Big Paws Only Dog Forums

Might want to try this idea- get a bunch (like a dozen or more. NO LESS) food bowls, and a big bag of dog food. While your dogs are outside, fill all the bowls and place them all around the house, the more places, the better. Then let the dogs in and stand back. The idea behind this is that there are so many bowls, neither dog can guard all of them, and eventually realizes there is no point to trying.

If she had just had a check up and was perfectly fine a few days before this issue cropped up, she may have been exposed to some nasty virus while at the vet's office for her check up. 

It is also the season for the canine influenza to make the rounds again, but the first symptom of that is coughing that looks like they have something stuck in their throat that they are trying to get out, then goes to a nasty runny nose which continues for a full month, with OR without antibiotic treatment.  If he had been around other dogs within the previous 5-7 days, even if they were not showing any signs of illness at the time, that could be the culprit as well.

See if you can warm the drops up a bit before you use them- carry them in a pocket or something for an hour or so before time to use them.  The cold might be making him very uncomfortable.

How big do they get? how long do they live? and anything else you care to share, please. She is beautiful! I bet she keeps you entertained!

Just wanted to add a few thoughts here... if there are people in your town who own danes (you mentioned you play with them at the dog park) maybe you can prove to them that you would be a good candidate to house sit when they need to go away, and of course house sitting includes all the fun and hassles of babysitting the dane(s).  If the owners work all day, maybe they would hire you to walk and exercise their danes after school? OR, if you have a rescue or humane society nearby, you could start with volunteering there, and maybe your parents would agree to let you foster a dane if one is surrendered.  Then you would gain firsthand experience in what it takes to be a dane mom, and what to expect from a rescue dog when the time is right for you to get your own.

I have to mention that my own daughter, who is a freshman in college this year, is finding it very hard to spend the amount and quality of time with HER rescued dog that she originally spent with him. She now has classes- She lives at home and goes to a community college (because of the dog); has a job, and of course wants to be out doing stuff with friends, going on trips, etc. As it is, we paid for his vet care, cherry eye removal, and foot the bill for all of his food and care, as she would definitely not be able to afford that on her own.  In our case, it is a good thing we love Jesse, because when she transfers to another school after next year, there is no way she is going to be able to take him along if she lives in a dorm, and I seriously doubt she will make enough money on her own to be able to afford to live somewhere else and afford his care while going to school. The biggest issue with Jesse is that he was a seriously abused and neglected rescue, and bonded very hard with Kim, so if she is away overnight, he won't even eat, and paces constantly til she comes home.

Maybe I am spending too much time studying this boy, but it sure seems to me that he is growing, and FAST!  Did anyone else notice that in any pics taken from above his eye level he looks very puppyish (is that a word?) and in ones taken from his eye level or below, he looks very grown up?

So, who wants to see some new Murph pics?  Let me know when you get sick of seeing them!

I can "see" Murph sprawled out on top of all of them! He should fit right in there easily.