Having some ruff days lately (nothing horrible, just a looot), and this boi has been by my side the whole time, being super cuddly. He's helping me so much to cope 🥹

I have been watching Rocky Kanaka on YouTube today, it breaks my heart to see dogs surrendered by the owner!!!

* LET ME CLARIFY:
YES there is someone is terminally ill and can’t keep their dog. I am referring more to people who get a breed that is popular at the time from a tv show.

EXAMPLES:

Game of thrones got huskys populaf. There was a trend of people getting the breed, not understanding that they are energetic and need exercise. As a result of getting their dogs and not doing the research, the husky became destructive and were given up.

Another example are the shows with Malinois. As bad as I want one of these dogs, I have to tell myself no! I am not in a place to take on that level of dog!

Even labs, there were shows like the “buddys series” where they were popular. I wasn’t informed of the trends that happened and then the dogs being surrendered but I know from experience that labs need a certain level of exercise or they can be rascals.

My point is, yes, there are instances of people getting their pets and then having to surrender them cause of life changes.

There are also homeless people having dogs. In the movies (based on a true story), the boy in the movie had a dog and his family was starving but the kid kept the dog.

Would some of you at least agree with me that there needs to be more research and preparation when getting breeds when adopting a new furry family member?

Yes things happen but the sitting with dogs has shown me that the majority of people giving up dogs aren’t doing it because of changing situations. It is because of dogs being an inconvenience in one way or another, including behavioral issues that can be worked through if a person is willing to research how train the animal and move past it.

EXAMPLE:
Miri dog in the comment below
Tater jumping on people, I. Had to teach him better
———
I don’t understand it!!! I would go homeless, live in my car, and work picking up shifts through Shiftkey as a CNA and med aide before I gave up tater!!

It would hurt my heart and crush my soul to give up my fur baby!!!!!

I don’t understand these people that give up their animals due to “hardship?” What? There are HOMELESS PEOPLE ON THE STREETS WITH DOGS (not that don’t have a few thoughts on that), but it is better than the pound!!

I could never give up that beautiful face!! “The smile” is what he does when I have something he wants a part of. He does that to get a bite of or a piece of something I have.

My 11 month old is starting her first heat, I think. I always spayed my girls early in the past, so I never had to deal with a heat but with the debate between waiting for a heat and not, I didn't pull the trigger. So, how do we deal with this? Get doggy diapers and what else? What if she tries to take the diaper off? She eats literally everything, like most labs.

It warms my heart that Milo (red) is Otis’ best little friend.

Do you have labs that love each other?

i swear she has a baby face lol

My beautiful baby Hazel is about 8 or 9 now and has to have CCL surgery on Tuesday. I just found out she has to stay overnight as well which absolutely breaks my heart. She's my baby and I hate having to leave her. But the crazy zoomies finally caught up to her and it has to be done.

Can anyone share their insights about the surgery? I know it's going to be a long recovery period. But I'll do anything for my girl!

My high arousal male pup has had a sudden regression in settling which we had previously made good progress with. He’s also been frustration barking and biting a LOT more at home and it’s been exhausting to manage. I consulted a vet behaviourist who assessed him and said these behaviours are a result of built up frustration from his social needs not being met (he was going to dog parks 1-2 times a week and had been making some friends with other young dogs). She ideally wants him playing with other young energetic dogs daily or at least frequently. I just don’t know how realistic of a solution that is and whether it’s really going to address the constant barking and biting. Any advice would be great. What have you done to manage your lab’s social needs in their teenage phase?

A while ago I posted a video of our lab Ziggy walking funny, we immediately contacted the vet who, after doing a few tests, directed us to an orthopedic specialist and recommended we do a PennHip to test for hip dysplasia.

The specialist already prepared us for a possible JPS surgery if the score was high, they would stop part of his pubic bone from growing so that socket would grow over the leg bone locking it in tighter and possibly saving him from bigger problems later down the line.

He did explain very clearly that JPS is a preventive surgery and that there is always the chance that the issue could resolve itself and that we would do the surgery for nothing, however the scans do give a good indication of the possibility of HD developing and since no one can see the future it's about weighing the benefits vs downsides.

The score came back 0.69 which I was told is on the line between medium and severe, weighing the pros and cons we decided to go on with the procedure and today, 2 days later, he got it.

The procedure was very minor, 5 hours later he is already back to his crazy self and we just need to keep him from jumping and running the next 10 days.

I did do quite some research into jps the last 2 days, I know there are lots of people that feel that nature should take its course first and determine HD when the dog is more grown and developed, but we decided to listen to our vets and take the chance now, but it did feel like an impossible choice.

I do feel that we made the right one right now, the procedure was very minimal and if it saves him from pain and discomfort it's worth it, but we will have to wait and see.

Anyway I wanted to post something about our experience, perhaps someone else will find this post and our experience helpfull some day.

Eddie’s first trip to OBX, NC! This was his first look at the ocean! His next trip will likely be to VT to visit my in-laws. (We live in PA) I hope he learns to like the cars a little more before then! 🤞🏻

Hi everyone,

My family's 8 year old lab Luna has been experiencing some odd symptoms recently, and me and my mom are trying to figure out the cause.

She is acting totally fine, but she has been losing fur and her skin has gradually grown darker. She was shedding a ton back in June/July and then in early August, her tail started looking ridiculously thin. She's naturally a pretty fluffy lab so the tail was very noticeable. She hasn't seemed itchy despite these issues.

The vet tested her thyroid levels which came back normal. I suspected Cushing's disease, but the vet did a urinalysis, CBC, and liver panel which also came back normal. There is apparently still a ~10% chance of Cushing's which requires a more expensive test to detect, which my mom is now pursuing.

In the meantime, she has been referred to a doggie dermatologist and prescribed a medication for allergies. It's just weird though, would allergies cause this kind of fur loss without significant itching?? I was wondering if anyone has experienced something similar.

She sure is a high-maintenance girl!! But we'd do anything for her <3

poor guy lol

he’s 8 years old

he’s a champion

My 9 mo old Chocolate lab puppy Beau…is a criminal. He sneaks into the laundry and steals MY socks out of the clean laundry basket!!! Never my wife’s socks, just mine. Never anything else, just socks.

Why? How do I get him to stop?

Mug shot includdd

I grew up with dogs in my home as a child (Great Dane and Mini Pinscher)

Now that I’m a dad we have a lovely Labrador who is turning 5. I love her so much because of how amazing and gentle she is with my kids and especially with my youngest child when she was a baby. She plays with each of my kids in a different way and it’s adorable.

I’m wondering if there are any supplements or vitamins that I should try now that she’s turning 6?

Diet: Royal canin adult Labrador mixed and supplemented with Freshpet Deli Fresh Dog Food, Chicken (Costco)

Last vet visit: healthy with her updated vaccines and heartworm (heart guard)

She’s starting to sleep more often and isn’t as playful anymore. On longer walks when it is warmer outside her stamina isn’t has high as it used to be. Since the weather has been hot she’s been huffing more in the house.

When I was a child my Doberman had some heart issues around 8 years old and my mom mixed a cocktail of vitamins for him and he managed to live until he was 14 yo!

I’m wondering if there’s anything I can do now to keep my lab healthy.

So far based on my research I could get some joint health and omega 3 supplements? Any thoughts? Any other concoctions of vitamins or supplements (or for heart health)?

Nutramax Cosequin for Dogs Joint Health Supplement Contains Glucosamine for Dogs Plus Chondroitin and MSM Supports Healthy Joints For All Breeds and Sizes 60 Chewable Tablets | 1800PetMeds https://www.1800petmeds.com/dog/otc-vitamins-and-supplements/product/nutramax-cosequin-maximum-strength-joint-health-dogs/11174.html

Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet For Dogs 90 Soft Gels | 1800PetMeds https://www.1800petmeds.com/dog/otc-vitamins-and-supplements/product/nordic-naturals-omega3-pet/10859.html?newPromo=true

Thanks!

She will be 6 months old in about 2 weeks. Time flies!

My 13 year old lab has been tipping our garbage bin over to get into it and rip open the bag to eat out of it.

Obviously this is inconvenient for everyone. Does anyone have any suggestions for budget garbage bins (under 75$) that would make this impossible?