Pretty Miss Emma

So this Friday would have been Emma's 13th birthday. I was so hoping she would have made it this far but that was not to be. Today I had to break the news to a lot of people (who I used to work with and who knew Em from the day I got her) that she was no longer here. I thought I'd be ok, but there were tears for every person I had to tell . And I think they were also ready to burst in to tears when they heard the news. So it's sort of a hard week and I think there will be many more tears to come this week. I wish I could be ok about her not being here, but happy memories make me cry as do the harder ones. So it's still a whole lot of crying!!! I miss you Em and would do anything to have you with me on your birthday. Oh, and Kenzie is also missing you big time. I've promised her a brother as soon as the right one comes our direction! He's not going to be close to filling your paw prints but at least she'll have a playmate again!

I have one of these, bought it off ebay. Possibly some of the best money I've spent seeing as though when the door isn't in Kenzie would like to go out every time I sit down!!! I take mine in and out each day (she doesn't get to use it while I'm at work at the moment it's just for when I'm home), and it takes a total of about 15 seconds to do that! When I eventually get a bolt put on the door so I can lock it when I'm not here she might get more use of it. And the best bit is if I move house the door comes with me so it's an investment in the door not the house!!!

I'm North. But stayed at my parents place to cut travel time. So from Mentone it took about 1 hr 15 min. So from my place it would have been about 2 hours (or so). However, I really liked the environment and the people so was glad I travelled there (plus it was on recommendation from many!) - not that I've been anywhere else to compare but we really enjoyed everything about it. Although part of me is thinking that it could be a good weekend away if there is some dog friendly accom down that way!

For sure! So long as you don't laugh at my inept-ness!!!

I had a go today with Kenzie, and as we have never done any trialling I was pretty happy that she paid any attention to me at all!!! But I think this is going to be a fun comp and yes it is much harder than you think it is going to be!!! I think the best way I can describe it is "fast"!!! But now that I've seen what it's like I'm that little bit more motivated to train for it!! Thanks for letting us all have a go today to everyone who was involved in it!

Thankyou RubyBlue!!!!! Gayle, we had a great time. My little girl may have a bit of an inkling on what to do (not much of one though!), we'll definitely try again to see how she goes. And she and I are both exhausted tonight!!!

Ok, this weekend is the day!! I'm hoping she'll be my lovely little angel she can be sometimes!!! I'm at least hoping the genetics of her breed kicks in and she has some clue of what to do!!! I will try to not be nervous and just have fun, but... fingers crossed!!!

deleted double post!

You just described Kenzie to a tee! She actually loves other dogs, BUT she needs the time and space to get to know them first. I think there are so many more DINOS out there, it's just a shame their owners don't know it.

:laugh: Yeah I think Em was something pretty special, as did pretty much everyone who met her!! And yes, we have lots in common in terms of reactive dogs who suck toys!!! She still has monkey (and one at work, and one at grandma's and one in the car!!!) but we only have about 3 monkeys left in reserve so dreading the day that we run out!!! But she has grown beautifully, both physically and also in her personality (it helps that she is coming leaps and bounds with her "issues"!!!). But it does make for interesting and fun training doesn't it!!! :laugh:

Emma was 9 years old when I got her from the RSPCA and this was her first day home with me... Before she died I met her breeder (after a bit of a process of finding out where she came from), and she gave me a mug that had her photo from when she was about 10 months old showing at the Melb Royal... And this is my favourite picture of her from this year, it was January and she died in July, but this photo shows her personality off to a tee... Kenzie, the munchkin, joined me almost exactly 2 years ago looking like this on the day she came home... And only a week or so ago this is her... Love my girls!!!! :D

I would say for life. It's a great place for socialising, and the mental stimulation the dogs get out of training is really important. My first dog was 9 years old when I got her and everyone laughed at me for signing her up to obedience classes (she was already exceptionally well behaved). But for me it was important that she have mental stimulation, not to mention that it is great to create and maintain a bond between you and your dog!

Read what you can and pick and choose what will be possible, practical, etc for you. There's no one magic formula!! That said, I set myself the goal with Kenzie of meeting 100 different people. It was surprisingly easy!! She met about 130 different people aged 0-84, male and female and of many different cultures; and she met 25 dogs (all of which I knew were safe for her to meet). Had she not done that (combined with continuing socialization of similar sorts right up til now) I dread to think how she would cope with the world. Socialization is super important for a pup, but it's also an ongoing thing for life! I think your pup will survive if it doesn't meet 100 people!

I would like to have a go at the following with little munchkin Kenzie... Endurance CCD and maybe CD (if she makes the grade!) get started in the agility ring (we're still learning, so where ever it is that you generally use as the starting point!) maybe look at herding (we'll see how she goes next weekend!) But highest on my priority list is continuing with her confidence training and also dealing with her reactivity. She has come leaps and bounds and I'm hoping that the next 12 months will see her mature with some massive successes on these fronts in particular as really they are probably the most important to me and her in terms of her everyday life! :D

So, I got home early today. And I know that the munchkin spends a lot of time sleeping, but she didn't hear me get home so I figured I'd wait to see what she did. She was asleep when I got home, and it wasn't until I did something that made a bit of noise in the house that she stirred at all!! And the whole hour I was home without her knowing she spent like this... Any guilt trips I'm having are over! I want her life I think!!!!

Yes, LAT really works! Threshold is important. With Kenz, if I am in a situation where we just don't have enough space and she starts to stare and "can't hear me" I will give her a light tap between her eyebrows (and I literally mean a tap that is just enough that I touch her head and it's with 1 finger) and that often just breaks that moment for her - mind you all this is well before she is showing any sign other than staring. When I do this it just seems to reset her focus again and she can "hear me" again, then we can start playing the LAT game. I've found that doing this really seems to calm her, before I figured this out (and I have no idea how I did!) she would continue the staring and then react, whereas now it's almost as if she goes "oh I forgot you were there, let's keep playing that game again". It works for us at the moment anyway!!

Animals are still seen by so many as a disposable item, plus there is also the instant gratification of a pet shop purchase. Those 2 factors I think play a big part in euth rates. I also think that euth rates sometimes appear high in shelters because there are a lot of people who bring their pets in to be euth'ed rather than taking them to their own vet and paying, plus there is also the issue of the number of feral animals (primarily cats) who get taken to shelters once trapped, get euth'ed as they are not able to be re-homed and therefore also contribute to their euth rate. But the big factor in change I think needs to be education of the general public about the commitment that pets are, that desexing (or doing everything possible to stop your pet having litters "but it's just nice for the kids to see them having babies") is important, and that just because the house you're in now allows pets/or while you're in the country you want a pet but have no plan/intention of taking it with you when you leave isn't really an accpetable attitude. I also think it would be good to see a bit more government support for such things (sensible support though, not stuff like the vic govt has decided to do recently!).

This is good! You're all making me feel normal (there's no right answer here, but lots of you are saying your dogs are doing similar things to what I see mine doing - ie sleeping the whole time!). :D I'm also wondering if you think it makes a big difference if you are a single or multiple dog household? I'm currently a singly dog household, looking to rejoin the multiple dog household clan again soon-ish. I have to say when I had 2 dogs I didn't feel so bad about leaving them for longer periods as I do now that there's only 1 dog (although she does have the 2 cats to hang out with - and they do). But that being said she does cope really well, and I sort of think she also enjoys having some of her own time - I'm pretty sure she gets sick of me when we spend too much time together!!!

Just wondering how much time people's dogs spend without humans on the days where it isn't possible to be doing things with them. So days when you are at work or at school or whatnot. And, following on from that, I'd also be interested to hear how you think your dog/s deals with this time and do you do anything special (like leaving kongs or something, or doing something special with them when you get home). I'm lucky, Kenzie comes to work a couple of times a week with me and I do try to do things with her after work and on the weekends that give her some focussed time or where she can come with me to places, etc. But she does have some long days on her own, however she seems to deal with them really well particularly if I take her for a long walk when I get home and/or do some decent training with her. I've noticed if she has a couple of days at work in a row she actually becomes a bit ratty and does well by having a day at home!!! So, interested to see what other have to say! :D

I like the changing the texture/surface idea. Maybe make a ramp that she could use instead? And maybe you could try using the scenting method (put some sort of scent on the steps so that's she's fully aware of them)? Or just lots of perseverance??!!!

Kenzie came with me to her first christmas day at 8 weeks and 3 days old! We were at my Mum's place with my other dog and her 2 dogs (all vaccinated, all healthy). I know what has been in the yard for the last 25 years, and I know the history of hte dogs. More important to me was the 20 people she was going to meet that day!!! Including grandparents, babies, men and women. If you know it is a safe environment for the pup and you are sensible about about it, I would also say the socialisation aspect is more important. Different story if you said you were having a christmas party at the local park, but even then I'd be tempted to consider taking my pup if it were small enough still to be carried around and not wandering. Be sensible and I don't think it is a problem!!

They definitely can eat the whole thing! Kenzie usually chews on hers every 2nd day or so for a week til it's gone!

You know the answer, just listen to your heart. As I said in another thread like this, the time is right when you've made the decision. So there's no defined right or wrong time (well most of the time!). What led me to making the decision to have Em PTS in July was that she had kidney failure, there was no course of treatment that would allow her to be with me (she could have been treated in hospital, but she couldn't have been at home with me) and there was no possibility if recovery. I always promised her I wouldn't let her suffer, so for me the situation at the time met the criteria I'd set myself. Most heartbreaking moment of my life so far I think, but I didn't see myself as having other choices. Take her to see your vet, speak with your vet. Your dog will let you know when the time comes.

I was just sent this after telling someone about this article. Sort of sums it up!!

Sorry for your loss. He's gorgeous! He can hang out with my gorgeous Emma and wait for us! Remember the good times.