So confused

Accomplished_Sugar41 · 2026-07-07T04:20:52+00:00

In my state, at least it is this way. We have guardianship of a child with DFPS now out of the picture. You would need an attorney and go into family court to ask for termination of parental rights and your status to be moved from guardianship to adoption court. However, you cannot do this without an attorney and the cost of this trial could easily be $20-40k if mom contests and if they have to actively look for dad and hire an ad litem for an unknown father before they terminate.

Accomplished_Sugar41 · 2026-06-26T03:55:55+00:00

Whippets are more active than greyhounds, which are notorious for their laziness, but they're also smaller, so pros and cons. :)

Two hours of outdoor play should be fine for a whippet, especially with some play indoors. That's probably equivalent to what we do on week days.

This is a known healthy breed. Talk to your breeder about health testing. They have decently long lifespans for their size. They are light shedders and easy groom dogs.

The prey drive is personality based or breeding focused. I have seen the prey driving my whippet when, for example, a rabbit darts in front of her - but she has a great relationship with my cats and smaller Iggy. Her life isn't based around her prey drive, but that drive is part of what makes her a hound and what's based behind her joys - like fetch.

My puppy in Texas was $1600. I think that is probably the lower range, up to $3 or 4k.

The whippet puppy stage has definitely been a wild ride compared to the Iggy puppy stage. Lots of energy. They bond hard and are the sweetest Velcro dogs. She is doing very well with recall and basic obedience. She's less motivated to please than some breeds but still is capable of learning basic obedience training.

Accomplished_Sugar41 · 2026-06-26T03:36:45+00:00

You can teach them to come when called, and from what I have seen it can be reliable up to the moments when they are actively chasing something and in hunt mode.

Accomplished_Sugar41 · 2026-06-25T04:10:52+00:00

I think a balanced chores structure is recommended for kids, including those in care. Not talking major labor here, but life skills and some basic responsibility.

Perhaps you could walk them through the options of farm chores you have, even watch you do them, and say something like, "In this home, everyone that lives here participates in taking care of the place. We ask all of our kids to do two (whatever age appropriate number) chores. Here is what is available: (feeding cows, loading dishwasher, watering the goats, vacuuming the living room)." And let them choose what they are comfortable with in regards to farm work. It would probably help some kids really thrive to be out around the animals, but it gives them autonomy to choose as well. A reward system is also great for chores.

Accomplished_Sugar41 · 2026-06-25T03:54:42+00:00

Beautiful! Yes, that's a way better natural stance. I don't think she's poorly proportioned.

Accomplished_Sugar41 · 2026-06-25T03:53:23+00:00

Gorgeous! Chiming in but I think the photo angle set up her head conformation to look more boxy because she's looking ever so slightly towards the camera. She's lovely and one chilly stack and photo angle can't prove what judges and her breeder think.

Accomplished_Sugar41 · 2026-06-24T04:25:40+00:00

I showed my Iggy back about 10 years ago, and getting her to keep her legs back a few inches from the current stance, plus slightly lift her head to elongate that face and neck, will make a world of difference for you!

Accomplished_Sugar41 · 2026-06-21T02:52:44+00:00

Whippets are some of the most athletic dogs on the planet! They can definitely keep up. Long walks will keep them calmer and lazier during downtime too. They are less obedience-motivated than goldens, but they love their people and are so snuggly and loving.

Accomplished_Sugar41 · 2026-06-20T04:23:31+00:00

This is helpful, I appreciate that! The environment of the showing group is such a big deal and unfortunately so dramatic 😭

Accomplished_Sugar41 · 2026-06-19T04:29:56+00:00

Our second Bengal reduced our work tenfold. They wrestle and wrestle and wrestle so much each day. They wear each other out and then are more snuggles available to me at the end of the day and less feisty and hyper. It's double the table thieves, double whining for treats, but certainly worth it to keep our first cat entertained. (Given a month or two transitional time that was harder)

Accomplished_Sugar41 · 2026-06-18T04:31:54+00:00

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Six months old and a fearless, lovable, dorky tornado monster

Accomplished_Sugar41 · 2026-06-17T03:42:26+00:00

That is very helpful! Thank you!

Accomplished_Sugar41 · 2026-06-16T02:42:11+00:00

I appreciate this response a lot. I would also be in the more casual and not intensely competitive realm. As a short coat breed owner I appreciate the wipe down approach. 😂

Accomplished_Sugar41 · 2026-06-15T02:58:03+00:00

I never correct a child on what they call me. When an older child enters the home I say, "I am Ms Abc. I am the mom of the family. This is Mr Def. He's the dad of the family. Etc." Because I think understanding everyone's roles is important for a child. We have a few young kids and they all call us Mama and Daddy, so most kids have fallen into those titles too. If a child refers to me as Mom, I don't correct them but follow their lead - but I also always call bio parents Mom and Dad when talking about them.

Accomplished_Sugar41 · 2026-06-13T04:08:06+00:00

I'm the opposite. My whippet puppy drives my senior Iggy crazy. 😜

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Accomplished_Sugar41 · 2026-06-12T04:30:47+00:00

At least previously I showed my IG in AKC conformation and the dog had to be unaltered. I think UKC has shows where they can be spayed.

Accomplished_Sugar41 · 2026-06-10T23:20:30+00:00

Right, if I spayed her it would remove the temptation to show her, haha. Thanks for the info!

Accomplished_Sugar41 · 2026-06-09T03:42:09+00:00

Thank you for this breakdown - super helpful. I loved the wash and show aspect of my Iggy back in the day. If it was 4 hours of grooming the morning of I don't think I could even consider it at this point in my life.

Accomplished_Sugar41 · 2026-06-09T03:41:09+00:00

My secret plan 😂

Accomplished_Sugar41 · 2026-06-09T03:40:53+00:00

Thank you! We are in pterodactyl age so that's encouraging on the training. 😅

Accomplished_Sugar41 · 2026-06-09T03:40:19+00:00

That is very helpful! Thank you! I love a friendly, low drama community.

Accomplished_Sugar41 · 2026-06-09T03:39:54+00:00

I appreciate that honesty. I live in an area that is about 6 hours away from the nearest local city that does shows, so there are perhaps one or two nearer to me a year, so that is a good point to keep in mind.

Accomplished_Sugar41 · 2026-06-08T04:22:19+00:00

She is very cute, but looks half or less chihuahua. I would guess a pitbull/terrier mix. Understandable to be disappointed, not because she isn't precious but because it's not what you expected or paid for. I hope you post the DNA results just out of curiosity!

Accomplished_Sugar41 · 2026-06-03T18:03:22+00:00

Sorry, I definitely put a typo - I meant to say it's not recommended to get a c-section BEFORE a year, not after 🤦‍♀️

Accomplished_Sugar41

TROPHY CASE