s a hard diagnosis to get, but stick with it!

[KarenC]

I’ve recently turned to Victor Grain Free Joint Health and am LOVING the results. I feed nearly half of their previous food (Diamond Naturals-rotating the version between beef, chicken, lamb) and all of the dogs are holding their weight nicely 3 weeks in. My pudgy 6 year old female has leaned out a bit too. I’ve never been excited for poo scooping but every single pile is perfect! My sweet 100lb senior lab (with “arf”-ritis in his back knees) is a pup again and I’m so happy for him. I’m new to rotating between brands, mostly because some of the better stuff is hard to get here (1 pet boutique allll the way across town…with limited operating hours and premium prices) so I have to depend on a feed store near by, but after a few bags of Victor I’m going to try some Fromm Grain Free to really do “rotating” right. I top with home cooked or canned and switch that up every meal. I’m feeding 9 large dogs so I have to be very budget careful and Victor has turned out to be a winner in that regard as well.

[KarenC]

I generally pick up as soon as it happens. Well, that’s the goal anyway. My struggle has been sheer numbers! I have my 6 and foster 3 more. I’m outside and pick up as they go, but sometimes they’re sneaky and get to a pile before I make it over to that side of the yard. One of the poo eaters won’t do his own “business” on leash yet (he’s a new-ish foster)…It’s organized chaos I tell ya!

[KarenC]

The first 2 minutes answered my issue. My dogs are all rescues and no telling what they ate prior to me. I’ve improved their diets as I’ve acquired them and everyone is getting digestive enzymes and probiotics now… Getting the enzymes NOW is the key word. I’m sure they weren’t before, being strays and pound pups. I suppose it just takes time and I’m sure with one of them it’s likely more of a habit now. Prior to this video I’d never heard the pancreatic dysfunction answer. Thanks for the link!

[Author]

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