Post by brilsly on Sept 7, 2010 10:43:42 GMT -5
Hi all, I promised an update on Pico and here it is.
It's safe to say that Pico hasn't just wormed his way into our lives, he's opened himself up a big lurcher-shaped hole in our hearts and leapt straight on in there. He's just the biggest soft lump who could never have enough cuddles (or indeed enough sleep). My girlfriend is besotted with him and was utterly distraught with his episode of neck pain. We did have some issues early on with leaving him and coming back to puddles, but with Lisa's fantastic help we've taught him his routine and he now realises that we will always be back for a cuddle and a walk. As part of Lisa's advice we initially didn't let him on the settee with us in the house, guess how long that lasted though. Now the settee is well and truly his place, as you can see from the photo.
He's still learning some manners on socialising with other dogs. He seems to (understandably) hate having puppies and over-enthusiastic dogs bound up to him. We have had the odd bit of growling and mouthing off when other dogs are a bit intense with him, but I think it's more that he's on-lead, can't really go anywhere so is just standing his ground and warning instead. Having said that, in turn he marches right up to tiny, terrified terriers and demands they play. Westies seem to be his particular favourite, it's quite the sight to see him play-bow down to eye-level with a westie who's giving off signs of pure terror faced with their gigantic new play-partner. Anyway, we're still trying to find a training class where we can work on socialising, if anyone knows of a good one around Newcastle upon Tyne I'm all ears.
We've shown him a few of our favourite walking places as well. He seemed to like them, but definitely was dying to play off-lead on the beach with our friends' ridgeback. We'll see how training goes before we risk it though for anyone worrying. We are well aware of how keen he is: rabbits, cats and foxes have all crossed his path and he's left us under no illusion how much he would really, really, really like to make "friends" with them.
Out for a walk with my girlfriend Hayley.
He's left us in no doubt that he really doesn't like to get his poor, delicate paws wet.
The only slight worry we've had is that his neck/leg pain incident recurred last week. Luckily my girlfriend was at home when he started yelping in pain and kept him company. I came home to find him not wanting to move at all. We took him to the vets' and they kept him in overnight dosed up on morphine and meloxicam. Next morning he was right as rain and apparently made friends with EVERYONE at the surgery, following the nurses round, the tart. Anyway, so he seems to be fine, but the chances are that it'll recur again. The vets don't really know what's up, though they've ruled out any of the potentially more serious conditions it could be. It might just be a case that he has a dodgy neck muscle and we have to tend him and give him painkillers/anti-inflammatories whenever it happens. Poor pooch.
Anyway, I just wanted to say a big thanks to everyone who has ever looked after our big llama before he came to us. But particularly huge thanks to Lisa and Trish for both being wonderful. We really appreciate the pleasure of having this lad in our lives.
It's safe to say that Pico hasn't just wormed his way into our lives, he's opened himself up a big lurcher-shaped hole in our hearts and leapt straight on in there. He's just the biggest soft lump who could never have enough cuddles (or indeed enough sleep). My girlfriend is besotted with him and was utterly distraught with his episode of neck pain. We did have some issues early on with leaving him and coming back to puddles, but with Lisa's fantastic help we've taught him his routine and he now realises that we will always be back for a cuddle and a walk. As part of Lisa's advice we initially didn't let him on the settee with us in the house, guess how long that lasted though. Now the settee is well and truly his place, as you can see from the photo.
He's still learning some manners on socialising with other dogs. He seems to (understandably) hate having puppies and over-enthusiastic dogs bound up to him. We have had the odd bit of growling and mouthing off when other dogs are a bit intense with him, but I think it's more that he's on-lead, can't really go anywhere so is just standing his ground and warning instead. Having said that, in turn he marches right up to tiny, terrified terriers and demands they play. Westies seem to be his particular favourite, it's quite the sight to see him play-bow down to eye-level with a westie who's giving off signs of pure terror faced with their gigantic new play-partner. Anyway, we're still trying to find a training class where we can work on socialising, if anyone knows of a good one around Newcastle upon Tyne I'm all ears.
We've shown him a few of our favourite walking places as well. He seemed to like them, but definitely was dying to play off-lead on the beach with our friends' ridgeback. We'll see how training goes before we risk it though for anyone worrying. We are well aware of how keen he is: rabbits, cats and foxes have all crossed his path and he's left us under no illusion how much he would really, really, really like to make "friends" with them.
Out for a walk with my girlfriend Hayley.
He's left us in no doubt that he really doesn't like to get his poor, delicate paws wet.
The only slight worry we've had is that his neck/leg pain incident recurred last week. Luckily my girlfriend was at home when he started yelping in pain and kept him company. I came home to find him not wanting to move at all. We took him to the vets' and they kept him in overnight dosed up on morphine and meloxicam. Next morning he was right as rain and apparently made friends with EVERYONE at the surgery, following the nurses round, the tart. Anyway, so he seems to be fine, but the chances are that it'll recur again. The vets don't really know what's up, though they've ruled out any of the potentially more serious conditions it could be. It might just be a case that he has a dodgy neck muscle and we have to tend him and give him painkillers/anti-inflammatories whenever it happens. Poor pooch.
Anyway, I just wanted to say a big thanks to everyone who has ever looked after our big llama before he came to us. But particularly huge thanks to Lisa and Trish for both being wonderful. We really appreciate the pleasure of having this lad in our lives.