Merlin

Fair enough - I withdraw it...... but I know what I know.  I'm glad it works for lots of other dogs.  Think I'll shut up now - been harangued enough on here recently!

I know that Polly and I seem to banging on about the vet etc., but experience has taught me and I am simply wanting to pass on information to avoid your puppy falling foul of what happened to us.  Our poor lass had a troubled tummy for 18months because of the Giardia and she never grew properly either!  Some years ago when I was rearing an Irish Wolfhound from a puppy and who later lived a strong and happy life till he was 10 (very good life span for a Wolfhound)  I was given very sound advice by the breeder and vet on how you feed them in the first two years.  Big dogs need careful attention when they are growing and what you eventually make of them all starts there.  Your puppy is building a big frame and is naturally ebullient because he's a baby but that doesn't mean he's tip top....... his poos are telling you that something is wrong.  I hope you sort it out happily. Post edited  by mod to keep it within the code of conduct

My goodness how cute is he!!!  Re the vet - frankly if he's still got the runs then YES he still needs to go to the vet AND be sure and take a sample of the poos with you!  He's still tiny and no matter how bright he seems...... you never know and why would you want to risk him having something untoward?  One of my youngsters used to get the trots at his age and she was on Royale Canine puppy food (she's a GSH cross) and was full of beans so we didn't worry too much - but it just never really got better... some days ok then off again.  It doesn't do them good when they're growing.  So we took her to the vet and he took samples and it turned out she had Giardia (possibly drinking contaminated/stagnant rain water) and she had to have some pretty strong antibiotics.  We also had to change her food - RC puppy was not the best thing it turned out!  Just relating what happened to us - but naturally it's up to you.

I have someone interested in your dog - can you email me asap please.

Yes!  Five days is far too long for him to be this way.  Stop his food for 24 hours to give the gut chance to recover and keep him hydrated to replace the electrolytes he is losing all the time he has the trots - very important.  These are special salts you can get from the chemist for all people with chronic diarrhea and it's ok to give to dogs if you are stuck till you can get him to a vet - put it in his water, it tastes nice so he should drink it.  Only introduce plain white rice as food in small portions once his gut has rested again until you get him to a vet if the week-end prevents you.  But he's a puppy so he will become quite ill fast if there is a real problem that needs proper medication - Smecta has it's place but it might not be the best thing right now and certainly you must stop the food intake - again because he's a puppy you need to take advice on this quickly.  Most vets have emergency numbers you can call on week-ends.

Jackie - I have asked the lady for some pictures and she's going to get some done.  She's a very pretty medium sized dog, bit of a Collie and the little boy looks like he's got Beauceron in him. 

It's all true, what Chrissie does works!  I have several rescues from Spa's and even though they are not puppies they have been used to pooping anywhere and not house trained poor things.  But it's amazing how quickly they learn with the right encouragement, lots of patience and diligence and praise for getting it right and also asking to go out when the door is not open - i.e. going and standing by the door.  Accidents still happen with mine especially if I'm busy and don;t notice them standing at the door for some reason, but it's rare and I NEVER scold them because it's not deliberate.  It helps to keep letting them out regularly during rainy days or winter time - they all pop out for a 'do' and come scurrying back in!  If you work then you need they empty 'both chambers' properly just before you leave them!

Fun to see a bit of good banter.......!

Vet has seen these two - no chip or tattoo, no surprise there then, and he says the poor mum is in very bad shape.  The pup is coping but is probably the last of the litter to survive!  The lady who has taken them in and keeping them in her garden, is leaving for New Zeland in a couple of weeks and so this is really a desperate situation for this loor little dog and her pup as the vet admits she will not survive being put into a refuge and she will lose her pup also.  PLEASE - a foster home for a few weeks at least till we can sort something out for her once people start to come back from the holidays... please?

I have sent your post to someone I know who is looking for a cocker spaniel as a companion to her other one - just on the off chance that this chap will need a good home.

At the moment they are being looked after by an English pet sitter but they are about to be moved into kennels during the next two weeks and then nobody really knows what will happen to them!  The pet sitter has already cancelled a couple of sits to stay with them as long as possible to try and see if she can home them but she has already done more than her share and can't let any more people down and she is booked solid till the winter.  They are going to be very stressed and desperately confused - they are still reeling from losing their master who died recently and cling to anyone who gives them time and affection.  It's heartbreaking it really is.

They arrived in my garden, starving and thirsty. They are so gentle. The mother is a sort of collie cross, she is in thin and in neglected condition. The puppy is about 8 weeks and devoted to his mother. I am feeding them for the moment but won't be here for much longer. Do not want to send them to the SPS... Can anybody help? I am in the region of Castera Verduzan, Gers. I have asked this lady if she can send me some pictures and check with a vet that there is no chip or tattoo - her posting on AI will get booted off very shortly because there is no number.  I have spoken to a lady who has seen them and she tells me they are just lovely and so very very gentle and kind.  They don't have a lot of time people!

Yes they are the same ones.

These two are now about to be pushed from pillar to post and their 'carer' (only for the next two weeks) is beside herself to try to get them some help.  Their future is looking extremely bleak and short lived!!  The boy takes his Larry the Lamb to his basket and cuddles it and whimpers as if he knows there is trouble ahead......... it's SO sad!

Well I was shocked to learn that the UK breeder has advised they be put down!  She is unwilling to help clearly and having scanned the rescue sites today, I discover there are LOADS of Rotties!  I am really depressed this evening as I have had five emails since nine o'clock with sad tales of dogs needing urgent help - the last one of a starving dog with her eight week old puppy in tow practically collapsing on this lady's doorstep......... she's feeding them but is leaving for New Zealand in three weeks time and if she takes them to the local Spa they have already said they will destroy them.  She doesn't know what to do and neither do I.......  She's down in the Gers (Condom) if there happens to be anyone reading this tonight who might have the heart to help.

Yes I understand that Jouals and the more I look at rescue sites for people the more Rotties I see needing homes.......... it's scary and very sad.  Incidentally, I need to adjust my post above, I said the both were neutered and actually I was wrong - the boy is still entire but his sister has been done!  I think they are going to struggle with these dogs which is such a big shame as they are truly wonderful natured dogs and would make the right someone delightful companions.

Thank you Russethouse.  Yoda is an eight hour drive away from these people who contacted me which is a shame as they think he's lovely. Think it's time to close this thread down now don't you Russethouse as it's no longer relevant and  I for one am a bit weary with it!

I have sent the link to these people and would appreciate a contact number for Elizabeth to assist them if they want to follow it up please.  Thank you.

Well I'm sorry to have been such a nuisance!  In my defence, yesterday was a nightmare day and I was stretched to the limits.  My day starts at 05.30 and ends around midnight if I'm lucky and then some as I never get a full night's sleep - so I kind of know what it's like to be rushed off my feet and have no time to spare!  I care for my invalid handicapped brother in law and eight rescue dogs and my broadband was dipping in and out because of thunder storms and........... I could go on but it would be whinging and what's the point.  I'm not good at downloading photos it's true but then when my husband had a go recently (and he's plenty computer literate) it didn't work and I know I'm not alone in struggling to get pics to work on here - It IS very hit and miss and pics are so important for people to see.  However, rest assured I will not ask again.  Thank you for clarifying the thread on this little dog - I finally got to read it all at 03.00 this morning - I also need to take some French lessons..... when I get the time.

Christine - can you simplify this for me to forward on to the people who are looking - sorry to be a pain!  Where he is, the photo, small summary.......thank you!

Christine - I have someone looking to adopt either a Pug or a French Bullterrier - also someone looking for a Whippet or Whippet X (small more whippet than other) and also a Border Collie Cross Tri colour with different colour eyes.   All youngsters would be good.

Two very special dogs are going to need a home shortly due to tragic family circumstances.  They are presently in the Gers on a large estate of land.  They are brother and sister, 3 years old, English pedigree, fully vaccinated, neutered and have up to date UK passports.  For reasons which will become apparant these dogs will not be allowed to go to an inexperienced home and anyone who feels they can give them a good home that will suit their needs will be carefully vetted to make sure the dogs will be part of the family and given the time, space and environment they need.  They are stunning Rottweilers who have been brought up as family pets and are very soft and cuddly - NOT for guard dogs or trophy/status dogs, or the hard image!  They need to stay together because the male is mothered by the female and would not do well on his own.  If you feel you might be interested, please email me and I can supply further information and pictures.  The owner will not give up till she finds the right home but her health is not good and has been made worse by recent family events - this IS NOT a case of someone off-loading her dogs and she is looking to re-home them as a last resort and whilst they are still young to give them what she thinks is a better chance. She is also in contact with the breeder back in the UK. 

Update on Remus, as he is now called -  Peter called to say he's settling well now and eating better and his coat is also getting better by the day!  He's there to stay I think and I'm very glad.

As a PS to the above - Peter also told me that the vet nurse at the SPA told him to roll up a magazine and smack the dog if it snapped at him again!  Peter was rightly appalled and walked out at that point!  A tiny wee thing like that........ swipe him with a magazine in his state?   A gentle tap on the nose with a quick 'no' might be kinder and is all that I have ever needed to do with an initially errant little rescue.

Well a little update.  Peter and his wife went back to the Spa yesterday (left the dog in the car so as not to scare him) and tackled the veterinary nurse there about him as he also has a bad limp.  It turns out that the poor little mite arrived with such matted fur that they had to muzzle him and set about him with the clippers and he cried and screamed all through it!  Also he has a busted knee joint from anold injury which means he has a bit of arthritis possible and oftten carries the back leg off the ground.  The former explains why he snapped when Peter tried to groom his still somewhat tangled hair that is now coming out in clumps (they made a terrible hash of clipping it seems) and also why he is generally a bit grumpy as he's sore!  Happily, when I spoke to Peter last night, he and his wife are now much more relaxed about the dog because they now understand better why he's a little nervous of them and they are going to take things easy and gently with him because he's so good in every other way.  Phew!  I am so very glad.  Just shows you have to make so many allowances for these little creatures and I am so glad they went back to the Spa to have a strong word with the staff there, which I think they were quite right to do - maybe they will be more diligent about explaining the background in future and save other dogs being taken back unnecessarily when a bit of understanding and patience is all that is needed.  Some humans make me seethe!