Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: Fred Arnold on September 23, 2015, 05:56:11 pm

Title: 5 hr round trip to bring home a new friend
Post by: Fred Arnold on September 23, 2015, 05:56:11 pm
This old dog found an old dog for a companion today. ;D Now I'm contemplating his sleeping arrangements. What do you guys think, indoor/outdoor?

He sure is a friendly old cuss.
Title: Re: 5 hr round trip to bring home a new friend
Post by: JoJoDapyro on September 23, 2015, 06:06:44 pm
I would keep him as close to me as possible. Looks like my Pete.
Title: Re: 5 hr round trip to bring home a new friend
Post by: le0n on September 23, 2015, 06:34:06 pm
^^ cool looking dog.

i just picked up a dog bed from homedepot the other day. ~22 bucks (+ tax) and it's big enough for my dane.

also; indoors :)
Title: Re: 5 hr round trip to bring home a new friend
Post by: Pat B on September 23, 2015, 06:52:15 pm
We have beds inside and outside and generally leave it up to the dog. In cold weather they stay inside.  But, once the door is closed for the night they stay in or out.
 I have a feeling he is gonna stick to you like glue so it is gonna be his decision, probably.
 None of our animals sleep on the bed, couch or a chair. They have their beds and either that or the floor.
 He's a handsome boy and he'll be your bestest friend forever.  8)
Title: Re: 5 hr round trip to bring home a new friend
Post by: DC on September 23, 2015, 06:54:32 pm
Looks pretty comfortable where he is :D Nice looking dog. How old is old?
Title: Re: 5 hr round trip to bring home a new friend
Post by: JoJoDapyro on September 23, 2015, 06:57:06 pm
I made the mistake of allowing my Lab to sleep in my bed.  ??? 120# dog takes up some room. My pup sleeps in his bed. it works out better that way. It is a fight with my wife to keep it that way.
Title: Re: 5 hr round trip to bring home a new friend
Post by: Fred Arnold on September 23, 2015, 07:49:22 pm
I was told that the vet that checked him out said he had the teeth of a 4 yr old but I'm assuming he's way off. His beard and eyelashes are grayer than mine. He may not be full Golden either. Seems light in the haunches although his head and shoulders have lab character. I'm estimating around 65#.

He's already taken up a good spot on the rug in front of the couch. Looks like he belongs there. Never argue with success.
Title: Re: 5 hr round trip to bring home a new friend
Post by: DC on September 23, 2015, 08:09:13 pm
Looks like he's having a real hard time of it ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: 5 hr round trip to bring home a new friend
Post by: JW_Halverson on September 23, 2015, 08:24:13 pm
Never worried about being someone's first love, better to be their last.

Thanks.
Title: Re: 5 hr round trip to bring home a new friend
Post by: Zuma on September 23, 2015, 08:49:48 pm
He looks like a sturdy lad.
He will make an excellent companion. O:)
Zuma
Title: Re: 5 hr round trip to bring home a new friend
Post by: mullet on September 23, 2015, 09:03:50 pm
That's what I was thinking, Don. That is a fine looking dog. And he looks like a Yellow Lab to me. I used to work with a guy that had one it was one of the finest Retrievers I've seen.
Title: Re: 5 hr round trip to bring home a new friend
Post by: Adam on September 23, 2015, 09:26:20 pm
Ha ha! It looks like he answered the inside/outside question!  He looks like a good friend.
Title: Re: 5 hr round trip to bring home a new friend
Post by: Pappy on September 24, 2015, 06:20:13 am
Beautiful dog. :)
  Pappy
Title: Re: 5 hr round trip to bring home a new friend
Post by: JoJoDapyro on September 24, 2015, 10:16:38 am
My Lab was very light. My Black lab has had a grey beard since I got her about 8 years ago. I thought she was around 10 then. She is still crazy like a puppy. Nothing beats a good dog.
Title: Re: 5 hr round trip to bring home a new friend
Post by: Parnell on September 25, 2015, 11:40:11 am
It is always a pleasure to see people taking in an "older" dog.  Good for you.
Title: Re: 5 hr round trip to bring home a new friend
Post by: Fred Arnold on September 26, 2015, 07:24:33 pm
Update: Friday, just after my lunch,

Two days later I hear a commotion out in the shop and proceed to investigate.

My new best friend is having a seizure.

I'm not completely taken aback but neither am I prepared. I've never experienced this before. Well not with a dog anyway. Common sense prevailed plus a whole hell of a lot of luck. I coaxed him outside about 30 ft away and tried to calm him. 

He looked at me like he was trying to say " i"m sorry, didn't mean for you to see me like this.

I took him to the vet and so far everything looks good. I'll keep a close eye and change his diet to home made.

If you have any suggestions, I could use your help.
Title: Re: 5 hr round trip to bring home a new friend
Post by: JW_Halverson on September 26, 2015, 09:34:29 pm
I had an epileptic dog when I was a kid.  We gave him daily doses of the same drug used in humans to control seizures.  From the sounds of yours, they are grand mal seizures like my Charlie had.  It will wipe him out for a good 12 hours afterwards and they always seem to feel "ashamed" of what has happened. 

The medication may work well for him.  Sometimes you will have to increase the dosage incrementally  as the dog ages and the dog builds resistance.  With your guy being older, he may pass long before the drug loses effect.  Let's hope. 

The seizures, to you, seem to last forever.  But if you are there when he comes out and are holding him, it may help him adjust.  Good luck. 
Title: Re: 5 hr round trip to bring home a new friend
Post by: stickbender on September 26, 2015, 10:41:10 pm

     When was the last shot he had?  The @%$#!! pharmaceutical companies are putting aluminum in the medicine that is injected!  It is as bad or worse as mercury, which I believe they are still using.  You can get shots, that don't have that crap in it.  Ask your vet.  Also ask if dogs can take Coconut oil.  If you can, start giving him the organic coconut oil, that is cold pressed, not boiled.  They are finding out, more, and more benefits of coconut oil.  One is the aid in healing brain tissue, and nerve problems.  It is also good for Alzheimer patients, as it slows the progress of the disease, and in some patients, can actually reverse the effects.  It is worth a try.  He is a fine looking fellow, I think he is worth the effort.  I also see that he answered your question, of inside, or outside.  With the seizure incident, I would definitely say inside.  Good for you, adopting an older animal.

                             Wayne
Title: Re: 5 hr round trip to bring home a new friend
Post by: le0n on September 27, 2015, 01:45:24 am
Are there toads in your area this time of year? We had one of our dogs drop into a few seizures when he caught and carried a toad in his mouth for a few seconds.
Title: Re: 5 hr round trip to bring home a new friend
Post by: Ranasp on September 27, 2015, 02:08:15 am
Hope your vet helps you find a solution to manage the seizures.  Be careful after any major ones, some dogs become addled for a short while after and can bite out of reflex. 
Title: Re: 5 hr round trip to bring home a new friend
Post by: le0n on September 27, 2015, 02:43:24 am
Good points, Wayne.

Is he taking or was he given any medicine at all prior to you bringing him back?
Title: Re: 5 hr round trip to bring home a new friend
Post by: chamookman on September 27, 2015, 05:02:27 am
A Friend had Two English Pointers, both had problems with seizures, both were prescribed Phenebarbatal (SP). Tough to deal with for sure - plus the drugs are VERY expensive. It got so bad on one of them, it was at least one a Day, sometimes more - this one finally passed. A good Friend of Mine is a Vet, He believes that a lot of the seizure problems stem from intense breeding practices. Bob
Title: Re: 5 hr round trip to bring home a new friend
Post by: Fred Arnold on September 27, 2015, 11:24:50 am
I have no prior history on him. Hopefully it was and easily could have been a toad as there are a lot of them out here between the creek beds.

If it was a toad hopefully he learned a lesson. No further signs of trouble since that episode. I'll be keeping a close watch on him however.
Title: Re: 5 hr round trip to bring home a new friend
Post by: neuse on September 28, 2015, 07:08:49 am
My dog had a seizure last year at the deer camp.

Turns out she gets so busy playing and hunting she forgets to eat and her blood sugar got out of balance.
Very scary for both of us.
Title: Re: 5 hr round trip to bring home a new friend
Post by: Fred Arnold on September 28, 2015, 01:04:13 pm
He had another last night. It lasted just over 5 minutes start to finish. I could almost tell that it was coming on as he came up to me acting nervous and disoriented but still had motor skills. I led him out to the fresh air on the open patio and just tried to make him comfortable. Glanced at the clock as I was heading out. Took him about 3 more minutes to get to his feet after the episode was over.

This episode lasted about half the time of the first one. He may have had others at night that don't register with me.

I'm going to introduce  home cooked food with supplements and get away from dry food. Actually started that yesterday. He likes the home cooked and raw food better.
Title: Re: 5 hr round trip to bring home a new friend
Post by: stickbender on September 29, 2015, 12:56:06 am

     Yeah, you are on the right track with home cooked meals.  If you knew what actually went into pet food, you would never buy it again, if you cared for your pet.
The crude protein, is ground chicken feathers!  And the other stuff is just nasty.

                                    Wayne