Non-motoring > New family member Miscellaneous
Thread Author: Ted Replies: 26

 New family member - Ted

Heart melted by a lovely pair of eyes today. Little 'sort of ' rescue dog arrived today. We said we wouldn't have another but this little lady won us over. 11 months old, she was owned by a bloke who had form for buying puppies and then growing tired of them and giving them away. Christmas dog syndrome, really. He needs a ban...or a smack. Anyway, a neighbour of his, a pal of my daughter, took her in and would have kept her but the two cats and her ageing Lab objected.

Daughter cajoled us and we fell for it. She's a bit of a mixture ( the dog ). Certainly Border Terrier but shorter legs....possibly a Cairn in there. Our last two were Borders, lost them about 10 years ago but we know the breed well. She's feisty, well behaved and house trained. She's chipped and came with all her possessions, bed, bowls, toys, collar and food. She likes to be with humans all the time and comes on command. Just the right size for us and won't fill the garden with monster poos. SWM will be off to the Pet Shop tomoz to get her a harness and a tag, then to the Vets to book her in for a checkup, spaying and chip update.

Anyone on here recommend an Insurer although she seems very healthy atm ?

So, Dog, Zero, Pug and all....better keep your lesser dogs in while we're out and about ! Feels quite nice to have dog in front of the hearth hogging the fire again !
 New family member - Hard Cheese
Congrats Ted ...
 New family member - zippy
Brilliant!
 New family member - Dog
>> Feels quite nice to have dog in front of the hearth hogging the fire again !

Yeah, it's what hearths are for IMO. I took my black one walkies on Saturday & Sunday (white one is ill) nearly got blown orf my feet up on the high (China Clay) ground on Saturday.

Would I have gorn out walking in that wevver if I didn't have a dog, would I eck! .. enjoyed it though :)
 New family member - MD
IVe never been without a pooch or two. Well done you.
 New family member - Ted

HeHe....Got licked awake this morning. She slept quietly with no fuss at all and seems to have settled in. Everything is done at turbo speeds...particularly eating.

I reckon she'll be fine here.
 New family member - Zero
House is not a home without a dog.

Sounds like you have fallen on your feet with this one, just check how well its socialised with other dogs, and get yourself a fitbit or other fitness watch*, a lot of walking coming up I think,

We are insured with Pet Friends.


* I bought the Nokia Steel HR, I'll do a review if anyone wants to know.
 New family member - Dog
60 reviews 'ere: www.amazon.co.uk/Nokia-Steel-HR-Heart-Activity/dp/B071NVR2QQ
 New family member - R.P.
Sounds like a good dog. Older dog is no longer insured the Springer was with PDSA. Alf the Working Cocker loves fluffy little dogs (of whatever gender) the Springer prefers balls (now he's lost his). Think you've landed on you feet.

 New family member - legacylad
Congrats. Spent time with my old Mum yesterday and we discussed how much we both missed the Lakeland, buried in my mums garden just over a year ago.
She’s too old to have a dog full time, I’m away for extended periods 6+weeks coming up imminently, and at the moment with her failing health a new dog won’t work. And I’m too selfish to give up my multitude of trips TBH
Walking on my own, or with friends, without a canine just isn’t the same
 New family member - Zero
>> Congrats. Spent time with my old Mum yesterday and we discussed how much we both
>> missed the Lakeland, buried in my mums garden just over a year ago.
>> She’s too old to have a dog full time, I’m away for extended periods 6+weeks
>> coming up imminently, and at the moment with her failing health a new dog won’t
>> work. And I’m too selfish to give up my multitude of trips TBH
>> Walking on my own, or with friends, without a canine just isn’t the same

I cant stress enough the fact you can enjoy a dog without the agro of owning one. Loads of pensioners or disabled people with dog would love to have them walked, lots of people have to go into hospital and need a temporary foster home for their animal. Lots of rescue centres prefer to temporarily house dogs in foster homes prior to a forever home.

Check your local volunteering groups, facebook is a good place to start
 New family member - Robbie34
I can strongly recommend John Lewis.

I had my Cocker Spaniel put to sleep in November when his cancer spread; he was just seven years old. John Lewis were excellent. No arguments about claim, and I was surprised at the cover. I was paying monthly and they refunded a portion of the premium for November, plus they paid £100 towards his cremation; cost of euthanasia; and purchase price paid for him.

They had previously paid for specialist consultant for his epilepsy at the University of Liverpool SMAH; just under £2.000 and also for an oncologist at £200.
 New family member - Crankcase
Interesting, zero. Mrs C would love a dog, but never having owned one it's a bit daunting. (She thinks she wants two dachshunds. Hmm.).


So I looked into just your suggestion. I thought if she could start by walking someone else's dog and so on it might focus her mind as to realities a bit, and see if she really does want to go ahead. I don't want to be a negative Nellie but I reckon it's a big commitment, and a fair old expense too, so start small.

But I drew a complete blank finding anything as you describe round here. I don't do Facebook though.
Last edited by: Crankcase on Mon 22 Jan 18 at 11:09
 New family member - Zero
Check out your local PDSA, Blue Cross and age concern.
 New family member - Crankcase
Will do. Ta.
 New family member - Bobby
>>I cant stress enough the fact you can enjoy a dog without the agro of owning one

Other option is to set up in business as a dog walker - the rates that some of my pals are paying their dog walkers are eye watering!!

When we are both working my in laws take the dog out and we all firmly believe that our dog (7 year old Lab) has contributed to their good health. M-I-L is 80 in March and when she has the dog, its down the nature trail and round the park, anything up to 7 miles at a time. She is not on a single medicine or tablet, not even an aspirin.

She retired 20 years ago and we were always nagging them to get a dog but they refused as they didnt want tied down with the responsibility. Now everyone is happy!

Not surprisingly the dog loves her to bits and you can sometimes see his mood drop when he realises we are off so it will only be the normal walks he is getting!
 New family member - DeeW
Try joining Borrowmydoggie.com.
I can't give my dog a decent walk at the weekend as son doesn't walk far, so joined this group. The joining fee for dog owners covers Third Party insurance and a vet helpline, borrowers pay about £10 to make sure they are serious/contactable etc.
Toby goes out with a lovely person who works in London 4 days a week and from time to time does overseas tours so can't have her own dog. He gets a good run often followed by an hour in the pub, which he loves for all the attention he gets.
She has also had him twice when I have gone away for a long weekend, sharing his care with her Dad, who lives very close to her.
 New family member - Dog
Ere!! .. these blimmin dogs (some of) eat better than us humans. I've just finished (well, not me) a 15kg bag of a premium (50 squid) dog food, the ingredients of which are as follows:

Chicken (66%) peas, potato, egg, tomato, carrot, chicory, alfalfa, seaweed/kelp, chondroitin, glucosamine, MSM (for the joints, man) paprika, turmeric, thyme, taurine, yucca, cranberry, fennel, carob, ginger, rosehip, dandelion, rosemary (she's nice) oregano, and probiotics.

The kibble is called Applaws, made in the EU I believe. Swiss? (MPM Products)

It's not their regular food, just something I'm trying (tried) out ... I've tried 'em all!!
 New family member - Bromptonaut

>> The kibble is called Applaws, made in the EU I believe. Swiss?

Can't be Swiss AND made in EU :-P
 New family member - Dog
>>Can't be Swiss AND made in EU :-P

Well spotted that man .. Tis made in, Europe?

www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk/dog-food-reviews/0478/applaws-adult-large-breed
 New family member - Ted

We struck lucky with the new dog. About 4 doors up are a young couple with two under 10 girls. They are besotted with Millie and Mum or Dad and the girls take her for a good walk to or from school. Dogs have to be tied up at the gate but we're not having that. Dad shoves her up his jacket and goes in with her. No complaints from school yet !

I've just named and shamed her on Facebook, she got on the worktop yesterday and ate 3 ounces of butter measured out for cooking. Big blob of yellow sick on the dining room carpet later. What fun !
 New family member - Mike H
We've been catless since December 2016, when she died after an unexpected and short period of illness. I've stubbornly refused to find a replacement since then despite pressure from SWMBO, but we decided just before Christmas that we'd get a rescue cat if one came along.

Last Saturday we went to the local animal shelter, which has a FB presence, and came away with a very friendly 6-year old ginger/white/charcoal tabby which arrived there as a stray. She seems to be settling in well, although she spends most of the day in hiding. When she appears, she's delighted to see us, and loves being picked up and cuddled. Taking in a stray is always an unknown quantity, but all seems good so far.

As everyone has said, nice to have s pet around again!
 New family member - Pat
Well done Mike and may you give each other much happiness!

Taking in a stray is a delight to see them gain confidence and develop. you won't be disappointed.

Pat
 New family member - CGNorwich
Our last cat was a rehomed animal from a sanctuary. Would never allow itself to be groomed, never sat on anyone's lap and hated being picked up and was rather prone to biting and scratching people.

It did enjoy our company though but on it's terms.I rather admired it really and it lasted seventeen years. Not sure some people would have copied with it though

All previous cats were kittens when we acquired them and that is the only way you can guarantee they will be socialised properly unless you know their history.
I

 New family member - Ambo
Our (second) beautiful and much loved pedigree Burmese having been killed on the roads in November aged only 18 months, we argued that a cat *is* for Christmas and adopted Alfie from Cat Protection in time for a cosy holiday together. Provenance unknown, he is a burly tabby and mature and has been properly socialised in the past.

CP is the place to go. All cats are treated for any defects found, neutered and chipped. The staff vet applicants quite closely to ensure a good match; for example we were steered away from a very young cat by a tactful reference to the difficulty older people might have with him. Care is taken that the cat will not be housed near his former home, if this is known, against him finding his way back.

The service is technically free but there is an equally tactful reference that the average cost per cat for the service is £70.
 New family member - Pat
We still miss our Burmese, Gussy, who died just over a year ago at 23 yrs old Ambo, but feel sure another will come along looking for a home when we least expect it.

They are unique, intelligent, vocal and have a certain empathy for their owners feelings which is uncanny at times.

Good luck with Alfie, he sounds lovely:)

Pat
 New family member - rtj70
Well done Mike - I hope you are all happy together. We love cats but haven't got another since our last one passed away. We do like seeing the Greek cats when on holiday. A friend has recently adopted an older cat (not sure of age but probably older than 10)... he seems nice enough and settling in well.
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