MandysMom

I'm glad they were helpful.

I used Lap of Love when my Sammy was going downhill. They have tools to help you assess quality of life. I also used one of their vets when it was time. It is never easy. Gentle hugs for Leo.

Lambchop was my Sammy's favorite. He would shake her and fling her, hitting the ceiling...or the TV...or my head. He got such joy from her.

I have always given my dogs Vibrant Pets. Within a couple of weeks, their fur has gone from coarse and sparse to bunny soft and full.

Every dog is different, but my last two dogs have been on Ancestry Pet Food. I did have to add Olewo carrots to it for Sammy because his digestive system was touchy thanks to years of hookworms.

My Mandy, who raced 134 races, had no prey drive. The only time she reacted to any prey animal was when a squirrel ran across her foot, actually touching her. She looked down at the squirrel. She didn't bother to try and chase it. Outdoor cats would walk right up to her and she basically shrugged. She was bomb proof with animals. My second Grey, Sammy, couldn't have cared less about squirrels, chipmunks, or rabbits, but would go ballistic at foxes and deer, rearing up on his back legs and barking like a fool. He was also very picky about cats, especially outside.

Yes, ma'am. I almost hurt my eyes rolling them after she got back in her car and sped away.

My angel Mandy, pictured in my signature, had ears that stood up permanently. I actually had a woman stop her car, get out, and scream at me about animal abuse. I assumed she was screaming about racing, but she eventually got to ear cutting. I explained that Mandy's ears were that way naturally, but she wouldn't believe me. In the seven years she lived with me, I never saw her ears in any other position.

I was where you are very recently. My boy likely had DM, but I refused to put him through tests that weren't going to make a difference in the outcome. He had been going downhill slowly, then this past summer, things picked up. He had a crisis where he "Bambied" on the hardwood floors. He recovered from that, but I could tell it was only a matter of time. I was watching him carefully (I work from home, so I could monitor him all day) and just had a feeling, even though he was still enjoying food and wanted to go outside frequently. I purchased a full body harness from God's Greyts in Orlando to have on hand. Thank heavens I did because his backend went out completely during a noontime relief break one day. I was able to get him up enough to get him in the house and gave him extra meds. I told my mom that if I didn't see significant improvement the next day, I'd be scheduling the vet. He was slightly better, but not much and he just had a look. That was a Tuesday and I asked the vet to come on Thursday, so we could spoil him for two solid days. Many of his favorite people came to see him and he got all his favorites, including Burger King cheeseburgers and Dairy Queen soft serve. When Thursday came around, I think he knew. He just looked different. I told him that there was no reason to be afraid, I'd be with him. He relaxed and when the vet got here, it was peaceful. I know that was a lot of words, but I know how you feel, my guy had a crisis and recovered, but the good days were numbered. I wish you and Henry as many happy days as possible.

Jen, I don't have pictures readily available, but I have the three boxes from the dogs I've had as an adult (I just lost Sammy in September) on a shelf in my living room. I didn't like the boxes provided by the crematorium, so I purchased different custom boxes for each dog. Those boxes are engraved as I desired and two have a space for a picture. I decided to put them in the living room because that's where I wanted them. If it bothers anyone else, they don't have to visit. Being able to see them when I'm working makes me feel better. I also have each dog's tags on the shelf next to the boxes. I have also kept each dog's favorite toy, but I have them in my bedroom closet.

My girl, Mandy, had serious SA. When I first adopted her, she would scream so loudly when I was gone that I could hear her from my car (I live in a brick condo building). She bent the bars of her crate, so I tried leaving her out of the crate and she trashed the house. I considered getting her a friend and dog-sat lots of dogs and fostered a few. At best, she ignored most of them, at worst, she seemed annoyed. I realized that it was me she wanted around, not another dog. It took a long time to work through the SA, but eventually she was just okay when I'd leave. I knew that was probably the best we would get, and it was. We did a multi-pronged approach to SA, including meds, a pheromone plug-in, lots of walks to tire her out, and a peanut butter muzzle. Also, alone training that continued through her lifetime. In desperation, I consulted an animal communicator. I purposely didn't mention the SA or about the prospect of getting another, but the communicator asked her if she had anything for me. She told the communicator that she didn't like when the other dogs were in her house because they slept on her beds and played with her toys. At that point, I stopped almost all dog-sitting, except for a little Shih-Tzu that was very respectful of her space and a Greyhound who I adored who was also very respectful of her.

As others have said, you have not failed him. He's just not the right fit for you. You would have done well with my last girl, the one in my signature. She had zero prey drive. She did kind of look when a squirrel actually ran over her foot, but she didn't try to chase it. She didn't chase anything. I know how heartbroken you must be. There was a dog I adored and desperately wanted to adopt. However, my home situation was completely opposite what he needed and I knew he'd be unhappy here, even though I adored him. I shed many tears over not being able to adopt him. He ended up going to a loving home that was the right place for him and was well-loved there for the rest of his life.

Sammy whines for many reasons, including, but not limited to: He's bored He wants food He wants a walk He has to pee and/or poop The blanket on the couch is not folded to his liking He knocked the blanket off the couch and he can't jump up there without it He's dug one of his beds into a nest and he no longer wants it that way Grandma cleaned out all her little trash cans so there's no paper for him to shred The sun is up The sun has gone down As you can see, he whines frequently. The only one I react to anymore is #4, it has a different, more urgent tone.

I feel the same way. Please have some non-FB situation for the increasing number of people who refuse to use it.

I don't have an outdoor bed because we don't spend time on the balcony, but I asked a friend who has a couple of Greys and a nice fenced yard. She has the Orvis sunbrella beds. They are expensive, but nice, and last a long time.

I have always used Crisanthemums coats. I like that they are water resistant, but seem to not hold in the heat too much. I get the version with the snood. Mandy hated the rain and would often refuse to pee if it was raining too hard. When I purchased the raincoat, she wouldn't be thrilled about the rain, but would usually go outside. She had the same raincoat for more than six years and it was still in great shape. I would have used the same coat for Sammy, but he is so much bigger, it didn't fit. Instead, he got his own, larger coat from Crisanthemums. He's been wearing it for seven years and it looks great.

I'm so sorry. I was going to say that he sounded almost exactly like a friend's Basset who had escalating aggression that turned out to be a brain tumor. RIP to your sweet boy and hugs to you.

I am one who does not have a FB account and won't get one.

Cuteness overload! Thanks for sharing!

Sammy gives four paws up to Elaine's Pet Pillows beds. I give two thumbs up because they are 100% machine washable. He has an XL in my bedroom (that thing is HUGE and heavy) and a L in the living room. He's a digger, so I went with the stretchy fabric Elaine suggested and it has held up well for years.

My Mandy had terrible corns on all four feet. Ironically, the huge corns seemed less painful than the small ones. At the time, Dr. Kellogg was in my area and would hull them (non surgical removal procedure). She also suggested keeping Mandy's paws treated with moisturizer. It didn't matter which moisturizer, so I would use plain Vaseline. I would wash her paws, slather moisturizer on each pad, wrap in cling film, then cover with toddler socks for about 20 minutes. After the 20 minutes, I would remove the sock and film and wash off each paw. I did this daily. It really seemed to help and made the corns that did grow easier to hull. Mandy also wore Therapaws on both back feet, but refused to wear them on the front. She wore them for seven years whenever we were outside. In fact, I was stopped more than once by people in adjoining neighborhoods asking if this was the "famous" Mandy who wore boots. Corns are awful. I hope you get Peggy's under control. She's a beautiful girl.

I'm so sorry about Sidney. I know how hard it is. I lost my beloved Mandy a few weeks before Dewey in 2012. I decided to go because I was going to be miserable no matter where I was. At least I got a trip to the beach and got to love on lots of pups.

I use a Kurgo bridge. Sammy wigs out with hammocks and I got the Greyhound Scream of Death when his foot slipped into the footwell that was stuffed with blankets and other soft stuff. The bridge is great. It's stable and easy to remove. I do put a crate mat and quilt over it.

Dr. Sara Moran at Town and Country in Olney is good. I don't know much about the other vet at the practice, but have worked with Dr. Moran and have found her to be knowledgeable and easy to work with.

Sammy loves Hugglehounds stuffy toys. We get them at local pet stores or Amazon.