Had to fill a hole in the house

[Surfincr]

Since everyone here has been awesome and loves animals i figured i'd share my recent news. Earlier this year we lost our old english black lab, it was my wifes dog and she was heartbroken, as was i. Well last week while i was working from home due to a one and done radioactive iodine treatment (my birds and son were not happy i had to stay 4 feet from them) i stumbled upon a 1.5 yo black lab that the owner did not have time for. i emailed and when i didnt hear back by the end of the day i wrote it off, long story short my 8mo son and i took the drive up to meet and take the dog home.

as a backstory all of my animals are rescues, i have 2 German Shepherds, 1 grey and one b&g macaw. i love my rescues since they have a love like no other especially my female shepherd that went through 5 homes (6 including mine) in the first year of her life.

the most shocking thing is neither the dog nor the owner seemed to care they were leaving the other. The other sad thing is the dog seemed to have no idea about toys and would not get on the furniture (ok some may think thats good but we love our lap dogs)

attached is a picture of otis and the other my female shepherd on one of the beds i made my pups.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Welcome HOME, Otis!!! :smile015: Wow, I had goosebumps reading that neither the dog nor the previous owner seemed to care they were being separated from each other. Poor guy didn't know about toys? All my guys (and girls) are spoiled rotten (and also allowed on the furniture.... :54. They may be big, hairy, and sloppy kissers, but I, too, love my lap dogs.

SO glad to hear you have Otis. How is he adjusting, and how did your other dogs take to him? AND....how did your wife react???

Forgive me, I know it's none of my business, and feel free to ignore the question: What's a radioactive iodine treatment???? :11:

 

[AlexTheGreenCheekConure]

Congrats, Otis! Glad to hear he has a good home now. <3 All of my babies (except for 1 budgie and my Green Cheek) have been rescues, and I volunteer at my local Humane Society. Rescues definitely have a lot of love to give! Both of your pups are so beautiful!

On behalf of Otis, thanks for taking him in! I love hearing all the heartwarming stories about animals finding their forever homes.

And that dog bed your Shepherd has is amazing! My lab would love something like that!

 

[Surfincr]

SO glad to hear you have Otis. How is he adjusting, and how did your other dogs take to him? AND....how did your wife react???

Forgive me, I know it's none of my business, and feel free to ignore the question: What's a radioactive iodine treatment???? :11:

my other two actually did really well, we've been having a few issues while Otis is figuring out where he fits in with the pack but overall they're doing great. they had a blast running around the house this morning.

my wife was nervous about it but was excited about having a lab again.

Early this year i was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, in march they removed my thyroid but they can never get it all. The RAI treatment kills off any existing thyroid cells left over to ensure the cancer doesnt come back. the treatment is also used for the folks who have hyperthyroidism.

 

[JerseyWendy]

WOW Chris! Wishing you a COMPLETE recovery!!!! Those had to have been some absolutely crushing news.

 

[Surfincr]

Thank you, While i'll be radioactive for a couple months i'm told the worst is over and done and theres a 95% chance it'll never come back.

 

[Allee]

Thank you for giving Otis the home and companionship he deserves. Beautiful canines! I love the bed your shepherd is napping on.

I know Otis will find his place in his new pack and with his new family.

Chris, I hope the iodine treatment was a huge success and I hope the cancer never returns.

 

[JerseyWendy]

And Chris, please-oh-please share more pics of your lapdogs. Oscar is begging for some more.

 

[Surfincr]

thats awesome.
here are some more of my two sheps. the first is my 130lb "moose" kurt who thinks he's small. i swear they arent (that) spoiled . the last is kurt testing out the prototype bed. i dont have anymore of otis yet but they'll be more

 

[Christinenc2000]

WOW they are so pretty and BIG LOL

 

[JerseyWendy]

Your GSD are magnificent!!! Holy smokes, I can see why you'd call Kurt a 'moose'. That's GINORMOUS for a GSD! Reminds me of the 'very old' type shepherds, like the one my mom had when she was a kid. My mom was born in 1924, just to give you an idea (may she RIP).

And Chris, I am in LOVE with the bed you made. That looks like it was a hole lotta work. What's thee material made of that you used? And what type of 'yarn' did you use to fasten it to the metal frame???

Sorry, now I'm bombarding you with questions.

 

[MikeyTN]

I LOVE German Shepherds!!!!! I used to have one that I raised from 8 weeks old. He was the most loyal dog that I've ever owned. He started watching over me when he was just 3 months old. I used to live out in the country side so I had to climb over some barb wire fenced to go gather some firewood and he would follow me. I fell over one time and he thought I was hurt, he cried and ran for help. I yelled for him and told him I was ok. I had to reassure him that I was fine then he stopped crying. I miss him dearly....IF I were to ever get another big dog again, it would be a German Shepherd.

 

[Surfincr]

Your GSD are magnificent!!! Holy smokes, I can see why you'd call Kurt a 'moose'. That's GINORMOUS for a GSD! Reminds me of the 'very old' type shepherds, like the one my mom had when she was a kid. My mom was born in 1924, just to give you an idea (may she RIP).

And Chris, I am in LOVE with the bed you made. That looks like it was a hole lotta work. What's thee material made of that you used? And what type of 'yarn' did you use to fasten it to the metal frame???

Sorry, now I'm bombarding you with questions.

Dont apologize ask away

its actually a wood frame, the mat the held up the best is 1000 denier cordora(no sure if i spelled that right) fabric, and to hold it there is actually marine grade shock cording which gives it a trampoline like feel since it stretches. the hole thing weighs in under 25lbs and they are 36" by 48" and 10 inches tall

my female shepherd actually inspired me to do it since she would get hot on the beds and flop down on the hard floor with a thud. i wanted her to keep cool and be comfy. there are some nice beds out there like it but i hated how they didnt look like nice furniture. so i made my own

 

[Surfincr]

I LOVE German Shepherds!!!!! I used to have one that I raised from 8 weeks old. He was the most loyal dog that I've ever owned. He started watching over me when he was just 3 months old. I used to live out in the country side so I had to climb over some barb wire fenced to go gather some firewood and he would follow me. I fell over one time and he thought I was hurt, he cried and ran for help. I yelled for him and told him I was ok. I had to reassure him that I was fine then he stopped crying. I miss him dearly....IF I were to ever get another big dog again, it would be a German Shepherd.

i had a similar experience growing up, my grandmothers dog watched over me like a hawk and made sure i never went out of "her area" if i did she herded me right back. thats actually what started my love of them.