4-Legged Houseguest

[Rogue]

So, my 12 y.o. German Shepherd Dog had to be put down in October. He had such bad nerve damage in his hindquarters that he couldn't move anymore. He's buried out back under a new Willow-Oak that will be "Kaizer's Tree" from now on.

One of Mrs. Rogue's students is having a baby and the couple is giving away their 2 dogs. Can't give 'em enough attention they say, so it seems like the responsible thing to do.

Well, I told Mrs. R that we really aren't in the market for another dog unless it's going to live in the house with us and the 2 poodles. See, poodles don't shed so it's a big difference talking about a regular fur-factory being inside. So, the other night she brings home a picture of this 18 month shepherd that needs a home and tells me she doesn't feel as safe without a big dog around.

We decide to bring it home for the weekend, you know, just to "see how it does around the other dogs and stuff." Well, he licked me in the face and now it's all over. Very sweet disposition, laid back for a pup, alert and attentive with a typical shepherd's eagerness to please. And he's absolutely a gorgeous and majestic animal.

We have to leave for a week or two for Mrs. Rogue's next GI surgery up in Cleveland, so he'll have to go back to his first family for awhile.

Then I think we're going to move him to the Casa De Rogue and train him up. It still seems a little too soon and I feel a little bit like I'm being disloyal to Kaizer. It really may not be worth the heartache to go through loving and losing another great pooch.

So the dog's name.... "Braddox." I don't like it much and he doesn't respond to it at all.

So far the name that seems to fit him the most is "Raja."
I like "Rex" too and we both sorta like "Dante" and "Ramses."
Is it fair to change this pooch's name at this point? If he really knew his name well I'd be more reluctant I guess.

Oh yeah, apparently 3 dogs is a "pack" so, according to Cesar the Dog Whisperer, we have to make sure they know that we are the Alphas and won't tolerate fighting, growling, and such. Try telling my surly-assed little female poodle that she can't growl.

Any advice on the name thing or on introducing a new pooch to the household?

[ChickSoonerFan]

I think changing the name is fine. I am sure he will respond quickly to the change with no problem.

Sounds like he has found a very nice home.

And I can't find the Dog Whisperer on TV here in OKC. I LOVE that show.

[Jerk]

As long as I live, I will always have a GSD.

Intelligent and powerful, loyal and faithful- smart enough not to hurt the small family pets, yet knows when to take a chunk out of someone's arse who's not supposed to be on his ground.

[Rogue]

As long as I live, I will always have a GSD.

Intelligent and powerful, loyal and faithful- smart enough not to hurt the small family pets, yet knows when to take a chunk out of someone's arse who's not supposed to be on his ground.

Yup, me too probably. I've loved a few shepherds and just visited 2 that my college roommate and I had with Kaizer back in the '90s. They're getting on in years now and it's sad to see them slow down. I prefer smart dogs, and GSD's problem-solving abilities are amazing. Most GSDs are smart, sensitive, and very intuitive. I don't buy most people's belief that their dogs are excellent "judges of character." But with shepherds it's hard not to wonder about someone that your dog doesn't like.

I don't know how many times, but it's been a bunch, when I walk a GSD in public it seems like strangers always come up and start telling me about "the best dog I ever had." Invariably it's a story about their favorite shepherd.

[Sooner Born Sooner Bred]

Why don't you name him something Sooner related? Bradford?

[Rogue]

Thanks for the suggestion SBSB.

Here are some pics. He's a good lookin' pup and just at the age where I can start working with him seriously without making him too neurotic.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p99/cjrogue/Raja/Raja1.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p99/cjrogue/Raja/Raja2.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p99/cjrogue/Raja/Raja4.jpg

[Curly Bill]

I think Ramses would be an awesome dog name....Ramses the Great.

...of course I like historical dog names. My Miniature Pinscher is Hannibal Alexander Caesar

[SoonerStormchaser]

Deathstick!


Srsly though, my father had to put down his male Aussie about three years ago...but he got another male Aussie about two months later. He is now convinced that second Aussie was sent to him by the first one. Maybe this is meant to be.

[Curly Bill]

Deathstick!


Srsly though, my father had to put down his male Aussie about three years ago...but he got another male Aussie about two months later. He is now convinced that second Aussie was sent to him by the first one. Maybe this is meant to be.

Very cool. :)

[SoonerGirl06]

I like Raja or Dante.

He looks more like a Dante to me though FWIW.

[soonerbrat]

Dante.

he's awfully sweet...and no, it's not wrong to change a name that he won't even respond to, and no, you're not being disloyal to your other dog. your other dog loved you very much and would want you to have another companion and protector.

[Jerk]

I don't buy most people's belief that their dogs are excellent "judges of character." But with shepherds it's hard not to wonder about someone that your dog doesn't like.


My belief is that the dog can sense emotions, fears, etc, much better than we can. If someone is up to no good, they may show signs of being on edge, or nervous. Thus, the dog reacts to this and responds by being on the defensive to protect his 'pack.'

750 pounds per square inch bite is a handy weapon. And the GSD's "typewrite" when they bite (chop, chop, chop) unlike a pit bull who latches on to one spot. Also consider that, pound for pound, a dog is 3x stronger than a man. So, a 100 pound dog is like a 300 pound man.

The dog defends the family; the guns protect the dog :texan:

[Rogue]

My sister likes "Dante" too. He really doesn't answer to his old name at all. We're keeping him for the week then heading up for surgery. After a few weeks of recovery for Mrs. R, we'll bring him home full time.




The dog defends the family; the guns protect the dog :texan:

Words to live by, man. There are a few dogs (hounds) with better noses and a very few (pits) with stronger jaws. Some claim that the Jack Russell's are smarter. IMO, GSDs are the best all-around dog for about everything but bird hunting and you could probably train them for that I suppose.

Speaking of guns...can I buy a gun at a gun show in another state or does it have to be the state I live in? I think TN has some good ones coming up in February and March so it may not matter, but I am curious. Couple of guns and some accessories I think I need this year. Edit: I think you can buy from a "private person" anywhere but not from a dealer in another state at a gun show.

[Jerk]

private transaction - no problem.

FFL dealer - I don't think you can. (but I don't know for sure)

eta- You can have the out-of-state FFL transfer the gun to an FFL in your state, but you're going to have to pay the extra fees and shipping.

[SoonerGirl06]

My sister likes "Dante" too. He really doesn't answer to his old name at all. We're keeping him for the week then heading up for surgery. After a few weeks of recovery for Mrs. R, we'll bring him home full time.

Good luck to the Mrs. with her surgery BTW. Hope all turns out well.

[Rogue]

OK, surgery went fine, but the weeks afterward were pure hell for Mrs. Rogue. She's rallying now and I'm learning to hang IVs and flush her port lines (PICC)to keep her hydrated and out of the hospital.

So we got the new pooch today. "Raja" it is and he really fits in around the place here. 1st trip to PetsMart is always fun and he needs a little more socialization. This is going to be great. I'm not sure the poodles share my enthusiasm for the 75 pound FNG (fuggin' new guy), but they'll adjust soon.

[Newbomb Turk]

Best wishes for the Mrs.

glad the dog is working out.

[olevetonahill]

Give Mrs R a big ole Hug and an a Get well from Me
The Dog looks alsome

[OKC-SLC]

glad she's home.

and good dog.

[olevetonahill]

Oh and dont sweat changin the Mutts name
My weiner answers to any thing .

[LoyalFan]

Best name?

Why, "Rommel", of course.

Und you vill haff a vunderful time if you do EXACTLY as I tell you!

LF

[GottaHavePride]

I think Ramses would be an awesome dog name....Ramses the Great.

...of course I like historical dog names. My Miniature Pinscher is Hannibal Alexander Caesar

Every night I go to sleep, I think of Ramses...
The people in the streets, they give him treats, they give him candies...
Will he ever lose? We'll never know, he'll never fight me's.
Ramses is the greatest even though he rhymes with pansies...

[GottaHavePride]

Ramses number one, he knows the secrets of desire...
Ramses number one, he sets the people all on fire...
Ramses number one, he like to run down to the playa...

[LoyalFan]

Ramses number one, he knows the secrets of desire...
Ramses number one, he sets the people all on fire...
Ramses number one, he like to run down to the playa...

Ramses was a fargin' Eeeegipshun, fer crying out loud...A sun-worshiping, scarab-lovin', sister-marrying, loincloth-wearing, Nile-swimming, slave-owning, little brown berry of a guy who was a crook on top of all the foregoing.
Haven't you ever heard of The Pyramid Scheme? Well, have you or not???
Just who in H-E-double hockey stix do you think dreamed that up?
That guy made Xerxes look good. Geez!

Name the darn dawg Rommel, Schiklgruber, Goering, or even Mussolini, fer the love of Gawd, but NOT Ramses. Shoot, that far back, Ramses wasn't even electronically tested for your protection.
Dang!

LF
Another Maker's Mark, pleesh.

[OKC-SLC]

My weiner answers to any thing .
So long as there's Cialis or Levitra on board.

(NTTAWWT)

[Curly Bill]

Ramses was a fargin' Eeeegipshun, fer crying out loud...A sun-worshiping, scarab-lovin', sister-marrying, loincloth-wearing, Nile-swimming, slave-owning, little brown berry of a guy who was a crook on top of all the foregoing.
Haven't you ever heard of The Pyramid Scheme? Well, have you or not???
Just who in H-E-double hockey stix do you think dreamed that up?
That guy made Xerxes look good. Geez!

Name the darn dawg Rommel, Schiklgruber, Goering, or even Mussolini, fer the love of Gawd, but NOT Ramses. Shoot, that far back, Ramses wasn't even electronically tested for your protection.
Dang!

LF
Another Maker's Mark, pleesh.

Actually, Amenhotep IV, better known as Akhenaten was the sun worshipper. ;)

[MamaMia]

I am so happy for your family and for this beautiful dog that you found each other. You can see the happiness in his eyes. :)

I said a prayer for your wife to have a quick recovery.

[olevetonahill]

So long as there's Cialis or Levitra on board.

(NTTAWWT)
:D

[Rogue]

So, Raja is the name. He's turning out to be a great Shepherd. Gets along with the poodles just fine. Just turning 2 so he's less of a pup lately. Loves him some water...here he is playing in the sprinkler today. No need to water, it rained last night. This was just for him.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p99/cjrogue/Sprinkler5.jpg
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p99/cjrogue/Sprinkler3.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p99/cjrogue/Sprinkler.jpg
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p99/cjrogue/Sprinkler2.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p99/cjrogue/Sprinkler6.jpg

[tulsaoilerfan]

LOL, those are some great pics; thanks for sharing!!

[Curly Bill]

:D

That's good stuff.

[bluedogok]

My Heeler used to love playing in the sprinkler as well, biting at the water.

Looks like a good one you got there.

[Jerk]

Mine also bites at water when it's being sprayed. I don't know why they do that...lol.

[StoopTroup]

Deathstick!


Srsly though, my father had to put down his male Aussie about three years ago...but he got another male Aussie about two months later. He is now convinced that second Aussie was sent to him by the first one. Maybe this is meant to be.

I think that's how we got our golden "Buddy".

Right after Beavis our Brittney left...Buddy showed up in a litter. When we asked the owners if they had any Males left they said we just missed the last one. A day later the owner called and said the folks who were to get Buddy changed their minds and took a bitch.

Thus...we now have one of the best dogs I've ever owned.

[Okla-homey]

That third pic should be printed and enlarged to 11x14 and put in a frame on your front porch. Photoshop out the sprinkler part of course. With a caption: NOTICE: The dog in the photo is now on the premises. You have been warned.

Congrats bro. Glad its all working out.

[SoonerKnight]

Oh and dont sweat changin the Mutts name
My weiner answers to any thing .

Is that what she said?

[SoonerJack]

Growing up I had a miniature Schnauzer that loved to play in the water. That is a great dog, Rogue.

[Shneeg11]

My next dog will be a GSD, I think i'm looking at the name atticus (maybe spelled differently)

[jkjsooner]

So, my 12 y.o. German Shepherd Dog had to be put down in October. He had such bad nerve damage in his hindquarters that he couldn't move anymore.

I know it's late but I'm sorry to hear about your Shepherd. I have a 10 year old Shepherd with degenerative myelopathy. Is that what your dog had? It's not a fun disease at all. My dog has had it for two years (probably longer but obvious for two years) and he can still get up the stairs on his own but he usually wants/needs our help. That's pretty good considering the disease and his size (110 lbs). His muscle mass in his back side has really deteriorated recently.

He still enjoys life. I know I can never put him in the car for that final vet trip if he's happy to get in the car. I just worry that that is asking too much from him.

I'll tell you what, German Shepherds are wonderful dogs. I rescued this one from the animal shelter (thus the medical problems) and he's been with me through good times and bad. He's been my rock and now I'm his rock.

[jkjsooner]

Rogue, those are some great pics. My dog does the exact same thing with water.

Your dog looks very happy. I just love GSD's.

[Echoes]

That's awesome man. Love the pics. We need a dog thread now! I love big dogs. Wouldn't trade mine for anything.

[soonerinabilene]

I have a pure white GSD that is the same way with water. I cant get the hose out without getting mauled until I spray him for a good 5 minutes. He loves getting sprayed with water and playing with it. But when it comes time to give him a bath, you would think I was trying to kill him.

Also, found out that he thinks fireworks that are blowing up are fun to attack. He doesnt get scared with gun shots, so I figured that him being outside during the fireworks on the 4th would be fine. Well, he didnt get scared. He thought they were toys and would try to catch them. No injuries though. After he did it the first time, I put him in the kennel till we were done.