G. Festerling

I also would like to extend my thanks to Eileen. She does a great job. This is the one and only forum I am active in. I also feel that that civilized exchange of knowledge and experience is the way to learn. Which includes being able to defend your own, very valid and real experiences to others.

Maybe interesting reading....http://www.instituteofcaninebiology.org/blog/how-breeding-the-best-to-the-best-can-be-worse

One of my friends and a member of this forum has one. He is a lovely dog. A spoiled prince.

So happy for you. Nothing better than to see them come into their own.

I would have to approach this from the what I am not drawn to, end. I do not like heavy, short legged or bodied. Split faces are very unattractive. Especially if there is little to no pigment around an eye. Having said that, I am not terribly thrilled with blue eyes either. Ears don't much matter. Mine are too different. Coat does not matter although the TX climate kind of makes a super rough coat not very practical. I like an athlete. So I guess I am partial to the leaner type dogs. When I raised a litter for me, I usually got to keep what was left. And it always worked beautifully for me. When I go look for a pup, if they are old enough, I look for a certain presence. With my Fee, I had to pick from a pile of 3 week old blobs. So I picked the one who's markings appealed to me. Although, I will admit, I would have picked the red if it was not taken already. I never gave it a second thought that she may very well be a smooth coat or have bat ears. Mind you, mom is a smooth and has prick ears. I would like to believe that I saw a twinkle in her brand new little eye balls....that I knew she was the one...but I think, as long as they work and are great companions to me....I don't really care. When I did look around my crew, I have a predominately black tri group. But I do love a nice red!

She sounds like she was a lovely companion that made life a lot more fun. What better is there? So sorry for your loss. It just is never long enough.

Fair enough. But, unlike peeing, I don't find that my dogs have enough spare poop if they actually eliminate on their walks. Why do I chime in again? To slap separation anxiety labels on a pup, without even considering easy causes, like a change in care, seems a bit quick to me. Again, not implying it is with ill intend or even carelessness. Not at all. But it is a change. It will be interesting if your pup shows any tendencies to maybe question being clean in the house when you get back. If so, it could be that his schedule was simply changed.

I like the idea of boarding him away from home. Having said that.....when my dogs act up, without me here...it is because they are not getting the attention. I hardly ever miss them telling me they need out. I know how long they need out to do all their business. In short....I am more tuned in to them. Just because they are mine. The folks at my house know dogs. They like dogs. One even trains dogs. Yet, no one knows them as well as I do. They live with me. So your room mate, inadvertently may just not do the same job you do. And that is nothing against her. I have to remind myself often that others simply are not me. Not that I am perfect with my guys....But I am more aware of them because they are my life. A caretaker needs to do more in the absence of the owner then when all hands are on deck. To make sure things are covered. And most people that are room mates do have their own routine with the dogs already. So it maybe hard to devote that extra 15 minutes for a walk. Or for a cuddle. Especially if the cat does not like that! This also applies to me when I take care of the dogs around here that are not mine. And although I try to do a good job out of personal and professional (animal care not dogs) pride, I do find myself having to make special arrangements in my time and that is not always easy. And as a puppy, he will need to learn that the world does not revolve around him.

I am so, so sorry. He sounds like he was a grand old man!

I do believe they can and do mourn. However, aside from the emotion, it changes the structure in a pack or group. I just went through this with my two oldest passing. Things are just off. Did you feed them close to each other? Was there maybe a type of competition about eating?

Oh how fun!!! Any pics? Can't ever see enough of the handsome young man.

A very timely question for me as well. Watching to see the answers.

I am green with envy! Sounds like a blast! Can't wait to hear the reports.

What a cutie!!! Best of luck and to many happy and exciting years!

I am so happy for you!!!! So glad you stuck it out and things are going well. So now we deserve a new picture of your beauty, yes?!

My heart is breaking for you. I am fighting a battle here myself and could barely believe reading that your sweet girl is gone. Prayers for you and her.

Well....I also was thinking tricks. And as Tory pointed out, some dogs can be just fine. Most of my guys, despite enjoying a good romp, are super quiet in the house and really don't care if we go out or not. Any way to find a kid to take her for occasional walks? As a sidenote, I don't believe life is perfect. Sometimes it can only be as perfect as we can make it. So maybe she gets less than the "perfect" amount of exercise. But in return, she has a safe and loving home. Have been able to do some medical work ups on her. She could have heart issues.

Good girl!

I am so sorry. Just been there and am facing it possibly again. She had a great life with you and I am sure would not have wanted it any other way.

<3

My old man Flash had it before a year of age. One shoulder, with the second not bothering him too much. Did bilateral surgery, kept him quiet for two months, build him up slow. No more issues. He lived to be 12 when I lost him to a heart attack. And although he did show some arthritis in his older years....I never regretted it.

The Iron man! <3

In my little mind I would say, yes, a working dog can easily be a pet. But a pet, often would not make a great working dog. Expectations would be too different. For me, I stack things. Things are ordered somewhat by "importance" or in what order I would address them in. Since I can only do one thing at a time. With neither taking higher rank.

The best and most understandable writing on titers was actually on this very board for me. It is the last of the pinned threads on this section of the forum.

I am so sorry. It just never is long enough.