JackieMaya

Cool! A one-legged spinning dog! :rofl: Great pictures! After Jackie gets wet, she doesn't spin, she zooms! She runs as fast as she can, smiling like crazy! :Dog_run:

Once in a great while Jackie will get the hiccups, and I just give her some good pats on the back and they go away (like burping a baby).

Holy Moly Rowie! Way to go! I have a LONG way to go to catch up with you! :laola: :megagrin: :smilecolros: :beerchug: :shocked!: :B-fly: :o :eek2: :eek3: :laola: :laola:

I know that Ben is WAY smaller than my fence jumper, Maya. But... I was considering heightening the chain link fence, but instead I attach her to a very long cable (I think it might be 40 feet?) when she's outside with Jackie. She can still use almost the whole yard (which is pretty big), and she and Jackie can still play and wrestle and run. She's a happy camper out there, smiling and wagging her tail all the time. And at night I put a citronella bark collar on her too.

He was just beautiful, and what a wonderful tribute you wrote to him. Thanks for sharing. I'm very sorry for your loss.

I copied this from a thead in the Breeding message board, and I think that it's appropriate to post in this thread too. [color=blue]For all those backyard breeders and puppy millers out there THE BACK YARD BREEDERS & PUPPY MILLERS BIG OLD BOOK OF EXCUSES 1. When called on bad breeding practices, ALWAYS claim that you are merely an innocent posting as a favor to a friend or family member. 2. Point out that everybody you know breeds this way, therefore it must be okay. 3. Claim that "snobby show breeders" are only criticizing you because they want to corner the market on puppy profit. 4. Claim that a Champion in the pedigree is just as good as 56 Champions in the pedigree. Not that it matters, because you doubt that there is such a thing as a dog with 56 champions in the pedigree. 5. Claim that you are just trying to produce good pets, therefore good pets are all you need for breeding. 6. When asked about health testing, enthusiastically point out that your bitch had a health checkup before breeding. 7. Be sure to mention that you do not need to run such health tests as OFA, CERF, thyroid, cardiac, patellae, etc., because your dogs look healthy and had no visible problems at their last vet checkup. 8. Point out that these tests cost too much and would cut into your profit margin. Be sure to champion the right of poor people to breed dogs. 9. Confidently assure worried rescuers that no puppy you produce, or any of their puppies or grand puppies or great-grandpuppies will end up in shelters because you have a bunch of friends who have told you that they'd like a pup from your bitch. 10. Point out that you don't need Championships or working titles on your dogs because you are breeding for temperament and your dog is really sweet. 11. Silence those annoying people who ask about your health guarantee by assuring them that buyers can return any sick puppies and you will replace it with another pup as long as it got sick within a certain amount of time of sale and as long as you don't think the buyer did something to make the puppy sick. 12. If your breed or line is rare (or you have a "rare" color, or believe your breed or color is rare), be sure to remind everyone that you do not need to show, temperament test, or health test your breeding stock because you are doing the world a service by continuing this "rare" breed/color/line. 13. No matter what anyone else says, claim that you obviously know what you are doing because you've been breeding for a long time. Point to the hundreds of puppies you've pumped out over the years as proof. 14. If this is your first attempt at breeding, make sure to remind everyone that you HAVE to breed your dog because how else are you going to learn how to breed? 15. Assure everyone that your dog does not need to be shown because you were assured by someone at Petsmart/the park/the vet's office/a friend that your dog is a perfect example of the breed. 16. Always remember that "rare" colors, oversized or undersized dogs, and mixes of popular breeds are great selling points. Anyone who doesn't think so is obviously not in tune with their customers' wishes. 17. Claim that your dogs are better because they are not inbred, as inbreeding obviously produces sick/stupid/deformed dogs. If breeding poo [as in "Cock-a-Poo," "Peek-a-Poo," etc.] dogs or other mutts, always point to "hybrid vigor" as proof of your dogs' superiority. 18. Remind everyone that you do not need a waiting list because your puppies are cute. 19. Assure everyone that your puppies will not end up in shelters because they are cute. 20. Claim that YOUR breed never ends up in shelters in your area, therefore your puppies will never end up in shelters. 21. If asked why you think your dogs are breeding quality, point out that they "have papers." Extra points awarded for using the phrase "AKC Certified." Double points if those papers come from the Continental Kennel Club. 22. If you sell a sick puppy, always blame the owners for making it sick. If the owners are clearly not responsible, blame their vet. (see #11) 23. If presented with irrefutable evidence proving you wrong on any excuses you have used, pretend your server did not receive the post/e-mail. 24. Claim that none of the rules of ethical breeding apply to you because you only intend to have one litter and therefore aren't a "real" breeder. 25. If all else fails, tell everyone who criticizes you to "get a life." Written by Denna Pace . It was compiled by reading the horrible BYB ads on rec.pets.dogs.breed. Please credit when quoting.[/color]

I have never bred dogs, nor have I ever wanted to, but as I've been around dogs all my life, I do know the difference between a reputable breeder and a backyard (i.e. irresponsible) breeder. JMoutan has definitely gotten a good education here from all the knowledgeable dog owners on this site, and hopefully he/she will take all the well-meaning advice to heart and not ever breed again. I think this site is great, and I know I've learned a lot here too! :thumbs:

Sorry, "Guest" was me. I forgot to log in. :oops: :silly: Anyway, glad Roxy's feeling better! :megagrin:

Thanks for reminding everyone of this danger! The past few years have shown lots of little kids who died because they were left in the car, and it's the same for dogs and cats. It gets VERY hot in a car in the summer (I live in Minnesota where the temps can get to 100+ with extremely high humidity) and an animal or a child can die in a rather short period of time.

My sister uses the Preventik collars on her dogs and said that it works very well. She has 3 Irish Setters and 1 Great Pyranese who are all outside dogs (in Texas).

You should see what Maya looks like after she and Jackie have been rolling around and wrestling and playing in the dirt/mud after it rains! Luckily the dirt areas of the yard are growing grass now. At least Jackie is mostly black, so even if she gets as dirty as Maya, it doesn't look like it. I get a kick out of seeing dirty doggie pictures. We can ALL relate!

:laola: :BIG: :new-bday: :laola: :laola: Happy Birthday Rowie! Hope it's a good one!

I like the hairy natural look myself!

Awww, that's so cute! Puppies can put a smile on anyone's face!

Today I was in the back yard with Jackie and Maya (Maya was on her long cable), and I was just going over to talk to my neighbor over the fence, and the girls started playing and running. :Dog_run: Well... they ran around a big bush which happened to catch and unfasten Maya's collar. So she did one quick lap around the back yard before she leapt over the fence. So I hopped in my SUV and drove to the next block, and she happily jumped in the back seat. I might have to raise the fence in the back even though Maya's on a cable! And I'm going to put TWO collars on her in the back yard so that if she happens to undo the one the cable is attached to, she'll still be wearing one with ID on it! She was loose with no collar on after hers came unfastened! :eek2: She's my little angel! :lilangel: I love her anyway. :P

I don't have any personal knowledge of mastiffs, but I have heard that they make wonderful family dogs and are great with children. I too applaud you for wanting to get a rescue dog. :bigok: I adopted both of my dogs from a rescue shelter where they were fostered in homes as opposed to in a shelter kennel. Getting a dog who has been in a foster home gives you a pretty good idea of how they are in a home setting, with other animals, etc. Everything they told me about both of my dogs was right on. If I ever get to the point where I want to get another dog, it'll be another rescue! Keep us informed of how things are going in your dog search!

I agree. I love to hear success stories with rescue dogs. The Minneapolis Star Tribune tends to run lots of animal stories. They must have animal lovers on their staff!

[b]Hennepin County drug detection dog is best in the country[/b] David Chanen, Star Tribune Published May 14, 2003 NARC14 It was almost unprofessional the way deputy Dana Nelson's partner stared into his eyes. The affection was returned with a rub on the belly. This is not the typical working relationship at the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office -- unless your fellow deputy has big, floppy ears and sniffs out drugs like nobody's business. Boston, a 7-year-old American water spaniel who was ready to be put to death at the pound as a pup, was crowned top dog at the U.S. Police Canine Association's annual national detector dog trials last week in Lakeville. The expertise of Boston and a yellow lab named Ally, who also won awards at the competition, was no great surprise to sheriff's officials. Last year they scouted out 1,645 pounds of marijuana, 41 pounds of cocaine, 20 pounds of methamphetamine and $182,000 in cash. All this work for the price of food, a few vet bills, tennis balls and chew toys. What ultimately creates success is the dedication of the dog's handlers. Nelson, 40, and Rick Palaia, 32, went through a two-week training session after Boston and Ally trained nearly three months with Jan Ballard, a former police officer in Minnetonka and Eden Prairie. Ballard scouts humane societies for dogs with the right stuff to work in law enforcement. "They have to be absolutely crazy when I show them a toy," she said. "I then take the dogs outside, hide the toy and see how persistent they are to find it." Nelson got Boston, who holds badge number 9008, about five years ago. He wanted a dog as a pet, but said he didn't feel right leaving one home alone while he worked long hours as a deputy. Boston and Ally come to work everyday, which is why everybody in the office seems to have doggie treats on their desk. Ally has been sniffing out drugs for nearly three years. Palaia said he learned how to move around a room with the dog, reading breathing patterns and the sounds Ally makes during the search. During her first year, she found more than $1 million worth of drugs. "You are impressed with the big finds, but Ally has found a single marijuana seed under a bed," Palaia said. It's hard to picture such mellow dogs combing cars and houses, but their energy level kicks into hyper mode when commanded to search for drugs. When a stash is found, the dogs simply sit down facing the spot. As fearless as Ally might be, Palaia said they had to work through her fear of pillows. She had been beaten by her previous owner and is a little skittish around people. Rarely a week goes by that the dogs aren't working on a case, which includes helping other agencies. On two occasions, Ally found more than 17 pounds of methamphetamine stored in car bumpers. Not to be outdone, Boston found 7 kilos of cocaine, which when sold in smaller units could have a street value of $1.4 million, Nelson said. Boston also was checking luggage at an Amtrak station once and locked on to a suitcase belonging to a man they were looking for, he said. The suitcase had $345,000 in cash, but Boston was drawn to it because the money had the scent of marijuana, Nelson said. The dogs aren't trained to pick up the smell of money. At last week's trials in Lakeville, 71 dogs competed by searching five cars and three rooms full of junk. Boston placed first overall, and Ally won second place for the inside search. Together, they placed second for the best department team. When the dogs retire, Nelson and Palaia will keep them; they joke that they should get retirement benefits for their partners. They probably wouldn't take on another dog because "it would almost be like cheating on them." "The hardest part would be not having the dog at work," Nelson said. Their bond with the animals doesn't stop when work ends. Ally once had an allergic reaction to a toy, and her face swelled. "I had my red lights on the whole way to the vet," Palaia said. [img]http://www.startribune.com/stonline/images/news72/1narc14.l.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.startribune.com/stonline/images/news74/2nar14.e.jpg[/img] David Chanen is at [email][email protected][/email].

[i][b]DOG[/b][/i] [b]Day number 180[/b] 8:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE! 9:00 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE! 10:00 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE! 11:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE! 12:00 noon - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE! 1:00 pm - OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE! 5:00 PM - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE! [b]Day number 181[/b] 8:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE! 9:00 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE! 10:00 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE! 11:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE! 12:00 noon - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE! 1:00 pm - OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE! 5:00 PM - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE! [i][b]CAT[/b][/i] [b]DAY 752[/b] - My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from ruining the occasional piece of furniture. Tomorrow I may eat another houseplant. [b]DAY 761[/b] - Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded, must try this at the top of the stairs. In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair...must try this on their bed. [b]DAY 765[/b] - Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body, in attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little cat I was...Hmmm. Not working according to plan. [b]DAY 768[/b] - I am finally aware of how sadistic they are. For no good reason I was chosen for the water torture. This time however it included a burning foamy chemical called "shampoo." What sick minds could invent such a liquid. My only consolation is the piece of thumb still stuck between my teeth. [b]DAY 771[/b] - There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise and smell the foul odor of the glass tubes they call "beer". More importantly I overheard that my confinement was due to MY power of "allergies." Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage. [b]DAY 774[/b] - I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches. The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is obviously a half-wit. The bird on the other hand has got to be an informant, and speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in the metal room his safety is assured. But I can wait, it is only a matter of time...

Poor Boomer! I bet that REALLY hurt! Hopefully he learned his lesson! Give him a hug for me too! (mean old porcupine! )

I had previously posted about Maya's incessant night time barking at the nocturnal critters, and the citronella spray collar has taken care of that. It works great! And now Maya learned how to get over the fence. At the back of our property, the ground is lower so the fence is lower. She got out twice in one day (I saw both times). The first time she just went across the block and into someone's garage so I was able to catch her. The second time it took me about 45 minutes to find her! I was VERY nervous. I put Jackie in my SUV and drove around the blocks and finally found Maya two blocks from where she jumped out. She happily jumped right in the back seat. So... now when Maya goes in the back yard, she gets hooked up to a real long cable so that she can't jump out. She can still use most of the big yard, and she and Jackie can still play and run. And at night, Maya gets her citronella collar too. So I have my "special needs child" under control now, and she's happy as can be out on her cable when they're outside. Jackie is so smart, that if she doesn't want to play, she lies down just out of reach of Maya. LOL.

The citronella spray collar is working GREAT! I can't believe it! And now Maya wears citronella "perfume" at night. Now I need to figure out how to get her to come when it's time for me to go and she's not done playing outside yet. I spent 20 minutes trying to catch her today before I left for work! She definitely has a mind of her own, but I love her!

:multi: [b][i]CONGRATULATIONS!!!![/i][/b] I can't wait to see LOTS of pictures of your new baby! Have fun! She's gorgeous![/i][/b]

My Golden-mix girls don't have any interest in birds, but squirrels just drive them crazy! I have huge trees in my backyard, and so do the neighbors, so the squirrels go from tree to tree and drive my girls nuts! The neighbors behind me said that they have fun watching my girls chase the squirrels. And Jackie likes to chase June bugs. The June bugs aren't out yet, so it'll be interesting to see what Maya thinks of them!

Here is an update on the previously unknown man who saved the dog from drowning: Found: Man who braved chilly Lake Harriet to save dog Peg Meier, Star Tribune Published May 7, 2003 DOG07 The man who rescued the confused dog from the cold waters of Lake Harriet Saturday morning has been identified. Please don't call him a hero, he said. What's more accurate? "Nice guy," he suggested. He is Mike Back, 28, of Otsego, Minn., a lifeguard and lifeguard trainer, a substitute physical education teacher in the Buffalo, Elk River and Monticello school districts, a three-time marathon runner and, most important, he said, a dog lover. Back and his wife, Mandy, were training for next month's Grandma's Marathon when he spotted a dog -- he thinks it was a springer spaniel -- swimming in circles. The owner had let it off its leash to swim. It paddled away to chase ducks, became confused and wouldn't come back to shore, despite its owner's pleading. Back asked by-standers whether the dog needed help. The owner said yes. "My conscience as a dog owner kicked in," Back recalled, whose dog is Ozzy, a black Lab. He kicked off his running shoes and one of two pairs of shorts he was wearing, and he headed in to what he called "very cold" water -- about 52 degrees. With sweet talk and a hand on the dog's harness, Back guided the animal back to shore. He didn't get the name of dog or its owner. He wasn't offered a reward, nor does he want one. He doesn't want to be honored. But a modest story on the Star Tribune Web site Monday and Tuesday attracted substantial readership and praise for Back. Mary Legeros of Minneapolis, for example, sent this e-mail: "I own two dogs, live by Lake Harriet and run and walk them there almost every day. If you find this kind person, just tell him thanks from another dog lover. He is my hero. I have rescued dogs from hot cars and lost dogs, but I have not jumped in the lake, yet. I hope I would do the same." Hey, Mike: Thanks.