I win, Muskwa looses!

[Glacier]

Well, he's gonna loose something anyway! Muskwa is turning 8 later this year.

He's been with my husband longer than I have. Muskwa really has no use for me. I am merely the food lady. The only time he seeks out my attention is when he's sick or hurting--he knows who pays the vet bills around here! He is my husband's dog completely. Which doesn't really bother me, except for one thing. My husband has always refused to neuter Muskwa. Muskwa came from a good breeder, comes from nice lines and his breeder did borrow him back once to sire a litter. That litter produced my much loved Earle and Hoodoo. It also introduced us to rescue when Hoodoo's first home didn't work out. Earle is the puppy that convinced me I would never have another puppy! I have been cured of any desire to raise my own dogs from the start!

So I have been nagging for almost six years about neutering King Muskwa. Always met with a No, no, no. Then hubby got hired at the local humane society. Suddenly all the stats I've been spouting for years mean something. Then I got my vet to mention a few times all the things that could go wrong with an unneutered older male dog. And Stuart starts to realize that Muskwa isn't immortal and someday he will leave us. But a neutered Muskwa is more likely to live a longer, healthier life and there is no way he's going to sire another litter. No, no, NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Tonight, Stuart says to me "you should get Muskwa neutered before his birthday"....Suddenly he's my dog. The deal is I have to pay for it--Not a suprise, I pay all the vet bills! I have to take Muskwa in--so he doesn't associate his daddy with this act!

Next payday, Muskwa gets snipped!

[Oggyflute]

Well, thats good mate. But I can see where your hubby is coming from. Your dog when theres something to be done. My dog when we want to play.

I'll put my hand up now and say I can be guilty of this.

[GraciesMommy]

He sure is pretty! Glad to hear that you "won"

[Karen]

Poor unsuspecting Muskwa! He doesn't even know he's broken, but he's gonna get fixed!

[jennifert9]

Well, I'm very glad to hear that! Sorry you have to pay for it however! It's the same way around my house, Collin tells everyone that Duncan is OUR dog when he is bragging about him but the second the vet bills come or Duncan does something wrong (which never happens, he's perfect! ), he's MY dog! I don't mind because, well, he is MY dog! And we all know it!!

[pitc9]

I'm glad to hear your hubby is "letting" you do this!
Muskwa will thank you both in the long run!!

[Queen of Poop]

If it prolongs Muskwa's life so much the better. Stuart will thank you for that later on. Good luck Muskwa, prayers for a speedy recovery, you'll still be a beautiful boy!!!

[Dixieland Dancer]

I'm not questioning this to start a controversy but rather a friendly dialog.... what real health benefits at this point in the dogs life will it make? The only thing I can think of is eliminating the possiblilty of testicular or prostate cancer. At this stage of his life, it will do nothing for his reproductive drive or the elimination of some male to male aggressiveness (if he has any). Castration in dogs does help in those areas but we are talking about a 8 year old male and those tendancies (again if he has any) will not be alter by castrating him now. And the actual statistics on testicular or prostate cancer are very slim and his chances of getting this disease are very rare.

Please understand, I am in favor of neutering a dog when they are younger... mostly for the benefits of no reproductive drive (or ability), aggressiveness or marking tendancies, but at 8 I really don't see the health benefit. So I guess I question why now?

[Glacier]

Originally posted by Dixieland Dancer
I'm not questioning this to start a controversy but rather a friendly dialog.... what real health benefits at this point in the dogs life will it make? The only thing I can think of is eliminating the possiblilty of testicular or prostate cancer. At this stage of his life, it will do nothing for his reproductive drive or the elimination of some male to male aggressiveness (if he has any). Castration in dogs does help in those areas but we are talking about a 8 year old male and those tendancies (again if he has any) will not be alter by castrating him now. And the actual statistics on testicular or prostate cancer are very slim and his chances of getting this disease are very rare.

Please understand, I am in favor of neutering a dog when they are younger... mostly for the benefits of no reproductive drive (or ability), aggressiveness or marking tendancies, but at 8 I really don't see the health benefit. So I guess I question why now?

Soley to eliminate the risk of testicular & prostate problems. We recently learned there is a history of testicular cancer in his line. I don't expect it to change any of Muskwa's behaviors, nor do I want it to. He's a dominant, but not aggressive male. He marks, he doesn't like other unneutered males. I don't expect that to change at all. I'm sure he will still think the universe is his territory and must be marked as such! I fully expect he will still run off every chance he gets--he is a husky after all.

The other part of it, which I think is driving my husband's decision, is that he was just hired as the administrator of our local shelter. He gives lectures to various schools, groups, and to shelter customers daily about altering their pets. Frankly, it doesn't look good when people find out he hasn't neutered his own dog!

[lizbud]

Muskwa will be just as beautiful snipped. Congrats to your
husband for seeing the light.

[cyber-sibes]

We'll keep paws crossed for Muskwa's speedy recovery - but, (JMO), I think your hubby should chip in! --My Star is 8, too!

[captain]

Originally posted by Glacier
I have to take Muskwa in--so he doesn't associate his daddy with this act!

Oh My!!!!!

My dogs associate me with everything BAD - the VET, the Kennel, the discipline ............. no wonder they LOVE my hubbie so much!!!

Hugs to you all!

[Dixieland Dancer]

Originally posted by Glacier
Soley to eliminate the risk of testicular & prostate problems. We recently learned there is a history of testicular cancer in his line.

Statistically, this cancer is so rare but if there is a history in the line then it is best to have it done. As I stated before, I am in favor of neutering young males. However, at later years in their life, it is questionable to me unless there is a real benefit. In your case, it seems there is since testicular and prostate cancer are in the line.

BTW...Muskwa (love that name) is a really beautiful dog!

[ramanth]

You won't feel a thing Muskwa! Honest!

[Glacier]

Originally posted by Dixieland Dancer
Statistically, this cancer is so rare but if there is a history in the line then it is best to have it done. As I stated before, I am in favor of neutering young males. However, at later years in their life, it is questionable to me unless there is a real benefit. In your case, it seems there is since testicular and prostate cancer are in the line.

BTW...Muskwa (love that name) is a really beautiful dog!

Had he been my dog from the start, he'd have been neutered at six months! But he was a year old before I even started dating my husband. Course then I wouldn't have Earle and I wouldn't have known Hoodoo and my whole life would probably be different now!

His name means Bear in Cree. He was named by a Cree medicine man. Stuart couldn't think of the right name. He's also part Cree and was at a ceremony when the medicine man told him Muskwa has a bear spirit. So does Stuart, if you believe such things. So Muskwa finally got his name at about 4 months old. He still answers pretty well to HEY YOU NO!