Big Paws Only Dog Forums

This week has been beyond up and down .. I found a mass in my breast .. got into surgery last Wednesday, found it was non malignant WONDERFUL news but you can imagine I've been on pins and needles for almost 3 wks .. dogs know these things I know that.  Anyway, I'm at home since Wednesday and just running a bit slow, I've not had the dogs out exercising and snow started in last night about 4 pm.  Emmitt, the springer, has been just horrible all day, growling, grabbing all the toys, won't leave my side hardly, Cop, the cocker on pain meds is snoozing more, I guess because of the low pressure and the gas logs are cozy for her.  Sadie just seem restless and keeps wanting in and out the door.  Snow starts and it's Sadie's probably 10th trip in and Em had gone out also so I'm toweling them off everytime they come in and out .. needless to say I'm getting tired and sore so no doubt I'm cranky.  Sadie starts playing fighting with the towel I'm using to dry her off after I've finished drying off Em, and the absolute WORST fight between Emmitt and Sadie begins, I'm yelling and trying to drop the towel between them and Sadie (for the first time ever is not making her point and backing away)keeps lunging at Emmitt, Emmitt is going down.  Steve, my husband reacts (just as they say you shouldn't)  Results: .. his hands are mangled, literally mangled.  (I don't drive on snow - this is the worst snowfall we've had since the early 90's)  I called 911 and they sent an ambulance - I stayed home (we live way out in the country) because with the weather I knew I wouldn't be able to get anyone out to care for our animals .. Steve was in ER / surgery from about 6:30 pm until 1 am .. and just got home today at noon .. over 100 stitches in one hand and the surgeon doesn't think he'll regain sensation in his thumb.  I'm so upset - how many times have you heard and read if "I'd only read the signs", "I knew something was going to happen.",  Steve knew he did wrong by entering into the fray like he did but I've got to find a way to not allow this to happen again, these two dogs have to co exist or it's going to break my heart ..I am sick to my stomach - I thought they'd finally gotten their "order" right but I guess not and I need help quick - please, any suggestions?  Gaye

Well, yesterday I bit the bullet and did a surprise check of our local pet lodge.  I was very impressed - very clean, everything in it's place, no smells or crying pups.  I met two beautiful harliquins (brother and sister) and a huge golden and a couple of black labs.  The rooms are 4 x 8 (not kennels) with a storm door on each kennel so they can see out and a huge play area with a picket fence and soft turf.  I noticed they had a brag board and the golden had been going there for day care since he was a wee pup. (that impressed me)  There's a grooming room and first aid area in there.  4 separate covered outdoor exercise areas double fenced.  It is right next door to where I get my hair cut and one of the girls that work there has her terrier mix in day care there.  They mandate your vet fax verification of up to date vaccinations (good so far huh?)  So, Sadie goes this morning for her first overnight - I'm packing her diaper bag with her food, toys, drool towels and special rug and kong and treats)- I hope to be back in town by tomorrow afternoon but have her scheduled to stay till Friday just in case.  *crossing fingers* I'm a nervous wreck about this but she'll be exercised three times a day and let out the last time of the day around 8:30 or 9 pm and my hairdresser said she'd check on her before she leaves for home to be sure she's ok.  I'm thinking I'll get her scheduled for a bath while she's there just to be sure she's getting some special petting one on one time.  I'm taking her in about 10 this morning - is there anything else I should check on before I leave her about the facility?

I've tried to write this 5 times.  It's so long so I'm going into the listing stage.

1.  It's hot here (like 81 at 6:30 am hot)
2.  No rain in over 2 months (I have allergy related asthma)
3.  Husband is working 10 + hr. days (out in the heat)no help w/ training right now.
4.  Had Sadie 32 days now.  She's quit responding to call.
5.  Got her a new condo crate - she hates it.
6.  Emmitt will not share anything - Sadie HAS to have      something to chew constantly.
7.  Had my sis and BIL over - they pet sit for us when we go away (leaving for a week over T'giving)  After Sat. night and Sunday morning last .. I don't think they ever will again.
8.  Sadie (not responding to her name) keeps going into the pasture when she's off lead. (I'm climbing cattle gates and barbed wire)
9.  Yesterday I had all 3 out (off lead) on the wood side of the property .. Sadie took off slowly at first but picked up speed and wouldn't come when called.  By the time I'd put up my other two and gotten the golf cart out she was 6/10's of a mile almost to the county road and still wouldn't come when called (normally she chases the cart), I met one of the scarest dogs ever that loved Sadie - hated me.  Finally got my hand on her collar, no lead in the cart, took me 20 min. to drive slow enough, wheezing the whold time, holding on to her collar to bring her home.
10.  Got home, husband was here, I had to get on the nebulizer ASAP, husband was scared and mad, Em and Cop were upset because of me and Em attacked Sadie.  After about 30 min. I calmed down - Sadie went to the condo barking and rocking and rolling to get out .. TOTAL CHAOS
11.  Husband says we just can't do it - I can't NOT do it.

PLEASE give me some suggestions - the new obedence classes don't start until Oct.  This morning I took Sadie out - she rolled my old pup first thing (playing of course) - everytime Sadie comes when called I treat her - she chased the cart fine and is right now lying at my feet .. Perfect Newf.  I'm in tears - I've got to get this "fixed" so I can be sure my sister and bil will baby sit the animals while we're away and my husband will quit fussing over me and the dogs not getting along.
Let me also mention .. I've not been away from the house over 2 hours at a time since I've gotten Sadie and I'm going just a tad bit crazy !  OUCH

On the up side - she comes most of the time when you call .. On the down side - she comes without brakes.  OUCH !

Hello everyone, I've been reading posts on the Newfie forum for the past couple of days and have learned so much.  A bit about our new Miss Sadie.

I adopted her last Thursday, she's a two yr old, this is her 3rd home (and her last), she's crate trained (to the extreme, which is why is thought she was being somewhat abused and I took her), took her straight to the vet and then to the groomers.  My shoulder is about to collapse and I've only cried twice and have refrained from beating my head against the wall.  (I'm kinda kidding)  Sadie is one of the sweetest pups I've ever come across and this is my problem not hers you understand.  I didn't realize how very spoiled my springer is and confrontations abound.  And, my old cocker is scared to death of her, she goes from under the table to under the bed.  Both dogs wait to go to the door to see if she's on a lead or not before going outside.  Now all she wants to do is play but "patience" is the word of the month around this house.  Now I'm stubborn, and I will see this thru and things are getting better believe me, but I'll be the first to ask for help.  So any suggestions you can give me to help me merge sweet, rambunctious Sadie with old arthritic Copper and spoiled and stubborn Emmitt, not to mention the cattle in the pasture by the house, will be greatly appreciated. *laugh'n*  the next obedience classes started yesterday, I  hope I can get Sadie in, or perhaps I should get Emmitt in for doggy socialization?.  Sadie is being spayed today laproscopicall y and I won't get her back until tomorrow.

PS .. OnryHenry the 17 yr old cat can still climb and dislodge himself from trees we found.  The vet doesn't do shoulder x-rays on humans no matter how much you whine.

To finish .. all I can say is Ouch