JackieMaya

It's been in the 30s and 40s (Fahrenheit) for temps here lately (and I'm very warm-blooded), so lots of times I'll just leave the back door open when I'm in the kitchen so Jackie and Maya can come and go at will. Unfortunately, I can't do that in the summer because of all the bugs.

Jackie knows she's not going to get anything from the table, so she usually goes into the living room and hangs out on the sofa until I'm done. Maya, on the other hand, is my shadow, and she follows me wherever I go. And if I'm eating, she sits right next to me for a few minutes, giving me "the look." I tell her "this is for me, not for you," and then she'll usually join Jackie in the living room until I'm done. I'm on a low carb, high protein, low fat weight loss program, so I cook a lot of meals (I eat six meals a day). My girls aren't used to me cooking, so when they hear me getting food out of the fridge (they're usually outside when I'm cooking), they always come to the door and give me "the look" times two!

Just to add a little humor to a heated thread, here are some new canine crossbreeds: NEW CANINE CROSSBREEDS Collie + Lhasa Apso = COLLAPSO (a dog that folds up for easy transport) Spitz + Chow-Chow = SPITZ-CHOW (a dog that throws up a lot) Bloodhound + Borzoi = BLOODY BORE (a dog that's not much fun) Pointer + Setter = POINSETTER (a traditional Christmas pet) Kerry Blue Terrier + Skye Terrier = BLUE SKYE (a dog for visionaries) Great Pyrenees + Dachshund = PYRADACHS (a puzzling breed) Pekingese + Lhasa Apso = PEEKASSO (an abstract dog) Irish Water Spaniel + English Springer Spaniel = IRISH SPRINGER (a dog fresh and clean as a whistle) Labrador Retriever + Curly-Coated Retriever = LAB COAT RETRIEVER (the choice of research scientists) Newfoundland + Basset Hound = NEWFOUND ASSET HOUND (a dog for financial advisors) Terrier + Bulldog = TERRIBULL (a dog that makes awful mistakes) Bloodhound + Labrador = BLABADOR (a dog that barks incessantly) Malamute + Pointer = MOOT POINT (owned by.....oh, well, it doesn't matter any more) Collie + Malamute = COMMUTE (a dog that travels to work) Deerhound + Terrier = DERRIERE (a dog that's true to the end) Bull Terrier + Shitzu = BULLSHITZU (a gregarious but unreliable breed)

Here is a diagram of the anatomy of a dog. The stifle is on the hind legs. [img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0VQCqAjMburrqW2SiRgEEDzesYez1iRA4A6xdUBieipphog4lvxE5HT9s4xwfS0Lm8BH6ZFk!LVBU3WPG!3a!5aeEuY3DU!J2AXIZPuTEoFMoR59ZS!vC5hokQybkm6n5/doganatomy.gif?dc=4675461376622805572[/img]

When I open the door and see those two wigglebutts of mine, no matter what kind of mood I was in, I'm immediately in a good mood. I look SOOO forward to getting home to see my puppygirls! A house isn't a home without a dog (or two) in it!

One of my dogs, Maya, is Golden Retriever/Husky. She's also an escape artist, so I have to keep her on a long cable when she's outside in the back yard or she'll jump the fence. She's also very vocal, which I understand is another common trait of Huskies.

I complete agree with the statement: "CHOCOLATE is the greatest thing ever and I think most people will agree with me on that fact." Chocolate and Diet Coke - it just doesn't get any better! LOL I've never crated a dog, but I do understand the logic and reasoning for it. Both of my dogs have free run of the house (except the lower basement, bathrooms and one bedroom). I think EVERYONE should pop a mouthful of chocolate and we'll all feel better! :tort:

My favorite breed to own is Golden Retriever, and of course I think they're just beautiful. But I think one of the most beautiful dog breeds are Bernese Mountain Dogs. And Flat Coated Retrievers.

I attached Maya's cable to the metal railing on my cement steps. As her cable is attached to a harness instead of a collar, she can't hang herself. I hang her harness on the outside of the back door, and it takes about 10 seconds to put it on and let her out. When I get her harness out, she starts wagging her tail because she knows she gets to go out. I've had absolutely no aggression problems with Maya because of her being on a cable when outside. If you had a cable tie-out, it would be very easy for your mom or dad to just put Coal in the harness and outside to go potty if you're gone at school. Maya is most definitely an indoor dog (or should I say sofa dog), but she's happy as can be outside on her cable. This picture shows the steps that I have Maya's cable attached to: [img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0UwDiAqkYFvOdQwmWD!oqYjuua194sPYOCfOH4!0KWI3MrrGM*PwYTX6uRdUcM3Q7vIqNmNbGwUzSIKLlMiZKfVVTaoo3nFcDHO2fuex4da1Ol3tk9vYPpQVjatvBdQsa/DCP_0005.JPG?dc=4675457820489909501[/img]

Maybe you should try a harness and long cable, like I do with Maya when I have her outside. I have her on a 40-foot cable attached to her harness. She can still use almost the whole yard, and can play and run and wrestle with Jackie (as you can see from the picture), but she can't get to the fence. It works out just great. [img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0UwDbAq8YYfSdQwmWD!oqYjDH5T4*SLIvf9FHqT7ZEL9FUNXZUqmjNrV6rWWfiLhgHaL*wrB!v9nYSuSEE92Ax52kDmHgWxFsTJwAAs*MfzwJTCYhyknvqBJmOvuQVMgh/DCP_0016.JPG?dc=4675455616239217438[/img] [img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0UwDbAqsYOPOdQwmWD!oqYsjUCxEpAt32D4U8qPe02Sg9c7TN7AAMxKdsZQ3*BdqEb9J4igu5qcqWhZ4kA41w*IGbGu1a5RfOatGXNXVQJcqbduhpx1H8Y4nOccfhleIU/DCP_0003.JPG?dc=4675457678573855077[/img]

Maya has a 40-foot cable fastened to her harness when she's outside. I keep an eye on watch them the WHOLE time they're outside, and sometimes Maya will go around this stupid little bush (that I really should either cut down or put a little fence around) and gets her cable caught. Usually, Jackie will come up to the back door (where I sit smoking my cigs while the dogs are outside) and tattle on Maya, before Maya even has a chance to bark to let me know she got caught. And they both know they're not supposed to dig. Usually, if Maya starts digging, Jackie will bound over to her and get her to start playing (I suppose so she doesn't get in trouble).

I'm glad everything turned out okay for your babies! Jackie and Maya are both microchipped, but I also keep collars on both of them when they're outside, just in case. As Maya is a fence jumper, she wears a harness outside attached to a 40-foot cable. I leave her collar (with her tags) on too, just in case her harness happens to come unfastened. I've been meaning to put an ID on her harness too, but keep forgetting to do it. I'm always keeping an eye on the girls the whole time they're outside. But I should probably take their collars off in the house when I'm gone, just in case. I used to attach the cable to Maya's collar, and she used to get it undone all the time. Jackie even undid it for her a few times when they were playing. You must have really heavy-duty collars. Again, I'm glad Jake is okay!

I agree with everyone else that as long as your dog(s) know that YOU'RE the boss, letting them sleep on the bed or furniture won't be a problem. My dogs jump in my bed to wake me up in the morning, and I just love it! They're both allowed on all the furniture, and I have slip covers on all the cloth furniture.

Jackie is a big licker. She jumps in bed and gives me wet sloppy kisses to wake me up, and she'll lick my arms and legs and feet too. I don't mind it at all, but if she tries to lick someone who doesn't like it, all I have to say is "no" and she'll stop. Maya isn't as much of a licker as Jackie is, but she'll lick the arms of the "dog chair" (used to be my recliner) where I was resting my arm, and she'll lick my arms and feet once in a while.

I posted the story under "News Alerts". It's another instance an irresponsible pit owner.

Here is another prime example of irresponsible pit bull owners. It's people like this who perpetuate the bad reputation pit bulls get. And to top it all, they might not even charge the dogs' owner! What a shame. [b]Pit bulls kill woman, injure 2 men in Elbert Roaming dogs slain; rabies tests planned[/b] Article Published: Monday, December 01, 2003 By George Merritt and Jim Kirksey Denver Post Staff Writers ELBERT COUNTY - A pack of roaming pit bulls neighbors say have been aggressive in the past mauled a woman to death Sunday morning and injured two men, the Elbert County Sheriff's Office said. Jennifer Brooke, 40, died Sunday after being airlifted to Swedish Medical Center. Brooke left her home about 7 a.m. to take care of her horses in a barn near her home in a rural community east of Parker. About 10 a.m., her friend Bjorn Osmunsen, 24, became concerned that she hadn't returned from doing her chores. Around the same time, Osmunsen and another person were chased inside by three dogs. They noticed blood on the dogs' fur, Rattlesnake Fire District chief Dale Goetz said. Osmunsen called 911 and reported Brooke missing, then went to look for her. When he arrived at the barn, he was mauled by the dogs, as well, sheriff's officials said. He was later treated and released from Swedish. A little before 11 a.m., Lynn Baker stepped out of his house about 500 yards away. The three dogs attacked him, gnashing his arms. "It was awful," Baker said. "It was terrible." Baker had walked to his pickup and was about to head for the store when he heard growling and suddenly saw the dogs snapping at him. "The next thing I know, I'm being attacked by three pit bulls," he said. "One was leaping for my throat as one was dragging me down by my hand." With the dogs hanging onto him, he tried to make it to the bed of his truck. "I did make it to the back of the truck, or I wouldn't be here now," Baker said. "I kicked the big pit bull and yanked my hand down. It was scary. I thought I was dying." The dogs attempted to jump in the bed of the truck and nearly made it when Baker started yelling, screaming so loudly that neighbors a quarter-mile away heard the shouts. He hollered for his mother to call 911 and for his 16-year-old son, Cody, to grab a gun. Cody shot at the dogs with a 12-gauge shotgun, blinding one, knocking one down and disorienting the third. The distraction was enough for Baker to jump down, grab his truck keys from the driveway and climb into the cab of the pickup. He drove it close enough to the house to scurry inside, he said. "I told my son, 'It's my turn.' So, I grabbed the gun," Baker said. Baker said he shot the largest pit bull twice with birdshot. "I needed something bigger," he said. "When I shot him the first time he just come a running toward me, so I shot him again." Baker then ran back inside the house, and the pit bull waited on the front porch. "It's unreal," he said. "It's like those dogs have no soul. ... They were just looking for people." All of the dogs were eventually killed by Elbert County sheriff's deputies, he said. Baker was taken to Sky Ridge Medical Center in Lone Tree, where he was treated and released. Dawn Woods said she could hear the shouting and gunfire from her house. She said the dogs had caused problems in the neighborhood before. "They got out and attacked a jogger," she said. "Another time, the dogs chased a woman into her home and persistently clawed the glass at her deck door until officers arrived," Woods said. "You just don't expect things like that to happen out here," said Teri Koren, who lives in the area. "People let dogs run wild out here. " There is a $50 fine for pet owners who let their dogs roam, Elbert County Sheriff Bill Frangis said. Goetz, who responded to the call, described Sunday's attack as "gruesome" and said eight men have received counseling over the incident. "I've been doing this 37 years," Goetz said. "I've never had anything like that." Firefighters hosed Baker's home and blood-stained pickup Sunday night, fearing the pit bulls may have had rabies. The dogs' bodies will be examined to determine whether they had the disease. Frangis said it was undecided whether charges would be filed against the dog owners. Underwood did not release the name of the dogs' owner, but neighbors said the dogs come from a fenced yard in the 42000 block of Ricki Drive, less than a mile from Brooke's barn. There are other dogs on the property, Woods said. A large sign on the gate warns "Beware of Dogs." "They came to the wrong house when they came up here," Baker said. Baker grieved for Brooke on Sunday night, calling her a friend. The barn where she was mauled is about 500 yards from his home, and they often helped each other with their horses. "I'm going to be fine compared to what my poor neighbor went through," Baker said. "Compared to what I went through, what she went through must have been horrible."

[b][size=6]Fido gets his own bottled water[/size][/b] Associated Press Published December 2, 2003H2O03 CANBERRA, Australia -- Plain old water may no longer be good enough for pampered dogs, now that they have the choice of the bottled stuff in flavors like chicken and corn, liver and bacon, or beef. Australian Andrew Larkey launched the purified Dog Plus K-9 water Tuesday, which sells for a little more $2 a bottle. ``It's like a sports drink for dogs,'' Larkey said. ``Dogs get bored with plain water - they deserve variety just as much as people.'' Larkey plans a similar line of drinks for cats, in roast chicken and pork flavors early next year. People can safely drink it as well, he said, but it probably won't be a hit with humans. ``I've actually developed a bit of a taste for it myself, but I think most people's first reaction is to be a little suspicious,'' he said.

[b][size=6]Family dog returns home after six years missing[/size][/b] Associated Press Published December 1, 2003BEAR02 WICHITA, Kan. -- Jeanie Flores did a double-take when she glanced out the window of her home last week. A dog outside looked like Bear, the family pet who disappeared in November 1997. ``Oh my God. I think that's my dog!'' she thought to herself. She called the dog's name. When he responded, she started bawling. ``I called my husband and said, 'I really think this is Bear,''' she said. Frank Flores rushed home and within seconds agreed with his wife's assessment: Bear, the brindle-colored Lab and chow mix, was home. The dog's whereabouts for the past six years and his surprise return two days before Thanksgiving remain a mystery. A veterinarian examined Bear. Though his paws are red and sore in spots, apparently from pounding the pavement, he weighed only one pound less than he did when he disappeared. The vet told the family it appeared someone had taken care of the pooch. Frank Flores brought Bear home as a puppy in August 1990. Bear disappeared one month after the family's October 1997 move to a new neighborhood. Because the family had just moved, the address on Bear's ID collar hadn't been changed. Since returning, Bear has spent his time napping and getting reacquainted with the family, including a son who was not yet born when the dog disappeared. Frank Flores said he wishes Bear could talk. ``Where was he? He hasn't told us yet,'' he said. ``We don't know how rough a life he's had.''

I'm getting myself my own Christmas presents! New floors! I ripped up the carpet on two sets of stairs and on the upstairs foyer. The upstairs foyer and stairs has a hardwood floor, so I'm having that sanded and varnished (this Wednesday). On Thursday, I'm getting a new vinyl floor for my kitchen, and new berber carpet on the set of stairs going downstairs. I'm also hoping to get the wallpaper stripped in my kitchen and two bathrooms so that I can paint them before Christmas. I'm having a pre-Christmas Christmas at my house. My sister and brother and their families are coming up from December 20 to 23. Jackie and Maya get to go to "doggie camp" for two days this week while the floors are getting done, and again from the 20th to the 23rd. I think all I'll ask for are some CDs and DVDs (since I just got a DVD player). Jackie and Maya are asking Santa for anything edible. LOL

I have two puppygirls who I adopted from a rescue shelter and one horse. Jackie (the black dog) is a 3 year-old Golden Retriever/German Shepherd/Collie mix (we think). She was rescued from the pound, so it's all a guess. Maya (the yellow dog) is a 2-1/2 year old Golden Retriever/Husky mix who was an owner-surrender. Sophie is a gray 5 year-old Appendix Quarter Horse mare who I will start showing next year. Here's Jackie and Maya: [img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0RwDgAjwUEridQwmWD!oqYuVC*jgu5mIvqvPKWDMZ*Gtkn7u*TFxUGiERxMre4IPqn5r5FqCNgUYbZqiswET*C8k4g5r*akOrJlvDIJ22RVA/DCP_0010.JPG?dc=4675449537620170672[/img] Here's Sophie: [img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0SADPAnEWFkhT0XMnE*GOD07rCoHcZUSb1J5Qrrtf5xupatiOCAqX*7mkhgzFmTJDJe9seeAhlvlYLQJ0sYK1CE!75ode9pfNakpqPnJtRFAwAAAArXJUAg/firstride.jpg?dc=4675384442199218305[/img]

Well, my sweet little Jackie killed her third rabbit the other day. I was in the kitchen and heard a few barks, and then quiet. Jackie is such a natural hunter, and an incredible athlete it's just amazing. She had eaten about a third of the rabbit by the time I got out there to throw it in the garbage. Maya is too noisy to ever catch anything. And of course Jackie was keeping the rabbit just out of Maya's reach. Then of course, after eating fresh meat, she didn't want to eat her dry dog food for a few days. Goofy girl! Here's a picture of Jackie licking her chops: [img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0RQANAzoUyrmgMta0IkIX0yRbTUD!Zc2IHQIqQpoZnl8kubfSeGGDE2peWDO7SzAMViIU3edyEs*ZKJyQTqO0bkdE0uSsgUwzfcRWbTitNrE/yummy%252D2.jpg?dc=4675424811245828419[/img]

This is so cool! I didn't realize that Annis.mom lives to close to where Baby is being fostered! And I live about 5 minutes from Annis.mom. So I'll be able to meet Baby too! I'm so glad that I showed Annis.mom the links on Dogo about Baby! It looks like a match made in heaven! I love to see happy endings! Let's all cross our fingers that everything works out for Baby and Annis.mom!

To Marebear, Annis.mom is my co-worker, and she lives in Minneapolis. She's out sick tonight so I'm answering on her behalf. She has a beautiful and sweet Rottie girl who wants to have a sister. I can vouch for Annis.mom and her devotion to dogs (especially Rotties). Any dog who would end up with her would be very lucky indeed.

When Jackie dreams, EVERYTHING moves, her feet, her legs, her eyes twitch, and she kind of yelps. But I think she's just playing with Maya in her sleep, or chasing squirrels. Maya gets her legs going too, and when she talks in her sleep it's more of a growl. I don't wake my dogs up when they're dreaming. Hey, this way they're getting exercise even when they're sleeping! Goofy puppies!

[color=darkred]This story was in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. [/color] Man dies after falling through ice near Frazee Published November 20, 2003 FRAZEE, MINN. -- A 19-year-old man died after falling through the ice Tuesday trying to rescue his dog, said Becker County Sheriff Tim Gordon. The man was under the ice of Wettels Lake near Frazee in western Minnesota for nearly an hour before he was recovered by divers. The man was taken to MeritCare hospital in Fargo, N.D., where he died. His name has not been released. Associated Press