FYI: Mine have never burdened me with "gas attacks".

What kind of food are you giving yours? Diet has a lot to do with farting, I'm pretty sure.

Mine get 1/2 cup each/twice per day of Purina One Lamb and Rice formula.
http://s.petco.com/assets/product_im...800573122C.jpg

This is dry food or "kibble". I do not give them anything from a can - except some tuna fish from time to time as a supplement.

They've been on this diet since day 1 for six years now and have stayed healthy as can be - (except for Billabong's ACL injuries). No gas either! ;)

Will write some more later....I'm really excited for you and Laylo, Steve! :)

Yes, I'm excited too. Not so much about 12 hours in the car, but it'll be an adventure I'm sure.

Here's some more photos. I wish I could tell from the photos how tall he is. At 28 pounds, he's a lot lighter than Lex (who's like 46). So it'll be like a dog and a half instead of 2 dogs. Or something.

This first photo cracks me up.



http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1345774421.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1345774459.jpg
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Cattle dogs look best with their bandanas!

Here's a pic I took moments after Winkipop and I arrived to pick up our little rescue girl Billabong - 6 years ago. That is Winkipop on the left in full blown Alpha stature....

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1345775327.jpg

They've been like 2 peas in a pod ever since. But only because of the (Ceasar Milan) pack mentality.

Heelers (as do many other breeds of course) are very smart and devoted - they respond well to basic training because they want so badly to please their pack leader. All you have to do is try to keep up with their intelligence...:p

So in looking at Laylo's pics.....he looks like a typical playful Heeler. Take some toys with you (including Lex) and you should be set.

There is an awesome dog park in the town of Lowell in Poston Park. It will be a 10 minute diversion for you off I85. Lowell is next to Gastonia and will be on your way home. It's a huge fenced in area and you can run them so they pass out for the 6 hour ride back. I would highly recommend it and it won't be out of the way.

Also, off the Lowell/Gastonia exit .5 miles Gastonia direction is Franklin street. You will find anything you need there. Fast food, chain restaurants, home depot, Petsmart etc.

If you are picking the dog up at the spay/neuter clinic, this will all be within 10 minutes. PM me if you need any other tips.

Cashman, thanks for the tip. I think we're going to meet in Conover which is a little closer to home. But you have a good point. I'll probably plot a few dog parks on the way back to take a break from the driving.

Kudos to you Steve (and to you also Baz)...nicely done!

ps: Laylo...is that a male Layla (my last old girls name)?

Safe travels this weekend Steve...we're all pulling for you and little Laylo! :)

Thanks.... Leaving after the cub scout picnic. Took Lex to the dog park to wear him out for the ride.

Ha ha....good strategy!

I'm really excited about this - fingers & toes crossed for a happy ending! :)

Ok, its 918 am and we're homeward bound with 2 doggies. He's a cutie. Smaller than I expected but a good size. Gets along well with Lex. I have a few photos, will post tonight.

Catawba County wouldnt let us in the dog park, but we walked them around the regular park. On the way out, someone had a nice longhood coupe under a carport. Got a photo of that too. :)

So awesome Steve!! Good luck.

Good deal Steve, if you are running up 29, call me when you hit Amhearst county and I'll meet ya along the way

Thanks Rick, we think we are going 81 the whole way, but I'll let you know if that changes.

Great to hear Steve.

BTW- we feed this to our blue dobie and she has zero skin issues.

Blue Buffalo - Healthy Dog Food with Fish & Oatmeal for Large Breed Dogs

I think thats what Lex gets as well. They are both chillin in the van and I'm riding in the back limo style. :)

Kinda cool too, we can watch all the haulers on the road coming back from Bristol. Good times!

So cool.

I have never really travelled with a dog...even my old one. Cute dogs get a lot of attention everytime we stop for food or gas. I'm not used to this.

Are kidding me! Don't know your marital status but cute doggies are chick magnets. :D

I'm just used to my neighborhood where I see the same people all the time. :) almost home...

"I have never really traveled with a dog...even my old one."

My first dog, a German Shepard named Jason, went with me to California and back in a van.

I am happy for you. Good luck with your new friend.

This is great! Thanks Baz for posting about Laylo and thanks to Steve for rescuing the "little boy".

OK made it home. The little guy is a big hit in the neighborhood. Let them have free reign of the yard for a little bit and got some photos. He's still a little sore from the surgery so after letting them really get acquainted, we had to separate them to chill a bit. Apparently, due to the economy and people losing their jobs in the area where he came from, some turned to dog breeding. We're not sure what his story is, since he's very friendly but being unfixed and all. I'm going to have to teach him some commands, since he doesn't know any, but he walks very nice on a leash with Lex.

They sure look like they are having fun here.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1346025395.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1346025432.jpg
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Great pics and congratulations on the new addition!

Steve, good job man.

Hi Steve,

I'm crying with joy right now.....you're a good guy for this...a real good guy.

Bless you and your family!

Dogs are the most deserving creatures on the planet, in my opinion. They don't ask for much - just your love and caring....and they give everything they have in return.

Those photos are fantastic...they really are. To see both of your furkids cavorting around......now that is special. That's exactly how it was with mine when we picked up Billabong. Game on!

They make a great pair.....they compliment each other. That is so cool.....

So one thing to watch out for...ACL injury in Laylo's rear knees. Be very careful not to let him overdo the horseplay with Lex. Some dogs get injured and some don't - just like humans. I don't know why but it's just something to be aware of - not to let him hurt himself. They love to run obviously so they are prone to this type of injury.

I just got in from doing a 3 day trade show so will check in later.....really really stoked for you and your family Steve. HUGE karma points!

Talk to you later...and please give Laylo a belly rub from Baz and the girls. :p

BTW - it's evident in the pics, just like my 2 girls, a pecking order for yours is already in place. Lex the alpha...Laylo the little brother. Look how he is following Lex.....that is awesome! :)

Agreed!

Yo Steve.......how's the new little boy doing? We need an update! :)

Friggin cool!

First, what Baz says here. My Colbi is still re-cooping from knee surgery in April. Not a torn ACL but a very loose joint. Had pins put in. She is a banchi, all out, 110%, all the time. In the pic you can see her intensity.

Second, you are a saint for rescuing such a beautiful animal, as all rescuers are. Thank you. Oh and the pictures are awesome!!
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1346126572.jpg

Ok guys a quick update. He's doing really well around the house, getting along with Lex and the kids. He's so friendly. Lex is a little more territorial and barks at (most) little kids and some (but not all) stranger. I have no idea what happened to him before we got him. Laylo (we're calling him Marcos now) is learning from Lex. He does real well around the neighborhood, but nearly gets peed on getting right behind Lex on walks. Of course everyone wants to say hi.

Unfortunately, while he was in his crate on Sunday night he picked at his surgery site and I had to take him back to the vet this morning to get sewn up again (they used glue before). He's so good natured about it. Just walked right into the vet and greeted everyone. Put his paws up on my lap while we waited. The other thing is that he has to wear the cone. Which is probably humiliating, and makes navigating around the house difficult.

So, it's a little troubling, but we have a good vet here so I think things will be OK.

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the update on little Marcos.

His following Lex around, as I said in my previous post, is typical pack behaviour. Heelers are very structured and instinctively fall in line where they belong. Their friendliness is a byproduct of their devotion to their "human(s)". Sounds like Marcos is everything you'd want from the breed. :)

You must keep the e-collar on him, as I'm sure you now are aware. Yes it's difficult for both him and you but mostly for you....btdt. Trust me, no matter what - he has to keep it on. I would lock him out of his crate and just let him lay down on a small throw rug near Lex's crate. The little one will always want to stay by the alpha. Mine does anyway.

Please keep us posted including any questions. Mark's post about Colbi reinforces what I said about knee injuries too. Best to try and keep their romp sessions limited. It's fun to watch them jam but sometimes the consequences are not very fun.

BTW when Billabong was at the vets for her surgeries the staff absolutely LOVED her. These dogs are real sweethearts and make for good patients. :)

I'm stoked for you and your family including the new little boy.:p

Oh no, the cone of shame!

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fWWYEglscV...e+of+shame.jpg

Great story - well done.

Don

Happy one Year Anniversary, Marcos!

VERY cool, Steve!

Thanks for remembering and posting this....one of the highlights of PPOT last year, for sure!

Please give Marcos a couple belly rubs from the girls.....

Indeed +1!