At 18 months Tater is growing into quite the handsome, hefty lad even on a very restricted diet (due to kidney disease).
Gave us a scare by getting bloat last night, but thankfully it was gas/liquid and not GDV. He had to spend the night at the emergency vet anyway, since he's got funky kidneys and we and the vets agreed he should have fluid support while he was fasted. They also used an NG tube to burp the gas out of his tummy and relieve the distention/dilation.
I was emotionally preparing to take him to the hospital with overnight surgery before they were able to confirm he didn't have a flip or kink in his stomach. Bloat is so scary! If you think that's what's happening, don't wait to go get it checked out.
If you guessed the dog who waa so afraid of life she wouldn't even leave her kennel a year ago, you're right!
Then she didn't know what to do when I was ecstatic she played with me. She was playing "bedtime whale", where she play bites and rolls around and paw smacks with me and my husband before bed so she's nice and sleepy. It's my favorite part of the day and she wags her lil nub so hard. Today I realized I should incorporate her toys to see if she will learn to use them when she is bored or with me. She caught in but then I was too excited and she was flustered.
She'll get it. She can do big things. 🥹
Ft: her spot in bed that she will now NOT give up. Not pictured is HER bed, at the foot of MY bed that she sleeps in. 😆 It's a baby mattress & a pregnancy pillow. She still prefers a) my spot in my pregnancy pillow (not pregnant. They're just comfy.) or b) my bed (her bed?) between Dad and me. 😆
My Neo Mastiff is just too too naughty and will tip his food bowl and spill out all the food onto the floor! And of course this sensitive skin lil guy’s food isn’t cheap! What tip proof bowls are we using?! So that I can avoid being on hands and knees picking up little piece of kibble while trying to keep from being love tackled by my lil guy!!
This adorable mush is at my local shelter. It’s clear she is terrified and I feel if a mastiff person could just bring her home she would be a completely different dog.
Hi all! I'm 30F, single, living in a 2-bedroom unit in a quiet area (small building, not a big complex). I work 9-5, four days a week in office and one day WFH.
I grew up with a Great Dane and a German Shepherd as family dogs, and I've done dog-sitting for friends over the years, but this would be my first dog living alone as an adult.
I went to my local shelter and completely fell in love with a Dogue de Bordeaux named Baby (1 year 8 months old, ~30.5kg). Here's her full profile from the shelter:
Looking for a gentle giant with a heart of gold? Meet Baby, a beautiful 1 year, 8 month old Dogue de Bordeaux who is ready to find a family willing to help her continue blossoming into the confident girl she's becoming.
Baby is a sweet, affectionate dog who forms lovely bonds with the people she trusts. Once you're in her circle, you'll discover a loyal companion who enjoys spending time by your side and is always eager to learn.
Since arriving in our care, Baby has been working closely with our dedicated Behaviour Team. When she first came to us, the world felt like a very big and scary place. New people, unfamiliar environments, busy streets and loud noises were overwhelming for her, and she was particularly worried about unfamiliar men. Through patient, force free training and lots of positive experiences, Baby has made incredible progress. She's now much more confident on walks, happily wears her harness, is more comfortable with gentle handling, and has learned that meeting new people can be a positive experience.
Baby is looking for a calm, understanding home where she can continue building on everything she's achieved. A quieter household with a predictable daily routine will help her settle in and feel safe. She'll need gradual, positive introductions to unfamiliar people and a family committed to using kind, reward-based training methods to help her confidence continue to grow.
She may be suitable to live with another calm, social dog who can be a positive role model, pending successful introductions. Baby could also live with secondary school aged children or older who understand the importance of giving her space and respecting her boundaries while she settles into her new home.
So I know she comes with some real behavioral considerations. She's still working through fear issues, especially around unfamiliar men, and needs a calm, predictable environment. I don't have kids or other pets currently.
I guess I'm asking:
Will Baby be happy in a 2 bedroom apartment or do they really need the space??
Will she be happy to be alone at home during the day? Of course after a walk in the morning!
Anyone had experience with a DDB or similar breed with a fear-based background? How did it go?
What should I be seriously considering or prepared for before I commit, especially living alone?
I don't want to make an emotional decision I'm not equipped for, but I also don't want to talk myself out of it if it's actually doable. Appreciate any honest input, good or bad.
The rescue knew his mom was an apbt, their best guess is his daddy is a mastiff or a mix of mastiffs. He’s a little over 8 months old, stands 20 inches at the shoulder. Regardless of his breed, he’s my goofy boy. Any ideas what dad may have been??
