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Brandon’s improving all the time. He’s now an avid tail wagger. He’s becoming very open to new experiences. He was on his holidays in Co Antrim a couple of weeks ago and met sheep, a donkey, a pony, a horse and 2 llamas (they were in the field next to the cottage we stayed in).
We went to get him a behavioural blood panel done to see if there’s a medical reason for why Brandon’s getting worried around other dogs. He’s put on a lot of weight since getting neutered, like a 25% increase. He was basically normal but some of the liver tests were just above normal, nothing significant, no toxicity but I’d be inclined to watch how much he drinks and urinates. Did an xray, hips looked fine but clinically stiff, eyes clear.
He’s finished level 2 obedience with DTI just before his holidays. He went back for the Wednesday Club and was great in class, off the lead with 4 other dogs and really paying no heed, doing his training as good as gold. With time he’s less worried about other dogs. The technique of asking him to "watch me" works for him. No pressure to meet and greet the other dogs.
Some pics.
That response is helpful. However, one of the reasons I was concerned about a popular wellknown brand of DRY dog food was the use of organic preservatives (preventing fat from going rancid).
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (part of the World Health Organization) considers;
BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene): "there is limited evidence for the carcinogenicity of butylated hydroxytoluene in experimental animals".BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole): "there is sufficient evidence for the carcinogenicity of butylated hydroxyanisole to experimental animals".
SOURCE:[url:3urq4ka6]http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol40/volume40.pdf[/url:3urq4ka6]
That’s brilliant about Des, he’s a fine looking lad and very strong I’d be thinking. He’ll be over the worst of it now soon. That’s mad about the slug thing, I’ve seen the leaflets at the vets about the parasites in snails..we’ve loads of slugs in our garden.
We stayed in a couple of nice places we spotted on the [url:2scuh7gi]http://www.welcomecottages.com[/url:2scuh7gi]website. It has a fair few self-catering in Ireland but it is really tailored for the UK market. We’d always bring the dog to be honest if it didn’t involve a plane, a family holiday is not the same without him.
I’m sorry for your loss. You should be very proud of what you did for the lovely Tess, the video is a nice memory to keep. What you did is the whole point of fostering, taking a dog into your home and bring them on, giving them a loving environment; not just keeping them alive but giving them a life.
Oh dear, that must be having you feeling very stressed. I hope Des pulls through this set-back. It’s reall hard having a poorly dog because you hate putting through all the tests when he doesn’t understand why. Stay up-beat for him and try not to fret, it’ll be fine. I’ll be thinking of you both.
Thanks Buzzsmom and laurac!
Brandon had the long awaited 1st trip to the groomers today. He was good with resident groomer’s dog, Riley. Nice to Jenny the groomer initially for the rough cut and then she gave him the usual break. He then gave her a tough time for phase 2 (completely the opposite of the average dog, they start off giving the grief). Jenny did a smashing job and said he was a good boy with all the other dogs…turns out I’m a nervous Nellie!!
Perhaps not samples but the size of 400g from http://www.zooplus.co.uk. There’s a minimum purchase to get free delivery though.
Thanks for the well wishes, it’s lovely to see. As I was sitting here typing this I was called outside by dad to get a toy windmill back of Brandon. He ran past my dad in the kitchen at high speed, out the kitchen door and under the oil tank. When I got outside there was a bit of silver to be seen and Brandon using his nose to push soil over the toy with great determination
I’m thinking that windmill was up high on a sideboard in the living room…I’m thinking what else has gone missing recently?! Yeap he’s out of his shell alright!Thanks to DID for keeping a super dog alive. We are delighted that we were given the opportunity to keep him. I wanted to write something here about Brandon, a sort of diary of a failed fosterer
We didn’t foster dogs before Brandon, we had no plans to hold on to him
. In the initial few days he broke our hearts. He used his power of speed and determination to force his way through every door in the house…especially the front one… He meant business too, on day 3 he ran to Tibradden mountain, some 8 miles away! The local lady who spotted him checked his collar and called us. She worried farmers shoot dogs in them parts because it’s a sheep area . He started scraps with other dogs of all shapes and sizes, including my dog Dabs, who is really a gentle giant . He’d go out of his way to avoid the car, even passing it was a big deal.My dad used to say there’s a lovely dog in there just waiting to get out. He was right! In a matter of weeks we started to see a great pet who had a few specific behavioural issues needing work. I started to go to DTI classes with him and couldn’t believe how difficult being around other dogs and strangers was for him. He had to endure the long car trip to the classes and curled up in the seat well. In the first class his tail was down the whole time. He worked terribly hard to do what we asked of him in the classes. His confidence started to grow and I saw progress both in and outside class, a real change in him. He became buddies with Dabs and was sweet to him when he had his knee operation. He sits beside me on the passenger seat of the car now and I chat to him about rubbish on the radio. Before I knew it we had a strong bond. He’d done it, he had my heart
!Welcome home Brandon!
That is extraordinary how close it is to the time your mum’s aunt passed away. I’ve shed a tear hear for some reason, perhaps imaging little snowy missing her best pal in the whole world. I’m sorry for your losses.
Brandon’s leaning over the back of the sofa, to see the table !
Lesson 4, the final: Brandon learned recall. It was fun because he had a special long lead on which meant he decided he could have a good nose around. He peeped around the back area and spotted a puppy. His trainer from week 1 and 2, Laura, was assisting this time and came around and he gave her massive hugs. He climbed his front paws up her arm and swung his tail around while she massaged his back, he loved that. The best bit was he dot rewards for learning "come here". He doesn’t like being touched near his collar, makes him not want his rewards. The kind ladies at DTI sent an info sheet on dog handling to help us out. OHHHH and the best bit was Maddie, she’s a young labradoodle (i think)…well Brandon on his lond lead went around her and she him in a circle and it was all happiness, licks and rewards. I was DELIGHTED!!! The family who gets Brandon will have a smashing dog. He will come with his own training notes and the ladies at DTI said they are happy to be contacted if Brandon’s new family need advice. Thanks!!!
He meant business too, on day 3 he ran to Tibradden mountain, some 8 miles away! The local lady who spotted him checked his collar and called us. She worried farmers shoot dogs in them parts because it’s a sheep area 
. He started scraps with other dogs of all shapes and sizes, including my dog Dabs, who is really a gentle giant 
. He’d go out of his way to avoid the car, even passing it was a big deal.
!
