I'M GETTING A PUPPY!

[HeySal]

I am so excited I can hardly write this. There is a couple who have two Rotties - the Male looks JUST like Munchie and the Mom looks just like Munchie's Mom. The puppies are due the middle of November so by late January I will have a new best pal......unspoiled and ready to teach from scratch with no issues to undo. I get first pick of the litter!

If you don't know who Munchie was - his memorial is the October newsletter. http://www.rockhoundstation1.com/newsletter.html (October issue - will be up for a week still after that it's in archives at the bottom).

I'm soooooooooooooo excited!! I have to wait 2 1/2 months.......it's gonna be long two months.

[myob]

What joy for you it must be, Sal. I am happy for you and it is most fitting the new year will bring a cute little bundle of happiness and of such fond memories for you.

[HeySal]

Thanks Paul. There is still the chance that these little guys will be born on my birthday. Now I wonder what kind of astrology that will be all about? LOL. Somehow I think maybe my old pal hasn't wandered as far from me as I had presumed. Somebody is watching, that's for sure.

[ghyphena]

That's so exciting! I have a golden labrador and he is just the sweetest loveliest creature you could possibly dream up.... I'm so happy for you

Gil-Ad

[Patrician]

Congratulations, Sal! (wahoo!)

I am so glad you are going to get a new puppy!

I have been waiting for this announcement and hope you will share pictures soon.

How is the deal going with the house dog? Any improvements?

[HeySal]

Originally Posted by Patrician

Congratulations, Sal! (wahoo!)

I am so glad you are going to get a new puppy!

I have been waiting for this announcement and hope you will share pictures soon.

How is the deal going with the house dog? Any improvements?

I have to wait for them to be born - you get to wait for the pics.

As far as the house dog - she started bonding so I had to back off a tad. She no longer cowers when I put her food down or walk near the dish while she is eating. She won't get her leash yet but goes crazy when I pick it up - and did put her mouth on it once when I asked her to get it (but backed off very fast). She has learned to come tell me when she wants out. I am at the time the only one she minds on first command (she knows a couple) and I'm the only one who can get her to stop barking when someone (or something) is outside of the window. She still pulls on a leash but not as hard - she used to put muscle in it to the point of choking herself. She's a stubborn little thing. I had presumed pig-headedness was a feature of the gentle giants, but I see that isn't true. And she still gets no attention from the family although she is inside and not just left in a pen as she was when the roomy's ex had her. I'm hoping that someone will express interest in having her and am sure the roomy would give her to a good home. She was a bit strapped to do right by this kid but has no will to make extra time for her. It's a sad case.

[Patrician]

What no ultra sound?

No pregnant pix?

No geneology pix?

ok guess i will have to wait for the grand entrance.

[ecoverartist]

Puppies are fun

I know you'll be so happy! We want to see pics when the little fuzzballs are born!

[Kurt]

Rotties rule! I think only those that have owned one can really understand.

[Killer Joe]

One of my daughters had two Rots. She was a cop and they where trained police dogs. They made me nervous everytime I went over to her house.

I got attacked by a dog when I was 30 and it took around 125 stitches to put the front of my face back on.

I don't go near big dogs if I can help it...

But Sal, I am very happy you are getting a new best friend.

KJ

[HeySal]

Really sorry to hear that Joe. It's a shame to let one dog ruin you for them all though. It is true that you will be more likely to get bit if you are afraid, too, though. Animals can smell fear and don't trust it at all. So be careful around them if you are edgy. Nobody can tell when a dog is going to cop an attitude - but a good owner can always tell when their kid is thinking about it. If they can't, they can't communicate with a dog well enough to own one.

All I can tell you is that if you and I run into each other while I'm with my boy, no matter how big he is, you won't be afraid of him for very long.

[Audrey Harvey]

Great news, Sal, can't wait to see photos.

[Patrician]

I have only known one Rottie. His name is Ernie.

His head is bigger than mine even with my big hair.

One of the best Thanksgivings I have had was at my son's girlfriend at the time. Ernie was hers. There were 6 dogs invited including a darling yellow lab puppy who loved my vanilla hand lotion. Every time I put it on (which was a lot back and forth helping in the kitchen and washing my hands), he would come and lick off all the lotion.

Ernie sat over in the corner like the Mafia Don. He had a way of scoping out the room - just making eye contact with each person and checking the dogs were behaving. It was really like the Mafia - if Ernie's happy everybody can enjoy - and the opposite was implied just by his attitude.

Well he finally had enough of the puppy running around creating havoc. He also decided that I was complicit and so he sat on my feet (all 130 lbs). Any dog who wanted to come over to me had to go through Ernie for the rest of the night.

I sent him a pound of pork ribs for Christmas just like a patsy greasin' a palm. Too bad my son got a new girlfriend and I never saw Ernie again.

...but yeh Rotties Rock.


p.s. trick or treat something sweet

YouTube - My 4 Week Rottweilers

[Kurt]

Originally Posted by HeySal

Animals can smell fear and don't trust it at all. So be careful around them if you are edgy.

More accurately, dogs smell the adrenaline as it's released into the blood stream.

[HeySal]

Animals are better than that Kurt - they can smell hormones, too, and there are some released in fear. In fact fear releases some very strong hormones as it's an instinctual survival emotion. A Rottie can smell one drop of urine in a gallon of water.
A nose is to a dog what our eyes and ears are to us - of course their ears are much better, too, but it's their nose that they learn with mostly. Rotties are known to break doors down to get to bitches in heat that they can smell for very long distances. I had a friend with a St. Bernard who would just go through the front window when there was a bitch in heat anywhere in town. Town was about 1.3 miles long. He finally had to replace the window with bullet proof glass.
But the point is - they smell hormone release as well as adrenelene. If you don't like them they can smell it whether you are afraid of them or not. If you don't like a dog, it's best to keep a very safe distance from it.


Pat -- thanks for the Video. You just brought tears to my eyes. I just keep playing it. God those things are cute. Where will you ever see a puppy as cute as a baby rottie? Check out the size of those little mugs - 4 weeks, LOL. Munchie was so big for so long I had forgotten how cute they are when they are puppies. But when I went to get him he was around 9 weeks old and there were 10 of them. They were inside a little picket fence and when I pulled into the driveway those little heads came up in a row just like a calendar pic and my heart melted. There was no way I could have left there again without my guy in my arms. It's really going to be a long 2.5 months.

[R Hagel]

OoooOOOoooOOOooh -- a puppy! Congratulations!!

Does the couple live relatively nearby so that you can visit the pups as they grow up?

I love bringing home a new puppy. You get to go out and buy new toys, puppy proof the house, etc. I'll be looking forward to the pics and stories!

[Kurt]

Originally Posted by HeySal

Animals are better than that Kurt - they can smell hormones, too, and there are some released in fear. In fact fear releases some very strong hormones as it's an instinctual survival emotion. A Rottie can smell one drop of urine in a gallon of water.
A nose is to a dog what our eyes and ears are to us - of course their ears are much better, too, but it's their nose that they learn with mostly. Rotties are known to break doors down to get to bitches in heat that they can smell for very long distances. I had a friend with a St. Bernard who would just go through the front window when there was a bitch in heat anywhere in town. Town was about 1.3 miles long. He finally had to replace the window with bullet proof glass.
But the point is - they smell hormone release as well as adrenelene. If you don't like them they can smell it whether you are afraid of them or not. If you don't like a dog, it's best to keep a very safe distance from it.


Pat -- thanks for the Video. You just brought tears to my eyes. I just keep playing it. God those things are cute. Where will you ever see a puppy as cute as a baby rottie? Check out the size of those little mugs - 4 weeks, LOL. Munchie was so big for so long I had forgotten how cute they are when they are puppies. But when I went to get him he was around 9 weeks old and there were 10 of them. They were inside a little picket fence and when I pulled into the driveway those little heads came up in a row just like a calendar pic and my heart melted. There was no way I could have left there again without my guy in my arms. It's really going to be a long 2.5 months.

My point is, dogs don't smell fear, which was your original statement. Fear is an emotion. And yes, rotties do have better sense of smell than the average dog and make very good trackers, in addition to all their other attributes.

[KimW]

Some dogs are just mean and it has nothing to do with smelling something.
I have never been cautious near dogs or most any other animal,and most animals took to me immediately.
Then about a year or so ago I was at a friends house setting up their wifi for them when out of nowhere their dog lunged at me and bit. I was extremely lucky, I was able to move quickly enough that the teeth just nipped my flesh and ripped the sleeve of my shirt.
That attack changed 50+ years of loving dogs, whether it should have or not.
It wasn't until some time later that someone brought a big dog near me and I found I was feeling very uneasy around it. Thats when I realized I was actually in fear around the dog,and that I had changed.

[HeySal]

You are right, Kim - some dogs are vicious.
But many are vicious because their owners have no clue how to raise a dog conversely to the whole breed being vicious. That's the case with Pits and Rots. Both of those breeds are capable of being gentle in the extreme. But you get all these idiots who want one because they are "bad ass dogs" or "can kick your ass" - I've heard it all. Makes me freaking sick.

Teach it to protect when it is already an instinct and you can wind up with a dog with too strong a sense to protect. Keep it outside instead of inside with the pack and it can make it crazy. Some dogs are just a bit nuts to start with just as some people are born nuts. A responsible breeder will know when there is something dangerously wrong in a puppy's temperment and will have the puppy put down. A responsible owner knows their dog.

It's not a bad idea to be cautious around any dog that isn't yours unless you know everyone one of it's communication signals. If the dog is yours and you can't tell when it's not thinking right about a situation, then you haven't payed enough attention to that animal - they talk to us, too, we don't do all the talking.

My second Rot was the most gentle dog I've ever known. I lived in a town of about 200 and every person in town knew and loved my dog even if they had fear of the breed beforehand. Good story...
I lived in a Mother In Law's apartment in an mountain home on the edge of town. My landlady moved out of her half and a family with very small children moved in. Shella hadn't met me or Blitz yet and was hanging clothes out in the yard. Her 18 month old boy ran out in the road (dirt, dead end, no fast traffic when any but still). Blitz knew he wasn't allowed in the road and saw the kid go. The next thing, Shella looks up and sees a 170 lb dog charging her baby. She screamed, clean clothes went everywhere and she made a dash for the kid, she didn't see me standing there not worried. Blitz got to the kid, grabbed it by the shirtsleeve and walked it back into the yard. Shella stopped when she saw Blitz grab the kid by the shirt but you could see her shaking. Once Blitz delivered the kid to her he gave it a little tap in the chest with his nose and made the kid sit down. then he just came back over to me. After that the neighbors always loved the dog and trusted him to keep kids safe from the creek and the road and other dogs. Eddy told me if my dog ever bit one of his kids he'd punish the kid because he couldn't imagine what they would have had to do to him to get him to bite them. He was THAT gentle.

Now that is what a Rottie can, and should, be.

[Killer Joe]

Originally Posted by HeySal

It's not a bad idea to be cautious around any dog that isn't yours unless you know everyone one of it's communication signals.

Amen to that, Sal.

In the case of my experience getting bit, I was acting as the construction supervisor for a factory that was being built as a manufacturing facility. I had several crews working on the job simultaniously and one of the crews brought a 150 pound Great Dane to the job site with them.

As I had basically supervisory responsibilities, no saw or hammer responsibilities so to speak, I let this dog follow me around a great deal. For two days I played with that dog and we really spent a lot of time together. A lot of time. It was a beauitful 'Blue' and was as gentle as one could imagine. I had a lot fun playing with the dog and I had the impression we had bonded to some degree so I felt no apprehension around it whatsoever.

At the end of the second day as the crews were leaving, the dog jumped up into the back of his owners truck. The owner hooked a chain to its' choker and got ready to drive off. I went over to say good-bye to the dog and I reached out to pet his head as I had done so many times before. As my face neared the dogs face he instinctively reacted and viciously sunk his teeth into my face causing massive trauma.

The instant this happened the dogs' owner jumped out of the truck and said, "*Explative deleted*, I should have told you, I sent the dog to attack school, and once I put the chain on his choker no one can get near him."

Well, that would have been a handy thing to know in advance.

It's a shame some dog owners have no idea of the distruction a dogs' teeth can do to an individual. Especially to someone's face. I had to relearn to eat and to speak again I was so serverely bitten. It took almost a year. I still have to wear a full mustache to try and hide some of the scars.

Here's a little tip from 'ol KJ...if you are going to take a breed of dog that is normally friendly to humans, especially a large breed, and train it to visciously attack people, let everyone know. That's not the kind of info you should keep to yourself.

KJ

[Patrician]

I love that story, Sal.

I think you will really like this one:

YouTube - The True Character of the Rottweiler

[HeySal]

Jesus Christ Joe -- doesn't matter if a dog is attack trained or not..........NEVER reach into a car or truck with a dog there!! - a little late eh? It doesn't matter how much of a friend you are to a dog, it will protect a car fiercely - that is not only its territory, but if it is taken out often it is their escape route from the house to where the fun is and they don't mess with that one at all.
I'd be less afraid of walking into a dog's yard than reach into its car.

That is only one reason I am dead against people leaving their dog in an open vehicle.

I am also wondering why a person would take an animal that is going to be 4 foot tall to attack training. That is ignorance that attack training is even allowed if the dog isn't going to be with a cop or a forest ranger, soldier, etc. If they are going to allow that to happen, they should make it a law that the dog has to have some form of distinugishing gear on -- like a special collar or something so people will know the animal is risky from the get. Too many dogs are ruined by such "guard" training. It does nothing but exagerate natural protection instincts. If your guy isn't going to protect you naturally in an emergency, you aren't doing something right.

[HeySal]

Ya know - all this talk makes me think that there should be mandatory classes in schools to teach children how to act around animals. People who are buying a dog should have to take mandatory classes on handling their breed of dog and should
mandatorily attend at least one puppy training class.

A lot of attacks that seem very random are actually provoked without the provokers knowledge of what they did. I'm not just talking dogs - house cats can rip a kid up pretty severely - and what about wild animals. Unless someone knows how to act around a snake, a bear, a cougar, a moose, a skunk, etc.....they really shouldn't be out where these animals live. I hear so many stories about bad incidents with animals that really could have been easily avoided - either by an owner being sharper or somebody attacked that should have known more about the rules animals play by before stepping into their territory. I'm not sayin all attackss can be avoided, just that very few attacks are as random as they seem to be whether the animal is domestic or wild. AND - It's harder to tell if a domestic animal is nuts than if a wild animal will attack because wild animals don't deal with stupid owners messing up their instinctual communication modes.

[Phnx]

Aw Sal, that's wonderful, I'm real excited for you.

There's nothing so adorable as a little puppy or kitten. Can't wait for the pics!

[Killer Joe]

Originally Posted by HeySal

Jesus Christ Joe -- doesn't matter if a dog is attack trained or not..........NEVER reach into a car or truck with a dog there!! - a little late eh?

I'd be less afraid of walking into a dog's yard than reach into its car.

That is only one reason I am dead against people leaving their dog in an open vehicle.

I hear your point Sal. The dog was in the back of an open pick-up truck bed. I didn't reach into its' car. Theoretically, of course...

But your point is well taken.

And something else I learned first hand...If it ain't your dog, well, it ain't your dog.

KJ

( I just knew I'd somehow end up being the bad guy in all this. Story of my life. )

[HeySal]

Originally Posted by Killer Joe

( I just knew I'd somehow end up being the bad guy in all this. Story of my life. )

You're not the blame Joe. The guy that owned the dog is. When a dog is friendly other people can mistake how far friendship goes with a canine. Put that dog in an open truck like that and you have a formula for disaster. I think you caught that one already though, eh? When the dog is enclosed so it can't get out on it's own, people don't automatically suppose the dog is safe like they do if it's in the wide open where it could just jump out and run around on its own. I'm just dead surprised the guy would send a dog to attack school then put it in an open truck bed. He's lucky you didn't have that dog put down and also you didn't sue him within an inch of his life. He's also lucky that no little kids were close by that were screaming and playing. Good way to get a kid ripped apart. Pity that dog and shoot that owner.

That's why I think there should be classes in school on animal behavior and also for owners to be able to own a pet. Between the two, your accident wouldn't have happened.

[ConcordeWarrior]

Originally Posted by HeySal

I am so excited I can hardly write this.
The puppies are due the middle of November so by late January I will have a new best pal......unspoiled and ready to teach from scratch with no issues to undo. I get first pick of the litter!
I'm soooooooooooooo excited!! I have to wait 2 1/2 months.......it's gonna be long two months.

This is wonderful news. This creature will be very lucky to have you as his (her) adoptive mother and you will be just as lucky to always have him (or her) by your side.



Have you decided on a name yet?

[HeySal]

Originally Posted by ConcordeWarrior

This is wonderful news. This creature will be very lucky to have you as his (her) adoptive mother and you will be just as lucky to always have him (or her) by your side.



Have you decided on a name yet?

Yes, he has his name ready for him, both for papers and the nickname he will be called. How else would I know him when I talk to the pups? I get the pick of the males.

I'm not telling his name until I can introduce him.

Lucky -- is fate. It was so odd that I found this pair at all let alone when pups are almost due. Too coincidental a find to be other than fate. Someone is watching out for me still, I think. My pup is already mine - I just have to go ask the pups which one is him and bring him home. He will know who he is - my guys have always told me when they are mine.

[Jagged]

Congrat's Sal,

It's hard to beat the unconditional love of a dog...

Rotties are great! My sister has 2...she named them soffie & otto. I call them sofa & ottoman...they are HUGE!!! & 2 of the biggest mushes around...I love wrestling with them both.

I wouldn't hesitate 1 second to get a rottie....but my schipperke would kick my ass

Good luck Sal,

Ken

[Indiana]

Big dog spirit...Bisou ma bishe...Bien...Indy

[Teresa Coppes]

Yaayyy for a new puppy!! Going to be a long wait for pics or to even squeeze a name out of you Sal but well worth it I'm sure when we all can share in your joy in January.

Teresa

[HeySal]

Originally Posted by Indiana

Big dog spirit...Bisou ma bishe...Bien...Indy

Canine spirit guide, Indy. Probably a nudge from Munch.

Someday I'll tell the story about how a Wolf led Munchie and I out of the Ochoco Mt.s the winter we got stranded and had to walk out.

Love the canines - domestic and wild.

[HeySal]

Originally Posted by Jagged

Congrat's Sal,

It's hard to beat the unconditional love of a dog...

Rotties are great! My sister has 2...she named them soffie & otto. I call them sofa & ottoman...they are HUGE!!! & 2 of the biggest mushes around...I love wrestling with them both.

I wouldn't hesitate 1 second to get a rottie....but my schipperke would kick my ass

Good luck Sal,

Ken

Schipperke? Is something that small really a dog? LOL. Those are beautiful little guys, Ken. What exactly were they bred for (besides cougar food?). One of the benefits of a smaller dog is that you have longer to enjoy them. It's the one thing I hate about Rotties - they just don't live long enough. I'm just hoping when I die there will be a fun punchline about that for my guys that went on before me to share with me.

[Indiana]

Wolves...Good...Received to much "capital punishment from Walt Disney"

Indy

On behalf of the the big dog spirit...

[mbenton]

Just heard, Sal. That is some really good news. And yeah, gonna be a long couple of months. Hang in there.

[eshera]

I must confess, Sal, I am a bit jealous....I had put my big "galoop" down a while ago, now but I am starting to get the itch again. The darn big dogs just don't live long enough, but they sure make a great impression forever.

I am sooo happy for ya, can't wait to see the pics!
-she

[HeySal]

Thanks mbenton - I'm hanging.

I'm really sorry to hear that eshera. I haven't had to make that decision yet with any of my guys - and hope never to have to. I can't imagine how devastating it is. It takes a lot of courage to do what is right sometimes but if the love is there, we can be unselfish. I hope when you are ready you find a situation as great as the one I have found. It is sad when they go, but we know that our time is limited when we choose to share it. The best we can do is make the time priceless.

[eshera]

Not to sound dopey to anyone that hasn't had to, but it was by far the worst thing I have ever done. Granted, he was a bit over weight, 120 pounds, a mix of golden lab, retriever and yes bloodhound. My folks taught me to love the critters and I still miss his clumsy self coming around the kitchen on the hard wood floors.....

My neighbor is retired and has adopted 2 greyhounds from the racetrack in the time that I have known him, he has told me, he repeats himself sometimes, that putting down those two was worse than seeing his mom go. I know the words weren't exactly what he meant, but I understand.

They are just kids in fur coats...

[ashley27]

I always wanted before to have a puppy..but then I realize how much responsibility you need to do so then I decided to buy PSP instead of puppy.

[HeySal]

Originally Posted by eshera

Not to sound dopey to anyone that hasn't had to, but it was by far the worst thing I have ever done. Granted, he was a bit over weight, 120 pounds, a mix of golden lab, retriever and yes bloodhound. My folks taught me to love the critters and I still miss his clumsy self coming around the kitchen on the hard wood floors.....

My neighbor is retired and has adopted 2 greyhounds from the racetrack in the time that I have known him, he has told me, he repeats himself sometimes, that putting down those two was worse than seeing his mom go. I know the words weren't exactly what he meant, but I understand.

They are just kids in fur coats...

That doesn't even start to sound "dopey". I didn't have to do it, but I have been on the verge twice - My rot before Munchie was old and failing. I woke up one day and he could no longer walk - I wheel-barrel walked him outside to go potty but he never stabilized - walked him back in - knew it was his last day so I laid down beside him and put my arms around him and fell asleep - when I woke he was gone.....so I came sooo close. I know I cried in my sleep holding him. Munchie was pretty sick in April when I took him in, too - thought for sure I'd get the word that day - instead we got a reprieve of 6 months of love and a very busy last summer of exploring.
You don't need to convince me that it hurt you. I'm betting you cried in your sleep for a month. Maybe still do. I'm betting you still feel like somthing isn't being done that should when it's time to feed or walk him or let him outside. A dog is not just beside you, he is part of your soul.
I feel for you - hard.

I hope you find room for another little guy soon. We will see our friends again across the great divide - but now there are little ones that are right here and need someone to share the time they are alotted. That's all we ever have here - everything else is window dressing. You will know your guy when you find him and there won't be questions. You will just take him with you because he is who you are meant to be with for whatever reason.
To quote a wise old friend of mine "It jes bes like that sometime".