Our Pets

[DharmaGirl]

I have a pair of brindle mastiffs, Nugget and Bella. They are awesome except last night Nugget (160 lbs) got on my bed, snuggled up to me in the heat and rested her head on my head. She drooled. I woke up with a my hair full of dog slobber. Ewwww!!, lol

 

[aquadragon]

Just as a suggestion blackemerand1, maybe you could get the dog of your choice, and then find a dog behaviourist to assist you with some training. This would alleviate any waiting time you may find with a trained assistance dog. Provided you don't require the legal status that Eleanor has wisely mentioned :-)

I know my dog would never let someone come to the door unannounced, and has at times, 'fetched me' from the garden when I haven't heard the phone ring. I don't imagine the alert training would be too difficult to teach, especially with some good advice and pointers.

That's so true, you get back 10 fold, whatever you put in, and the bond you form is priceless.

In my case I'd never leave the house if I didn't need to take the dog for his daily walk. At times that's very difficult for me, especially as he attracts attention I could do without, but I see that as my duty, and his right.
The up side is that I have some daily resistance to agoraphobia, and we know a bunch of people I'd otherwise never come in contact with.

 

[blackemerald1]

Thanks for the idea aquadragon, I want to get a black standard Poodle. I like them and they are so intelligent. I looked after a couple a while back and they are very clean, they don't shed their hair either. I am not going to get one and do that grooming stuff they look beautiful just naturally.

Yes I agree that if my doctors thought it would be of assistance then I am sure they would happily write whatever is needed. I cried for a week when the doctor checked my hearing and told me I was already very deaf (legally deaf)and would go deaf faster and faster and there was no way out of it.

I could afford a dog behaviorist for a few lessons and a friend of mine is a accredited dog trainer, maybe he could help too. It's usually the human that needs to have the lessons. I would feel so safe with a dog around and stop missing people ringing and the front door. What a great way to do it, Thanks a lot.
kind regards,
Blackemerald1

 

[Charmedone]

I have a beautiful and intelligent labrador who I take to classes. She has helped me so much :) I love her more than words can say.

 

[blackemerald1]

Yes I understand how much you love and bond to your dog Charmedone, I had my dog Sam for 16 wonderful years, I was devastated when he died. I was not ready for another dog after Sam. He died in 2009 and when I get a home of my own, I will bury his ashes and plant a tree in memory of him. Sounds overly emotional to some people I suppose, but I had him as my best buddy for 16 years. He knew me like a book and I knew him just as well. He was a low maintenance dog but gave me company and helped me when I was very sick. He was never like a child, once house trained which took about 3 days and basic training which my friend helped me with, he was fine. He did not need exercise every day, he loved just laying around and watching me. I miss him so much but I am finding with my illnesses that a dog might be what I need now.

 

[blackemerald1]

I spoke with my doctor today and he was very positive about getting a dog. He wants me to find out more details and get back to him. He said he will write or speak to anyone necessary to assist me with this idea. He said it would be very good for me since I cannot get out much and the dog would be good for my confidence when I do go out. So I guess I will contact them and see what the requirements are.

 

[Eleanor]

Our biggest baddest dog (Bubba) was terrified of fireworks and thunder - he would crawl under the house through a teeny tiny grate (Houdini dog) and not be able to get out until we opened the hatch in the house to let him up:roflmao:.

Our dogs all "sing" with any sirens they hear tho... so now the people do too... It is kind of fun... Aaawoooo.:D

 

[KP the nut]

I will bury his ashes and plant a tree in memory of him. Sounds overly emotional to some people I suppose.

Not emotional to me at all. My gorgeous old boy Marco died aged 17, that was 5 years ago. We put his ashes in a ceramic container and buried it in a garden pot. We planted bulbs which flower every year around the anniversary of his death. H and I still talk to him every time we are in the garden.

We didn't want to just put him in the soil as when the soil is replaced we would lose him. Plus, with him being in a pot, if we ever move house, we can take him with us.

 

[Charmedone]

Blackemeraled, I understand completely how much you loved Sam. If sam was here now he'd want you to have another pet to be happy with, maybe you could get a rescue dog?


I got a letter today :) my puppy has has been accepted to be assessed as a therapy dog, if she passes (which she will) it means she can come to work with me! I'm so excited, going to train extra hard with her this week (she loves training).

 

[blackemerald1]

Charmedone that is fantastic news, I am really happy for you, I spoke to my Therapist today. She had never heard about it, but I am going to pursue it anyway. Did you get your puppy and then approach the trainers or how did you do it? I would try for a rescue dog but if it has been maltreated it might never pass the temperament phase and I cannot have a dog here without sanction from the Organisation that helps train etc., Of course, then I have to get permission from the Real Estate Agent too, who knows, they might fight it.

 

[Charmedone]

I hope you got my message Blackemeraled x

I got my puppy a training hoop and tunnel three days ago. Today she ran through and jumped the hoop without being led using food she's so clever!

 

[DharmaGirl]

This is my PTSD dog, Nugget. This is the first thing I see in the morning. She wakes me when I'm having a nightmare. Once though, she jumped up and barked in my face, I screamed, and she took off. Now we call her the PTSD dog with PTSD, lol. She weighs 150lbs so you can imagine why I screamed.