Bluefairy

I too have always seemed to have girls, as I always found their personalities are great and matched mine perfectly. Though I have never had two dogs together, I have thought about it heaps, but not yet. Archie is a male, who I got at 14 months old, he has special needs. He is everything I wasn't looking for, male, I as after female, puppy not teenager, special needs over average dog. But I have been so pleasantly surprised since I have had him (just over 2 weeks now). He is very affectionate, loves company, is very easy to train, and his special needs are hardly noticed. Plus his personality is just right for my family. Its actually nice to have a dog that listens, that is TT, and was so quick at getting used to a crate. So I didn't have to go through the TT, repeating myself over and over until the puppy got it, and had ages of crying. I love having an older dog now.... Lynn

Take a photo outside in natural light, this picks up more of a black dogs colour than artificial light. Also give him something to occupy him, like a bone or toy, then take lots of photo's, there is bound to be one really good one. Archie is hard to photograph too, he wobbles and trips over a lot, plus when he wags his tail half his body moves too Good Luck Lynn

I used to do scrapbooking and have done some albums. I haven't done any in ages, and I gave all my scrapbooking stuff, about 20kg of it to my daughter in law who is just starting out with it. I always meant to do an album for my dogs and cats that have passed on, and now of course I have Archie I could do as well.... I mostly just do handmade cards for Christmas, birthdays and anniversaries. Here are a couple of pictures of what I have done ages ago. This is one of the calendars I made for all the kids: A memorial to OH's closest friend: A memorial to my baby sister: A Family album: OH and me: I guess I did more than I realised as I have heaps more Lynn

When we had a station wagon we used a crate, now we have a sedan and the crate doesn't fit, so we use a safety strap clipped into the middle back seat buckle. As Archie was already 14 months when we got him, I had no idea of size, so I just clipped the safety strap to his collar. But I have to get a harness for car travel. Archie loves traveling in the car and will lay on the back seat and sleep the whole journey. As far as I know there are only laws concerning dogs riding in the back of utes. But common sense tells you a dog unrestrained in a car is a disaster waiting to happen....its like having an unrestrained child....they go hurtling through the windscreen just as fast in an accident. I would rather give my dog some chance of survival. Lynn

I would say this is pretty standard vet prices too. I had my last Pug desexed and it included this: Dog Spey <10kg Pethidine Pain relief injection Alfaxan RTU 20ml x 2 Mono Dox #2/0 25mt Polydioxanone Bandage IV Catheter (optional) Extension set (Tuta) 25cm staples Meloxicam pain relief injection 20ml A.C.P 2 injection Total $205.00 When ever there is a general anesthetic involved it adds up, as above, as it not usually always straight forward either. I had one dog, an Aussie Bulldog desexed and was allergic to one of the drugs they used on her, she had to have antihistamines straight after....this all adds up. So your vet is charging you normal prices. Plus its hard sometimes to find a vet you and your dog are comfortable with. So even paying a little extra is worth it. Lynn

Archie says hi back Yes Archie is very special, we love him to bits here. He is as spoilt as our two cats are. He has his own crate for bedtime, where he hides his treats and saves them up for his treat feast (my daughter found them in the bed), but once they had been discovered he decided it was time to eat them all He has his own blue polar fleece bed in the lounge for when he wants to curl up. The girls have tried him on the lounge, but he won't stop licking their faces He also feels that he has the right to play with the cats toys as well as his own, his favourite is a toy when he bites on it, it squeaks....so we get a lot of squeaking here He is lord of the manor here Lynn

I agree with the OP. I like the reply by them, it was matter of fact, not pushy or over the top. It was noted very clearly why she would not be selling a pup to this buyer. As a buyer, if I received this email, I would think about where I went wrong and what I said. But in no way would it put me off going to another breeder and asking the same things, or rewording my request with the next one. I cannot see how the OP emails could have put a buyer off from buying from a breeder and maybe going somewhere not so nice....puppy mill, BYB, etc. If this was my first experience in applying for a pup then I would be either thinking more about my emails or about what the breeders are after, I'd also come in to a dog forum and ask people what I should be asking or saying. When I first started buying puppies through the internet, I had no idea what I needed to say ~ like where the puppy will live, about me and my family, what kinda of temperament I was after, what I know about the breed, etc etc. I know now from all the breeders that emailed back, and their replies asking for more info, some were really nice and explained things, others I have had not good a reply....but those ones I cross off my list of specific breeders. Their loss not mine. I do heaps of research and home work....after all as a buyer I want to know the puppy I get is in the best of health, looked after - socialising etc, and that I am going to be happy paying all this money for what I want. It goes both ways, the breeder wants whats best for their puppy, and the buyer wants whats best for them. Lynn

I have only just seen this and realised I ordered a cookbook, but I never paid for it....at least I am pretty sure I didn't. So how can I pay for it, and is there any left? I went into the pacers web site to buy one there, but it won't let me put a cookbook into the cart. Every time I click on add to cart there is nothing in the cart when I go into it. Lynn

Thank you for the replies. I love the Neater Feeder. But $60.....might have to think about that ;) Thank you Lynn

Hi, I have a 14mth old male Pug. I have had him since last Friday. He is a special needs boy, and has problems with co-ordination and balance. My OH made him a raised platform for his food and water, but its too high and because Archie gets most of the food outside the bowl it goes round the back of the platform and is hard for Archie to retrieve it. So the bowls are back on the floor.... But what I need to know, is there any type of food bowl I can buy that will help him eat the food without making it go everywhere? Archie seems to try and slide the food up the back of the bowl to get it in his mouth, making of course the food fall on the floor that misses the mouth. He isn't a pig with his food and it eats it nicely he's just a messy eater. I have heard of a slanted bowl that helps in this situation, but I can't find one anywhere. So does anyone have any suggestions as to the type of bowl that might help Archie? Thanks Lynn

Thank you Angela, I have been stroking his back and down his legs, when he is quietly sitting next to me. It doesn't happen often though. I have also had a look in his ears, as he tries to scratch them, and cries while doing it. I thought it was the collar, but we haven't had that on for a while, but he's still scratching. I had a quick look, they look healthy pink, no dirt or redness, so it might be something else....molting fur maybe around his neck. I will try the treats, we found he absolutely loves cheese, I must get a low fat one for him I am taking him to the vet on Thursday, so I will ask her to check out his ears just in case....that will be fun. I'll take some treats with me, so when he's good he gets one ;) Thank you. Lynn

Thank you all, My clothes are mostly dark or black....so are my girls....its the perfect colour NOT to wear I'll have to live in jeans, at least the hairs don't stick to them Angela ~ I have no idea where to start on trying to train him to even stay in one spot let alone in one position The easiest way with Zoe was I would brush her when she was sleeping on my lap.....but Archie is way too big and never sleeps deep enough to do that. As for treats.... :eek: I have never seen a dog so excited about food, even when its not for him he gets excited about it. When I feed him I try.....and thats the word of the day TRY to get him to stay calm long enough for me to release him to eat. He's like a bull in a china shop, he eats like its the first meal he's had in days and he spills most of the food on the floor, then he vacuums it up and cries because there's nothing left, you just have to see it to believe it.... Thanks again Lynn

Hi, Archie is 14 months old and now the weather is getting warmer he is molting like crazy. I want to brush the dead hairs out, but I have no idea what to use....I tried a wire brush but it hardly touched him. Its also hard to groom him as he gets so excited when I try to brush him, he won't stay still. I ended up getting my daughter to told onto him so I can give him a quick brush....didn't work very well though....so any ideas on that too? Thanks Lynn

Get them to read this, its heartbreaking: http://www.echonews.com.au/story/2011/09/08/how-much-is-that-designer-doggie-in-the-window/ Lynn

I am a Pug lover. So I will plug the Pug They are a small breed, they love company, they don't mind some exercise, but they are happy to be couch potatoes too. Unfortunately they do shed, but a good brushing daily helps this. They are so easy to train, and so willing to please....especially if you have treats There are other breeds that might suit you better, but I only know of the Pugs in the smaller breeds. Good Luck

I am so happy they have returned home safe and sound. Like everyone else I have been watching this thread with hope.....thank heavens Lynn

Hi, I was in here once before. Now I am doing it again. I am getting a gorgeous male fawn Pug called Archie in mid October. He isn't physically a puppy as he's 14 months old, but I'm guessing he might be mentally, as he had to be revived at birth and suffered some form of brain damage. He has the wobbles and trips over his own feet a lot, but that just makes him extra special to us. We had been talking about getting another Pug for a while and hubby suggested we get two, so they were company to each other. Archie has been raised with other Pugs his whole life, so he is used to it, and I am wondering if he'll miss having the company when he comes here. So my question to you is: Do you think he'd need company? If we got another Pug would a male or female be better? I'm not sure, and I'd rather like to wait and see how he goes first. But Hubby wants to add another one soon....which is why I'm asking. Thanks Lynn

You could always get a tread mill, then it won't matter what the weather is ;) Good Luck Lynn

I love it....but why is it never available at Country Target Might have to go for a trip I think. Thanks for the link. BF

My retirement dog....which I am hoping to get by the end of this year or early next is a Pug. They are very laid back, will walk if you want to or lay on the lounge cuddled up to you if you have a lazy day. They are not high energy, demanding dogs, but they do love company. Perfect for me. BF

Yes we found another vet practice that at least knows what to do with a Pug under a general, and the nurses are brilliant and always ask how every animal is. Unfortunately I no longer have my Pug, but I have thinking about getting another, I love their antics.....super fast one minute couch potatoes the next. Raring to go at the smell of food and so lovable and so eager to please (well if you have food or cuddles available they are) BC Crazy ~ I wish I had of thought of that....I'll remember it for next time if it ever happens again BF

I agree Secretkei, Having a dog put to sleep because it resembles a PB by one person is totally dumb. Surely they have to allow the owners the right to prove their dog is anything other than a PB. I guess now the only way to prove your dog is a cross breed with anything but PB is to pay for genetic testing....would this prove it? Would it be proof enough? There are just too many variables.....and as always its the dogs that suffer. BF

I had a vet nurse tell me one of my dogs was the ugliest dog she had ever seen.....in hind sight I wish I had of said something nasty back. My dog was a Pug and I thought she was gorgeous. I never went back, but I wish I had of made a formal complaint she was just so horrible to people, and wasn't much better with animals. BF

Thank you everyone, I am only looking at rescue groups who foster, and at breeders who have dogs that are no longer breeding or not up to show standards and need a new home. I want/need to know a bit about the dog I plan on bringing into my home. Thank you for the tips and for the stories. I know I am doing what is right for us as a family and for our future dog. I agree puppies are so cute and I love having them, but its NOT all roses and apple pies, its hard work and some pups take a long time to get it. I want to have new carpets soon, though that can wait until I know if there are going to be any constant accidents, at least until the dog has settled in. I understand this can happen, and I am fine with that. BF

Thank you so much for all your opinions, its great to know I'm not the only one not really jumping for joy at going through the puppy stage again. I have 2 cats at home, I inquired about a 2yr old dog, which was gorgeous and I would have loved to have, but she does NOT like cats. One of my cats I have had with dogs and she's great with them, she's 5. The other is a youngster at 12 months and has never seen a dog, though she is bossy and very out going, but I am not sure how she'll react, though if she is anything like the older cat she'll get used to the idea the dog isn't going to go away any time soon :p My only hassle is the introduction of the dog to the cats....when I've had puppies, they have been full on and pushed themselves into the older cats life, she was hesitant at first but got used to the idea and quite liked rough housing with the dog, even though they both would put their mouth over the neck (like Hooch in Turner and Hooch)of the other (like they were going to kill each other), they never went beyond playing. It was great to see them both happily playing and sleeping together. I have been searching heaps of rescues, and breeders. But nothing yet. I don't mind waiting for the perfect dog to come along, it will be worth it in the end. Thank you BF