dave lukins

The older dog looks in excellent condition especially that he's 12..no HD and his eyes are bright with no signs of cataracts...fantastic. Looks like you all done a good job.

Officer of Engineers

Sniper,

You have a bass boat?

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Chimo

7thsfsniper

We're not positive of Blitz' age she is at least 12, possibly as old as 14. We have no idea where she was before the humane society picked her up as a stray. Funny thing though. After getting her home we discovered that she was quite housebroke and while joking around I gave her a couple commands in german and she did it! Hmm. She speaks english now.

Geist is 8, she was actually registered by the pryor owner. She was two when we got her and had a bad hip problem. Could barely climb the steps of the house. With the help of the vet we cured that and treated Blitz' heartworm and both had lots of parasites. Both have nearly doubled thier weight and both can eagerly clear a five ft. vertical jump. Which is something to say for Geist.

Both respond to verbal commands well and we work them daily. Unfortunately, we discovered about two weeks ago that Blitz is losing her hearing so we are trying to figure out how to deal with that, as long as she seems happy and stays active I'm sure she has several good years left. Thanks to all for your wonderful comments. My wife hasn't had much interest in WAB until "her puppies" were here. Now a couple of times through the evening she asks "anyone say anything about the doggies?"(she really talks like that). She is very proud of them as well.

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7thsfsniper

Why yes! Because I love fish too. Just not as pets.

The dogs like it too. We take them with us to the lake often. Surprisingly, for GSDs, they love to swim. Problem is they love to bail out of the boat when we go for a swim in the middle of the lake. They actually have dog life preservers now so they can swim longer and it helps to get them back in the boat. I know........... its crazy!

dave lukins

Start by talking to her and when you give commands, put your finger on your lips and keep tapping them, making sure he is looking at your face. Point to what you want him to do..come here, go there, fetch etc. do this with a higher pitched voice than normal. Sadly deafness is inherent in big dog breeds but at his age he's done really well

7thsfsniper

So is this kind of a lip reading technique? Both respond to hand signals well, but the only problem is getting her attention when she is looking away. Outdoors I have to command loudly(and higher pitched) as you suggested. The neighbors probably think I'm a raving lunatic. I thought of maybe a radio control collar that vibrates could help here. That way if it buzzes her she would look at me for a hand signal. I'm definitely open to suggestion, Thanks Dave.

dave lukins

No.. at 12/14 this will only frighten him. He is an animal of habit, and it really isn't too long before he's looking for you anyway. Remember as he gets older he needs(wants) more sleep, the old bones ain't what they used to be so getting up to a command is not really a preference to being comfortable ie. lying down Remember, in Dog years he's older than you .. so now it's your turn to fetch for him

Jay

ah, Dave its pretty cool, are you a dog whisperer ?

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A grain of wheat eclipsed the sun of Adam !!

dave lukins

Even my goldfish eat from my hand..honestly

wally83

Great information, Dave. Thanks. Our Golden Retriever is also at that age and is clearly losing her hearing. We will love and care for her through her 'Golden' years and will follow sniper's lead and rescue a dog or two. Or three.

No offense to cat lovers because I love all animals. My first pets as a kid were snails after they cleaned out the aquariums at my elementary school. I brought them home and mom was NOT happy, but I got to keep them.

I was a pioneer in snail rescue!

7thsfsniper

Outstanding Wally! Kudos!

BTW, your pooch looks as spoiled as mine. We just can't help it can we?

wally83

I have never met a dog I didn't like. Or a snail for that matter

No man can be condemned for owning a dog.
As long as he has a dog, he has a friend;
and the poorer he gets, the better friend he has.
~ Will Rogers

The more I see of men, the better I like my dog.
~ Frederick the Great

GAU-8

Attached Images

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FibrillatorD

God bless high resolution digital photography. Your cat appears fresh after a thorough self-grooming here.

THL, my scratchy kitten Lazarus got torched beyond recognition before I had a chance to try this one out, but I've heard dripping lemon drops on your furniture (if it doesn't ruin it) is one of those imperceptibletohumansbutnotanimals ways of getting your cat off it.

I can't tell which way is less promising

THL

Did he object too much to having them put on? As a tip, I have found it is easier to replace each one as they come off or grow out instead of waiting for them all to come off and then doing them all at once. It is also easier to fill them all with glue and then stick them on quickly instead of stopping in between each one to fill it with glue. I think it is great they come in different colors...I am thinking of getting red and green for XMas time.

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