Man's Best Friend Thread

[0Dgreen]

Per Al's request, it's obvious if you are part of this forum, you are more or less an animal lover...But, if you'd like to share some photos or stories of your pups, let this be the place!

https://i.imgur.com/6Mg0jaN.jpg

[jmf3460]

nice thread Mike, and I agree that dogs are awesome!! Here is my 8 year old yellow lab/german shepherd mix. His name is Shep, we're best friends.
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[brewmaster15]

What a great idea for a thread! :)lol

nice cannines!
al

[LizStreithorst]

I am a dog groomer and a dog lover. I own 8 dogs. They include a gas station dog, a dog found by the interstate, an under my old condemned hurricane Katrina dog, and ugly puppy found under the steps leading to the front door, a vacant lot dog, and few that were given to me because the owners no longer wanted them.

This is a pic of my number 1 dog. He was the ugly puppy found under the steps on Christmas day on 2014. He looked to be around 5 weeks old, buy could have been older. He had almost no hair due to scarpotic mange and was full of worms. I couldn't even tell what breed he was. I called him Ugly Puppy. As he grew he turned into a handsome pet quality chow. He had a heart of gold but by the time I realized that Puppy was the most stupid name in the world he knew that his name was Puppy. Unlike most Chows he was extremely smart and had a kind loving nature. I changed his official name to Saint puppy but his call name is still Puppy even at 14 hears of age.

I took this pic 2 years ago when he was in good shape but feeling his age. It was the first time I gave him a summer hair cut. Now, 2 years later he has the same problem with his back as I have. We are even on the same meds so we can share! He and I both hurt but the meds are good. We have our good days and our bad days but we're still getting around well and we're both happy.

[LizStreithorst]

This is my obese girl, Kate. She found wandering along the interstate. She was skinny then. She was a pretty thing when she put on a little weight, but I feed my dogs free choice and I guess she decided that she wanted to bulk up in case she had to go with out again. She went a bit overboard and now she is almost as wide as she is long. When she walks her udders swing underneath her. She got so heavy that I bought her a set of steps so I didn't have to lift her on the bed every night. Despite her weight she is in excellent health at 12 years of age. she is worthless but she is sweet and she is happy.

[LizStreithorst]

This is my number two dog, Bruno. I have only had him slightly over a year. He has quite a story.

I was at the shop and two women came in who I'd seen walking the streets in Ellisville. They are mother and daughter and when I talked to them it was easy to see that they had all kinds of mental problems. The mother said, "Will you take my dog?" I didn't want a dog but if I saw it and evaluated it's temperament and took a good look at it might be able to help find him a home. The story was that they had never allowed him outdoors because the land lord forbid dogs, but the land lord found out anyway.

The next day they walk in carrying this trembling brindle puppy in what looked like an old bath robe. I looked in his eyes and saw fear and hopelessness. I talked to him and when I reached out to pet him he peed himself. My heart broke. I knew that I was the only hope for this frightened puppy so I took him. He stayed in a cage while I finished grooming my last dog then I bathed him and took him home. He was scared to death the whole time and I talked to him the whole time.

Now, I let all my animals run free. I have 23 chickens, 1 horse, 1 cat, and 8 dogs and they can go all over the countryside if they want to. But they don't. This 5 month old terrified puppy would be let out of the car and be allowed to run free. It worked like it always does. He ended up making friends with my older dogs. It took a little time because they all had to check him out and decide that he OK. He ran and ran and ran and had a blast. He saw that all the older dogs trusted me and he decided to trust me enough to come in the house at night. He slept touching me from day one but his trust in me wasn't complete. I need to stop now and post the pics. I could write a dang novel about this dog.115651115652

[0Dgreen]

I am a dog groomer and a dog lover. I own 8 dogs. They include a gas station dog, a dog found by the interstate, an under my old condemned hurricane Katrina dog, and ugly puppy found under the steps leading to the front door, a vacant lot dog, and few that were given to me because the owners no longer wanted them.

This is a pic of my number 1 dog. He was the ugly puppy found under the steps on Christmas day on 2014. He looked to be around 5 weeks old, buy could have been older. He had almost no hair due to scarpotic mange and was full of worms. I couldn't even tell what breed he was. I called him Ugly Puppy. As he grew he turned into a handsome pet quality chow. He had a heart of gold but by the time I realized that Puppy was the most stupid name in the world he knew that his name was Puppy. Unlike most Chows he was extremely smart and had a kind loving nature. I changed his official name to Saint puppy but his call name is still Puppy even at 14 hears of age.

I took this pic 2 years ago when he was in good shape but feeling his age. It was the first time I gave him a summer hair cut. Now, 2 years later he has the same problem with his back as I have. We are even on the same meds so we can share! He and I both hurt but the meds are good. We have our good days and our bad days but we're still getting around well and we're both happy.

Thanks for sharing Liz!

I have a similar dilemma with my dog "Little Dude" he was only little for a month (if that), being mainly a bloodhound mix he's pretty big at about 85lbs. It's also kind of odd, out of my 3 dogs, he is the only one that has acquired many names or nicknames (at the fault of my better half mostly) and he responds to most: Chunk, Duder, Lil' Toot, and Wompus. He is my first hound dog, as i have always had bird dogs, and he will not be the last...if you want a super loyal dog that is content with relaxing on the couch 24/7, he is that guy.

This was the first day he came home from the shelter.
https://i.imgur.com/qZ6jm0E.jpg

And this is now
https://i.imgur.com/7s91Iou.jpg

[LizStreithorst]

He's beautiful, Mike.

[0Dgreen]

He's beautiful, Mike.

Thanks, I really like your Bruno (your other dogs are awesome too) his coat and face kind of remind me of a Wild African Dog that you see on National Geographic or something..super cool!

[LizStreithorst]

His build reminds me of a Whippet. He has the same musculature, the same straight front, the same slight raised loin. He runs like the wind the same as a Whippet. But he is not a sight hound. You can tell by his head that somehow doesn't suit his body. People say he looks like a Dingo but Dingo's are terrible dogs. I can see the resemblance but Bruno is a great dog.

[Gabriel13]

This is Maximus, my supervisor. Also from his perspective hes my advisor as well. I can do nothing without Max. I know where nothing is and I need his approval for every fish project. Slash that. Every project that I do. He has also dragged me into his favorite past time of stopping to smell the flowers, every flower. Even in the rain when Im getting soaked and I really need him to do his business. Its his Zen thing lol. Hes 6 months today and as much of a teenager as I need him to be. Probably a little too much of one. All legs, appetite and I know everything attitude. lol115662

[brewmaster15]

This is Maximus, my supervisor. Also from his perspective hes my advisor as well. I can do nothing without Max. I know where nothing is and I need his approval for every fish project. Slash that. Every project that I do. He has also dragged me into his favorite past time of stopping to smell the flowers, every flower. Even in the rain when Im getting soaked and I really need him to do his business. Its his Zen thing lol. Hes 6 months today and as much of a teenager as I need him to be. Probably a little too much of one. All legs, appetite and I know everything attitude. lol115662
Maximus is really cool looking pup. Love the ears! Im partial to black animals though. He reminds of my cat in his behaviors as well. He has the look of an animal just itching to do something..anything! :)

[Gabriel13]

Oh my goodness! That's him all day. What can I get into now? non-stop busybody.

[brewmaster15]

yep...just like my boy Dante.:)

[Pices]

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Great thread idea. This is my 14 yr old Border Terrier. She has cataracts and is hard of hearing, but she can still find a small crumb on the floor.

[Gabriel13]

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Great thread idea. This is my 14 yr old Border Terrier. She has cataracts and is hard of hearing, but she can still find a small crumb on the floor.

Awwwww. So so cute.

[Mugwump]

Well this is our GSD M's Sassafrass....."Sassy".....and fits her name well....she's still a talker too...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZIW7TTLe-Q

she usually helps out in the fish room....usually that is.....

https://stored-edge.slickpic.com/MTI0NjA2YjQxMDA3NzA,/20180523/MTQ5ODY1NDcwMGI3/p/1400/Sassy_napping.jpg

..and enjoys our deck swing....hogs it, I should say.....

https://stored-edge.slickpic.com/MTI0NjA2YjQxMDA3NzA,/20180510/MTQ5NDU3MjcwNDE0/p/1400/Sassy.jpg

[Gabriel13]

Assesses. So so cute.
Dang spell check! This is so weird. It was supposed to say awwwww. So so cute.

[Gabriel13]

Well this is our GSD M's Sassafrass....."Sassy".....and fits her name well....she's still a talker too...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZIW7TTLe-Q

she usually helps out in the fish room....usually that is.....

https://stored-edge.slickpic.com/MTI0NjA2YjQxMDA3NzA,/20180523/MTQ5ODY1NDcwMGI3/p/1400/Sassy_napping.jpg

..and enjoys our deck swing....hogs it, I should say.....


https://stored-edge.slickpic.com/MTI0NjA2YjQxMDA3NzA,/20180510/MTQ5NDU3MjcwNDE0/p/1400/Sassy.jpg
Nice GSD my boy is a talker too. People ask me if he is mixed with a husky lol. He's so verbal.

[Mugwump]

We have a nutso Quaker parrot too........Igor......he's actually been flying with that tube over his head too.....not too successfully, but it seems to amuse him...as when he crashes he laughs my wife's phone laugh.....

He's in a much bigger cage ow.....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=48&v=JHQEoMVil4s

[Gabriel13]

Lol! What a character!

[Pices]

Dang spell check! This is so weird. It was supposed to say awwwww. So so cute.

I thought you liked her butt. Ha ha just kidding. She’s cute in this pic, but terriers can be a pill. She’s like yours as far as micro managing everything. I like the look on your dogs face. It really captures his personality.
Patty

[Second Hand Pat]

Dang spell check! This is so weird. It was supposed to say awwwww. So so cute.

Fixed it for you Gabriel :)
Pat

[Second Hand Pat]

I enjoyed everyone's dogs story and pictures. :)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7550/15873122055_5fda078fd0_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qbDUbc)[/url] [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/129594174@N08/] (https://flic.kr/p/qbDUbc)

This is Gypsy! A neighbor mentioned seeing two cats and a small dog in the front pasture. Sure enough that is exactly what I found. So I setup a feeding station and got to know "the crew". Once they trusted me I had the two cats fixed at an cat rescue, both were male. Blaze was one of the two cats who I introduced in the cat thread. The other cat was a three month old kitten and he became Tuxedo cat due to his black and white marking. Gypsy went to my vet to be spayed since her operation was a bit more personal.

The vet said Gypsy was about two years old and is a border terrier. She is a great little dog and it took her forever to trust us. Today she is eight and loves to hunt lizards and is slowly becoming a lap dog. In her mind her duty is to escort the car down the driveway. Our driveway is about 800 feet and she stops 2/3 down the driveway and returns to the house.
Pat

[LizStreithorst]

She's not a Border Terrier, but she sure has a terrier coat. I wish I could get my hands on it in my shop. I know how to hand pluck a terrier coat and my greatest ability is bring out the best features of a dog while still maintaining a natural look. I'm out of luck though because you are in Florida an I'm in Mississippi. Besides, she's a very cool looking dog as she is. She looks like a happy country dog.

[Second Hand Pat]

She's not a Border Terrier, but she sure has a terrier coat. I wish I could get my hands on it in my shop. I know how to hand pluck a terrier coat and my greatest ability is bring out the best features of a dog while still maintaining a natural look. I'm out of luck though because you are in Florida an I'm in Mississippi. Besides, she's a very cool looking dog as she is. She looks like a happy country dog.

She is a happy dog Liz and her coat is "fluffy" but not thick. She seems to have an inner and outer coat. I have read that you "hand shear" the coat vs using chippers. Not quite sure what that means lol. I do trim the hair about the eyes and muzzle a little. I agree she does not really match the border terrier pictures. If not a border terrier then what...a mutt?
Pat

[Gabriel13]

Fixed it for you Gabriel :)
Pat
Thank you Pat:o

[LizStreithorst]

She is a proud American Terrier mix (a mutt). Her coat is what's called a broken coat. There is a soft undercoat and a harsh top coat. If you use clippers on a coat like that it supresses the growth of the top coat and encourages the growth of the undercoat which ruins the coat.

She doesn't need grooming. She's fine as she is. But if I had her in the shop I would pluck off the fluffy stuff on her thighs. It doesn't hurt when you pluck the coat breaks off at the place the break is. It's not like you yank it out from the skin. I would clean up the top of her head and the hair on her ears to make those lovely drop ears stand out. I would also pluck out some of the hair on her face to enhance her fine neck ruff. That bit of cleaning up would make her pretty face stand out and her body look tidy but still a bit rough.

If a Terrier person where to groom the dog you as the owner would see a big difference in the dog's appearance. A person who had never seen the dog would think that it's hair had just grown that way. I've always wanted to mentor someone in the finer points of grooming but I've been doing this for 40 years and the only poeple interested in learning to groom only wanted to know enough to be able to open their own shop. That's why dog grooming is considered by the government to be unskilled labor. It usually it is.

Sorry to go off on a rant. Gypsy is a good looking dog just as she is.

[Gabriel13]

Liz can you help me? My dog is deathly afraid of the shower head. It sounds like I'm murdering huskies when I give him a bath. His eyes literally pop out if his head and my back probably can't take much more of his flailing around in the tub. In tips to calm him down?

[LizStreithorst]

What kind of dog. If it actually is a Husky they all think they're going to die of water. Even the ones that go swimming are like that. No dog enjoy's a bath but most of them can be tamed.

[Second Hand Pat]

She is a proud American Terrier mix (a mutt). Her coat is what's called a broken coat. There is a soft undercoat and a harsh top coat. If you use clippers on a coat like that it supresses the growth of the top coat and encourages the growth of the undercoat which ruins the coat.

She doesn't need grooming. She's fine as she is. But if I had her in the shop I would pluck off the fluffy stuff on her thighs. It doesn't hurt when you pluck the coat breaks off at the place the break is. It's not like you yank it out from the skin. I would clean up the top of her head and the hair on her ears to make those lovely drop ears stand out. I would also pluck out some of the hair on her face to enhance her fine neck ruff. That bit of cleaning up would make her pretty face stand out and her body look tidy but still a bit rough.

If a Terrier person where to groom the dog you as the owner would see a big difference in the dog's appearance. A person who had never seen the dog would think that it's hair had just grown that way. I've always wanted to mentor someone in the finer points of grooming but I've been doing this for 40 years and the only poeple interested in learning to groom only wanted to know enough to be able to open their own shop. That's why dog grooming is considered by the government to be unskilled labor. It usually it is.

Sorry to go off on a rant. Gypsy is a good looking dog just as she is.

Thank you for the nice detailed response Liz. I like that ...American Terrier Mutt :) Mutts are the best dogs you know.
Pat

[LizStreithorst]

You don't have to tell me that. I'm the queen of muttdom.

[Pices]

Sorry your dog freaks out during bath time. Mine used to freak out with thunder or lightning and we have a whole season of storms in Florida. Having a trembling dog pacing on your head all night isn’t fun. I would trade you phobias but a backache is as bad if not worse.
The absolute best thing about Border terriers is they don’t smell and don’t need baths. I used to have that special comb to groom her, but I gave up after 2 yrs. When she’s not groomed she looks a lot like your dog Pat, except for the wavy hair and if her tail is really curled all the time.
I love how you can see a dogs personality from a picture in these shots. Shep looks dignified and proud. Max looks so playful and they all look content and happy.

[Second Hand Pat]

You don't have to tell me that. I'm the queen of muttdom.

Me too. Only had one dog who was a purebred and it was a pointer we used for hunting.
Pat

[14Discus]

My best friend ( don't tell the wife...lol) is my Collie Forte. He is abt 5 and is always the happy one to see me come home. I tend to like dogs more than most people.....if u know what I mean.
He was cute as a puppy.
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But now he's got all the personality and is the joy of our lives.
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[Swedgin]

We’ve got 5 “almost kids”. Garden looks like a mine field
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[Gabriel13]

I thought you liked her butt. Ha ha just kidding. She’s cute in this pic, but terriers can be a pill. She’s like yours as far as micro managing everything. I like the look on your dogs face. It really captures his personality.
Patty

Thanks Patty. He is quite the character. He is currently practicing for his new role as Dennis the Menace. Ugh lol. Hes into everything and just one big ole pup.

[Gabriel13]

My best friend ( don't tell the wife...lol) is my Collie Forte. He is abt 5 and is always the happy one to see me come home. I tend to like dogs more than most people.....if u know what I mean.
He was cute as a puppy.
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But now he's got all the personality and is the joy of our lives.
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What a handsome fellow! I know you are very proud of him.

[Gabriel13]

We’ve got 5 “almost kids”. Garden looks like a mine field
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What kinda bird is that in the second pic?

[Pices]

Me too. Only had one dog who was a purebred and it was a pointer we used for hunting.
Pat
My first “ grown up dog” meaning when I was a grown up was a mutt. When I would take her to the groomer they would try to make her look like something she was not, a schnauzer. Cocapoo, I finally told them not to ty to make her look like anything, just shave her down and keep her comfortable. She was a pure mutt and I loved her dearly. She was my best dog. I had only known mutts as a kid too. My husband inherited my mutt, Rumba, so I told him he could pick the next dog. I got Murphy who I also love dearly, but there is definitely a difference in my mind to a dog that needs a home and a dog that wants a home. I’m thinking I should get to pick the next one, or let her pick me. The mutt I picked was the one that tried to hide amongst the litter at the shelter. I reached my hand in for the white one and she shrunk back in fear of the hand. My attention went to her-the scared one,the black runt and my heart melted. Best dog ever!

[Pices]

Oh my gosh Tobi, mine field-that’s hilarious! You crack me up!
Patty

[Swedgin]

What kinda bird is that in the second pic?

It’s a Peregrine falcon chick. This is one of my imprints this year, named her Emma.



Oh my gosh Tobi, mine field-that’s hilarious! You crack me up!
Patty

Funny but true, the last pic is just a teaser of the rest of the place. We gave up on lawn maintenance years ago. We’ve also got some spur thighed tortoises, they help the dogs plenty with the digging

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[Pices]

Tortoises? Do you have other (living) lawn mowers? I have such a love for turtles. We have a lot of gopher turtles here in Florida. I don’t what it is about them. Maybe that they have survived for eons without rushing around, the exact opposite of most humans. Love theses pics Tobi.

[Second Hand Pat]

It’s a Peregrine falcon chick. This is one of my imprints this year, named her Emma.

Funny but true, the last pic is just a teaser of the rest of the place. We gave up on lawn maintenance years ago. We’ve also got some spur thighed tortoises, they help the dogs plenty with the digging

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Tobi, you Peregrine falcon chick and tortoises could be a topic for a whole new thread. :)
Pat

[LizStreithorst]

Pat, it would be a good idea to start another thread about all the animals some of us have other than cats and dogs. I know that you have horses.

[Second Hand Pat]

Pat, it would be a good idea to start another thread about all the animals some of us have other than cats and dogs. I know that you have horses.

So do you Liz, perhaps we should. :)
Pat

[brewmaster15]

I can't share any Dog pics, since I don't have one, :) however, I would like to share this...

I was at the park the other day and watched a Bulldog skateboarding.. yes you heard me right. It was riding a skateboard, and having a blast. It literally pushed itself as well, though its master pushed it too and road with a bit. It was not able to turn but just watching it pushing with its paws was pretty amazing. Anyhow you can tell this was a routine for it much like you may walk your dog. It went on for a good 30 mins.

enjoy...

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1827/41025944960_0c2e6f3546_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/25vjG7C)IMGP8265 (https://flic.kr/p/25vjG7C)


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1803/41025942550_be9c887787_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/25vjFp5)IMGP8270 (https://flic.kr/p/25vjFp5)

al

[FischAutoTechGarten]

I've been on a 3 week work trip in UpstateNY. Meanwhile, I my dogs are home in Mexico. We always have our home watched when we travel, which means our dogs are always cared for. The nice young couple watching our home snapped a photo of our 3 dogs patiently waiting for our return. Indi, Zuri y Coqui.

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The little Chihuahua is not ours, but rather the home sitter's pet dog.

[Pices]

That is so cute!
Patty

[brewmaster15]

Peter if you ever make it close to CT let me know.Would love to meet up with you if possible.
Al

[FischAutoTechGarten]

Peter if you ever make it close to CT let me know.Would love to meet up with you if possible.
Al

Al,
I really wanted to try to get to the NADA 2018 Show in Jersey over the weekend! However, I was really struggling to get everything buttoned up before flying home and couldn't travel that far. I felt a good amount of pressure to make a good impression this trip as all of the faces have really changed where I was working, so I worked allot! I did manage to take my mama to the movies twice and eat with the inlaws twice as well!

Left yesterday and arrived to my home in Arizona last night (plane went tech for 5+ hours in Chicago.. oh well). I will head on down to Alamos in a few days more.

Tentatively the clients will fly me up again, either in October, November or December for another 2 week project. Definitely will see if I can arrange a little side trip as it would be awesome to meet you in person.... Albany NY isn't far from Connecticut at all. I'm back into fish keeping again and slowly growing it!