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Maggie’s Man's Best Friend Thread

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We brought the new addition home yesterday. It was a rough night, she wanted to be next to me the whole time and not in her crate. She did better today, hopefully she can sleep in her crate tonight.
 
My big rottweiler died a few months ago, I tried to adopt a shelter dog (actually 3) They turned me down on one, and never called me back about the other 2? These were supposed to be pit/heeler mix, had I known the father was Australian shepherd, I probably would've passed. But I brought home 2 bitches. Pretty damn smart, but they are chewing monsters!
 

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So was it a rescue? I only ask is if there's an unknown history of a pup - all bets are off. Did she have adequate socialization when she was young? Other dogs and people? It's not a border collie thing. If anything border collies and other herding breeds tend to nip at ankles.

I got mine from a large urban shelter at a relatively young age; the first time she ever barked was when we were at a gas station and she saw a black guy. I spent a couple thousand dollars for two weeks with supposedly reputable inhouse training facility specifically with a black trainer - didn't make anything better at all. She had a second bad experience and she just won't have it at all. I have to schedule vet visits and grooming around that. She's fine with Latino guys, black women, but she will straight up go after any black male she sees. And she can be intimidating AF.

It's all about avoidance now.

The only thing I can suggest would be walk your pup with a muzzle so it can get its exercise, preferably a Baskerville muzzle for air flow, just to protect you legally until you can sort out training. Personalities definitely change after the puppy stage; but of course Cesar Milan would say something like maybe the dog is trying to protect you yada yada, very few dogs are innately aggressive etc.

There's a couple vets on this site here but they never chime in!
No, he’s not a rescue. He supposedly is a pure bred, that I do not doubt because of his overall appearance.
We really give him a lot of attention, so there is no doubt he is protecting us.
Although we have a shepherd mix who was a rescue and she is alittle aggressive.
So I’m thinking she has past on the trust no one attitude to Otis.
We had him since he was a couple months old.
I’m hoping he is just not confident yet and will grow out of this phase.
He is 100 % socialized with other dogs.
Just am going to see how this plays out, it is stressful at times.
Sometimes you just get a animal that has a high prey drive and is hot with moving objects especially with this breed.
He makes me laugh a lot, he really is a character.
Hes non stop from dusk till dawn, and is helping me get off my ass and walk him at least 2.5 miles a day.
Anyway we will see how this will play out in the future.
We love him and it is what it is.
 
Gonna get tough boys. My best buddy for the last 12-1/2 years, and protector of my family has reached a point where it's not fair to continue to watch him deteriorate. He's such a proud boy, I don't want to wait until he's ashamed of himself. He's been going down for a bit now and has lost feeling in his back half. I was trying to get one more Christmas with him but he fell down the stairs this morning when we were leaving for church and I think the time has come. He isn't injured but he was embarrassed, and there's other issues with him not being able to feel to go to the bathroom ect.

Some of us get that one dog that is just amazing and we won't ever really get over. He is mine. This week is gonna be ruff.
 
Gonna get tough boys. My best buddy for the last 12-1/2 years, and protector of my family has reached a point where it's not fair to continue to watch him deteriorate. He's such a proud boy, I don't want to wait until he's ashamed of himself. He's been going down for a bit now and has lost feeling in his back half. I was trying to get one more Christmas with him but he fell down the stairs this morning when we were leaving for church and I think the time has come. He isn't injured but he was embarrassed, and there's other issues with him not being able to feel to go to the bathroom ect.

Some of us get that one dog that is just amazing and we won't ever really get over. He is mine. This week is gonna be ruff.
It's awful to go through. So sorry for you and your family.
 
Gonna get tough boys. My best buddy for the last 12-1/2 years, and protector of my family has reached a point where it's not fair to continue to watch him deteriorate. He's such a proud boy, I don't want to wait until he's ashamed of himself. He's been going down for a bit now and has lost feeling in his back half. I was trying to get one more Christmas with him but he fell down the stairs this morning when we were leaving for church and I think the time has come. He isn't injured but he was embarrassed, and there's other issues with him not being able to feel to go to the bathroom ect.

Some of us get that one dog that is just amazing and we won't ever really get over. He is mine. This week is gonna be ruff.
My thoughts are with you right now.
I have been in your exact situation and it may be one the toughest things I have ever done.
Bawled like a baby afterwards and blamed my self, but deep down I knew it was the right thing to do.
To watch a proud alpha male reduced to having me help him up when he fell and lift his back end up in the pickup, clean up after him when he had an accident.
I was more than willing to do these things, but I knew, he knew and it hurt him
I wish you the best and wish I had better words of comfort.
 
I was hesitating bringing this up but I have had a bad week also.
My son's Tink puppy mentioned above is no longer with us.
My son called Tues morning to tell me he found her in her dog bed, dead that morning.
Said she was acting a little funny and a friend said sounds like his girl when she went through her first heat.
That relaxed my son some so they went to bed that night.
Next morning she was gone.
She lived with us for about a month while son was waiting to move into his new house and job.
Tink crawled up into my lap and into my heart.
As my son was day working, Tink was with me almost constantly for that month.
When she left she took a big chunk of my heart with her.
She was so good with the grandkids.
I am still having a hard time with it.

Her toys are right where she kept them, beside my office chair and I just can't bring myself to move them
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Gonna get tough boys. My best buddy for the last 12-1/2 years, and protector of my family has reached a point where it's not fair to continue to watch him deteriorate. He's such a proud boy, I don't want to wait until he's ashamed of himself. He's been going down for a bit now and has lost feeling in his back half. I was trying to get one more Christmas with him but he fell down the stairs this morning when we were leaving for church and I think the time has come. He isn't injured but he was embarrassed, and there's other issues with him not being able to feel to go to the bathroom ect.

Some of us get that one dog that is just amazing and we won't ever really get over. He is mine. This week is gonna be ruff.
I've been through that situation, and it sucks. My sympathies are with you.
 
The Last Battle ...........

If it should be that I grow frail and weak And pain should keep me from my sleep, Then will you do what must be done, For this — the last battle — can’t be won. You will be sad I understand,
But don’t let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test. We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn’t want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go. Take me to where to my needs they’ll tend, Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved. Don’t grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We’ve been so close — we two — these years, Don’t let your heart hold any tears.
 
My thoughts are with you right now.
I have been in your exact situation and it may be one the toughest things I have ever done.
Bawled like a baby afterwards and blamed my self, but deep down I knew it was the right thing to do.
To watch a proud alpha male reduced to having me help him up when he fell and lift his back end up in the pickup, clean up after him when he had an accident.
I was more than willing to do these things, but I knew, he knew and it hurt him
I wish you the best and wish I had better words of comfort.
That's exactly it. The neuropathy is his only issue, so it's so hard to even think about. At the same time, this is a beast of a dog. A true Alpha, and my absolute Best Friend. I've been cleaning up after him as has my wife for a few months. Some times worse than others, and honestly I'd keep on doing it, but when he fell , he looked at me laying down where he landed and I could tell he was embarrassed. He's such a proud dog , I felt so bad for him. I don't want to hold on selfishly, and put him through uneeded embarrassment and anguish, and the cleaning up is really taking a toll. He knows what's going on so he's embarrassed about that too. I've never struggled with it like I am now, but I've never had a dog that I Trusted my whole family to and knew without a doubt, that dog would die before anything touched my wife or kids. He's such a sweet boy and I mean HE LOVES DADDY. He's more "my dog" than "our families dog" though he absolutely loves my boys and he's let them ride home like a horse, tug on his tail and ears, he's pulled them in their wagon, he's gone and lied down in their room below their bed when they cried. He loves us, and we love him, but He's MY DOG. Damn it's gonna kill me
 
Gonna get tough boys. My best buddy for the last 12-1/2 years, and protector of my family has reached a point where it's not fair to continue to watch him deteriorate. He's such a proud boy, I don't want to wait until he's ashamed of himself. He's been going down for a bit now and has lost feeling in his back half. I was trying to get one more Christmas with him but he fell down the stairs this morning when we were leaving for church and I think the time has come. He isn't injured but he was embarrassed, and there's other issues with him not being able to feel to go to the bathroom ect.

Some of us get that one dog that is just amazing and we won't ever really get over. He is mine. This week is gonna be ruff.
So sorry to hear, and for what you are getting ready to go through. Much prayers for now and then. Stay strong and remember the good, it’s sounds like you’ve had a bunch of it.
 
So sorry to hear, and for what you are getting ready to go through. Much prayers for now and then. Stay strong and remember the good, it’s sounds like you’ve had a bunch of it.
I really have. Couldn't ask for any better and honestly for a dog this size, 12 years is pretty old to be healthy and normal active life. He's never once had any medical issue at all. He's been just a joy and a great dog
 
That's exactly it. The neuropathy is his only issue, so it's so hard to even think about. At the same time, this is a beast of a dog. A true Alpha, and my absolute Best Friend. I've been cleaning up after him as has my wife for a few months. Some times worse than others, and honestly I'd keep on doing it, but when he fell , he looked at me laying down where he landed and I could tell he was embarrassed. He's such a proud dog , I felt so bad for him. I don't want to hold on selfishly, and put him through uneeded embarrassment and anguish, and the cleaning up is really taking a toll. He knows what's going on so he's embarrassed about that too. I've never struggled with it like I am now, but I've never had a dog that I Trusted my whole family to and knew without a doubt, that dog would die before anything touched my wife or kids. He's such a sweet boy and I mean HE LOVES DADDY. He's more "my dog" than "our families dog" though he absolutely loves my boys and he's let them ride home like a horse, tug on his tail and ears, he's pulled them in their wagon, he's gone and lied down in their room below their bed when they cried. He loves us, and we love him, but He's MY DOG. Damn it's gonna kill me
The "like" was meant as an understanding.
My heart aches for you at this stage in both your lives.

You look in his eyes and you know that the quality of life is no longer there for such a loved member of your family.

His eyes are bright, his mind is sharp but physically he is hurting.

I kept Gus around longer than I should have. I knew he was not going to get better, I just didn't want to be the one to end it. I didn't want to be without him. I guess that was selfish on my part.

Somehow felt like I was betraying him when in reality it was performing a kindness.

One that is deserved through years of unselfish devotion to us human companions.

It is a time and decision that makes the rest of the world take a back seat.

When it is time, it is a decision made out of love and respect.
 
Gonna get tough boys. My best buddy for the last 12-1/2 years, and protector of my family has reached a point where it's not fair to continue to watch him deteriorate. He's such a proud boy, I don't want to wait until he's ashamed of himself. He's been going down for a bit now and has lost feeling in his back half. I was trying to get one more Christmas with him but he fell down the stairs this morning when we were leaving for church and I think the time has come. He isn't injured but he was embarrassed, and there's other issues with him not being able to feel to go to the bathroom ect.

Some of us get that one dog that is just amazing and we won't ever really get over. He is mine. This week is gonna be ruff.
Damn.
I'd rather cut a damned finger off.
I don't envy you.

I've grieved harder for animals than I have for family and friends. Prolly not a good trait but true.
 
Damn.
I'd rather cut a damned finger off.
I don't envy you.

I've grieved harder for animals than I have for family and friends. Prolly not a good trait but true.

Terry, it's a fantastic trait.
I read a lot of threads where people are asking for prayers for a loved one, maybe opening up about a cancer issue or many things like that. I feel for them, but rarely get emotional.

I'm sitting here this morning, up way too early having coffee and reading the new posts on this thread.
I've had to wipe my eyes a couple of times already.
My nose is beginning to run, and my eyes need another swipe

I get it.
 
Having lost three "best friends" this year......I understand the feelings conveyed in posts above.

The first to go ,"Peanut" was 17 .Didn't hit me very hard ,as we both knew her time was up....had to have her to be put to sleep......wife was.heart broken ,but knew it had to be done

The third , "Dan " was 16. He was Peanuts' bother from a different litter. Knew he was on borrowed time also ,but having put two down ,I couldn't bring myself to do it before ....dropped dead on kitchen floor election night. Dan was my "tracker " ,....found many dead and some wounded deer for "us"...... the word was out about Dan and his finding dead / wounded deer ability .He and I were the ones called on by quite a few people.

Which brings me to the second death this year, "Willie". He would've turned 5 this week. He was Dan's grandson. Born without a tail and had but one nut.......He was our " baby".... He came down with pancreatitis .....we fought it ,spent a small fortune to no avail...... It was the hardest call ,I can remember having to make in my life ,to have him put to sleep .I miss him dearly . It's the young ones that go too early,is what breaks my heart the most.

"Whiskers" , Willies' daddy ,is in the bed between us as I type this......which used to be willies' "spot"..... oh the memories,at least I can still have them.
 
Peanut and Dan were beagle and fiest/ rat terrier mix

Willie had a tad of beagle ,but more fiest / rat terrier

Looking at any of our dogs.....one wouldn't know they have / had any beagle in them

We have 3 left......Whiskers and Lou Baby ....they are fiest and rat terrier.......a brother and sister we got from Water valley

And Baby Sister........she's Dan's and Lou Baby puppy.
 
The Last Battle ...........

If it should be that I grow frail and weak And pain should keep me from my sleep, Then will you do what must be done, For this — the last battle — can’t be won. You will be sad I understand,
But don’t let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test. We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn’t want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go. Take me to where to my needs they’ll tend, Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved. Don’t grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We’ve been so close — we two — these years, Don’t let your heart hold any tears.
Damn you.:cry:
 
Terry, it's a fantastic trait.
I read a lot of threads where people are asking for prayers for a loved one, maybe opening up about a cancer issue or many things like that. I feel for them, but rarely get emotional.

I'm sitting here this morning, up way too early having coffee and reading the new posts on this thread.
I've had to wipe my eyes a couple of times already.
My nose is beginning to run, and my eyes need another swipe

I get it.
 
Been a year since I lost one of my best friends. Lucy and I had been through a lot and this dog has never let me down. She was one of my best friends, my daughter’s best friends. I miss her. But we have a new member for the family that has stepped into her place. I love her dearly. She is a pain at times but the sweetest dog also. Then we have the little guy. What a personality he has. He is our snuggle buddy. Always looking for a spot to burrow into. I could be blessed with 2 absolutely great dogs. But Lucy will always be missed. We put a stocking up for her in memory.
Lucy

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Hank
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Luna is our news member. She is 7 mouth now.

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Been a year since I lost one of my best friends. Lucy and I had been through a lot and this dog has never let me down. She was one of my best friends, my daughter’s best friends. I miss her. But we have a new member for the family that has stepped into her place. I love her dearly. She is a pain at times but the sweetest dog also. Then we have the little guy. What a personality he has. He is our snuggle buddy. Always looking for a spot to burrow into. I could be blessed with 2 absolutely great dogs. But Lucy will always be missed. We put a stocking up for her in memory.
Lucy

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Hank
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Luna is our news member. She is 7 mouth now.

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I love dogs.........