HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: paul.moor@ggcs.org (Paul Moor) 
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Misha & Skeezix  (3/4)
Date: 22 Dec 92 16:22:00 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: Golden Gate Computer Society BBS - Marin, CA - 415-927-1216
Reply-To: paul.moor@ggcs.org (Paul Moor) 

[Part 3:]

   Even after my years -- nay, decades -- of preoccupation with
(and training in) psychoanalysis, the phenomena of the unconscious
mind continue to take my breath away.
   Last week I became the new owner of a little French bulldog
brought into the Humane Society pound in Huntington Beach, down
near San Diego.  At the risk of repeating myself: a man (under
suspicion as his actual owner) had brought him in -- filthy,
visibly underweight, crawling with fleas -- claiming he'd found
him on the street.  They give animals there three weeks before (as
I understand it) they stun them unconscious with an electric shock
and then gas them.  A good Samaritan rescued my dog almost at the
last minute.
   I tried to think of some name (out of mythology, perhaps?) to
match the sweet little waif's own fate, but came up with none, and
so, after considering and discarding a number of names, I finally
decided on plain and simple Spot.
   My unconscious kept tugging at my psychic sleeve, though: the
name Skeezix not only popped into my head, for the first time in
God knows how long (I'd learned it as a little boy's name in a
comic strip during my childhood, long, long ago), but it obsti-
nately refused to disappear.  Finally I decided to forget about
Spot and instead call my irresistible little dog Skeezix.
   Well, I've just come home from the San Francisco Public Li-
brary, where, in my pedantic way, I did the necessary research --
in a coffee-table tome called .The World Encyclopedia of Comic
Strips. or something similar.  Those on this BBS and elsewhere
who'd kindly responded to my query by identifying Skeezix with the
old Gasoline Alley strip proved bang-on -- but now dig this:
   Gasoline Alley began publication in 1918, and had as its
central character a bachelor (!) named Walt Wallet.  In 1921 Walt
found, in a basket on his doorstep, a male infant foundling --
whom he named Skeezix.
   Three years after that, I myself arrived in this vale of tears,
so I grew up reading about Skeezix in the El Paso Herald-Post
throughout my childhood, from as early as I can remember, so I
must have known Skeezix's origins, even though I'd long since
"forgotten" them.  The fact that the strip ceased publication
after twenty-four years means I couldn't have even seen it after
1942 -- half a century ago.
   So now I .know. why my implacable unconscious pushed me, so
inexorably, into dropping the name Spot -- in favor of Skeezix.

                                [Continued to part 4.]

---
 . OLX 2.2 . Some employees in France may bring dogs and cats to work.
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Distribution: world
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 92 10:17:01 -0800
From: ELAINE_GALLEGOS@f703.n202.z1.fidonet.org
Subject: Looking for a dog
Comment-To: Gordon_Banks@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

  Maybe you could look into some of the livestock guardian breeds like
the Komondor or the Anatolian Shepard.  This type of dog has a thick
coat, does well in cold weather, functions well with a minimum of
supervision and has a territorial, protective nature.
  Other choices to look into are the Black mouth Cur, Louisianna
Catahoula, or an Akbash dog.
--- FMail 0.92
 * Origin: HILLCREST COMMUNITY BBS, SAN DIEGO: HST 619-291-0544 (1:202/703)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: schlumpf@uimrl7.mrl.uiuc.edu ()
Subject: Allergic Reaction- Swelling, how fast?
Reply-To: schlumpf@uimrl7.mrl.uiuc.edu ()
Organization: Materials Research Lab
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1992 16:36:41 GMT



I'm writing this in hopes someone may be out there who can help me a bit
before I go to the vet at 1:40 this afternoon. I'm worried, VERY worried.

This morning we woke up to find Siegfried, ou nearly 5 mos. old German
Shepherd, with half his muzzle swollen. We immediately called the vet,
but he wasn't in yet so we went to work and waited for a call.  My 
suspicion was it was something to do with his teething or perhaps one
of the cats got him with a claw or something. So, the vet calls back and
I talked to him about it. He thinks it may be an allergic reaction, perhaps
a spider bite, and tells me to keep a VERY close eye on Siegfried. If the
swelling increases AT ALL we're supposed to take him to the vet as he
said it could swell the entire head and then get to the windpipe and I 
wouldn't have a dog anymore! So, of course, by this time I'm *REALLY*
worked up, worrying about my poor little Siegy while I'm sitting here 
at work and the only people I could turn to were you wonderful 
r.p.dogs folks...  So, if anyone is out there who might know, how fast
does swelling usually occur??? I mean is it possible it could have
swelled his whole head by now? 10:30?? When we last saw him it
was 8:50. Or is swelling slower than that? Should I have Peter run home
and check him now, or do you think he'll be okay until noon (another
hour and a half)?

I was kinda POed at the receptionist, she wanted to schedule me at
4:30!!! I don't think she knew the whole situation... The vet is in 
surgery now so it's not like I can ask him how long it'll take to 
swell...SIGH. I'm just SO worried about my little Siegfried!!!
(Peter said if I worried half as much about my own health as I
am about the pets' health I'd be in the doctor's office every other
day!)

Worried 'Mom'-

Kay Schlumpf & Crew    
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: booth@ccad.uiowa.edu (Michael Booth)
Subject: Re: Names for male dog starting with 'B' needed
Organization: CAD-Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1992 16:54:26 GMT

In article <1992Dec29.183117.2040@nntpserver.chevron.com> hjjcl@usho77.hou281.chevron.com (J.J.Clyde) writes:
>(Keith Skronek) writes:
>>> 
>>> On 11-Dec-92 in Re: Names for male dog star..
>>> 
>>Some Names that come to mind:  Barnibus, Barney, Benedict, Bart, Benjamin,
>>		Benard, Benny, or Bob.
>
>Buford, Berkeley (if he's liberally-minded), Brutus (or "et tu Brutus"),
>Buck, Blake, Butch, Backus, or Benton.


Our Akita puppy is named Bentley, but we just call him Ben.

Mike

-- 
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
  Michael S. Booth (booth@ccad.uiowa.edu)
  Iowa Driving Simulator Scenario Control Subsystem Developer
  Center for Computer Aided Design, the University of Iowa
From: berlind@acsu.buffalo.edu (heike berlind)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: Toys...(was Re: Kong???)
Date: 27 Dec 92 16:13:24 GMT
Organization: State University of New York at Buffalo/Comp Sci

In article <1gg5bbINNgdf@nigel.msen.com> dan@msen.com (Dan Sugalski) writes:
>David G. Simmons (davids@gardener.lanl.gov) wrote:
>
>: After reading this thread on Kongs, I wonder if anyone else has
>: expereince with the "(almost) Indestructible Ball" from R.C.
>: Steele.  I got one for McDuff the wonder Beardie.  He seems
>: more annoyed at it than fond of it, though he plays with it quite
>: frequently.  He has, however, managed to do quite a bit of damage to
>: it fairly quickly (deep tooth marks in the hard palstic).
>

We bought the (almost) indestructible ball from R.C. Steele for our
Norwegian Elkhound, Wotan.  He is crazy about basketballs and at first 
he was crazy about the indest. ball  too. But on the evening of the
first day, after he had played a lot with his new ball he seemed to be
sore around his face.  Whenever we wanted to pet him there, he winced with
pain and wouldn't allow it. I guess the ball is too hard for him to be
pushing around for hours. He still plays with it but never that long again.

Heike
From: shedevil@vix.com (Anne P. Mitchell JD)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Is She Done Growing?
Date: 29 Dec 1992 23:26:15 -0800
Organization: Knapp & Viola, Attys. at Law, San Mateo, CA
NNTP-Posting-Host: gw.home.vix.com


So, our *newest* foundling [what?  I haven't told you all about Nika
yet??..oh dear..I must do..she is an incredibly sweet lab/akita
cross...
the poor thing's name was *Potlicker*..but now it is Nika.  She
was an outdoor-back-up-in-the-mountains dog until now..she seems to be
*very* happy to have a nice warm loving (and dry!) home to sleep in,
and she and Tazi have become fast friends in the space of about 2
hours]
..anyway, Nika is about 8 months old, and as I mentioned, she is a
lab/akita cross...her mother is the lab...her father is a 100lb akita.

She is already about..er..I think it was 64 pounds...both her previous
owner (for whatever *that's* worth) and a fairly dog-knowledgable
friend of mine seem to think that Nika is done growing.  *I* think
she has a ways to go yet, if the paw/body ratio is a true indicator..
her paws are still quite large compared to the rest of her body...
her ears, which are lab-style, seem to be in proportion.

So what I'm wondering, is there some kind of general rule of thumb, or
even some kind of breed-specific rule of thumb, as to when a dog will
have pretty much stopped growing by?


Also, if she *is* possibly still growing, what should I be feeding her?
Right now I am feeding her what I feed Tazi [who is about 18 months
old or
so], which is Science Diet Light Maintainance, along with some kind of
moist chunk things and some milk or broth mixed in during the dinner
From: terry@eece.ksu.edu (Terry Hull)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: Rottweilers
Date: 29 Dec 1992 21:04:16 GMT
Organization: Kansas State University
Distribution: usa
NNTP-Posting-Host: ralph.eece.ksu.edu
Keywords: Rottweilers

rec1@cbnewsf.cb.att.com (robert.e.covello) writes:

>Hi all,

>Does anyone have a lot of experience with rotties.  I am having
>a small problem with her exitement level.  She's 6 1/2 months old
>and the one of the best dogs I've ever had.  When we come home
>she is so excited she won't stop jumping for about 20 min.  You
>try everything the books and people tell you (the knee, telling
>her to sit before she jumps) but they don't phase her.

Howdy everybody.  I've been so busy, my net.participation has gone to
zero recently. 

Since my Rottweiler puppy, Wizard a male of 8 months and 75 lbs, and
my adult altered male Bear both had this exact problem, I thought I
might be able to help.  First, the books are not written with my dogs
in mind.  If you bump my older male in the chest with your knee, he
will think you are playing some sort of great game with him.  My vet,
who has successfully used this technique for years, failed utterly
with Bear.  (She is a sporting dog person.)  Secondly, you should know
that I DO allow my dogs to jump on me.  In fact, I kneel down so they
can get to my face without having to stand on their hind legs.  I want
them to greet me when I come home and I encourage them.  Strangers are
a different matter.  I use obedience commands in this situation.
Specifically I use 'Down' or 'Sit/Stay' and then allow the visitor to
pet them.  BTW: The down for dogs that have a shaky sit/stay.
After their sit/stay is solid, I use that instead so the visitors
don't have to stoop down quite so low.  I also train 'Off' so that I
can get them to not jump if I choose.  This is done by giving them a
stern 'Off' command and pushing them off of me and then praising as
much as possible without encouraging them to jump up on me once again.
At this point, my puppy will sometimes sit on his own when people come
to the door.  He knows he gets petted by strangers when he is sitting,
and not when he is jumping around like a crazed dog.




--
Terry Hull  -  terry@eece.ksu.edu
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Kansas State University
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: schalene@sequent.com (Schalene Dagutis)
Subject: Re: Hardwood Floors and Dogs
Organization: Sequent Computer Systems, Inc.
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 92 18:03:39 GMT

In article <1992Dec17.222315.8779@inel.gov> kte@INEL.GOV (Kathryn L Cook) writes:
>We're remodeling our older house and would like to remove the carpet and
>refinish the hardwood floors.  My only concern is how this might affect 
>my dogs.  They love to run and chase each other all over the house and
>I'm worried that the new floors will be to slick and they may hurt themselves.
>I also once heard that slick floors can agravate/cause? hip dysplasia.
>I've also heard that the dogs may scratch the floors although I keep their
>nails trimmed back. Does anyone have experience with dogs on hardwoods is
>this a bad idea?
>
>
We rented a house when we were first married with hardwood floors.  We 
only had one dog at the time.  But whenever he went running to chase 
something, he lost his footing and slid.  We had to take him to the vet's
several times for ligament problems.  Now that we own our own home and
have two dogs -- who are constantly playing tag with each other, our home
is carpeted.  Our vet strongly recommended it and so do I.  Like you, our
home is an older one, complete with hardwood floors throughout.  We had
wall-to-wall carpeting put in in the foyer, dining room, living room, and
hall.  We kept the hardwood floors in the bedrooms, but the dogs aren't 
allowed in the bedrooms during the day.  When the dogs are in the bedroom,
they know its time to sleep and aren't allowed to play "wildly."  Before
we put in the wall-to-wall, we tried area rugs, but they didn't work.

schalene
From: gbelli@opal.tufts.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: Too cold for dogs
Date: 21 Dec 92 13:51:19 GMT
Organization: Tufts University - Medford, MA

In article <gailh.724690147@aupair.cs.athabascau.ca>, gailh@aupair.cs.athabascau.ca (Gail Humphreys) writes:
> Recently, some netters have been asking what is too cold for dogs
> and how you would tell if they are uncomfortably cold in the snow.
> If a house dog is not acclimitized to the cold, it can be
> dangerous to leave them out for too long.  They can freeze their
> feet, and especially, their ears.
> 
> Your dog will give you signs if they are uncomfortable.  For example,
> they may wimper, hold their feet off the ground and give you that
> baleful staring look with the ears back, like they are trying to tell
> you something.
> 
> For example, this morning I took my dog out in the yard to go to the
> bathroom.  It was a beautiful crisp clear morning but cold - about
> -25 F (around -33 C).  After a few minutes, she suddenly flipped onto
> her back and tucked her feet against her body.  She gave me that look
> and I knew something was wrong.  I was alarmed.  I thought she was
> injured.  I was just going to carry her into the house when she got
> up and ran in by herself.  After only a few minutes outside, her
> feet had started to freeze.
> 
> Many dogs can live outside in this climate if they are acclimatized
> and have proper shelter.  My dog is a young lab/shep cross who grew
> up indoors.  This is her first winter and she could not survive
> outside.  If you are worried about taking your dog outside in the
> snow, watch them closely and don't assume that they should be OK
> just because sled dogs and coyotes can do it.
> 
> In spite of all this, dogs can really enjoy winter outdoors (in small
> doses).
> 
> Cheers,
> Gail Humphreys,
> Athabasca, Alberta
 

Just one more sign to add to the list: Spenser will often limp when we are
out walking in the snow.  This is, of course, caused by snow caught in his
pads.  Very uncomfortable, I'm sure.  So if your snow bunny starts to limp,
before you worry that he is injured, try brushing off his pads.

Gretchen & Spense (who wishes we had some snow so he could try some of the
neat tricks the other dogs have been writing about)
From: ce293@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Gail E. Brookhart)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: Rottweilers
Date: 30 Dec 1992 13:59:22 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
Reply-To: ce293@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Gail E. Brookhart)
NNTP-Posting-Host: hela.ins.cwru.edu


In a previous article, rec1@cbnewsf.cb.att.com (robert.e.covello) says:

>Hi all,
>
>Does anyone have a lot of experience with rotties.  I am having
>a small problem with her exitement level.  She's 6 1/2 months old
>and the one of the best dogs I've ever had.  When we come home
>she is so excited she won't stop jumping for about 20 min.  You
>try everything the books and people tell you (the knee, telling
>her to sit before she jumps) but they don't phase her.
>
>Any Suggestions
>
>						Bob Covello
>						bobc@ketch.hr.att.com
>						ajshp!bobc
>
>
>
>

Have you tried totally withholding all praise and attention until after she
is calm?  Let her make the association for herself that praise and
attention come only from being a sweet calm girl.  A lot of times after a
dog has been alone all day they are so wound up to see you that any
attention is too much for them at that moment and everyone needs the time
to decompress after the homecoming.

Gail
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: angela@brahms.udel.edu (Angela Lakwete)
Subject: Re: My Strange Pooch
Organization: University of Delaware
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 02:47:33 GMT

In article <168C262B.REBECCA@YaleVM.YCC.Yale.Edu> REBECCA@YaleVM.YCC.Yale.Edu (Rebecca Drayer) writes:
>drinking, she'll start playing with the water.  Sometimes she'll stick her
>paws in and start batting it around, or she might stick her face in the bowl
>and start blowing bubbles.  (I wish I could see this; it sounds hilarious.)
> 
Thuja, my late standard poodle, loved to stick her head in her
water bowl and blow bubbles.  She would also drop pieces of food
in it and then blow bubbles as she tried to catch the kibble.

-- 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~angela@brahms.udel.edu~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
:      Univ. of Delaware: History of Technology         : 
:                CompuServe: 72657,1125                 :  
:     "Live simply that others may simply live."        :
From: micki@novell.com (Michelle Duncan)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: I'm a Mommie!!!
Date: 1 Jan 93 05:06:42 GMT
Organization: Novell, Inc.

What a way to start the new year!

My husband and I picked out our new puppy tuesday after getting that
long awaited call from the breeder.  Hes 5weeks old and will be coming
home on January 23rd.  The breeder has been calling him Moby (hes a
full pound heavier than any of the others in the litter), we are
thinking of calling him Samson.  Hes a blue merle smooth collie and we
can't wait to get him home!  :)

Those of you who have been around awhile might remember a couple of
years back after we lost our Daffy and I posted to the net for
sympathy since no one else understood how we could love a dog that
much.  It seemed only fitting that I come out of lurker hood to share
our good news with a group of friends who were there when I needed
them.

This is a GREAT way to start the new year!  :-)

___________   _______________________________________^__
           |||              ___   ___ ___  |   __  ,----\
 Michelle (micki) Duncan :^)   | |   |   | |  |  | |_____\
 Novelle Information Services _| | O | O | |  |  |        \
 Internet:  micki@novell.com     |___|___| |  |__|         ) 
___________|||_____________________________|______________/
           |||     I'd rather be at DisneyWorld...    /--------
-----------'''---------------------------------------'
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: kathy_buetow@QMS1.life.uiuc.edu (Kathy Buetow)
Subject: Re: Obedience v. Breed (was mutts & purebreds)
Followup-To: rec.pets.dogs
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 18:59:00 GMT

In article <168C18D3B.CBARNES@tamvm1.tamu.edu>, CBARNES@tamvm1.tamu.edu
(Chris Barnes) wrote:

> In an ideal world, conformation is as equally important to a breed
> as obediance (and hunting ability if applicable). 

Yes, yes, yes (herding tests for me, please !!)

> Then explain to me, why part of that breed standard states that the
> dogs characteristics should emphasise it's ability to hunt (in goldens
> and labs)  (note:  I don't have a copy of the standard with me, so pleas
> forgive any paraphrasing here) and yet goldens with exceptionally long
> coats seem to be prefered in the show ring.  The basic fact is that
> the breed standard is often ignored as a basis of judging on the bench
> and it becomes nothing more than a beauty contest (and popularity
> contest between handlers).

Another example for "Chris' side" on this one....take the ACD.  Alot
of ACDs in the show ring are way too tall (can't duck quickly enough
to avoid a cow's striking hoof) for any herding.  Since our breed standard
does not have a disqualification for height the judges don't pay any
attention to it....if they would only think back to the dog's *purpose*
they should be able to realize that "leggy" is not good in the ACD.
Another example.....the ACD's head is *specifically* built for
taking a blow to the forehead region by angry cattle.  FAR too many
ACDs in the show ring today have a *very* buggy eye...what happens 
to buggy eyes when they are jarred (even slightly) ?  Yes, they
POP OUT !!  Not a pretty thought :-), but the judges certainly don't
have that in mind !!  Then you have the straight-stifled dogs who
certainly couldn't work from dusk to dawn here in Central Illinois,
let alone in the Australian Outbak......................

I am primarily a conformation person, I do believe in also putting
(at least) CDs on all my dogs.  I do not have the resources to 
train for herding tests/trials (yes, I do draw the line at "condo
cattle") myself, but I do plan on sending my kids to another ACD
enthusiast that does.

>  
>  
> (gee, I wonder if that means I'm going to be flamed on 2 seperate
> threads at the same time in this group  ?).

I'm with you on this one Chris !!  Beauty (and politics) sometimes
win out over function in the conformation ring. *sigh*

Our AKC breed video specifically states (and emphasizes):

                "FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION" !!

>  
>       -----------------------------------------------------
> Chris Barnes            |   President - Bryan/College Station
> cbarnes@tamvm1.tamu.edu |         Retriever Club.
> (409) 846-3273 (home)   |   "Dedicated to the betterment of
> (409) 845-4437 (work)   |               the retrieving breeds"

Kathy
--------------------
Katwala Australian Cattle Dogs - Home of Oreo, Yonder, Double Stuff, Rowdy 
and 7 adorable little ACD monsters that are (thankfully) "just visiting"
!!!
Kathy_Buetow@QMS1.life.uiuc.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: Valaria_Vorlop@mindlink.bc.ca (Valaria Vorlop)
Subject: Re: Opal's Inferiority Complex
Organization: MIND LINK! - British Columbia, Canada
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 20:53:10 GMT

> Mark Myers writes:
> In article <BzEu6u.A8A@acsu.buffalo.edu>, kkeating@acsu.buffalo.edu (Kelly
> Anne Hinkle) writes:
> |> The problem is this--whenever I scold Jessica for doing something she
> knows
> |> she shouldn't, Opal slinks away like I'm yelling at her.  So as I'm
> saying,
> |> "J, no!", I have to say "Good dog, Opal!"  It's kinda hard sometimes!
> :)
> |>
> |> Any suggestions?
>
> My canine psychology book says that it's a mistake to praise
> Opal in this situation. To the dog you're praising him/her
> for being frightened.


What I've always done is made sure I'm VERY consitant about how I scold. I
only look at the dog being punished and ignore the other dog totally unless
it is actually doing something praiseworthy. I also use the name of the dog
being punished, rather than just NO or BAD DOG, it's ALWAYS "Name, NO!" and I
use a different voice when I say the dog's name, depending on whether it is a
reprimand, command or praise. Commands and praise are also always preceded by
the dog's name. After a while, the dog not being adressed will ingore
anything directed to the other dogs. Actually my dobie has even backed me up
on occasion when I was disciplining another visiting dobie...I alpha rolled
the visitor and my dobie snarled in her face, so I know he completely
understood
that he had done nothing wrong.


--
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *   ********************************************
Valaria_Vorlop@mindlink.bc.ca   *For YEARS I wondered what ceiling wax was.*
or:      a4080@mindlink.bc.ca   ********************************************
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *                        *******