[crapattack]

Thanks theTurtle! It's been a real joy to watch her grow. It's fun to post her pics here as you can all see her development over time.

Threadbear, sure you can give some aspirin or tylenol. Adjust for the weight of the dog, so for example, River is 40lbs (small child size) so give a child dose. We did this when she got a deep cut on her pad at some rocks at the beach. After taking her to the vet the vet said just to soak it in epsom salts and give her a tylenol every 6 -8 hours or so for the pain. She also got stung by a bee recently and had an allergic reaction where her face completely swelled up. Our vet suggested we give her benadryl, we gave her one and the swelling did go down. It's quite common for dogs to injure themselves - especially the more active breeds. They can pull muscles and ligements and do all the things we do to ourselves too. Sounds like your dog could also be checked for arthritis as a possiblity too.

[WildRose]

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Meanwile River is doing wonderfully and is a happy doggie.

[threadbear]

Thanks for all your advice regarding my dog's gimpy leg. I'm going to wait a week or two, see if she's still limping a bit and if she is, I'll take her to the vet. She's young, so it shouldn't be arthritis, but she may have a congenital form. We were just outside playing catch the pinecone and she was running around, no problem.

Wild Rose--You bellydance? Wow. Your lab sounds like he was great. I don't think there is a nicer dog than a really good lab.

CrapAttack--Have you considered getting another dog to keep your's company?

[WildRose]

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Wild Rose--You bellydance? Wow. Your lab sounds like he was great. I don't think there is a nicer dog than a really good lab.

[crapattack]

threadbear wrote: $this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'C')rapAttack--Have you considered getting another dog to keep your's company?

[threadbear]

Have you considered a border collie?

http://www.bcbordercollies.com/bc/indiv ... lepups.htm

[crapattack]

Border collies are great dogs, very intense! I wouldn't get one myself because they are so job focussed and on the clock 24/7. If you have the time to train them properly and exercise them (they need as much or more as a cattle dog) then I'm sure they're better. They are a super intelligent and athletic dog. Apparently they are the most dog-intelligent dog, then cattle dogs, then poddles, then all the other dogs down to Afgans who apparently not the sharpest tools in the shed, poor things. If you want a very smart trainable dog who really wants to work for you a border collie would be good, especially if you do have land and a job for it. I wouldn't own one for a city-pet.

[WildRose]

The first dog I had was a border collie, a female, very smart and obedient. She was my first running partner. She lived in the city with us, but that was 30 - 35 years ago and this city has changed a lot since then. Of course, running a few miles a day helped manage her high energy level. I think she was a particularly obedient dog, wanting to please with her behavior, because I could walk her across busy avenues without a leash - she would just sit down when I stopped and walk when I told her it was okay to do so. Lovely dog, but I have known other people who had border collies in the city and had a hard time keeping them in the yard, or stopping them from chasing cars, etc. For anyone who wants a dog for herding, border collies are very trainable. They are also great for those obstacle course competitions, although in an energy-deprived society that is not likely to be a viable activity!