JackieMaya

I'm so glad that this is the scariest thing that ever turns up around my yard! [img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0WgCpAv8a4rAqmrjSf*0IdvRa5SA9*kr9uCFsfkApsKsZHgXNb1yY4xqGdeEB4W8A3VzOijRf8Myr9XeA*iIWBBDbczvHIjzso4HMOSxlN8R36I6teX21qIcqOun!SOcKffRly7azQ*8/0204Canon%20026.jpg?dc=4675508780566600718[/img]

[quote name='DeafAussieLover']woohoo! that is great! hey can i sign up for that christmas card?? :D[/quote] Every year I always say I want to get a picture of me with my kids, but then I'm always too fat, and I don't want to send out a fat picture of me for Christmas! UGH! So THIS year, since I'll be slim and trim, I'm going to get a picture of me with the puppers AND Jerry all together!

Jackie and Maya got a little pudgy over the winter, so they've been on a diet along with me. When I took Jackie to the vet a week or so ago for her anal glands, she had lost 5 pounds in about two months. I haven't had Maya weighed, but I can tell that they've been losing weight at about the same rate. Now I can actually feel ribs when I press on their sides! Before, even if I pressed on their sides it was hard to feel any ribs. :oops: But I cut down on their food and treats (they were getting too much of both) and increased their exercise. They're both pretty close to their perfect weight now. Five more pounds at the most for each of them would be just right. My kids and I are all gonna look HOT for our Christmas pictures this year!

I always giggle when I see your siggy with pictures of Ben & Jerry. When I was at my highest weight (70 pounds ago), I was swimming in the lake with my sister and nephew. I was so frickin' bouyant because of all the fat and my enormous boobies. I said that they were my boys, Ben & Jerry, because that's how they got so big (Ben & Jerry makes some great chocolate ice creams). My nephew got laughing so hard I thought he was going to drown himself (he was about 13 or 14 at the time). So now any time any of us hear "Ben & Jerry" we think of my boobs. LOL

I know exactly what she's going through. I took care of my dad at home with the help of hospice while he was dying of cancer. It's emotionally and physically draining. That's too bad that you have to wait longer though. I sure you hope you get your big boy!

Okay, it's Monday now! Does Chewie have a new last name now?

My kids dream a lot. Jackie goes "whoop, whoop, whoop" when she dreams, and all of her legs are going, and sometimes her mouth and eyes are twitching too. I've heard Pooh Bear whoop a few times in his dreams too. Maya snores in her sleep. All three of them have their legs going like crazy when they dream

My very good friend had to put her 18 year-old Lhasa/Shitzu mix boy named Gizmo down last month, and I think I found her a new pupper! His name is Ricky, and he's from the same shelter I adopted Jackie, Maya and Pooh Bear from. He's a 5 year-old rough coat Jack Russell, and he sounds like the perfect dog for her! She's going to call on him tomorrow. Isn't he just adorable? [img]http://www.petfinder.com/fotos/MN09/MN09.4629250-1-pn.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.petfinder.com/fotos/MN09/MN09.4629250-3-pn.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.petfinder.com/fotos/MN09/MN09.4629250-2-pn.jpg[/img] and this is what they say about Ricky: [quote]Notes: Ricky is a 5 yr old neutered male Jack Russell terrier. He is tan & white rough coated, and weighs 20#. He was originally surrendered to a shelter, but because of medical issues, was not going to be put up for adoption. Thankfully, they called Second Chance to see if Ricky could come into our program. The little dog has luxating patellas ( loose knee joints) in both back legs. This condition is not uncommon in small dogs. Ricky has had this condition for so long, that he has learned what he can, and can’t do, and has limited his activities accordingly. This condition is not a problem for him , but if either leg would become a problem in the future, the adopter should contact Second Chance. We will have the dog evaluated AT OUR VET at no cost to you, and if surgery is indicated, we will cover that cost ONLY IF IT IS DONE AT OUR VET. Ricky is fine with some dogs, but not all. He was adopted out, but returned after 4 months because he and the resident dog weren't getting along. Yet in his first foster home, he got along well with the 3 residnet dogs. If you want to try to pair him with another dog, it must be submissive and mature – even if you bring your small dog along to meet Ricky, and things go well, things could change when the dogs actually live together. Ricky might be best as an only dog. No experience with cats. He will not be adopted out to a family with young children, that could engage Ricky in play that is too strenuous for his legs – will need a mature child 10-12 yr and up. He should be kept to a moderate activity level. Ricky just wants to be loved – and he enjoys cuddling . Sleeping in bed with his person is something he’d like to be able to do. Housebroken – good for 8-9 hrs – runs to the door when he needs to go out. Kennel trained, but is so well behaved that he has free run of the house when left alone. Knows “NO”. Usually – but not always – comes when called. Ricky has a lot of energy when outside– a fenced yard would be ideal. Inside, he is mellow and very well behaved. Doesn’t chew. Quiet - seldom barks. Good on leash, and loves to ride in the car. Smart , loving little dog. Not interested in toys – just his people. His foster mom calls him a “perfect little gentleman”. He adapts well to new situations. Would make a great companion for someone that has the time to really enjoy him. Ricky is current on his distemper and rabies vaccinations, and his heartworm test is negative. [/quote]

Okay, I did a search on snake avoidance training and found this. This sounds like what I saw on Animal Planet. [url]http://www.patrickcallaghan.com/[/url] Patrick Callaghan's Rattlesnake Avoidance Training is a safe, humane, and proven method to teach your dog/cat/horse/llama to avoid the danger of being bitten by a rattlesnake. Rattlesnakes can be found almost anywhere. Incidents of human and animal rattlesnake bites are quite common--medical treatment can be extremely expensive. The last thing you want is to be surprised by a rattlesnake while you are hiking, riding, camping, having a picnic, or participating in other activities with your pet(s). If not taught to avoid rattlesnakes, dogs, cats, horses, and llamas take the chance of being bitten several times during a season. Due to the usual delay of symptoms and the variable effects of snake venom on individual animals, a dog/cat/horse/llama does not associate the resulting pain and discomfort with the rattlesnake bite, which thereby results in a minimal, if any, learning experience for the animal. Patrick Callaghan's Rattlesnake Avoidance Training has been proven to produce a safe, positive learning curve in dogs/cats/horses/llamas by teaching them to respond with aversion to the sound, smell and visual stimulus of a rattlesnake to avoid being bitten by one. The Rattlesnake Avoidance Training Clinic is conducted by Patrick Callaghan, a well-known professional dog trainer since the 1970's. Mr. Callaghan is the owner/director of Gameland Kennels Dog Training Center in Norco, California, specializing in behavior, obedience and hunting dog training for all ages and breeds of dogs. During the Rattlesnake Avoidance Training session, Mr. Callaghan uses a remote collar with a low-level stimulus adjusted to each dog/cat/horse/llama's individual personality, temperament, animation and breed. Training is conducted in a safe and humane controlled environment, ensuring the safety of your dog, cat, horse or llama as well as the safety of the muzzled rattlesnakes. Please be assured that every precaution is taken to make your experience with Rattlesnake Avoidance Training a positive one for you and your pet(s). Mr. Callaghan recommends reviewing the lesson yearly to strengthen your dog/cat/horse/llama's Rattlesnake Awareness.

[quote name='DivineOblivion19'][color=indigo][/color] [quote name='courtnek']I would be afraid of snakes, definitely.[/quote] [color=indigo]SAME HERE!!!! I've never lived in a place with snakes and that scares the crap out of me! If my dog died because of a snake bite I would be devestated. Think about it, deaf dog can hear the rattle of a rattlesnake. Way too scary for me... [b]One of our clients is moving to Arizona and he said that they have snake training classes out there! [/b] I'm not sure how it works at all but they train your dogs to leave snakes alone! Now I want to know how they do it.... Anybody know?[/color][/quote] I saw something about that very thing on Animal Planet once, but I can't remember how they did it. I have a good memory, but it's real short.

I agree with everyone else that if you have a fenced yard and are not in an area where wild animals (coyotes, venemous snakes, etc.) could get in, there's nothing wrong with letting dogs be outside. I let my kids stay outside as long as they want to. As soon as they want to come in, I let them in. And if they start barking too much and won't stop, I bring them in. Since my dogs are so hairy, in the summer they like to come inside where there's air conditioning. They actually like being outside better during the winter in the snow. When my dogs are out in my fenced yard, I'm either out there with them, or in the house with the windows open so I can hear if they start barking.

Good idea Court! Actually those disposable cameras take real good pictures!

[color=red][i][b][size=7] Happy 2nd Birthday, Eli! [/size][/b][/i][/color] I hope your mom did a bunch of fun stuff with you and gave you yummy treats!

This afternoon my best friend came over and we took all three of kids to the lake. Once we got there, I just let Jackie go. I took Maya in with her harness and 50-foot check cord, and my friend stood on shore and on the other end of Pooh Bear's 30-foot check cord while he was in the lake. My friend didn't want to go in the lake because it's definitely not the cleanest. But then she decided to bite the bullet and got in the lake, and we switched dogs. I took Pooh Bear and she took Maya. All the kids were great and they all had a FABULOUS time! Jackie and Maya were swimming and leaping like crazy. Pooh Bear did a little swimming, but he still gets a little nervous when he can't touch bottom, so he mostly walked around in the water. He stayed right next to me. And the kids were in and out of the pool for a long time this morning. Needless to say, they're all out dead to the world now! Next time I'll see if I can figure out how to bring a camera out there to take pictures and not drop it in the water!

That's a GREAT picture of your mean, ferocious Rottie! Zoey just cracks me up! It sounds like you're on your way with the kids. Good luck!

Yep, Pooh Bear likes to help me wash my hair. Sometimes I'll just do a quick hair wash by putting my head under the bathtub faucet. Pooh Bear stands right by me and watches the water. And he lickes my arm pits (that tickles!) and he licks my arms when I get them wet. Jackie loves to lick my hands after I wash them. She must really like the soap taste. And of course they all like to lick my stinky feet!

[quote name='izzy']ehmm.... what's a greenie? :oops:[/quote] Everything you ever wanted to know about Greenies but were afraid to ask: [url]http://www.petsafe-warehouse.com/greenies/greenies_dog_treats.htm[/url]

The dogsitter came over today, and I really liked her. And so did the kids. She said she was a little concerned before coming over about how it would go feeding three dogs without them trying to eat each others' food. But she was amazed at how well-behaved my kids are at feeding time and going-outside time. She said that she charges $17 plus tax per visit for two dogs and adds $5 for a third dog. The other dog sitter I mentioned charges $15 per visit, but I don't know what her multiple dog rate is. I'm going to check her out too after my trip. It would be nice to have two professional dog sitters on hand anyway. So I feel real good about her taking care of my kids!

Wow! I just checked out the prices on the other dog sitter than I was interested in. She charges $15 per 30 minute visit. So that would be $45 per day for 3 visits! I'm not sure if she charges that price per dog or not. I'll have to check that out. If that's for three dogs, it would be good, but if she charges $45 per dog per day, Yikes!

I calculated wrong. Actually she's about the same as the kennel. The kennel I use has a wonderful reputation as far as its care, etc., but it also has a reputation of being a little high. She charges $24 plus tax a day for one dog. At least they'll be at home and they'll be happy. But I agree, it's definitely not cheap. But up here I guess you get what you pay for! I know several people who have gone to less expensive kennels and they were REAL sorry. And the kennel that I used didn't have a multiple dog discount. There's another kennel on the other side of town from where I live that has an in-ground doggie pool and it's kind of like a doggie resort, and they're even more. And there they turn dogs out in groups, and I'm not sure I like that. The kennel I took them to just let my dogs out together without other dogs. There's also another dog sitter I want to get more information from. I was going to use her, but she's unavailable for the dates that I need her.

I got in the habit of giving my kids a treat before they go outside. That way they're not going to run out the door because they know they'll get a treat if they sit and stay. I think it would help with raising you up in the pack if you taught them to go out one at a time. Maybe you could switch their order so the same one isn't always going out first. I almost always keep the same order, but sometimes I'll let Pooh Bear go out first. Jackie always wants to be the last one in with me.

DAL, when you let them outside, do you just open the door and let them all go out at once? This is what I do with my kids. I get out Maya's citronella collar and she sits so I can put it on (because she knows she's supposed to sit). Pooh Bear sits right next to her because he saw her doing it-LOL. Then I put her harness on. Then I let each dog out one at a time, closing the door between dogs. They each have to sit quietly, and then I give them a treat (which they have to take gently) and they WALK out the door. Maya goes out first. Then Pooh Bear moves up and sits. And after he goes out, then Jackie moves up and sits and then she goes out. And they all have to sit and wait before I put their food in their bowls. And after they're done they have to come up to me and sit while we wait for slowpoke Jackie to finish. It might take a little time for them to catch on (and for you to get used to doing it) to NILIF, but it definitely works! Good luck!

DAL, how are the kids getting along today?

But now I have to clean the house tonight when I get home from work so she doesn't know what a slob I am! UGH!

I was going to wait to go meet Pooh Bear when started thinking of adopting him, and I went THAT day because I just couldn't wait! LOL I hope you bring that little Newfie home with you!