Back

[Gary Ayala]

Not that anyone cares ... but (the big butt), for the last month went through a tough ordeal with my dogs. I have a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, (had her as a pup), and back in December I rescued a Wire Hair Fox Terrier from a neighbor. I noticed that the Wheaten seemed lonely during the day so a companion would do her good when we were not home.

This little WHFT (Shelby) seemed just the ticket. Full of energy, fun, smart ... she and the Wheaten (Cookie) would play and play until totally exhausted. All was grand until a month or so ago when Shelby decided that she wanted 100% of all human attention in "her" house. That is when the fighting started. Shelby would attack Cookie ... the fighting was terrible ... resulting in trips to the Vet and Urgent Care for those fighting and those attempting to break up the fights.

For the last month most of my spare time has been devoted to finding Shelby a "good" home. On Saturday she left with her new family and so far all is well with her. If you haven't lived with a high energy Terrier (i.e. Jack Russel or Wired Hair Fox Terrier) ... the action is non-stop ... and now it is so quiet, I feel as if I am retired. A friend was over last night for dinner and he liked the new relaxed atmosphere of the house ... but I miss my bundle of energy ... although I know that it is all for the better ... Shelby is a great dog and I really miss my little girl.


Cookie and Shelby

Shelby
(She tries real hard to be good)

Gary

[Diane Fields]

Originally Posted by Gary Ayala

Not that anyone cares ... Gary

I do understand. I had 2 high energy Standard Poodles--VERY, but luckily, they were well behaved inside, but outside it was like living in the middle of a tornado, but on several fenced acres and not in an enclosed smaller area. I lost the male, Ben, to bone cancer and we decided, for the first time in our lives, to live with one dog (usually 2-4). The house is VERY quiet and traveling is easier-nice, but I miss the Type A guy.

I also have a photo friend that lost both her Scottie and Westie and bought a Scottie pup. Short tale--the Scottie was HIGH energy and it was decided she needed a 'pal'. Enter a Westie pup---and havoc has occurred regularly since then. Obviously not as bad as yours, but..... Terriers are neat dogs--but can be tough. My only terrier was an Airedale and they are much more laid back--size enters into this probably.

Good luck with the Wheaten. I liked both photos BTW.

Diane

[Juli Valley]

I have a Scottish terrier and a West Highland White terrier. Sometimes they sound like they are going to kill each other; the Scottie is a bit of a bully. They are not quite a year old and born one month apart. Luckily they have not really injured each other, but my elderly father's paper thin skin has been a problem. He ended up in the hospital for about a week with a slight bite that got infected. They had to give him a mix of several drugs to get it under control. His hand was swollen to a huge size.
I know it was tough giving up on one of the pups, but there was nothing else you could have done.

[Mary Bull]

Originally Posted by Gary Ayala

Not that anyone cares ...
<snipped in the interest of conserving space>

Well, Gary, I do!

<snipped> ... the fighting was terrible ... resulting in trips to the Vet and Urgent Care for those fighting and those attempting to break up the fights.

If you don't mind a comment from a cat-owner (also a dog person, but no longer up to dog-care): You have my sincerest sympathy. I rescued one little female kitten eight years ago after a hailstorm, and all was well, since I didn't mind being owned. Then three years ago another foundling (male, Burmese, blue, beautiful) presented his pitiful self.

Now these incompatibles have taken over my house. Thistle the Burmese occupies the front two rooms, with doors firmly latched against his catly escape skills. M&M the alley cat reigns in solitary splendor over kitchen, hall, and bedrooms.

Only way to prevent mayhem.

For the last month most of my spare time has been devoted to finding Shelby a "good" home. On Saturday she left with her new family and so far all is well with her. If you haven't lived with a high energy Terrier (i.e. Jack Russel or Wired Hair Fox Terrier) ... the action is non-stop ... and now it is so quiet, I feel as if I am retired. A friend was over last night for dinner and he liked the new relaxed atmosphere of the house ... but I miss my bundle of energy ... although I know that it is all for the better ... Shelby is a great dog and I really miss my little girl.

<snipped images--such beautiful dogs>

Gary[/QUOTE]

I hope you can visit her in her new home sometime.

Sympathetically,
Mary

[Gary Ayala]

Originally Posted by Diane Fields

I also have a photo friend that lost both her Scottie and Westie and bought a Scottie pup. Short tale--the Scottie was HIGH energy and it was decided she needed a 'pal'. Enter a Westie pup---and havoc has occurred regularly since then. Obviously not as bad as yours, but..... Terriers are neat dogs--but can be tough. My only terrier was an Airedale and they are much more laid back--size enters into this probably.

Good luck with the Wheaten. I liked both photos BTW.

Diane

Thanks Diane. Some of the problem maybe their Terrier genes ... strong genetic desire to be the only breeder type of deal ... also for the first two years Shelby was totally neglected. This breed needs attention (WHFT are not for everyone) ... all the attention and love will come back in spades ... but they are not like a hound dog or a fish. I agree with you on the size factor.

The Wheaten is extremely docile and relaxed. The two dogs were physically were so different. Cookie is this big ol' fluffy plush-toy type dog and Shelby was this little, over-caffinated spring loaded dog (even when she slept her legs were out-stretched and taut).

As to "Good luck with the Wheaten." Wheaten are such great animals that luck isn't necessary. If you adopt a Wheaten, they will become your best friend, man or beast, that you'll ever find.

Gary

[Asher Kelman]

Compassion for animals and responsibility when a pet no longer confirms to one's expectations or convenience, are signs of elevated humanity.

If we all had Gary's feelings towards each other and the world we live in, this would be a better place!

Asher

[Gary Ayala]

Originally Posted by Juli Valley

I have a Scottish terrier and a West Highland White terrier. Sometimes they sound like they are going to kill each other; the Scottie is a bit of a bully. They are not quite a year old and born one month apart. Luckily they have not really injured each other, but my elderly father's paper thin skin has been a problem. He ended up in the hospital for about a week with a slight bite that got infected. They had to give him a mix of several drugs to get it under control. His hand was swollen to a huge size.
I know it was tough giving up on one of the pups, but there was nothing else you could have done.

The research I did on my problem is that two female Terriers will fight (see my second post). And that the problem will only get worse. If there was anyway or anything I could have done to "save" the situation ... I would have sought it out. On a side note, the Wheaten is a large Terrier and a herder not a hunter like the WHFT ... she was not agressive at all. At 30lbs, she would win all the fights. Clearly, it was Shelby that instigated each and every fight ... and I am quite sure Shelby would have fought to her death without human intervention. She has more heart than good sense. Good luck, on your problem (sounds Alpha-ish ... who's gonna be the top dog in the pack) and sorry about your father ... maybe some pepper spray or equal would stop the fighting from afar. Shelby only attacked Cookie when family members were present ... so I think just the plain old jealous factor played a pivotal part in her attacks (two years of neglect before we rescued her).

Gary

[Gary Ayala]

Originally Posted by Mary Bull

Well, Gary, I do!

If you don't mind a comment from a cat-owner (also a dog person, but no longer up to dog-care): You have my sincerest sympathy. I rescued one little female kitten eight years ago after a hailstorm, and all was well, since I didn't mind being owned. Then three years ago another foundling (male, Burmese, blue, beautiful) presented his pitiful self.

Now these incompatibles have taken over my house. Thistle the Burmese occupies the front two rooms, with doors firmly latched against his catly escape skills. M&M the alley cat reigns in solitary splendor over kitchen, hall, and bedrooms.

Only way to prevent mayhem. ...

I hope you can visit her in her new home sometime.

Sympathetically,
Mary

Thanks Mary. I had to adpot a similar methodology. I am clearly the alpha dog. If they weren't fighting, a sharp word from moi and Shelby would lower her aggression level to orange. When I wasn't home they were separated (one inside and one outside) and when nobody was home, Shelby was leashed under the Persimmon tree (from which she would collect/pick and stacked pyramid-like). This wasn't fair for either dog .. so I sought a new home for Shelby. And yes, we can visit Shelby anytime. I want her to be completely settled with her new "alpha" parent before I come back around. We have emailed and she has adapted well and is the princess of her new household.

Gary

[Gary Ayala]

Originally Posted by Asher Kelman

Compassion for animals and responsibility when a pet no longer confirms to one's expectations or convenience, are signs of elevated humanity.

If we all had Gary's feelings towards each other and the world we live in, this would be a better place!

Asher

Somehow, I feel that most people are compassionate towards dogs because dogs give to their "owners" such unqualified love in abundance.

People are harder to love because most of us have these selfish, hidden agendas.

But I think you're right Asher ... if more people were like me this world would be a much better place ... (LOL!).

Gary

[Nikolai Sklobovsky]

Great to hear that you've managed to find Shelby a new great home!

[Gary Ayala]

Originally Posted by Nikolai Sklobovsky

Great to hear that you've managed to find Shelby a new great home!

Thanks Nik. I've checked in with her new family and they are all doing just grand (the new owner has echoed my feelings that Shelby is just a great dog). Cookie is getting back to her old self as well ... just so doggone quiet around here without the Shebly stirring things up. But I have visitation rights.

[Kathy Rappaport]

Gary,

I am glad that you picked a good home for Shelby. Which home did you pick? You had a couple possiblities.

As a fellow terrier person, I can relate to the behaviors. My Cairn Terrier, Daisy is very submissive to most other dogs. But my Lhasa Apso, Gizmo is Very Alpha. When I got Daisy, I had to make sure that she was not going to decide to be Alpha with Gizmo. She trys to start up every now and then but he reminds her that he's boss and she settles down. He will frequently scold her (I think he's telling her "It's my bird/squirrel/whatever") because she is not allowed to bark at his prey. She was 4 months old when we got her and he was 4. He's my rescue and I just adore them both.

The good thing about them is they're great practice subjects, always smiling, but, if they'd only hold still!

[Mary Bull]

Originally Posted by Kathy Rappa

Gary,
<snipped>
The good thing about them is they're great practice subjects, always smiling, but, if they'd only hold still!

In the thread "Yet another forum" in the "OPF Look, Feel, and Vibe" forum, I sent a reply asking for one on photographing domestic animals. There's a place to discuss wildlife and one for humans-in-action (Sports) but none for animals-in-action.

I thought there might be an interest in sharing ways to get good shots of moving pets, or other domestic animals.

Asher said we could have a forum for it, if there would be enough support.

In his reply, he seemed to say that horse racing was okay to discuss but not pigeon racing.

At some time he may have had a bad experience with cats, though. Maybe it was cat racing? Hmm.

When I get a replacement battery for my Canon G2, I'm going to try catching some beagles and labs in motion--pets of family members.

I can't manage a dog of my own now--although we always used to have two or three pointers and setters around. My late husband was a bird hunter. However, in his old age, he gave up shooting any of the wildlife on our farm. Too pretty to kill, he said of the deer.

Best wishes,

[Gary Ayala]

Originally Posted by Kathy Rappa

Gary,

I am glad that you picked a good home for Shelby. Which home did you pick? You had a couple possiblities.

As a fellow terrier person, I can relate to the behaviors. My Cairn Terrier, Daisy is very submissive to most other dogs. But my Lhasa Apso, Gizmo is Very Alpha. When I got Daisy, I had to make sure that she was not going to decide to be Alpha with Gizmo. She trys to start up every now and then but he reminds her that he's boss and she settles down. He will frequently scold her (I think he's telling her "It's my bird/squirrel/whatever") because she is not allowed to bark at his prey. She was 4 months old when we got her and he was 4. He's my rescue and I just adore them both.

The good thing about them is they're great practice subjects, always smiling, but, if they'd only hold still!

Hey, you're at OPF ... good deal. It was tough to choose ... but a win-win situation for Shelby. She went to the man who worked at home and took two to three walks a day to break up his work schedule. I've email and spoken with him and all is well. He is totally smittem by Shelby and she has won over the entire family. His only complaint was that Shelby used to bark when someone came to the front door, but in a day or so she has learn how to properly answer the door without barking (she takes their coats and umbrellas and escorts them into the parlor). She is a very smart little girl.

Cookie has re-emerged into her old self ... she was so restricted by Shelby that any moves she made towards a human, may have resulted in a fight. She was constantly looking over her shoulder to see where Shelby was.

So I guess it is all for the best. I'm giving Shelby a week to bond ... then Amy (my youngest daughter) and I will pop in for a visit.

Gary

[Gary Ayala]

Originally Posted by Mary Bull

In the thread "Yet another forum" in the "OPF Look, Feel, and Vibe" forum, I sent a reply asking for one on photographing domestic animals. There's a place to discuss wildlife and one for humans-in-action (Sports) but none for animals-in-action.

I thought there might be an interest in sharing ways to get good shots of moving pets, or other domestic animals.

Asher said we could have a forum for it, if there would be enough support.

In his reply, he seemed to say that horse racing was okay to discuss but not pigeon racing.

At some time he may have had a bad experience with cats, though. Maybe it was cat racing? Hmm.

When I get a replacement battery for my Canon G2, I'm going to try catching some beagles and labs in motion--pets of family members.

I can't manage a dog of my own now--although we always used to have two or three pointers and setters around. My late husband was a bird hunter. However, in his old age, he gave up shooting any of the wildlife on our farm. Too pretty to kill, he said of the deer.

Best wishes,

Mary- Gotta tell you that a digicam camera, like a G2, although a very capable camera, does not do well shooting action. The shutter lag (the time between pressing the shutter release button and the time the photo is taken) on most digicams is a killer. One really has to anticipate action with a digicam. While it is possible to capture a good action image with a digicam ... it is very very difficult and frustrating.

For action shooting there is nothing finer than a dSLR. The shutter release is nearly instantaneous on a dSLR (but then it is a lot more $$ and a bigger camera than your sweet G2).

Good luck to you ... Sterlingtek, on the internet, has very good prices for batteries.

Gary