courtnek

missed you too Wild! I hope your fur-kid is ok - an MRI sounds the way to go. It shows things that X-rays and stuff dont catch. Best of luck to you!!

You're making me want one of those puppies!! LOL he is just ADORABLE!! I printed the picture of him trudging through the snow and took it to work. It cracked everyone up - they all want one too now!! LOL :D

I dont really know why anyone would want to steal them - They're not purebreds, so they're not "worth" anything to anyone but me.... Unless maybe he thinks they're purebreds.... Maybe he is trying to "make friends" with the dogs so he can come back later - that sounds plausible....they havent caught him yet, but they've put door-to-door flyers out everywhere with a sketch of him on them. thanks for all the input....I appreciate it! :)

Daisymom- be at peace. It was her time - You did the best thing you could for her, letting her go.... When this bothers you - think of this - Would she be really happy in the state she was in? Could she be the same dog you knew all these years? She has now crossed the Rainbow Bridge, and waits for you. She is at peace, in no pain, and running on that bridge as happy as can be! I know that Taurus and Jarvis are there, waiting for me... As hard as it is, you did the right thing. We are their shepherds, we have to look our for them.... My love goes out to you! It will get beter, trust me...

Good advice Malamum [img]http://sc.groups.msn.com/tn/A3/22/Dogomania/f/d1.jpg[/img]

I keep looking at that picture and cracking up! He looks SOOO happy plowing through all of that!! OK, I printed it and I'm taking it to work. That's TOOO funny!!

I forgot to mention the runners....yea, the dogs have trouble moving on the wood because it's slippery, so in the living room I have an area rug with "no slide" grippers underneath it, and in the hallway I have a runner. They still slide a little on the runner when frantic, but not as bad as the floor.

My thoughts and prayers are with you Poofy.... Trust in God. He is our Light

It looks like you got the snow we were supposed to get - it went south and east of us. your pup looks to be having a grand ol' tine!! :D

HILARIOUOS!! I do upper arm training lifting my 18 lb. cat as well....LOL :D

The Koolie It is broadly believed that the Koolie's foundations are from the smooth coated Collie. Records show that a Mr. Thomas Simpson Hall from the Hunter Valley imported a pair of smooth coated Collie's in the 1840's. Reference to the Koolie breed can be found in many books which cover the Australian working dogs, such as "The Complete book of Australian Dogs" by "Angela Sanderson", "The Border Collie in Australasia" by Peidje Vidler and "Dogs of Australia" by Mr.J.Beilby just to name a few. Beilby mentions in his book that as early as 1896 that blue merle Collie's in Australia were known as German Coolie's. [img] [/img]

I am SOOO sorry Paw Paw....at least he went in the comfort of your dad's lap. My thoughts are with you. :angel:

Beautiful Behle...it's very touching. I also have had to let them go, and it is hard, but I feel it's the right thing to do. Only one has passed over without help. On that note, I am worried about my cat. He doesnt seem well, although the vet cant actually find anything wrong with him. He is 16, and has never been real social with anybody, except once in a while he likes me to brush him. He is VERY independant. Not that he's mean or anything, but he just doesnt like to be cuddled. Until recently. All of a sudden he wants constant attention, to be held, to lay in my lap. This is completely out of character, and I wonder - Is he saying goodbye? any ideas anyone?

I have two lab mixes (90 and 75 lbs) and wood laminate flooring. Poofy is correct about testing it first. Pergo is the strongest, but the more expensive. I installed Armstrong wood laminate, and it's held up great against the dogs. I cant say the same for my son.... You have to be careful about dropping anything sharp on it, like a screwdriver or a hammer. Tools will punch small holes in it, but the dogs have not yet done any damage to it. It's also very easy to clean (much more so than carpeting) if they have an accident and to get rid of the dog hair. :D

I originally bought it at a place called the T-Shirt Factory, but that was a few years ago. I know there are websites where you can either find one, or have one designed. Good LucK! p.s. where is NL (on your avatar?) I am geographically illerate...lol :D

Actually, I appreciate the feedback - I am not the "sensitive" type, and if I put something up for discussion I want truthful answers. I got a lot of them! Thanks to everyone! I got a little over "lovey" about my dog, but I realize that it would not be a good idea in the long run. Dont worry about insulting me! I am "politically incorrect" and intend to STAY that way!! LOL :D :D :D

Daisymom! Know my love is with you and Trixie, but more importantly, know that you are doing the right thing. As pet owners/caretakers, we have to realize that a time comes when we have to decide. Is their life worth what they are going thru, or not? Is it a "quality" life, or are we just afraid? Think of it the way I did, when I had to put Taurus down.... They want to please us more than anything. When they can no longer do that, what does it make them feel? Taurus became incontinent, and would stand with tail between legs because he had an accident and couldnt help it, but he knew he was "wrong" somehow.... You have to accept that we have to make the decisions regarding their lives, and what is best for them. Sometimes, letting them go is best for them, although never best for us. I cried for days.... Be assured that what you are doing is right. "Quality of life" is MUCH more imprtant than "Quantitiy of Life....They should not have to suffer, when we can end that suffering. They are always with us Daisymom. All Love to you, and I hope this transition is not as hard as you feel...

OK, I admit it - I HAVE duct tape - lol I also have a t-shirt that says "I can fix ANYTHING! Wheres the duct tape?" On one of my business trips to Portland, the zipper broke on my suitcase as I was packing to go home. This was at 11:00 at night. I called the front desk and asked if anything was open at this hour that would have duct tape? The guy very calmy said "what color do you want?" Taken aback, I said "what COLOR?" He says "yea, what color. We have 9 different colors of duct tape here...." I just busted out laughing. I said "black will do" The guy that delivered it to my room said this is VERY common. People buy stuff out of town and find it's more than will fit int he suitcase...so zippers break. When I got home I bought the t-shirt - lol :D

reply to Marble - Yes, their protective instinct increases over time. Before 1 1/2 -2 they are going by typical pack rules. The pack protects them. As they move up in the ranks and become adults they take on the job. But my dogs are usually like yours. Well, Alex is. As said, Freebee is more reserved but never antisocial. Alex is the "tea and crumpets" type. I always said he would show the robbers where the jewelry was for a pat on the head! I was obviously dead wrong. I think they are all naturally protective of their people, and they seem to "know" the good people from the not-so-good. It's that eerie "sixth sense" they seem to have about danger. This was just weird. They always warn, always bark, get spazzy whent he mailman comes by....but I have never seen either of them make a threat like that before. If they could talk, they would have said "open that door and I'll kill you...." man! what an experience! I think as yours gets older you'll see more protective instincts come out. But you may not see them unless your pup detects a real threat. My dogs are as friendly as they come. This time, they apparently detected a threat and reacted.

me too. Not authorized to view this post. I;m not real surprised though. He's trying fo a defense against their lawsuit If I was the prosecution, I;d have all pet owners on the jury

I gave them both cheese....their favorite treat. I also asked myself why in the world would this guy deliberately go to houses with dogs? You'd think that's the LAST place he'd want to go! He was wearing a uniform type outift, no insignia or anything, but maybe trying to pass himself off as "official"...he couldnt pass as a cop or anything. According to the police he always says "I need to come in" instead of "Bring your dogs out on leashes" or something like that. No one is really sure what he wants, since he hasnt gotten in anywhere yet. That makes me wonder if all the dogs reacted badly when they saw/smelled him? I think I reacted on instinct too! My dogs have never treated anyone like that.The worst they do is bark menacingly. But NEVER teeth bared and hackles up. They're labs! They like everybody! Alex really surprised me. Freebee is more "reserved", likes to know you before she's affectionate. Alex jumps on people and slobbers for Pete's sake. But he was just as tense as she was. I have never seen him bare his teeth like that, and never heard him snarl. It gave me quite a start to say the least. The police are making inquiries into possible "escapees" from the mental institution on the south side of town. He may be harmless, or delusional, but if the dogs react like that I'm not taking any chances. Thank Dog for their instincts! I'm an idiot - I was gonna let him in!! :D

AGREED!!! PEACE ALL AROUND!! It CAN be done!! We just have to covince the military of it...

:D I've given them BIG HUGS from eveyone.! I love them no matter what..they have more than proved their worth!!!

:D I will repeat - I threw in the towel - it was a bad example of sentimentality (my golden lab is sooo good) and two glasses of wine. I realize that another breed is not necessry. It's just that I want everyone to have a dog like Alex. Loving, Loyal, and sheds less than a golden.. (I can say that having had borh) but I am NOT going to try to get a new breed implementated. I think that Alex as a rescue dog is perfect. He's quiet, loyal gentle all-enduring... I cant believe his owner ever gave him up!! And he has those all-endearing eyes that make you just want to pay attention to him - I think thats a learned trait... . :D

OMG! I was siiting on my bed, watching TV, and the doorbell rang. The dogs bark (standard warning bark) when the wind blows, so when the doorbell rang and they started barking it was business as usual. I opened the door (there is a storm door there that is always locked) and a guy says "I am from Kane County Animal Control. I've had a complaint about your dogs and need to come in and see them". I ALMOST opened the door... I have nothing to hide, my dogs are fit and healthy. BUT, both of them, at the same time, started to snarl. Not bark, not growl, SNARL. Hackles up. Teeth showing. Nasty. I immediately became suspicious. They have never reacted this way to anyone. They make a big row about the mailman, but not snarling, not like that. They bark and bitch, but nothing like this. I asked him for a picture ID. He actually said "We are not required to have picture ID's" which I know for a fact is wrong. All government employees are required to have picture ID's. I was getting afraid now - there was nothing between me and him but a storm door - easy enough to yank open. I stalled and said "I am not letting you in without ID - you can come back when you have it." He started to argue and I closed the main door in his face. and bolted it! I checked out a side window and there was NO CAR in the driveway!! I called the police. Turns out this guy has showed up at a number of houses with dogs, fortunately no one has let him in. (we're suspicious in this neck of the woods). I gave them a description that matched all the other descriptions. so they are still on the lookout for him. I let all my doggie neighbors know, so they will be safe. This only reinforces what the Police Chief said - Dogs are the best protection against invaders. They JUST SEEM TO KNOW!!