Cairn6

One mistake I made last week was assuming that the little bumps on Shadow's body were flea bites. I have in the past tried to avoid putting too many chemicals on the dogs so he along with the others have been on brewers yeast and garlic. So I thought perhaps it wasn't working for Shadow so I put advantage on him and treated the bumps with anti-itch cream but they disappeared and turned into red blotches and then scaley. So I took him to the vet and it was a skin infection. I felt like an idiot but they looked just like the bumps my lab used to get who was allergic to fleas. The vet said he could have gotten it but just a tiny little cut so now I am kicking myself for not noticing. But with that long hair it's hard. I don't know now I am obsessed with checking over his body. He's so irritated at me.

Shadow had a skin infection last week and had to wear one so he didn't lick off the topical spray I put on it for itching. He managed to break it. It's very flexible and I can't imagine how he broke a chuck off. He didn't bite it because it came off cleanly. In all my years of using e-collars on dogs I have never had one actually break it. I wanted to get him one of those collars pictured but by the time it got to me through the mail he wouldn't need it anymore. I'll have to buy one later and keep it around just in case.

I just wanted to add that I do understand what it feels like to not have what you would call a deep bond with your dog. But 4 months is a little soon to make that decision. How about 4 years? We adopted Mandy(pictured in signature) 4 years ago when she was 3 years old. She was scared at first but would wag her tail when you talked to her. I thought she would be a calm dog because my grandmother was living with us and she needed a companion. This dog was so calm there is not much more to her personality. I don't what they did to her that seemed to zap any terrier spirit that was in her. But she could win awards for being a dead head. She will come sit by on occasion to let you scratch her belly and she will wag her tail happily when you first get home. But other then that not much personality. But I love her anyway she is who she is whether she was born that way or someone made her that way she is who she is and I made a commitment to take care of her until the day she dies. Even if I die of bordom in the meantime :lol: she's my girl. I think sometimes we get all these ideas of what the perfect dog is and forget they are individuals just like any person. I don't think you will feel that way 4 years down the line though this is a puppy and a puppy full of spirit and I know from my cairn who gave me more trouble then any other dog that sometimes it just makes the bond grow stronger when you finally find a common ground and an understanding. I recently had to euthanize my boy and I can't write any more then that right now. I wrote it all out on petfinder once and I can't do it again right now. But I say that just to say that as much as I loved my Toto I know that no other dog can ever be him just as he could never be other dogs that I loved. They are individuals and we love them just as you do when you have children with different personalities.

Poor baby all I can think about is her final moments and how scared she must have been.

Thats true but they do that now. At the very least it would weed out some who aren't willing to go through the licensing.

How about the only vacations you have planned in 5 years are vacations you can take your dog because you'll miss them too much.

[quote name='Mei-Mei'][quote]ok so if you rehome the dog whos to say it wont bite the new owner? or get lose and bite someone?? [/quote] You're assuming the person I re-homed Devi with would not know about her aggressive nature. If I had to go that route, I would re-home her with a behaviorist or someone who was an expert in aggressive dogs that felt he/she could work with Devi. I wouldn't just give her to some other family and not let them know about her problems. Yeesh. :-?[/quote] How do you protect yourself though? What if the new person decides to sue you because they got bit. They could claim you either didn't tell them all the problems or downplayed them. I don't know I am asking because I have never done this so I don't know what the legalities in this situation are. I just know on those animal shows they are always saying they won't rehome because of fear of law suits.

[quote name='AllAmericanPUP'][quote]Also whoever said "How hard is it to keep the baby and the dog apart?" apparently has never had a toddler or a live dog. Not helpful at all just Trolls keep out.[/quote] Your right.i dont have a 4 yr old nephew and a lab who hates kids... i keep her seperated from him and it's not very hard at all. yea i'm a troll....troll that has been here over a year..posts pics all the time and has quite a few friends here[/quote] Does the child live with you?

The website says they won't be doing any breeding until 2006 so you better get yourself on the waiting list if they aren't already filled up.

Wish I had stayed away from Banfield. I had all 3 done there then shortly after found out about the trouble. They gave us a letter describing the type of chip and what to tell the shelters if one of them get lost. I would like to ring their necks instead. :x

When I listen to all these people talking about how long they have had to go without seeing their dog it really makes me sound kind of pathetic. I have had Toto my cairn for 5 years now and only had to be without him one night and missed him so much. I even take him on vacations. :oops: The other two stay with my mom but he is my buddy and the only one that behaves.

I just watched the little video of Mr. Winkle and he is adorable. You mean old Mr. Winkle haters. [img]http://www.the-jungle.net/emotes/neener.gif[/img] As far as the dog your fostering HF I hope you take pictures I have got to see this little tongue sticking out.

I don't think it matters most dogs don't really listen to the very young kids much anyway. It's what you call him that will matter.

[img]http://www.emotipad.com/emoticons/Funny%20Above.gif[/img]That's my favorite part also StarFox

I got a little carried away this winter and Toto those pajamas on JB pets. :oops: Here's the picture. [img]http://pic.funtigo.com/img/i14695990_6803.jpg[/img]

I could never be a landlord. I have never had to rent thankfully so no one has ever told me I can't have dogs. I would just be miserable if I couldn't have dogs. I know some people will never be able to buy their own home so it's kind of sad that so many people even animal lovers say no. I know there are financial issues here and it's a business but that's why I said I could never do it.

I agree it does sound like your trying to get attention. You were so happy to get sympathy from previous posters which proves it's about you and not your poor dog. I'm sure you feel bad but making excuses doesn't help you learn. Fifteen is plenty old enough to know how to properly walk a dog. I have a 10 year old niece that is so responsible with the dogs I would trust her over a lot of adults I know. This child checks and rechecks harnesses and leashes even when I tell her it's secure. She would never dream of doing what you did. Please think about what you do before you do it. Yes teens make mistakes but they aren't supposed to make mistakes as a lot of teens like to say. Your supposed to do your best and really try not to make mistakes.

[quote name='Crystal']I don't want there to only be dogs under 20 lbs. :cry: They make me crazy. There so Yappie. I told my husband the other day everybody needs two dogs for protection, a small one to bark it's head off when intruders are near. A a big one to scare them away when the small one tucks he tail and runs!!![/quote] You know what's funny. I have a 20lb cairn and my sister in law has a 100lb Lab/Mastiff. Well they were playing when a man wanted to clena our rugs came to the door. Both dogs were okay until for some odd reason he felt like he could open our door to discuss without being invited. My cairn went straight for him teeth snarling and growling. He jumped back so quick with horror on his face. The 100lb dog was cowering in the corner. :lol: So personally I would trust my cairn with big teeth to protect me over any dog I have ever had. So you just never know.

[quote]not if you press *67 before dialing.[/quote] Really? I haven't heard that before. [quote]Sorry to sidetrack: Cairn - Who is the collie in your signature? He/she is beautiful.[/quote] That's Shadow. The shelter told us they thought maybe he might be a Sheltie.[img]http://www.emotipad.com/emoticons/Laugh%20on%20own.gif[/img] I don't think so but he isn't as big as a Collie either. We call him our Shollie. He weighs about 40lbs. He'll be 1 at the end of March. [quote]You can't *69 Cell Phones, can you?? [/quote] Of course the cell phone. Hadn't thought of that. [img]http://www.emotipad.com/emoticons/Laugh%20on%20own.gif[/img]

Yeah but now they have that pesky *69. That takes all the fun out of it.

I have a border terrier mix who would love to join in the fun. The first week we got her she managed to knock over our hamster cage and kill the hamster. Then she brought it to my mother as a prize. She'd be good at this. My cairn would be useless though. I trained him from puppyhood to be nice to the small animals.

That's wonderful!

Thanks for the link I am definitely going to get them a couple of those. They usually go through them so quick.

Cool!! I am going to look for that toy. My boys are constantly playing tug of war with their toys and someone usually tears something up. My cairn is 20lbs less then the Sheltie but is just as strong. They are pretty evenly matched.

Gee I don't know I will have to pay more attention to them individually. Most the time one starts they all go and all I get is a headache. :lol: