RE: Winter skin??
Hi Dawn, Your vet may well have prescribed a controlled dosage for that very reason, you'd be surprised how many people slop on oil from a jug (ie corn or veggie oil) without realising the amount is somewhat larger than that contained in a capsule:-) My advice to anyone with continuing problems with skin and coat despite addressing the winter dry heat we experience in cold climates is to check for parasites ie worms and then the thyroid levels of their dogs. Skin and coat quality are amongst the first to indicate a problem. Full thyroid panels need to be done in order to assess the dog's functional levels, put simplistically if the T4 is low and the TSH is high then the body is struggling to balance. If the T4 is on the low side of normal (most common in Bernese and other large dogs) and the TSH is within range on the lower side then that is the functioning level of the individual dog. These measurements can fluctuate according to the general health of the animal and a bitch can be typically lower when her heat is due. If a diagnosis is to be confirmed then a repeat should be done a month later. Any thyroid supplementation should be started off with small doses and the dog retested for T4 to find the right levels. It can cause serious problems if a dog is over supplemented. Most breeders check the thyroid of their breeding dogs and I choose to retest my dogs at age five to six when I commence their annual geriatric panel. I have had two cases where dogs have been normal all their lives only to encounter problems in late senior years which were helped by low doses of thyroid supplement. Rose Tierney
Throid (was re: Winter skin??)
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Thank you
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Re: Feeding Practices.
I traveled with Freckles to the last National in WV. I remember asking Stacey G. about a diet while on the rode as Freckles was turning up his nose to everything. Her response was along the line of gee Jane, never heard of Blimpies or Subway? They make great food for dogs! On a more serious note, when I was living with Bear, my first Berner with a liver shunt, I spent a great deal of time studying diet. I consulted with Dr. William Pollak and studied his writing on the effects of a natural vs. commercial diet. The one thing he stressed over and over was MY comfort level with what I was feeding. He felt feeding time was a very important time for a dog and for the dog/human bonding. That it always should be pleasant and non stressful. He felt if you are stressed about what you are feeding that the dog will pick that up and feeding time will carry negative rather than positive images and it affects the animals digestion and over all well being. Which made sense to me. Dr. Pollak is the designer of PHD kibble, but recommends a natural, wholesome diet with kibble only for occasional use. jane heggen the boys of iowa
Re: cancer
On Thu, 5 Dec 2002, Ruth Reynolds wrote: Prevalence of premature death (before age 7) in the extended family I'm considering using for breeding or from which I'm considering a companion animal is very important information to me as a breeder and as a person who enjoys the companionship of my dogs for as long as we can hang together. Thanks Ruth...and to everyone else who commented. When I asked why of Angell and the Vet they w/o skipping a beat answered, genetics. This is what prompted the question. Now from what I gather (list answers to my question), unless there is a proclivity for cancer in a breeders line, this is not so. I do want another Berner friend for Hesse but can not go through what I've just been through financially...appreciate all the advice. ~~~ Jordan S. Dill SoVerNet: Vermont's Sovereign Internet Connection National Mobile Communications Corp. SoVerNetPO Box 495, 5 Rockingham St.276 East Allen Suite 2 Vmx. #146 Bellows Falls, VT 05101 Winooski, VT 05404 v - 802 463-2111 vmx.#146 Toll Free (877)877-2120 f - 802-463-2110f - 802-655-7291
Taking Care of Business
Morning L'ers, During this holiday season don't forget you can postpone delivery of the Berner-L by going to our site: www.berner.org/ Please remember to simply delete those messages with attachments -- better to be safe than sorry. Update your virus software too! If anyone has any problems or concerns this week while Pat Long is in Austria, please feel free to email me: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thanks! Maria Crifasi Berner-L Catoctin Mountains, Maryland
Secondhand Smoke and Cancer in Dogs
On the subject of causes of cancer in our dogs, there is evidence that secondhand smoke will cause cancer and respiratory illness in dogs. See the following articles for more information. Secondhand Smoke Affects Pets, Too http://www.vetcentric.com/magazine/magazineArticle.cfm?ARTICLEID=1088 Second Hand Smoke Is Unhealthy For Pets Too. http://www.roen.com/021007.html Passive Smoking and Pets http://new.mypetstop.com/NR/exeres/DF753DFA-394D-446B-A25E-19AEA1BCF228%2C12DE0659-EE1E-4B51-B546-E9A1D3DD535D%2Cframeless.htm?Section=HealthCare Smoking could harm your pets http://www.womenslife.co.za/Default.asp?action=articleContentID=837 = Robin Camken Ottawa, ON, Canada E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com
twitching and belly rubs
when you rub your berner's tummy are there spots that make the rear legs twitch. it seems to happen more with one of mine than the other. andrea, woofit and chi shavertown, pa http://www.brin.org/Woofit_and_Chi/
When to Neuter a BMD
My partner and I are hoping to adopt a BMD next year. We've been reading up on the breed, have met some owners at local dog shows and are hoping to meet some breeders at the Westminster AKC show in NYC in 2003. We're not looking for a show dog, just a well-bred male BMD to become part of the family.Is there an age difference when a dog could or should be neutered if it will be strictly a pet, vs. a dog intended forbreeding and champion's papers? I'm most concerned about what's best for the dog's long term health and life span, and only secondarily to having him mature into a handsome example of the breed.Thanks,- Alex
dog genetics
Hi All, Anyone interested in breed genetics and history should do to the library and check out the Nov 22, 2002 issue of the journal Science. Their focus this week is dog breed genetics. If you're very science oriented, there are several articles. If you're not science oriented, you can read the overview on page 1540. Enjoy Liz Murray Calgary, Alberta, Canada
chasing tails
Hi there, How many of your berners out there chase their tails? Misha is crazy about hers. She chases it round round. Then when she finally gets hold of it in her mouth she just spins across the yard,living room where ever she is. It is just too funny. When she finally stops she looks so dazed confused, then she starts all over again usually in the opposite direction, maybe she is unwinding herself then. She has done this one time that I must have watched her for 10-15 mintues. She's just a girl having fun. I wish I could catch it on film. Beth Schmoyer Snowden Misha Bethlehem, PA (where we just received about 8 of snow the dogs are having so much fun)
Thyroid (was re: Winter skin??)
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Need help in how to avert endless questions!
Bipeds, bipeds, bipeds. Tsk, Tsk. I thought my mom TOLD you already how to avoid all those annoying people asking questions about us. Now sit, STAY, and F-O-C-U-S, okay? Dress yourself in shorts and tee shirt, sit on the floor and brush your dog vigorously (but gently) -- give LOTS OF TREATS. Make sure you're well-covered in dog hair before venturing out -- I personally like to add a whole bunch of slobber marks to my mom's clothes (and love scratches to her legs, using my dewclaws). When you encounter anyone who stops to ask you about us, signal your dogs to take off after something (my Berner buddies Belle, Beau, and Breezie exiting a store was enough for Maddie and me), and have your dog yank you off your feet and on down the sidewalk. Believe me, those pesky people will learn all they need to know about living with us Berner kids, and will just sort of slink away. (This is easier with a sister Berner, but I'm confident I could do the job on my own.) I guarantee it! Bernerly yours, Sascha's Ursa Major (known as Major Noodlehead), and is not allowed use the initials CGC for now Bozeman, Montana _ Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963
Re: Names
In a message dated 12/5/2002 10:17:44 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I am expecting the arrival of my first Berner in a few weeks. A female. I want the perfect name. Nothing too formal just a call name that I like. Open to all suggestions. Hi Jan, It's so exciting awaiting the homecoming of a puppy...I'm jealous! So, maybe I'll indulge myself vicariously by dabbling with names for you. One starting point you can use is the registered name. Does the breeder specify anything in particular...usually their kennel name, and the first letter of the rest of the name...but some use a theme for the litter. Then, working within the breeder's requirement...you can go on to a funky, serious, or playfull registered name or a straight forward one in the European tradition. Say the kennel name is Venditti's and the first letter has to be D You could name her Venditti's Dory and call her Dory or, you could name her Venditti's Diamond in the Ruff and call her Diamond or, you could name her Venditti's Double Dare and call her Dory (totally unrelated) The possibilities are endless and many people a lot more witty than I. Personally, I like registered names that mean something to me about that specific dog. Then I choose a call name that I like and that also has meaning, though it may have nothing to do with the registered name. Not ideal...but I'm not always smart enough to link the two. Ex: The naming requirements for one of my girls was the kennel name Maine and the letter L. She's registered as Maine's Lightn'g Strikes Twice. Because when she came home she was just as much of a pistol as my first berner girl. Her call name is Simca, which is from the Hebrew Simcha which means a jor or a celebration. Since my husband and I had debated long and hard before deciding to get a second dog, when she finally joined our family, it WAS a joy. g So, toss out any requirements for naming and we can all go to town and see what wwe come up with. -Sherri Venditti
Re: When to Neuter a BMD
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Re: chasing tails
- Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] How many of your berners out there chase their tails? Mic the Berner boy is a mad tail chaser--he'll go til he gets it, then spin faster and faster until he goes kerplop. Lliira the Pyr girl does not chase her tail, but she has a completely, totally adorable gambol that she does around in circles when happy. Nessie the Newfie chases her tail once in a while, and once she catches it she clamps on and walks in slow circles, holding it fiercely. Cassie the Rescue Pyr is only playful in small spurts, and when she is she tends to swing her head in a semi circle while doing a tight turn. We have hopes she will develop a little more sense of play as she settles in more and more and realizes she won't be thrown away (yet) again. We are home 6 and 8 that we know of for sure (we fostered her for a few months last year, home 7 did not work out and she is back with us for keeps) and she is only FIVE. Eileen Morgan The Mare's Nest http://www.enter.net/~edlehman --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.426 / Virus Database: 239 - Release Date: 12/2/2002
Re: cancer
- Original Message - From: Jordan S. Dill [EMAIL PROTECTED] When I asked why of Angell and the Vet they w/o skipping a beat answered, genetics. This is what prompted the question. Now from what I gather (list answers to my question), unless there is a proclivity for cancer in a breeders line, this is not so. I do want another Berner friend for Hesse but can not go through what I've just been through financially...appreciate all the advice. Quite frankly, we know for a fact that some kinds of cancers are genetic, and some are just plain bad luck. Also, when we get quite elderly and something goes wrong in our bodies, it often manifests itself in a cancer. Berners do not develop cancer more often than Pyrs, but in my opinion, more Berners get cancers at younger ages, and the cancers tend to be more aggressive. For example, Malignant Hystosis is a very rare cancer, but it is the most common cancer Berners get. There is a genetic component to this cancer, but it is a complex one; it might skip some generations, or slide from a auntie to a nephew rather than parent to pup. So I do not disagree with the vet who told you genetics. And I do not think predicting and controlling these genetics is easy. It might be more common in some lines than others, but I really doubt there is a line which is cancer free. Eileen Morgan The Mare's Nest http://www.enter.net/~edlehman --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.426 / Virus Database: 239 - Release Date: 12/2/2002
Re: BERNER-L digest 4154
PREplease unsubscribe me from this list
Re: When to Neuter a BMD
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Re: cancer
When I asked why of Angell and the Vet they w/o skipping a beat answered, genetics. This is what prompted the question. Now from what I gather (list answers to my question), unless there is a proclivity for cancer in a breeders line, this is not so. ***I think I understand why one might think that way but it is not my way of thinking. There is no family of Bernese I'm aware of that does not have a signficant incidence of cancer in the family. We do not achieve 49% of dogs in our health survey dying of cancer if cancer is represented in only some families. It is very widespread in this breed. However it may be more highly concentrated in some breedings or even in some families. ***I did a breeding in 1993 which rendered 9 pups. The father died at 8 yr 10 months with lymphoma. He was diagnosed at age 8.5 yr. The mother recently died at age 10y 4 mos with histiocytic sarcoma. Of the nine pups 4 were dead of various kinds of cancers by age 7. Another died with histio at 7.5 This was a horrendous breeding from the standpoint of early deaths to cancer IMO. However with the rest of the litter about to celebrates its 8th birthday this month. Based on the Y2K health survey's mean average age of death being 7.1 years, when I add up all the ages of death in this litter, assuming the remaining four dogs will die at age 8, I come up with this. 5+6+7+7+7.5+8+8+8+8=64.5 When I divide that by 9, I get the average age of death found in the breed, 7.1 years for this litter. ***Now personally, as a breeder, I consider this litter to have been horrid in the longevity department. It is unusual for so many members of a litter from my program to die so young. When I look at the pedigree for this litter, I can see clearly what I did in this combination that I've not done before and that which I will not do again. I share this scenario in an offering of one breeder's experiences with early deaths to cancer. ***I view starting a life with a Berner sort of like I view a lotto ticket. If it turns out to be a big winner (long, long relationship)that's a huge plus. If it doesn't, I still enjoy immensely holding it while I can. ***None of this is intended to minimize your suffering in the loss of your precious Hesse, Jordan, nor is it intended to minimize the significance of Hesse in this lifetime. We experience the suffering and departures from this life which befall many of our friends and family unless we predecease them. It is an experience that can be crippling or from which we grow. My Berners have shown me that growing from my experiences with them in life and in death is well worth the emotional prices I have paid. We each have to make that judgement call for ourselves. ***I wish for you healing of your heart and hope the time will come soon that memories of Hesse only bring happiness to you. Ruth Reynolds
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berner pup or baby - which should come first???
I am 32 and I recently married my husband who is 37. We have been together for over 7 years and have gotten baby fever. Since I was 17 years old, I have always wanted a BMD. So I have a case of berner fever too. My question is, which should we do first? The baby or the puppy. We are both getting older so we feel like the clock is ticking. However, I know that I could give the puppy much more attention and training if we got a puppy before the baby. Does anyone have any suggestions? Please help, Torn between the two, Kerry Ferrari San Jose, Ca.
Visit Alpen Schatz's first ever Christkindlmarkt!
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Nanook update on weight
All, Just an update on Nanook's weight - Now down to 126 lbs. from the 165 he was when we got him in November of 2001. He now actually walks the 2 miles on Duke of Gloucester St. in Willaimsburg with no rest stops. Of course, the cooler/colder weather helps :-) Later, Carl Skip Seibert Williamsburg, VA Visit Skip's Berner Links at: http://www.widomaker.com/~seibert
Re: Jumping Puppy
- Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ? from New mommy?? My 41/2 month female is 35lbs What is the best way to stop her from jumping on people. I dont want to be cruel, but I can be consistent. I have conflicting advice on leash/collar types choke like vs the non-muzzle leader leash You don't stop jumping with punishment. You stop jumping by giving the dog another behavior for which it is rewarded. I knew my Newfie, Nessie, would grow large (mama is 138, dad 170--now at 3 yrs old, Nessie is a lean and active 140 lbs). I taught her to SIT when she came up to someone to be petted. And I taught her to DOWN when she approached or was approached by children (this is so engrained that if we are walking and someone's toddler comes shooting over to the pony she throws herself on the ground and starts scooting towards the child on her belly). My other dogs (Micawber the Berner boy, Cassie and Lliira the Pyr girls) also know four on the floor means they will receive a lot of attention, and jumping means they get none. So, what you do is work on her SIT command in a low distraction environment. In order to really get it proofed, have her SIT before all good things--she wants to go out and play? She has to sit nicely at the door. She wants a cookie? Sit. She wants a walk? Sit. She wants dinner? Sit. She wants petting or to greet someone? Sit. To teach the SIT, take a treat and a hungry puppy on a leash with a plain buckle collar. Take the treat, put it in front of that little nose (keeping your hand closed around it so she can't grab). Draw your hand up and back over the top of her head towards her tail; the nose should follow the good smell (hot dog, cheese cubes, liver treats--something really yummy). As the nose goes up, the butt goes down and she finds herself sitting. As the fanny hits the floor, reward mark. I would click the clicker at this moment, but you can give a fast 'good girl.' Repeat a few times, til she starts to really zip into place, then you add in the word sit and phase out the lure. Still reward the sit, though. Once she is sitting in a variety of settings and with distractions, put the reward on a variable schedule and you can mostly phase it out as well. Now have her SIT whenever she is greeting people (you included). She learns to run up and plant the fanny, and no one gets knocked flat. She is highly rewarded for the polite greeting with praise, and you have replaced the undesirable behavior with one you want. Eileen Morgan The Mare's Nest http://www.enter.net/~edlehman --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.426 / Virus Database: 239 - Release Date: 12/2/2002
Re: berner pup or baby - which should come first???
Personally I like to see the baby first. Many couples don't know how much a child will affect their lives and how much attention a baby will need. Couples aren't going to get rid of a child for a dog but if things don't work out will get rid of the dog. My advice has been have the baby and fit your life around it. When that aspect of your life is settled they bring the puppy into it. Having said all that - no 2 people are the same and for some kids and dogs are all alike and never skip a beat when adding one or the other or both. However, if you aren't sure what sort of person you are, wait for the puppy. Susan Ablon Gweebarra BMD Balch Springs, Tx http://www.pageweb.com/gwebara On Fri, 06 Dec 2002 13:43:09 -0800 kerry ferrari [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I am 32 and I recently married my husband who is 37. We have been together for over 7 years and have gotten baby fever. Since I was 17 years old, I have always wanted a BMD. So I have a case of berner fever too. My question is, which should we do first? The baby or the puppy. We are both getting older so we feel like the clock is ticking. However, I know that I could give the puppy much more attention and training if we got a puppy before the baby. Does anyone have any suggestions? Please help, Torn between the two, Kerry Ferrari San Jose, Ca.
Re: berner pup or baby - which should come first???
- Original Message - From: kerry ferrari [EMAIL PROTECTED] I am 32 and I recently married my husband who is 37. We have been together for over 7 years and have gotten baby fever. Since I was 17 years old, I have always wanted a BMD. So I have a case of berner fever too. My question is, which should we do first? The baby or the puppy. We are both getting older so we feel like the clock is ticking. However, I know that I could give the puppy much more attention and training if we got a puppy before the baby. Does anyone have any suggestions? Well . . . I got my Berner boy when I was in my very low 30s, and we plan on a family at some point as well. Unfortunately, Mic has a temperament which is not desirable but also not uncommon in Berners; he is a throw back to the more sharp, guardy personalities the old Swiss farmers bred for. We are concerned about territory aggression and children; he was socialized on a regular basis with nice children from the time he came home with us, but when he hit about 1 1/2 he went through a very growly phase which lasted about a year, year and a half. He growled at his former child playmates, and also well known adult friends and extended family (not us). We did continued extensive socializing, and we really structured his life. He had already gone through three levels of obedience when he hit Growling Time. Now at 4, he is significantly less growly (I can't remember the last incident--it has been maybe six months or more) but I also feel uncomfortable with him and children. I hardly want to have him be a potential danger to someone's child. This fall we have twice allowed him to interact with children (carefully supervised with multiple dog savvy adults, and they were children who were mannerly and well schooled with being around large dogs). It was fine, but I will always wonder if he will accept an infant should we have one. I think until it happens there will be no way to know if he will need to be either heavily managed or rehomed at that point. At my age, I cannot expect to wait out his natural lifespan and still have a child. So . . . think about it. There are no easy answers. The puppy is basically as time consuming as a baby. You are right, having a puppy first means you will have more time for him or her as a youngster. However, if the temperament is not ideal, you might run into issues. Also, you need to work hard to make sure the pup continues to get plenty of attention after the baby arrives; Berners are notoriously clingy and needy for attention. Sorry I can't give you anything more specific and helpful for advice. Eileen Morgan The Mare's Nest http://www.enter.net/~edlehman --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.426 / Virus Database: 239 - Release Date: 12/2/2002
Re: When to Neuter a BMD
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posting to the L
Ok, I'm confused. This AM I sent a post (and resent it) and when I got it I got the message that it had been truncated. I then sent a post this evening and it came through just fine. I did not make any changes I do not add attachments, have a virus nor am I posting in HTML. What's up?
puppy or baby
My question is, which should we do first? The baby or the puppy. We are both getting older so we feel like the clock is ticking. However, I know that I could give the puppy much more attention and training if we got a puppy before the baby. Does anyone have any suggestions? I may not be qualified to answer this since my husband and I do not have any children- we do have two berners- Mahkah -15 months and Sienna BARC rescue- 4 years old- but I would opt for the puppy first- for no reason other than it is good training for having and raising children. I have learned so much from raising Mahkah with my husband. we talk more about how we will raise our kids together and we realize we both need to be very consistant in what we expect of our dogs- By the way I am 27 and my husband is 35. Lydia McNeese Lake City Colorado __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com
Re: berner pup or baby - which should come first???
Hi Kerry, Both Susan Eileen have given you some good advice with several points to think about. I have placed several pups with couples before they had children. I will tell you, it seems like soon after getting the puppy they come up pregnant! Must be like trying trying to have a child then adopting and bingo you're pregnant? If you do get a puppy I'd suggest waiting on getting pregnant until the puppy is at least 6 months old. this would give you until the puppy is 15 months old before the baby arrives, a good amount of time to do heavy socialization with children, babies, other dogs, and obedience training too. You might consider training for therapy work. I'd also reccomend spay or neuter at right on 6 months of age. Find a breeder who puts temperaments as a high priority on her breeding goals. That said, I have not had any problems with puppies coming first, then having a baby. It really gets you ready for the new responsibilities a baby imposes like getting up at night to go potty, house training, puppy/baby proofing the house, etc. You need to also be the type of person who will continue to be able to give the dog the time, training, attention, and love he/she needs after your cute human bundle arrives. Not the type that becomes exsausted easily! Otherwise the dog will get very resentful of the fact that you do not follow that same routine anymore and may start being distructive to show his/her displeasure. Berners will definitely let their voice be heard in many ways if they are use to one amount of attention and then they are offered less. So..it is a BIG decision that you your husband need to decide on, and make together. Example: if your baby turns out to have colic for 12 weeks and you are occupied rocking etc. Will your husband be available to take over some rocking time in order for you to spend time with the dog? If this sounds far fetched I'd forget getting the puppy until the child is older. He will have to want the dog as much as you do, and be willing to help with baby puppy on a regular equal basis or it will not (IMO) work out for any of you. Having both a puppy, and a human baby will be just as much work as having two human babies, one an infant, one a toddler. : ) Bernerly, Mary Jeff Mary Chapdelaine SnoBear Berners [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://snobear.freeyellow.com
Re: berner pup or baby - which should come first???
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RE: When to neuter a BMD
I am a firm advocate for early or pediatric spay/neuter, regardless of breed. There is no evidence of any negative effects on growth/health, etc. And I can tell you from pretty extensive personal experience with fostering puppies for our local humane society - they recover within a matter of hours, sometimes less! I have a litter of 8 week old mix breed puppies at my house right now that had the procedure done on Tuesday morning. They went in for surgery at 8:00am and by the time they came home at noon on the same day, they were wild for play. The older they are, the longer the recovery time. Mary Shaver and the girls, Laurel and Bailey (playing auntys to these 7 warty pups) Fayetteville, GA
RE: chasing tails
Hi, Well Stevie has just discovered his tail within the last month or so. He seems to catch it in a side glance and then treats it like it is some alien life-form. He'll chase and chase and chase, sometimes he'll catch it and sometimes not. He actually got dizzy this morning and landed head first in the fireplace. (Not to worry it is a non working fireplace that has been painted and actually it is Stevie's favourite place to sleep because it is cool! ) I get such a chuckle out of watching him. But then he also like to chase the cat's tail too. He came out of the kitchen the other day, carrying the cat by the tail, ever so gently, the cat was not even making any fuss about it at all!! I wish I had had my camera on that day Karen and Stevie NB, Canada -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, December 06, 2002 1:57 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: chasing tails Hi there, How many of your berners out there chase their tails? Misha is crazy about hers. She chases it round round. Then when she finally gets hold of it in her mouth she just spins across the yard,living room where ever she is. It is just too funny. When she finally stops she looks so dazed confused, then she starts all over again usually in the opposite direction, maybe she is unwinding herself then. She has done this one time that I must have watched her for 10-15 mintues. She's just a girl having fun. I wish I could catch it on film. Beth Schmoyer Snowden Misha Bethlehem, PA (where we just received about 8 of snow the dogs are having so much fun) --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.426 / Virus Database: 239 - Release Date: 12/2/02 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.426 / Virus Database: 239 - Release Date: 12/2/02
info needed
This is not berner related, but I was just contacted by a friend that their dog had died very suddenly this week. They are trying to look for some answers. All weekend the dog was fine, Sunday night about 10:00pm dog started to vomit. Did this off and on during the night. They took her first thing Monday morning to their Vet, and the dog died before noon Tuesday. The Vet seems to think that it could have been Pancreatitis or Kidney failure. The owners were very careful in what they fed her, because she did have a sensitive stomach. They rescued this dog from the pound last July, so they do not have a long history with her, but she was only a couple years old, had all her shots, and in good health. They walked a couple miles each day. I guess the Vet said it could have been Antifreeze too. I have been these people's house many times, and there is no way that I have ever seen that she could have gotten into that. I will be going over to visit this week, as they have asked me to try to help explain, and find answers possibly. Has anyone experienced any of these things? Can it happen this quickly? Thank you, Tami Winner Merced, CA _ Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963
Re: Twitching Belly Rubs
Sisco has his sweet spot that will cause one back leg to animate itself like an egg beater when you scratch in just the right place. He just lies on his back and flails away as long as you keep up the scritchies. Fran Sisco (oh mom, just a little more to the right; ahh) -- Fran Jones [EMAIL PROTECTED] SportSound Music:http://www.geocities.com/franinvancouver Phone: 604-926-0084 Fax: 604-926-9543
Food for Thought
Am feeding my 1 yr old female, Anna, the Adult Chicken/Rice California Natural and sometimes mix in steamed pureed veggies, leftover meats/fish or other heathful foods in her meals. But, my male..Ian, is on the Senior Innova with the same mixed in foods at times. He is 5 1/2yrs and for about 3yrs he had a chronic ear problem. Tried everything to clear it up but when switched to Innova.lo and behold, it cleared up very nicely. I do give them 500mgm Ester Vit C daily and fish oil capsules every other day for their skin. Ian also get glucosomine/chondrotin sulfate. No problems, no itchies, no hot spots, no flaking...nice shiny healthy coats. And so far, knock on wood, good health! I tried raw chicken wings and both threw them up on the living room rug! Yuk!!! So I am not too eager to try this again. They get raw meaty bones once in awhile...trimmed of all the fat as it is too rich and will throw it up too! Now if I would only be as good to myself!! :-)) Carol Slider in NC
Re: Chasing tails
Sisco used to chase his tail all the time up until he was about 2 yrs. old. When he caught it, he would sort of pause and then rotate slowly with it in his mouth until he lost interest and went back to general frapping. Fran Sisco (tail chasing is a carefully studied form of calisthenics, mom) -- Fran Jones [EMAIL PROTECTED] SportSound Music:http://www.geocities.com/franinvancouver Phone: 604-926-0084 Fax: 604-926-9543
chasing one's own tail
This has been a problem for me for years. You mean berners have the same problem? :~)) I hope the berner's solution doesn't entail years of psychotherapy like it does for people
Re: Solar Eclipse
In February of 1979, I witnessed a solar eclipse while living in Bozeman, Montana. People gathered on the streets of the downtown area, for the big event. Not many cars passed... due to the crowd; however, just as you explained, it was a darkening sky... much like early evening. It was quite eerie, as a deep silence came over all people, birds animals. Very interesting, indeed! Susan Hartzheim Piney Forest Bernese Wisconsin - Original Message - From: Marion Brown [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, December 03, 2002 11:02 PM Subject: Solar Eclipse Today in South Africa we had a Solar Eclipse which would have been great, except that it was the only cloudy day for months! The Kruger Park was one of the
