Our pooch at the hunting lodge...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1168284832.jpg

Something is wrong with your camera...Your Dog's tail is all blurry? ;)

She is a happy pooch. :)

Have always liked this thread.
here's a mug shot...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1168285717.jpg

Tim- Geesh. That's a beautiful dog. Looks like (s)he's about to start talking. :)

Thanks.
He is a photo hog even as a pup.



http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1168287546.jpg

Except after a hard day..

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1168287583.jpg

You talkin to me?:D

Is that a Rhodesian Ridgeback? If so, what are their temperments like with other dogs?

Nope.
He is a Vizsla.
Temperment is really sweet. Not hostle with other dogs at all.
He should have his senior hunting title and champion show title by the end of the year. ( I hope)
The little girl on the left is my other retired from the show but still a great field dog.


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1168289397.jpg

That's my kind of dog. I love all dogs, but especially the bully breeds...

Miles loves the beach

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1170113304.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1171562673.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1171562721.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1171562766.jpg

Here's Boujie our mixed breed (lhasa apso/beagle).

As a puppy at 12 weeks...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1171568556.jpg

...and last week at 11 months old.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1171568834.jpg

naptime

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1173198712.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1173198853.jpg

My wife and I have never not had a dog in the house through 27 years of marriage. Most of the time we've had two. We broke that string two weeks ago when we had to put our buddy to rest. He was healthy for 11 years and suddenly lost his appetite. Vet determined he had a stomach tumor and it was advanced beyond the point of hope. My wife still sobs occasionally and I admit to teary remembrances myself. He was a huge part of our family and the house suddenly feels empty without him.

RIP Indiana (Indy) Jones.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1173201153.jpg

My condolences Terry, that is a heartbreaker. Losing a pet is a really, really tough thing to deal with.

I know how distraught I'd be if I lost my best bud Chance, even though he's an old, stinky unrepentant $hit-eater.

Terry,

I feel for you and your wife. I went through the same thing with my Border Collie X several years ago...I still miss her as she was with me for over 13 years :( . She was the ultimate best friend - went everywhere I did. She was more happy being with me no matter what than staying at home. She was around long before I married and had kids...

We put her to rest over 9 years ago for much the same reasons as you and I had put off getting another pup as "Aggie" was irreplaceable. I mean, how do you "replace" a best friend? However, the kids harped long and hard so finally I relented and we bought a family dog. This one is NOT mine; but of the family :) .

Here's our new addition Layla the toy schnoodle (toy poodle/mini schnauzer cross) at 6 weeks...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1173216018.jpg

She is now nearly 14 weeks; is going to puppy pre-school (more for the kids than for her really as she is no dummy) and is trying to run the house! Wouldn't have it any other way....;)

Layla at 12 weeks with Charlotte lazing around on the couch (which Layla isn't supposed to be on BTW...oh well...)
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1173216551.jpg

Jake and Lisa, Thanks for the kind thought. I will share them with my wife and of course she will probably bawl some more. That mutt really was like a child to her.... and me too I guess.

It's a shame that our pets don't live very long lives and that we inevitably have to say goodbye to them way too often.

Layla looks like ball of yarn and many years of being spoiled rotten coming up! :)

You guys are killing me with all this talk of the dogs you've lost.

I posted awhile ago that my 14 year old Lab mix, Dudley is nearing the end. One night last week I came home from work to find he couldn't rise. He had fallen (his back legs are very weak) and had bruised his front sholuder. I took him to the vet expecting the worst. I even called my son who drove 30 miles to be with Dudley at what we thought surely was going to be his end. I asked the vet point blanck if it was time to put him down?

Vet said she HAS put dogs down that are in Dudley's condition. That he is very geriatric but that he is also very mentally alert and only gets more so when you bring him to the vet's office with all its interesting smells. She said he will likely be mentally alert right up unitl I have to make the decision. She put him on a new NSAID and also on a human pain reliever...can't remember the name right now but it is 100mg twice daily. A week's supply and he has now used up the first Rx. I am getting more because it makes him so much better. This drug is (according ot the doctor) soon to be made a controlled substance and she will not be able to prescribe it, but for now it does wonders for him. apparently addictive but super effective. i know my decision is nearing. Probably before summer but I just haven't been able to get myself to do it. He is very stiff, very lame in the rear, but so bright eyed and so pleased to see me every day. As mark Twain said (Will Rogers?) If dogs don't go to heaven, then I want to go where they go. Here's a recent shot of Dudley (black) and Sooner his 3-1/2 year old "sibling":

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1173223332.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1173223372.jpg

dan: try adding Glucosomine (sp) to his diet too, it might help.
I'll raise a glass to Dudleys health!!! Cool dogs.

goat - thanks. Almost ANYTHING added to his diet give him gas. Check that, you don't have to give him anything to make him have gas. He emits gas involuntarily at almost ANY exertion! It would be funny if it wasn't sad...and horrendous.

I love this dog and I am trying hard to walk the line between keeping him alive because I care about him and want him to enjoy a full life but not keeping him alive selfishly to avoid the loss and sadness I will feel.
I am also aware that a lot of people would be tempted to look out for their own convenience and finances and put him down saying he doesn't have adequate quality of life anymore and besides, he smells and is a PITA.

He IS a PITA, but he is also my long and loyal friend. He's always lived up to his end of the bargain, never failed me. I will walk the line for him and when I think he is hurting more than he is happy I will make the hard decision. Could be today, could be a few months but he deserves every moment of enjoyable life.

Glucosamine - every older person I know is taking it for osteoarthritis (including my Mum).

I say run it by the vet and then go for it if she says OK!

Dudley deserves it and more...and I don't think you're being selfish Dan; you'll know when the time has come for Dudley and until then keep lavishing him with love - it's payback after all :) .

Dan. I am laughing and sad at over your last post, You are doing the right thing, I have been there it is tough.

Da Boyz in the snow.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1173227788.jpg

Big Henry sez HI!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1173227847.jpg

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My Buddy and I chillin!http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1173232312.jpg

Chance on the beach, chillin' with the ladies:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1173277456.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1173277474.jpg

Daisy hiding from the cops:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1173277649.jpg

First, thanks for the kind, understanding words from everyone, especially Lisa and goat. Dudley was waiting outside the bathroom door this morning when I came out from my shower like he has every morning for almost 14 years. I gave him an extra scratch behind the ears today.

Now all you other people...you're ill....just like me! That picture of Jake's wife? girlfriend? with the giant dog on her lap at the beach? That's me...completely stupid about my dogs.

If I can get it from my sister, I will post one of me riding my 3 person Jetski with my then nearly 90lb(!) Lab "puppy" Sooner sitting in front of me. He LOVES the Jetski and insists on going for rides. When I tie it up on the beach he swims around it trying to get up on it. If he manages to, he sits up there waiting for me to take him for a ride. AND if he gets a ride and sees a fish in the shallows? He Kamakazi's right in after it! "Dogs love trucks"...and Jetski's too! Keep these great dog pictures coming.

This is a really old pic. My first Vizsla, at a hunt test, got teased cause I really spoiled him, That day he got the highest score, trophied for the the best Nor. Cal Amature hunting title too.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1173292054.jpg

That's Chance, the reprobate $chit eater, getting cozy with my wife. The only thing he wants in the world is to lay down beside you, an maybe if you'd just PET HIS HEAD.

He was the oldest of a bunch of neglected hunting beagles. When we got him at the airport, I thought he'd be dead in a couple months.

The vet was not very positive. Skin problems from frostbite, really bad allergies... bad shape from neglect and abuse plus he was already 7-8 yrs old and acted like he was 20. In the end, a regiment of allergy shots administered daily, then weekly, then monthly made a huge difference. That and California Natural dogfood. He eats better than me, other than the $schit thing. His health is good enough that the vet recommended dental work he had been on the fence about. He just had 8 teeth pulled last week. We're calling him GUMS.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1173294486.jpg

So anyway, over the past few years, there have been periods where I thought we were losing him. I tear up just thinking about it... this is a very special dude (ya, they all are). When I hear about you guys and how you feel about your dogs, I know I'm in a good crowd. I remember when CoolChick lost her dog, one of her "OT" opponents took her off "ignore", because he figured that anyone who loved their dog that much must be OK.

Dan, you will know best when it is time. You know him, and you know his routines. I know how hard it is when you know they are starting to suffer… it's especially hard when they are STILL so happy to see you. They are such loyal, stupid buggers that they would wag their tail nomatter how much they are suffering.

FWIW, Chance is VERY sensitive to food. If he gets anything other than his special food, he throws up. Usually at 3am, in bed, without warning. He sleeps beside us.

Targa911s… so glad to see Henry is doing great.

hey Jake. Yes Big Henry is doing great, and says " Howdy".

Tim, I am interested in the Viszla. I'm gonna search "the internets":D for info, maybe Wikipedia but....the sources are never really forthcoming abou the negative or challenging traits of a particular breed. I've owned several Norwegian Elkhounds and they get skin growths. My Dudley is a half Lab and half Dalmation and I can tell you for certain based on him and other Dalmations I have known they are unbeliveably hyper. One Dlamation I know is great with people but psycho with other dogs. Lab's are neurotic...but in a good way! if you like to have your dog stuck to your leg every minute...which I do. What is the downside if there is one on the Viszla? How are they with other dogs?

notfarnow, thanks for the words. You're right, I think I WILL know when its time and frankly I know its not long now. With summer coming on he is going to be even more uncomfortable than he is now. But you're right, he will give me a wag and a lick up to the final moment of his life, I am sure of it and I am lumping up just thinking of it. Poor old Duds, I'd give up a couple of years of my own just to have him be the dog he once was again for awhile.

Dan.
I am a little biased towards the Vizsla but I will tone it down :)
They really love to be in company with the owners. If you giive them any chance they will be on your lap, they love to be touched. With other dogs I have had no problem my male is not fixed but is not confrontational at all. They are very easy to train but very sensative to harsh voice commands and physical treament, I have mine on voice command and have done all my own training. Not an out door dog, by that I mean leaving them outside alone all day. They have no undercoat so they do get cold if they are not active. My female can clear a 6 foot fence!! During the day they stay indoors when I am gone. But I am sure others don't do this.
Biggest Problem is excersise... Gotta give them plenty or they will get destructive digging holes, chewing up anything in the house!!
The short hair is great but they still shead, but no oils, so no musky smells or greasy hands after petting. As they gett old they too can get cancer tumors.
Too bad you are so far away otherwise I would have you meet them in person.

Hey all you pet lovers, There is a major pet food recall and it affects dozens of different brands. It seems it mostly pertains to the canned or foil pouch gravy and chunky meat type. We lost our dog last month to sudden illness and he ate IAMS in a pouch.

Please keep your pets safe...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070317/ap_on_bi_ge/pet_food_recall_10

A friend of mine in FL just called to tell me about this. As a result of Nutro Max she has 1 dog dead, 1 dog sick, and another totally unaffected. Sad that the corporations of America put profit before anything. Sad

I typically don't look off topic, but this thread grabbed at my heart. My dog Pete became very ill Thursday night. He was projectile vomiting. I brought him to the vet at 7:00 a.m. Friday. They wathced him, gave him meds, and got his stomach calmed down. My wife picked Pete up at about 4:00 Friday evening. Well, he would not eat and he went RAPIDLY downhill over night. I brought him in this morning again and they are doing exploratory surgery in a couple hours from now.

The reason this is so upsetting is that I had to put our beloved eight year old dog Emma down just over a year ago when she was suferring from very similar symptoms. Emma was never healthy having struggled with a serious bout with Parvo before we adopted her from a pet rescue.

Pete, however, has never been ill. He is young, strong, active, and healthy.

Please say a prayer for our dog Pete.


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1174152127.jpg
Pete after finding a hose left running.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1174152177.jpg

Pete "living the good life" on the deck

Mike

Mike, Hoping for the best. Pete looks like a great pup.

Henry, Buddy and I will be pulling for Pete. Keep us posted. He is SO cute. Little Rascals cute!

Pete, you got it, we're all pulling for you.

Thank you all for the kind thoughts.

I will post after I hear something.

It is obvious that I am not the only Pelicanite that has a special bond with his dog. Every dog I have owned since my childhood has shown uncommon loyalty and unconditional love. Dogs truly are one of God's gifts.

Mike

You get what you give, Mike.

Hang in there.