Baymule
Herd Master
Oh Fen! Please be on your good behavior for company!
Peteyfoozer’s Journey (because journaling’s not enough)
- Thread starter peteyfoozer
- Start date
Mini Horses
Herd Master
Well -- Fen will be close and WARMING. 
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- #293
peteyfoozer
Herd Master
So, had Dr appt yesterday before going to airport. Fen was a nightmare! I’m afraid he melted down from trigger stacking. First a 4 hr drive to town early in morning. Them Randy went straight to carwash. Started vacuuming the inside with the powerful noisy vacuum. It scared Fen amd he thought it was funny so chased him a little with it until I rescued him and took him somewhere he was not reactive. Then we had to go through carwash that he usually deals okay with but he’s not crazy about it. Then to my Dr in a building that for some reason doesn’t care for and Randy stayed in car which upset Fen, then he was told to lay down and be quiet.
He just lost it.
You’ve seen video of him complaining, he did that through the entire appt, so we had to raise our voices to be heard and I was mortified. It didnt help that az soon as she came in she started making kissy noises at him and got low and kept trying to pet him.
Yeah…tough day
On a sorta more positive note ( positive in a negative way). There is a spot on my chest that will not heal and Fen has always been obsessed with it. I always that it was psoriasis, part of the PSA/RA i have. I had burns on my palms frim lifting a hot cast iron pan that wouldn’t heal for 2 years and they so it was because of my disease (they did finally heal) I showed it to her. She said she’s pretty sure its melanoma, so she’s referring me to Derma. So Fen can smell out cancer. Makes me a little uncomfortable about his obsession with the back of my left ear where nothing can be found…
I probably won’t be posting until my friend Heather flies home as I can’t stay awake…so don’t anyone worry. I’m okay!!
God bless you all!
He just lost it.
You’ve seen video of him complaining, he did that through the entire appt, so we had to raise our voices to be heard and I was mortified. It didnt help that az soon as she came in she started making kissy noises at him and got low and kept trying to pet him.
Yeah…tough day
On a sorta more positive note ( positive in a negative way). There is a spot on my chest that will not heal and Fen has always been obsessed with it. I always that it was psoriasis, part of the PSA/RA i have. I had burns on my palms frim lifting a hot cast iron pan that wouldn’t heal for 2 years and they so it was because of my disease (they did finally heal) I showed it to her. She said she’s pretty sure its melanoma, so she’s referring me to Derma. So Fen can smell out cancer. Makes me a little uncomfortable about his obsession with the back of my left ear where nothing can be found…
I probably won’t be posting until my friend Heather flies home as I can’t stay awake…so don’t anyone worry. I’m okay!!
God bless you all!
SageHill
Herd Master
Enjoy your time with your friend.
Poor Fen, chased by a vacuum
not fair and reading your stress level probably set him on the edge and anything else just finished him off. 
.
Fingers crossed for the possible melanoma - I had a spot on my arm that ended up being “encapsulated” stage 0 - had it taken off and so far so good. Hope yours is something like that or better.
Poor Fen, chased by a vacuum
not fair and reading your stress level probably set him on the edge and anything else just finished him off. . Fingers crossed for the possible melanoma - I had a spot on my arm that ended up being “encapsulated” stage 0 - had it taken off and so far so good. Hope yours is something like that or better.
Baymule
Herd Master
Poor Fen! He had a hard day. Get that spot taken care of, and have them check behind your ear too. Tell them your dog insists!
Enjoy your company, I know this means so much to you.
Enjoy your company, I know this means so much to you.
- Thread starter
- #296
peteyfoozer
Herd Master
Missing company but timing was perfect as winter has now settled in and with it, debilitating pain, but there will be many good days. Just a lot more bad ones than last summer.
Pretty sure Fen isn’t gonna make it as a Service Dog. He just doesn’t care to spend time with me unless he gets food for it, and even then most times he prefers somewhere or someone else. An entire lifetime of owning and loving dogs and I never thought one could be so detached. Even my LGD’s were not like this, which leaves me in a bad way, as I need the emotional support as much as the tasking, and beyond the Anatolian pup we pick up in Jan so our chickens and rabbits aren’t wholesale slaughtered again by the myriad predators here, we may never have the funds for me to buy another prospect.
The depression this leaves is nearly overwhelming and I miss my Heathen as much today, as the day I lost him, and can only hope he’s in Heaven, waiting for me.
Pretty sure Fen isn’t gonna make it as a Service Dog. He just doesn’t care to spend time with me unless he gets food for it, and even then most times he prefers somewhere or someone else. An entire lifetime of owning and loving dogs and I never thought one could be so detached. Even my LGD’s were not like this, which leaves me in a bad way, as I need the emotional support as much as the tasking, and beyond the Anatolian pup we pick up in Jan so our chickens and rabbits aren’t wholesale slaughtered again by the myriad predators here, we may never have the funds for me to buy another prospect.
The depression this leaves is nearly overwhelming and I miss my Heathen as much today, as the day I lost him, and can only hope he’s in Heaven, waiting for me.
Mini Horses
Herd Master
Maybe more intense training for Fen??? Purposeful and several times a day, rather than just when needed. Could he just need more opportunity and purpose reminders? After all, age will affect his distractions unless there's a reminder to serve a purpose and a routine. 
I can't give up on him yet!
Please review his behaviour for restructuring his obvious ability. And he's Sooo darned handsome!! 
. Have a heart to heart talk with him.
If no improvement, possibly find a trade to a trainer for another. Ok, that's sad for ME and I only know him from pictures 
I can't give up on him yet!
Please review his behaviour for restructuring his obvious ability. And he's Sooo darned handsome!! . Have a heart to heart talk with him. If no improvement, possibly find a trade to a trainer for another. Ok, that's sad for ME and I only know him from pictures
Baymule
Herd Master
I agree with @Mini Horses , maybe a trade for another puppy?
- Thread starter
- #299
peteyfoozer
Herd Master
God bless you both for your input!!!
We love Fen, and don’t want to rehome him, he I just don’t think he is going to make me a good Service Dog. He knows a LOT of tasks now, but just doesn’t have the kind of personality I need to deal with the isolation here. He may or may not start tasking reliably once he matures but the bond isn’t there. The whole reason I went with this breed is because they are all about the bond, but for whatever reason, Fen is lacking that. It could be the having 3 different homes in 5 months, but he really doesn’t much give a **** and is more independent than most LGD’s. He’s not here when I need him. Lot’s of times he’s been close by when I need something, but just doesn’t want to be bothered and lays his head back down. Others, he’s on point.
It’s frustrating as I have had to unteach and train him so dang much. I spend training time daily and he keeps learning, he’s just not reliable and I will admit , I am needy, and need a dog who, like Heath, or every other dog I have had, wants to be with me, near me, close by me.
But I do love Fen.
It is hard sometimes, only sharing the good, or funny things he does and not express my other feelings.
PS. He did figure out how to open the door, finally so we had to put dog gate back up so he can’t get out our front door here at home, which he’s been doing all week.
We love Fen, and don’t want to rehome him, he I just don’t think he is going to make me a good Service Dog. He knows a LOT of tasks now, but just doesn’t have the kind of personality I need to deal with the isolation here. He may or may not start tasking reliably once he matures but the bond isn’t there. The whole reason I went with this breed is because they are all about the bond, but for whatever reason, Fen is lacking that. It could be the having 3 different homes in 5 months, but he really doesn’t much give a **** and is more independent than most LGD’s. He’s not here when I need him. Lot’s of times he’s been close by when I need something, but just doesn’t want to be bothered and lays his head back down. Others, he’s on point.
It’s frustrating as I have had to unteach and train him so dang much. I spend training time daily and he keeps learning, he’s just not reliable and I will admit , I am needy, and need a dog who, like Heath, or every other dog I have had, wants to be with me, near me, close by me.
But I do love Fen.
It is hard sometimes, only sharing the good, or funny things he does and not express my other feelings.
PS. He did figure out how to open the door, finally so we had to put dog gate back up so he can’t get out our front door here at home, which he’s been doing all week.
Mini Horses
Herd Master
Great!!! I could not give him up and have never touched him.. But, felt the need to suggest. Something will happen -- another dog, or Fen coming around more reliably. I just feel it.
He will never be Heathen. I'm certain that was a
hard, hard loss. Having been in several homes at an early age surely has an effect on Fen....he may outgrow it to some degree, with time.
. But, felt the need to suggest. Something will happen -- another dog, or Fen coming around more reliably. I just feel it. He will never be Heathen. I'm certain that was a
hard, hard loss. Having been in several homes at an early age surely has an effect on Fen....he may outgrow it to some degree, with time.
