zorra's Pappy

We have a dog park nearby that has a huge sign that says something like, "this is a dog park, not a children park, please take your children elsewhere to play." I can't remember the exact wording. But, of course it doesn't work, there are still kids running amock without much supervision at all. Zorra chases anything that moves, while I hope she wouldn't never bite a child, I do get nervous when kids come screaming past me and Zorra looks like she's ready to pounce. That's normally my cue to leave.

Zorra only ever whines when she needs to pee in the car. It's normally within the first 10 minutes of any trip. She'll whine, I'll stop she pees right away, then we're good to go for the next xx hours. I think the excitement of getting to go on a car ride gets her juices flowing.

I've read that several times, and unfortunately didn't follow that advice. I too took a few days off of work in order to spend time with her, and as a result didn't leave the house. I should have left Zorra a few times for 5, 10, 15, 30 minutes, as she already has Seperation Anxiety from her previous home, I think I just added to the stress. Other than that little hiccup, we bonded very quickly, and we're approaching the one year mark together, and no major problems. I agree with what the others said, set rules early, but don't spend every second with the new dog, go about you life as normal, s/he will get used to the routine and bond with you in no time. Good luck and Congrats.

Y'all are the best....

My rescue experience was excellent. I e-mailed the Border Collie Rescue of Texas just with general questions about the breed at first. I received several e-mails back as well as a few phone calls, they were extremely helpful. I then asked about a few BCs i saw on their website and they were honest saying that these dogs would probably not fit my lifestyle (I was worried about living in a townhouse and not having a huge yard) and after about 2 weeks of looking they contacted me with a BC that had lived in an apartment, and was the only dog in the household, which was important for me. They thought she would be a good fit. I had a home visit, and within a week I met Zorra and was driving home with her. I think they overall experience was good, and would definitely rescue from them again. I think the $200 adoption fee was well worth it, because I know I have a lifetime of support. I would call any of the people I dealt with if I had a problem or needed some advice or support. Tumbs up to Border Collie Recsue of Texas.

Hahahaha, my jeep smelled like fish guts for about 3 weeks after a recent trip to the lake. Zorra thought it smelled wonderful. :eek:

Wow, thanks everyone for your replies. I really thought they would remain the same (besides getting gray of course.) I learned something new today, thanks again.

So I know a leopard cannot change spots, but can a Border Collie? I'm sure Zorra's markings are changing slightly. Her tail seems to be getting more black, and she seesms to be getting more ticking on her back. (She's mostly all white except for a small splotch on her hip) I think it could all be in my imagination, but wondered if their markings were set for life?

LOL, I think we have the same dog. I have to walk several feet away from any trees or Zorra will think she's a cat and try to claw her way up the tree looking for the pesky critters .

Sorry to hear about your loss, but it seems like you have some wonderful memories of her. You were both very lucky to find each other.

I always tell my friends that Zorra isn't a real BC, because of I sit still for more than 5 minutes she's sleeping. But as soon as I make a move she's up and ready for action.

Wow, great pics. As everyone else said, "how do you do it?" Good for you. At 16 I was too interested in girls, going to parties, and just getting into trouble. Good for you! Great BCs.

Hee hee, yep I normally get that in the morning right before going to work. I have my dress pants on all clean and ironed and she'll come along and spray them with doggie snot. I think it's her way of marking me .

Sorry this may be long, but I'm bored at work. My upstairs A/C decided to break down earlier this year, and I have just been lazy about getting someone in to fix it. I have just decided to live in a very warm room up till now. Well, yesterday here in Dallas it was near 100 degrees, so my bedroom was like a furnace at bedtime. I decided enough of this and decide to sleep on the couch downstairs where it was a little more tolerable. So after getting ready for bed I headed downstairs and switched off all the lights, well Zorra stood at the top of the stairs for about 5 minutes waiting for me to go to bed. I eventually got up and switched the lights on and called her down, she at first looked at me cocking her head from side to side, and walked halfway down the stairs. All this time with a with a very confused and concerned look on her face. I could tell she was thinking, "um...we normally go up there after we switch the lights off!!!" Hee hee, sorry kind of long and pointless post, but work is very slow today.

that's awesome

Yep Zorra does that too, she'll put my entire arm in her mouth and squeeze very softly once or twice. Once she got my finger and it hurt, said "ouch" and she stopped right away. She also only does it when we're playing and she's on her back. Strange!

Lol, yep Zorra loves eating mosquitos. I'll be watching tv and she'll jump up out of a deep sleep and try and snatch the little buggers out of the air. Normally give me a huge fright, then I just chuckle away as my pest control service goes to work.

Thanks everyone, you have been very helpful. I think I just needed piece of mind. At first I was very concerned thinking she was seriously ill, but it sounds as though other's have these issues too. I will still keep a close eye on her and mention it the the vet. Thanks again

Reverse Sneezing? It definitely does look like an asthma attack, forceful inhalation, I'm not sure about the mouth closed part - I'll make sure to take notice next time it happens. I'm going to google reverse sneezing and see if I can find more symptons. Thanks. And yes, the first time it happened I really thought she was on her way to the kennel in the sky, scared the daylights out of me. Thanks again for your help.

She is about 2 years old. I have only had her for a couple of months, but it's only started in the last week or so, just as it's got hot, and the pollen has become really bad - which is why I think it may be allergies to pollen. "Dry heaving" is not a great way to explain it, I just can't think of any other way to explain it. It is as if she has eaten too fast as is trying to clear her throat. It really does only happen outside, or soon after she comes in from the yard. Thanks for your help, I'm definitely going to keep a close eye on her, and bring it up with the Doc at her next visit.

My poor girl has these short 'attacks,' where she sort of dry heaves, but it's more like she has something stuck in her throat. (I'm sorry I'm not very good at explaining these things.) Anyway, I also noticed that when I take her out in the morning she's fine, but after being outside for a few minutes she sneezes continuously, and her eyes get red, and then she'll start the "dry heaving" routine again. It doesn't seem like she's experiencing too much discomfort. While it's happening she looks very unhappy, but as soon as it passes she'smy back to wagging her tail and ready to chase the tennis ball again. So, after that long-winded explanation, my question is: Is it possible that she has allergies to pollen? Anybody else have experience with this? Will it pass once Spring is over? She's due for another vet visit in a few weeks, I'll definitely bring it up - should I consult my vet before then? Thanks in advance.

I am a frequent dog park visitor, and luckily we have a decent group of regulars. Every now and then we have new faces that show up and most of the time there are no problems. Have any of you noticed that arrogant and obnoxious people have arrogant and obnoxious dogs? There is one guy that walks in, ignores everyone and talks on his cell phone the entire time while his dog runs around like a lunatic annoying other dogs and people. Oh well, some people going through life being "that guy." I do feel sorry for their dogs!