Stella's Social Club

[Hangtown Farms]

just a few pics of my Black Penedesenca and Crele olive Egger. ones in the snow from today. I still have a bunch from christmas eve

 

[drumstick diva]

I should mention the 27 dogs- were all kennel dogs with swinging doors inside each stall, so they went outside to their runs to poo and whatever. I would lock them it at night.

The shedding not so bad, each fully coated dog was bathed, hand dried (not a cage dryer) and brushed out Every week. that got most loose hairs off of them. Puppies didn't have enough coat to bother with but, got first(face clip) at 10 days old to access their heads (important in cockers) and also to get them used to clippers, etc.

None of them were difficult to groom or bathe or clean ears, or cut nails - but, if I accidentally cut too far - I would just about faint. The dogs were forgiving and I used quik-stop.

I think with most breeds if you start out grooming when very young, they will be easy to work out throughout their lives. But then people buy them neglect coats, ears, nails, anal glands and when the dog is a total tumbleweed of mats - off to the groomer for the once a year, strip job. Generally they are cut down because they won't tolerate any brushing, combing etc.

I really miss my children (4 legged).

 

[mlm Mike]

I should mention the 27 dogs- were all kennel dogs with swinging doors inside each stall, so they went outside to their runs to poo and whatever. I would lock them it at night.

The shedding not so bad, each fully coated dog was bathed, hand dried (not a cage dryer) and brushed out Every week. that got most loose hairs off of them. Puppies didn't have enough coat to bother with but, got first(face clip) at 10 days old to access their heads (important in cockers) and also to get them used to clippers, etc.

None of them were difficult to groom or bathe or clean ears, or cut nails - but, if I accidentally cut too far - I would just about faint. The dogs were forgiving and I used quik-stop.

I think with most breeds if you start out grooming when very young, they will be easy to work out throughout their lives. But then people buy them neglect coats, ears, nails, anal glands and when the dog is a total tumbleweed of mats - off to the groomer for the once a year, strip job. Generally they are cut down because they won't tolerate any brushing, combing etc.

I really miss my children (4 legged).

I can only imagine how difficult it would be to be without a dog.
Diva, I'm certain you were the most wonderful kennel "mom".

 

[drumstick diva]

Thanks Mike but, no not a great kennel mom and it still haunts me. I had read books about showing dogs and kennels and all that stuff, and never considered them as companions.
First off my parents were against dogs, showing, etc.I wanted to breed and every time a litter was due they had a stroke. They didn't realize that is what breeders do.I believed the dogs were perfectly happy to spend almost all their time with dogs and no people.

Second, we had had two cockers in the house when I was young and they were both mean etc. I wanted to breed sweet dogs and I did. But, it wasn't till years later, I took back a badly abused young dog I sold, that my mom allowed one in the new house . She and my father were nuts about her. , and she had so many issues to overcome- she was very much overweight - the family said she may have been pg by their beagle. She screamed if you touched her and wet. She was terrified of being left alone but, hated being touched or picked up. We discovered she would sit with anyone on the couch and put her head on their knee. But if you tried to put her on your lap, she was off in a flash.

Figured out she was putting her head on knees so she'd know if you got up and left her alone. She eventually stopped peeing and screaming if touched or picked up but all her life (14yrs) she didn't get chummier than the head on the knee. She never played with toys, but, did steal food every chance she got. She slept with my parents but, never got huggy or anything with them. When she lost her hearing she had a frantic look to her - like she thought we had called her and she didn't notice. We just couldn't convey that we loved her and wouldn't harm her. Everyone was highly suspect to her. Yet she'd put her head on a total stranger's knee if they sat on the couch.

Once I got out of dogs and brought the oldest in the house, I realized how cruel it had been to keep them in the kennel with visits only to feed, water, groom or train them. When I did so I would give them snuggle time and visitors would love to go back and pet them. Each dog competing with the others for the most attention. But, once I had some in the house they just bloomed and so did we. My parents actually got to love them even though my mother couldn't remember their names - I had 3 reds and 1 black. And she still couldn't recall her name.

Okay I am done and relinquish control back to Stella.

 

[drumstick diva]

Mary, this is for you - no dogs. I was going back through old posts here and photos. My favorite was one of Stella with her knapsack reading "I am so outta here." You have a gold mine in some of your photos, for posters, postcards, calendars , magnets, etc. ( "the year of Diana's photos), her singing videos. Honestly.

I am a very addicted shopper on *.com which is basically made up of people submitting their artwork, whatever, that will be presented on line and sold. I don't know how the percentages work because the only thing I can make is old fashion potholders made of loops. Not worthy.

Tucker is surely a worthy opponent to " grouchy cat," etc. , the goat girls with heads stuck thru gates, the emus etc.

Please do check them out at _______.com * I am pm-ing you the email address.

 

[mlm Mike]

Thanks for sharing that Diva. Things are certainly changing in breeding/showing in that regards. Could the dog you talked about possibly had sight issues also?

 

[drumstick diva]

No she didn't , for our breed we had SLT for familiar cataracts, checked for PRA etc. She would sit with chin on back of couch waiting for us to get home. As soon as a car passed a certain spot, she would run to the door shrieking and jumping up . , she appeared to be so excited when we got home. As soon as we got in the door she totally ignored us and walked off.

My brother summed it up she was more cat than dog. We were her servants and nothing more.

Her parents and siblings were very outgoing. As young pup she was friendly but not demonstrative . She went Best in Match (all breeds) right before I sold her. She was gorgeous but too small to finish and I never would have bred her. because there noquality mini males to use with her. Besides it's less risky to get the small size from the stud, than the mother - so puppies won't be too large for her. Her normal size was 12" and 12 lbs. way under standard.

 

[1muttsfan]

That many dogs is a lot of work no matter what your setup. The reason I never got into breeding was that I would find it almost impossible to raise puppies for 8 weeks, then just let them go to total strangers, not knowing what their life will be like.

Well back home now, 50 degree temp drop and cloudy - snow on the ground, but not too bad. Usually we have highs in the teens this time of year and it is 30. Up here at the airports maintenance thoughtfully plows the parking lots - unfortunately they leave big ridges of snow piled up behind your car, the longer you are gone the higher the hard, encrusted ridge. Thank goodness for 4 wheel drive.

The class sounds great. And I want to see the selfie!

 

[Happy Chooks]

How sad Diva for that poor, abused dog. I can never understand how someone could hurt an animal like that. Dogs are fantastic companion animals. I've always wanted to raise a see-and-eye dog, but I don't think I could give it up at the end.

 

[robhuncor]

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