Flat-coated Retriever

**Daisy's Mom** · 11-23-2001, 04:01 PM

I honestly think she has the prettiest eyes on any dog I've ever seen! What a beautiful girl. We could never see too many pictures. As a matter of fact, I'd like more!

**Barbiro** · 11-23-2001, 07:26 PM

K9Karen,

Thank you for the compliments. Yes! I bottle fed her from Day1. My boyfriend looked for Lady's mother all over the neighborhood and she wasn't found (until 4 days later). In the meantime, we went and bought 'puppy milk' at Petsmart and fed her every 3 hours around the clock. It was like having a newborn baby. When we found the mother (who had 4 other puppies, we attempted to give Lady back to her for nursing, but she rejected her); it was OK, Lady was content with her feeding schedule, although I was exhausted. She finally opened her eyes on the 13th day in the middle of the night and I'm the first person she saw, which is why I guess she loves me so much. Here's a picture of when she was 2 days old -- it's not too clear, I had not learned how to photograph a black dog at the time:

Here she is a month old and I love these pictures:

Here's another one at 1 month old:

People that are not dog-lovers cannot understand why I take so many pictures of my pets -- but to me they are like family. I even have an 8x10 of Lady & Tobi on my wall, plus an 3 pictures of Buffy as well. They bring so much joy in our lives that it's the least I could do. I love this forum!

[ November 23, 2001: Message edited by: Barbiro ]

**sammi** · 11-23-2001, 08:08 PM

What a sweetheart! That would have been a 24 hr. job - esp. the feeding

! Thanks for the pictures. I just want to hug her.

**Daisy's Mom** · 11-24-2001, 10:35 PM

She was just the most precious thing ever! You are an angel to have taken her in and done so much for her. You two must have an amazing bond. Your pictures are fabulous and she is sooo sweet! I understand why you'd have so many pictures of your furkids - they are all gorgeous!

**tatsxxx11** · 12-01-2001, 06:17 PM

Hi Barbiro! Just catching up on your most recent posts of Lady! Oh, what great pics. The close up....those eyes! The expression in those eyes is mesmerizing. And the baby pics.! Well, I can't describe how adorable, sweet, precious she is. Oh, you have a great family!!!

**Dixieland Dancer** · 12-01-2001, 07:16 PM

Hi Barbiro! I love the pictures of your flat coat. My first experience with a flat coat was very exciting. I came home and told my husband I saw a black golden retriever today. He thought I was losing it.

I mean it looked like a goldens body but the coat was black. Then I discovered that the Golden is a decendent of the flat coat! No wonder they look alike except for color! I understand the temperments are almost identical too!

What a special pupper who is loved by a special owner! It is nice to meet you!!!

[ December 01, 2001: Message edited by: Dixieland Dancer ]

**Logan** · 12-01-2001, 09:26 PM

She really is stunning, Barbiro......and all the more special because of that wonderful story of how she survived. What a bond the two of you must have!! But didn't you say she is your son's dog?? Something tells me she is your dog!!

The baby pictures are adorable too.....I would love to meet her one day.

**RachelJ** · 12-02-2001, 09:13 AM

Thank you for telling us the account of Lady's beginning. What a miracle for you to have found her and cared enough to see that she was saved in this manner. Talk about a special dog! She sounds like a great candidate for DOG OF THE DAY. And as far as taking pictures of your dog is concerned, you don't have to explain to this group. We love seeing them and taking our own.

**Barbiro** · 12-02-2001, 10:18 AM

This forum is addicting

I find myself coming here every day, but I enjoy reading the posts so much.

Dixieland Dancer, I totally agree with you that flat-coated retrievers are an excellent breed. Until Lady came to our lives, I had never heard of them, and only assumed there were 2 kinds of retrievers (Golden and Labrador). Turns out there are 4 types and flat-coated is one of the ones that has not been affected by puppy-mill breedings and cross-breedings. The result is that the breed has pretty much maintained its wonderful characteristics. When Lady was about 6 weeks old I started teaching her some tricks I saw on the Cable Pet Channel. Amazingly, she would learn a command in a matter of 2-3 days. We were all amazed at how fast she learns and eager she is to please. Plus, she is really beautiful! Those eyes say A LOT when they look at you. When I'm training her, the concentration in her eyes is spectacular.

Logan,

She's my Son's dog, but deep down I think she's also mine since we have an amazing bond. Sometimes when I'm bored I talk to Lady and I swear she understands me. Then again, I feel the same way about Buffy and Tobi. I just adore all 3 of them.

Rachel J, I agree with you she's special. When people ask me where we got Lady, I always say "God gave her to us" because it is a miracle she survived her first day of life. It was a cold rainy day and I'm positive if my boyfriend had not found her, sooner or later we would have seen a dead puppy in our garden. Gives me chills just to think about that

I luv chatting with all you guys.

**jennifert** · 12-04-2001, 04:48 PM

Hi! I just discovered this list today! I would love to post a picture of my dog Duncan, adopted from the local animal shelter, but I can't figure out how...Could anyone help me? He looks a little like a flat-coated retriever so I would like some opinions on what mix he may be...

**jennifert** · 12-04-2001, 04:56 PM

I still can't figure it out!!

I adopted Duncan from the local animal shelter here in Syracuse New York in July of this year. When I first saw him, he was about 45 lbs and a medium sized dog. The shelter said that he was found as a stray and they believed him to be about 1 yr old and fully grown. Boy were they wrong!! He now weighs 77 lbs and is about 27 inches tall at the shoulder. I'm not sure about what type of mix he is...Originally they thought Gordon Setter because of the coloring and the feathering on his legs. I did some research on my own and discovered a dog called a Hovawart. Duncan looks exactly like one and his personality watches the description of the breed. They are very rare so I can't imagine he is a purebreed but it doesn't matter! He is a sweet, fun, loving animal. I couldn't be happier with him in my life!

**Barbiro** · 12-04-2001, 08:29 PM

Jennifert, have you figured out how to post an image? The image has to reside on a server, and not on your hard-drive. When you compose the message, click on the 'image' tab and type in the full path of where your image is located.

Hope this helps and I look forward to seeing your dog

**jennifert** · 12-06-2001, 09:54 AM

I think this may work...

**jennifert** · 12-06-2001, 09:54 AM

Well I guess not. I don't think I can do it! Sorry.

**jennifert** · 12-06-2001, 09:56 AM

Duncan has a webpge at www.burnerkitty.com. Search under Duncan in dogs and he is the one from NY. I hae no idea how to post his picture and I'm making a mess of my computer trying!!