A new Member of the Family

[Daisy]

Gem - same here. We had some last night. I'd given Eva Rescue Remedy on her dinner, but it hadn't had time to act. I'd really thought there wouldn't be any last night. So fed up with them.

[Clover]

So sorry for poor Eva.

My DD’s dog is similar though not as bad. My DD wrapped her in a blanket and cuddled her but Luna was still shaking all over.
She is the same on walks when there is shooting in the distance. She sits still and quivers and shakes. It’s a good job she’s a small Cavapoo and can be easily picked up for comforting!

[Daisy]

Thank you, Clover.

Poor little Luna, but at least she will let your DD comfort her. Wrapping her up quite firmly in a blanket is a good idea - that's basically what Eva's thunder shirt does. But Eva won't accept comfort, she doesn't want us to touch her and she just keeps charging from one place to another in an absolute panic. One night we managed to get her to play 'hunt the treat' in the living room, to try and take her mind off it. But it was uphill work.

[Gemini]

Can you get ear plugs for dogs??

[Clover]

Let’s hope that’s the end of them for now. It must be an inbuilt reaction as Luna has never had a bad experience with a sudden loud noise to frighten her. I know you’re not sure of Eva’s early days before she found you so she could have been traumatised then but on the other hand it could be in her genes.

[WeeGranny]

DD's doggo is same. Something frightened him on a walk a few years ago and a bang, even in the distance, can make him head for home at a rate of knots. So sad to see animals in such a terrified state.

I'm sure fireworks weren't as noisy when I was a youngster! They'd be just as pretty without the bangs I'm sure.

[Daisy]

Clover - I think it could be anything, really. We used to have a Labrador, had him from a puppy. It was in the days when our DSs were sailing every week-end and he used to wander round the sailing club quite happily, and he'd even sit by our DSs if they were starting races - and the starting gun never bothered him. Then one day we was just strolling past as the gun went off and he bolted! For some reason it startled him and he never totally got over it. So with Eva we really have no idea, but she also doesn't like people shouting.

WeeGranny it sounds as though something similar happened to your DD's doggo. I agree, it's so sad.

[Nana]

We have a cocker spaniel working dog, not that he does. I suppose not being afraid of bangs ( guns being fired in the field) is in their blood. Our other dog was a cocker spaniel too but not a field dog. We used to wrap ourselves up warm when they were puppies & sit on the back step with them held closely, snuggled up warm in their favourite blanket to watch the fireworks.

OH can even take him out for a walk when all the fireworks are going off. I really feel for you whose dogs are afraid. Distressing for doggies &their hoomans.

[Daisy]

Nana I agree it's in their blood, and it helps. It helps as well if you can condition them not to be afraid when they're puppies as you so sensibly did.

Last night OH was out and I decided not to give Eva any Rescue Remedy as I think it's upsetting her tummy. We were lucky there were only distant fireworks so although she could hear them she wasn't quite to terrified. Then she really needed to go in the garden but was too frightened. In the end I put her on her lead and took her out to the grass verge at the front. The relief on her face would have been funny if I hadn't felt so sorry for her.

[Daisy]

From today we have a new member of the family. She is about 2 1/2 years old, a Yellow Lab/German Shepherd/ Goodness knows what else called Eva.

On Thursday it will be 4 years (where has the time gone) since Eva moved in to our home, our bed and our hearts, and all that time we have wondered exactly who (or what) she really is. The rescue centre said Lab x German Shepherd and then hedged their bets with 'another cross' which they didn't specify.

We don't care that she's a mongrel - we love her to bits - but we've always been curious about her genetic make up, and sometimes it's useful to know for health reasons. So, we've finally had her DNA tested, and it's thrown up some surprises.

We could definitely see some Staffie in her and sure enough she's one quarter Staffie, plus one quarter Labrador. Then the first surprise - one quarter Boxer.

They reported on two more breeds in her make up - one-eighth Border Collie (which was a surprise in itself) and one-eighth Dogue de Bordeaux!! If you saw the Tom Hanks film "Turner and Hooch" - Hooch was a D de B! Thankfully, Eva didn't grow to that size!

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/li...e-de-bordeaux/

Spot the likeness?

[Gemini]

Aww bless her, a lovely mixture 😊

[Plantaholic]

How interesting, some mixture.

[Oma]

Doesn't matter what she is she's a sweetheart , we loved her as soon as we saw her , she's a lovely little thing and so loving

[Clover]

How interesting Daisy. All very noble breeds.

[Nana]

How interesting Daisy. I had no idea you could DNA test a dog. She's a lovely.