I have a story, but it isn't funny. We have a little yorkie-poo. She was less than a year old when she got sick. She had a few stomach issues and they did a poop culture (sorry!), and found some type bacteria. Treated that but within a couple of weeks, she started vomiting one evening. She had never done this and after a couple of times I called our vet. Because of her small size (she's only 9 lbs. now fully grown) they had us bring her in so she wouldn't get dehydrated. They examined her, pumped her full of fluids and suggested we watch her closely overnight. The fluids and some meds helped with the vomiting but by early morning she was vomiting again. We got up, dressed and ready to get her to the vet their opening time. They did an x-ray and showed us that something was showing in her digestive track. Something she had ingested. I remembered that she had torn one of her little toys and although I never saw any stuffing out of the toy, I knew there was stuffing and we just assumed she had eaten that. They had to do emergency exploratory surgery. I bawled my eyes out. The next day when we were allowed to *visit*, the vet showed me the PLASTIC MEAT WRAPPER that she had eaten. It was to a pretty critical point, it had started through her intestines. The vet was wonderful, even took our little baby home with her overnight to keep a close eye on her and the pup came through the surgery with flying colors. And a nice little *zipper* down her belly. Hubby and I both felt awful. We didn't know she had gotten the wrapper. We figured that she had quickly grabbed it out of the garbage (which was behind a closed door, but if she saw us put something in there she'd jump up to investigate) and gotten away with it without us seeing. The stick on label on the plastic wrapping was what we were seeing on the x-ray. Alot of tears and $$$ over a meat wrapper! She's not interested in the garbage anymore (she was just a puppy then) thankfully, but we are even more cautious when throwing something away! I never throw away a meat wrapper now without putting it in another bag and tying it up first. Our pup too watches tv. It's hilarious. There was an M&M commercial that she didn't like. Now she doesn't like the Weight Watchers commercial where they have the little orange monster (hungry). She knows by the very first sound of that commercial that it's THE ONE and immediately starts barking. She barks at most dogs she sees on tv, other than cesear. Maybe because he's little like her. tina

lobotome, Thanks for starting this thread! Everyone has given better tips for beautiful homes than i could have as I just learned to lower my standards to fit with my animals. lol Like donka I do use covers on the furniture-I like cheap fleece throws because they seem to grab the fur & are easy to launder. whitdobe, thanks for the dremel link. I have to take Mr. Peabody to the vet for trims as his nails are so tough it takes 2 hands to squeeze the clippers. maybe i could learn to dremel his. Your dobies are so regal looking! alwaysnesting-Neesha is a dollbaby- my two dogs & 2 cats are also rescues. Cooperbailey-I remember seeing your goldies on another forum-maybe Cottage gardening. They are beauties & after bassets may be my favorite breed although I've only ever had mixes with goldens in there somewhere. Zipdee-bassets are indeed clowns. Mr. Peabody keeps me laughing & his housemate, Molly thinks she is a basset. She tries to howl/bay & sounds like someone strangling a goose! The Aussies look very active & pretty to boot. lesmis-Kylee & Quinn are gorgeous. I am not familar with English shepherds but will Google them later. My mom had a BC & she was great, except for herding Mom to bed about 8pm. crazyhouse-your husky is lovely & so sorry for your loss. panghatten Dakota & Lily look so happy-how nice they get to swim! donka-so sorry you lost Sharona & Moe. Dallas & Itchy may help with the loss. avaclark-Charlie Dog looks like he's over the worst of his miseries. To whomever I left out- I'll do bettr. I have really loved all pics!

She's so darn sweet! Did she venture into the lake herself, or was she guided in on her leash? In my house, where I have had as many as 4 at a time, mine have a large area of the yard fenced off as their 'puppy pen'. They go down the stairs from the kitchen to the basement, out through two doggie doors, and into that part of the yard. When I get up, and before I go to bed, I say, 'Peeps and Poops!' and they head to the basement in a flash. During the day while I'm working, they just head out any time they want or need to. The most recent rescue, Ginger, just followed the others, and trained herself in literally minutes to head out there. Penny will, too; she's just a baby and it may take a little bit, but she will learn.

Bunny! Too cute, to us, but maybe not to your household. : ) Ditto to "learning by observation". Off topic but my one male cat Peach will lay on my chest and pat my face when he wants petted. Once or twice I noticed the female, Pretty, who is older and never has been very affectionate, sitting under the desk "watching" Peach's routine. I'm not sure how long afterwards, but Pretty actually began laying on my chest (something she never has done) and stretching out her front leg to lay her paw on my face! Of course I rewarded her with loving right away - it was such an awwwww moment. Well now it's has become annoying, I try to watch TV but she is on my chest with BOTH paws on my face. I say annoying but I haven't the heart to scold her, just sometimes gently move her away. ha None of my cats have taken to opening doors or drawers - yet.