TammyB

Quote: Originally Posted by AnnR remember - the basement isn't necessarily dark and dreary! it could be a full, walkout or something - in my house we live in our 'basement' (we call it the family room) ... it just happens to be the lower level of our house! i just don't want you to picture the little girl in a dark, dungeon-like place! Ann our lower level aka basement is just as you mentioned. Our living room is down there (it's fully finished) and it's attached to our garage, Plus we have a big window down there.. But it gets very cold so I wouldn't want to leave my dogs down there.

Quote: Originally Posted by Hartyt509 The main thing is the basement - who the hell puts dogs in a basement!! they need fresh air and to be able to see whats going on outside. I know not everyone has a garden or a yard but even some dogs that are left in a kitchen have plenty fresh air and can move around and see whats going on. . Yeah that does bug me a little as well. But for a different reason. We crate Elsie now when were gone, but we come home every day for lunch and let her out of her crate. And I guess I see why they would want to two dogs to play while there gone at work, but my thing is "why the basement" I have a finished lower level, and it gets really cold down there, she has 8 pound dog now, and Elsie is about 15 pounds. I would think they would get cold.... Why do they have to stay in the basement...

I have to admit that it really doesn't sit well with me. Just the thought of Elsie being left in a car alone, even for a few minutes while the adopter is picking up milk or something,,,, What if the car is broken into, I hear stories all the time about people steeling dogs out of cars. Elsie has been thought so much already in her life, and who know what would happen if she was stolen... Plus the fact that their 1.5 year old dog, (granted he's a very small dog) is still not potty trained, I guess my concern their is that if they are too busy to train him, the how can they possibly take care of two dogs and one having the past that Elsie has. And whild I'm on that subject, they mentioned they really wanted a second dog because their dog has so much energy and they just don't have the time to give to him, so again, if they don't have the time for one, how will they have the time for two? Gosh this is going to drive me crazy..lol

Quote: Originally Posted by JaimeLynne In your group do you have someone first call to check vet & personal references (this is my job)? If so did any red flags come up there? ! Our group is very careful in their research, like yours they do vet checks, reference checks and a home visit before they are even approved to adopt. Once a dog is matched, the potential adopter meet the dog at the foster home, and then we determine from there if it's the right home for all involved. If they have pets we require that the pets meet first before placed to ensure that they will get along. So from what I've been told, no red flags as of yet. However one of the board members does have a couple of the same concerns as I do, but she is going off what I told her.

Yeah maybe I will call them later today and talk to them about my concerns. BTW they live 2.5 hours away, so when they asked about restaurant, I knew they probably didn't eat dinner yet. But if it were me I would have said "fast food" but maybe like you guys said, maybe I'm just reading into things much more then I should.

I should also mention that DH is 80% sure they would be a good fit for Elsie.

Yeah we have the finial say on who she goes too. But like I said, maybe it's my fault, because I'm too over protective of her or I'm looking for something that no one can fill. KWIM?

Many of you know that I foster dogs. Well I have a current placement of a 2 1/2 year old, that was pulled from a puppy mill about 7 months ago. We had a couple interested in adopting her, and came out to see her this past weekend. Now I've grown very attached to this girl, but because of our pet limit, we are unable to adopt her. I know part of me is looking for the perfect home, but really is their ever going to be a perfect home? So I was hoping to get your feedback on a few things, 1) When they were leaving they asked us "do you have any really good restaurants near hear" (I'd like to add that they had their 1.5 year old dog with them) So my concern is that they are going to have a sit down dinner and all the while their dog is left alone in their car. 2) Since Elsie came from a mill, most mill dogs are poop eaters, well their 1.5 year old dog isn't house trained yet, and even thought they leave papers down, he still finds places to hide and go to the bathroom. My concern is that: a) Elsie will eat his poo & that they might be lazy in their training and Elsie will regress and start going potty in the house again. 3) They mentioned to me that their goal to put both dogs in their finished basement while they are gone at work. Well my concern with this is that being that they are new and getting to know each other, the dogs shouldn't be left alone together until they are 100% certain that they won't get into a fight. (we have had Elsie for 7 months and we still crate her while we are gone, but with that said I would trust her with my dogs alone, I just know she will have an accident in the house) Now I know I'm being very over protective of her, and I want to give this couple a fair shot. So that's why I was hoping you guys to hopefully shed some light on these issue I have. Over all they are a nice younger couple.

Christine you may have to slowly introduce your pup to it. Like just turn it on when him close to you, don't touch him and give him treats. Do this for a few times and then use in on his nails, but only a little at first. I know the noice freaks out some dogs but if you make it into a good treat time, they are more willing to let you file away. Just wanted to give you a heads up.

Quote: Originally Posted by Hartyt509 No its a small power tool for grinding stuff FI uses it if he decides to be sad and built a model lol or for woodwork Yeap, that's exactly what it is, Go to your local home improvement store and they will have one.

IMO spending money on your photographer is one of the most important budget decisions you have to make. I have seen weddings that were beautifully set up, but they didn't hire a good photographer and IMO their pictures didn't capture how great the wedding was. I know prices for photography goes up all the time, but remember it's the memorys that last a life time, and it's worth it in the end to spend a little more money then you planned. GL

Courtney I think the low pony tail would look great on you. I agree with the PP that you don't want to play down your dress with a more casual hairstyle, I so go all the way. You could always have them style your hair in the pony tail and try on your dress afterwards and just throw it up, kindof like #1.

Sarah that's great that things are going well for you. If only I had your talent.. :-)

Quote: Originally Posted by MoWife The one thing I do want to ask the doctor is do I count that bleeding as my period? It already stopped so I'm a little confused as to what's going on right now. SO from my understanding, if your MC was close to when your AF was suppose to arrive then you porbably will just have a slighly longer cycle. However if it isn't then you could expect AF again. I noticed my cycle after my MC I ovulated much earlier (Cycle day 10) However on a good note, some women are more fertile the cycle after a MC, so if you plan it good, you might have a really good shot this cycle. I unfortunitly wasn't that lucky but my body hates me, lol

Have you tried a dremal (? spelling)tool on his nails? Usually it's the clip that makes it hard, but with the dremal you can "file" their nails down and avoid sharp edges like you would have from clippers

Quote: Originally Posted by SheaS Mo, With my situation the doctor told me that most likely I had miscarried days before I started bleeding because my hcg levels were so low by the time I went to the doctor. I know I was pregnant, I "felt" it, 4 tests told me I was and I didn't get my period. It was a week ago Friday I had SEVERE cramps at work- I mean they were the worst pains I had ever felt. There was no blood though (so being naive, I thought it was bad gas pains since I have had it before- just never this bad). Then Monday I started bleeding- so I knew then that is what was happening. Later that day when the bleeding picked up, I miscarried (I saw it is the toliet- it wasn't developed, but I know that is what it was, it was a sac type thing) tmi? sorry. Anyways, the doctor concluded that that is probably what I was experiencing on Friday because on Monday my levels were so low already. Maybe this is what happened to you? When I had my MC around 7 weeks I experienced what you are saying. Worst pain I have every experienced, I actually passed two huge clots and was rushed to the E-room because of the pain. I think when you have your MC at 4 weeks it's usually just the bleeding and some mild pain.

Mo you may want to look into seeing an RE (infertility dr) they are much better at testing and such if your interested in knowing "why" At the very least I would request a CD3 bloodwork and a 7dpo bloodwork from your OB DR.

Mo, just wanted to give you a little more info on when I found out I was pregnant just before my MC. I took my HPT around 4weeks the day I got my faint positive I called my Dr and the next day I went in for bloodwork (beta test is whats it's called) Most earlyl HPT's detect a pregnancy at around an hcg level of 15 even though their instructions show a 25. So when I went in for my bloodwork my hcg level was 21 (at 4 weeks) they told me they were a little concerned that this number was so low, but that I would retest that following Monday. Well Sunday night I started to spot, took another HPT and it came back not pregnant. So when I went for my bloodwork my HCG level was down to 6 (4 days after I got the 21) Any HCG level of 5 or more is considered pregnant however it needs to double every 48 hours, so when my levels came back as 6, I had to go in again two days later and it was at 2 (common number for non pregnant women) Ok I know that was all a little confusing, but when you start to bleed your hcg levels can drop off very quickly, and that could be the reason your DR said what he did. BUT IMO, he is a horrible dr to treat you that way. I would definitly stop seeing him, and go to someone else that will treat you better and "understand" what you are going through. I know all that HCG talk may have been confusing, but just know that your body reacted the same way as mine did, and I know your not crazy (if that matters :-) Your DR. should have explained things better to you, for that I'm so very sorry, I know having a bad dr only makes the situation worse.

Umm I could name a ton.. :-) But their is a place that takes all the dogs that no one else wants. They actually took the Micheal vix pitt bull fighting dogs. They are called "Best Friends animal sancuary (? spelling) they are located in Utah. They help all aggressive dogs (by training them to become domisticated) they help the extreamly sick and they even trade healthy dogs that they have done work on with hard to place pets. I'll see if I can find their website, I know DH has it but he's already left work (crap I need to leave too) I'll post later. But over all any local shelter or animal rescue group I'm sure could use the money because most of the run on donations alone.

Actually read this article.. https://community.hsus.org/humane/no...er_id=22103338 Alyssa, yes the potential forever family will be coming by our house on Sunday, they are driving 2 hours to meet Elsie and if I can't talk them out of getting her or I can't convince Elsie to be mean to them, then if all goes like I expect it to she will be adopted.

Mo, I'm so very sorry. I had a MC in November after only knowing I was pregnant for four short days. Even though it was short lived I was still very sad. My heart goes out to you, and if you ever need to talk, PM me.

Yeah in fact I have my DVR set to record Oprah today. I really hope they are able to put the word out and stop this crap. Most people don't realize that buying a dog from a pet store is actually supporting puppy mills because that is where they get their dogs.

Quote: Originally Posted by Raeka and do you offer to babysit for the families if they go on vacation? That may be a good idea if you don't already. Yeap, we have pupsit for two of our foster dogs now. One actually we are pupsitting right now and they are picking him up today.

I think the reason she is the hardest so far is because she's still timid around new people and the fact that she learned everything with us. I remember the first time we were playing in our house with a tennis ball with our boys, Elsie was so scared of the ball and would run from it, now to see her chasing after it, even grabbing it out from our boys mouth. I'm just going to be sad to see her go.. D@mn I shouldn't have posted this, now I'm tearing up again..

Many of you know that we foster dogs. Well Elsie has been with us for almost 7 months now, she was seized from a puppy mill and was in horrible condition when we got her. Well yesterday was finally not a bone chilling day and we decided to take her to the dog park for the very first time. Here are a couple of shots.. Elise might be going to her forever home on Sunday, I can't stop crying thinking about it, I'm going to miss her so much. Here is one last picture of her, I'm thinking about having it put on a t-shirt or something..