Vehs

After D bloated his recovery was quite smooth. He spent a few days at the local vets in a crate and then we borrowed a crate from a friend for him to be contained in at home for a few days. He was stitched top to tail so the most worrisome part was how I would get him in the wagon from the emergency vets to the local vet - I turned around to ask the nurse to give me a hand and the bastard jumped up! I was so worried he'd pop his stitches and his guts would go everywhere. He must have been on some strong painkillers. Glad your boy is on the mend :)

Thanks Whippy P

Tazzie goes to Nanny's house LOL But if D isn't missing for the whole day he also has access to the laundry and hallway to come inside and play with his toys - and he'll get a treat. D on the other hand is used to being in the yard alone, he gets his brekkie and spends the day patrolling the yard and sleeping.

it's bloody scary, I'm sure he'll be right now, poor bugger

alpha bet, I know you only summarised the study but I certainly hope there was more to it than that! More controls at least.

My GSD started pushing the pedal on the sewing machine after I had a very busy weekend using it - thankfully it was turned off and I was not fiddling with fabric or the needle at the time!

When was she desexed? Is it getting warmer where you are?

Dieter had a 10th Birthday party last year, and we have been to a few DOLer birthdays We've had them at a river that has picnic benches so food can be kept away from the dogs and they can swim and run around. I don't think any games have been played, but there has been treats for dogs and in the case of Dieter's birthday some doggie cupcakes and I think at others some party bags. You are game to have it at your house! Even though I've always had pretty large yards I just don't want that many dogs over. I'm sure it will be heaps of fun

Both our dogs have slowed down on their walks in the last two weeks - 11yr old GSD and 6yr old SWF... at first I was sad that the GSD was getting 'old' but then I noticed the little one not staying ahead as much. We've put it down to the warmer weather for now.

Someone once said that my dog's nails were a bit long (they weren't), took all my willpower not to retort that her child was fat. God help me if she had commented on his weight (which is perfect) or his age (which is getting on). Unfortunately I have been guilty of calling a friends dachshund fat, but they know and he gets the same food and exercise as the other two... he's just got a different metabolism so they are going to feed him less.. so in the long run the comment has benefited him.

My Dad has always had a GSDs and his family had a few, but also had some other breeds. We had a GSD as kids. After the D I won't be able to have another, they won't live up to him... might not even get another dog at all.

My GSD has always gone outside when no one is home, he's had shelter and a kennel. My Fiance's Maltx has always had access to the laundry and hall through a dog door in the laundry so we used this at our new house. They are fed bones at the opposite ends of the yard and have usually eaten them before I've had time to lock up the house so we haven't had issues on fighting over food. The Maltx has his favorite toys inside and we don't keep toys outside - it'll be on his head if drags one of them thru the dog door! LOL The GSD did successfully get thru the little dog door and broke it in the process during a cold day and we considered getting a big dog door, but he got over it.

probably not suitable but this is my backpack http://www.bigw.com.au/sports-leisure/luggage/sports-bags-backpacks/bpnBIGW_0000000325549/mambo-dog-laptop-backpack

Taz, my fiance's SWF, is 6 and since moving in together he sometimes does a high 'baby' bark. He does this regardless of if it is myself or fiance coming home, we aren't too worried about it, just something we have noticed.

when you clean up after brushing his teeth do you also wash/rinse his beard? how regularly are you doing it?

hrm, I never thought about it because Dieter swims in a river, but I am thinking about taking him to the coast so might have to dig out and old lead, I only recently got him a new lead after 10 years and I want it to last

Yup dryer and a soak in conditioner beforehand. I just washed my GSD and the conditioner really helps the lose hair to slide off

would probiotics make it worse or possibly help? maybe she's having trouble with the grains (no expert on dog digestion, I'm actually thinking of my fiances IBS! LOL)

Poor bugger What are you feeding her now? Is she uncomfortable when she bloats?

I'd second Alkhe's suggestion of working with an established company (the money won't be as good... if it is ever good) I work for a dog minding/walking company and get to pick and choose if I want a client or not - most are just walking and minding when the owner is a way but a few have been long term walking.

I got a one off offer for a spottybox from a coupon website and it arrived on Monday night - D knew it was for him! Got a monkey rope toy (kong?) two bags of treats, two bags of doggy 'tea' - probably won't use! and a smoked bone

I don't feel your thinking is off I would stay with my boy if he wasn't looking good and I had a holiday planned. I'm quiet hesitant to book long OS holidays because he is old (but still very sprightly).

Leah - same! Dieter loves wearing clothes, he really fancies himself in them - and yes I do make a big deal about how cute/studly he looks Taz on the other hand hates his jumper and he has worn one since a pup, when you take it off him he tries to grab it and shred it I agree with the idea of putting it on her and then doing something she likes

We've had this conversation and we'd save the dogs first and if it was a car accident and we had to goto the hospital I'd go with my dog to the vet instead of the hospital with the fiance LOL Just because the D wouldn't know what was going on where as fiance would I'm hoping the answer will be a little different if we had kids

hah! sending this onto a friend who has been feeding a neighbourhood cat... he might be owned by someone