BuddysMom

Thanks DP. Yes tricky is an understatement. We had been delusional and unrealistic thinking he would never stray .. It only takes once!

We have learned a near terrifying lesson this evening. It was almost dark. I went out to put some water on the veg. garden. I thought Buddy was inside with John ... He thought Buddy was out with me. When we realized he waw not in the house, back, or front yard we panicked. I hopped on my bike and went aroung the block calling. When I rounded the corner back to our house I saw Buddy running home ACROSS THE BUSY STREET to John. A car had stopped for Bud and could have easily hit him. I am both grateful and hating myself at the same time. I have learned.. 1. NEVER assume he is inside and/or with John if I don't know for sure 2. ALWAYS keep the back yard gates latched and only let him out in back if I am going to take my eyes off him for even a minute. 3. Never again assume that he would not wander more than a yard away! It only took one time and our precious Buddy could have been killed or hurt. I am going to hug him some more now (and husband too).

It is just horrid. At the very least they should have a grandfather clause. I am ashamed to be a Coloradan today but glad I live far from Denver. The state had struck down the ban but a judge ruled that the it was the city's decision. As for the lady who was hiding her dog, while I feel awful for her it also pi$$es me off that she had been letting it run loose earlier. That kind of irresponsibility contributed to this sick over-reactionary law to begin with.

I really think most parents are clueless about this! It should be common knowledge and common sense, as well known as never leaving a child alone by a pool even for 5 seconds. More today: [url]http://www.gjsentinel.com/hp/content/news/stories/2005/05/11/5_11_dog_death_WWW.html[/url] Dog that killed 7-year-old girl came from kennel with questionable reputation Wednesday, May 11, 2005 By EMILY MORRIS The Daily Sentinel Dog pedigrees can be a confusing and murky area that experts recommend researching thoroughly. The 6-year-old Alaskan Malamute, Wakon

Gppd points above.

It is really sad. According to another article the mother was out in the yard with her making mud pies and just went in to go to the bathroom when it happened.

I was suprised to see a focus from the police on the dog's breeding and history. Seems beyond the usual intelligence of the law (and the media) in such cases. [url]http://www.gjsentinel.com/hp/content/news/stories/2005/05/10/5_10_1a_dog_death.html[/url] Police look at dog

My last dog Puppy was getting senile to the point that she was dangerous, wandering aimlessly, getting 'stuck' in corners, not recognizing us sometimes and even biting my husband once. Not sleeping through the night was another one of the symptoms. Oh yeah, and she just started dropping her poops anywhere, as she was walking, didn't seem to notice. I asked my vet for a prescription of Anipryl and it worked wonders for her (solved everything but the pooping, we dealt with that until she died). It was really pricey (I think $50 a month) and vet warned that it might not work but for her the difference was almost miraculous, we had our Puppy back for six great months. Here is a website with lots of good info, of course it is by the drug's maker so they are biased... [url]http://www.cdsindogs.com/[/url] Puppy was much older when the symptoms started, about 14.5 and she was a 40 pound mutt.

Our last dog, Puppy HATED when unleashed dogs would come up to her and I found myself almost in the middle of a fight many times, so I understand your frustration! Now our Buddy is the friendly one but I still always keep him leashed wherever it is the law. We are lucky to have open space trails nearby where dogs are allowed off leash, perfect for Buddy but wouldn't work for Puppy with dogs legally off leash for her to pick fughts with! I must admit guiltily though, sometimes I would take her to one of these trails to romp offleash very early in the morning when no one else was there.

RIP Sally. I know you know in your mind it was best for her, but it's hard to convince the heart.

Kat, sorry if I missed it but will Kes be a male or female (or not sure yet?) Just curious.

I only visited the home page. Thank you for encouraging rescuing and adopting. Your site judging by the home page alone seems to be based on a good premise but FAR too wordy. Very few have time to read all that especially in smallish type. Cull the words that people here are taking exception to (rightfully) and you may end up with a helpful website! I REALLY wish that, under your category "pet stores and commercial kennels" you would just say do not buy from them, period. I didn't go into your breed descriptions. Not in general a purebred lover (the exception may be border collie). However from my experience you can't assign such detailed traits to any breed. At best I would say "May tend to be...", "Somre report to be...", etc. From the quotes here I would say many of your assertions are ridiculous and possibly dangerous. Learn about qualifiers and attributions, then use them.

Wow you are brave for standing up to Dad and you are totally in the right. Sounds like he is coming around to that realization. Look forward to pics of your new pup whenever he or she arrives!

[quote name='courtnek']but the dogs already born, used, what of them? should they live their lives in cages, never being adopted, or should they be allowed to go quietly, without pain? I have a lot of issues with rescues. if the dogs have to live their lives (years and years) in a cage, in a shelter, is that good? or is it better to let them go where there is no pain. no suffering, no hurt? what kind of life is it to spend years in a cage? where do we draw the line???[/quote] OK now I really know what you're saying ... and totally agree. It's like, here in my city we have the no kill HS and the county animal shelter. The county euthanizes dogs they can't adopt while the HS keeps them for years on end, in cages. After much inner debate I have decided the county shelter way is better. On another note there is a third rescue society here that has foster volunteers only. But I have always wondered how this works. (Isn't fostering then, in essence adoption?)

Thanks ladies! Good point about checking the pads. I need to remember to do this after each ride, especially because there are cactus he could possibly get into. Kat out of curiosity what is a towpath?

[quote name='courtnek']ok I'm going to pay devils advocate..what are the odds of these dogs being adopted? and if they are extremely high, and the dogs will have to live in cages, in a shelter, which is better? what they are doing is wrong, I agree with that, but whats best for the dogs? really...[/quote] OK I think I know where you're going and will try to answer. I don't know what the chances are for being adopted (probably pretty good) or whether they would work out in most adoptive homes (probably pretty bad). To me the point is not just, what about these 250 dogs but, what about the hundreds, maybe thousands to follow if he is allowed to remain in business? I believe he is breeding them himself ... they are a commodity. So I guess the answer as to what's best for the dogs is ... that they are not born to begin with? I personally don't have a problem with the shooting versus injection part. It is the fact that they are disposable when not money makers, that makes me sick.

Too many inconsistencies in these stories. Hey if you're going to make it up anyway why not make it more interesting?

Well we have been taking Buddy with us mountain biking for a few months now and we are all loving it. We have the ideal trail, no motorized vehicles allowed, totally roadless, dogs allowed off leash. It's technical enough to give us a good workout in about a 4 mile loop, which we complete in a little over an hour. We do go slow on the flats and downhills for Buddy's sake, but all in all it's no faster than jogging. Wondering if anyone else rides bikes with their dogs? Or if anyone thinks we are pushing him too hard? We took a little longer loop today, 5 miles but almost two hours to complete. I offer water about every 1/2 mile. We've been going about 3 times a week with at least one rest day between rides.

Fake fake fake. Funny though.

I read the Denver Post articles. Absolutely sickening. It seems to be not only legal but actually common practice. And the scumbag's vet vouched for him. $$$$$. In a follow up he said he'd consider doing his "culling" via injection "as a PR measure." Somehow these operations need to be put out of business, but the law has no teeth. The rich tourists need to know what they are paying for and stop it. BTW I don't think Colorado is the only state where this goes on legally. Anyone know?

I agree with everyone else here. Just disgusting. How about no specific breed ban, a strict leash (but not muzzling) law, and instead, much stricter laws for any owner who's dog (no matter the breed) is found at large?!

P.S. Reading through did I see someone call All American Pup a Troll?! Be assured she is the furthest from it. She is one of the most compassionate animal lovers I have never met. :wink:

This bears repeating so here goes! YEAH Courtnek for taking the time to explain what's going on and what's to be done. Also as I know you have said before a baby should never be left alone with any dog even if it's Lassie. [quote name='courtnek']your dog has a DOMINANCE problem. he considers the baby beneath him in the pack structure. he is treating your child like a wolf cub that overstepped his bounds. that tells me there is a serious lack of pack order in your house. the baby needs to be seen as higher than your dog in the pack order. I would immediately institute NILIF, the dog gets nothing unless he has earned it, even by just a sit. no food, no walks, NOTHING. do not let this dog enter doors before you, even if you have to slam a door in its face. do not let this dog sleep on ANY furniture. YOU eat first, while the dog watches, even if that means you suck down a few crackers. he NEVER eats before you, or the baby. the BABY comes first,always. feed him first, make the dog lay down (even if that means you tether him to a chair) and make a big fuss over the baby. feed him in front of the dog, while the dog gets nothing. good behavior is rewarded, AFTER THE BABY IS FINSIHED EATING. the dog is not allowed access to the baby at all, keep him behind a babygate while he watches you playing with the baby. this is a DOG. his internal instincts are pack rules. anyone lower than him in the pack can be punished. YOU have to elevate the baby. I know we like to think of them as furry people, but its simply NOT SO. we dont have the teeth,strength, or instincts they do. You CAN break this dof of this behavior, but you cant back down. dog has to see himself as below the baby in the pack. Me,l I would not ever have them together with the baby on the floor til the baby is big enough to stand up for himself. even with all of the above.[/quote]

Careful everyone! (Seriously, horrifying that he tried to shoot the dog ... there must have been angels present ...) [url]http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=629357[/url] Thief Steals Poop From Woman Walking Dog Police Searching for Gunman Who Ran Up to a Woman While She Was Walking Her Dog and Grabbed a Bag of Poop SAN DIEGO

Oh Mutts$ I'm so sorry that just sounds like a horrid day!! And of course you know, but you are doing the work of 3 people ...