Re: [Fwd: Invisable Fencing]
Nancy, When I lived in a development I used IF on my Mel who was attacked by a stray Rhodesian Ridgeback that walked thru the IF. This stray, purebread dog, lived eight miles away in a different city! I do not denounce IF but, if someone has no other alternative but to install an IF, then they deffinately should hear the bad bad xperiences as well as the good. I am simply stating my experiences so that others can make a well informed determination on which type of fencing is best for their needs. - Denise Michigan USA Nancy wrote: Subject: RE: Invisable Fencing From: Nancy Melone [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2003 10:11:49 -0800 To: Denise Vickers [EMAIL PROTECTED] Denise -- In many cases, the problem when people inquire about IF is that they are not allowed to erect a physical fence without violating their housing plan rules. This problem is becoming more prevalent and so people are searching for information on alternative ways to protect their dogs from auto injury and roaming off premise in their neighborhoods. I live in such a neighborhood -- my neighbors contain their dogs, so there is virtually no problem with outside dogs roaming into our yards (it is against the law anyway, so our development can easily enforce this should someone be a bit lax -- a reminder letter usually does it). In addition, many people have IF signs posted in the yard indicating that an IF is present. There are ways of handling the situations that you describe and still use IF. What typically dictates how one handles containing one's dog (physical fencing or in-ground wire) are the constraints the individuals faces in their specific living environment. I have done both and can tell you that both options involve significant outlays of money when you are fencing multiple acres. Nancy Melone -Original Message- From: Denise Vickers [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, March 13, 2003 3:58 PM To: Berner List Subject: Invisable Fencing Regarding invisible fencing. I do not have one, I have a physical fence. I have almost 3 acres fenced - yes it is expensive and there is maintenance, but I have piece of mind. Friends visit often bringing their dogs over for a run off leach in a large, safe, fenced area. They could not do this if I had a invisible fence for they would have to train their dog on my invisible fence line with a shock collar - or keep it leached up. I baby-sit my sisters and my parents dogs and no dogs have ever escaped. My neighbors dogs who wander often can only pick a fight through the fence. An invisible fence can be deceiving to children, the postman and responsible adults. Most don't realize they are in or near an invisible fence area until it is too late. Not all dogs like children or adults for that matter, and not all people are comfortable with dogs - especially unleashed dogs. Have you ever walked through a neighborhood on a quite evening and had the poop scared out of you when a barking, unleashed dog rushed the sidewalk only to stop four feet from you for no apparent reason. Granted no harm was done but the two year old in the stroller cried for several more blocks. -Denise Michigan, USA
Invisable Fencing
Regarding invisible fencing. I do not have one, I have a physical fence. I have almost 3 acres fenced - yes it is expensive and there is maintenance, but I have piece of mind. Friends visit often bringing their dogs over for a run off leach in a large, safe, fenced area. They could not do this if I had a invisible fence for they would have to train their dog on my invisible fence line with a shock collar - or keep it leached up. I baby-sit my sisters and my parents dogs and no dogs have ever escaped. My neighbors dogs who wander often can only pick a fight through the fence. An invisible fence can be deceiving to children, the postman and responsible adults. Most don't realize they are in or near an invisible fence area until it is too late. Not all dogs like children or adults for that matter, and not all people are comfortable with dogs - especially unleashed dogs. Have you ever walked through a neighborhood on a quite evening and had the poop scared out of you when a barking, unleashed dog rushed the sidewalk only to stop four feet from you for no apparent reason. Granted no harm was done but the two year old in the stroller cried for several more blocks. -Denise Michigan, USA
I too have a Berner who has had siezures....new diet
Hi Diana, How is Fidelios doing? I hope all is well. I've been out of the loop lately - my computer was down for a week - so I haven't been reading the 'L'. Have you learned any more from Fidelios recent tests? How is the new diet working? This past weekend I cooked up the weekly meal paks and baked treats for the dogs. At the time I was blanching all the veggies for the dogs, I was also making stuffed mushrooms for human dinner. Well I threw the mushroom steams in the dogs pot instead of the trash, and because I was running out of room on the stove top, I also tossed into the pot BooBoo the dogs chicken breasts. Apparently this mixture looked quite tasty because the next thing I knew my husband is helping himself to a bowl full! I calmly stated to him, honey, that's the dogs dinner, yours is in the oven. And as all dogs sat drooling with anticipation - he ate it any ways. Later though, when I was baking the liver biscuits, he got so sick to his stomach from the smell of liver that he actually took the dogs for a walk - in freezing temperatures - just to get out of the house! At least I know he won't be eating the dogs biscuits! -Denise with Bueford, BooBoo the Dog The BlackCat, The GrayCat and Jimmy
Re: Curious....I too have a Berner who has had siezures....
Hi Diana, You did not say how old Fidelio is, and age plays into the diet as well as epilepsy. My BooBoo is almost 10 years old therefore, he is a little less active requiring a maintenance diet. The only supplement I give is Chrondroctin/Glycosamine and I give this to all my dogs. Studies have shown that some types of epilepsy respond to vitamin B6. Also, a deficiency of B6 or an interference with its function can cause seizure activity. I feed Solid Golds Holistic Blendz dry kibble to BooBoo. I feed twice a day; a light meal of kibble in the morning; and a dinner consisting of cooked meat (chicken, fish or beef) mixed with carrots, beans, potatoes and/or squash and yogurt. I only feed fresh, washed vegetables and fruits, not canned or frozen which may have added salt, sugars or preservatives. Once a week I treat meals with a hard boiled egg and a sardine. Dogs treats are homemade liver cookies. The following may help you make a determination on whether or not to proceed with an MRI: There are two types of epilepsy: Primary epilepsy: also known as idiopathic, genetic, inherited, or true epilepsy. There are no positive diagnostic findings that will substantiate the diagnosis of Primary epilepsy. It is a case of ruling out other possibilities. And Secondary epilepsy referring to seizures for which a cause can be determined, i.e..: Toxic (lead, arsenic), infectious (distemper, encephalitis), traumatic (acute injury), metabolic (hypoglycemia, cardiovascular arrhythmia). Studies in Switzerland at the University of Berne show that Idiopathic Epilepsy has a polygenic, recessive mode of inheritance in the BMD. The diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy is based upon the clinical signs and ruling out other known causes of seizures through neurological testing, laboratory tests, computed tomography (CT) scans and MRI scans to examine the skull and brain. When the results of the examinations and tests have been analyzed, one of three conclusions are drawn: a definitive diagnosis, a potential cause of seizures requiring further tests to confirm, or no suggestion of a cause. - U of OH. The most dramatic improvement in BooBoo was seen when the use of pesticides (i.e. heart worm, flea tick, fertilizer) was eliminated and his vaccination schedule was changed to a minimal program. It was almost a given for BooBoo to seize shortly after his annual booster vaccine. His last seizure was two weeks after a rabies vaccination. Annual checking of titer levels has replaced BooBoos annual vaccination schedule. Changing a vaccination program is not usually a topic of discussion between dog owner and vet. Annual vaccinations are considered to be part of a standard, baseline, health care program for all dogs. But not all dogs are the same. Since birth BooBoo has battled allergies as well as epilepsy. Back then a holistic diet was never suggested by my vet nor was a minimal vaccination program and discontinuing the use of heart worm and flea/tick preventatives was absolutely frowned upon. My current veterinarian has been supportive of my suggestions from the beginning of our relationship, yet, another vet, in the same office, looks down her nose at me for not protecting my dog. For an article on considerations in designing a safe vaccination program go to: http://www.ivis.org/advances/Infect_Dis_Carmichael/schultz/chapter_frm.asp?LA= . Avis is also a great website regarding canine health in general. This is just my opinion and what has worked for me over the years. Good luck to you and Fidelio and keep the 'L' posted on his diagnosis. -Denise Subject: CuriousI too have a Berner who has had siezures From: Diana Gerba [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2003 08:07:07 -0800 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hello Denise, I'm glad to hear that BooBoo is doing well. This epilepsy thing is a hard one. My boy, Fidelio has had three siezures all about a minute to a minute in ahalf in length. . . My vet (neurologist) does not want to start him on drugs yet... we are talking about doing an MRI...but I'm not sure if we'd really learn anything. . . . . On my side I've been investigating doing a home diet for him.
Need help in how to avert endless questions!
Michaela, ... Invariably, the person starts asking a thousand questions about them. I AM flattered and I am normally only too happy to talk at length about Bernese, but sometimes I would just like to have a conversation with the friend I have come to meet, or drink my cup of coffee in peace and quiet. Two of my friends are by now so cheesed off by these constant interruptions that they refuse to meet up if I have the dogs with me... I always have the same problem when I'm in public with my boys. BMD's attract a lot of attention! First my husband and I thought a sign would work: ..A Bernese Mt Dog, but Buef just ate the sign. So then we resorted to T-shirts, one for me one for my husband. That didn't work - no one looked at us! So we decided to put a 'sign' on the dog. Buef now has his own black t-shirt that says 'Bernese Mt Dog', 'BMD', 'Berner', 'Sennenhund' and 'I'm a Bernese Mt Dog' all over it!! His back pak also says BMD on it. BooBoo wears a t-shirt that says BooBoo The Dog! My husband and I usually team up together when we have the dogs out in public. One of us will answer everyones questions, while the other concentrates on shopping. If I really don't want to be disturbed, I turn my back and avoid eye contact. As soon as you acknowledge someone with a smile or eye contact their all over you. I know it sounds rude, but you gotta do what ya gotta do! I want all my dogs to be properly socialized and become CGC's and that means going out into public places with them. -Denise Michigan USA * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ---REMAINDER OF MESSAGE TRUNCATED---* * This post contains a forbidden message format * * (such as an attached file, a v-card, HTML formatting) * *Mail Lists at Prairienet only accept PLAIN TEXT* * If your postings display this message your mail program * * is not set to send PLAIN TEXT ONLY and needs adjusting * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Need Kansas Berner Fix!!!
My parents have been traveling via trailer-in-tow for the past two months - Bernerless! Can you believe it! They are in serious need of a Berner fix. They are in the Wichita, Kansas area right now and will be staying in Kansas for the next few days. Is there anyone in the Wichita area that could provide these great folks with some Berner Hugs? I'm afraid if they don't get a fix soon they will return home to Michigan to see their much missed Berner grandson Buef - and I've killed all my moms houseplants! -Denise with Bueford (spoiled rotton by grammy grampa) Booboo the dog (I actually bit him last night for the first time made him cry-yippie for me)
Re: Berner Sighting!!
Anybody know who the Berner butt belong to in the Flonase commercial? Gary A Turner wrote: Yes indeed that is a Berner butt. We have seen that commercial for a few weeks now. We taped it so we could watch in slow-motion. So watch closely...there is nothing like a good Berner butt!! Gary Penny Turner and Archie (the best Berner butt there is!!!)
