Further Adventures of My Avatar

Captain Hate · November-16th-2005, 09:37 PM

When Mrs Hate took Rufus to the vets, he discovered (by almost getting bit also) that he had extremely painful arthritis in his hips. He also had an ear infection in both ears (not uncommon to Old Englishes) and some teeth in the back that are in bad shape. The teeth will be dealt with later but he's taking a battery of pills for the arthritis and it has been the magic elixir. He is moving around a lot better now and his demeanor has improved quite a bit. Assuming he doesn't take another chunk outta me, he should last at least a couple more years.

GoodSpeak · November-16th-2005, 09:43 PM

Glad your dog is a little better Hate.

I am a pet owner, too.....and I sincerely emphasize with you and your obviously emotional dealings with your dog.

You're a good person to care so much for your pet.

Jesse · November-16th-2005, 09:55 PM

Hurrah for Rufus!

GoodSpeak · November-16th-2005, 10:07 PM

Hoo-rah, indeed!

Captain Hate · November-16th-2005, 10:47 PM

Thanks guys; we found Rufus at the pound. Not the APL one but the one that the dog wardens and police bring strays. Most of the rest were pit/rot/german shepard amalgamations that were brought in on those crowbar type "leashes" and I'm sure were ultimately capped. There was this goofy sheepdog in a cage; I'm like WTF is he doing here. So we took him after they nutted him.

Picking up pound dogs is always a crap shoot; you're always wondering why somebody dumped him or whatever. For two people that work and don't have time to housetrain a pup, these guys are outstanding if they work out.

The Rufe man will prolly be the only sheepdog I ever have. They're pretty quirky and a maintenance nightmare. What is really funny is when he runs with other dogs in the park; he's always trying to herd any outliers back to the rest of the pack. I'm sure it's bred in the bone because he considers it his raison d'etre. I'm glad we saved him.

GoodSpeak · November-16th-2005, 10:55 PM

Go easy, my friend.

moneyp · November-17th-2005, 09:21 AM

Can we use this thread for all of our avatars? Have I got some stories for you guys.

(Glad your dog's feeling better, Cap'n.)

Brian Olewnick · November-17th-2005, 09:29 AM

Is he taking Rimadyl, Steve? We were given that for Nanook who also has rear leg arthritis but a second vet (one I trust) said that it can cause some liver damage if taken too long. She said that on her own dogs, she's used it sparingly, only when the dog actually shows signs of pain. Hard, of course, to wait to see (or hear!) that, but might be the best thing to do in the long run.

(Of course, Nanook has already been established as the Second Coming, so rules might be different for her)

Steve Reynolds · November-17th-2005, 09:30 AM

me - I'm awaiting a musical comeback from the man himself - one day - he's only 65 or so - I still have hopes and dreams that the great man will sing for us at least one more time

Grow Fins, baby

Doc Martin · November-17th-2005, 09:59 AM

I’m glad to hear that Rufus is getting better, Captain. Normally when you hear about Old English Sheep Dogs and hips, Hip Dysplasia is the culprit, which is a lot worse that arthritis. Keep an eye on Rufus’ weight. If I can answer any questions and or concerns, please don’t hesitate to PM me.

Doc

Captain Hate · November-17th-2005, 06:34 PM

Thanks for all the good wishes. Doc, the vet was pretty adament that it wasn't hip dysplasia and he has responded very quickly to the pills; of course this is the same animal hospital (but not the same vet) that in the past said there was nothing wrong with him when Mrs Hate told 'em that every time he sat down he did the hokey-pokey (here's where I need an emoticon with a dagger going through a smiley face). His weight had actually gone down a bit and figures to be going down even more since he's up to longer and brisker walks now. I think the big boy is in the upper range of sheepdog sizes; I've had a number of people say that he's the largest they've seen.

Ollie, without looking at the pills I think that's it because the vet did warn about possible liver damage. We figured that we'd take our chances because I think he's now in the upper range of their life expectancy, since we've had him over 5 years and I'd guess he was at least 2 and maybe 4 when we got him. He was in so much pain that life was not all that good for him and at times even worse for me.

November-17th-2005, 06:39 PM

You should get him a dog toy to play with,
like a Dean Smith doll he can shred.

Captain Hate · November-17th-2005, 06:43 PM

That goes to the top of the Christmas list. I hope Tanager takes note.

jesus marion joseph · November-18th-2005, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by achilles

You should get him a dog toy to play with,
like a Dean Smith doll he can shred.

How about a nice, bald, Lefty Dreisell doll?

Gordon B · November-18th-2005, 08:04 AM

Go Rufus!

I"m disappointed that nobody said anything about my avatar.

And what becomes of you my love,
When they have finally stripped you of,
The handbags and the gladrags,
That your Grandad had to sweat so you could buy.

November-18th-2005, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesus marion joseph

How about a nice, bald, Lefty Dreisell doll?

Nah. The beauty of a Dean Smith doll is that he's already doll size.

jazzy mary · November-18th-2005, 10:18 AM

Rufus is such a cute dog, Hate. Good luck to him & you.

The idea of talking about our avatars here is a good one. I change mine pretty often, as you all have probably noticed. The one I have currently is one that Dennis Gonzalez made up for me. I like it becaue he did it for me--even though I have to say I don't look exactly like the woman in the avatar. I don't have blond hair. I usually put it up when I want Dennis to feel better or if we've had some fuss or fight and I'm trying to make up to him.

Enforcer · November-18th-2005, 10:25 AM

Glad to hear Rufus is doing well, Cap. Dogs are where it's at, man. I love my little motherf**ker. She's my sunshine, baby.

bruce massey · November-19th-2005, 04:19 AM

We do rescues.

Gotta English Mastiff, Borzoi, some kinda hound and HAD a little Lhasa Aphso mix.

Worst day I've had in a while......

Morning, three big dogs eating, asked the wife about little Molly..."I let her out"

Where?

Out Front..

Dammit Nance she's gonna get picked up..so I go out front call for her and start my car..no Molly..go around to put my stuff in the passenger side and find her dead in the grass.

Little girl was only about 6.

Nance freaks and I want to bury her before my girls get home. Go to work for an abbreviated day and within a half an hour get a wife call...my eldest has been busted for booze in school....

FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Second incident in 5 weeks!

Ah the teenage years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!