Good luck with your decision, Karen. You are wise to think it through before committing, and it will be great if your sister comes on board if you decide to go for it.
Laurel - your dogs were/are all so fortunate to have landed at the Maypop Gravy Train door!! LOL How did they know that you were behind door # 1???? Smart dogs! Goober is very handsome!
I am working hard on the training with the girls. Twice a day we walk to the River and alternate keeping them walking on a short leash with their heads up and then letting them romp and play and sniff before resuming the short leash deal. They are doing pretty well. Carlie is in the fun stage of discovering whether things are really as scary as they first seem. She encountered a small boulder on the way to the River, and at first she barked at it, then "flattened" and stretched ever so carefully towards it; then she crept forward until she touched it and then sniff, sniff, sniff and all was ok. I love watching that development. But then we got to the River and I let her peak over the seawall at the big stones below (it was low tide). She was doing her stretch forward to see the stones when a wave splashed her and she zoomed behind me. LOL Another good sign was when I had them out in the front yard and my neighbor (their vet- the one who just examined them and gave them a shot) walked towards them. They couldn't get to her fast enough with both tails wagging and kisses galore. I was happy to see that because it bodes well for their state of mind re: the vet visit.
Time to go fix my ailing hubby some bland "vittles" now. He's better, but still a bit weakened and yukky-stomachy. My son arrives for the week tomorrow night, so I may be "off com" for a bit.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!
Louise
DonnieBrook's Subtropical Adventures!
Laurel, you are very kind to give those dogs a home---I'm a softie, too. We took in several cats who wandered over to us, & gave a purebred tri collie to my DH's niece---he wandered into our yard & wouldn't leave---never found the owner---we would have kept him, but our wolfhound wanted to be the only dog. One day a shepherd came into the yard to play with our airedales, & wouldn't leave---we took him in the house---he climbed the stairs to our room & kissed me on the lips while I was sleeping! We found his owners, about 15 miles away. Louise, your pups sound very trainable! Glad they love the vet!
Sounds like you're having a great time with the pups, Louise. They are so cute when they're puppies. Since I work a lot I prefer to start with a dog that's past the puppy stage, cause it's less work. If I was a homebody, then having a puppy would suite me just fine.
I took in a dog for a couple of days once that had wandered from home. He was a Great Dane puppy, and quite large. We left him on our enclosed porch for the night, and he did a lot of chewing up of things. Next day I made flyers and put them out. When I got to the police station they said the owners had contacted them about their missing dog. We got the number and the lady was so happy. Turned out she lived at the end of our road in the big house way back in the cranberry bogs, which were their bogs. They thought some hunters might have picked up their dog. I was glad to find the owner.
Karen
That's a nice story, Karen. I understand your not wanting to get a puppy while you are working all day, and I tend to believe that it is a big mistake to take in a puppy if you cannot devote most of your day to the training in the beginning when they are in the "high needs" stage. If they don't get a balance of boundaries and loving firmness and just plain puppy fun during that period, they can develop problems. I have previously preferred to rescue puppies or dogs that are beyond the high needs stage for the same reasons you mention. And as much as I prefer to have 2 together, it does require a lot of attention and time in the beginning stage of their development. You only have to see them showing affection for each other or cuddling to sleep to feel it was the right move to keep these sisters together. Once Hank gets to feeling better (the Dr. told him today that he has a virus that will clear up on its own in time) it will be a bit easier, as we were getting pretty good at dividing and conquering. LOL He's quite weak still, so I can understand his inability to do much right now.
Louise---go to the pet forum and read the thread Meet Mitzy--I think you will find it interesting! I know Mitzy's owner from AV forums and fb---she's gonna be a good mama! LOL!
I'm sorry, Louise that Hank is still sick---bummer!
Thanks, PV....I'll do that!
Marilyn - he just asked for real food for dinner, so that may be a good sign if it doesn't overdo it. He wants some homemade chicken salad, rice and green beans with applesauce for dessert. LOL Thanks for your thoughts!
Louise
Louise, tell Hank I wish him well and hope he gets better soon.
Karen
Yes - me too!
Louise, how cruel...getting Hank back on his feet to knock him down again come Thurs.. lol
Animal and birthing stories are so moving. Bite tales are especially relevant in our household these days. We met a DG friend in central FL, on the way to Miami three weeks ago, for an orchid shopping/vermiculture (worm farm day). The dog at the worm farm greeted DH with a wagging tail and was sniffing his knees. When DH reached down to pat the dog she tore up his right hand. He's right handed. Sparing the details, he's still in bandages. The owners, who rescued the dog, know she has a bite history.
We have rescued cats for many years too. We are now without cats. Our DD took Purrl to live with her in D.C. (that was hard) and we found Romeow dead in our fenced yard last Spring (that was harder). Here's a photo of the pair at Maypop. Romeow is on the left and Purrl on the right.
Laurel
How horrible about your DH getting bitten by that dog, Laurel! I thought most places would put down a dog with a bite history rather than adopting it out. A dog like that can't safely be around people.
Love the picture of the kitties. They are both beautiful.
Karen
How awful Laurel. That dog should wear a muzzle if its to be around guests. Are they paying the doctors bills?
Such sweet kitties! Time to get another ? :-)
I agree, JJ, about the dog needing to wear a muzzle. After that incident I hope it will, and certainly hope they are paying the bills.
Karen
Thanks for the kind sentiments. We were in transit, so no, they are not paying the medical bills. I did the emergency care and he went to the doctor in Miami for antibiotics and a check. It was too late for stitching by then.
Every time I see an animal and go, "Ahh", DH says "NO!". Of course he can't do anything if they land on the doorstep. We got Purrl when we went to test drive a car. Someone had put her in the unlocked car at the dealer. The people at the dealership were going to let her wander into the woods or out on the highway. So I promised DH we'd bring her to the shelter the very next morning. :>)
Have a great TG everyone. I've got to get cooking!
L
Thank you, Karen and Victor! I relayed your message. Two steps forward and one step backwards! Yesterday he was better and ate real food....today he's back to the BRAT diet. Poor Guy! My son took me out today for a plant shopping spree on him. We had fun! He's in love with "the ladies" as he calls them. His dog's 7th birthday is today but Donnie (my DG namesake) is up in Conn. We're calling him on his birthday tonight. LOL
Laurel - So sorry to hear about DH's dog bite! That's pretty traumatic. And I love the names you gave your cats. Very sad about Romeow. Do you know what he died from?
My dale has a bite history, so he doesn't go near anyone! Again he was a rescue, & no one told us he bit---which he hasn't done in years, but I still won't let him near anyone--we adopted our other dog who has great people skills hoping some would rub off on him. Hope your DH is feeling better, Laurel. I love those kitty names also, plus they were very handsome. Maybe you can tell DH there are too many vermin in the area, & you need a kitty to clean them out.
Breaking from cooking. I'm done for the night.
Louise, this is terrible news about Hank. What bad timing for a stomach illness. Pass on "get wells" from me too. Share what you got on your shopping spree.
Romeow was killed by a fox; the only animal that can get under the decks. We have coyotes too, but they're too big. He liked to lounge on the deck rails in late afternoon. We tried to keep both cats in the house. Romeow was older when we rescued him and went out of his way to run through open doors. He was a teddy bear and loved to be carried around on his back. We found a cat in the horse trailer at Maypop last month. She had only one kitten. We brought her food and water. She ate it and left with her kitten. Not meant to be.
Okay, a mini-story. DH must be star crossed in the animal dept. 'cause a few years ago Purrl and Romeow were playing "chase" through the house while DH was sprawled out on the sofa. Purrl jumped up on the arm of the sofa and ran across the back, down the side and out of the room. Romeow took a short cut, with lots of traction, across DH. DH was wearing cat tracks from his thighs, across his stomach and chest and onto his face for weeks. He's a very tolerant guy.
Laurel, I'm sorry to hear Romeow died and about your husband's hand. Will it be back to normal after it heals?
Louise, the puppies are soooo cute!!! How did you come to get them? You said they were unexpected.
Oh, yes!! Get well soon to Hank!! You stay healthy now, Louise, okay?!
louise i hope hank is feeling better soon
Laurel, Harper and Bill - thanks for your kind wishes for Hank. I seem to be getting something myself (perhaps because he used my water bottle??????grrrrrrr), so I'm gargling hydro. peroxide and taking esberitox. I can't be sick while my son is here!!!!!! Hope you are all staying well.
Oh, Louise I hope you don't catch it. Hope Hank is well enough to enjoy Thanksgiving.
Hope you stay well, Louise!
Karen
Oh Louise!!! Stay healthy! Take Vitamin C or do the whole sha-bang! I'll do a healthy dance for you!
hope all feel well Louise
Yes - feel better, Hank, and stay healthy, Louise. My little guy is finally without fever this AM. We're hitting him with Tamiflu too, just in case.
Great news Victor. I didn't know he was sick. Hope the fever stays away and no one else gets it.
Happy Thanksgiving....
Be well and stay safe.
Everyone please be well for Turkey Day and all days.
Happy Thanksgiving, Hank and Louise. Hope you are both feeling well!
Karen
Gosh, you guys are all just the Best! Thanks so much for all of your thoughts on our behalf. I have been religiously doing the HP gargle/esberitox and I made it through all the cooking and visiting and clean up just fine. Sitting down now for a rest for the first time, but it was so fun to have family here, especially my son, who hadn't seen his uncle and cousin in years. Our little girls couldn't have been better behaved. It was a very good day and I hope you all had the same! Victor, I'm relieved to hear about your little guy losing the fever! Now we need to get Celeste's DD and DGD well too!
Hey there, Sherrie! Soooooo nice to see you posting again. I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving!
Hello, Louise! How are you and Hank doing? Well, I hope. How was your Thanksgiving? We had a great one here.
Remember how I was talking about adopting Winston? Well, he got adopted. I found out today. But I found one in NY that looks and sounds like a real sweetie. His name is Pork Chop, a Basset mix, they think with Beagle. Would be an 8 hr round trip drive to get him, but I would do it if it was mandatory for them to have me see him in person before getting him. Here's the link: http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=15131338
Karen
Hi Karen. Sorry about Winston, but as you said, if it is meant to be.....Porkchop looks and sounds adorable too. I'm a firm believer that things always happen for a reason. I think the 8-hour ride would be worth it if you could get him!
Hank is slower to recover than usual, but he is slowly on the mend. My gargling with peroxide did the trick for me. I'm fine! And yes, we had a really nice Thanksgiving here. Did you???? Did you cook?
Glad to hear you're doing well. I hope Hank starts to feel better soon.
We had a great TG here. I made a turkey, stuffing, candied yams, mashed potatoes, peas, and homemade cranberry sauce. Everything came out great! It was just us. My brother and his family couldn't make it. My SIL was in the hospital with pneumonia. She just got out this morning. She went in the night of the 25th.
My brother was over today, and I mentioned to him that I wanted to adopt Pork Chop. I was showing him the picture, and my sister said she didn't want me getting another dog. I thought she had warmed up to the idea of me getting one, but I guess not, so I don't know if it will happen. We'll see. I don't know what the big problem would be. It's not like getting a puppy that needs to be housebroken and such.
Karen
I swear by gargling with peroxide.
Porkchop is a cutie.
Yes, Pork Chop is a cutie---I like those Basset mixes, Patches is a doll!
I watched the Hallmark movie 'A Dog Called Christmas' tonight. It just so happened that when the young man in the story went to the shelter to look at the dogs, the first one he looked at was a Basset/Beagle cross named Pork Chop. Didn't look anything like the Pork Chop I'm looking at, more like a Basset, but how funny is that?!!!!
Karen
What a coiwinkadinky!
That was a good movie. I think I was as excited as him to see all the dogs :-)