Stressmagnet

^THIS. Ernie loves everyone. He's a bundle of goofy giddy silliness with movie star good looks which make folks stop and ask all about him and want a pat. He's also 28 kilos of muscle with gleaming white teeth. He's reasonably well behaved around distractions for a young Labrador. I don't want to 'test' his arousal levels around kids with shopping trolleys or other less well trained dogs. His teeth could do some damage and he'd definitely knock a toddler over in his enthusiasm. I don't want to be the one explaining and apologising. I've noticed our local Bunnings has gotten busier and busier and whilst I'd love to be able to take him in on the way home from his walk for a quick in and out - reading the comments here made me realise that he's not ready and I'm not ready.

Both my children were reading at a year 1 level when they were 4. They were reading Harry Potter at 9, fluently. But that was me not any school, desperate to teach them to read so I'd get some peace. They could probably read a lot better than their comprehension though. It's one thing to 'know' the words, another to fully understand their meaning and context. It's why The Simpsons and South Park are so subversive - adults laugh at things that the kids think they understand, but don't. And I have no idea what this has got to do with Bunnings. :D

And blah blah about 'Pitbulls'. They should say Staffy crosses because THEY DONT KNOW.

Continuing Off Topic.,. 1. I don't censor what my kids read. Yes, I think Miss 15 read Helter Skelter at 12 and it gave her nightmares but she learned that the top shelf of books were serious stuff. Now they read on their Kindles voraciously and I let them buy what they want. 2. I DID censor their TV viewing until Miss 12 hit 12. Now, they can watch MA +15 with me, but still no to R. 3. The only censorship of the Internet was FB and other messaging things until they were 12. 4. I had them on child harnesses when they started walking because as an older mother, I simply did not have the speed to manage a 2 and a 5 year old in busy areas. I (and they) survived the trauma of being leashed and resultant judgey comments just fine. 5. My kids went to nice (i.e. Tablecloth) restaurants from a very young age. I packed a bag of activities and if they got down from their seats, we left. Only had to do it once. I always had strangers coming up to me and thanking me for such nicely mannered kids. 6. If they ran around the store, I abandoned my trolley and left. Had to do that twice. Despite my moaning, they've turned out to be good kids. I dislike badly behaved children with a passion. I prefer well mannered dogs. But like anything, it's up to the parents/owners. Stupid people ruin it for the rest of us.

No chicken frames? Why not?

And I respect your opinion B. I get it.

Personally? If I was the owner and was unsure. I'd put them all down and never own a dog again.

One bed. Two crates. But if you are gonna start talking dog toys, I swear I'll win.

I dunno. 'Off' or not, did the dog chew her arm? Whether she pestered the dog, or teased it is (IMHO) irrelevant. It was EATING HER. If so, I cannot believe it's alive. If I was the owner, that dog would have been given its wings as a matter of moral decency.

Happy birthday old girl! Well done Boronia. X

That's wonderfully mean... Gonna try it next time Ernie tries to dog pile me. :laugh:

Please don't give them that idea! Belly bands and Season Undies - all in natty green with the red Bunnings logo...

I talk to Frat Boy all the time. I'm the crazy dog lady, I think. He was at the top of the stairs and came galloping down them to say hi and I poked him in the eye. I said sorry for ten minutes. All the time, he's looking at me like 'WTF'?

Oh no. So sorry to hear. I'll hope things turn around. Please update. X

^this. I also own a nice lab (who happens to be chocolate but that was luck). Stick to breeders who breed for health and temperament NOT for colour. Colour is superficial, character is not. Edited to say.... I was looking for a nice family pet. I ended up with a breeder who bred service dogs. No one can believe my Ernie is a little over a year old, he's so well behaved. He's still a bit giddy but he tries.

Sending love. Miss you Mac.

Thinking of you and holding you tight.

Well no quick trip into Bunnings on the way back from his walk then. I'm not muzzling him. And it's a pain coz Bunnings is right on the way home.

I can foresee a whole new 'designer' run on pied and dappled dachies. They sure are pretty things - bound to appeal to the designer dog set.

I'll be thinking of you WestieMum and the roguish little Mac.

All this did was deepen my Frenchie love. Now I gotta go hug Ernie coz I feel guilty.

Update please?

Aw I'm so sorry. I've fallen a little bit in love with Mac. I'll miss the updates. Take care of yourself WM. Let yourself grieve however you need to.

I've been storing Ernie's food in a pedal bin but apparently HE can get inside it. As I order a large bag every 6 weeks, I'm starting to think about something like you've pictured. I've got a bad back so it needs to be high enough to eliminate constant stooping but his food is kept in the kitchen. Anywhere else (I.e. The laundry or garage) is just a pain as he's fed on our deck (second story). I wish there was an attractive counter space option as Frat Boy has yet to counter surf and he's not bright enough to get up on the counter AND work out how to open a container. I was thinking along the lines of those cereal serving things you see at buffet breakfasts.

Ernie would not only open the door but point them to the refrigerator for a cold beer. Although it must be said, he's got a fearsome bark and mighty small tolerance for changes to the neighbours routines.