New addition to my family....

[emeraldize]

http://mygermanshepherd.org/my-german-shepherd/german-shepherd-health/german-shepherd-hip-dysplasia/

http://www.handicappedpets.com/pet-care-articles/mobility-problems/17-hip-dysplasia-in-dogs.html

Might find some additional views/ideas in these articles.

[Robert]

hi thomas.

so nice to hear from you although I don't like the news you bear. That's hard to read. I followed up on Em's links and neither of them say anything about too much exercise. Other than hereditary the one mentions diet but nothing about over exercising so don't let that bring you down.  Let's keep ours fingers crossed and hope for the best.

Kai is so handsome.

robt

[skeebo1969]

Thanks for the links EM, definitely informative.  I spoke to the vet this morning regarding some blood work we had done on him, everything came back normal.  The vet seems pretty confident he may grow out of this.  He explained to me this morning that AKC requires German Shepherd breeders to get their hips certified before they breed them, and they do this at the age of two.  He said he has seem many German Shepherds display this problem at Kai's age and then by the age of two everything was fine.  It's not always the case he said, but I do hope this happens in Kai's next year of life.

  Thanks everyone for the kind words and information. 

Here is a picture of him .  He's 10 months old now and weighs 80 pounds.  Sorry for the sideways shot, I tried to fix it on photobucket but it wouldn't upload at all.

[emeraldize]

Excellent news to read! He's a very handsome boy.

[mitch777]

He grew up fast there Skeebo!
Hope he grows out of this soon.

[BT65]

What a beautiful dog.  I definitely hope the hip issue is temporary.

Is that you also in the picture, Thomas?

[skeebo1969]

Excellent news to read! He's a very handsome boy.

He is isn't he?  He also licks my wife's toes and sleeps in my spot on the bed... perhaps I should be worried. (lol)

He grew up fast there Skeebo!
Hope he grows out of this soon.

I know, it seems like just yesterday he was this little 10 pound runt who didn't like baths... now I struggle to keep him out of the bathtub.

What a beautiful dog.  I definitely hope the hip issue is temporary.

Is that you also in the picture, Thomas?

Thanks Betty.. 

Yes that's me in the pic. 

[skeebo1969]

   I let Kai go on his first bit of exercise today.  Up to this point I've been gradually increasing the distance of his walks.  When he saw me grab his ball today he was really excited.   I only threw it out about 5 times, I'm still a bit paranoid about him hurting himself.  It went good and he seems fine thus far.

   I'll keep my fingers crossed that this was just an episode for him. 

   I also wanted to bring up something that happened here on the forums when I first mentioned his injury.  A forum member, I don't want to mention his name because he might not want me to, offered to pay for Kai's care if it had to go further.  I was humbled by this gesture... and I am thankful for the offer.

   I think when I mentioned above that I told the vet that Kai and I would be homeless if the high bills continued I conveyed the wrong message to some.  I just meant the wife wouldn't be to happy about it.  But to that member, you know who you are,  I do thank you.

[mitch777]

   I let Kai go on his first bit of exercise today.  Up to this point I've been gradually increasing the distance of his walks.  When he saw me grab his ball today he was really excited.   I only threw it out about 5 times, I'm still a bit paranoid about him hurting himself.  It went good and he seems fine thus far.

   I'll keep my fingers crossed that this was just an episode for him. 

   I also wanted to bring up something that happened here on the forums when I first mentioned his injury.  A forum member, I don't want to mention his name because he might not want me to, offered to pay for Kai's care if it had to go further.  I was humbled by this gesture... and I am thankful for the offer.

   I think when I mentioned above that I told the vet that Kai and I would be homeless if the high bills continued I conveyed the wrong message to some.  I just meant the wife wouldn't be to happy about it.  But to that member, you know who you are,  I do thank you.

So happy to hear Kai is doing better!
And so sweet of someone to offer such help. NICE!

[WillyWump]

     

   I also wanted to bring up something that happened here on the forums when I first mentioned his injury.  A forum member, I don't want to mention his name because he might not want me to, offered to pay for Kai's care if it had to go further.  I was humbled by this gesture... and I am thankful for the offer.

    But to that member, you know who you are,  I do thank you.

This same member (im certain) offered to help me out when I lost my wallet in DC... we have amazing people here who at the drop of a hat would jump to help out a fellow member. Better people I've never known. Ever...

-Will

[skeebo1969]

  Here are some more photos of my only son.  Yes, I know it's silly.  He'll be a year old on August 6.

 

 

 

[BT65]

I can't believe how big he is!  Gorgeous.

[mitch777]

Awwwwhhh. Kia is so cute! Love his eyes in the last pic.

[skeebo1969]

I can't believe how big he is!  Gorgeous.

Thank you... I still can't believe how fast he has grown.

Awwwwhhh. Kia is so cute! Love his eyes in the last pic.

Thanks...  He gives such a look of adoration.  My wife says he goes crazy any time I leave without him.

[WillyWump]

He's beautiful, and has grown so much! Good lookin Shepherd there.

[Theyer]

The Ist picture conveys a admirable stillness , looks like a winner to me Mr Skeebo.
love to you and all your family
m

[skeebo1969]

He's beautiful, and has grown so much! Good lookin Shepherd there.

The Ist picture conveys a admirable stillness , looks like a winner to me Mr Skeebo.
love to you and all your family
m

Thanks guys.

It looks like you all may be in for another year of pictures.  I'm getting this little guy on Monday:

[WillyWump]

Thanks guys.

It looks like you all may be in for another year of pictures.  I'm getting this little guy on Monday:

Cute! What is he? It looks like he has that loose skin that is nice to pet.

[skeebo1969]

Cute! What is he? It looks like he has that loose skin that is nice to pet.

American Bulldog/Pitbull mix.  He's about 4 months old.  It's going to be a challenge with Kai.  The pup is use to being around about 10 other dogs of different breeds.  Kai will be the challenge; I have a feeling the introduction might be sketchy.

[skeebo1969]

  Our time in Alabama was short.  The company my wife is a quality manager for announced last month they were moving all their production facilities to Mexico.  She has since been offered a position in Tampa, Florida and has already started working there.  I'm still in Alabama closing up a few loose ends (daughter's school, my job, etc..)

  We are having one hell of a time finding  a place to live because of our German Shepherd.  It seems Florida has an aggressive  breed/ban list and every where we have looked has turned us down.  We've tried both rental homes and apartments to no avail.   

  Anyone have any ideas?   I can't give him up, he's become part of my heart.

  And like always, I have to include updated pics.

 

 

 

[mitch777]

Sweet pics as always.
Wish I could help. I would just keep on looking. Not an easy task.

[WillyWump]

You just have to keep on looking, dont give up! Beautiful dog!

-will

[skeebo1969]

   Ho hum... my wife just called and said we got turned down by two more today.  I've been scanning various breeds (I know, stupid) all night.  I'm wondering if I could get my vet to change the breed name on his shot records because that is what I'll have to submit to the home owner or apartment complex we move into.  Wishful thinking I know, but as of right now Kai is no longer a German Shepherd.  He's either a Swiss Shepherd or a berger blanc suisse and neither of those are on the breed ban list.

   I'm going to my vet on Monday and will give one hell of a sob story.  He did say German Shepherds were his favorite breed. 

[BT65]

I can't believe German Shepherds are considered a dangerous breed. 

He is a gorgeous dog, both of them are.  I hope the situation with the vet works out.  Something will have to work out, I totally understand you not giving him up, I wouldn't either. 

[klassykitty]

Skeebo,
Check out Pasco county, my mom lives in Pasco county and unless it is a fancy house development or apt. complex most rentals allow all kinds of dogs.  There is a house near her for rent but it's probably to far from Tampa and it's only a 1 bedroom.

@ Betty--My Poncho is considered a dangerous breed.     He's a lab/chow mix and the chow makes him dangerous.

I am lucky that unless you look at his tongue (which is always hanging out of his smiling face) you don't see the chow in him.

I think there is no such thing as a "dangerous breed" just a bunch of scardy-pants, moronic people who decided they needed an excuse to say no to dogs.

Michelle

[skeebo1969]

Sweet pics as always.
Wish I could help. I would just keep on looking. Not an easy task.

You just have to keep on looking, dont give up! Beautiful dog!

-will

Thanks Will and Mitch.

I can't believe German Shepherds are considered a dangerous breed. 

He is a gorgeous dog, both of them are.  I hope the situation with the vet works out.  Something will have to work out, I totally understand you not giving him up, I wouldn't either. 

I know it sounds corny, but this dog has taught me so much about myself.  Living life as an angry person who was so intolerant to change; his loyalty to a fault makes it difficult for me to make a decision that will repay all this with abandonment.

The negative me tells me this will not end well.  He's just a dog that I should have never met.

Skeebo,
Check out Pasco county, my mom lives in Pasco county and unless it is a fancy house development or apt. complex most rentals allow all kinds of dogs.  There is a house near her for rent but it's probably to far from Tampa and it's only a 1 bedroom.

@ Betty--My Poncho is considered a dangerous breed.     He's a lab/chow mix and the chow makes him dangerous.

I am lucky that unless you look at his tongue (which is always hanging out of his smiling face) you don't see the chow in him.

I think there is no such thing as a "dangerous breed" just a bunch of scardy-pants, moronic people who decided they needed an excuse to say no to dogs.

Michelle

I agree.  I would contend that the only thing dangerous about him is how much my heart breaks at the thought of having to give him up.

I'd pray for the very first time on this, but I don't know how-- it would be meaningless. 

Grief over this is a gross understatement.

I know, he's just a dog.

[Jeff G]

Its never just a dog . I lost my Zita in July and the thought of you loosing your dog just breaks my heart .

[Theyer]

Hello Skeebo,
I am so sorry your going through this pain ,such stupid laws, and what you have said is not corny. Dogs remind me to stay in the hear and now, not to hold grudges, to remain loyal to friends .

I would contact any breed organization for German Shepard's , you never know some off the owners may be Landlords.

In UK the breed is also known as Alsatians , probably US also , however if not it would not be a lie if the papers had that on.

I would also place an advert myself. Does the area your looking in have Houseboats? There that's the end off my brainstorm.

All the best

Michael

[BT65]

Jeff's right, Thomas.  It's never just a dog.  I would fight tooth and nail and try everything in my abilities and power to keep him.  It's unfair that you would have to give him up. 

About prayer, just say what you feel.  I'm not a religious person.  But there's no saying you cannot pray just because you never have. 

I am hoping beyond hope you get to keep him.  It's a bunch of b.s. that no one will rent to you.  Keep trying, don't give up.  I know, being an addict myself, about giving up.  But I also know, as an addict, I've been able to connive in some situations where an average person would not.  Does that make sense?  If anyone can talk a person into something, it's a drug addict.  Pull on some old shit, without using the drugs.  Dig into your past and pull out all those old abilities to get people to see it your way.  But don't give up easy.

Betty

[skeebo1969]

   I know it's  not just a dog.  That's mainly my frustration with the situation coming through.  But, I think we may have found a house.  The wife will go look at it today.  By the way, both dogs have amazingly morphed into different breeds.

[wolfter]

Hope it works out for you.  There are enough animal lovers out there that it shouldn't be this difficult.  I'd rather rent to animal owners than parents.   

Wolfie

[wolfter]

Its never just a dog . I lost my Zita in July and the thought of you loosing your dog just breaks my heart .

Zactly.  Miss Lily was my last remaining aspect of my previous life.  I realize I ascribed humanism to her, but my bond with her was greater than with most true humans.

[Jeff G]

My dog was my child , that is how it feels and how it is for me .

I wish everyone could know the pure feeling of love that can come from looking into the eyes of an animal who you have bonded with . 

[wolfter]

My dog was my child , that is how it feels and how it is for me .

I wish everyone could know the pure feeling of love that can come from looking into the eyes of an animal who you have bonded with .

     I always felt Miss Lily could look deep into my soul through her beautiful eyes.

[Jeff G]

     I always felt Miss Lily could look deep into my soul through her beautiful eyes.

OH don't be ridiculous , surly your not trying to suggest all of your dogs were special like mine . I do declare . 

[wolfter]

OH don't be ridiculous , surly your not trying to suggest all of your dogs were special like mine . I do declare . 

Oh please, up in doggy heaven, Miss Lily is prancing around as the queen of the ball.  Zita is one of her loyal subject though and loves it.   

[Jeff G]

Oh please, up in doggy heaven, Miss Lily is prancing around as the queen of the ball.  Zita is one of her loyal subject though and loves it.   

My dog is now Jesus's dog . God gave it to him for his birthday so you fail .   

[Theyer]

   I know it's  not just a dog.  That's mainly my frustration with the situation coming through.  But, I think we may have found a house.  The wife will go look at it today.  By the way, both dogs have amazingly morphed into different breeds.

Oh Thomas that's great I am keeping all things crossed , including the prayers . BTW go check on my newish beauty under canine on Orkney, she is a character, 14 months and there are times when I feel I am still getting to know her.

Owning a dog is one off the reasons I cannot be a Quaker as I know that I could not take the pacifist pledge , threaten my dog see what I can do with a walking stick .

All the best , it will work out , Betty is wise.

Michael