New Member of our House!

[angelcat]

His name is Bindlestiff, and he is a 3 year old Bernese Mountain dog. It was really strange, One day I had it in mind to have CE take us to the local pound, to see what dogs they had. When we went into the large dog area, there was this beautiful long furred dog, with the sweetest face. When we went up front to inquire about him, they told us that he was just brought in eariler that day as a stray, and that it would be the next week before he could go home. Also, there was no one else on the list to adopt him, so we were the first! The next week, (Which was Tuesday) we brought him home.

Funny part is, he loves the cats, but even more so, loves to chase them. Sammy, the eldest cat, when approched by Bindlestiff, just spat at him, and smacked him on the snout. From then on, when ever Bindlestiff would come near him, Sammy would give him a dirty look, and Bindlestiff would just walk away.

You should have seen him when we took him with us to the drive-in! For a stray, he is very well behaved in a car. He layed in the back seat, and when he was taken for a walk between movies, had fun meeting and playing with the other dogs there.

At least the squirrel population is quaking in fear now. He also loves to chase them as well as the cats.

[desmocat]

I really don't want to rain on the parade, but did the pound check him for a chip?
Sometimes purebred dogs get out and get picked up as a stray, and will have a microchip implanted that has info on how to get in touch with the owner.
Most vets will have a scanner, and there are at present 2 main types, and even if the scanner is of a different type than the chip, it will at least show that a chip is there.

If you have had him checked and he doesn't have one, enjoy the new addition to the family, I hear they are very good family doogs.
And if you do decide to get him chipped, I would stay away from the Banfield's places at petsmart, they are pushing a non-standard microchip that cannot be detected by any scanner at the present time other that the one the mfg. makes for it.

It has something to do with the frequency that the chips are supposed to work at I think.

a couple links for you:
http://www.homeagainid.com/

http://www.canismajor.com/dog/microchp.html


http://www.akccar.org/
EDIT>

A link about the non-standard microchips:

http://www.foxfireweim.com/news.html

[geeraff]

A Bernese Mountain Dog!?

I love those guys, they're adorable.

About two weeks ago my girlfriend and I were talking about dogs, and she told me how much she likes St. Bernards, and I said that Bernese Mountain Dogs are very similar, but even cuter. She was forced to agree once I produced some photographs of them.

Best of luck to you and the dog!

[angelcat]

Thanks so much for the advice! Yes, he was checked for a chip, and does not have one yet.weare not sure if he is a pure breed or not, but either way, he is a very sweet tempered dog. I have been working a bit with him on a few simple commands, and he knows how to sit, lay down, and we are currently working on shake.

[B71655]

Good for you! I have a pair of rescue shitz zu's. In time, that dog will love you like none other. Great luck to you three. Brian

[ExSuS]

Originally posted by desmocat
I really don't want to rain on the parade, but did the pound check him for a chip?
Sometimes purebred dogs get out and get picked up as a stray, and will have a microchip implanted that has info on how to get in touch with the owner.

Yeah,my German Shepherd has a microchip impranted to the back of her neck.Its a great Idea,pure breed or not to have the chip on them.Congrats on your dog

[RedFury]

Oh sure, get a house and then you run off and find the biggest beast you can!

I love the big dogs, they are usually the gentle giants. I had a Alaskan Malumute and Akita mix who was a great dog. A really big lap dog too Liked to eat bread for some reason, and by the loaf...still in the package Dug his doghouse into the ground...literally.

Have fun with your dog. What did you name your new friend anyways?

[jman01pa]

How did you come up with the name of Bindlestiff?

[Mickwish]

bindlestiff

SYLLABICATION: bin·dle·stiff
PRONUNCIATION: bndl-stf
NOUN: A hobo, especially one who carries a bedroll.
ETYMOLOGY: English bindle, bundle (probably from German dialectal bindel, from Middle High German bündel, from binden, to bind, from Old High German binten; see bhendh- in Appendix I) + stiff.

From here.

Seems to fit to me!

Cheers
Mick

[CERuppel]

UPDATE:

We just came back from visiting with our sis and her two dogs. We used to think that her youngest was a moose... Bindlestiff is twice her size!

We have been having the time of our lives with our new friend, even took him to the movies last weekend!

For the record, he gets along with all the other animals in the nieghborhood... Except the squirrels. Those he has a blood feud with, or something.

Wish I had a pick of the ground anchor that he bent up the other day. Nearly put a 90 degree angle into it.

All for now, more later.