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Messages - joonsjolly

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Anything Non-Dog Related / Re: Offtopic: TS Ernesto (For people on the gulf coast)
« on: August 28, 2006, 02:01:13 am »
Oooh... I hope it dies before causing any problems to the Gulf.  We lived in Gulf Breeze, Florida when Ivan hit, and couldn't get home for 2 weeks to see what happened, (all bridges to our peninsula were out, and the only road heading to the shore was reserved for military and supply vehicles for that time) we just rented a house (because we had a 2 month old baby)... in.... Mandeville, LA (just North of Lake Ponchartrain, which is between New Orleans and Mandeville.) We stayed there a while, and moved back to Houston just before Katrina.  When the big storm (forgot the name) was headed for Houston, and because of the tragedy and scare with Katrina, evacuations were ordered, we got stuck in 26 hours of evacuation traffic, saw a man have a heartattack on the side of the road, had a woman come up to us crying because her newborn was having heat related problems, saw people laying on the side of the road in whatever shade they could find because their vehicle had overheated, and no water reserves.  People walking down the freeway with guns...

My husband is from Chicago, so a Hurricane is like the end of the world for him, and he said that the next Hurricane to come our way, were outta here. 

Please Please PLEASE go away!!  Texas is my home!   ;D

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Discussions & Information on Grooming / Re: What do you use to bathe the babies?
« on: August 25, 2006, 03:21:37 pm »
Using a dish soap can have benefits.  The grease cutting properties will remove the waxy layer of the fleas, will dehydrate them, and they die from dehydration.  You have to leave it on them about 5 - 10 min for this to work, about the same time a flea shampoo is left on.  Just be careful about getting dish soap in eyes, as it can cause pretty severe ulcers. Again they grease cutting properties removes the lubricant in the eye, and the blinking that follows from irritation can rub ulcers on the cornea.

I don't use Joy, I use Dawn when my girl is especially grubby, but always follow it with a conditioning rinse, dont want to dry her skin out. 

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Discussions & Information on Grooming / Re: Argh !! I am a bad Furkid Mommy ! ! MATTS!
« on: August 25, 2006, 03:12:08 pm »
I know this is an 'old' thread, but since I'm new here, thought I'd add my two coppers. 

I use Chris Christensen Ice on Ice, and After the Bath with my mop of a Giant Schnauzer... but....

In a pinch you can use Downy. Yes, Downy.  Dilute it just enough so that it will get in the mat, and then use either a mat rake, or ONE blade of a pair of grooming scissors (don't have to ruin your shears, just hold them open.) Take the blade of the shears, and slide it under the mat, against the skin, careful if you are using sharp shears... and then 'saw' thru the mat with your scissors. Then use pin brushes and wide toothed combs to pick out the mats. They should be 'cut' into more manageable sizes, and can be shaved out if necessary, but leaving enough hair to cover the gaps.  When brushing for tangles (not undercoat removal), brushing when the hair/mat is wet, or at least damp is the best for the coat to reduce breakage and frizzies. 

As for the Downy.  I was a pet groomer for many years, and it was one of the tricks of the trade for mats, heavy undercoats, and silky, drop coated breeds.  I never saw or heard of (from owners) any dog having a reaction to using it, even dogs with Cocker Crud or Schnauzer Scales.  You just have to make sure it it rinsed properly, then after rinsing, rinse again just to be sure. We always used just good old original scented, original concentrate Downy. 

Aside from helping with mats and to get the undercoat out, it left them smelling 'sunshine fresh' and 'static free.'


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German Shepherd Discussions / Re: Question about ears
« on: August 25, 2006, 12:47:51 pm »
The easy answer is yes, with a BUT. Floppy ears can be corrected.  If the ear is straight, but laying to the side or on top of the head, yes, it is possible to correct with minimal surgery... a few snips or sutures, depending on the ear.   There are also implanted stays that can be put under the skin of the ear in the case of injury, broken cartilage ect, or for an ear that folds over.  It is much harder to find a vet that will implant stays in the dogs ear than a vet that will do a little 'nip/tuck' to get an ear to stand true. 

As an adult, the ear cartilage has set. You only have time through the dog's transition from puppy teeth to adult teeth to get the ears taped properly and standing. The cartilage stays soft and flexible while the teeth are changing, but after the adult teeth come in, the cartilage hardens, and becomes fixed for all intents and purposes. 

You may have seen Dobes, Danes or Boxers at dog shows with thier ears taped up before going into the ring.  These dogs have been cropped for the long elegant show look, and being such big breeds, the ear leather is heavy, and some dogs have a tendancy for their ears to curl back or forward at the tips.  The taping is just a temporary fix, and has no effect over the long term. 

I have a Giant Schnauzer with a show crop, her ear leather isn't so heavy that I need to tape the tips.  However, there is always SOME curling of the ears as the cartilage sets, but it adds to the elegance of the ear.

Hope this helps.  A cold wet nose in the morning with coffee is heaven, regardless of floppy ears or not.

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