Random thread for pet specific things that don't warrant a thread of their own

[Afasoas]

We lost our doting yellow labrador, during one of the 2020 pandemic lockdowns, at the grand old age of 13. He was a marvel really - he was allergic to nearly everything and yet would eat anything. He was on a cocktail of immuno suppressants for most of his years - which not only made the pet insurance incredibly good value - but also meant he lived far longer than we expected.

Anyway, last weekend we picked up a 9 month old Pointerdor (German short-haird pointer [GSP]/labrador) who friends of friends wanted to rehome. The only labrador trait he seems to have is his black coat. He appears to have the stamina of a GSP. Having him with us a few days, we now understand why he is a bit much for a couple dealing with a later-life unexpected/complicated pregnancy.

[Bromptonlad]

Gun dogs of the pointer kind are a handful... wouldn't get one younger than 5yo TBH... 9months is the worst time possible.. a child at heart but the size of an adult!
We had a Viszla and it did seem to run on a battery pack supplied by Tesla... impossible to get tired, so much for dogs sleeping most of the day!
Feel for you... don't feel bad if you need to rehome...

[Afasoas]

Gun dogs of the pointer kind are a handful... wouldn't get one younger than 5yo TBH... 9months is the worst time possible.. a child at heart but the size of an adult!
We had a Viszla and it did seem to run on a battery pack supplied by Tesla... impossible to get tired, so much for dogs sleeping most of the day!
Feel for you... don't feel bad if you need to rehome...

He's got some very redeeming qualities. In fact, endless stamina aside, I think he is smashing. Just means I'm going to have to get used to early nights/early mornings as we seem to be settling into two 3 mile walks a day plus a quick lunchtime walk. It's fortunate we both full time work from home, otherwise this would be impossible. Also means I'm probably only going to manage one or two bike rides each week, instead of the three or four I've been slotting in.

We were both adamant that we'd give a home to a dog in need of one, rather than buy a puppy due to misgivings about many breeders motives.

Hadn't heard of a Viszla .. had to look that one up. They have some interesting character traits:

The Vizsla wants to be close to its owner as much as possible, and it is commonly observed that vizslas insist on sleeping under the covers in their owner's bed at night.

[Bromptonlad]

Viszlas are often referred to as the Hungarian Devils... they are incredibly elegant and beautiful, but boy, they are hard work!

[L CC]

Viszlas are often referred to as the Hungarian Devils... they are incredibly elegant and beautiful, but boy, they are hard work!

Ours slept for at least 12 hours a day. She was nothing like the above description. Rarely had an easier dog, she walked to heel from day one (we got her from the dogs home in Aberdeen) and was exceptionally biddable.

[Bromptonlad]

Viszlas are often referred to as the Hungarian Devils... they are incredibly elegant and beautiful, but boy, they are hard work!

Ours slept for at least 12 hours a day. She was nothing like the above description. Rarely had an easier dog, she walked to heel from day one (we got her from the dogs home in Aberdeen) and was exceptionally biddable.

Basically, someone did the work for you… unfortunately my wife believed you get a better bond with a puppy (as well as a much bigger bill!). I would have happily swapped the alleged better bond for a walkable dog!

[Sergeant Pluck]

Dear the ladybird swarm in my flat: Are you emerging and going out, or are you coming in, or both?

[ian]

They're coming in for the warmth. Ladybirds usually turn imago late October and have to overwinter. Turn up the heating and order them an aphid takeout on Uber Eats.


Every couple of years we get a big coating on the front of our house in the sun.

[Regulator]

Gun dogs of the pointer kind are a handful... wouldn't get one younger than 5yo TBH... 9months is the worst time possible.. a child at heart but the size of an adult!
We had a Viszla and it did seem to run on a battery pack supplied by Tesla... impossible to get tired, so much for dogs sleeping most of the day!
Feel for you... don't feel bad if you need to rehome...

He's got some very redeeming qualities. In fact, endless stamina aside, I think he is smashing. Just means I'm going to have to get used to early nights/early mornings as we seem to be settling into two 3 mile walks a day plus a quick lunchtime walk. It's fortunate we both full time work from home, otherwise this would be impossible. Also means I'm probably only going to manage one or two bike rides each week, instead of the three or four I've been slotting in.

We were both adamant that we'd give a home to a dog in need of one, rather than buy a puppy due to misgivings about many breeders motives.

Hadn't heard of a Viszla .. had to look that one up. They have some interesting character traits:

The Vizsla wants to be close to its owner as much as possible, and it is commonly observed that vizslas insist on sleeping under the covers in their owner's bed at night.

That is also a Jack Russell trait...

[Mrs Pingu]

These cats. Ninkasi spent all afternoon moaning at me and only stopped when I finished work and she was straight on my office chair.
Tonight Pumpkin has been pesting and being naughty, that stopped as soon as I got up and she got straight in my poang.
So basically I'm not allowed a seat. Gits.

[The Family Cyclist]

We have a greyhound and one of the features of greyhound is they often stop on walks and will stand for ages not moving....ans good luck dragging 40kg of greyhound (ours is a large one). Our hound did this tonight on way home and despite several treats couldn't get going. I'd tried sending eldest ahead but this didn't work. I then went ahead which leaving him with eldest which made no difference. In desperation  I blew the whistle that's built into my rucksack and he took off towards me and was then happy to charge along side the eldest who was running along with him.

[barakta]

I fed my stepdad's cats (now Mum's cats) earlier and managed to drop one of the bowls onto the mat, food fell out. Thankfully Rocky (pestercat) was happy to snarf it off the mat so it wasn't a complete disaster.

We've bought some I Can't Believe Its Not Feliway as Rocky has been walking round howling constantly and even his much shyer sister Skye has been more vocal than usual. Both are very clingy and clearly confused about where Their Human (stepdad) is. They'll settle if someone is in this room (Stepdad's office) doing stuff, and will go to sleep, Rocky usually on important papers.

Mum's not very cat orientated but I'm teaching her what scritches they like and what their body language means and encouraging some scritches, although Stepdad rarely scritched them but did talk to them and Rocky definitely talks back. They are eating/drinking and not otherwise showing signs of needing a vet but I did do some Googling and told Mum what to look out for if they do become unwell.

[rogerzilla]

Tigs has probably sprained his wrist again and had the vet booked for 0815.  So he's gone out (it's impossible to shut him in as he goes quite literally catshit crazy) and won't come back.

[rafletcher]

I had to install a microchip operated cat flap because, for the first time in 20+ years, we had a "stranger" getting in. Our cat hates it. She goes out with reluctance and a leap but thus far has yet to come in, I think due to the projecting "porch" that houses the aerial.  This morning she was as usual sitting outside whining pitifully.  I held the flap open, and, after hesitating for 30 seconds or so, she actually came through it. Hopefully the start of her acceptance of the new installation.

[SteveC]

When getting Sam used to the chip operated flap we started by taping the flap open, then closing it but allowing free access both ways and finally activating the detector.
He was quite nervous when he arrived (still can be at times) so we thought slow and steady would be the best option. He has no issues with it now.

[Asterix, the former Gaul.]

Malaysian boy hailed as a hero for rescuing rabbits from fire

Jason climbs concrete wall to save rabbits locked in cage