Moneypenny

I would, I have a very soft spot for special needs and senior dogs I think this describes it very well.

I do believe that if you see a dog approaching, you can do a big "alpha" move, scream, wave your arms, etc. It worked for me once, almost too well actually. I was walking my 3 greys and a medium sized mixed breed started running towards us....it didn't seem to be aggressive, but I wanted it to stop and go another way, I stopped, stomped my feet, yelled, waved my arms, etc. The dog turned around and trotted the other direction. Now, I had never seen this dog in the neighborhood, and I did feel bad that is was alone, so my plan was to get the girls home (we were only 1/2 a block away) then come back out and see if I could catch this dog and get it to it's home. I came back out only minutes later (without my dogs), the dog was still hanging around sniffing about a block from where I saw it the first time, I got down and tried to call it to me, and I guess he/she remembered my behavior from minutes before, because it would have nothing to do with me....if I tried to approach, it ran the other direction, I felt really bad, I never did catch up with him/her, and never saw the dog again. I can only assume it got home okay. I will always try to discourage an approaching dog and look for an escape route, most of the houses in my neighborhood have chain link fenced yards, I know the habits and what dogs are outside at which houses of the houses on our route, and I would not hesitate to duck into someones yard if I felt threatened. All that being said, I have started to carry a big flashlight with me, and I did get some pepper spray. I will admit that Chevy's story scared the crap out of me, and it compelled me to be more prepared, as prepared as I can be, do the best I can for my girls and heck, say a little before walk prayer, then hope for the best.

Words seem so inadequate............my heart truly goes out to you. Bubba and Suds were very loved and I am sure they knew that, try to take comfort in that. Godspeed Bubba and Suds.............send a comforting sign to your family when you can.....

I have been wondering the same since reading about Chevy. I have an older gentleman who lives directly across the street from me, he has 3 big dogs that are not well trained or socialized. I always hope he is either not home, or inside when I walk, because I worry about the dogs getting past him if walks through his gate while I am walking my dogs. I love to walk my dogs, but I too, am becoming terrified. Did some checking on line just a little while ago and it seems there are lots of options, but I don't really know what or where to start. Thanks for starting this Karen.

I am so sorry.....I had the pleasure of being Gweneth's secret Santa this year, my first year partcipating. Godspeed pretty girl And hugs to all who loved her.

Oh Jan.....tears for all of you here......my heart just breaks for you. How lucky Gracie was to have you and you her even for such a short time. Godspeed Twirling Gracie

I so enjoyed Hot Rod's stories, and his love of Milkie Bonz........I am so sorry he is gone. Run pain free at the bridge sweet boy, we will all miss you. Godspeed Handsome Hot Rod and to all who loved him.

I can't speak to tendonitis in greys, but I had achilles tendonitis myself, and with nsaids, a wrap and rest, it still took about 5 weeks for the pain/discomfort to go away completely. Hope Lexi is feeling better soon!!

You mentioned his eyes being similar to us having our eyes dialated...is there snow on the ground? I know for me, when it is sunny with no snow and my eyes have been dialated, I can't see a thing, and the reflection from the snow might be making it even worse. Maybe try some eye coverings (doggles) to see if that helps?

My bridge boy Smoke came to me at 12 years old, he had a fear of the washing machine, I don't have a basement, so the washer is off the kitchen....anyway, I learned a lot about desensitizing from this thread: http://forum.greytalk.com/index.php/topic/264880-dishwasher-phobia/?hl=%2Bfear+%2Bwashing+%2Bmachine&do=findComment&comment=4793939 It helped me help him become comfortable with the washer, maybe it will help you too?

I am so sorry, I loved stories about Jilly Bean, always brought a smile to my face.......she will always be remembered. Godspeed Jilly Bean

I used Previcox for 2+ years for my angel Rosie. I adopted her at 12 and she lived to be a little over 15 1/2. She took the previcox for arthritis, IIRC, she took 1/2 tablet twice a day, she never had any ill effects from it and I don't think the Previcox contributed to her passing, her little body just decided it was time. I have had good experience with Previcox for on and off again pain management for my other hounds as well, without any side effects. Of course, as they say, your mileage may vary

Anil and Janie, I have been following this and your emails to us, I am so sorry Lacy is a very lucky girl to have both of you. Lisa (gcmo)

Congratulations!!! They are adorable What a wonderful Christmas this will be for all of you!

Lily is beautiful I love, love brood mamas.....they are loving, sweet, patient, kind, funny, and soooo adorable! Here is my brood mama - Raina (Lets get itdone) My heart just almosts bursts everytime I look at her Raina will be 12 in 12 days, she retired from her momma duties at 8.5. Can't wait to hear all about Lily!

I am so sorry Greg Godspeed beautiful Bijou

Thinking of you Greg Bijou is one very lucky girl to have had you for her daddyman. This is the hardest part of the journey.........give that sweet, beautiful girl a kiss for us.

Jan - the title of this took my breath away....I am so, so sorry. I don't have the words to express my sorrow. You and your campers are some of my favorites here on GT, my heart breaks for all of you. You will all be in my thoughts. Godspeed Zeke-a-roni and to you and all the campers.

When I had a spook like this, the only way we could get him outside was to prop the door open and get out of his sight. He knew where the "exit" was and would follow the other dogs outside, but we had to hide. This only lasted about a week, then he could go in and out as long as we stood away from the door way and held the door open on the oustide. Making eye contact with him was the worst possible thing. He lived in his crate for about 2 months, only venturing out to go outside. We put his crate in the living room so that he could see us and the other dogs going about our daily lives and we basically just ignored him. We could leave the crate door open because he wasn't coming out, period. Eventually, he would come out for short times when we weren't looking and we would totally ignore him, no celebrations of his presence outside of the crate. Working with him we took baby, baby steps. He came to us in September and it was February before he was mingling with the pack and out of his crate. He eventually became the happiest, most loving, sweet boy ever, but he had to have a routine and no variances, ever. His name was Reggie and I had him for 9.5 years, he was 5 when he graded off.......it was my most challenging and rewarding adoption, loved that boy

A beautiful tribute to a beautiful girl. I am so sorry. Godspeed beautiful Kara.

I work in retail management and my hours are all over the board, days, nights, every other weekend, never the same day off, etc. I have one dog who is on clomicalm, she started that before she came to me because of her high anxiety levels, she is still on it and may be for the rest of her life, but she handles my schedule like a champ. The one thing I do is to try and keep somewhat of a normal routine, they get a walk every morning (I do have a fenced yard) regardless of if I go in at 8 am or noon. Their meals are given at almost the same time every day.....I do have the luxury of coming home for lunch (dinner) every day so they do get a break. Being in retail, I wear a uniform, they seem to recognize the uniform as meaning, that I will be gone for a while. Don't be afraid to try medication, it will help him focus so that he can relearn his alone training.

You can try some ice cubes, or maybe bottled water instead of tap, or you can move the bowl to a different location. Show him where the bowl is, dip your fingers in it and splash around so he knows it's there. Sometimes I get my fingers wet and and just kind of dab it around their muzzle to encourage them to drink. You can also try a plastic bowl instead of metal......he really does need to drink, is he eating? If he is eating and you are adding warm water to his food, he is probably ok.

I am so sorry. Godspeed Sabrina

My bridge girl Willow got this way at about 14 (she lived to 16), I tried many things, and kept changing it up every few days like has already been suggested, it did seem to keep her interested, but the one thing that worked the longest was crumbled plain doughnuts on top of her food I remember being at my wit's end one day trying to find something to get her to eat and I had a package of Hostess doughnuts on the counter and thought what the heck, as long as it's plain, at this point it can't hurt! I always think of her when I have a plain doughnut

Marc, I am so sorry, she was a beautiful girl and very loved. Your tribute was beautiful.