Struggling With Play Time

Animal Freak

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Expensive dreams anyway. Lol.

My mom is trying to talk me into a different puppy... It was almost working. She found an adorable blue merle puppy listed as a corgi/dachshund cross. She says I should get this one now and get my GSD later when we have more room. It's tempting logic, but my fear is that we don't know what situation we'll be in then. Maybe I'm impatient, but I don't want to wait three, four, five years to be in the situation to raise a puppy when I'm in it now. And as cute as that puppy is and as much as I love corgis, I'm just not sure I want another small dog. Though it would cost less to feed it... I think the cost of food and preventatives is the scariest part to me, but that's more because I'm cheap and obsessed with not spending my money.

So far Ember has been her adorable, obnoxious self. I'm pretty sure she finished her food. Don't think it was long enough for someone else to have gone in, eaten it, and left by the time I had checked. She's been driving my crazy while I do homework. It's like trying to work with a toddler. Messing with things, grabbing things, chewing on things, yelling at me, messing with my hands, laying on stuff, getting in my face... Of course, now that I'm not working on homework she's nowhere to be found. :frustrated:
 

calicosrspecial

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Hahaha, don't we all? At least it is on something that is worthy rather than some material thing..................

Interesting. It is tempting logic. It is so hard because we tend to want all of them. :/ But I know you will figure out what is best. There are so many ways to go, pros and cons. :/

Hahahahaha!!! Yep, I WISH my girl acted as well as toddler Ember!!! Mine is EVEN WORSE!!! Yep, that is how it always is.
 

Animal Freak

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I do want a big house too, though, to be fair, that's mostly for my animals. Need space for them all.

It's so hard! I don't even know what to do. I don't think I want that small of a dog though, even if I started accepting smaller dogs. But the hardest thing for me to let go of is the GSD's tendency to bond to one person. I don't want a dog that's everyone's best friend which is what I'd likely get from most dogs. But I wouldn't mind a dog that isn't necessarily a GSD if I could still get the GSD traits that I want.

Haha. I can't imagine. Ember kept trying to eat my earbuds. She's so persistent about it. I had to keep moving her paws away from them and move them away from her. She rolled around on my keyboard, minimized everything, laid on my notebook while I was doing a homework assignment, and chewed on my pen.
 

calicosrspecial

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:) Sometimes the grass is greener on the other side. ;) I hear you, having enough space for the animals is good. But a lot of headaches can come from big houses............................. :/ Always buy location first then house. Usually the smartest thing financially.

Oh I know!!! It is like one minute a person lean this way and the next the other way. The good news is, either decision isn't going to be bad so can;t really go wrong. Well, I always think the more bonded an animal can be to as many people the better. They can still be loving and protective etc to the main person but also bring in others (in the immediate family). I had a Golden that was like Guard Dog. So one never knows......................... I think you will be happy with any dog you chose.

Nope, you wouldn't believe her!!! OH yes, I don;t have ear buds but she loves to play with everything she isn't supposed to. Yep, you haven't seen persistent until you have seen my girl. She does not accept "no" for any length of time. It is everything on her terms. Yep, sounds like my normal life. Messes up the computer, steps all over me, kneads on me, rubs her face on mine, paws to get attention, grooms my hair, and on and on. And that is just at the computer. I am not even talking about when I am eating, sleeping, etc. I love her but she can be a real pest sometimes!!! I have another that is about half as bad (probably like Ember) and then my other 2 are really good and respectful. As Furballsmom said, cats.................................
 

Animal Freak

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I want my location to be "away from people." Lol. But not so far I'm completely isolated. I still have to get to the grocery store. I definitely need space though. Indoors and outdoors.

It is really hard. I can't bring myself to agree on the matter of bonding, but I don't think even a lab bonds with everyone who walks in the door. And it's not like I'm asking for a dog that's going to dislike people or be aggressive. Just aloof. I don't think either way is better or worse for the dog. It's just how the dog is and which is better depends on the person.

Ember is obsessed with ear buds and I don't know why. She doesn't have a problem with any other cords or anything, but she's destroyed a number of ear buds. My mom used to sleep with them in and she woke up once to Ember veery gently pulling the ear bud out of her ear. Ember does mess up my laptop quite a bit. Once she turned off my mouse pad and I didn't know how to turn it back on. :doh: Lol. I get a break from Ember when it comes to eating. My mom is the easier target so everyone bothers her! Sometimes Ember does try to sneak around behind my head sometimes though. I'm not sure I'd say my other two are "respectful." More lazy. Ash doesn't mind walking across whatever I'm using when he wants attention, but he's not an attention hog like Ember.
 

calicosrspecial

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I can totally understand that!! I don't mind if people are 100 feet away as long as I don't have to see them, hear them, or deal with them. Hahahahahaha Hedges, walls, etc are well liked by me. :) Space is nice but can be expensive at times.

It really is hard. Yeah, it depends. Each person has their own views. As long as the dog is happy that is all that really matters. The humans have an impact on how the dog is and then the dog's genes have an impact. I think you will find the right fit. I have no doubt about that.

Hahahaha, who knows. She probably likes the shape. And maybe when they are in since it is "different than normal" then they get focused on it. Cats. I am not surprised to hear about your mom and Ember and the earbuds. They will do things at night. Oh I know. They do things on the computer and it can really cause issues. I have had things really messed up and since I am not good with computers it makes it really challenging. You are lucky on Ember and eating!!! Hahahaha, I can see your mom being a softie. They will take advantage of that!!! You are lucky. Lazy is ok. I will take lazy or respectful. It is the end rather than the means sometimes. :) Hahaha, Ash. Yep, they will do that. I have 3 that do that ALL THE TIME!! Especially when you don't want it to happen.
 

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I'd rather they be further than that... I'd like to have land to have animals on. Maybe my own agility course... The cost would be the problem.

If puppies weren't so dang cute then it'd be a lot easier! I wouldn't find myself considering puppies that aren't what I'm looking for. Almost none of the people we've contacted have gotten in touch with us though. Haven't even heard back from the GSD rescue for the home visit. It's frustrating and I don't know what to do. I don't know how long to wait, if we should send another message, if we should just be filling out adoption applications... I've found a few I'm really interested in, but those are the ones who won't say anything to us!

Ember decided she wanted my attention while I ate my snack today. Wasn't interested in my food since it was just fruit, but she kept headbutting the hand I was eating with. And her fur gets everywhere! It's on my laptop and my notebook... Ash likes laying on weird things. If I leave my laptop on the couch, he'll lay on that. He's laid on a bunch of seashells that were laid out to dry after being cleaned. No clue how that was comfortable. Frost will trying laying on boxes and things even if they're tilted upright against something. Tries to climb on top of them.
 

calicosrspecial

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Ahhhhhh, makes sense. Yes, the cost............ :/

Hahaha, yep!!! That is strange you haven't heard back. :( They must be inundated with apps. :(

Yep, the headbutt!! Mine usually do that wanting the food. You are lucky. Oh I know, the hair. EVERYWHERE. Oftentimes in my food and mouth!! I am always vacuuming, dusting, cleaning, and brushing them etc but it is always there!!! Hahahaha, yep, they LOVE to lay on things.Anything. Yes, keyboards, tables, people, etc. Never heard of seashells but can see that. Oh yeah, boxes even when they collapse. Yep, they are interesting!!! Cats......................... hahahahaha
 

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And her fur gets everywhere! It's on my laptop and my notebook.
Oh I know, the hair. EVERYWHERE. Oftentimes in my food and mouth!! I am always vacuuming, dusting, cleaning, and brushing them etc but it is always there!!!
Right?! ....my water glass, the microwave, the freezer lol. I'm like, dang, cat, what's the deal?? You're spreading your DNA far and wide :thumbsup::lol:
 

Animal Freak

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Ahhhhhh, makes sense. Yes, the cost............ :/

Hahaha, yep!!! That is strange you haven't heard back. :( They must be inundated with apps. :(

Yep, the headbutt!! Mine usually do that wanting the food. You are lucky. Oh I know, the hair. EVERYWHERE. Oftentimes in my food and mouth!! I am always vacuuming, dusting, cleaning, and brushing them etc but it is always there!!! Hahahaha, yep, they LOVE to lay on things.Anything. Yes, keyboards, tables, people, etc. Never heard of seashells but can see that. Oh yeah, boxes even when they collapse. Yep, they are interesting!!! Cats......................... hahahahaha
Ahhhhhh, makes sense. Yes, the cost............ :/

Hahaha, yep!!! That is strange you haven't heard back. :( They must be inundated with apps. :(

Yep, the headbutt!! Mine usually do that wanting the food. You are lucky. Oh I know, the hair. EVERYWHERE. Oftentimes in my food and mouth!! I am always vacuuming, dusting, cleaning, and brushing them etc but it is always there!!! Hahahaha, yep, they LOVE to lay on things.Anything. Yes, keyboards, tables, people, etc. Never heard of seashells but can see that. Oh yeah, boxes even when they collapse. Yep, they are interesting!!! Cats......................... hahahahaha
I just don't know how long we should give them to reply before trying again, if we should try another way of contacting them... One of my favorites is now unavailable and it sucks watching them all get adopted without even hearing anything back. And all the ones I want the most are in California or Texas it seems like. We're willing to take a drive, but that's a bit too far... If it was north we could potentially plan a trip, but don't really care to go south.

Ember is a big headbutter. Anytime my mom reaches forward with the remote to change the channel, Ember runs up and slams her head into my mom's arm. She likes to get as close to your hand as possible even if it means jumping up on her back legs. Today she's been chewing on my pen (while I'm using it) and laying on my notebook (while I'm trying to write in it). Yes, Ash tends to lay on the weirdest things, but Frost tends to lay on weird things more often.

Right?! ....my water glass, the microwave, the freezer lol. I'm like, dang, cat, what's the deal?? You're spreading your DNA far and wide :thumbsup::lol:
Indeed. I don't know what's up with Frost's fur, but it falls out in clumps when one of the other two touch him. They'll try to play and the lightest touch results in white fur flying across the room. We had to clean the top of the cabinets because we found a mess of cat fur up there. :eek2: Cabinets should go up to the ceiling.
 

calicosrspecial

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Furballsmom, SO TRUE!!! Hahahahahaha

Well, I think if you are really interested it isn't bad to try often. Just remain respectful. Other ways of contacting them is a good idea. I wonder if the demand is so high that they get too busy and can't get back to everyone. :(

Awwwwwwww. The headbutt is so cute and such a sign of love!!! The headbutt with the front paws of the ground is what I call "being a dolphin". My one girl LOVES to be a dolphin and can do it on command. It is really cute. Yep, Ember. Pen, check, laying on notebook, check. My girl likes to nibble on the fingers too so you are kinda lucky!! ;) That is funny, I could see Ash but I am surprised by Frost. I picture Frost like my boy. Serious, sensible. Frost is a bit sillier than I thought.

Hahahaha, Frost's hair. Yep!!! That happens all the time here.
 

Animal Freak

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We did find a pet breeder near us. I wasn't planning on going to a breeder since it's so complicated and I was worried a purebred would be too intense for my first GSD, but it could be the best option. They're close enough we could visit, we could meet the parents, we'd get an 8 week old puppy so it would definitely be small when we introduced it to our animals, plus I don't have to worry about the pup not being socialized. Wouldn't have to worry about getting traits of other breeds and these dogs are being bred as pets. Still good for agility, but not quite as intense as a working like. I'm not sure though because the breeder said her dogs aren't hip and elbow scored, but the dogs' parents are. Honestly, I would be taking my chances on that going to a shelter anyway, but I don't want to support a breeder I shouldn't be supporting.

And yet the headbutt can be so annoying! She's done it while I was getting a drink before. Several times. :doh: I probably could teach Ember to do it on command. She's not into the full bodied rubs like Ash is, but she definitely likes to headbutt. That's her go-to attention-getter. Lol. I would not describe Frost as serious or sensible. His preferred position is on his back with his back legs spread out. He likes to go crazy and bunny kick an old computer chair. When he tries to run on the hard wood floors, he stays in one spot for a moment because he never figured out how to get enough traction on it. He's fairly chilled and laid back with people, but likes to crab at the other animals. He's vocal about what he wants and what he doesn't want. Ash tends to be the more serious one, but then he goes and has zoomies several times a day.
 

Animal Freak

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Ash, baby lol!! Has he gotten the wobbles again--hopefully not?
No, fortunately not. Apparently they all just needed to have some health issue over the weekend because we're pretty sure it was actually Frost who had diarrhea. My vet was laughing because I told him Ash was acting like he'd gotten in the Gabapentin. The vet asked if maybe he did and I said he was pretty sneaky about it if he did. The vet said maybe he took the Gabapentin, put sugar in the capsules, and then put them back. :lol:
 

calicosrspecial

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Yes, it is tough. Just do your investigation and see what is best that works.

Hahaha, yep!! Especially when it knocks something out of your hand!! Mine can give a pretty good one. Interesting she doesn't do the body rub. Mine will knock you over. :/ I can see Ash doing the body rub. Yep, the headbutt is a good way to get attention!! She is smart!! HAHAHA, My boy does the EXACT same thing!!! Rollie Pollie, belly rubs, TOO FUNNY!!! Frost is like my boy!!! My boy gets crabby as well. Interesting Ash is the serious one. I see him being sillier. VERY interesting!!!

Cats have such interesting personalities. So complex.

So glad Ash is doing well now.

Frost had the issues. Poor guy. Something must have just gotten out of balance. :/

Hahahaha, your vet is funny. I could see Ash or Ember doing that............ Too funny.
 

Animal Freak

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The breeder would have been a really nice option, but we're not going with her. All breeders should have their dogs' hips scored at the very least and especially so with GSDs. I don't want to support a breeder who isn't doing what they should. We're sort of rethinking things, but right now my plan is to get a dog that looks like it'll be medium to the smaller end of large (no guarantee, of course) and try for a higher energy dog that won't be so intense as a pure GSD. This will be my stepping stone to a pure GSD and hopefully I'll be able to go to a breeder in another two to three years.

Ember is a pretty hard headbutter. Fortunately I usually have a pretty good grip on things, but she has made me spill my drink. Sometimes she acts like she's going to rub on you, but the only thing that'll actually touch you is the tip of her tail. I'm convinced Frost isn't really a crab. He just likes to act like one. He puts himself in situations where he can act like that. Not like he's avoiding the other animals or that he avoided the puppies when we had them. Rater, he'd put himself in a corner where he couldn't get away from them. Ash is sort of both extremes. He's serious when he wants to be and silly when he wants to be. He has the most frequent zoomie sessions, but he's also the most likely to be found sleeping on a cat tree and the most likely to tell you off.

Very complex. It is interesting because I really couldn't describe any of them in just one word or phrase. They have so many contradictory traits.

They were all weird this past weekend.

If Ash had thumbs he probably would. If any of them figured out how to open doors, it would be him.
 

calicosrspecial

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That sounds well thought out. I knew you would be thoughtful in the decision.

Yes, I have a girl that is a really hard headbutter. That is good you hold on, I have spilled too many times. Awwwwwww, the fake rub. I can see that in Frost. I had a girl that acted so afraid of my boy BUT would search him out for trouble. A total act. Ash is so funny, what a character. Frost is more complex than I thought. And Ember is Ember.

AGREED and yes!!!!

Yes. I wonder if it was a full moon or maybe because Frost wasn't feeling well. :/

Hahahaha, I can see that!!!! Too funny!!!
 

Animal Freak

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I've sent so many messages to people about puppies... The GSD rescue I applied to still hasn't gotten back to me and I see they've adopted out two of the three puppies I was interested in. I'm getting more lenient in my search though. Looking for shepherd or collie types primarily, but mainly looking for breeds that'll be biddable and easy to work with. I found a litter of shepherd types about four hours from us and they did say they do long distance adoptions, but haven't heard back about finding out more about the puppies' temperaments. I think I've sent seven or eight messages today. We're going to meet a pup today, but his picture looks more lab-like than I tend to like. Still, he's close enough to visit.

I'm wondering if one of the cats I work with isn't putting on a show or if she's really that insecure or if it's something else entirely. She can be a very sweet cat, but also very aggressive. She walks around with her tail up and overall has the body language of a confident cat, but she frequently runs up behind one of the other cats to smack him just to run off when he looks back at her. She also starts fights with the other skittish cat. Speaking of putting on shows and being a crab, Frost just made a very weird, very angry noise at Ember! And then hissed. That was an odd sound he made though. Sort of part meow, part chatter, and part growl. He's an odd cat. And yes, Ember is Ember. She is always Ember. A weird and complex cat.
 

calicosrspecial

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:/ Well, you are trying. I am guessing they are getting inundated by messages and don't have enough staff/time. That sounds cool on expanding the search. Ohhh, 8 messages, you are motivated!!! Cool, meeting a pup today. Let us know!!

Which cat are you working with? Well, that smacking can be play (albeit a bit odd - I have a feral like that). Picking on the skittish cat doesn't have to be a lack of confidence thing but a "hunting" type instinct. :/ Confident cats can do that though it tends to be more rare. :/ I don;t mind the first thing but the picking on the skittish cat is not good. If you work on building the confidence of the skittish cat that should be helpful.

Oh Frost. Yes, they can do that. Those sounds can be odd (and scary). What did Ember do?The other cat's reaction tells a lot about what the intent was meant to be.

Hahahahaha, Ember is unique. She is complex like many cats. She sounds adorable. Actually all your cats do. They all are unique but really cool. They all seem to have good hearts. If you saw mine you would see at least 2 "unique" cats. They are "interesting" and I love them dearly. I like unique cats.
 
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