Comments on: Bruno was afraid of flies

By: Sylvie

Sylvie — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:59:09 +0000

Darcie, I am filled with sadness *and* rage at this post! if ppl took care of their children in the manner they took care ( or didn’t!) of their dogs, there would be a lot of children in foster care! I know- it is- a lot of the time- ignorance. But how did we get this way?? Another living creature, and they don’t deserve the same love and respect as your child when You brought him/her home? Especially if *you* chose to bring them home??? There is soooooo much education needed for the ‘general public’ it is almost overwhelming!! But I have to say, Darcie, you are doing one wonderful job!!! I only wish you comments and experiences would be read on a daily basis by a national news anchor!! Here this! This is how NOT to treat man’s most loyal and loving companion!!
Kee up the good work!

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:20:36 +0000

Darcie, I love your insight. I have a pruebred GSD that had been abandoned twice. He had issues we worked out with love & positve training. He is a TDI, scored a 9.5 out of 10 on SAR prelim & is going to do some community education to “enlighten” people as to how a dog should be treated.He is the best.Beautiful beyoud words he is 90 pounds of pure intelligence, loyality, & love.Keep up the good work! Susan
PS Onyx is on a grainfree diet. He has some “snownose”.Do you think the RAW diet brought the color back to Bruno’s nose or did you use supplements? Susan

(Dear Susan, Yes, a raw diet absolutely brought the black back to Bruno’s nose. We didn’t use any supplements at all until his last year or so and then it was for joint health. That’s when his poor old hips starting giving him pain. Poor little dude, all 65 pounds of him, he spent his first three years on a terrible bagged food made with corn (read Is Your Dog a Corn Dog here at The Dish) and didn’t get any exercise. The people who had him didn’t know anything about dogs. He got to play with one dog in the three years they had him. When he wouldn’t come into the house after playing with that dog, they decided they didn’t want Bruno any more. Bruno was one of the best dogs I’ve ever known. He was a treasure, a dear heart and I miss his sweet self. A good raw diet rarely needs to be supplemented, only if the dog has special needs. Thanks. Darcie)

By: Ginny

Ginny — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:25:55 +0000

If a person did that shock collar business to a human child, they would be changed to cruelity and probably loose custodity the child. Why treat a dog any different than a child?!!
I wonder what percent are men that use shock collars?!!

By: C Crowley

C Crowley — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:12:33 +0000

We once had a Golden/Lab mix who was this way about brooms. The first time he saw me pick it up, it was like you describe Bruno’s reaction: the poor dog could not get away fast enough. I eventually was able to get him to a point where he was able to play a game involving ‘getting’ the broom. That poor dog also had had some kind of bad experience connected w/being fed. He would be all excited & eager until the food was placed on the floor, then he would suddenly empty his bladder & run away. We ended up feeding him out on our deck until the peeing stopped. He was a great dog, very sensitive, affectionate & happy. I can’t imagine what went on in his early life (he came to us at app. 12-15 months old).
Re Dancer’s reaction to Bruno: do you think she might have recognized he was the same breed? We had an Aussie whose reaction to two puppies of other breeds we brought home (at different times) was one of disgust. Then we got another Aussie, & her reaction was more like “Finally! You brought home a REAL dog!!”
I enjoy your posts; keep up the good work! C

(Dear C, If I had to guess about Dancer’s acceptance, I’d have to say it was more that she connected with his spirit immediately. She loved Kari, our Golden, better than any other dog. And she loved Tilli, too, who is also a Belgian. I think it was more the energy another dog brought with them that could turn her off. If she had plenty of space to move away from excited energy, she was pretty good with all dogs. Thanks, Darcie)