woke me up with kisses. Then they made me go get them food, very glad petsmart was open today! Then they laid around barking orders at me! Pet me here..scratch me there!

I let them out to potty while I was folding towels. After about 15 minutes, I heard one of them bark then the other. I went to the door to see what they were up to and they had crossed the driveway, made their way trotting toward the boat justa barking. I didn't see anything out there for them to be barking at. I hollered at them to come, they both slammed on brakes and turned around and came back.

I can't imagine what a 7 pound 2 toothed Chihuahua and a 17 pound love bug thought they were going after that would be intimidated by their bark. SMH silly lil critters.

Thank you Gemme.

I plan to nerrow down the list and then meet some dogs from those breeds. I have already met the Great Pyrenees at a coworkers house. They are a wonderful breed. I know that I want a medium to large dog. A lot of the breeds that interest me cannot take this heat. I will definitely go with a rescue pet. I always do and it has worked out well

Thank you for your help,
Chad

My pets did what they do everyday: they ate, they peed, they pooped, they ripped the hell out of everything they could find.

Does a Newfoundland do ok in the heat?

I don't know if you know her, but Miss Tia (on this site), has been rescuing and loving Newfoundlands for years and years. I am sure she would love to hear from you to ask questions. I don't know if she comes on the site anymore, but a PM should go to her email. She may be able to find you a rescue, as well.

Oops. I forgot she changed her name to Soft * Silver.

Our house is seldom quiet!
 

First the introductions:

We are a 3 cat household with 2 human caretakers.

Madam Calliope- rules all of the household's activities, from when an extra

scoop of food is to be added to the dish (which she supervises, then

walks away without eating a kibble) to when the litterbox needs care. She is

not that obsessed with water,but the Prince Che is. He demands a trickle of

water be left on at the sink. He wants his fresh cold water.

Now Prince Che can't be blamed. He was literally born on my lap, and

the story goes from there. He is spoiled rotten to the core. If he lacks

anything wanted or needed, I am informed by Calliope. She rules the

roost. We were once staying at Her brother's who has 2 large dog...

one a pit bull, one is a German Shepherd/Dobie mix. She had the two

dogs obeying her (Calliope) within 2 days. She would regularly lay

between them and their foodbowl until she wished to get up (~15-30 mins).

Then, and only then could they stand to approach the bowl. She did

this just to exert dominance. Neither Sue nor I would move her, and

none of my brother's family dared. She has powerful arms and nails,

even a slap stings. If you followed her rules and requests, she's

a wonderful and sweet cat. Wooh be the human who forgets who's in

charge.

Poor Prince Che, he was born for the moniker General Che. But with his

spoiled, dinty self, he ends up being called "Che-Che" or "Sweet-Che". Some

Cuban Revolutionary here. Next time I'll wait to see the personality before

choosing a name. He should be named Little Prince. The boy is so dainty

that his paws have never touched grass. My next cat name was to be

Fidel ... I'll wait.

The last one, I found hiding behind a washer about 3 weeks ago. Really

hasn't adjusted to life here. She had belonged to my neighbor who left

her without making arrangements when being sent back to prison (no

surprise - parole violation). This kitty (? age) was scared and hungry.

She only looks about 7 months, but we're told she's an adult. She has

grown in length as well as width. We originally named her Diva, but she

might not grow into that.

Right now, I call (ah, the poor thing) her Rat Cat. She took down most

of our bathroom dropdown ceiling trying to get out. Actually, we were lucky.

The electrical wires (old house) were burning through, and had already

burnt the plastic. We thought her shenanigans were responsible for

all the damage, and the lights going out there. Rat Cat's antics had most

likely saved us from a house:seesaw::fallenangel::devil: fire according to the slumlord's

repair dude. Our slumlord has not done any upkeep since he bought

the building. Glad the Rat Cat is a good investigator.

Monte the Magnificent has overdosed again. Where he found the plastic grocery bag I do not know. Any time I think I've left no stone unturned, somehow he manages to scrounge up another one. He's been locked indoors to keep him safe and healthy, but I think he's actually better off vaccinated, booted out and left to the wolves. He always comes home happy, healthy, bouncing back in, unharmed from a trip outside. And there are a lot more plastic bags to be had out there than there are in here. Plus when I keep him inside he gains a lot of weight. He's all mister el gordo now. I used to worry if let him outdoors some other animal might beat him up or some car might do him in. Now I'm just worried if I keep locking him up indoors he's going to develop type two diabetes. Well, at least he'd be in good company. Maybe one of those cat wheel things, like they have for hamsters only bigger, for cats. However I have issues about forcing on a cat, exercise things I'd be unwilling to have forced on me. Don't think I'd very much like one my size in the in the living room insinuating, hint hint.

Hi Dapper,

No, I don't think the Newfoundland or Great Pyreness can handle the Texas heat. Back to the drawing board. I have plenty of time to complete my research. I am now looking at Collies.

Thank you,
Chad.

On the kitty front, my kitties are still making me laugh everyday.

i have friends who have pyrs they are very good dogs but you have to treat them with calmness and lots of patience. Never yell at them. They are guardian dogs and it is their nature to guard a herd. It's in their nature to love to go out at night because that is their internal clock in time "to work". Also hot weather doesn't seem to bother them too much as long as you provide good shade and plenty of fresh water..if you don't get a puppy, realize a rescue usually comes with problems ie, they've been abused, ignored or both..so assume any rescue dog will not be easily won over. Make sure you get as much history as possible and be armed with plenty of patience. It will take a long while for a mistreated pyr to trust you. Treats help. Be available but don't push your presence on him. He/she enjoys their own company but if you respect them and treat them well they will eventually seek out your company.

Hey, Buddy, The Great Pyreness is number one for doing what you want in Texas. Did you miss what I wrote?

"The most common LGDs in Texas are Great Pyre- nees, Anatolian Shepherds, Maremma, or Akbash. These or similar guardian dog breeds are highly suggested. Breeds that do not have strong protective instincts are less likely to be effective. Breeds whose instinct is to hunt or herd have behaviors that are counterproductive to guarding small ruminants and rarely become effective LGDs. Survey data indicates that the Great Pyrenees is the most common guardian dog, primarily because it is a good guardian breed and is the least aggressive towards people and livestock."

Like, the top four for texas is listed right above to kill your coyote (and be gentle with everyone else). Just what you said you wanted.

You might want to start with those. A collie is a herder. You don't want a herder or a hunter. See above.

https://www.quora.com/Can-a-dog-kill-a-coyote

Hi Dapper,

Interesting article. I still worry about the heat for a Great Pyreness but it is still my favorite breed. I will continue my research. I have a colleague that has had both the Great Pyreness and the Newfoundland growing up in New Jersey. He thought the Texas heat would be hard on the Newfoundland and the Great Pyreness. I will check with the local AKC. Thank you for your support and assistance.

Chad

Shes being a brat as usual.... Trying to dig holes under the new fence to go on an adventure.

They played and played in the backyard. Today I bought Jeffrey a bright orange hard long cylinder-like toy that has a thick string looped through an eye on one end. He loves that kind. After he ran all over full speed with it, throwing it in the air ... he settled with it between his paws, began slowly pulling the string all the way until it stopped at the knot ... then gently pulled it the opposite direction - same deal. He does this over and over.

Jennifer and Kevin do not become the least bit jealous when he gets a new toy. In fact, I think they like it because they get some peace. LOL!

Have you looked into a mixed pitbull. That's a dog who will short charge

away an aggressor then stand over what needs protecting like it's daring

someone to make a move. The pit will have the last move. Had a pit who

was my protector that a stranger wanted to meet. He asked how she was

with babies. Had a 15 mo. walking around while we chatted, kid fell, started

crying. Dad starts to panic until he realizes that she had positioned

herself over the boy on the sidewalk. Anyone other than dad tried to

approach, she's keep 'em away with a deep throated growl. As her owner, I

wouldn't really want to go a round with Hildegaard if guarding a kid. He

offered me 1000 dollars on the spot. No way, I raised her like that.

There are many breeds that would thrive in Texas, and do you really need

an AKC breed. I have found that the most intelligent dogs tend to be

Heinz 57, and saving a life is nothing to sneeze at.

Sorry, I'm cathexis. New to this thread, and avid pet keeper. The dogs

have been pits, coyote mix, wolf/black lab hybrid. We're in too small an apt

for a canine now...wouldn't be fair...fond of big canines, duh.

Hate to butt in, but just had to. Good luck with your search.

If I can do anything to help, like help sort out various breed characteristics,

jusk ask.:wolf::playingcat:

Nope No Pit Bulls Here Just Us Unicorns
 

I remember that book! Everyone bought it!

My two kitties tried a new and expensive food that comes with a sachet of sauce per serving, they licked the sauce off and then went and sat by their cupboard in expectation leaving a full dish of `sauceless` food. Well that was a waste of money was it not.

I woke up and my dog was sitting halfway across the room looking at me. I mumbled something I can’t remember to acknowledge her then fell back asleep. Woke up an hour later and she was sitting there watching me. So I start to get up and her tail starts going and she gets bouncy with excitement. She’s so sweet waiting patiently like that so I gave her lots of attention when I got up.

A light rain is keeping us indoors ... supposed to be an all day trend.

My canine children have been inside on the bed. They wrestle for an hour, then nap for an hour ... it is a cycle and I predict it will continue. They are so bored but behaving well --->>> so far.

Wwwaaaaaaaahhhhh ... I am bored too. I feel smothered having to be inside.

Having a nap. His front paws are pressed together like he's praying for salvation. Or cat treats. Or maybe for him either way, it's the same dang thing.

When we were getting Blade's home theater set up, I placed 2 remotes and a paper towel on the couch, went to change into my fuzzy pjs, walked back into the livingroom and found my old dog had ate half of my paper towel.
He looked very proud of himself and Blade started laughing his ass off (Blade had been oblivious to the shenanigans as they were sitting on the couch together).
Guess he'll need some doggy X-lax if everything doesn't come out tomorrow.

When I went to go see my BFF the other day, both dogs were so excited to see me. They just loved me up and mY cat Ms Petunia came out to sit on my lap and babysit me while we watch TV during our afternoon visit. :stillheart:

I have been busy all day deep cleaning, Spring cleaning my kitchen to within an inch of its life. Naturally I was supervised closely by furry friends. My little girl kitty loves to sit on the window ledge bird watching but has to weave about the bits and bobs on there. So I decided to make her a special place in the corner, I put her a small pad for comfort and was sure to leave her space to access it with ease. I was rewarded with complete indifference and she now refuses to go anywhere near the window.

You know there are always lots of chew treats for dogs but I dont think I have ever seen that type of thing for cats, I wonder if there was such a treat if it would keep her happy. One of mine has a thing for paper but only when you are writing on it, she`ll do her best to shred it, we`ve lost homework that way!

I`ve come the the conclusion that all children are complicated, furry or otherwise, I can rarely stay one step ahead of any of mine !

My two dont cycle with their toys, its more one red hot favourite and after a few days its never looked at again. They too enjoy a Q tip, rolled up bit of paper makes them happy and Ms Cupcake loves a mouse with feathers on....for a limited time anyhow.

The double claws may well play a part, definitely see what the vet has to say it will be interesting to find out. Are your two indoor kitties Gemme ?

My big ginger boy is a gentleman with food and always steps back if Cupcake decides she wants what he has {even though they have exactly the same} despite him being twice the size of her I still make sure he gets his fair share as I think he would happily starve whilst gazing adoringly at her !

We are playing fetch right now and I’m making slow motion videos of her. She is so funny in them!

Gemme, I think that it would be actually better to not free feed. I think that not free feeding will decrease his anxiety. He will learn that he gets food every day, once (or twice, whatever you do), per day. He won't feel the need to "plan" for no food by eating extra free food because there will be no free food to "plan with". He will start to realize that when mom wakes up in the morning he gets fed, and when mom gets home (or at a certain time, whatever works with your schedule), he gets fed. If you are home at dinner time set an alarm for the same time every day. His body clock/sunlight clock, will start telling him when food is upcoming.

He will see over time that there is no need to worry. His anxiety will go away.

Oh, dont like the sound of coyotes versus Kitties at all. Very different where I am, every other home seems to have a cat and its pretty quiet so you cant walk down a road without being greeted by someones cat. I have fairly new neighbours with 4 cats but they moved from a built up area and she has kept her cats as `indoors cats` still, my big boy goes calling for them to play out and sits on the lawn in hope !

Poor Loki, it does sound like the missed day is etched on his memory. Lets hope as time goes by he will get it in his head that meals will be regular as the norm. My two were both rescues at 6 months and had been left in a house with no food for days on end the shelter told me. My boy used to beg a lot and swiped a paw at food being waved about by the children more than once but eventually that stopped.

I wonder if you could leave him with a timed feeder for his dry food when you are not there, regulate and portion control it for him.

Cats eh ! Gotta love em !

I don't know. If I knew that I was getting some Grandma Utz's potato chips every time the sun hit the window in a certain spot I wouldn't ruminate over the potato chips worrying I wasn't going to get any. I got some yesterday when the sun hit that certain spot on the couch, in fact, that happens every day, so I know my potato chips are coming.

However, I wouldn't think about or notice that sun spot if the potato chips (maybe more bland ones, but still, I like all potato chips) were avaiable in the kitchen. And how do I know if that is going to keep being refilled. The refilling is random.