Elliott is Home

[Carolyn]

RE: Elliott is Home

Hi Mitch,
sorry to hear about El. I cant understand some of what he went thru with the new owners (the frost bite and them not realizing the female was eating/stealing his food?? WTH?) but I am glad to see he is now getting the care he needs.
I read that you plan on muzzling him at certain times, I just want to mention that he should NEVER be out of your sight while wearing a muzzle. If he should throw up while wearing one (even a basket muzzle) he can easily aspirate, suffocate and/or choke to death. Unfortunately I know someone who did this. She muzzled her bitch and accidently fell asleep (in the middle of the afternoon). She awoke to her bitch dead.
Best of luck,
Carolyn
Divine Acres Great Danes

[alicat613]

RE: Elliot Pictures


It increases the risk in surgery due to opening more blood vessels and more overall shock to the body, and recovery is harder. There may be reasons to do it in some cases. Our vet discussed the option with us, and we chose not to do it (which he agreed with) on both dogs.

Mitch, I'm sure you know I am a huge fan of holistic and more natural care, but this may be Elliot's life at stake here. We have used Elavil (amiltriptaline) with good success for calming anxiety. I hope you don't end up needing it, but wanted to share. It was prescribed for a foster at 3 pills twice a day and we actually did great just using 2 at the times needed.

[moe]

RE: Elliott is Home

Sorry to hear what Elliot went through, and I wish him the best for a good recovery at home with you. It's been a long, difficult situation for all of you, and well, I'm just glad you didn't keep that appt. I hope it can all be worked out. And good health to Elliot!!!

Moe
Reb's Mom

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f5...1resized-1.jpg

[MyDaneBaby]

RE: Elliott is Home

He will only wear it when first meeting new children, once the intial meeting is done and he is not anxious about them being there, there will be no need for it, he's totally fine with kids once he knows them. All kids that come in are told to ignore him and only play with Gus anyway unless he asks for attention.

What I failed to realize or note during both incidents we were outside in the yard, actually the same spot near the back door, me sitting on my swing, him coming to greet them from somewhere in the yard & children coming out of the house into the yard, not sure if this is his only "weird" spot, but he will be tethered or put away when new children are over and IMO a good idea if he's not in the yard when they are out there.

Knock on wood, but he's been a very different dog since he's come home, very calm, I've left him loose when I leave (it's too cold in the garage to even attempt to heat it with a space heater now that I"ve let it get cold while he was gone) and he hasn't trashed my couches and no accidents when I'm gone. I"m afraid to get my hopes up that he might be becoming normal. Though he is acting possessive of the couch when Gus approaches so he may lose his couch privledges, but I'll give that a few days.

Mitch

In Memory of Gabe. What he lacked in body he made up for in heart.
Click here Updated 1/23/06
[http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4288799713]
Chicagoland pet sitting, grooming & dog training
http://www.knowplacepets.com

[gmac]

RE: Elliott is Home

I'm glad to hear Elliott is home! Just a thought on meeting new children - why not introduce him outside, in the front of the house and away from what he normally would consider "his" area? Surely more work for you to put him on lead and ask him to sit nicely and tell children how to approach him, and then walk to the house, would work better. Once inside you could monitor or confine him to another space, but the situation you described with kids coming out of the house into "his" yard area, with you there and sitting down sheds a whole new light on why he reacted badly.

[Devil Dog]

RE: Elliott is Home

http://xceldanes.com/Flagdee.JPG


Maybe Elliott needed this little time away from you.. to realize how good he had it at your house :P

Here's hoping everything works out.

Dee

[MyDaneBaby]

RE: Elliott is Home

Oddly enough he's not bad with them in the house, or entering, heck half the time he & Gus don't even get up, I tether him or keep him within arms reach when children arrive due to his being unpredictable & IMO children moving too fast/weirdly, but he's never done his lunging thing or seems as concerned as I am. Once kids come in & meet he's fairly calm about them, they could jump over him he wouldn't lift his head. I've seen a few kids that I've noted an odd interest in (same children each time) & when those are around he's put away until they leave. The only common factor in them seems to be girls entering puberty, just starting to develop (they make me edgy too....LOL).


Mitch

In Memory of Gabe. What he lacked in body he made up for in heart.
Click here Updated 1/23/06
[http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4288799713]
Chicagoland pet sitting, grooming & dog training
http://www.knowplacepets.com

[Devil Dog]

RE: Elliott is Home

http://xceldanes.com/Flagdee.JPG


Dogs "sense" things that we can't.

I remember years ago a gal had an elderly Irish Setter and was looking for another breed for her new dog. She was leaning toward Rotts {way before they became popular} and I had her bring her kids over to meet my Danes.

She had an Autistic {sp?} boy and I had to put my girls away because they just didn't like him. My "Rowdy" dog enjoyed this kid..even tho he kept bouncing his Rubic cube on and off his head.

She was sold on the breed..and went on in later years to become a top breeder of Danes.



Dee