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Steamtown Mall => Chatting at Jitters => Topic started by: Smiley Pants on October 03, 2009, 07:07:53 PM

Title: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Smiley Pants on October 03, 2009, 07:07:53 PM: I didn't see a pet thread anywhere so I hope it's okay to start one, even though I don't currently have a pet.

Does anyone have any experience with poodles or poodle hybrids? I'm thinking about getting one for my son who has Asperger's after reading a lot about service dogs for autistic kids. I don't think he needs a full-fledged service dog, but I think he could benefit from a well-trained companion dog. He also has allergies though.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: lisahoo on October 03, 2009, 08:27:42 PM: We had poodles & poodle-mix dogs when I was growing up. They are less allergenic because they have hair instead of fur, but the only way to be sure is for your son to spend some time around them. Generally, the mixes are less high-strung, we had a cockapoo for most of the time I was growing up and she was a total dear.

Another thing that helps with both dogs and cats is to bathe them regularly to help remove the saliva (from cats) and pet dander which are the primary allergens. My poor kitties get baths twice a year -- the weekend we change the clocks. The five year old thinks this is hilarious, the kitties, not so much.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Jamnicity on October 03, 2009, 08:33:23 PM: Great idea to start a pet thread. I have often wondered if we had one here. As to your question, my mom has a labradoodle (poodle/lab). He is a really sweet dog, very affectionate, though very energetic. Definitely the kind of dog that would need daily exercise. My mom has terrible animal allergies, and one of the appealing things about this dog is that he is hypo-allergenic. He's not the best trained dog (jumps up on people and barks quite a bit) but my mom and her husband are not the most consistent trainers either. I think labradoodles are supposed to be pretty smart and trainable dogs. Here's a link to the website of the breeder where my mom got her dog, if you want to read some more about them. They are in Australia and are the originators of the breed. http://www.labradoodleasd.com/Tegan-Defualt.htm (http://www.labradoodleasd.com/Tegan-Defualt.htm)

Good luck finding a dog for your son!
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Smiley Pants on October 03, 2009, 08:43:43 PM: I love the Australian Labradoodles. I saw them earlier and those are some cute doggies. <3

My sister has a Bichon, which has poodle-ish hair, as my son would say, and he is less allergic to her, especially after she's been bathed. I'd like to get him a bigger and less hyper breed though. She's a sweetie but dumb as a bag of rocks.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: colette on October 03, 2009, 08:53:02 PM: Labradoodles are great dogs. Sweet things.

I can speak to the Lab half of the gene pool, having had a few....they're smart, sweet tempered, loyal, good around people/kids and very trainable - which is of course why they're so often used as service dogs of various kinds.

One thing about bathing a dog too often though - it may be fine for some breeds, but actually isn't recommended more than every few months for some (unless, of course, it's necessary cause the pooch got into something stinky.) Some breeds have sensitive skin/are prone to skin conditions, and stripping away their natural protective oils can create problems. So, that might be something you want to ask the vet or breeder about, if you're considering it to help control your son's allergies.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: lisahoo on October 03, 2009, 08:56:00 PM: The thing about Labs, they are scary smart, so you really want to go to doggie obedience training with them so they aren't constantly testing you. It might be a really rewarding project for your son as well, so he can learn how to work with the dog, as well.

Also, you might try poomixrescue.com (http://poomixrescue.com) and PetFinder.com (http://petfinder.com) for a listing of available dogs.

(I'm a big believer in adopting animals instead of breeding whenever possible.) (http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/animal/poodle.gif) (http://www.thesmilies.com)(http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/animal/dog.gif) (http://www.thesmilies.com)(http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/animal/boxer.gif) (http://www.thesmilies.com)
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: sachiel on October 03, 2009, 09:18:14 PM: Whatever you end up getting, be sure to avoid Backyard Breeders at all costs. And remember that the mythical "papers" these people advertise don't mean shit.

If you get something from a breeder, make sure they have a return policy (meaning they care more about the health and care of the animal than the money), have had all the health and genetic tests done, and are in general snippy about adopting (once again, to show they care about where the animal is going and aren't just there for the money).

(The SA pet people have me trained well--I parrot their anti-BYB spiel like a pro.)

Humane society/ASPCA adopting is a really nice family thing to do too. You can get a better idea of the personalities of the animals (especially when they're not puppies, who destructive little monsters), and see if there's any dog that bonds on first sight.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: DunderSnob on October 04, 2009, 12:52:47 AM: I agree, adopting a pet is a great thing to do. Three of the five dogs I've had were/are pound puppies. Personally, I'm going purebred next time. I agree, shopping for a good breeder is a must. I won't be getting a new dog for at least five years, but I'm already looking for a good breeder.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Smiley Pants on October 04, 2009, 08:28:09 AM: Quote from: DunderSnob on October 04, 2009, 12:52:47 AM
I agree, adopting a pet is a great thing to do. Three of the five dogs I've had were/are pound puppies. Personally, I'm going purebred next time. I agree, shopping for a good breeder is a must. I won't be getting a new dog for at least five years, but I'm already looking for a good breeder.

That's why I'm starting now, because it will probably be at least a year before we can get one. I got my last two dogs through rescue, but I need to be more sure of temperament this time. We have a lot of puppy mills in the area and most of the dogs that end up in shelters originated in a puppy mill, which brings a lot of behavior problems.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: colette on October 04, 2009, 09:04:08 AM: I think it's a really good idea to take your time, especially since the dog's temperament is so important in your case, Smiley. And also, as someone said, any reputable adoption shouldn't happen too fast anyway - the organization/person with the dog ought to be checking you out as carefully as you're checking out the dog. Finding the right dog for your son/family definitely is a project - but man, such a great pay-off!

We adopted our last two dogs, but through a situation where we were able to find out something about their histories (health issues, etc.), but moreover, about the personality of at least one of their parents....which can be an indicator of a puppy's temperament as he grows up. All puppies are a bit nuts, but our adopted labs both really mellowed out into playful, low-key dogs - which is exactly how their known parents were. (Of course, we also did some very basic obedience training too.) Our dog now is a 90 lb lap dog. Pure love. :)

Can we do pix in this thread? OK, good, I'll start. ;)

Our sweet young boy:(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x212/colette058/BigD-1.jpg)

Our beautiful girl, who grew up with my kids, when she was a very old lady:(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x212/colette058/BeautifulOldGirl2.jpg)
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Smiley Pants on October 04, 2009, 09:18:34 AM: They are really cute, colette! <3
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: norsk_heksen on October 04, 2009, 11:56:16 AM: D'AWWWW. <3

I have to agree with everyone supporting adoption. We got our first dog -- a purebred Golden -- from a breeder, and I loved her, but she wasn't the best fit for our family. She definitely did not calm down with age. Our next dog, who we still have, is also a purebred Golden, and her original "parents" got divorced and couldn't keep her, so we're her 3rd or 4th family, and she's a perfect fit. Her "foster mom" was a school bus driver for my mom's co-worker's granddaughter. The co-worker had just lost her Golden, and it's a small town, so the bus driver / "foster mom" thought she might be interested. But it was too soon for her, so she told my mom about it. And voila! And in China, my friend found a box of kittens abandoned on the street and took them in and distributed them amongst us English teachers, so that's how I got my cat.

So I guess I got my two awesomest pets for free just through word of mouth. My family tried to adopt through an organization, but they came and evaluated us and rejected us. I think it's because our first dog was so crazy we had to keep her outside on a leash (but we got one of those long slidey things so she could go to the backyard and the front yard! And we let her sleep inside in the winter!), and we didn't trust her to not go through an invisible fence. And we were justified, because one time my dad took her leash off, thinking she would stick to him cos he was her favorite, and she ran into the road and got hit! :( But yeah, the adoption org though we were negligent or something. The lady that came to our house was very snooty and gave off an "Ooh, so low-class, you kept your poor dog outside? And you couldn't even train her properly to be inside! *scoff*" attitude. It was actually pretty humiliating. It wasn't long after the first dog got hit and died, and I remember (I must've been 13 or 14) feeling pretty angry that they would insinuate that we mistreated her.

Anywho, on to happier things.. pix! Here's a pic my dad just sent me of the dog and cat looking out our sliding glass door (the parents are taking care of my cat while I'm living on campus the first year of grad school):

(http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/norsk_heksen/renzheandbellalookingouttheslidingg.jpg)
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: khand3stooges on October 04, 2009, 11:57:08 AM: I am a huge animal lover. We have got all our dogs and cats through the shelter near us. We have a pitbull mix right now. I know they have such bad reputations. Unfortunately we had a lab mix puppy that for whatever reason was very mean and would try to attack people. We had to put him down because he was registered as vicious and I couldn't stand the thought of him hurting someone. I had lots of kids in and out of the house. So when "Santa" let my son pick out another dog and he picked the pit I had a dog behavior specialist come out and check him out. He was 7 months old and now he is 9 years old. He is the biggest baby of a dog we have ever had. He loves all kids and we even have a cat that he loves. I still am careful around certain situation in the public with him. It's mostly all how you raise your animals. I would love to post a picture if someone is willing to walk me through it. I have tried for about 15 minutes and am now frustrated that I am so dumb about computers. >:(
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Jamnicity on October 04, 2009, 01:04:18 PM: I'm throwing my hat in for adoption, too. All of my many pets growing up were either Humane Society adoptions or strays that we took in. That said, my current pet was purchased from her previous owner. I was wanting to get a pug, and I started the process of going through a pug rescue society, but then I found out about a woman who had a pure bred pug that she was looking for another home for. She had 5 dogs total, which she bred as show dogs, and she felt like the one pug was just not happy with them. She (the pug) was constantly fighting with her grandmother pug for alpha status apparently. So we went to go see the dog, and she climbed right into my lap and sat with me the whole time we were there. The lady said several other people had come to see the dog and the dog hadn't been that affectionate with any of them. So, she let us take her that night to try it out and now she's our furry little baby of 5 years. I definitely want to get back to adoption or pug rescue for any future pets, though. It just breaks my heart to think of all the "unwanted" animals out there who need just the right home and family.

Here's a link to my little puggy, Lola. http://longwellphotos.shutterfly.com/28 (http://longwellphotos.shutterfly.com/28)
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Smiley Pants on October 04, 2009, 07:34:05 PM: Jamnicity, that is an adorable picture!

And norsk, that is also an awesome picture. Were you allowed to bring a cat home from China? How complicated was that?
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Jamnicity on October 04, 2009, 08:39:14 PM: Thanks, SP! We have taken an embarrassing number of pictures of her over the years. Enough for a Lola calendar every year, and three photo books. She is the queen of the castle around here, and it makes me happy that we could give her a home like that, rather than her duking it out with other dogs to be "in charge."
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: khand3stooges on October 04, 2009, 09:06:35 PM: My son helped me.(http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu85/khand3stooges/005.jpg)
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: lisahoo on October 04, 2009, 09:11:27 PM: Yeah, some adoption groups go a little overboard.

I probably wouldn't be 'approved' to adopt my two current cats because I let them go outside when I lived in a townhouse. (Or so says an acquaintance of mine who fosters cats for a rescue organization and is one of those people who has pets because her people skills are pathetic.)

My new neighborhood has a lot more wildlife, so now they're totally indoor cats.

But don't let that discourage anyone from seeing what animals & organizations are out there. The organization my mom got her dog from was great and didn't act like they were the Pet Police, they were just dedicated to making a good match for the animal & the human.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: norsk_heksen on October 04, 2009, 09:18:27 PM: Quote from: Smiley Pants on October 04, 2009, 07:34:05 PM
And norsk, that is also an awesome picture. Were you allowed to bring a cat home from China? How complicated was that?

Ha, um, very. I was living on the mainland (PRC) side of the border with Hong Kong, and I flew home with United from Hong Kong with a friend who also had a cat. Dealing with United, the Hong Kong gov't, and the US was quite simple and easy (had to reserve a spot on the plane and pay $200, had to hand in one form to get a transshipment permit, and had to have proof of rabies vaccine in English). The mainland? Not so much. They put us through so much red tape and sent us on a wild goose chase, and people gave us conflicting instructions. When we actually crossed the border, the woman said "You can't bring cats into Hong Kong," and we slapped down our permits and bilingual health certificates and said, "Yes we can." Then she just sat there dumbfounded and called her lazy colleague and after 15 minutes he came over and told her to just let us go -- we most likely could've just walked through without stopping to declare the cats. ::) But he's safe at home, so... the things I do for my baby! ;)
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: notatoy on October 04, 2009, 10:17:33 PM: Here's my little man
(http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq256/notatoyw/DSC00444-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: lisahoo on October 05, 2009, 08:34:08 AM: There are some nifty options to resize and crop on photobucket. You can keep your original photo and make a copy as well.

On topic -- here's Gadget:
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/lisahoo/gadget2.jpg)
and sister Gidget:
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/lisahoo/gidget1.jpg)
*Yes, princess pulled a hand towel into the sink and made herself a little nest.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: DunderSnob on October 05, 2009, 02:03:21 PM: (http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c291/jackv4/P8310281.jpg)
Josie and Lola back when they were allowed in the house, before my husband and daughter's allergies started acting up.

Puss in Boots..
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c291/jackv4/sleepingkitties006-1.jpg)

Big Tuna, may he rest in peace.. :(
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c291/jackv4/August2008015.jpg)

Josie and Tug (our current pound puppies)
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c291/jackv4/P7140550.jpg)

Olly
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c291/jackv4/P3310394.jpg)

Abby (our problem child)
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c291/jackv4/P8040592.jpg)
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: justkaren on October 05, 2009, 04:53:33 PM: Awww! Everyone's kitties and doggies are so adorable!

khand3stooges, I'm glad your son was able to help you get the photo loaded 'cause your dog is CUTE! I love the crossed front paws. My pit mix does that a lot too.
(http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e174/Karen1231/CIMG9512.jpg)

She's 14 now and she is my baby. She grew up around tons of kids because my mom had a home daycare when she was a puppy. She LOVES kids and lets them torture her (pulling her tail, poking her eyes). She has never snapped or even growled at a kid.

The kitty not letting the big scary pit bull out on to the porch: :D
(http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e174/Karen1231/feb2109059.jpg)

Just because it's cute:
(http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e174/Karen1231/april2609120.jpg)
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: khand3stooges on October 05, 2009, 04:59:31 PM: Oh my gosh, all those pictures are too cute. I am such a sucker for dogs and cats cuddling. Mine sleep together when it's cold.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: NanReg on October 05, 2009, 05:18:18 PM: Our 7yo lab, Indy:

(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr118/NanReg/Indy-3.jpg)

He's a happy guy :D
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: DunderSnob on October 05, 2009, 05:22:13 PM: He looks like a brick, I love those stocky square Labs.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: NanReg on October 05, 2009, 05:31:08 PM: He's got quite a hard head, too laughingicon
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Jamnicity on October 05, 2009, 05:34:06 PM: Everyone's animals are so adorable! NanReg, being a native of Indianapolis myself, I especially love your dog's name. :)
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: NanReg on October 05, 2009, 05:46:48 PM: Thank you! He is an Indiana native himself :) His full name is Indiana Royale with Cheese ;D
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Morning Angel on October 05, 2009, 05:50:06 PM: That's Ms. Portia. She loves hiding in places.

(http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb296/braindiva/DSCN0491.jpg)
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: norsk_heksen on October 05, 2009, 09:09:03 PM: thudicon

OMG YOU GUYS, SRSLY. DEAD.

Your puppies and kitties are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO CUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUTE I cannot even HANDLE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Basically the only thing I love more than kitties is puppies, and puppies and kitties TOGETHER! squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee*gasp* smileythud
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: MojoPin on October 05, 2009, 09:26:02 PM: I've posted this image before, but it's so Violet. It makes me laugh whenever I look at it. I was going on a trip to visit my friends at Rochester and Wellesley, so I was making sure my camera was alright. I woke her up from a dead sleep so she's looking at me like, "What the hell do you want?" She's such a sass pot.

(http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af47/annmarik/6728_1130774742603_1024285504_30370.jpg)

It's her 1st birthday next Wednesday. Big day! I'm going to get a recipe for a cake for dogs and, for her present, she gets to sniff outside to her heart's content.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Jamnicity on October 05, 2009, 09:29:43 PM: Oh, MojoPin your dog is precious! I love that you describe her as a "sass pot" So cute! Sounds like she's got a good birthday ahead of her. partyhaticon
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: zerohhero on October 05, 2009, 09:31:53 PM: Quote from: MojoPin on October 05, 2009, 09:26:02 PM
(http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af47/annmarik/6728_1130774742603_1024285504_30370.jpg)

"I do not think that is funny."
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: MojoPin on October 05, 2009, 09:33:58 PM: Quote from: Jamnicity on October 05, 2009, 09:29:43 PM
Oh, MojoPin your dog is precious! I love that you describe her as a "sass pot" So cute! Sounds like she's got a good birthday ahead of her. partyhaticon

Ha! Violet thanks you. And she is a total sass pot. She barks and barks and barks and barks. She loves to stealth attack me. She does angry laps around the downstairs and occasionally lunges at me when I'm on the couch.

It's a good thing she's so cute.

But she's going to have a great birthday! (Well . . . birthday weekend because I have class until 10 on Wednesdays.) After all the excitement she'll look like this:

(http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af47/annmarik/n2208641_46590422_875.jpg)
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: ILOVECATS on October 06, 2009, 01:38:37 PM: HERES A VIDEO OF MY CAT I HOPE YOU LIKE IT!

SHES A BUNDLE OF JOY! BUT GETTING OVERWEIGHT HAHAHAHA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9CFSa0QaFU (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9CFSa0QaFU)
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: colette on October 25, 2009, 11:48:18 AM: What, no action on the Pet thread?!? This is egregious.

And, speaking of pet Halloween costumes....The New Yorker's website has been running a contest of dogs and cats in literary costumes - The Critterati Contest (http://www.newyorker.com/online/photocontests/critterati_2009). I have a feeling I won't be the only one amused (they range from the obvious, e.g., Hairy Potter to the fairly obscure.) Here are a few examples:

(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x212/colette058/4cfe5b05-d427-5b3d-45cd-111606e7053.jpg)

'Sherlock Holmes deduces pouty face leads to another treat'

(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x212/colette058/090913_critteratijulius_p233.jpg)

Julius Caesar

(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x212/colette058/76fa690a-cf22-356e-fd6e-f2784c2715d.jpg)

Dr. Zhivago

(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x212/colette058/c94ed18d-5b01-13fc-0d56-9fd02b1ec26.jpg)

Hunter S. Thompson

(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x212/colette058/8e072525-47d3-0aa7-d08f-65c86f586f8.jpg)

The Prioress (Cantebury Tales)
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Morning Angel on October 25, 2009, 01:31:40 PM: These pictures are truly hilarious, colette! :)
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Jamnicity on October 29, 2009, 10:36:20 AM: I took this picture of my pug yesterday. It's been giving me the chuckles ever since, so I thought I'd share. I think it shows the perfect mix of her sass and sweetness. http://jamnicitysphotos.shutterfly.com/27 (http://jamnicitysphotos.shutterfly.com/27)
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: NanReg on October 29, 2009, 10:37:37 AM: Oh my goodness! She's adorable :D
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: jazzfan on October 29, 2009, 11:00:17 AM: Aw, a cute pug. I didn't like pugs until I met one (I'm generally a big dog person), but man, they're just chock full of personality. Everybody's babies are so adorable.

Here's my menagerie:
A conure:
(http://owlmusic.50megs.com/rileytheconure001.jpg)
Four in one pic - three horses and a dog:
(http://owlmusic.50megs.com/justforfun/mbp/horsesbarnwindow.jpg)
Closer up of doggie (whoopsie, spoilered for size):
(click to show/hide)
(http://owlmusic.50megs.com/justforfun/mbp/alliphotoshopped.jpg)
Closer up of one of the horses:
(http://owlmusic.50megs.com/horse%20pics/pippintrotresized.jpg)
Cat:
(http://owlmusic.50megs.com/crittersshiloh001.jpg)
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Jamnicity on October 29, 2009, 11:07:32 AM: Wow, jazzfan you do have quite the menagerie there. Beautiful animals, all!
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: EmilyHalpert on October 29, 2009, 12:02:12 PM: We found a dog wondering around our neighborhood (literally followed us home) and it's proving... annoying. We haven't had any luck finding the owner, and we're not sure if we're gonna keep her or find another home...
And usually I love dogs. I fall in love instantly. But this dog.... well, we put her in her crate when we left. She apparently escaped through a 6 inch gap (well, lets rephrase that, broke the cage and pushed up the lid about 6 inches) and chewed up everything in my room. I came up and there were... everything all over. She got up on my desk and knocked everything around. She's not house broken even though she's a year old and chews everything in sight. She's clearly never had any training at all. Oh, and she almost started chewing up our wireless router!
And... my current dog is not happy. She's used to being the only dog and is aggressive and submissive (like she barks and growls but backs into a corner), and she won't do anything if the new dog is around (ie bathroom, eating, playing).

So yeah, now we're not sure what to do with her. We were gonna look out for a second dog (and of course any new puppy would have its own problems), but she's not winning any favors right now.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: EmilyHalpert on November 26, 2009, 12:00:21 PM: Double posting, bringing this over from the Hate thread:
Quote from: DunderSnob on November 26, 2009, 11:50:09 AM
I feel your pain, except we have the barking dog. A 120 pound dog that barks at everything and everybody. We have even resorted to a bark collar, which she just barks through!
So there's this show on Animal Planet which I've fallen in love with - It's Me Or The Dog. It takes troubled doggies and teaches the owner how to train them. And there was one specifically with the crazy barker who barked through the bark collar, and they actually were able to curb the behavior and remove the bark collar. Of course I don't remember the episode right now or how they fixed it, but, even so, you can DVR a few episodes and learn all sorts of cool tricks. Everything from controlling barking and dog aggression to house breaking and obedience commands. So many awesome things.
(a quick google search on It's Me Or The Dog or Victoria Stillwell will also yeild a lot of helpful information).
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Mrs.Emily Krasinski on February 01, 2010, 10:31:31 PM: I LOVE It's Me Or The Dog.

here is my dog, he's 7 years old, a jewish Shih Tzu, and loves The Godfather.
(sorry the pic is so big!!)

(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d75/LenaKatina/16141_327032795149_729600149_988602.jpg)
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Jamnicity on February 02, 2010, 08:26:07 AM: Your dog is so adorable Mrs.Emily Krasinski ! We have a pug, so I have a soft spot for the smushy faced dogs.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Mrs.Emily Krasinski on February 02, 2010, 08:34:15 AM: aww thank you! He's our little baby boy, and possibly the only baby I'll ever want.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Jamnicity on February 02, 2010, 09:47:52 AM: Quote
He's our little baby boy
We feel the same way about our little pug. She's our baby girl, and we totally dote on her. She'll always be our first baby.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Mrs.Emily Krasinski on February 02, 2010, 06:17:21 PM: Of course I probably have 50 photos of my dog hahaha, he's just too cute, here is a page of SOME of the best ones and a video!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37178759@N08/
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Morning Angel on June 24, 2010, 12:55:57 PM: Some adorable pictures of kids with their pets. That first one is amazingly cute. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/23/kids-pets-the-most-adorab_n_623003.html)
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Swedge on June 24, 2010, 01:16:11 PM: Some are cute but the one with the dog licking the baby's face makes me want to slap the parents.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: girl7 on June 24, 2010, 04:51:31 PM: Swedge: I have to confess: We've got lots of pictures of our dog licking the babies' faces. :-X Now, in our defense, we didn't let the dog near the babies until they were several months old (and that one in the pictures looks fairly newborn), and we generally stop the face licking when it happens. It's just that sometimes it's so stinking cute that I just have to get a picture first.

Now FTR, we don't take pictures or allow the dog to lick the babies' directly on their mouths. That's a bit much for me.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: funkybutt on June 25, 2010, 11:29:58 AM: girl7 - That's so cute! Our dog won't let Funkytot anywhere near him, but I'm guessing that once food starts dropping on the floor, they'll be best friends. :)
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: WalkInLove on June 25, 2010, 11:37:01 AM: Girl7, that photo is frame worthy! What a great picture. ;D I will never understand why people let their pets lick their babies on the mouth either. I have known more than one person who thought that was perfectly acceptable. Ewww.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: sora on June 26, 2010, 11:18:52 AM: So, my new kitty (about 6 months) has a habit of climbing/jumping on furniture, like the flat screen TV. Eep! Does anyone have suggestions on how to curb this habit?
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: notatoy on June 28, 2010, 11:15:22 PM: sora, try putting aluminum foil on the edge - some cats get scared by the noise it makes when they step on it. I'm not sure how it will work on the flat screen though.....
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Callisto on July 02, 2010, 10:18:32 AM: So my older kitty may have cancer. :( She hasn't been well in a few months, but when I got home from vacation the other night I went to pick her up and just freaked out at how skinny she was-- she lost a good two pounds while I was away. They'll do an ultrasound today to check her out because her labs are all normal but she just refuses to eat now.

I'm so sad. I mean, as George Carlin pointed out, unless you buy a giant tortoise, you're pretty much going to outlive your pets, but it's really hard to think this may be the end. :'( I feel like Angela--she's only 14! I thought she had more time! So much more to accomplish! Sigh.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: khand3stooges on July 02, 2010, 10:51:49 AM: I'm sorry to hear that Callisto. I know how hard it is when a pet gets sick or old. I hope things go well at the ultrasound and she can get treatment. My thoughts are with you.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Callisto on July 03, 2010, 05:04:23 PM: So, it looks like it's definitely cancer. There's a bunch of masses in her stomach and intestines, there's not really anything they can do. :(

I brought her home for the weekend and I guess I'll put her down on Tuesday, when I'm off next, but she won't even drink any water. And she bit me pretty hard last night when I tried to force a prednisone down her throat (supposed to stimulate appetite and possibly shrink the tumors if it's lymphoma). The bite actually festered and now I have a lovely infection on my index finger.

Poor girl. She's been so sweet (except for that whole biting me thing), just sleeping and lying in my lap. I'm gonna miss her a lot. :'(
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Jamnicity on September 29, 2010, 11:50:49 AM: Wow, I've been out of the loop on this thread for a while, but Callisto I just wanted to say I'm so sorry about the loss of your cat. :( I know it's been a few months now, but I hope you're doing alright, and have many happy memories of her to ease the loss. bighugsicon
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Callisto on September 30, 2010, 11:27:26 AM: Thanks Jamnicity. I just saw this. :) It's still a little weird without her. The left side of the bed next to my head remains empty at night, and I miss that, but what can you do. My other cat is starting to sleep with me sometimes now but I think she has to overcome the last ten years of that is not her spot before it'll be a regular thing. :D

The vet was really awesome, I should say. They did a pretty cool thing of making me a paw print in clay. Just a little something to remember her by. Well, that, and the can of ashes... not sure what I'm going to do with those... bury them someday, I guess.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: dinknflicker on October 04, 2010, 07:56:08 AM: Every year at this time our bunny sheds his summer coat for his winter coat. The strange thing is that his winter coat is considerably less long than the summer one. I'm not sure what can be done with this information, but it strikes me as interesting.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Jamnicity on October 04, 2010, 08:56:28 PM: Quote
The vet was really awesome, I should say. They did a pretty cool thing of making me a paw print in clay. Just a little something to remember her by.
Wow! That is some awesome vet. I really like that idea of giving grieving pet parents the paw print. It's got to be such a sad feeling to leave the vet's office without your pet, but at least that way you have a little something of them to take with you.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: sora on November 05, 2010, 02:15:00 AM: I have this buffet which my phone, iHome, a vase, and some other things. Above it is a large mirror with a shelf that has another vase, a small candle holder, some cards, and other small things. My cat, JB, has gotten into the habit of jumping onto the buffet and starting knocking over things on the shelf. I moved the things from the shelf to the buffet. He later jumped up to the shelf, but he apparently got scared and backed off of the shelf, landing on the buffet, knocking over (and breaking) things on there.

Ugh. :-\

Does anyone know how I can stop him from doing this? For both my things and his safety? No matter how many times I shoo him down, he keeps jumping up there.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: notatoy on November 05, 2010, 10:20:27 AM: Try draping aluminum foil around the edges - tape it to the top and let it hang down a little. The noise sometimes scares them from jumping again.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: SnoWhiteSally on November 06, 2010, 01:34:21 AM: I was going to suggest aluminium foil too. I read that tip in a magazine once :D
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: sora on November 06, 2010, 09:30:43 PM: I tried the foil. Didn't work. :( Any other suggestions?
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: dinknflicker on March 15, 2011, 08:16:55 PM: How does anyone make it through puppy house training? It is NOT like potty training a child: humans use diapers when they are babies. Okay, some use them later in life, but that's another story for another day. Nonetheless, short of watching their every move, it is very difficult to anticipate when they need to go out. He is sequestered in the kitchen for now, but that can't possibly last for too long... :-\
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: SnoWhiteSally on March 15, 2011, 08:33:01 PM: They have those little sheets that encourage them to pee on, don't they? I don't know about poopy time. My aunt sent her dog to a doggy school because he just wasn't getting it with their help.

Not helpful. Sorry lol
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: dinknflicker on March 15, 2011, 08:36:47 PM: Yes Sally they do have the sheets, but they encourage the ~~beasts~~ doggies to use them. I want the ~~poopface~~ little cutie to take care of things outside, not inside. He's already got that down pat :).
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Italian_Food on May 16, 2011, 10:47:56 PM: Does anyone know anything about fish? My husband insisted on buying our three year old two goldfish and a 1 gallon bowl. He said he needed a pet he could take care of (The husband seems to forget about our 4 year old Yorkie, but I digress.). Anyhow, we've had these fish about a week and their water is always cloudy. We change the water and the next day, it's cloudy again. Any suggestions?
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: jazzfan on May 16, 2011, 11:40:38 PM: I_F, that isn't enough water for two goldfish and they will die unless you get them a bigger aquarium.

Goldfish care (http://www.firsttankguide.net/goldfish.php)
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Italian_Food on May 17, 2011, 12:01:32 AM: Quote from: jazzfan on May 16, 2011, 11:40:38 PM
I_F, that isn't enough water for two goldfish and they will die unless you get them a bigger aquarium.

Goldfish care (http://www.firsttankguide.net/goldfish.php)

Thank you for the info. I told my husband not to listen to the person in the pet section at Walmart! Sigh. He's talking about going to the pet store tomorrow to buy a tank. This is turning into a very expensive lesson in responsibility!
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: bcd on May 17, 2011, 02:48:21 AM: Quote from: dinknflicker on March 15, 2011, 08:16:55 PM
How does anyone make it through puppy house training? It is NOT like potty training a child: humans use diapers when they are babies. Okay, some use them later in life, but that's another story for another day. Nonetheless, short of watching their every move, it is very difficult to anticipate when they need to go out. He is sequestered in the kitchen for now, but that can't possibly last for too long... :-\

It took a couple of weeks to train my dog. It's kind of like potty training without the diapers! Just have to keep taking them outside every hour or so and making a bit deal over every little poop et al. Time it takes depends on the breed. My god was a German Shepherd and caught on quick (with the odd booboo) but my sister had bassets and they took a bit longer. ;D
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Jamnicity on June 06, 2011, 12:15:58 PM: I was wondering if anyone here uses pet insurance? Our dog is 8 years old, so she's getting in to her senior years, where bills could get more expensive. I've been wondering if pet insurance would be a good idea, or if it's just a big scam, or where you even get it. Anyone have experience with it?
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: colette on June 06, 2011, 01:28:00 PM: Quote from: Jamnicity on June 06, 2011, 12:15:58 PM
I was wondering if anyone here uses pet insurance? Our dog is 8 years old, so she's getting in to her senior years, where bills could get more expensive. I've been wondering if pet insurance would be a good idea, or if it's just a big scam, or where you even get it. Anyone have experience with it?

Nothing definitive - just antecdotal, but...when our last pooch was getting old, I looked into it. Ended up not doing it, because most people I spoke to had found that lots of stuff wasn't even covered. Later, when she got cancer, and her treatments were mega-expensive, I revisited the subject with the the specialty vet center and they pretty much confirmed that the more costly stuff we were doing wouldn't have been covered anyway.

Maybe there are more comprehensive policies - but no doubt the premiums will be higher too.

Apropos, our other dog was recently diagnosed with Lupus (who knew dogs got that?!?) Meds are costly, but the alternative is to let it spread systemically (bad news) and/or allow his nose to fall off. Kid you not. At 5, he's young for a lab (who easily go to 12+) and in otherwise great health, so....luckily for him, he's the world's sweetest thing, so here we are.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Jamnicity on June 07, 2011, 05:10:47 PM: Thanks for the info colette. I've always wondered how much those policies really do cover. Sounds like, as I suspected, they're probably not worth it.

Sorry about your dog. :( I had no idea an animal could get Lupus, which sounds completely awful! Poor guy, I hope he still manages to have a long, happy life. 5 is so young!
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: dinknflicker on June 08, 2011, 10:55:30 AM: colette so sorry to hear about your pup getting lupus. It seems like they tell you about so many different possibilities for illness but that one is news to me. I hope it is pain-free and he feels okay.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: colette on June 08, 2011, 03:37:09 PM: Thanks, dinknflicker and Jamnicity. He's such a love, so appreciate the good thoughts.

He has Discoid Lupus, which primarily effects skin cells - though it can spread to the eyes (don't ask) and systemically. So far it's just his nose - you can Google it, but I suggest not if you're squeamish. Luckily, it doesn't seem painful, except when it gets too ulcerated....and otherwise he's fine, in great shape...a big, sloppy, happy guy.

But he needs lots of meds - hopefully to put him in long term remission - and to keep it from becoming systemic, which is a lot more serious. Also, because it destroys the skin's pigment, it can lead to melanoma, so we have to be vigilant about covering the effected area with baby sunscreen. Fun times keeping him from licking it off before it absorbs, with that big old Lab turbo-tongue.

And there's more than you ever wanted to know about Canine Lupus. :D I thought I was just bringing him to the vet for a garden-variety nose-crud type thing...a tube of ointment and off we'd go. Who knew?
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: lisahoo on June 08, 2011, 03:54:54 PM: Aww!! C-Dawg!!
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: NanReg on June 09, 2011, 09:23:51 AM: Hugs to your pup, colette (http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr118/NanReg/smileys/nicedoggy.gif) Re: pet insurance. We have a lab, too (chocolate). We had insurance for him for about a year when we got him. We then received the helpful suggestion to open a separate bank account and simply bank the money that we would spend on the insurance premiums, rather than actually getting an insurance policy. So, we started doing that instead. That way, if you don't use the insurance, you're not throwing money away. It won't cover the really expensive stuff, obviously, but it makes for a nice little doggie nest egg ;)
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: dinknflicker on June 15, 2011, 08:07:52 AM: Trash day is the toughest day to walk the dog: so many fun smells and there is always the off chance that someone, somewhere dropped a scrap of food on the way to the curb. This doggie needs to investigage that possibility at every. single. house. And sometimes double back. Just. To. Be. Sure. 100%.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Callisto on October 05, 2011, 12:47:15 PM: Good gravy. So this morning I decide that now that we have finally finished the floors and painting, I can go ahead and start moving in more. I have about 27 boxes in the garage full of books. (The movers asked my roommate, "Is your old lady a teacher or something? :D) Anyway, I'm doing a box at a time, it's getting a little warm, I open the window in my room. Now there is no screen on the window, because there used to be a window a/c unit before we had central air put in, and I haven't gotten a screen yet. My kitty has shown interest in it but she's a scaredy cat, and it's also a pretty big jump to the ground below.

I was in and out of the house a few times getting boxes, and it occurred to me I hadn't seen her in a little bit. So I do the usual clucking, psst-ing, come here Peanut; rattled the food bag, poured a bowl of milk-- that last never fails to bring her running-- and nothing. By now I'm in a full on panic, she got out in the five minutes I turned my back!

I looked EVERYWHERE in the house, under beds, behind furniture, nothing. Went out back to see if she maybe did get out, and nothing. However, for the first time ever, we left the gate open last night. By now I'm practically hysterical because, well, if I lose anything else I love in the next year I'm going to have that mental breakdown I keep threatening. I drove around the neighborhood but where do you even look? Nothing. Except guys walking their big-ass Rottweilers and German shepherds the size of small ponies everywhere.

Finally got back home, woke up my roommate in utter tears, and he jumps out of bed and looks under there and there she is. With this look on her face like "What? I'm sleeping." I was trying not to wake him up, but I did look under there with the flashlight from my phone, and did not see her.

I can't decide if I'm relieved or really, really annoyed. :D
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Jamnicity on October 05, 2011, 01:28:05 PM: Oh, Callisto, I'm so glad you found your kitty safe and sound! Whew!
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: dinknflicker on October 15, 2011, 10:54:30 AM: I know I've already mentioned the burr things on my doggie's face, how they make me laugh and they look like green chicken pox. But today we went on another trail and he came out with burrs the size of quarters. Made me laugh even harder. Until I tried to pull them off. ???
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: colette on October 24, 2011, 10:20:56 PM: One of my (human) kids just sent me a link to this video, and I thought I'd pass it along.

Video of a beautiful golden retriever greeting her 'mom' - a soldier who's just returned from Afghanistan.

The dog literally cries with joy. (http://redux.com/stream/item/2127326/Dog-Overjoyed-to-See-Mom-Home-From-War) So sweet.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: khand3stooges on October 24, 2011, 10:30:50 PM: I love all those homecoming videos with their pets. :)
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Callisto on October 25, 2011, 12:28:56 PM: So sweet! Now don't get me wrong, I love my cat and my cat loves me-- follows me around and talks at me all the time with her meowling. But there's just nothing quite like the love of a dog. <3
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: SnoWhiteSally on October 25, 2011, 07:22:52 PM: I wish I wasn't scared of dogs, they're so loyal and they love you A LOT.Awww, that made me cry.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: funkybutt on January 12, 2012, 08:49:26 PM: Please send some positive thoughts to our sweet little Bingham. He'll be 15 in May so we're not surprised that he's having a rough time, but we kinda got blind-sided. 2 nights ago, he threw up - which isn't unusual b/c he eats sticks & rocks when we take him outside. He seemed ok after that and didn't think anything more until we got home yesterday and found that he spent the day throwing up bile. He looked awful from being dehydrated. :( My MIL took him to the vet this morning and he has pancreatitus, early stages of kidney disease, and they found a mass on his liver. :'( At this point, they're just trying to treat the pancreatitus (getting him hydrated) and if he recovers from that, we'll do what we can for the kidney disease (I think a change in diet and shots twice a week). My opinion is to do nothing about the mass (biopsy) b/c I doubt we'd do anything about it if it's cancer since dogs usually only live 6 months to a year with kidney disease. We'll just try to make him as comfortable as possible and when we see his health declining, we'll let him go. Ugh - my poor puppy!

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3232/3105207082_a239640397.jpg)
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Jamnicity on January 12, 2012, 09:20:32 PM: Oh Funky, I am so sorry about your dog. What a cutie he is! I hope you are able to get the pancreatitus and kidney issues under control, and that whatever time he has left will be happy and comfortable. bighugsicon
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: justkaren on January 15, 2012, 10:46:57 PM: Sorry your doggie is so sick, funky. I lost my baby Shelby the first week in December (she was also 15) so I know how hard it is. You'll be in my thoughts. bighugsicon
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Italian_Food on January 15, 2012, 11:02:32 PM: So sorry about your dog, FB. He looks just like our Oscar. bighugsicon
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: bcd on January 18, 2012, 03:44:30 AM: My 16.5 year old cat isn't doing well. She was fine on Saturday but has been really lethargic since Sunday and not eating. The vet says her heart rate is slow and she has an arrhythmia. She's so frail looking in just 2 days. I think this is it and I'm just crushed. She is usually a real cuddler but she doesn't want to be touched. This just sucks. (I lost my almost 15 year old pup last year and that still hits me hard at times.)
Arghhh
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: dinknflicker on January 18, 2012, 10:10:54 AM: Sorry for the sadness, bcd. Hope you can feel better soon.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Callisto on January 21, 2012, 04:28:27 PM: Sympathies, bcd. It's so hard to lose a pet. :(
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: bcd on January 22, 2012, 02:46:04 AM: Thanks dinknflicker and callisto. She passed away tonight, we were planning on taking her to the vet tomorrow to do what no one wants to think about but she made it easier on us.
So tough when our pets are family.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Beeswax on January 22, 2012, 08:50:49 AM: My condolences on the loss of your cat. We had to put our elderly cat down last month and it was heartbreaking. What a gift to be able to have her for 16 and a half years. Remember her well.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: justkaren on January 22, 2012, 01:48:36 PM: Sorry bcd. :(
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: khand3stooges on January 22, 2012, 02:38:05 PM: I'm sorry bcd, it's so hard to lose a pet. My thoughts are with you. bighugsicon
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: jazzfan on January 22, 2012, 02:51:45 PM: Very sorry about your kitty, **bcd**.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: colette on January 22, 2012, 03:41:22 PM: Sorry about your cat, bcd. Sounds like she was a sweetie. Glad you were spared making that call (been there...so hard!) Losing a pet you've had that long really is like losing a family member.

I've posted here before about our dog having Lupus - he's had some symptoms lately I've been hoping were unrelated and nothing serious. But they're not improving, so I'm starting to think they may be - which would not be a good sign. Going to get him into the vet soon - fingers crossed that I'm just over reacting.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: bcd on January 22, 2012, 08:44:51 PM: Thanks everyone.

Thinking positive thoughts for your pooch colette.
So sorry to hear about your loss Beeswax.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: funkybutt on June 08, 2012, 09:31:21 AM: We made an appt on Monday for our poor dog, Bingham. He recovered ok from the stuff he was dealing with in January, but I think the mass is getting bigger and lately he hasn't been eating as much. It's gotten to the point that he'll turn his nose up to most food but he'll gobble down bananas and baby carrots if we hand feed them to him. We had him "summer shaved" and ever since then you can see how gaunt he is. :( He'll just stand there shaking and swaying (I think b/c he's having trouble with his back legs).

He's still sweet to us and still wags his tail, etc so it was really hard for us to decide that this is the right time. However, last night was just so pitiful - he wouldn't lay down and just paced/swayed/stumbled all night (which kept me up all night, too). My husband doesn't like the vet on the weekends, so he made an appt for Monday. At least it's the weekend and we can shower him with love and attention until then. :'(
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Jamnicity on June 08, 2012, 08:36:20 PM: Oh, poor Bingham. I'm so sorry it's come time to let him go. That's always a tough decision. I'm glad you all have the weekend to love him up and say your goodbyes. I hope that will ease the pain some come Monday. :'(
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Italian_Food on December 04, 2012, 11:52:18 PM: I love my dog (5 year old Yorkie), I really do. We consider him a member of our family. He gets some turkey on Thanksgiving, has a Christmas stocking I fill with goodies, and an Easter basket. We celebrate his birthday each year by grilling him a hamburger. But, we also realize he's still a pet, an animal. We have no problem leaving him home for a few hours if we're out for a while.

That being said, I'm surrounded by seemingly crazy pet people. When I told my sister she couldn't bring her 70 lb shedding hair ball Bermese Mountain dog to my already crowded house on Thanksgiving she refused to come! Then my friend posts pictures from the Holiday photo shoot she had professionally shot of her rescued mixed breed.

Am I crazy for not doing these things?
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Callisto on December 05, 2012, 08:28:40 AM: No, you are not. I have the same issue every Christmas and Thanksgiving with my brothers. One owns a border collie, the other a rottweiler. My sister in law has two little lap dogs and when she said they couldn't bring their dogs to Thanksgiving, my oldest brother decided to stay home with the dogs (the brothers live together). Everywhere they go, the dogs must go. It drives me crazy, but mostly because they have no respect for the homes they visit. I have three cats, so NO, you can't let your gigantic freaking dog run around my house terrorizing my cats! THEY live here! YOUR DOG is the guest! That's why I have a back yard. And yet, it became a big thing because that damned border collie goes insane if he's left alone when there are people around.

Their dogs are sweet animals but it's something that makes me love having cats - I can leave them unattended for a while. Hell, they're fine for days as long as someone comes by to give them food and water and scrape out the litter box. ;)
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: khand3stooges on December 05, 2012, 09:17:50 AM: No, you are not crazy. I love dogs (and cats), but am able to seperate the fact there are limits with them. Some people just forget that. I don't care what people do with their own pets, but they need to understand not everyone feels the same way about their animal. It's kinda like no one loves your kids like you do. ;) IF, don't feel bad for your stance, you are not alone.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: Italian_Food on December 06, 2012, 09:14:18 AM: Callisto, it sounds like your brothers and my sister would get along great. I thought she would become a little less neurotic about the dog when she became a mom, but nope, my neice is 17 months old and my sister still acts like she gave birth to the dog as well. Last Easter she just showed up with the dog without asking, like it's expected that her dog will be a part of the holiday celebration. The kicker with my sister is that my youngest son, her nephew, is allergic to shedding dogs and she still thinks the dog should be allowed to come into my home, leaving his hair everywhere and reaking havoc on my son's allergies for days.
Title: Re: Pets: I don't want Garbage, I want Sprinkles!
Post by: khand3stooges on January 13, 2013, 02:47:01 PM: Has anyone else been following the story of the pitbull "Buck"? He was brutally shot with a pellet gun, then put it a bag by the side of the road. He is the sweetest thing. I've been following it on Yahoo, but he also has a facebook site for updates and donations.