HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: sstockw1@cc.swarthmore.edu (Sarah Stockwell)
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Ferret vomiting
Date: 9 Nov 92 17:18:36 GMT
Organization: CC

You probably don't want to read this if you're eating lunch at your
terminal. 

Last night Miniver started running around the room frantically, stopping in
a corner and retching, and running to another corner.  After several
attempts, she vomited up something that looked like it used to be a corn
chip.  She was scared and didn't want me to touch her while she was running
around.  She quieted down after about ten minutes, and went to sleep. 
Twice more during the course of the night I heard her throwing up.  She is
eating and drinking, so I'm not too concerned, but I wanted to know if this
is dangerous behavior or if she just has a stomachache.  It is possible
that she found an old corn chip behind a desk; I had some in my room about
three weeks ago and I haven't swept in the interim.  Should I worry?

Thanks for any input,

Sarah
Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: ardie@UIUC (R.D. McClary)
Subject: Hamster cataracs (sp?)
Organization: Department of Plant Pathology
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1992 13:09:00 GMT

    My oldest hamster (and the mother of the other two) is developing a 
catacac (I may not be able to spell it, but I can misspell it consistantly!) 
in one eye.  I read that hamsters are nearly blind anyway, depending on 
hearing and smell for most things.  What other implications might this 
condition have for her health and for that of her offspring?  Anyway, blind 
or not, a gray-brown eye is just not as cute as a deep ruby eye.
From: timi@mendel.berkeley.edu ( Tim Ikeda)
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Re: Guinea Pigs
Date: 12 Nov 1992 22:48:30 GMT
Organization: /etc/organization
NNTP-Posting-Host: mendel.berkeley.edu

lkc9240@rigel.tamu.edu (CLUISS, LINDA KAY) asks:
***************
I have two guinea pigs that are extremely cute.  The first and oldest is named
B.B.(five months).  The younger one (three months) is named Patches.  B.B. is
a bouncing baby girl while Patches is a male.  For the past couple of months,
I have been trying to breed them with little success.  I just wanted to know
if there is anyone out there that has had a similar situation.  B.B. is a
white and brown Dutch cavy.  Patches is an English Tortie.  Both get along
very well.  And if you are wondering, they have "bred" twice in the past few
months.  Is there anything I can do to help them?
****************

They might still be a bit young.  I wouldn't recommend breeding the sow
until she reaches 6-8 months (not that there's much you can do if they're
in the same cage).  Take note that pregnancy lasts over two months and 
it's not until the last three weeks or so that you'd really be able to
notice.  She could be coming along just fine.
   On the other hand, the boar might just be hitting sexual maturity now.
Either way, be patient for at least another couple of months.  It WILL
happen.

Vary the diet as you please. Good guinea pig pellets should provide nearly
all the nutrition they'll need (make sure it is supplemented with
vitamin C). The also go nuts for green vegetables such as lettuce, 
celery, carrot tops, clover, plantain, etc.  It's probably best to
avoid iceberg lettuce (low nutrition) and cabbage (gas).  I recommend
endive instead. 

After birth, most sows develop a taste for apples and other fruits.
(Mine never liked them before.)

Some morning, not too far in the future and after your female guinea pig
has gotten very, very fat, 4-6 new furry noses will been there to greet you.

- Tim Ikeda

PS: A warning.  Guinea pigs can mate again within 24-hours after giving
birth (They're practically tribbles!).  Don't let them do it.
It's very hard on the sow.
Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: clewis@bcarh1d7.bnr.ca (Chris Lewis)
Subject: Re: Another Ferret question
Organization: Bell Northern Research
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1992 18:53:08 GMT

In article <1992Nov3.023137.14326@csus.edu> altheimm@nextnet.csus.edu (Murray Altheim) writes:
>In article <1992Oct26.180849.11694@bcars6a8.bnr.ca>
>   clewis@ferret.ocunix.on.ca (Chris Lewis) writes:

>>Domestic ferrets aren't all albinos.  In fact, the majority of domestic ferrets
>>are sable coloured like their wild cousins.  If you're considering your ferret
>>to be a real english polecat simply because it isn't albino, you're mistaken.
>>There are physical and physiological differences between Polecats and domestic
>>ferrets.  The differences are subtle but experts can tell them apart.  I am not
>>an expert... 

>Well, mine could certainly fit within the "ferret" category you mentioned.
>I make no claim to being a ferret expert, in fact, this is my first and was
>a fluke at that. On the other hand, he is not sable but lemon with black tips,
>and the taxidermist I got him from said he was an English polecat. Beyond that,
>I don't know. I've seen "ferret" books with "colored" ferrets, so I hardly 
>disagree with the fact that not all ferrets are albino.

Trying to figure out what the colour "terminology" actually means can
be kinda amusing....  You do know what "sable" means don't you?
Not overall-black.  Cream-ish underfur plus dark brown guard hairs.
Dark mask etc.  There are considerable variations in shade.

"Lemon with black tips" is either the same thing, or a dirty ermine ;-)

Which isn't impossible - some people in Britain have been experimenting
with "domesticating" members of the weasel family as working animals -
those that come under the names stoats, long-tailed, short-tailed weasels etc.
Though, having had experience with nursing a baby least weasel back to health,
I have a hard time imagining that they'd *ever* make good hunters, let alone
pets.  Boy am I glad that least weasels never get bigger'n a couple ounces... ;-}
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Distribution: jadpc2
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 92 09:04:06 -0800
From: ELAINE_GALLEGOS@f703.n202.z1.fidonet.org
Subject: What books are good?
Comment-To: Diane_Bassett@f703.n202.z1.fidonet.org
Reply-To: ELAINE_GALLEGOS@f703.n202.z1.fidonet.org
X-FSC-PATH: 202/703 701
X-FSC-PID:  RA 0.04

  Carol Lee Benjamin writes very good dog books.
--- FMail 0.92
 * Origin: HILLCREST COMMUNITY BBS, SAN DIEGO. HST 619-291-0544 (1:202/703)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: sarah@albnyvms.bitnet
Subject: Re: Rotties
Reply-To: sarah@albnyvms.bitnet
Organization: University of NY at Albany
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 92 09:47:00 GMT

Hi!
 
I want a Rottweiler as well... I plan to bring one home after settling
down wherever my SO gets a jjob (he graduates in May - so I'd probably
be looking next Fall or whenever the next puppy season after that is...)
 
I'm older, and would be living in a more permanent situation than a college
student.  I've never raised a puppy before, although I grew up with a dog.
I was planning to look for a good trainer to train BOTH of us into good
habits, and I don't mind a good challenge.
 
I eventually (within a few years after the puppy being a dog) plan to bring
home a black lab - I have my heart set on a female of each and the local
doog grooming place's owner has that and says they are wonderful together. 
I jjjust am afraid that even though the Lab is easier to train, I'd get too
sloppy or lazy to deal with a Rottie after that, whereas I'd already have
the good habits from the Rottie to deal with the lab.
 
Please send me any/all info on these wonderful intense dogs - I fell in
love with them 10 years ago and MUST have one in my home before long!!!!
 
Sarah
SARAH @ ALBNYVMS . BITNET
From: vln@icpsr.umich.edu (Victoria Neff)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: What human foods should dogs not eat (besides chocolate)?
Date: 5 Nov 1992 17:49:13 GMT
Organization: Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research
Distribution: na
NNTP-Posting-Host: tdis.icpsr.umich.edu
Keywords: books don't tell you

In article <1992Nov3.221949.2549@ncar.ucar.edu> fredrick@acd.acd.ucar.edu (Timothy Fredrick) writes:
>
>I'm interested to know -- what exactly is bad about chocolate?  Is it the
>caffeine content?

It's the theobromine.  (Which is like caffeine.)  Dogs don't metabolize
it as easily as people do, and so a large dose of it may be fatal.  In
the past here on r.p.d people have also described chocolate bringing on 
epileptic seizures in dogs that have epilepsy.

My 27 pound Corgi ate most of a 10 oz bag of semi-sweet choc. chips once,
which we didn't discover until it was too late to get her to vomit (though
we did try).  The vet gave me some activated charcoal to try to feed her,
but she was so full (surprise surprise) she wouldn't eat the black
disgusting mess (charcoal mixed with canned food).  

Given that she had no problems from eating the choc, other than the effects
of eating too much, it's funny in retrospect.  The other dog was very eager
to eat the charcoal/food, but the Corgi just lay near the dish, groaning
and growling meaningfully whenever the other dog got near.

After we finallly picked up the dish, she just tried to get comfortable
all evening.  You could practically hear her:  "I can't believe I ate the
whole thing!"....
From: mfriley@pacman.WPI.EDU (Margaret F Riley)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Free Iams Food
Date: 9 Nov 92 19:58:39 GMT
Distribution: ne
Organization: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
NNTP-Posting-Host: pacman.wpi.edu


I have a voucher to received a 20 lb. bag of Iams Lamb & Rice or 
and Eukaneuba food from the Iams stand at the Boston Dog Shows,
Bayside Expo Center, Nov 12-15.   I will not be going, so I
will mail this to anyone who wants it and will be going.  Just send
me your snail mail address and I'll send it right out.

Margaret Riley
mfriley@wpi.wpi.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: 01mbmccabe@leo.bsuvc.bsu.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: Rotties
Date: 8 Nov 92 15:58:00 GMT
Organization: Ball State University, Muncie, In - Univ. Computing Svc's

In article <1992Nov6.045058.18345@dartvax.dartmouth.edu>, Melanie.A.Courtney@dartmouth.edu (Melanie A. Courtney) writes:
> 
> I am interested in purchasing a Rottie puppy in the near future.  I am
> a young adult (21) and, although I love dogs and read as many books
> concerning them as possible, I do not know as much as I would like to
> about this breed.  I do not consider the undertaking of raising any
> animal a light task... especially  a Rottweiller.  If anyone can
> provide information, titles of "must read" books, people to get in
> touch with, etc., please don't hesitate to contact me.  

AS far as your description of yourself, and your situation...you seem to be in
EXACTLY the same position I was in about a month ago (except I'm a guy and I'm
22:)  I came here and asked almost EXACTLY the same question, and just to
summarize and simplify the outcome...Unless you've raised a dog from puppy on
up before -- don't get a Rottweiler.  Unless you don't mind being challenged
for top-dog status in your home-pack all the time -- don't get a Rottweiler. 
Unless you care to outlay about ~1000+ for a good dog from a reliable dealer of
PET-quality -- DON'T get a Rottweiler.   Any questions?    :)


				-Matt
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: bradley@riemann.math.mun.ca (Bradley Goodyear)
Subject: HELP!!! My puppy bites people like crazy!!!
Organization: CS Dept., Memorial University of Newfoundland
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1992 20:17:06 GMT

HELP!!!! I can't get my Black Lab pup to stop biting people!!!

He jumps up on you abd bites at your arm and your clothes. I just lost
a brand new pair of jeans due to him ripping at them.

What's a guy to do?!?!??

Help me, Fast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Try to push him away or yell "no" at him doesn't seem to work. He only
seems to think that means you want to play.
Xref: sparky rec.pets.dogs:13705 news.answers:3985
From: mjohnson@stake.DaytonOH.NCR.COM (Marget Johnson)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: obedience training - where?
Date: 9 Nov 92 14:47:39 GMT
Reply-To: mjohnson@stake.DaytonOH.NCR.COM (Marget Johnson)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Stakeholder Relations, NCR Corp in Dayton,OH

In article <1992Nov8.060219.8834@samba.oit.unc.edu>
Richard.Tanson@launchpad.unc.edu (Richard Tanson) writes:
>Where or how, I should say, do you find out about dog obedience classes in
>your area, aprticularly, who a reputable trainer is. 

Run, don't walk, to your newsagent/bookstore for the 1993 DOGS USA Annual.
Cost is $5.95. Contains great articles, beautiful photos, a list of breeders
throughout the US and Canada for nearly every breed, PLUS a list of obedience
trainers, by state.  This publication (by the folks who bring you Dog Fancy)
should be in every dog-owner's library. 

Cindy, would you include in the reference FAQ?

Marget Johnson, Windwagon Newfs

--
From: cpatters@ub.d.umn.edu (Granma)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: Story for someone who wants to say "OH NO!!!!!"
Date: 11 Nov 1992 12:16:21 -0600
Organization: University of Minnesota, Duluth
NNTP-Posting-Host: ub.d.umn.edu
Keywords: uh oh

In article <1992Nov10.112626.10101@sserve.cc.adfa.oz.au> macaj2@cspyr1.cs.adfa.oz.au (MACKINNELL AMANDA) writes:
>	This is a true story.. and the owner of the puppies concerned
>	has not *yet* turned them into Golden Retriever-skin floor rugs

>
>	Anyone else got puppy-chewing horror stories I can console him
>	with????
>
Well, Amanda,  this should probably be posted under "What goes in
has to eventually come out ..."

Bear (black lab) ate my daughter's hair brush - actually, he ate the
boar-with-plastic-knobbies-on-the-top bristles and just chewed on the
handle.  A day or two later, you guessed it, he was "expelling" (nice
word) poop complete with bristles!  What a hoot!  Didn't seem to
bother him at all. (ah, remember, this is the dog who investigates
humorless skunks ....)

At least THAT was funny.  The time he LEAPED upon the dining room
table and ate our dinner was NOT funny.  Mommy was mad! ;-( grrrrrr

My friend raises Great Danes.  She told me that before she kenneled
one of her "puppies," it literally ate her couch!  Ha!

Granma
*-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-*
|          "Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?"	      |
*-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-*
From: rhh@alice.att.com (r hardin)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: Help with Shepherds
Date: 11 Nov 92 14:31:09 GMT
Article-I.D.: alice.24150
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill NJ



Stephen R. Lee writes:
>>Thinking that training methods supply tools is wrong - it serves as the
>>fatal displacement, the fatal deferment, of the whole point of being a dog.

>I disagree.  When one does not think of training methods as tools, one
>is necessarily assuming that dogs are robots, that can be programmed
>using the exact same algorithm each time.  When the focus is on the dog
>as an individual, one can try different methods to teach a concept that
>fit the "character" of the dog in question.  It is just that simple.

>>How do you teach character?  

>You don't.

>> Without bribing, without coaxing, without
>>threatening, without dominating, you insist on absolute obedience, and
>>that means absolute.

>If I am reading this correctly, you are saying that absolute obedience is 
>character.  Strange.

I want to say: in training, you teach character by showing the dog
something, in particular by showing him what absolute obedience, infinite
obligation, is.

It's like showing somebody something great - look at this - the
question of ``treating him as an individual'' doesn't even come up
in the conversation.  Nobody is inclined to ask if you treated him as a robot.

It's the point of being a dog, to see exactly that.
---

A book called ``Games People Play,'' by Eric Berne I think, came out
a long time ago, that is what happens in dog training if you think
``Well, I'll find out what the trouble is, how the dog feels about
this, and we'll work around it together.''  You wind up playing
``Ain't it awful'' or some such game.  The dog is an opportunist,
and he gets along pretty well with tangled rhetoric of the sort
he's likely to encounter.  You'd never know he had it in him to
be great, as in fact nobody does.
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: shari@modcomp.uucp (Shari Bernhard)
Subject: Re: How do you strip shedded fur?
Organization: MODCOMP, an AEG company
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1992 15:52:30 GMT

In <BxEpn2.3Iq@acsu.buffalo.edu> kkeating@acsu.buffalo.edu (Kelly Anne Hinkle) writes:

>In article <25471@sybase.sybase.com> joe@bulldog.sybase.com (Joseph Weinstein) writes:
>>
>>I find myself imagining coating him with hot wax and
>>when it cools, I pull off great sheets off with pounds
>>of loose fur coming with it!

>Uhh....I wouldn't exactly recommend this one....  :)

>However, I will suggest a Shed-n-Blade.  It looks almost like a saw, bent in a
>loop and secured with a leather handle.  It's metal with a bunch of tiny
>little teeth on the bottom, and smooth on the top.  This thing is the best
>instrument I've ever tried in getting loose hair off of dogs.  Try it and let
>me know how it works!  If it doesn't, although I can't imagine why it
>wouldn't, you always have the waxing idea to fall back on.  :)

>Kelly

I have to second this motion.  I use the Shed-n-Blade on Raven, a Black
Lab/White Shepherd mix with Shepherd hair.  She doesn't like it much, but
tough! :-)  I got it in a pet supply store.  The flat side of the metal
loop works well as a squeegie for getting off excess water after I've
taken her for a swim or a bath, too.

Shari
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: betsy@rainbow.uchicago.edu (Betsy Weatherhead)
Subject: Re: Crate & Tag Dogs when Traveling !!!
Organization: University of Chicago
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1992 23:54:11 GMT


I'm predicting 11 for Oreo!  I called it first.  I called it first.

Good luck!


-- 
                              O             betsy@rainbow.uchicago.edu
_          __                  \            
  \      /    \       -- >      O           E. C. Weatherhead
   \ __ /      \ __ /          /            5734 S. Ellis  Chicago, 60637
From: jmm7076@ultb.isc.rit.edu (J.M. Maurer)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Want to get a pooch
Date: 12 Nov 92 16:56:19 GMT
Organization: Rochester Institute of Technology
Originator: jmm7076@ultb


 Folks,
	I am a  new poster so here goes.  I am thinking about getting a
dog in the summer.  I would like a German Shepard, but I have heard
mixed reviews.  I have also hear that a shepard/lab mix makes a good 
pet.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Please send to 
JMM7076@ultb.isc.rit.edu

Thanx in Advance 

Jimbo
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: prager@mdd.comm.mot.com (David Prager)
Subject: Dog Club informational ads
Organization: Motorola, Mobile Data Division - Seattle, WA
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1992 01:18:23 GMT

Most dog clubs claim as part of their charter to provide education to the
public on the subject of dogs. Breed clubs too are usually active in providing
education, though mostly on their specific breed. Recently our local paper
ran an ad for puppies. A number of people inquired about the pups and then
called myself or other members of our regional breed club. It seems the people 
who ran the ad are selling unregistered (for at least two generations) puppies
and have not done the checks that are normally done by conscientious breeders.
They are also alegedly maligning the regional and national clubs; claiming
they restrict membership and fix prices. Right!

Some say it's their business.  Caveat Emptor. Others claim the responsible
breeders should do something. The consensus is to run a simple ad with our
clubs name and secretaries phone number. It is hoped that potential puppy
buyers will see the ad and get in touch with the club for good information.

This idea has caused something of a rift within our club. We've never 
advertised before; making this look like a true kneejerk reaction. In my
opinion, I disagree with what these people are doing but I can't stop them.
I've never seen club ads in newspapers but I'm told they are not uncommon.
Will placing an ad such as I've described be construed as informative or
simply vindictive?
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Distribution: jadpc2
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 92 08:31:00 -0800
From: ELAINE_GALLEGOS@f703.n202.z1.fidonet.org
Subject: beserk puppy
Comment-To: Mary_Kirk@f703.n202.z1.fidonet.org
Reply-To: ELAINE_GALLEGOS@f703.n202.z1.fidonet.org
X-FSC-PATH: 202/703 701
X-FSC-PID:  RA 0.04

  Your puppy Might be eplileptic.  It is not unheard of for puppies to
throw fits.  She may outgrow it.  If she does not outgrow it, it's
just one of those things in life we must live with.  A friend of mine
had an epileptic Irish Setter cross.  Most of the time,
Banjo was a happy, waggy pal to her.
--- FMail 0.92
 * Origin: HILLCREST COMMUNITY BBS, SAN DIEGO. HST 619-291-0544 (1:202/703)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Distribution: jadpc2
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 92 10:28:04 -0800
From: ELAINE_GALLEGOS@f703.n202.z1.fidonet.org
Subject: Re: Cracked Tooth, what to do?
Comment-To: Philip_Garnier@f703.n202.z1.fidonet.org
Reply-To: ELAINE_GALLEGOS@f703.n202.z1.fidonet.org
X-FSC-PATH: 202/703 701
X-FSC-PID:  RA 0.04

  Did your vet tell you that the tooth that got the root canal would
also have to be crowned?  
  It is necessary to crown the tooth because the tooth becomes
devitalized without the lifegiving pulp, and is no longer strong
enough for normal use.
--- FMail 0.92
 * Origin: HILLCREST COMMUNITY BBS, SAN DIEGO. HST 619-291-0544 (1:202/703)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: mike@nowaksg.chem.nd.edu (Michael George Buening)
Subject: Missed the point.
Organization: University of Notre Dame
Distribution: rec.pets.dogs
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1992 15:05:07 GMT



This is to the kind person who thinks Beamer has cancer because
I mentioned that he was feeling droopy lately.  Thanks so much.
Your diagnostic powers overwhelm me.  
As far as the adolescent boys, you obviously didn't read my post.
The father shot boy number two because he wanted to stop boy number
one from throwing rocks at dog number one.  
Sorry I wasted space with this but I feel jumpy today.  I had
better leave before I punch the monitor.

Mike
-- 
| Michael Buening	    We are not inheriting the earth from our |
| mike@nowaksg.chem.nd.edu  parents, we are borrowing it from our    |
|		 	    children" -- Saw it on a shirt, author   |
|					 unknown		     |
From: chapp@PROBLEM_WITH_INEWS_GATEWAY_FILE (Bill Chapp)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Dog eating cat food.
Date: 13 Nov 92 00:11:15 GMT
Organization: HP - Systems Technology Division
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1.8 PL6]

A friend of mine has a 15-month-old, male Miniature Schnauzer named
Grady.  Her roommate recently got a kitten.  Grady just loves to eat the
cat's food.  She's been very consistent about reprimanding the dog when
she catches him.  He knows that he's not supposed to do it, because even
before the reprimand, he'll put his ears and tail down and look guilty.
Unfortunately, he doesn't stop eating the food.  She had also tried
adding Tabasco and chili powder to the food, but Grady still chomps it
down.  Cayenne pepper was very effective at stopping him from eating
poop when he was just a few months old, but the taste of the cat food
seems to over power the spice!

Does anyone have any suggestions for other things she could try?

Many thanks,
-Bill Chapp
chapp@hprpcd.rose.hp.com
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs