As you may remember, we are hoping to have a lab puppy next spring. We have
always had dogs before, but I am wondering whether a bitch may be more suitable for us in our "senior years". How much of a nuisance is it coping with seasons, hormonal changes etc? Advice welcomed, please.
Cathy.

Hi Cathy
Im Mick. Just joined Champdogs recently, Iwould say. If your not going to breed the bitch its better for the bitch as well as youself to have her dressed.

Mick. All the best enjoy the new dog

It is no trouble at all dealing with seasons if you do not own male dogs, and there aren't hundreds of them running loose around the neighbourhood.

I have found since the advent of the dog warden that I can even walk the bitches wehn in season, though not to the park of course.

If you wish to have your bitch spayed I would advise you wait until she has had a seson at least, as larger breeds especially are prone to developing Urinary incontinence. The benefits of early neutering in preventing mammary tumours is often cited, but only the incidense of these in entire bitches is about 50% and only about 40% of those are malignant, and if removed early can be totally cured. Statistics show that as many as 60% of medium to large spayed bitches will become incontinent to some extent. Sorry can't remeber where I read the stats.

Cathy,

My parents (64 and 62) have got a Cocker bitch and they're managing fine with the hormones etc :) They had Ebony spayed and now that she's recovered from her infection she's now trouble at all.

They've never had males and have had about 9 bitches over the years and they've never caused them any serious problems.

If you don't mind which you have why not view the litter and chose the puppy which appeals the most.

Good luck,

Fiona
x x x

Thanks, Fiona
That's a really sensible thought. I'm just so desperate to have a dog again. We've now been "dogless" for 14 months...
Also I'm rather down since my daughter's epilepsy control has deteriorated again, resulting in another unpleasant stay in the local hospital - and she's taking ages to really recover- very depressed and paranoid. She had a "vagus nerve stimulator" implanted 10 months ago and things did seem to be much better - but obviously the adjustment still isn't quite right.
Sorry to go on - but talking about dogs helps!!! It's really good to have the puppy to look forward to.
Cathy.

Hi Cathy,
Don't apologise for going on, you aren't, I know what you mean about talking about dogs helping my Mum has Parkinson's Disease and I am her fulltime carer. Sometimes if she is having bad days I feel I would be lost without my dogs and she finds they boost her spirits too. Coming on here also helps to take my mind off things. Keep in touch via the board start planning for that puppy, you owe it to youself Anne

Hi Cathy, Look forward to getting your new pup. Dogs are a wonderful comfort when times are hard, or you are not well, and you have a lot on your plate at the moment. I had a period of ill health recently, and my Daisy laid with me all day, only leaving me to go out for a wee. My partner was unable to have any time off work, my daughter works in London, and my two closest friends were both away with their familys on holiday, Daisy was there for me to hug, my constant companion day and night, and licked the tears away when I was down and low. What would we do without them? I wish you many long and happy years when you get your new baby. Which breed have you chosen?

Thanks, all of you for your support. It's much appreciated. We've chosen a lab, as we now have grand-children so we need a breed which is normally good with children. The bitch has a particularly good temperament.
Thanks again,
Cathy.

Yep, dogs are the best when you're laid low :( :) No guilt about taking too much of their time up.
Samma decided that laying on the chair arm was her special spot after I had surgery on my ankle. At night, I'd move her just to the side of my leg and leaning against her would prevent the knee from painfully twisting/leaning the ankle in my sleep. She was so dedicated and loving through this 6 weeks of total incapacitation. I don't know what I would have done without her or Chienne for the quiet and devoted companionship. :O

Yes, my hubby did his best to be a good nurse...but the impatience, tiredness, and irritation always just lurked around the corner. I felt like such a bother sometimes :( ;) I couldn't wait to be up and moving again....then he had to leave two days after I got the cast off :rolleyes: They licked my face when I couldn't get up quickly and be so patient with my hobbling :) You couldn't pay anyone for the love like that :)
toodles