| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| YellowRose |
Posted - Feb 06 2016 : 1:18:22 PM
I lost my Maggie, a little rat terrier last Aug and I am now ready for a new companion. This time I want a large dog with moderate energy. It has to be a puppy because he/she has to grow up with my 3 chickens, who free range in the backyard.
My first choice is a English Mastiff but rescue puppies are scarce and I can't afford $$$$ for one from a breeder. Second choice is a boxer. I have help in my search, my neighbor who works with rescue dogs and has connections across the state of Texas.
I was wondering if any of you have raised either breed. I have read up on them and talked with two owners of mastiffs. I have been interested in English mastiffs for years. In my twenties I had a boxer mix.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015.
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth. |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| YellowRose |
Posted - May 14 2016 : 12:40:30 PM
Annie is four months old and growing as I watch her. She had her first play day with my neighbor's three month old black lab Rottweiler mix. Inky is also an animal shelter rescue.
When Julie brought Annie home she was happy with how the puppies played together. She wants to do it several times a week at her house. She's taking a course to become a dog trainer so I know Annie is in good hands and may learn a thing or two.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015.
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth. |
| YellowRose |
Posted - May 05 2016 : 09:51:31 AM
Well FarmGirls, training with the chickens is on hold. Annie got a little aggressive and wanted to go for their necks. Annie is allowed in the back yard before I let the chickens out and after I put them up at night. I used to let the chickens out as soon as I got up but now it's almost 9 and I put them up a little after 4.
Between the times the chickens are free ranging I walk Annie in hopes of house breaking her soon. With all the set backs I can truly say she's the companion for me. She's a sweetheart.
My BIL's dog, Bit, is still with me and Annie has learnt how to interact with another dog. BIL will be in the hospital for another week at least so I still have hopes that Bit will teach Annie to do her business outside.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015.
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth. |
| YellowRose |
Posted - Apr 24 2016 : 04:51:11 AM
Thanks Cindy I will keep it in mind. The cough has been gone for some time now. I used Wal-Mart's children's cough syrup and thyme tea.
Sweet Annie has been shortened to just Annie. She now thinks Mo'Dean chasing her is a game. Annie will pester her by coming closer and closer until she shows her ruffled feathers than Annie will run off a little bit, look back to see if Mo'Dean is behind her. If not she will start the pestering again. The chickens don't seem to pay her much mind anymore, but I still watch Annie like a hawk when she is around my girls.
Housebreaking slowed down because of rain but it has picked up a little since I have my BIL's dog, Bit. She will be with us for three weeks as he goes through another round of antibiotics. Annie wants to do everything Bit does so I am hoping she will pick up doing her business outside.
I walk Annie everyday to get her and me ready to walk the Trail de Paris. It's a walking/biking trail that runs through town and it's marked every quarter mile so I can keep up with our progress.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015.
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth. |
| prariehawk |
Posted - Apr 23 2016 : 9:13:14 PM
I use elderberry extract whenever I have a cough and it works like a miracle. I don't know if it's safe for dogs but you might want to research it.
Cindy
"Come by the hills to the land where fancy is free; And stand where the peaks meet the sky and the rocks reach the sea.Where the rivers run clear and the bracken is gold in the sun. and cares of tomorrow must wait till this day is done"--Loreena McKennit
"In many ways, you don't just live in the country, it lives inside you"--Ellen Eilers
Visit my blog on Tumblr: eclecticstarlightcollectorbluff |
| YellowRose |
Posted - Apr 13 2016 : 1:07:59 PM
Lisa, she's at 20+ lbs and growing by the minute. She has filled out just in the week and a half I have had her. I'll give the cough syrup a try. I wonder if she would take it if I dipped bacon in it.
It's raining so house breaking is on hold again. I'm using a bowl of white vinegar as room deodorizer. Works pretty good. Also I go room to room swinging a rag soaked in vinegar. Nothing cleans the air like a swing or two of vinegar - just watch out for ceiling fans and lights.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015.
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth. |
| nubidane |
Posted - Apr 13 2016 : 12:49:34 PM
Sara
Our Aussie has had a bad case of bronchitis and the vet said we could give him Robitussin DM. I read online that it is widely used for kennel cough. I bought the CVS brand. Not sure what your baby weighs, but our Aussie is about 55 lbs, and the dose was 1/4 t every 8 hrs. Put in a syringe or eye dropper, because most dogs are not a fan of that icky cherry flavor (most humans too, blech)
Good luck! Hopefully we can see a pic soon?
"We must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.” – R.R. |
| YellowRose |
Posted - Apr 13 2016 : 05:09:48 AM
Thanks Sarah.
The weather has changed and it's rainy & damp again so the cough is back. I have learnt that Vitamin C is good to use for kennel cough. I will get some baby Vitamin C and work out how much to give Sweet Annie. I Will make up a cup of thyme tea that will last several days.
Sweet Annie still trails behind the chickens watching every move. Mo'Dean will run at her so she has to retreat a little bit. If we are in the back yard for very long Sweet Anne tires of the chicken game and wants to go in which is always fine with me. Playing referee to one puppy and three chickens wears this 'little old lady' out.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015.
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth. |
| mrssarahhall |
Posted - Apr 13 2016 : 04:53:16 AM
I am a little late in posting this but Congratulations on your new fur baby!! Hope all goes great with training and your chickens. The tea idea sounds like a great idea, though I am not an herbalists either... Glad it helped. #128522;
Sarah
Farmgirl # 5223
"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone." - Audrey Hepburn
All good things are wild and free- Henry David Thoreau
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| YellowRose |
Posted - Apr 11 2016 : 06:27:18 AM
Thanks everybody - she is a joy.
Over the last several days she developed a hacking cough 'kennel cough'. I gave her little pieces of bread soaked with weak thyme tea every two hours. It did the job and she no longer coughs.
1/4 tsp dried thyme steeped in 1 c boiling water
I am not a herbiest so before you use thyme tea for your dogs please do your own research.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015.
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth. |
| Bonnie Ellis |
Posted - Apr 09 2016 : 7:53:28 PM
Yea Sara! I'm glad you have a new love. Enjoy!
grandmother and orphan farmgirl |
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Apr 09 2016 : 3:44:02 PM
Yup, Sara, there's nothing like a chicken in your face (or your dog's) to help keep distance!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| Calicogirl |
Posted - Apr 09 2016 : 1:07:55 PM
Oh good Sara!
Farmgirl Sister #5392
By His Grace, For His Glory
~Sharon
http://amerryheartjournal.blogspot.com/
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| YellowRose |
Posted - Apr 09 2016 : 06:51:13 AM
Shannon, Sweet Annie loves to chew so I have plenty for her to gnaw on. Seems like she and the chickens have come to a truce - she follows them 4'or 5' behind and when they stop she stops. The girls have learnt that if they don't run Sweet Annie doesn't either. I keep a eye on them to make sure the truce isn't broke.
The other day one of the chickens flew in Sweet Annie's face so that helped a lot to teach her to keep her distance.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015.
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth. |
| Calicogirl |
Posted - Apr 09 2016 : 06:03:07 AM
Congratulations on Sweet Annie Sara!!! She sounds adorable and already a faithful girl sitting at your feet :) Puppies can be hard sometimes (all that chewing!). I keep a basket in the house for Comet filled with his toys. He has learned not to destroy my plants and books but to go to the basket of fun instead 
Farmgirl Sister #5392
By His Grace, For His Glory
~Sharon
http://amerryheartjournal.blogspot.com/
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| Red Tractor Girl |
Posted - Apr 06 2016 : 12:39:11 PM
Hahahaha, Sara!! I guess the "jury" is still out as to house rules vs rules the house!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015 |
| YellowRose |
Posted - Apr 06 2016 : 12:30:03 PM
Winnie, did you mean "learn the rules of the house or rule the house? If I'm not on my toes I can see where it could be the later.
Melody, good advice. I know how hard it was on you to loose Freida.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015.
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth. |
| melody |
Posted - Apr 06 2016 : 11:51:43 AM
One word of advice regarding rescue dogs---Please, please make sure they have been tested for heart-worms! Ask to see the LAB report before anything is finalized-Don't just take their word for it. I learned my lesson when we discovered Freida had full blown adult heart-worms that would have been noticed if anyone at the facility would have been more diligent when reviewing the test. I firmly believe that. I am very leary about adopting from any humane society now. If we decide to have another dog it will be from a private organization or friend. I hate saying that but, I don't want to go through the trauma again. Just make sure your adopted pet is CLEAN with authentic verification. Best of luck in your search-
Melody |
| Red Tractor Girl |
Posted - Apr 05 2016 : 04:14:49 AM
How wonderful , Sara, that you found your Sweet Annie! I bet she will soon settle down as she learns the rules of the house and yard and learns to listen to her new owner.
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015 |
| YellowRose |
Posted - Apr 04 2016 : 12:41:00 PM
Thanks Krista and CeeJay. I just came in from another lesson on why puppies shouldn't chase chickens. She did good. Eyed them but didn't go after them.
But when we came in and while I was writing this she chewed on the printer cord, so now I have to get a new one. As I write Sweet Annie is sleeping at my feet. Got to keep a better eye on her and if she is quiet she may be up to no good.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015.
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth. |
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Apr 04 2016 : 12:14:38 PM
P.S. I'm a true believer in adopting pets from the animal shelter. Just about every dog or cat we've owned came from the shelter!
For the love of pets . .yep!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Apr 04 2016 : 12:12:50 PM
Congratulations Sara! Wishing you lots of happy times, doggie kisses and wonderful companionship! Keep us posted on how things are going!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Apr 04 2016 : 11:05:33 AM
Aww congratulations, Sara! I'm glad you have found a new companion and it's a bread you wanted! I bet she's adorable! Enjoy your new baby.
Krista |
| YellowRose |
Posted - Apr 04 2016 : 10:19:18 AM
My search for a new companion is over. Sweet Annie, a three month old English Mastiff & Yellow Lab mix came to live with me today. I found her at our local animal shelter. She has the mastiff face and more of a lab body but bigger than a lab. She's yellow with really big white feet.
It'll take a little training to get her accustomed to my chickens. She has already chased them but with a little time & work I'm confident she will become friends with them. Sweet Annie is smart. She already knows where the back door is and what no means.
Sweet Annie is the common name for the herb Artemisia.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015.
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth. |
| Sydney2015 |
Posted - Feb 09 2016 : 07:15:11 AM
My family has two boxer mixes and we love them! They are great dogs. I show one of them, Allie in 4-H. She is so smart, but can be stubborn. The other one, Cheyenne, isn't quite as smart, we did a test to find out what her other half was(her mom was full boxer) and she was German Shepard, Tibetan Terrier, and Cocker Spaniel. I think it was the mix of all the breeds. I see you're in Texas, but we got both of our dogs from Northern Plains Boxer rescue. There is such a large network of people, they can either get the dog right to you, or near to you. Allie came from Alamaba, we only had to drive to South Dakota to get her.
Here's the link to the website:
http://www.everyboxercounts.com/home
I'm a farmgirl from Minnesota. We live on a small farm called Green Forest Farm with chickens, 13 horses, 1 donkey, 5 beef cows, 4 beef calves, and my little one-year old Jersey heifer named AppleButter. |
| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Feb 08 2016 : 4:18:03 PM
I am not that familiar with either of your bread choices. In the past I have considered getting a Mastiff. We looked into getting a Mastiff Great Dane mix but ended up with an Anatolian Great Dane. I hope you can find the perfect dog for you! Don’t forget to post pictures when you find your new companion.
Krista |
