trinabean

So sorry for your loss, what an awful shock. RIP Samantha.

Really sorry for your loss RallyValley. I've always admired Toby in your avatar. RIP Toby.

Hi Bobishisname, I have a dog with confirmed atopic dermatitis. We have had the skin prick and blood tests to diagnose exactly what he is reacting to, the list is extensive (nine different common grass pollens, some tree pollens, mozzies, flies, dust mites, storage mites). He is undergoing desensitization therapy with a dermatologist (so a customized vaccine has been made to desensitize him to his worst allergens). It is expensive unfortunately and I feel for you. It's awful to watch your dog scratching and chewing themselves raw. So bearing in mind that my dog is allergic to specific things in the outdoor and indoor environment, these are some of the other things the dermatologist has us doing: 1. Wipe down dog with a damp cloth after walks 2. Antihistamines given twice daily, 'Hydroxyzine' 3. 'Cortavance' hydrocortisone spray to affected areas every 2nd day 4. Weekly bath using QV wash (human product available at chemists). 5. Once a day spray itchy/dry skin with a solution of water and QV bath oil. 6. Increase fish oil in the diet, if tolerated. Do it gradually and under vet guidance. My 28kg dog has 6 fish oil capsules plus 1 evening primrose oil capsule per day. 7. Apply one pipette of 'Dermoscent essential 6' spot-on once a week. 8. This part relates to my dogs' reaction to dust mites, so may not be relevant to you?: Wash dog bedding weekly in hot water and wool mix +eucalptus oil. Mop flooring with hot water and eucalyptus oil. Also, if my dog were eating dry food, I would be looking at either freezing it or adding some hot water to kill storage mites. Someone more knowledgable could probably clarify which is most effective at killing storage mites. So I'm not sure if my experience or any of that essay is of any help, but I wish you the best of luck with getting your dog more comfortable. :)

No, for good reason. He spends hours licking his bits and all kinds of manky things.

Labradork I found the Sporn halter really helpful for my dog. I used it for a period of time (when nothing else was working for us with loose leash walking, including obedience classes) and then changed to a martingale collar. I still walk him on a martingale now and he walks nicely, not in a perfect heel, but without pulling. I'm happy with that.

The Boxer play-style can be disconcerting to people (and dogs) who haven't seen it before. :laugh: Yours sound quite normal to me Boxerlove. I doubt you can train them not to growl while playing. That said, I'm pretty selective about my dog interacting with others as I know he could easily 'offend' other dogs with his goofy play-style.

Rolf is gorgeous, I love seeing new piccies of him. :) And he's looking really good Hortfurball. As the owner of a skinny dog myself, it can seem such slow progress to get weight onto them. A two steps forward, one step back process at times.

Cazablanca, I don't think the council contacted the dog's owner. The two men who stopped to help did? Ah, thanks for pointing that out, I misread the OP. :) No worries, easily done. :)

Cazablanca, I don't think the council contacted the dog's owner. The two men who stopped to help did?

I agree, report it. I really hope the little dogs are ok. I hope you get an update from the lady about them after their vet visit.

How awful.

Not at all serious suggestion for you, but my 5 year old wanted to name our dog 'Wintage Pie' :laugh:

With 'alien laser eyes' too!

What gorgeous dogs everyone has. :) Here's Bruno and his favourite friend, 'sitting pretty':

I'm loving this and the 'smiling dog' thread too. This is the weird puffy face that happens to upside-down Boxers:

RIP beautiful Orange. Such devastating news. I too hope that those who stole her are brought to justice.

We've had our Snooza bed for nearly 2 years now. The stuffing is still good but I'm thinking about adding some soon. I wash and air it regularly, not sure if that helps keep it 'puffy' or not though.

:rofl: Or was it a fu-nami?

Ooh, forgot to say, the QV wash and QV bath oil is available from chemists' as it's a 'people' product. I bought the mega bulk size (big allergy dog + one of my children has exzema, woohoo 2 for the price of one!) For a little dog, you won't need much though.

RIP lady, and how awful for her owner. I hate to think of what the outcome might have been if nobody stopped to help her. I have had to defend my on-lead 28kg dog from loose dogs numerous times. It's always a frightening experience and thankfully people have come to my aid to remove the attacking dogs.

Oh no! A futon massacre TSD!

That is good news. Hopefully little Penny will be well enough to come home tomorrow. Fingers and paws crossed for her. :)

Another vote for Snooza beds here. I love that they are fully washable and replacement stuffing, covers etc. are available. The best photo I have of my dog in his bed is a rather gratuitous "hello girls" one though, so I will post a link instead. We have this one in red: My link

Absolutely.

:laugh: Oops, I misunderstood and thought you meant ouside of your yard on walks!