Tootsall

OK, I know a number of us are dog owners. A few months ago I posted some photos of "our" (I put that in quotes because "he" thinks we're "his") black lab. Unfortunately we have received some bad news in the last week and Shadow won't be with us at some point in the not-to-distant future. If he isn't in too much pain he'll be 10 this summer. So it goes... I've lost one lab to heart disease and now will lose a second to cancer (three out of three).

It happens; we know our pets probably won't make it with us longer than about 15 years anyway but it's still not a happy time. Don't feel sorry for us, feel sorry for the Shadow; he's had a great life as a fun-loving, smart pup who loved nothing better than teasing his family. (with the possible exception of boat rides... any kind of boat.... canoe, kayak, powerboat..... as long as he didn't have to swim!)

So what to do? The kids will likely be leaving home within two years and Mrs. and I are approaching (5 year or less) retirement and we won't be w/o a companion. Since we're going away for 3 weeks this summer the time to actually get another "friend" isn't until after we return. BUT... what to get? So I'm killing time wondering if we should think about a pup from a breeder, a rescue dog, or a "pound puppy"; all the while bearing in mind what kind of dog would best suit our most likely lifestyle for the next 10-15 years. As I'm searching I come across this set of "Rules".

I think they're great (and right ON the mark.) Hope you enjoy them as much as I did when I found them!

House Rules for the Dog

1) Dogs are never permitted in the house
2) The Dog stays outside in the specially built wooden compartment named for a very good reason: the dog house.
3) Ok, the dog can enter the house but only for short visits or if his own house is under renovation.
4) Ok, the dog can stay in the house on a permanent basis provided his doghouse could be sold in a garage sale to a rookie dog owner.
5) Inside the house the dog is not allowed to run free and is confined to a comfortable, but secure cage.
6) Ok, the cage becomes part of a “two for one” deal in the garage sale and the dog can go wherever he pleases
7) The dog is never allowed on the furniture.
8) Ok, the dog can get up on the old furniture, but not the new furniture.
9) Ok, the dog can get up on the new furniture until it looks like the old furniture andthen we’ll sell the whole works, and buy new furniture on which the dog will most definitely not be allowed.
10) The dog never sleeps on the bed. Period.
11) Ok, the dog can sleep at the foot of the bed only.
12) Ok, the dog can sleep alongside you but he is not allowed under the covers.
13) Ok, the dog can sleep alongside you, under the covers but not with his head on your pillow.
14) Ok, the dog can sleep alongside you, under the covers with his head on your pillow, but if he snores, he’s got to leave the room.
15) Ok, the dog can sleep and snore and fart and have nightmares in your bed, but he’s not to come in and sleep on the couch in the TV room, where you’re now sleeping. That’s just not fair.
16) The dog never gets listed on the census questionnaires as “primary resident” even if it’s true.

Remember in any and all house-hold interactions or disputes………
the dog rules!

Alex Yates

That was great Toots! A lot of that list can apply to kitties too. I say we should get a kitty condo for them to play in and my other half says, "they already have a huge expensive one".....our house. LOL. Their toys go in a bucket at the end of the day and by morning they are all over the house. LOL.

On a serious note, no matter how prepared you are for what is coming, it is still difficult. I send little hugs to you and Shadow.

Solar Bell

Being owned by two Miniature Dachshunds...They have given me the following guidelines:

1. If I like it, it's mine.
2. If it's in my mouth, it's mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it's mine.
4. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.
5. If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.
6. If I'm chewing something, all the pieces are mine.
7. If it looks just like mine, it is mine.
8. If I saw it first, it's mine.
9. If you are playing with something and you put it down,
it automatically becomes mine.


-cw-

__________________
Chuck Willard
The Willard of Oz

"Don't be afraid to see what you see."
Ronald Reagan

Alex Yates

Chuck! LOLOLOL! That was GREAT!

gzent

Well, most of you have seen my dog Keesha over in the Eclipse contest.

She's as spoiled as anything, who can say no to a Keeshond? Not Me!

CHeck 'em out at:
http://www.akc.org/breeds/keeshond/index.cfm
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/keeshond.htm

They are the most friendly and lovable breed I've ever seen.
Nothing cheers me up after a bad day than sitting on the couch and having Keesha plop down next to me and demand a rub down - very relaxing.

Greg

PS - She loves snow!

__________________
Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions
Golden living dreams of visions
Mystic crystal revalation
And the mind's true liberation

Alex Yates

I am jealous Greg. I have always wanted a Keeshond or Husky. I had a Spitz growing up. Those Keeshonds are such beautiful animals.

gzent

Thanks.

Yes, the Kees are amazing animals.

Although they are in the same family as the Spitz, the Kees are much more calm and quiet than all the others (Pomeranians, American Eskimos, etc).

We had an Amer. Eskimo before Keesha and the Esky was quite a hyper dog.
Since she has matured (4yo) she doesn't even bark when we come home she just prances and waits for us to say hello.

Another cool thing about the Kees is their fur. Not only is it soft and full, but it repels dirt, oil and odor like no other animal I've ever seen. This breed only needs washing about 2-3 times a year.

Now, I wouldn't describe her as docile, as she loves to play and run, but most of all she must be in the middle of the action. If I'm at my PC she's in a chair close by. If I'm in the garage working and nobody else is home she's there too. They are extremely social dogs that take quickly to everyone.

__________________
Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions
Golden living dreams of visions
Mystic crystal revalation
And the mind's true liberation

gregc

Toots, we lost two old ladies within 3 month of each other; a Golden Retriever and a Chocolate Lab, 10 & 13 years old. We felt so lost.
We picked up a 2 year old male Chocolate from a fella who had to give him up due to a new job & move. Some months later we rescued a female yellow Lab from the Long Island Labrador Retriever Club. We couldn't be happier and really feel like we helped some poor dog souls out. Think about it~
... and here they are:
http://www.lilrr.org/Chloe%20C's%20Story.htm

__________________
______________
Greg Condemi

gregc

Dogs Live Here

- by David Lester -



If you don't want to be greeted with paws and swinging tails,
Don't come inside, because dogs live here.

If you don't like the feel of a cold nose or wet tongue,
Don't come inside, because dogs live here.


If you don't like the feel of a cold nose or a wet tongue,
Don't come inside, because dogs live here.


If you don't want to step over scattered toys,
Don't come inside, because dogs live here.



If you think a home ought to smell of perfume,
Don't come inside, because dogs live here.


But if you don't mind all of this,
You will be instantly loved when you do come inside,
Because dogs live here.

__________________
______________
Greg Condemi

gzent

Good point - I forgot to mention that we bought our Keeshond after the 1st two owners didn't want her. Their loss. Maybe they weren't dog people.

__________________
Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions
Golden living dreams of visions
Mystic crystal revalation
And the mind's true liberation