I live in a very rural area and hitting deer is common. Most trucks here used to always have a rifle in the gun rack but these days it's handy to have a pistol in case you need to dispatch a deer. And no, the gov't agencies aren't close enough to take care of it all for us at least not in any humane amount of time for the deer. Also like I said, very rural area, no police officer could be here fast enough to help us if we needed it. I don't want to be the only one unarmed in the land of the armed and sometimes nutty.

Our milk cows' names are Agnes and Buttercup. Agnes used to be Latte. SIL's cow's name is Brie. HTH!

IME it's easier if you wear them out first at that age! I have a verbal cue for "stop what you're doing now..." that is mild but they will listen to it, a low "now...!" Or nice pettings that calm them... I have a 40 lb Blackmouth Cur that sleeps on my lap most evenings and a 120 lb Great Pyrenees that sits on the couch with me whenever he can, I love having the dogs there with me!

I wouldn't take him in but if I ran an animal to the vet every time they were a little "off" I'd be in the poorhouse; I've learned what constitutes a visit for me and what doesn't. He's not doing much to go on at this point but if it makes you feel better you should go, if nothing else establish a relationship with the vet and a baseline for his symptoms. Has he been running around in new places with other dogs? He might be starting up with bordetella. That will progress with the sneezing and coughing-it's not a cold per se but it will act like one. Highly contagious and he could have picked it up on his walks or being anywhere that there are other dogs. Your other dog will probably get it if he has it. But he's also a hound (IIRC?) and he could have snorted up a big snootful of something that didn't sit well with him, they will hoover up dust and dirt and that can either sit in there and need to be sneezed out or will kick off an allergy. Check his gums, should be a nice baby girl shade of pink, not pale pink nor hot bright pink/red. Press your finger on them gently and the white spot should refill quickly. Touch one dog then the other, does he feel warm? Or just take his temp, dogs have a wide range of normal but if you're comfortable taking it you could track if he has a rising temp. Gently rub and pet his belly, any ouchy spots? Panting when he isn't sitting in a hot spot is pain, stress. If I had to guess it was anything vet worthy I'd suspect bordetella so maybe restrict his walks to the yard where he wouldn't be spreading it to other dogs if that's what he's picked up.

hmmm, I think I would heat it up to use it but not cold. Hot sandwiches instead of cold...

My husband would have and did do things like that all the time at that age. He's always been an adventurous, live for the day time of guy-not sure if that describes your son? It does seem like a young guy sort of thing to do, to me... but if it's completely out of character for your son I'd wonder about him.

Here the county will come haul it away as an abandoned vehicle. Ask me how I know. :D If you still want something from him though I'd go get the key out of it and tell him you were afraid someone would steal it and hey while you're at it can I have my cert?

I've adored the bichons that I've known-they feel like a plush toy, all squooshy and soft. :) Softer than a poodle but not that silky static-prone soft... and the ones I've known have been bright happy friendly dogs, I really like them!

Definitely-my brother and I have gone above and beyond to help each other, always have.

Ah, this will be on my mind next week! LOL I'm sure you're right but in my underdog way I will be rooting for my little weasel man! LOL

I lost my good old heart love of my life dog a few years ago-she apparently went out chasing gophers and got lost. I called and called, honked the horn, paced the hills (we're in the country) and whistled and put up signs, everything. She is :) a shy not friendly dog... but I had up the signs and talked to people. On the morning of the seventh day I told myself this is it-I can't keep looking all day. I drove out to the usual places I suspected and I SCREAMED for her, at the top of my lungs, ugly scary yelling her name. As loud as I could so much it hurt. I prayed and cried and yelled. nothing... I drove home slowly, crying, thinking how I would tell the kids that someone else must have taken her to be their dog... on the way home I saw some deer spooked out of the brush that was weird so I stopped and called some more but nothing... back home I went, tucked away my tears and went to the house and my then 9 year old son met me on the back porch. He asked if I found her and I went into my "some other family must have taken her" spiel and then he opened the back porch door and there she was. OMG I screamed-so loud it scared my poor son to death-fell on the floor hugging that dog, she was so skinny and hungry. She'd been hiding the whole time. I must have finally yelled loud enough that she found her way home. Keep looking-yell really really loud. look everywhere.

prayers and good thoughts from me...

I really want Cochran to win, he's such a strange little guy... can't figure him out. Coach is mafia creepy. Intriguing, but creepy.

You sound like my SIL-she had the same time span with her kids! I would make a pointed announcement: I know our FRIENDS and LOVING family will share in our JOY and GRATITUDE that another beloved and longed for child will be joining the fun of our large busy family! And don't you buy into the negativity or borrow it right now. If someone says a grumpy comment you grab them, say "you know what, I love you but don't even try to rain on my parade, we love our family including you and we can't wait to see the newest member who will LOVE you as much as we do!" kiss kiss, impenetrable armor of love and motherhood on. Maybe they will talk but people do anyway, try not having kids at all! that's just people that love you-they will analyze and discuss. It's up to you to assure them that everything is fine and this is a happy thing. PERIOD. You shape this. Let 'em talk-you show them with your actions that all is well.

She looks like our Motorboat. Whopper. Bizzy. Boo. Jigger. Dutch. Midgie/Midge //likes crazy cat names. :D

Subaru with Blizzak tires.

You're going to have to balance out some of your requirements. Small dog doesn't necessarily mean a dog that can jog three miles with you. Easy to train doesn't always come with not too hyper. Very kid friendly and small are two different things sometimes. Pick your top requirement and then your top three of that list and let's reconvene. :) Honestly it sounds like you just want a nice family dog on the smaller side-check your shelter first!

I saw that was making rounds but I really don't think it's vet recommended. This was mentioned over on the COTH boards and one vet mentioned something like "as long as you don't mind my doing surgery to remove the cotton balls along with the sharp object!" I think plain white bread in small doses was mentioned-bread swells in a dog's stomach so only give in small doses- and lots of water.

I need someone to set a pin for ME! Every time I've done this the kids do better-they are more social with the rest of the family and read more and find creative things to do... and I get a lot more done too. You'll all do fine.

Beans and tuna!

At that age I loved Victoria Holt romance novels! They're G rated and have that Jane Eyre, Anne of Green Gables feel to them. And there are dozens of them to read. I actually just got one from the library and I love them just as much as I ever did! ETA caveat-NOT INTELLECTUAL. lol

I wouldn't touch that with an 90 foot pole. Do childcare and if the whole things goes well, or even if it doesn't, just tell her you love her.

LOL That was it exactly! Dh and I have been giggling about it ever since!

geez, too bad you didn't get a cute one! ;) Just kidding-he's cute enough for Disney!

She can go a long time without food, er-dog food. She's getting food, the bonus food you're tempting her with! lol I'd just stay in the routine and as the rest of the dust in her life settles she will get more comfortable and start to eat when she should. A little chicken broth or something on her food might tempt her without having her get totally spoiled! Smiling is nervousness, she's worried. keep it as calm and consistant as you can for a while! Good on you for taking them in!