Wow, how great that he's gotten that result so far! Sorry about the poop situation, I guess you have to take the bad with the good.

I'm sorry that his problems couldn't be managed or abated. I agree with you, though, Sherri: a dog with that behavioral disorder is not a happy, balanced dog. A humane euthanasia is an act of mercy in a situation like this one.

Oh no! I hope it's only a soft-tissue injury and not a strain or tear to a ligament!

Right with you on the vet bills also, I was thinking 'normal' was reasonable vet bills annually and then WHAM this year. Ugh!

Sounds like the side effects are a consideration in planning the treatment -- that's too bad, but probably to be expected. What are the objectives of the clinical trial?

My vet is a huge advocate of gaba in conjunction with an NSAID for pain relief -- and he won't use Tramadol at all anymore, he says it's been shown to be ineffective. This is a pretty good primer on gaba for dogs: https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/gabapentin-dogs-what-you-need-know And this one: https:...

You couldn't pay me enough to live with an Airedale, they are a breed that cracks me up from afar but in NO way fits into my life!

Oh -- this is a Beginner class and the whole class is on the floor at the same time, Amanda. In the classes -- like Rowley's -- where the dogs actually run courses, dogs are crated or on downs away from the action, and there are ring gates separating the area for dogs and handlers that aren't workin...

We did perform the routine -- twice -- and Alex earned his Novice Tricks title. I will get the video from Jane.

Now we are going to start training Advanced tricks!

That's a stock photo from a google search, but the French Brit we know looks quite like that. She's the NICEST dog, and by that I mean she's not cowed or annoyed by Rowley and Alex and their pushy behavior; she thinks they're doofus dogs, which they are. Her owner does some hunting with her, when he...

Are you sure you don't want a French Brittany Spaniel? We meet one at the nature preserve and she is the COOLEST dog.

Paws and fingers here are all crossed for you and Max, it's got to be like walking on a high-wire.

Still rooting for Max, what's the procedure for his further treatments?

It's so tied up with our feelings, our history with them -- it can be absolutely gut-wrenching. You certainly have my best wishes and sympathy at this difficult time.

Another aspect of life with a dog: we often don't see as clearly the changes that have taken place. What I mean by that: I had a rescue Sheltie, Rudy, who was the dearest, sweetest boy. He almost starved to death before he was picked up stray, and then I adopted him. He LOOOOVED my home and he was w...

Grrrrr, that's annoying!

How is he today?

Exactly what Sherri said.

Hoping it's a recovery sleep, and he's feeling better tomorrow.

Sander loved rice pudding when he couldn't bear the smell or taste of his usual raw or other food. Also soft-boiled egg on wheat toast.

Heartbreaking is what it is, no question. I'm so very sorry you're going through this with Caesar. All I have to add is another 'I've seen this' -- my mom's Old English Sheepdog, Buddy, at about the same age, had the same physical issues. It was very, very difficult to watch: he couldn't get up with...

So weird! I wonder if it's entirely behavioral, or if there is some neurological thing going on too. Well, I hope he makes the right choices more often!

Here's another aspect of some reactive dogs that I'd forgotten: Last night in agility training, Dee was not liking the curved tunnel at all, and after she made it out alive on one of our turns, she was excited (to see me again, I'm sure she thought she was going to her doom) and I was giving her tre...

Good point about stress on the animals. My vet clinic made a big announcement last year that they are now on the 'Fear Free' program and all the techs and vets receive annual training -- my vet told me it had reduced barking in their kennel area by about 80%. Let's hope more clinics join the program...

My dogs see their chiropractor in a vet clinic in the suburb of Glendale Heights; last year, that clinic got a major makeover and upgrade/remodel. It's a dream clinic now! TWO entrances, one for dogs and one for cats; a divided waiting room -- I don't use the other facilities of the clinic, but what...

In next week's class, Alex is going to do the routine for his Novice Tricks title. My instructor is an evaluator. I'll have her video it on her phone, so I can post it here. I made a routine that starts with Alex shaking hands ('how do you do!' is he verbal cue) and then he does three pushups; walks...

Wondering what the status is of Moe and his issues?

Just want to update this: My life and my home are SO pleasant now that dogs are not allowed in my bedroom AT ALL except at night when they sleep in there. I should have put this rule in place years ago. They get up in the morning, I move their dog beds out into the living and dining rooms and close ...

I'm with you on the EO, Nana. Rose geranium oil WILL repel ticks very effectively, but I cannot stand the smell of it, and even worse, my dogs hate it. Alex, my Nosework dog, acted like I'd lit his tail on fire when I put some on him last time (a couple of years ago). It does seem mean to do that to...

I do not use a (chemical) tick repellent and yep, I'm pulling ticks off my dogs -- well, not regularly, but not rarely, either. Beau tested positive for Lyme this year, Rowley for Lyme in 2016, Dee for ehrlichia in 2016, and in the past, Miss Pip was positive for anaplasmosis one year. Twenty-eight ...

I thought that was interesting, too, that the MDR1 mutation is not about a sensitivity to ivermectin per se, but is an indicator of a deficiency in the blood-brain barrier. I also read that the 'don't give ivermectin to herding breeds!' warning was due to the practice of using HIGH doses of ivermect...

I looked at Mary Strauss's comments that Nana mentioned -- I found this: "It’s best to give heartworm preventives year-round as well, not only for better protection against infection, but also to ensure that the manufacturer will pay for treatment should your dog become infected with heartworms." I ...

I was just coming to the conclusion that there are way more CLUELESS OWNERS now, and your post supports that, Nana! Dee's agility class has been uneventful. The young Boxer has moved to private lessons, the Airedale has settled in and is no longer hyper-aware of every little thing -- new class, new ...