Sorry about the no-posting thing: I’m dealing with an unusually protracted early-summer allergy situation here and the antihistamines have me doing nothing with my days but regular chores and wanting to nap. But I do want to take this opportunity to say…
…Somebody’s loss was my gain. This puppy/young dog is like a movie sterotype of a dog. He’s quiet, calm, smart, wants to stay close outdoors – we’re already doing leash-free pee runs, though I’m still waiting for the inevitable rabbit encounter. Has gotten with the routine in two weeks. Doesn’t mind being left alone, which is good since he still resists Jeep rides though he’s getting less freaked out over them. Acts like his whole day is made when I get home. Sleeps through the night now that his little digestive problem has cleared up.
He really needs to chew – my sandals will never be the same but so far he has resisted the temptation of my boots after only being told twice. You guys were right about the rawhide bone: Made in China. I had to take that away from him but he really needed to chew so I sectioned some smooth juniper branches, and…
…now I have to sweep splinters rather often. At least he doesn’t eat them.
He likes carrots. Was very skeptical at first but he’ll try anything he sees me eating – if I have any complaint it’s that he’s a terrible beggar – and the next day he decided he really liked them. I’ve met dogs that liked carrots but none of my previous dogs ever did.
What triggered his loose stool was apparently Milk-bone biscuits: After he dried up I gave him a couple and he promptly started shitting puddles again. So they’re off the diet. I still have some bags of pupperoni in the pantry but I’m a little afraid to give them a try.
I’m also afraid of overfeeding him the way I did Little Bear, so I’ve got him on three small meals a day. Which means he has learned to tell time – and also my days of lying around after waking up are over. Which I was really starting to need.
All in all, count your blessings.
First take care of that Jeep rear window when it arrives, with all the caveats about using rubber sheet buffers between any metal and glass and being super sensitive to how tight.
I suspect once the cabin is enclosed he will not be so skittish about rides. I tell ya, my 6 month old terrier dashes for the garage or car in the driveway every time we go outside, just loves sitting in the car even if not going anywhere and any car will do which does worry me a bit.
My local store does have bones made from US hide and processed in Mexico, that seems to be the only alternative to Chinese poison..
The other one is to go to the nearest meat counter and ask for stewing bones. Grill them in the oven or outdoor grill for a bit and cool or store in the fridge. I give mine 1″ or 2″ sections (hacksaw) at a time, yours being larger could probably handle a 4 to 6 inch bone. Hours of gnawing.and getting the marrow out. Durn amazing how long a dog’s tongue reach is with motivation 😉
Congratulations to the both of you. Sounds to me like you need each other. Glad things are working out so well.
Are there any antlers laying around in the desert?
Make yer own dog biscuits:
2 cups corn meal
2 cups oat meal.
1 cup flour
1 egg.
broth for flavor to make it a dough
Shape into whatever shape you like.
Bake about 300 for as long as you can. then bake another hour They get hard and crunchy like a Milk Bone.
Of course, only use organic, free range-oatmeal and sustainably harvested cruelty free eggs and such. Non GMO cormeal and all that shit.
Correction” 2 eggs
Powdered pumpkin helps with the gastric issues. I use one called Firm Up, from Bezosmart.
When you feel like it, send a pic over to Mis Hum at the Pet thread. I’m sure that people would like to see and hear the story.
Bones on the way.
Is it just me, or does he have this perpetually “sad” face?
Definitely a Shepherd Golden Retriever mix, has best features of each and same demeanor.
BTW, the “drop and act like a sack of bones when I don’t want to do something” seems to cross many breeds, my terrier does it, especially when it does not want to come inside from the yard.
Joel, I’m glad Tobie is working out, everyone needs a friend, even hermits like you. 😉
I understand the allergy issue. According to the meat puppets doing the news, it’s been a lot worse this year than in the past.
That does seem to be his resting expression. But he can light right up when he’s excited about something.
Terrapod, you’re not the first person to say that. I’d consider it very likely, which among other things makes me wonder how big he’s going to end up. I kind of planned on coming home with a smaller dog, but clearly it wasn’t a priority.
Well, certainly not his priority. Have a look at the paws, if they still look big for the body, he is still going to grow. Last weekend my son’s sister in law brought over a 4 month old German shepherd, all gangling and still a bit wobbly when dashing about, his paws were almost 2-3/4 inches across, for a current height of about 18 inches, going to be a BIG dog when grown.
I’ve had dogs my entire life and there are differences between males and females. Females will scarf up everything you put in the bowl where males are generally once a day eaters.
My Pyrenees doesn’t eat in the morning. He won’t eat when he’s hot but once the day starts to cool he’s hungry. Leave small amounts of food out for him and watch his behavior. I’m bettering his a once a day Pooch.