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Post by julianna on Nov 26, 2016 16:15:26 GMT -5
My beautiful dog next door is leaving me and moving to Sault Ste Marie. He is black and white part husky and collie.
Today was my last walk with him and the last time I could give him treats. It has been 10 years at least that I have loved this dog "Pickles" (such a funny name) but he has been a wonderful companion on all my walks and back yard time.
He is so well behaved... never gets tangled around a post and always knows to come around to the other side.... never bites or teases any other dog... always takes the lead (as long as he knows which way I want to go and I tell him by pointing).... he is old.... partially deaf.... but such a good boy.
In the summer he comes and sits with me on the deck and I give him massages. He just loves them... and even after an hour.... he will touch me with his big foot and ask for more.
My heart is breaking.... I am going to miss him so very much.
I don't know why I fall so much in love with animals and birds... and anything that moves... but I do ... so I am going to go and sit on my couch and cry some more.
I cannot have a dog because I travel too much and it is difficult enough to find a sitter for Oscar.... so those who think I should get my own... I just cannot.
I am going to go to all the houses that I know have dogs (me and Pickles met them all) and see if they will let me walk their dog. Of course... no charge and I supply to dog treats when we are done. I hope someone will let me.
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Post by biteybird on Nov 26, 2016 23:05:04 GMT -5
I know what you mean about dogs. After we had to make the 'hard decision' for our two old dogs (who died within two years of each other) we decided that we shouldn't have any more while we have our on-site caravan (which we visit every second weekend and it does not allow dogs there). We thought it wouldn't be fair on a dog to go away every second weekend and have someone else looking after him/her. That's why we got Bonnie instead, as we can take her with us to the caravan park. I think you are very kind to offer to spend time with people's dogs and I'm sure you'll get lots of takers, as many people work long hours and their dogs wouldn't get walked every day. 10 years is a long time and I'm sure Pickles will miss you, but hopefully he has good owners (I assume so), so he will be well cared for in his new location. Where is Sault Ste Marie? I'm like you; I fall in love instantly with any animal I meet... Hope you start to feel better soon.  |
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Post by julianna on Nov 27, 2016 14:39:08 GMT -5
Thank you biteybird... and I am sure you were heart broken to loose your two sweet dogs. Sault Ste Marie is about an 8 hour drive from where I live in Timmins. It is in Ontario and is south east from me. I am hoping to go for a few trips down there just to visit Pickles before he passes on. He is around 14 years old but quite spunky for an old guy. I miss him already. Not so much the owner... lol.... but for sure the dog.
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Post by Jan and Shah on Nov 28, 2016 3:36:57 GMT -5
Feel free to move to Australia - you can take Emma for a walk any time you like Seriously, I am sorry that you are losing such a great pal. I understand completely about you not being able to have a dog of your own. Hope you find another pal that you can take for walks. When I was driving home yesterday, I passed a sign advertising free kittens. I just had to go and check them out. Fortunately, the people were not at home. The last thing I need is another animal - but I just cant help myself  |
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Post by julianna on Nov 29, 2016 14:30:46 GMT -5
I found another dog to walk already. I know where most of the dogs in this town live as I do a lot of walking... so I went to this one house which is only 1 block away from me... knocked on the door... and asked if I could walk her dog. She said sure... since her dog doesn't get walked but usually just plays in the backyard. This dog is a irishdoodle.... a cross between an irish settler and a poodle. She is female and spade and her name is Juno.
She loves to walk with me... as she has not seen much of our town yet. Since she is only 1 1/2 years old she pulls a lot on the leash so they use one that crosses her nose and it does help....but I really wish they wouldn't use it. Juno hates it and digs her head in the snow to try and get it off.
I am sooooo happy.... I can take her out any time someone is home over there... to give me the dog. Yessssss.... a new walking pal.
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Post by biteybird on Nov 30, 2016 5:00:15 GMT -5
Well, it sounds like Juno is very lucky. As a previous dog owner I can't imagine someone having such a young, large-ish dog and it not ever getting walked...what's with that? I know I shouldn't be judgemental on the owner/s as they may have difficult circumstances. It's great that you and Juno have found each other. |
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Post by aaron on Dec 1, 2016 23:39:20 GMT -5
Sorry to hear you are losing your friend, Julianna... I can certainly understand your tendency to fall in love with animals. I too share this trait. But glad to hear you have found a new friend! Maybe after you've walked her for a while you can talk them out of using that leash.  |
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Post by biteybird on Dec 2, 2016 0:41:24 GMT -5
Maybe after you've walked her for a while you can talk them out of using that leash. ...or you could take your own leash and swap them once out of sight, then again before you get back.  |
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Post by Jan and Shah on Dec 2, 2016 10:50:57 GMT -5
Can you try a harness? I am so pleased you have found Juno. I bet she loves going for a walk with you.
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Post by julianna on Dec 4, 2016 17:19:25 GMT -5
The husband allowed me to take Juno on a walk with just a leash around her neck. OMG she was pulling me so hard it was not enjoyable at all. I had the nose strap so I put that on... and off.... and then on... and off a few times. I was afraid she would make me fall .. that was how difficult it was. I found out that she is 8 years old... a lot older than I thought. I am not sure of how to stop this pulling. If anyone has an idea... I sure would appreciate it.
And the last complaint I have is that Juno is not available every day... but I love to walk for an hour every day. They both work so .... it is tough. I thought this weekend would be better... but I think they sleep in very late... past 10:30 a.m. as no one answers the door. Oh well.... that is life.
I knocked on another ladies door this morning. The little dog was tied in the driveway and was very friendly... but she said "no" as she felt the dog wouldn't walk well with me. That is okay... I know where many other dogs live... lol
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Post by Jan and Shah on Dec 4, 2016 18:54:16 GMT -5
Do you think Juno's owners would be open to play dates at your place? So maybe you could take her Friday night and return her later in the day on Saturday. Google about the pulling - there are various methods. I have seen Tellington Touch practitioners work on such dogs with excellent results. Again, I think a harness may be better as the dog wont be straining around the neck area. The dog is probably just so excited to be out of the house and may not have been trained to walk. When I first got Emma she wouldn't walk at all - just sat down and refused to go. After a few dog training lessons she improved - it was a slow process - but she walks beautifully now. So think up a plan of attack on how you are going to stop the dog from pulling (as I said before, use the internet and go for the gentle methods as this builds trust between you and the dog) and just chunk it down to little bits at a time. Don't be afraid to use treats as a reward when the dog does something right as well as copious amounts of praise.
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Post by msdani1981 on Dec 4, 2016 20:58:17 GMT -5
When she starts to pull, immediately turn, say "Juno, let's go!" and walk briskly in the other direction. You probably won't go very far in either direction at first, but she should catch on. :-)
Do this every time Juno pulls.
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Post by msdani1981 on Dec 11, 2016 21:43:23 GMT -5
Hi Julianna, how is it going with Juno? :-)
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Post by julianna on Dec 12, 2016 14:56:26 GMT -5
Well... It seems I cannot get Juno in the mornings when I walk so I found another dog to walk. This one is a pure bread husky and she is about 1 year old.. still a puppy. She certainly does her share of pulling and I have had her now for about 9 days. I read on the internet to stop the pulling is to stop walking and don't start again until the dog calms down.
These dogs should have been trained much earlier but it is what it is. Her name is Bailey and she is the color of Bailey's Irish Cream liquor. Absolutely beautiful. Her undercoat, legs and under belly is all creamy in color and she has the most beautiful blue eyes. When I walk her it seems like I am walking a fox... because of her tail and the top color of her hair is a light brown.
She sure is giving me a workout. It is great with her because she is out in the yard every morning and I simply get her on a leash and go. The owners love that I am doing this... and it is my pleasure.
I also brought little soft treats this morning which I am using to the command "Come"... All I have seen her do so far to a command is sit. Which does come in handy. We have our hour walk and then when I get home I am soaked with sweat and literally have to change all of my clothes. (even under wear... lol). So things are good here... not with Juno but Bailey instead. Thank you for asking.
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Post by Jan and Shah on Dec 12, 2016 15:41:30 GMT -5
That's good news about Bailey and her owners being so receptive to you. It saves them walking her so they must be very thankful. Wish I could find someone like you here - you could take Emma for a walk but I doubt very much whether you would get much of a work out. If I walk too fast she literally stops so I have to go fast/slow/fast/slow. However, my patience gets a work out |
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