Team-BHP - Team-BHPians and their Pets

My pet Maggie (10 year old lab) passed away.

Went for a yearly Vaccination from that day he stopped eating food. Done a blood test and result was bad CR was 9 and BUN was 219 doctor say no use and he will die in few days. Then started to search in net found few good links and tried every thing I can do.

1. LYCOPODIUM-30 Kidney failure, Diseases, Dogs India DogSpot.in

2. Canine Kidney Health - Healing Canine Kidney Disease Naturally... - Instructions

Got this but its too late when it reached India. Only started two days before and yesterday he passed away.

Pls do take care of your pets. It’s really painful see your pet dieing .

PJ

i know how you feel.

Lyka, one of the Labrador's we had, was waiting for my dad to let her out for her regular play time in the evening. he told her he'll just be a minute and went inside to send a quick email. when he came back, he saw the Lyka was still. when he went close to her, she didn't move. he knew she had passed away. she had had a heart attack we were told by the vet. she was 15yrs old.

few years earlier, we had lost two seven month old puppies (Bruno and Snoopy) of Lyka to Parvo virus. still brings tears to my eyes whenever i think of the time when i had to hold Snoopy down when they were putting her out of her misery. she gave me that look saying i don't wanna die.. broke my heart.

we've had many dogs at home thus far. Patti was the first (1971). the last two are Labrodor and are with with dad and mum - named after the previous dogs we've had in the family - Bruno (fawn) and Lyka (black). we got them when they were just a week old. now they're almost six years old.

here's a picture of lot :)

Team-BHPians and their Pets-our_pets_sepia.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by IronH4WK (Post 2199808)

i don't wanna die.. broke my heart.

I used to do a lot of dog rescues earlier (invariably got into it as I was the only one who had an open Jeep).

Each time we had to put a dog down - used to happen 80% of the time. The look on their faces is just too intense to describe, as if they know and the eyes are fixated only on one person. The one they believe will not let this happen.

Even though I believe I am a tough guy, I have shed tears a lot many times.

To all those who have lost their pets, my deepest condolences guys...

Quote:

Originally Posted by condor (Post 2199870)

The Mudhol was very independent. May be we didnt train & control him correctly.

As a breed they do not really show a lot of affection. Wagging of a tail, a lick on an outstretched hand and that's it. They will stay a bit aloof. On a large area or field they will come in only for feeding time or nap time. And prefer to be on their own.

My personal observations of having a Mudhol on our field owned by a relative.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pvgeorge (Post 2198349)

I am looking for a guard dog (Dog will have less space to roam in the compound

Go for a the rajapalayam, they are like the Mudhol though dont show too much affection.

Rajapalayam and Mudhol breeds were used extensively for hunting till 70's and that is their actual character also. Later they were tamed to be home guards or individual pets. But still their original character does not disappear totally, they reveal it in many instances. You will come to know when you actually own and grow one.Be very careful in buying Rajapalayam breed as i heard from a latest news that there is group selling normal white colored country dogs as Rajapalayam breed. Rajapalayam breed will have pale pink coloured nose tip which no other dog has. I heared the group selling fake Rajapalayam breeds even paint the white colour country dogs nose tip with pale pink temporarily and sell it.And Yes, Rajapalayam is easy to maintain than a very aggressive Mudhol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aroy (Post 2199189)

Big dogs require a lot of exercise. So be prepared for it.

I am not discouraging you, but a dog is a long term commitment and should not be acquired on a whim. I have seen a lot of impulse
buys, and then once the novelty wears off the dog is terribly neglected.

Please surf the net for proper space, food and exercise schedule. Other points

1. Will the dog be alone the whole day or will there be some one the whole day.
2. Who will look after the dog when you are on a tour/holiday.
3. Are the family members for or against the dog. If they are not keen or against then the dog will suffer as no one will look after it.

4. Normally dogs can get accustomed to vegetarian food, but thrive best on non vegetarian fare.
5. All dogs shed hair, which will mean that not only all the family members will have to accept it, but you will have to groom the dog daily to minimise hair filling up every nook and cranny of your house.

Finally the cost of upkeep
. Food -> 2-4K/month, includes milk, rice, mutton/chicken/fish
. Regular medicine and vaccines -> 2-4K/year
. Extra space for the dog to feel comfortable
. Extra help to look after, may be walk the dog when you are indisposed/absent.

All in all you must be committed to upwards of 60K/year in expenses and at least two hours of exclusive attention/day.

1)
[George] we had a new baby recently and hence there will be some one at home., at least the maid .
2)
[George] Dont think there will be any that lasts more than a day
3)
[George] May parents are against dog upkeep, but they dont stay with me. Wify okay okay types with dog as long as I do al the chores.
In fact I always wanted one from childhood and even spent couple of hunger strikes at home.. One day of hunger strike and proper thrashign from my dad, I m back to normal :)

4)
[George] Pakka Non Veg. No day goes without Nonveg food
5) [George] Not a fan of god hair and hence a GSD is a No no..
6)
[George]
I think 60K seems an exagerated figures. I think my maintenance comes something closeby :)

What I m specifically looking at is any guidance specifically abt Rajapalayam dogs. I looking for either a dob or Rajapalayam. More inclined towards Rajapalayam for the sake of family (they somehow prefer the white colored Rajapalayam to Dob). Very difficult to get details on behavior, what to expect, dog house size... for this hound as nothing much is available in net

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spitfire (Post 2199878)

Go for a the rajapalayam, they are like the Mudhol though dont show too much affection.

wasnt aware of this., actually I need one thats affectionate, but should ward off strangers. (hence no Dalmation)
Not very keen on dog hair in the place (actually wanna make less troubl e to the wify who was like okay okay to have a dog) .. and hence GSD is out.

DOb was a good option I was thinking.. But then again I like themk with the ear cropped (please dont kill me for saying this..) and there is no one in Trivandrum who does it I think > Ineed to go to ernakulam (220 Kms to get it done and that I doubt will happen)

@George, pls read the points in @Spitfire's post #1698 above .. that can give you an indication of how intensely they trust a person ... How much we need to be there for them. (I can understand what he is saying because I know what it feels. Our Dobe died in my arms .. it's something I am not able to get over)

Coming to dogs at home, we need to be there with them, for them - as much as they are loyal to us. If your wife is okay-okay about dogs as long as you do the taking care, then I honestly feel you should not go for the dog .. He will have to be taken out atleast 2 times every day - please make sure your wife will do it without fail, without seeing it as a chore. If it is difficult for her, it will be difficult for the dog also.

The dog is just like a baby -but the baby will understand our language once it grows up & can also tell us what it feels. But not so with the dog.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spitfire (Post 2200175)

And trust me your wife will be looking after the dog 80% of the time

that's true. while dad was away at office and we at school/college, it was mum who used to take care of the doggies. feeding them, taking them out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spitfire (Post 2200175)

Think about the dog as another baby. Both need equal if not similar attention.

+1 to that. we've always considered our pets as family members. they get the same attention any member of the family would get. all the more reason when one of them left us, it was too hard to bear.

Thanks Condor and Spitfire.

I think I will re think abt it giving it some serious thought process. May be look for a maid who is okay with managing dogs while I am in Office.

while the thought itself of not having a dog is too much , I think I need to give a serious rethink (I waited for more than 15 Yrs for a dog)..was waiting for my own house and a kid before looking at raising dog.

Thanks Guys.. lemme take it cool for some time and give a serious after thought.

May be the dog house nearing construction can be used as a dumping area :)