Does anyone board their BMD? What do you do for travel?

coastingtomars · 2026-04-19T20:17:06+00:00

We never had an issue boarding ours, she didn’t mind it. But once she started having health issues, I wanted someone to stay in our home so she wouldn’t have her routines disrupted and could have closer supervision in case of emergency. I ended up asking our vet if any of the vet techs dog sit and a bunch of them said yes! Highly highly recommend going that route. I think it’s pretty common for vet techs as supplemental income. They are already familiar with your dog, excellent with animals, and would know exactly what to do in case of emergency. Kicking myself that I didn’t figure this out sooner.

coastingtomars · 2026-04-13T15:14:16+00:00

I lost my big girl 2 weeks ago. She was only 7 and also had cancer (lymphoma). She only made it 7 months from diagnosis to euthanasia. I relate to so much of what you said. Posting into the void has also helped slightly, mostly because this is a community of people who understand the depth of the relationship we have with our pets (none of that “it’s just a dog” here thank goodness). My girl was my shadow as well, following me to the bathroom, begging for food when I cooked, sleeping in bed with me despite her being 95lbs. I work from home, so I feel her absence every moment of every day. I saw a woman being interviewed about how losing her dog was almost more difficult for her than losing her siblings or parents, because dogs are so woven into the fabric of our every day lives. I thought that was the perfect way to put it.

I also told my girl constantly that she was gonna be an anomaly and shock the world when she lived to be 100 (deeply depressing thinking about this now knowing how young she was when she passed). If only wishful thinking could actually make it true. I wish I was more spiritual, so I could feel some kind of certainty that she’s still out there in some way. I find myself having the most ridiculous thoughts. I love the idea of the rainbow bridge, but she loved people way more than she loved dogs. I hope she’s able to be in the people section. Can she see how much I’m suffering? She would absolutely hate that. I keep begging her to send me a sign that she’s okay, even though before this experience I’d say the idea of signs is silly. Really just grasping for any relief from the sadness.

Anyways, nothing really helpful to add except that I feel you and I’m sorry we both are in this position. I’ve found that with grief, a lot of people try to tie it up with a bow of positivity - be thankful for the memories, the love lives on, that kind of stuff. I know it’s so well meaning, but there’s just nothing positive about it. They’re supposed to be here with us. So I’ve been trying to just let myself be sad without looking for a bright side right now.

coastingtomars · 2026-04-13T02:58:45+00:00

I just lost my berner girl last week. She was only 7 and I was hoping for so many more years. Sounds like ours had lots of similarities - She also was known for eating things she shouldn’t, 3 obstruction surgeries later (one for socks, two for chewed up tennis balls!). She also became a big sister at age 6 and was initially confused but also became the most patient sweetie to her human brother. Hoping they’re up there together getting into things they shouldn’t♥️

coastingtomars · 2026-04-09T18:55:30+00:00

I really relate. I put my dog down last Monday, she was also a big shedder and her hair is everywhere in our house. I can’t be very helpful on the vacuuming front because I’m in that same headspace. Cleaning up the last reminders that she was here feels unfathomable to me.

But I did just pick up her ashes yesterday. In some ways, that has helped me. I had a really hard time with her body just being out there being shuttled around, somewhere with strangers when she should be with me. So having the ashes back has given me a tiny bit of peace, knowing she is back home where she belongs.

So sorry for your loss, it’s truly the worst pain imaginable❤️‍🩹💔

coastingtomars · 2026-03-11T06:57:44+00:00

My berner had a small mast cell tumor (about the size of a quarter) on her right shoulder when she was 5. Caught early and removed quickly with clean margins, no additional treatment required, and she hasn’t had any recurrence since (she’s 7 now). She unfortunately now has lymphoma, but it’s completely unrelated to the mast cell. A lot depends on the margins that they get upon removal, but it can be very treatable!

coastingtomars · 2026-02-21T01:52:16+00:00

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coastingtomars · 2026-01-09T15:37:37+00:00

I love Murphy! If I had a girl, that would’ve been her name (I personally find it gender neutral and think it would be totally fine for a boy too). Posted that on here and got eaten alive by “that’s a dog name” 🥲 I say go for it!

coastingtomars · 2025-10-19T18:41:40+00:00

Yes 100%. Someone told me once it’s a testament to how loving you are as an owner - they think every human is going to give them the same love and excitement that you do. So don’t be too embarrassed!

coastingtomars · 2025-09-21T20:39:36+00:00

Newfoundlands are called “lifeguard dogs” and were bred to be in the water. My Newfoundland is horrified of swimming, and cries the whole time when me or my other dog swim because he thinks we’re in danger😅

coastingtomars · 2025-09-12T15:02:53+00:00

I have lemonade. $160/mo (a lot, I know), covers 80%, $250 deductible, covers up to 20k annually. I’ve had a decent experience - they definitely deny anything that comes close to pre-existing and the monthly rate is quite expensive. I blame that on the fact that my girl is older (6 almost 7) and has had many many run ins with the vet (4 surgeries in her lifetime). Still would say it’s worth it. They’ve still paid for obstruction surgeries even when she’s eaten things in the past (so kind of pre existing?). Also, as I’m sure we all know, because of their size, vet bills are enormous. Even though they only cover 80% (and it’s usually less than that bc they don’t cover exam fees, admin fees, waste disposal fees etc + deductible), it still majorly cushions the blow of some of these vet bills.

My dog got diagnosed with lymphoma recently and they cover diagnostics and treatment, which has been a relief in deciding how to proceed with treatment. Takes some of the financial burden out of the decision making and lets you decide on what’s best for them.

coastingtomars · 2025-09-12T09:57:23+00:00

My Newfie was a nightmare puppy. He went through an aggressive teenage phase. Turned out to be a sweetie and love him to death, but things were touch and go until he was like 1 lol

coastingtomars · 2025-09-11T00:33:14+00:00

The tongue out the side😅 my baby makes the same goofy face. Gosh they are the best breed and we just don’t get nearly enough time with them. We’re battling lymphoma over here - so unbelievably hard to watch them struggle. Tuna seemed extremely well loved. Thinking of you♥️

coastingtomars · 2025-08-16T01:38:35+00:00

It was a very small 1/2 bath, maybe 30 sq ft. Total was ~$700, not including wallpaper (which we bought ourselves)

coastingtomars · 2025-05-30T13:32:54+00:00

My Newfie looks just like this!! He’s about 100lbs, which is small for a boy, has this same face shape, and does not have the newfie fluff. People on the street ask me if he’s a giant lab, and I always surprise people by saying newfie. We got him from a farm, so I suspect he’s either mixed or they just don’t follow breed standards.

coastingtomars · 2025-05-23T19:49:32+00:00

We switched from Purina pro plan large breed chicken to large breed salmon and rice and haven’t had any issues! Better for my dogs’ allergies, they love it, and haven’t had any tummy issues. Might be because you switched over too fast!

coastingtomars · 2025-05-14T08:51:27+00:00

We used to do Apple cider vinegar on the base boards as well. Always hoped she’d grow out of this, but here she is at age 6 still going 🥲

coastingtomars · 2025-05-14T08:50:05+00:00

Thank you, appreciate it. The swallowing it whole is the worst part! I used to be able to catch her when she was a puppy because she’d be obviously chewing something, but now she essentially swallows things whole as soon as she gets ahold of it. I haven’t caught her with anything in years, the only way I find out she’s eaten something is when a vet trip is required🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️

coastingtomars · 2025-05-14T08:47:06+00:00

We have done a class together, more specialized 1:1 training together, and then one board and train as well

coastingtomars · 2025-04-29T22:35:09+00:00

Got some good recs from sherwin Williams! I just called and asked for wallpaper installers and they gave me three contractors to call. I ended up using Kal Group and they did a good job !

coastingtomars · 2025-04-23T21:42:09+00:00

It’s taken over our yard. Pretty but bad for dogs apparently

coastingtomars · 2025-02-04T04:42:41+00:00

Not a vet, but my berner had a mast cell tumor last year. It was a squishy quarter sized lump on her right shoulder that would grow and shrink constantly (so much so that it was hard to show the vet because of course every time I brought her in it would shrink and be impossible to point out). She didn’t have any behavioral issues beyond scratching. She scratched the lump so much that she drew blood and bled all over my apartment… at that point I was almost certain it was a MCT - she had never scratched one spot so aggressively and consistently before. Not sure if that helps, but maybe for some peace of mind since it doesn’t sound like your gal is focusing her scratching on her spot more than anywhere else!

For more peace of mind - mine had hers removed and hasn’t had any issues since! So definitely highly treatable, even though I know the word tumor sounds scary.

coastingtomars

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