Loving my Oldies

All states are different. Pounds are controlled by state and local govts. And then some pounds just do their own thing.

I don't think we'll get a better definition than that! :D Excellent and succinct.

Yes, I give "directions" too , Corvus.

The Hornsby Council is pretty good and don't have a limit on the numbers of dogs you have providing there aren't any complaints, but they might be a bit put out at a poddy in the back yard.

Are you walking them separately? I guess it is fairly easy for me because I live in a quiet area, in that my street is the end of the road and so the people walking around and the children playing live in the area. However, there is a playground at the top of my street and I approach it with all antennae up ready to take charge. I have been known to put my hand up like a policeman and yell, "Stop!" Too bad if I look and sound ridiculous. My first concern is my dogs and I won't have them crowded by noisily excited children. Vi, just be firm. If you are approaching children watch for the first sign that they are going to run or come quickly towards you and YELL at them to stop and tell them they are frightening your dog. If you are having to address Emmy's fear and the children are already upon you, she is going to have ever worsening problems and the time may come when she is an adult and bigger that she snaps through fear. Tell the children that if they want to pat her, they have to be quiet, gentle, not crowd around, they have to crouch down, not bend over her, etc etc. You have to address your concerns and reactions too; you won't get tense if you feel you are in charge and can control the situation.

Yes, me too. Wouldn't it be wonderful.... and such a great excuse for a trip to my home state. Thinking of the reunion, Jed. Hopefully no bandages get ripped off in the excitement.

Thank you. (Personal interest as my mother died from Idiopathic Thrombocyopenia.)

What is PCV, please?

I'm with Crazy Daisy and Danielle, Lucy's mama. I have no knowledge, but just wanted to send you and Lucy sympathies and big hugs.

Well done.

Wasn't it, just? Pretty teary myself. There were even a couple of cans of food at the memorial . You must feel very content to be part of a community like Goolwa, Jules.

That must have been very very hard :D and your meeting the dogs again will be so bitter-sweet, Jed. Just a bit of trivia: I did a search on all my topics last night (I can't remember now what I was looking for ), but I found one I'd posted in 2004 wondering about the breed mix of a little dog I'd rescued at that time. You'd posted in that thread . BTW, the little dog, Tamar, is still with me six years later .

What an amazing job you have done Pipsal, against so many odds. You are to be congratulated. Well done.

Great updates, folks. Any more?

Good morning Jed. You and yours are always in the thoughts of the Mooch City dwellers.

Oh that is absolutely hilarious, S/C. I can see it all. Poor Tango must have been sooooo shocked at not getting his way. Way to go, girl. (Obviously it is a day for the girls !!)

Mufti is having tomato paste in his food everyday. I haven't noticed any changes yet, but then he has stopped biting his bottom - thank goodness. He enjoys it too. I probably put about two teaspoons in just one of his meals, either breakfast or dinner.

Good to hear that Kuma is okay. As for Japanese names, although he wasn't an Akita, Kisho's (a rescue dog I have just rehomed) name is Japanese also. It is from a book called “Dog Man: An Uncommon Life on a Faraway Mountain” by Martha Sherrill. The book is the story of Morie (Mor-ee-ay) Sawataishi and his obsessive devotion and dedication to bringing the Akita back from virtual extinction after the World War II. A man who know that Morie was looking for excellent specimens of the breed had brought a puppy, Three Good Lucks, to Morie and Morie had taken the dog who turned out to be truly magnificent in both physical beauty and nature. Extract from the book: Morie wanted to find a simpler way to define and express the essential thing about Three Good Lucks that made him stand apart, aside from physical beauty and strength – things that were easy to spot. There had to be one concept that could cover all the ground, one expression that could be used to define an ideal, if only in Morie’s mind. Eventually he came up with something. He decided that Three Good Lucks had kisho. [in the book the two characters that make up the meaning are printed here.] Ki means spirit. Sho means personality or disposition. Together, as Morie interprets the characters, these two ideas mean: vitality, good energy, good instincts, intelligence, and alertness. “It’s a personality trait, a kind of strength and life force,” Morie says. “These inner qualities are less easy to pinpoint, but you can see them if you look carefully in a dog’s eyes – and study a dog’s reactions to the world.” The book is really worth reading, totally fascinating.

I think I go along with the above as well. Except I don't want those dancing elephants to fall on Charlie :D

You've got onto it early and hopefully your diligence will pay off for Kuma. I find it interesting actually, because I've recently rescued a little dog from Renbury pound who, judging by her teeth, could be ancient. Yet she is lively, happy and she came through the vet examination with flying colours and if it weren't for her dreadful teeth, you'd think she was maybe only middle aged.

Why stop at two ? Lovely photo.

I wish you lived here too! . You'd be great advertising for the shop I'm sure!! (then I could pay my vet bills! ) I'd be out on the footpath spruiking

I think that this is the point a lot of people miss or don't get.

A beautiful tribute for a really beautiful dog. Find Sari, please Magnus, and teach her to love and accept love the way you have given and received so much.

Oh, what a gorgeous little darling. I wish I lived in Adelaide so I could frequent your shop and make sure everyone I knew (or even those I didn't) did so too.