Big Paws Only Dog Forums

Taking it easy is the best way.  I'm sooo glad they are getting along well!  Hopefully they'll work some of the wiggles out of each other and slow down a bit in their destruction!  LOL!  Meanwhile, batton down the hatches and hang on for the ride!

They both look great!!!!  After all you've been through with Bubba I'm sure that is a huge relief to have some weight hanging onto him.  I LOVE how they are sleeping together like that!  It looks like they are getting along famously too which is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

Did it turn out that he is deaf?  Some of that skittishness might be due to being unable to process new things as quickly as a hearing dog.  Your gentle touch with lots of treats will have to substitute for a calming voice. I'm so glad you have him!  I hope he settles in well and you can get him feeling a bit better soon!

That's awesome!!! Can't wait to see how everything turns out!

I don't mean to sound nuts. I guess I just get sensitive about the money issue. When you said that its unfair if we expect him to pay for the dog. I don't see that as unfair at all. If I were to work full-time outside the home, a LOT of the things that I do now wouldn't be done.

I kind of knew I was stepping on scary ground with that post, but felt I needed to play devil's advocate to speak from the view of the side that really doesn't get represented here very much.  I didn't say or mean that it was unfair about a man paying for our dogs.  I just said that their concerns really needed to be considered.  Dogs can be very expensive and the total household budget needs to be considered and addressed before proceeding with a dog.  I used to work full time in a job that had a much greater earning potential then my husband and now I'm home full time.  I really do understand that this area can be difficult.  I do think though that we need to be careful to consider their concerns and at least talk it through.  A dog NEEDS to be fed and vetted no matter what.  They are not like other hobbies where if you're tight on funds you just don't make a new equipment purchase.  It is no different than having kids IMO.  It is vitally important that both parties be in agreement.  Just my opinion though so anyone is welcome to ignore me   I really am sorry to be the heavy here.  I know the opinion is not popular but it really did seem to need discussing.  If nothing else, then maybe we need to be extra careful to save up for any medical problems that might arise with our dogs so that they don't become a burden on the rest of the family.  Stuff a few $ away here and there in case something happens.  Just a few more thoughts that everyone is welcome to ignore

I do aree that marriage is partnership and there ought to be constant give and take, coming to agreement rather than one person bulldozing their way all the time.  I really think Julie's posts on that were awesome.  The HUGE difference between pets and other hobbies is that it is a living thing.  Same with kids.  Having a dog and having a kid MUST be something you both agree on or the animal/child will suffer. 

Ack!  This topic is changing too fast for me!  I thought there was another post and that is gone now, and now there's another post by Randy.  I think I'll go eat lunch and shut up for a while.

Wow!  That's certainly a load.  I confess up front that this might not be an easy post so... 

In some respects, I have no clue.  My DH LOVES dogs and would have 50 if we could.  That said, he does not understand my love for Pyrs.  He was much more attached to Katie than he is to Carter, though he's getting a little better about that.  I think a lot of it for him is that he's afraid to get close to Carter.  We lost our first Pyr to aggression issues, the second to autoimmune problems.  I think he is afraid to get attached and then have something happen.  He is, however, supportive of me and will let me have any dog I want, even if it isn't his choice. 

That said, I'm careful not to abuse that.  If I have problems with my choice (like Katie) he has to suffer the consequences of my choice as well.  This really is a tough line to walk.  If you are willing to take all the responsibility (and I mean all of it - financial, cleaning up poop and barf, keeping the dog in line, trainin, etc) then I can't see how he should really complain.  I think though that when they are expected to pay for the food and vet bills, clean up after the dog, have a misbehaving dog in their lap when they are trying to relax, stay home from a vacation if a dog is sick, etc, then it really has a HUGE impact on their life and IMO they do have a HUGE say both in whether a dog is allowed in the home and what dog it is.  I may be reading too much between the lines in more than one post but I think I'm seeing more than one husband who clearly didn't want a dog yet they are expected to put up with and/or even work to support (both at a job and in the home) a dog they never wanted. 

The other option is to separate and not have to answer to anyone, but I'm not sure that will solve any problems.  Now you've got reduced income, more work in the house (maybe) and less time to devote to a dog.  I don't think you should "never" have another dog.  I think I'd just be really careful that DH is on board before trying again.  Maybe go with an older dog that is already pretty well trained, let him pick the dog and the breed or whatever it takes to make sure he's more on board and his concerns are addressed.  I really hope you can come to terms with something to help make it work all around!  Sorry if I sounded harsh, but there were a few issues jumping out between the lines in more than one post.

Are only way to get fumble to look at the camera is to ask him if he "wants to go" or if he "wants to take a ride" or something.. it gets his attention.. his favorite words, GO and Ride! Hehehehe

Bwahahaa!!!! What a dog!  He's lucky to have proud grandparents willing to puppy sit   Have a great weekend!  The pics are very cute!