We had an "All Pets Expo" here this weekend (Pet supplies vendors, animal shows, rescue groups, etc.) which is generally a lot of fun just because it's something we can take the dog to. They had a "Disc Dogs" shows with some very impressive Border Collies doing Frisbee and jumping tricks and an "Utlimate Water Dogs" where the dogs compete for longest jump into a large pool. You can even bring your dog and enter it in the competition. Phantom is terrified of pools, so we just watched.

I got some moose antler tines that Phantom LOVES and this very nifty dog bandanna where, rather than ends you tie around the neck, has a sleeve you thread the collar through. Very neat idea.

One sad event for the day, they have some kiddie activities (moon bounces and the such) and one of the men operating one had a very large and overweight husky in a crate. Phantom wanted to say hello and the husky didn't seem like he could be bothered to bat an eye. The owner asked if Phantom was a puppy and I said no, she's an adult but small because she was a mix. He told me his was very overweight because they neutered him too late in life (huh?) because they wanted to breed him a few times first. I said he was handsome and looked worn out, to which the owner told me he was only like that in his crate and if he was out he'd be a totally different dog, then added, while chuckling, that's why they just let him out for bathroom trips. :-( Yea, and the late neuter is why he's overweight. Very sad.

Wow....

It makes me very very sad for that husky....It's called exercise, people!

But I'm glad you got some moose antlers! Those must be HUGE! How long do you think it will take Phantom to work on those antlers?

Exercise is good for all parties involved by the way. I saw a couple huskies, 8 y/o, at an adoption event and boy were they over weight, i felt sorry for them.

You could buy a whole moose antler, it was freaking huge. We just bought a tine, one of the spikes that stick off, and then a 1" wide slice of antler. When there is more of the inner part exposed, like the slice, it's softer and they can chew it quicker, where the tine is very hard. Both will probably take her forever because she isn't a heavy chewer... unless it's a TV remote.

NadirCs wrote:

He told me his was very overweight because they neutered him too late in life (huh?) because they wanted to breed him a few times first. I said he was handsome and looked worn out, to which the owner told me he was only like that in his crate and if he was out he'd be a totally different dog, then added, while chuckling, that's why they just let him out for bathroom trips. :-( Yea, and the late neuter is why he's overweight. Very sad.

I actually met someone that rescued their male husky/malamute mix when he was 2 years old. He's now 10 years old and overweight. When we talked she said he was still intact and when she got him nuetered, is when he started putting on weight. She took him running, and hiking and walked him, but she said she had a hard time getting weight off hime and to stay off him. So a late neuter could contribute to weight gain...or so it sounds according these people. I've also read a few different articles that this could happen - so it's possible that getting a pet neutered/spayed later can contribute to weight gain.

Wow, I had no idea! I've actually never owned a male dog, at least since I was little, so I really wouldn't know. I can definitely see the connection though, with how hormones affect everything.

Although this man made it sound like his poor guy was let out of the crate for breeding and pottying only.

I grew up w male dogs. Neve again, I have one now who's 10 and still will pee on stuff when he gets mad. So irritating.