jls

New age outlaw, didn't know that about the choc sustagen?? In any case would have thought it(caffeine) would work like a pick me up?? Ignorance speaking. The vet nurses advised me once, to give Bear, gatorade,to help bring up the electolytes. It did help. To help with energy and rehydration. jls

King is beautiful. Atleast he's in the best place to get what he needs. Glad your poor boy is picking up. Wishing him a speedy recovery. Thinking of you both.' All the best, jls

That's one way to do the laundry jls

I'd asked an received a bonsai from my mother in law as a present. I got over keen, an gave it a nasty hair cut, so much so, it started to go toes up and turn brown. ( keen to learn about bonsai prunning) In desperation, I nurture it, and placed it on the outside table,to get sunlight. Whilst, not getting a chance to walk my girl that week. Should have known better than leave the bonsai in the back yard. Vengeful pup, jumped up onto table and retrieved the bonsai. When I arrived home, the bonsai, had been ripped in two. Half dumped at the back door, the other half spat out at the back gate. Needless to say, my mother in law wasn't happy about the treatment of an expensive gift. Ashamed big time. While angelic pup, wondered what the fuss was about??? jls

Erny, I'm sorry for Kal's passing. Your in my thoughts an prayers. Can understand your journey with Kal, as we had to do the right thing for our girl about 7 weeks ago. Like you, even now, I tend to do the same things,such as leave scraps for her, look for her in the backyard as I come home. Or worry if it's about to rain, that she might be out doors etc. As a matter of fact, my being here,is due to her. I was quietly doing research on finding our new four legged family addition, for when we're ready and able to pursue it. And my search, lead me to the local pound, and a darling shephy looking back at me -needing a home. Hence- I found my way here to the rescue site. The Shephy has a new forever home, and I like to think, me and my girl had a small (TINY) hand in it. If only to broadcast her plight.. Much more credit goes to people like Varicool an Most importantly her new family. I have read your shared information between you and DbT, I admit being a looooooong way from being a vet nurse , but had completed animal studies myself, so was able to understand and learn more from your posts. My only aim is to help others, with what little studies I have had and share it with others. Maybe along the way making a difference. Hopefully that will be your feelings too. Losing Kal, would be deeply saddening right now, but the hopefully sharing these things can make a difference along the way. Forgive me if I have anyway put my foot in it. My thoughts and prayers are with you, jls

To Ollie, continuing to get better an better each day. Who says, dogs are silly, they know how to get the goods. They just have to hold out a bit, and get yummy chicken. Smart i say~!~ I read in the paper over the week-end of a dog with the same diagnosis, who went into full remission, praying for that for you an Olie. jls

Your border is showing submissive signs to you. T-time is right. you reward to behaviours you do want, not the ones you don't~!~ When you call her, keep a pleasant but firm tone in your voice, an passive demeanor when you call her ( it's about confidence) Keep your hands at your side, as she may try to jump to reach you. The minute she approaches, Just before starting to roll, than praise her madly, make a huge fuss.[/color But only make a loud fuss, when she's in the standing or sitting position If she drops to the roll position (ignore unwanted behaviour) Back Up, and a simple clear no~!~ And call her to you again, Than prior to the rolling praise like mad. ( She will associate the pleasing you, with this behaviour of standing when greeting etc. Just remember build her confidence and show her the right behaviours. ( just do the behaviour repetitvely and with patience, you'll see) Love to hear how it goes, jls

Poor pup, I think the rash looks like exposure to something, environmental or chemical etc too~!~ I know the bills aren't cheap, but better safe than sorry. Fingers crossed the shampoo helps etc jls

Hi, Hope it's great news from the vets. Thoughts are with you. Fingers crossed, it's just a tummy bug. jls

Who could not love faces like those~!~ Already winners in my book. jls

Hi Poor Coolibah. Atleast education can help save others. My personal preference is to get the 3rd and final vacc C5, which includes the kennel cough in it. And I wait 1 month after C5 shot for mine. I agree with the socialising, but for me wouldn't take the risk. Not until after that point. jls

[ :cool: Amen to that. (word for word - Just a Dog) I have loved reading your posts of support, knowledge and intelligence (Well Earned I imagine) to Jodie and Olie. I have learned a lot from the journey of your friendship expressed along the way over these posts, you both seem like amazing people to me. ( Sometimes the by-products of our pets is other friendships,born in the darkest hours - and Thank God for them) I have to admit a kinship to you both over these posts. My heart goes up and down with you on this roller coaster ride. I totally relate to the sleepless nights of watching over them. Finding the money and the strength to face the next challenge. I heart goes out to Jodie and Olie and I will him to good health. And Glad someone Like Dogbesotted has come along to help you. All my prayers, jls From time to time, people tell me, “lighten up, it’s just a dog,” or, “that’s a lot of money for just a dog.” They don’t understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for “just a dog.” Some of my proudest moments have come about with “just a dog.” Many hours have passed and my only company was “just a dog,” but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by “just a dog,” and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of “just a dog” gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day. If you, too, think it’s “just a dog,” then you will probably understand phases like “just a friend,” “just a sunrise,” or “just a promise.” “Just a dog” brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. “Just a dog” brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. Because of “just a dog” I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it’s not “just a dog” but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. “Just a dog” brings out what’s good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day. I hope that someday they can understand that it’s not “just a dog” but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being “just a man.” So the next time you hear the phrase “just a dog.” just smile, because they “just don’t understand.” Roca © 2006 Versatile Hunting Dog Magazine, February 2006 http://www-hsc.usc.edu/~bjmcmil/dick/mydog.html http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/257...006-628025.html and about dog owner v dog person ( for all the dog people here) http://dogs.about.com/cs/fungames/a/evolution.htm

Hi, Soooooooooooo very glad to hear it wasn't Parvo I'd keep perservering with the no food command, but maybe it's a refletion on me, but mine never listened either, was definitely interested in anything she could lay her paws on. All the best jls

Parvo Symtoms: ( 7 day incubation period) Depression Anorexia Persistant vomiting graduating to bloody vomit Within 24hrs Foul smelling red/brown bloody diarrhea dehydration/ shock subnormal temperature untreated death. (myocarditis form) in pups sudden death or signs of heart failure - not as common anymore due to vaccinatons Those are the signs anyway, but you mentioned feeding him onions at the BBQ. Which may also have something to do with it. Onions are toxic to dogs. Either way, definitely head off to the vets. And I agree with the others, keep him home and separate him from other family pet members until you are sure of his condition. Sincerely hope it's just an upset stomach for the poor guy. jls

Hi, Sincerely hope it's just an allergy to the pasta - it's easy to withdraw from the diet. After desexing, it can cause a depletion of estrogen, which can effect the spincter muscle,which doesn't contract enough to avoid accidents etc. We put our pet onto stibestrol?To increase the estrogen. But it didn't assist the incontenence prob etc. We went further to steriods, but after a couple of days resulted in flooding for her. (In short her incontinence probs were apart of another health prob) Like you, was very concerned about long term damage to kidneys from the steriods etc We used the steriods intermittantly. But as another member mentioned, not recommended to use steriods intermittantly as it's not safe to do so.Need to ween pets off steriods over a period of a month - check with vet on that etc. In our case, due to her age, we learned to adapt to her health probs, more toilet breaks, more fibre and medications etc. I wish you the best, jls

Pauline, I'm sorry for your loss of Cooper. I didn't see the full replies. my sincere apologies. I hope you are going ok. Wish you love and peace at this time. jls

[Dear Pauline, I was in the exact same position A month ago. My heart goes out to you. Our german sheph, Bear, had a genetic illness, one which we went to great pains and financial juggling to maintain over 10 years. A healthy dose of denial made us delay it longer than we should have. Unfortunately the time arrived when her system was failing.The decision was made for us. We loved her so much, that we couldn't allow her to suffer any further. It was difficult, as even over the final days, she was still out and about, but by the end of night ,her legs would weaken and give way. Her quality of life had diminished, and we felt, we were no longer robbing her of anything, but sparing her from a far worse. Bear for the most part was my companion,not my pet. So, it was a very hard and lonely decision to make.( my husband and I came to that decision together )I don't know if you have a partner or family. But I do understand the gravity of your feelings. You have to love them enough to do what's right for them,when the time comes. I can't articulate how I feel better than expressed by kelly louise. But I like to look for the good out of bad situation. That's what brought me to this website. My hubby isn't ready to look for another four legged family member, but I'm lonely and have always had a dog with me throughout my life. (I hope you'lll understand this - but throughout my life, I have found solace in getting another 4 legged family member soon after the passing of one) Not a replacement, but a new begining, getting know and love another. Through my experience, I have found the playul antics and the love of a fat playful pup, help the the loss and passing ease just a little.Maybe a bit soon for me to mention this,and if so,I'm sorry. Everything at your own pace and in your own way. I know we can't afford another pet, atleast until I'm financial again, but in the mean while, I've been searching, for when we can. The GOOD - I speak of, coming out of the bad~!~ Just happened to be searching in the Logan pound website. And saw a german shepherd girl in dire need of a home. (Sadly we aren't able to take her on) I urgently looked for an organisation or website, which may be able to help her plight. I found this place. And if you read the urgent rescue site, (under save a german shepherd girl) You get the gist of the rest. Needless, to say she has been rescued and is in a new loving home. I like to think that in small part is due to Bear. (We had tiny hand in helping another) I'm sorry this is happening with you and your cooper, but I hope it helps to know your not alone. An we are thinking of you both. jls

Oh, sorry to hear you've obviously had bad experiences. I didn't have any probs. But can also recommend Anvet Beenleigh - very good~!~" all the best, jls

Hi, Since you mentioned, salisbury, I imagine, it'd be easy for you to get to Mt Gravatt. Can recommend Kessells Road vets - very good, when I lived there~!~ All the best, jls

Hi I followed the same diet for my shepherd etc. Plus, prednisone. ( My dog had flooding problems from the prednisone) so could only use it intermittently, supervised by the vet etc. But what I found made a big impact on my pets health, when not a lot would, was the [/b] crushed to her dinner, every couple of days for about a week . Than after that, once a week. You must use it, sparingly as excessive use, can cause anemia. But I have personally used garlic in the food, and made a big turn around, when other things didn't work as well. Have personally seen arthritic animals walking again, after adding it to meals. The garlic is a natiural antibiotic, an increases the blood circulation etc. My parents german shepherd had an accident, resulting in arthritus in the hind quarters later in life. She was eventually unable to walk, and lost a lot of fur around her neck, chest and tail. Out of desperation, we tried the neighbours suggestion of garlic, after a month or so, the hair almost fully grew back, and she walked again, at a wobbly gate. Try it, I guaratee, it's worth it. It can cause the pets a bit of intergestion so, I gave them a small amount of milk after meal. ] Hope this helps, All the best, jls