Need Advice/Suggestions . . .

[RW]

... in response to Need Advice/Suggestions . . ., posted by Dan on Apr 30, 2003

Dan,

sorry to hear about that. It must be very emotional for Olya.

My advice would be to wait before you get another dog - in a couple months she would be so busy with the baby, she won't have time for anything else, believe me. In a way it won't be fair to the dog too Both of you would miss opportunity to establish the bond with the dog. I know I might sound like a paranoid woman, but with the adult dog from the shelter you also do not know how it would behave around the baby once all the attention is switched. It is different with the dog who has been living with you for a while.

Russian Wife

[Globetrotter]

... in response to Need Advice/Suggestions . . ., posted by Dan on Apr 30, 2003

Anyone who says that a dog isn't a member of your family...well, they're crazy.  My Poocher's marker reads:

So tiny when I got him
I watched him grow
He loved to play stick
He'd fetch when I'd throw

He saved me three times
The fire, the bad guys, helped me
Loved laying in the sun
Or under his tree

My protector, my guard dog
Fistful of lucky charms
So happy, so loving
You died in my arms

I loved you like a son
So majestic, so loud
Better than most people
Of you I'm most proud

Eleven years of joy
Now at an end
How can I ever thank
My puppy, my hero, my friend

When my turn comes
And all goes dark
Through the lighted tunnel you'll run
With your stick and a bark

[DanM]

... in response to Need Advice/Suggestions . . ., posted by Dan on Apr 30, 2003

Hey Dan,

I am very sorry about the loss of your Lab. For what its worth, I know how you feel. Yes Russian women often have a very strong bond with their dogs and I think its something that many people fail to appreciate. The dogs are often viewed more as family members and friends and less like replacable household items. As a result, my advice is to wait an appropriate amount of time before buying a new puppy.

Your wife may need time to grieve before she is emotionally ready for another dog. Honestly, I think if you suggest another dog too soon, you will not get an enthusiastic response. She might even be offended.

Just so you know, I say all these things based on personal expereince. My wife had a female Great Dane that lived to be 12 years old. She was a member of the family and deeply loved by my wife and both of her parents. They took her for almost 2 hours of walks every day and never fed her dog food. She only ate natural foods such as meat and vegitables. The reason I am telling you about these things is to convey the intense feeling of commitment and love they had for their dog.

As luck would have it, my wife's dog died the day before I came to Moscow for the very first time. Not very good timing. : ) My wife was distraught as were here parents. They showed me albums of her pictures and got a little emotional when they talked about her. To this day, my wife can still cry when she thinks about her Silva.

We just bought a new Great Dane puppy about 3 weeks ago. His name is Goga. Little Goga has been wonderful for her, but we waited almost 1.5 years before we got her another dog. Your wife may not need that much time to grieve, but she may need some time too.

Consult with your wife before you buy the puppy and do not force one on her before she is ready.

Just my advice.

[BURKE89]

... in response to Re: Need Advice/Suggestions . . ., posted by DanM on May 1, 2003

Hello Dan,

Not trying to scare you with your new GD, however, you should be aware of a very important health issue endemic in the breed: bloat & or torsion.

My mother breeds & shows them, and we've lost more than one to this heinous 'act' - including a personal pet of mine. My current Dane, Bismarck, had it occur at a very young age on two ocassions - eight & nine months. By the grace of god, I was home and knew what was transpiring (it typically occurs later in life). As I said, it is endemic in Danes in particularly, yet it occurs in dogs with large chest cavities as well - e.g. Mastiffs, Boxers, Wolfhounds etc.

Luckily it is preventable, this if rectified or precautions are taken. Such as:

- The stomach cavity is 'tacked.' In essence, the stomach is tied/sown, preventing movement. So, despite the fact that 'bloat' might occur, the stomach cavity cannot turn and wrap 'itself.'

- Another issue with the Dane to prevent this from occuring is: a very strict regimen in feeding. Golden rule: no strenuous play 1/2 hour prior to feeding, and penned-up for at least as long after meals.

Hope this helps,

Vaughn

[DanM]

... in response to From a fellow 'Dane' owner..., posted by BURKE89 on May 1, 2003

Thanks Burke! I did not know you were also a Dane owner. I knew there was something I liked about you (joke). : )

We are as careful as we know to be regarding his eating habits. He eats 4 smaller meals per day and we always hold his bowl up for him so he does not have to lean too much. We also keep him calm prior to and after feeding. Usually he lays in my lap after he eats. He is only 10 weeks oldso we can still get away with that.

Any additional advice you have regarding his diet will be most appreciated. Although my wife had a Dane for 12 years, I am sure there are things we don't know and I would love to benefit from your expereince if possible. I would especially like to learn more about the subject of "tacking" the stomach cavity. I have never heard of this and I am a little curious.

Thanks again for the advice.

[BURKE89]

... in response to Re: From a fellow 'Dane' owner..., posted by DanM on May 2, 2003

Nothing more than: 19-21% protein content (puppy-land - and the fervor for size - and not health.) - period!

Tacking refers to: tying the stomach to the exterior-wall; so, it can't move. It's a very simple ($300-400.00 vs 2,600-4,200.00 - if done later) process in youth; however, if it shifts... the pain to the 'Dane' is excru...

I can assist you (maybe - through the 'Family'), in Louisiana regarding: 'Dane" angles, if you wish.

Regards, Vaughn

[BURKE89]

... in response to As a puppy,,,, posted by BURKE89 on May 3, 2003

I'd neglected to give you the contacts for LA.

They're as follows:

GDCA/GDC of LA - Norvel & Warren Benoit PO Box 640488 Kenner, LA 70064 504-443-5422 or 985-764-8371 (I've never met 'them' yet, I hope they're brothers)Email: IvespottedDanes@AOL.com

or- a safe one...

GDC of LA - Jennifer Ussery ( a safe one - if mom is correct in her memory) diamondstargreatdanes@hotmail.com

I sure they might direct you in the proper direction - for a clean 'tac.'

Vaughn  

[Bobby Orr]

... in response to From a fellow 'Dane' owner..., posted by BURKE89 on May 1, 2003

Right on with the GDV -torsion with large breed dogs and death within 24 hours - especially one big feeding per day.

[micha1]

... in response to Need Advice/Suggestions . . ., posted by Dan on Apr 30, 2003

[This message has been edited by micha1]

This message was deleted

[tim360z]

... in response to Need Advice/Suggestions . . ., posted by Dan on Apr 30, 2003

Sad to hear of the passing of your and Olya's dog.  My condolences.  The sudden passage of ones dog is not truly unique,  I had it happen.  There is a sense of loss difficult to describe.  There will be a day,  it will just feel right for the 2 of you,  probably near term, when you will both be ready for some puppy shopping.  This will help you to fill the void which you both feel and you will be giving a new dog...a warm happy home.

Hhhmmm. You mentioned poison.  What inclines you to this thought?  Something tangible?  The vet will be able to take a tissue sample and send it to a lab for analysis.  It would be good to alay your fears even if the test is negative. Best, Tim

[Deckard]

... in response to Need Advice/Suggestions . . ., posted by Dan on Apr 30, 2003

Dan,

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of two members of your family

I'm not eloquent with words, but I really hope Olya and you will recover soon.

If nothing else, at least he died quickly, and in the arms of your wife. You may tell Olya that. Considering there are many ways for a dog to die, I think he couldn't have gone a better way, as much as the thought must ache and hurt.

I do hope that when/if you get another dog, that you may take Globetrotter's suggestion about looking at a shelter. You may end up saving a life.

Last, but not least, congratulations on your 2 year anniversary!  I only hope I'm so lucky!

Dan, let's keep in touch when I'm overseas, ok? I'd like that very much.

Peace,

-Deckard

[tfcrew]

... in response to Need Advice/Suggestions . . ., posted by Dan on Apr 30, 2003

Dan, all this time I thought you were married my senior!
There are oodles of pups. Just get another  when you find one.
I don't have quite the yard for dogs.
Many times I've thought about getting acreage and putting in  a kennel.    
Karl

[Globetrotter]

... in response to Need Advice/Suggestions . . ., posted by Dan on Apr 30, 2003

So sorry about your dog.  I lost my monster shepherd a few years ago.  How to put this....let's just say I was very upset for 2 years.  He was 12 and had a good run.  I buried him on my property, made a grave marker better than most people have, complete with poem, and 4 photos laminated into it, brick lined, and he gets flowers on his garden. As the house was lonely without my Bud, I went to the local animal shelter and picked another shepherd a month later.  I also noticed a fat, old, female mutt that nobody would ever want, and took her too.  The shepherd had been slated for execution the next day if I hadn't taken him, I found out later.  He had also been trained to kill, truely a junkyard dog...a front door cannon for any intruder.  Dog training classes, and socializing him made him a great, gentle pet.  Both dogs are great friends.

So, my advice would be to let you wife pick one out from a shelter and adopt it.  To soften the blow, know dogs can't rationalize/reason...if I do this, that will happen.  Only
humans can do this. (well, some can.)  They also have no concept of life and death.  He only knew he was falling asleep.  He probably had a great 2 years because of your family.

[Globetrotter]

... in response to Re: Need Advice/Suggestions . . ., posted by Globetrotter on Apr 30, 2003

"It's not how long the ride is, it's how you make the trip."

[Travis]

... in response to Need Advice/Suggestions . . ., posted by Dan on Apr 30, 2003

I'm sorry of your loss. I lost my 8 year old Rott just over a year ago and I don't think that is a blow that can be softened. It couldn't be for me anyway. Mine wasn't so sudden...but I don't think that made it any easier. Give it some time, especially because your wife sounds to have been so attached. I lost Hunter in March and didn't get Suka until December, but I'm glad I waited.

I want to congradulate you and your wife on your 2 year anniversary though I understand some things aren't going so well. Everything will be good in the end. And if it isn't good, it isn't the end!