This thread is billiant, that you all for the advice, pics, laughs, kindnesses & bravery.
Folks' dog just back from the vet for jabs & athriitis assessment, going to give that Metacalm(?) stuff a go; cod liver oil & green-lipped mussel tablets worked for the last pup. Tess (this one) is currently fond of liver, high hopes of sneaking the tablets in.
Funny enough, I had a dream about the past dogs just this morning. Whiskey, born when I was to the day, pure black spaniel/lab/mutt, wavy shiny coat, lab ears, but 'looked like they had a perm. Gert big soft lump, favourite things (apart from tennis balls) was getting sprayed with grass clippings from the mower & was the sisters' substitute pony when they were tiny.
Shuffled off at 14, crossed over with Teeble, half-sized, smooth-coated Alsatian x jack russel x heinz 57. Looked exactly like an Alsatian, but for the coat & slightly terrier face. Littermate Sam was wiry, black, shortlegged terrier. Favourite thing was collecting stones from under water and perching on the arms of chairs. And trying to join in conversations by grumbling & rumbling. Would remind you of dinnertime, walkies time by very gently holding your wrist & leading you to the appropriate place.
Callie the border collie: pretty dog, loved to sit on your lap, make intelligent-head-movements & rest her head on your shoulder & go to sleep. Then look at you out the top of her eyes, all serious & unleash a severe facewashing. You could scratch her rump all day long but would go crazy if your touched her haunches/rear feathers. Hate to think what had happened to her before rescued..
Current pooch Princess/Pest is another very pretty BC bitch, cleverest of the lot. Obsessed by aeroplanes & birds, allegedly kept chained in a field in ireland. Heartbreakingly, it took her years to learn how to play & stops if she thinks anyone is watching her, though likes a game of chase when it suits her.
Throughly eviscerates every toy she's ever had, except a 4" high fabric duck that the folks' friends bought her when she first arrived; she plays toss & catch & then wash with that one. Still fierce when the doorbell goes, very wary of new people, especially men. Tries to stalk, but reacts instantly to being called back & behave.. Stops at the junction of paths & fields before being told. Bugger to get out of a puddle, though. Edit: First bitch I've seen who does a 'handstand' to pee.
First two were from people we knew, both border collies were rescued.
Sorry for the long post and no pics yet, it all just welled up. Possibly because Madam Pest might be on a downward slope.
Thank you all for the posts & pics, need to open a window to get rid of some dust...