[susieq]

Hello,
I am sitting wondering how it all went so wrong.....
Our daughter & son in-law and their family were being transfered back to Jacksonville, Florida from the Dallas area. They have 3 vehicles so my husband volunteered to fly out and drive one back. Somehow, he got volunteered to drive back with their grumpy old weener dog too. Max isn't a bad puppy...he is just not well adjusted and at age 11 he probably never will be.

The plan was for hubby to drive their car and dog to our house. Max the weener would stay with us for a couple of days. The kids would drive straight to Jacksonville with the kids, get settled in the new house and then come over and get their other car and Max.

We have an 85 lb boxer named Butch. Butch and Max HATE each other. They hadn't seen each other in years because it was just too stressful for everyone, trying to keep the dogs from killing each other. But things were going fairly well the last couple of days. They growled at each other every so often, but no serious confrontations.

The kids arrived late last night and were to leave early this morning with Max in tow. We were almost there.....then it happened.....the two dogs were trying to occupy the same spot at the same time and all hell broke loose right at my feet. Wakes one up quicker than a strong cup of coffee, a dog fight does...

It was over in a split second. It looked at first glance as though nothing more than a bunch of dog slobber had exchanged between them. Then my granddaughter said" I think Max has a cut from Butchie".. and boy did he...
I went over to have a look and his whole flank had been ripped wide open. Not much blood to speak of but it's going to need a lot of stitches. So, here we are, waiting for our veterinary appointment.... I had called the office to say I would be a little late. I had to call them back to say I would be a lot late. Such is life. Hope the rest of the week is better.
susieq

[wood-whittler]

susie,

wow i am starting see that there is never a dull moment at your house, hope the puppy comes out ok i am sure he will.

i also have boxers, a 5 1/2 yr old female gretchen 47lbs and then there is zip 2 yrold male 88 lbs. those 2 have their moments from time to time but mostly they get along and are pals, i wouldnt take a thousand dollars a peice for my 2 but then again i wouldnt give you 2 dollars for 2 just like them either.

bart

[susieq]

Hi Bart,
we have kept boxers as companions for 30 + years. Best dogs ever.....our first one raised our two daughters from toddler age up to pre teens....

Our oldest daughter got the weeener dog (I am saying weener because I am not real sure how to spell ....dachsund?) after she bought her own home 13 years ago. He always was a bit of a nut case and slightly grumpy even as a pup but he got along well with our second and third boxers.

When we brought the present (and 4th) boxer home as a pup, Max was visiting and decided he would clue the new pup in early as to who was "boss". He strutted over to the 10 week old Butch, sort of leaned in against him and growled. Well, that 10 week old pup just exploded at him, spitting and growling, Butch pinned Max right to the carpet....and they have hated each other ever since. It had been years since they saw each other last. The kids just started leaving Max at the kennel when they came for a visit to avoid the hassel of trying to keep them apart.

I finally did get to the office today...several hours late and $200. poorer....
Luckily our regular vet worked him in as the emergency vets charge more than double that. They knocked him out, stitched him up and sent him away with antibiotics and pain pills. Our daughter left our house about noon with our grandson and Max....it is so good to have peace and quiet again.
my new motto, "boring is good, excitement is always the wrong kind."
susieq

[chuckt]

Yeah - family dog situations can get kinda crazy. My parents had an adorable Golden Retriever and we have a Siberian Husky. Our Husky was the pup and Finley the GR was the older dog. They got along GREAT!! Nali occassionally wore him out from play, but they were the best of friends. Well a few years ago Finley got sick and finally died so my parents went out to a shelter and found a German Shepard - a HUGE male whi is as sweet as can be - with other people. But with DOGS - LOOK OUT. The first time they met - she got very nervous and bared her fangs when he was checking her out. He lunged and growled and looked like he'd rip her to shreds. Ever since then - they both had to be kept apart and leashed. <sigh>

Well, he is now very sick with cancer in his hips and will soon have to be put down as he is getting close to being unable to bear his own weight. - but I am looking forward to not having to worry about the two of them. Of course, who knows what my parents will get next. This situation may have ruined Nali for being around other dogs. Though she seems to get on well with Labs or Retrievers.

We'll see.
Sorry to hear about your troubles Susie.

!
ChuckT

[Eddy Smiles]

SusieQ... As the saying goes...."Sometimes you're the dog and sometimes you're the hydrant!.... Here's hoping that you have a doggy week!

[Joy]

What's that Chinese curse, "May you live in interesting times".....sounds like you have been experiencing some interesting times.

[susieq]

Oh Chuck,
That's a hard one....you have my deepest sympathy. We lost our 3rd boxer to cancer at a very young age. It is never easy though, even when they live to a good age and go on their own, it still hurts like hell. I'm sorry. My husband keeps saying "this is our last dog". I can't imagine life without one. We will just have to see about that when the time comes.

Eddy, Joy, let's just hope the rest of this month is "boring".
carving, all...
susieq

[Eddy Smiles]

SusieQ... I'm with you. We have a 14-1/2 year old black lab mix that is having a very difficult time with her hips and her respiratory system. We watch her very carefully trying to be mineful of when her quality of life slips to the point of no longer being there. And I know from past experience that once she's gone and we've had a chance to grieve that there will be another dog in our lives. I mean, how many children wait for their Mom and Dad by the front door and once they see them jump up and down, wag their tail, and share their very sloppy kisses! You can't find a more loyal companion!