Katherine

I'm trying to shop online to get good deals. What are the dimensions for the dog bed you have for your large breed dog?

So you can get stuff from Amazon and Ebay and Walmart online, and Petco and Petsmart also let you order online.

Recently I discovered baxterboo.com and I've been really happy with their selection and pricing. I was wondering if there were any other websites you guys have experience with that you would recommend?

So I've been thinking of taking my dog to the neighborhood dog park, but before I do, I wanted to ask your opinions on how to be polite... or at least how not to be rude?

Obviously aggressive or sick dogs are not welcome, and people being mean to other dogs are bad as well. What are some things you guys appreciate in fellow dog park goers, and things you really wish some people and/or their dogs wouldn't do to you or your dog?

I know that dog diets tend to be a hot button issue with many of you. For or against raw, meat only, no grains, no meat byproducts, no preservatives, etc., etc. Everybody has an opinion on what is best. That said, there are no real right answers, and only a few wrong answers for this.

What is wrong with meat byproducts or meat meal?

Byproducts are things that those in the civilized world do not eat, joint meat and cartilage, organs, etc. As if these are lower quality than the straight muscle. However, for those going the all natural route, all meat eaters in the wild eat all of these 'byproduct' protein sources when they make a kill, and often organs such as the heart, spleen, and kidney are very vitamin and nutrient rich.

So, one more time, what is wrong with meat byproducts?

This is really just a question for funsies, but how do you guys feel about dogs and people making them wear sweaters?

Bad idea? Unsafe idea? Harmless? Cute? Necessary for warmth? Who cares?

I've adopted a pit bull that is mostly hairless due to a lost fight against mange (scarred over, won't grow back) so for him I like sweaters, but in general I think they are unnecessary if not uncomfortable or unsafe for the dog.

Thoughts?

I would ask for a simple yes or no answer, and a brief explanation why.

History:

I am 23, half way through veterinary medical school (2 years left to go). I live alone, but am in a long term relationship. I have a cat and a snake already. My house is all hard floors, yard, no fence. I am living off of support from my parents, I am paying for school through student loans, I pay for my pets with my own money earned in the past and saved up plus a part time job.

I work on my schedule, usually 5 hours a week or less. I average 40-45 hours a week spent on school work - combined in class time and study at home. I am involved in 3 clubs, only one of which has a regular time commitment. I am relatively antisocial, and enjoy spending my down time at home.

The cost of my pets is already largely covered. As a vet student I have access to a year's worth of cat/dog food for 50 bucks. We are provided flea/tick/heartworm prevention at no cost, usually two animals for a year at a time. Vet check ups are reduced price for students. Yearly microchip lab to microchip our own pets and only pay a registration fee. Everything else I am well equipped to pay for myself on my own income: cat litter, misc meds, snake bedding, toys, treats, crates, etc.

How I see it:

Excluding a major medical event, I am prepared to add an animal to my family. Relatively minor medical events I can handle no sweat. This is only true for 2 years, and then I will be 100% financially stable.

Excluding rough patches here and there, I have the time. I study at home, and 15 minute breaks are perfect for play/walks/training. I have the desire, I am willing to shuffle my schedule and drop other time suckers in favor of spending time with a dog. I.e. instead of reading before bed, I spend time training, etc. I think I am no busier than any other full time employee.

Through networking and my situation as a veterinary student, I have all of the 'things' required for a dog already, largely free or reduced cost. The cost of keeping a dog is free or reduced for me.

I have friends, committed boyfriend, and neighbors willing to help me out on the days when I'm in a bind. So a back up to my back up is in place when life happens and gets in the way of routine.

I am committed. I'm a vet student, a successful one. I know first hand - from growing up with dogs, to being on the other end of treating dogs - what it takes to care for one. I enjoy a dog's company more than the company of most people. It is my number one desire, and I'm willing to do what it takes to make it happen. I have been patient, and have waiting for life to settle into routine for me, and to find the perfect dog for what I am looking for and what I have to offer as an owner.

Please, feel free to poke holes in my logic. Is it the perfect set up? No. But it never is. You wait for the best - which is never perfect - and you plan for the worst as best you can.

I have a pug and I feed her a cup to a cup and a half a day. How long does it take you to go through a bag of food for a small dog?

What is the best way to get 'dog' smell out of carpet?

I've just moved into a rental house, and the previous tenant had a dog. I knew when I signed the lease it would probably stink, but the landlord said he got the carpets professionally cleaned. Now I've got the keys to the place, it's still pretty raunchy.

I've done some research but most things are dealing with urine smells. This is just old, wet dog smell.

Any suggestions?

I've just moved into a rental house, and the previous tenant had a dog. I knew when I signed the lease it would probably stink, but the landlord said he got the carpets professionally cleaned. Now I've got the keys to the place, it's still pretty raunchy.

I've done some research but most things are dealing with urine smells. This is just old, wet dog smell.

Any suggestions?

Don't worry guys, I've done a lot of research on being a gerbil mama, so please don't just send me a link to a gerbil care sheet :)

For those of you who have had or do have a gerbil or some other kind of rodent pet, what do you like about them? What do you not like about them?

All things good and bad appreciated!

long story short, i've been cheated on before by an ex. now i'm with my current boyfriend of 2 months. he told me that he does sort of talk to his ex, and tries to at least be civil friends with her, which doesn't bother me. I talk to my ex's (excluding the one that cheated). my problem is that when he told me this, he immediately followed up with "but don't worry, nothing will happen."

I know he said it because he figured that i would be suspicious. But, I learned that my ex was only lying to me when he explicitly said he wouldn't do something, or wouldn't or didn't etc.

Is there anything I can do, other than wait it out and let time and good experiences with this boyfriend, that will repair my trust of men in general and keep my suspicion down?

It's not a brand new commercial, but a guy is walking through a crowd at a party and with every room he goes through he goes back another 10 to 20 years until he makes it to the bar to get the bacardi. I was wondering if anyone could tell me the name of the song or the band who performs it?

Just a survey out of curiosity because I know most people have 'rules' they try to follow, especially for the first date with someone. It's kind of a have you ever or would you ever.

1. hug

2. holding hands

3. kiss (on cheek)

4. kiss (smooch)

5. kiss

6. make out

7. cuddle

8. have sex