Time for another ‘my dog is awesome’ thread

[Biff Tannen 45,747]

Well this is just a great story.

https://www.batcon.org/cliff-rescue-at-bracken-cave-preserve/?bblinkid=254245103&bbemailid=33991172&bbejrid=2097783002

 

Quote

By his colleagues’ accounts, Fran Hutchins is the kind of guy who dependably shows up and helps out.  Before he was hired as the Director of Bracken Cave Preserve, Hutchins showed up with his local cave-exploring club to mow the lawn around the visitor areas of Bracken Cave Preserve and to guide summertime visitors through the astounding experience of witnessing millions of bats rise and swirl upwards from Bracken Cave into the night sky in search of their nightly meal.

For nearly 15 years working for Bat Conservation International, Hutchins has been given the responsibility of managing Bracken Cave Preserve – home to 20 million Mexican Free-tailed Bats (Tadarida brasiliensis), the world’s largest maternity colony of bats  – and the nearly 1,500-acre rugged preserve in central Texas which surrounds the cave. 

Seeing that the migratory bat colony safely roosts in the cave every spring to give birth to millions of pups is Hutchins’ first and foremost concern.  Protecting the Preserve by forming strong relationships with neighboring residents is also his high priority.  So, two months ago on a holiday weekend, it wasn’t out of character to find Hutchins rappelling 75 feet down a steep cliff, harnessed above a frothing flash-flooded area, to rescue a gaunt and shivering dog.

How Jackson, a chocolate Labrador retriever, and his inseparable companion Missy, a golden Lab, disappeared and were eventually found and rescued requires some speculation. During a thunderous Texas storm, the dogs had fled into the night.  For nearly two weeks, despite an organized search, the dogs had not been found.  Hutchins and the dogs’ owner, Robert Rowe, figure the dogs were terrified and frantic. In the darkness of the storm, always at each other’s side, the dogs must have run right off the cliff.  Thankfully, a narrow ledge midway down stopped the dogs from falling at least 150 feet to an outcome of serious injuries, or worse.

Likely the dogs spent those two weeks on that ledge, without food and with minimal pooled water from rainstorms. Then another massive storm rolled in, dumping enough water to create a flash flood about 15 feet wide and perhaps 15 feet deep at the base of the cliff, in what normally is a dry wash.  Hutchins speculates that Missy, scared and starved, leapt into the swift water below and made her way to the other side to show up on the porch of a home just outside the preserve. 

United with Missy, the dogs’ owner went looking for Jackson again.  High above the water on the cliff, Jackson was spotted, a mere speck but alive.  That’s when Hutchins was called. 

Hutchins solicited three of his climbing and caving buddies to help with the rescue.  From the top of the cliff, he rappelled down and saw Jackson “in really bad shape.”  The dog moved toward him, crawling on his belly.  It was gratifying, he says, to get Jackson harnessed and hoisted to safety, food, warmth, and his owner. 

Jackson wasn’t Hutchins’ first rescue of a pet or farm animal in Bracken Cave Preserve, although the rescues are usually not as dramatic.   Farms and new neighborhoods border several parts of the Preserve.

“It’s important for us to build good relationships with our neighbors,” says Hutchins.  “We’re happy to help when we can.  Most of our neighbors understand the importance of bats and Bracken Cave. Many of our neighbors, in fact, volunteer in welcoming visitors and maintaining the Preserve’s trails.”

[Brew 3,049]

Mutt is all settled in for his long ass ride to South FL. Just put a deposit down to get him a little brother, same dad / different mom. Not sure where the new one is going to ride since this one has laid claim to the center console and the front seat when it is available. I hope this doesn’t turn out like kids where the second can be a real pain in the ass.

[ChickenSandwich 9,853]

Just picked up this guy today as well. Happy puppy day. 
 

 

Hook em

Edited October 2, 2021 by ChickenSandwich

[NorthLoop 14,250]

you motherfucker.... happy cute fluffy puppy day to you!

 

[pch 1,261]

13 hours ago, ChickenSandwich said:

Just picked up this guy today as well. Happy puppy day. 
 

 

Hook em

Those FEET!!  What a cutie who will be one big happy lap dog someday.  Congrats.

[Biff Tannen 45,747]

On 10/2/2021 at 4:50 PM, ChickenSandwich said:

Just picked up this guy today as well. Happy puppy day. 
 

 

Hook em

He looks like he’s in that “I’m gonna be a chill pup” phase, which is of course a lie. But you still think maybe he’ll be the one to break the mold. And then you come home and he’s destroyed everything. 

[Deej 76,944]

Dogs went to the vet yesterday. Asked what food they ate. Told him Blue is eating the $100 a bag prescription liver diet that aggy said she needed to eat for the remainder of her life.

"They repaired the shunt. Why would she need that?"

Damnit.

[futureman 22,550]

1 hour ago, Deej said:

Dogs went to the vet yesterday. Asked what food they ate. Told him Blue is eating the $100 a bag prescription liver diet that aggy said she needed to eat for the remainder of her life.

"They repaired the shunt. Why would she need that?"

Damnit.

so you trusted an aggy? that’s on you. 

[Deej 76,944]

[ChickenSandwich 9,853]

8 weeks tomorrow (13.5lbs). Blown away by him already. Named Benson Goose (middle) but the niece and nephews have spoken and he will be called Goose. 
 

already figured out leash walking and knocking out 2 full walks a day. 
 

Maddox and Goose 

 

Edited October 6, 2021 by ChickenSandwich

[AUS-97HORN 11,824]

 

[Deej 76,944]

1 hour ago, ChickenSandwich said:

 

 

Maddox: "I hate you for this."

[elfenix 34,336]

I think this may be Biscuit's last afternoon here with me. We spent it outside laying in the grass. A nice man came by with homemade treats which Biscuit really liked. So that was some good lagniappe.

15 years and 50 weeks since Biscuit came into my life.

[Deej 76,944]

Give 'em, hell, Biscuit.

[ChickenSandwich 9,853]

In it for the Biscuit. Rest easy good boy. Looks like a beautiful day for friends. 

[NorthLoop 14,250]

Good boy, Biscuit. 

[elfenix 34,336]

It's done.

[Hornstrader 179]

Rest easy Biscuit

[NorthLoop 14,250]

My Biscuit turns 4 in two weeks. If I can get 12 more years out of him I will consider it a great blessing. You gave him a good life. 

[Not from Texas 21]

Sixteen years is amazing.  Biscuit gave you a great friend, you gave him a great home and life. Rest easy pup.

[Nicole44 22,078]

9 hours ago, elfenix said:

It's done.

Hugs to you. Dealt with the same in March of this year. God Speed Biscuit! Good dog! 

[pch 1,261]

Blessings on you elfenix.  Biscuit could have never had a better best friend and neither could you.  Gonna be one helluva reunion for all of us good dog lovers one day and your sweet pup will be there for it.  Good doggo Biscuit-go and rest easy.

[MissingInAction 25,203]

Hook em high like the eagles fly, good Biscuit.  

[Chewbacca 7,787]

Good boy, Biscuit.

[Nuge 1,987]

Rest easy, Biscuit.

Took Willow (1.5 y/o Lab) and Olivia (16 y/o Pug/JRT/Chihuahua mix) out to play some disc golf out in the Gorge. Shot -4. Took them out to play again two days later and shot -8.

I'm thinking I'll take them out again and shoot -16.

[Deej 76,944]

3 hours ago, Nuge said:

 

My two would have pulled that tree down.

[ChickenSandwich 9,853]

Game day bitches and dudes

 

[hookemATL 11,913]

7 minutes ago, ChickenSandwich said:

Game day bitches and dudes

 

I’m here to shit on the floor and fuck OU up. And I’m all outta shits. 

[deadshank 24,653]

Country hound dog

 

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19,146]

I need to have some photo sessions with the mutts.

[Biff Tannen 45,747]

It’s a tough life. 
 

 

[Deej 76,944]

Sister's 7 year old Boxer just dropped dead right in front of them this week. Apparently, they are prone to a heart condition that hits them between 5 and 7. 

So, they immediately went out and got another Boxer. 

Don't think I could risk dealing with that again.

[AUS-97HORN 11,824]

I will be an absolute mess the day I lose Sadie.  She is my first best friend.   I dont think I could turn around and get another lab right away. 

[deadshank 24,653]

9 hours ago, Deej said:

Sister's 7 year old Boxer just dropped dead right in front of them this week. Apparently, they are prone to a heart condition that hits them between 5 and 7. 

So, they immediately went out and got another Boxer. 

Don't think I could risk dealing with that again.

Dropped dead, huh?  Chagas disease is a possible cause as “just keeled over” is the hallmark of a Chagas caused death in what seemed to be perfectly healthy dogs. Of course, that would have to be proven through an autopsy. 

We won’t take out two dogs out to the deer camp during the summer months just to avoid the kissing bugs that carry Chagas.   

Edited October 13, 2021 by deadshank

[Deej 76,944]

1 hour ago, deadshank said:

Dropped dead, huh?  Chagas disease is a possible cause as “just keeled over” is the hallmark of a Chagas caused death in what seemed to be perfectly healthy dogs. Of course, that would have to be proven through an autopsy. 

We won’t take out two dogs out to the deer camp during the summer months just to avoid the kissing bugs that carry Chagas.   

https://www.uvsonline.com/arvc-in-dogs/

[deadshank 24,653]

1 hour ago, Deej said:

https://www.uvsonline.com/arvc-in-dogs/

I'm not disagreeing with you about boxers; however, Chagas is a real thing and not to be ignored.  One of the guys in our deer camp / meth head conclave had his dog drop right in front of us.  Have seen two bird dogs croak, as well.  Chagas was the cause.  Kissing bugs love dogs and dog bedding.

[Beau Vine 54,459]

Juno McGruff is now 5 months old, weighs 54 pounds.  God help us...

[Biff Tannen 45,747]

[ChickenSandwich 9,853]

No CR

 

[Chewbacca 7,787]

On 10/12/2021 at 7:45 PM, Deej said:

Sister's 7 year old Boxer just dropped dead right in front of them this week. Apparently, they are prone to a heart condition that hits them between 5 and 7. 

So, they immediately went out and got another Boxer. 

Don't think I could risk dealing with that again.

Shit like that is why we didn't get another Berner when my avatar died.  We couldn't knowingly do that again.

[Deej 76,944]

Penny busted out the front door of my mom's house today and took off after a bunch of deer, chasing them onto the ranch behind the house. Fuck. The entire time I'm thinking I'll never find that dog. A quarter mile later, I see something moving towards me through a bunch of underbrush.

"Did you see that? That was some fun shit."

Fuck you, Penny. 

[Deej 76,944]

What do you get when you mix a basset hound and a heeler?

A dog that should not be able to run that fast.

[hookemATL 11,913]

You know I’d of picked the other one to do that instead of Penny.  

[Deej 76,944]

23 minutes ago, hookemATL said:

You know I’d of picked the other one to do that instead of Penny.  

I was lucky. The screen door slammed in her face before she made it out. I would still be looking for Blue if she got out. 

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19,146]

Just to pups being themselves. Yesterday AM, Rini, for the first time in the 11 years I've had her, houdini'd out of her gentle leader and leash.

[pch 1,261]

3 hours ago, PenelopeWitherspoon said:

Just to pups being themselves. Yesterday AM, Rini, for the first time in the 11 years I've had her, houdini'd out of her gentle leader and leash.

We live in their world and occasionally (such as once in eleven years) they remind us🙂

[BabaYaga 15,327]

On 10/5/2021 at 6:24 PM, ChickenSandwich said:

8 weeks tomorrow (13.5lbs). Blown away by him already. Named Benson Goose (middle) but the niece and nephews have spoken and he will be called Goose. 
 

already figured out leash walking and knocking out 2 full walks a day. 
 

Maddox and Goose 

 

Goose has this "what the F did you bring home" look on his face.  This never never leaves me alone

[BabaYaga 15,327]

Poodle merked another rabbit.  That's four now.  Wife freaked.  I quietly egged her on to get more.  GD yard rats....

[JSB 677]

Said my final good girl to my partner in crime of 12 years yesterday. It’s been a long time since I’ve dealt with losing a pet, but she had a hell of a life and fought a good fight. Never had a single issue with her health wise until the very end. It’s the little stuff that really hits me, like making the kids lunches, I always gave her the crust. Today, it went in the trash can. It is also going to hit me hard today when I get home from work and she isn’t there waiting for me. Fuck. Thank you for everything Zoey, you brought so much happiness to our lives.

[pch 1,261]

Good girl Zoey.  Can't wait to see you someday along with all of the other best friends that have blessed my life.  Sending my hopes to you JSB that the best memories you shared with this true companion will be comforting in this time of sadness.