westiemum

Beautiful!  Even though I'm not so much a 'puppy person', these are just gorgeous! 

Done.  While Andy's epilepsy is mild and unmedicated and not the main focus of the survey, I thought it important to fill out what I could. 

I've no idea which model I have, but I had tiles and carpets at the old house and the stick dyson did very well as a 'between main cleans touch-up'. Particularly after I spent a hour or two unclogging the head.   

Done.

Good work - a well thought out and simple to complete survey.  Will be very interested in your results.

22 hours ago, Powerlegs said:

That's a really good question, never thought of that before.

I've seen pop-up rescues, seemingly very inexperienced, get into trouble very fast. You have to work within your means.

That being said, you can toddle along quite nicely with even the best management and some cash behind you but one massive unforeseen bill and you're done for.  Rescue is unpredictable that way.  

 

IMHO if there's a constant & desperate begging for help, they should be encouraged or assisted to get their fundraising approval so they can put out donation tins, do bbq's, approach businesses, sell merchandise. Pro active stuff.  

 

The term enabling makes me think of hoarding though. Without naming names, is that what you're seeing? 

 

 

Yep absolutely corrrect PL.  Which is why I never take more than one rescue dog at a time (although I'm often asked to take 'just one more').  One is all I can do, my breed rescue (westies) is usually expensive and I'd rather stay well within my capabilities than fail a whole bunch of needy dogs. 

On 4/5/2018 at 1:18 PM, W T said:

this is a pure breed forum?

 

now, pure breed is for many dog owners linked somehow to quality. And the term quality is often used by breeders to justify the price for the dog, and I guess there is nothing wrong with it.

 

However, if I see the quality of some dogs (age, blind, deaf, on medications etc.) advertised for adoption, IMO it is understandable that people interested in these kind of dogs might think that the adoption fee asked for is too high.

Gawd WT - that's a slippery slope - so do you discount eyes more than ears, what about legs?  And what happens if the 'problem' is simply cosmetic (damaged tail etc)? So no absolutely not.  Dogs are not 'products' and ' commodities' that are discounted if the box is damaged.  Rescue dogs are not 'damaged goods' who need to be discounted anymore than people with disabilities are.   

Rural Pugs 'solution', is the best one - people need to learn that the vast majority of rescue dogs cost big bucks.  The only rescue dog I've ever 'given away' was a surrender who cost me nothing except food and time.  The most expensive rescue I've re-homed I was out of pocket well over $2000.  So $350 for a fully worked rescue dog where the dog is matched behaviourally as well,  is a fantastic deal.  And people need to get with it - or go buy a puppy from Gumtree (and all the risks that entails!) or from a registered breeder.   

On 6/21/2018 at 12:10 PM, Christine_72 said:

@westiemum Where's Pete's Petfood located? I googled, and nothing came up. I'm down South, not far from Mclaren Vale.

Hi Christine_72.  No nothing will come up on google - its a 'one man' operation and he works entirely on referrals.  His name is Terry ('Pete' is his dog) and his food is human grade.   He delivers as far as McLaren Vale and is here once a month.  I'll PM you his phone number. 

On 6/21/2018 at 12:11 PM, Papillon Kisses said:

So... bought anything yet?  

Yep!  Bought three from Little Gifts.  Exactly what I was looking for.  I'll post photos when they arrive.  Mia is very excited. And after they arrive I'll look amongst all your suggestions for the next lot!   Thanks everyone - really appreciate your help and advice.

OK - thanks all - I think its sorted.  Fingers and paws crossed for Frank. 

22 hours ago, Helen&thehounds said:

I just watched it on iView- it's the segment after mortgage and interest rates- scary. 

 

I thought I didn't have time to do all the balancing and mixing for raw food feeding. .. but maybe I will find the time. 

 

https://iview.abc.net.au/show/7-30

 

Watch here if interested. 

And if time is a problem, see if you can find a reliable local raw supplier - there's sure to be one in your neck of the woods somewhere - they are worth their weight in gold.  Terry who operates Pets Petfoods here is a legend. And if he can he will even customise for me.  

Oh and BTW for anyone in or near McLaren Vale, (south of Adelaide), the Country Butcher (the 'top end' butcher in the main drag) makes his own liver treats - and they are sensational. 

5 hours ago, sandgrubber said:

Sounds like business as usual.  I'd love to see a critical doco on raw food practices as well.  I've seen some pretty slimy frames and bones being sold as pet food in Oz.  I'm in NZ now...a gross very fatty product is marketed locally as being 'natural'.  Dogs have been fed garbage from the earliest domestication.  They seem to do ok on many things, including some pretty revolting stuff.  

Yep agreed - which is why I buy human grade, necks, frames and raw mixture (Pete's Petfoods for anyone in Adelaide). 

While this actually makes me very sad...  I'm posting in the hope that someone might known someone who can help Frank the greyhound out... Link here. He looks and sounds like a lovely boy. 

And putting here in the hope more people see him...

He certainly deserves a good home ...

Thanks tons SM - And she's just up the road from me too!  xx 

I'm still on a US group for LP-GOLPP from Mac days - and the number of pet food recalls that c ome through on that feed in the US is truly horrifying. 

I'll never understand how people can put their precious four-leggeds at such risk by feeding them this stuff.  Particularly as the appalling way the pet food industry operates has been known for years.  Its nothing but Maccas for dogs.   I feed myself nothing but 'whole foods' and I feed my pups nothing but human grade raw whole foods either. Do people really believe that pet food companies have the health of their pets at heart at the expense of their profits? Nuts if they do.  

20 hours ago, Little Gifts said:

There is a gorgeous westie embroidered hand towel coming up tonight too! Not made by me of course. Also MTD does the most beautiful animal themed accessories. We are very fond of our individualised poo bag holders in this house!

Uhm... yes its sold  - its mine! LOL!!  

10 hours ago, Little Gifts said:

I make 3 different types that sell on Craft for Paws, who raise money for 11 different animal rescue groups. All the ones I make are made from fleece fabric. I make a pom pom ball (for a dog who likes balls but doesn't like hard rubber ones) for $5, a squeaky stuffed dog bone for $5 and my latest is a crinkle chew which is a large bone shaped toy with a plait tug off the bottom, stuffed corners and you can put an empty water bottle inside the back of it for $10. I've added a link to the last album. If you like any and want any in a certain colour or print I'd be happy to make and send to you for a like donation to Craft for Paws (also tax deductible). You will see some other dog toys in the album. Mine will be be listed as 'Made by Alyson Dean'. You'll need to scroll down to the sold section to find them (if you can't find let me know and I'll post pics of them here). New items are loaded every Sunday night at 8pm. People buy straight away but as I said, happy to make for you for the same donation if you like the look of the toys I am currently making.

 

 

LG these are perfect! Exactly what I was looking for!   I'll PM you. 

Thanks everyone - it sure shows how out of touch I am with the dog toy world - I've never heard of some of these. 

Thanks so much - lots of exciting things to explore for my girl - that hollee roller sounds like great fun!  

1 hour ago, Boronia said:

There will sure to be a local craft/sewing group near you WM (commonly called stitch and bitch clubs), maybe ask if they can make you some.

and...

where do you think you get off saying that you HAVE A NEW PUP and not posting photos

and...

A WESTIE AT THAT

I can't believe you would do that!

 

  Haha!  Thanks B - I have a legitimate excuse.  I got her, then promptly  moved house (60 km) and am still up to my eyeballs in boxes.  (Anyone like to unpack a box this arvo in return for beautiful McLaren Vale wine and a lunch and/or dinner and a cuddle with my gorgeous pair? LOL!). 

I promise I'll introduce her properly in the next week or so - after I get some good photos of her.  She came from Christine Moore, a brilliant breeder from Port Macquarie.   And to satisfy the westie lovers heres a photo of her on a bed, just after she arrived. And yes she is the most lovely natured beautiful girl!  A real smoocher!

Thanks Perse - I'll have a look - do you have any specific recommendations for westie size dogs?  I have very little experience with dog toys and I'm honestly not sure what's suitable and what isn't.  I have a 'Bobalot' from Mac days, which I'll try and find and see if she likes that as well.  She liked a squeaky pig thing at a friends place last week but it was made in China and I wasn't overly thrilled with it. 

Hi All,

For the first time in living memory I have a new westie girl (not a puppy farm rescue) who actually likes to play with dog toys.  I've looked in two shops but they are all, absolutely all made in China, which makes me nervous (whats in the plastic? And they don't look at all flash or safe). 

Does anyone know of a brand of an Australian made brand of dog toys?  Or have a brand they recommend?

Or am I being overly cautious/nervous?

Thanks all. 

On 6/10/2018 at 7:43 AM, asal said:

I love standard poodles, my mum had Tillbrook Le Aigleon or something like that, I remember she said she was named little eagle in french, that was 1971

 

awesome amazing girl.

 

mum loved to spend hours grooming and clipping her and Tilly just loved to lie there and be pampered for as long as mum took to get her looking beautiful, she was always in a lamb clip.

 

her most noteworthy incidents aside from empeccable manners and obedience was the day a lady door knocker spotted mum in the back yard and let herself in and tapped mum on the shoulder.  mum got such a fright she screamed, Tilly was off that grooming table so fast the women didnt know what hit her as tilly knocked her to the the ground and stood on her for scaring mum.

 

She became legend the day she  was spotted stopping my friends son from getting into the pool, he and nicked outside without anyone noticing he was missing. first time he did we heard him crying and found him at the foot of the stairs with Tilly holding his arm and would not let go until his mum picked him up and took him inside.

half an hour later it happened again. 

we all wondered why Tilly was doing this. but apart from slobber on his arm there wasnt a mark.

also we decided to keep a closer eye on him and sure enough out the door he nicked again as soon as he though we werent watching him, down the stairs and straight acroos to the pool, in those days no one had to fence their pool.

 

to our amazement, Tilly who normally would be the first into the pool with you, went straight to him, grabbed his arm and pulled him back to the foot of the stairs and kept him there crying and screaming for his mum as before. somehow she knew he was not safe in the water, (he was only 3 and couldnt swim very well yet)

 

I am sure many standard poodles are just as kind, gentle and incredably smart, just like Tilly

 

What few people realise is they are just as protective of their family as any cattle dog too.

 

although most people who see a cattledog on the other side of a fence wouldn't enter under any circumstances without the owner there. would go in if it was a poodle standing there instead and get quite the surprise when it gave them the "whats the password?"  look .

 

My cousins would steal anything they got their hands on and I learned very quickly the only way to secure my bedroom, (which did not have a lock on the door) was to quickly put a lead on my poodle Pickle and tie him to the leg of my bed so he had complete control of the area at my door, He never let them in and his low growl would tell me one had sneaked off to raid my room as we entertained their parents.

 

as for him he just knew so many tricks and games , will miss him to the day I die. as much as we do Tilly.

 

loved them to bits,

it was the hours of grooming they needed to be kept to their best that I stuck with the original breed my dad always had from day I was born after old age took Tilly. 

 

Just a wonderful story asal!  Damn you - yet another breed on my bucket list!! 

On 6/12/2018 at 4:07 PM, animallover99 said:

 

But I have learnt so so sooo much about dogs here on dol, we might be passionate crazy dog people. The advice you are being given comes from a deep love of dogs and the desire to want to best for each and every dog. 

And each and every person. 

jwt: while we can't stop you getting a dog, I agree absolutely with the advice you've received here.  And people have spent a lot of time and heart to give you really kind good (if straight!) advice. I'm very sorry if the advice is not what you want to hear - but that's a risk you take when you ask the sort of questions you have on a dog forum with so many very experienced people who have been around dogs their whole lives.  

We were all a newbie at some stage - yep me included and no-one is criticising you for that (in fact we're commending you and praising you for recognising your inexperience, limitations and asking questions).  Where the annoyance/criticism is coming in is that you don't seem to be learning from all the time, effort and advice people have given you in this thread to help you and your family.    Please hear this very clearly - a dog is not a toy, commodity or a piece on a chess board to be manipulated as required or shut way when they are not convenient and wheeled out when their presence is required. (Mine are snoring on the lounge on either side of me as I type this!)  They are living, breathing family members who want nothing more than to be with you, part of your social network and family (go on outings, go to the coffee shop, visit friends with dogs,  be with you, go to training, go for walkies and smell the pee-mail etc etc etc) and to please you.   

In my world (human resources, employee and industrial relations) we make a useful distinction, mentally 'dividing the world into people who can learn and people who can't/don't'. It helps us determine who we devote limited time and energy to - as you can't help everyone. We just don't have the time and resources.  People who can listen, take advice, make it their own and learn are a joy - they don't always 'get it' straight away but they recognise sound, wise advice when they hear it, start to make changes in their thinking and behaviour and get there in the end.  They show signs of 'getting it' along the way.  And in my game,  they are where we put our time and energy.  And the other group of non-learners, well... let's just say 'there are none so deaf as those who won't hear' - or act on good advice and learn. 

I think the jury is still out about which way this is going to end up. 

Ultimately, the advice here is that you and your family are not anywhere near ready for a new four-legged family member and a 15 year commitment. IMO you have a choice to make - take that advice yet stick around and learn.  You'll then know when your family is ready, you'll go well through the whole process of acquiring and looking after a dog for 15  or so years.  And it will more likely be a success. Or you can go ahead on the disastrous road you are currently on and ultimately come back here with 'your tail between your legs', and having to eat humble pie while you seek further help and advice to sort out a mess of your own creating. Or worse, end up with a dog surrendered to the pound for euthanasia and a distressed, distrustful family on your hands. 

Your choice.  And I soooo hope you make the right one.   Good luck and best wishes. 

Yep good decision.  There are some families that are just not suited to dogs - now or in the future.  And to be honest, jwt, I suspect yours might be one of them.

And my apologies for my 'troll' comment. It was simply how it looked and felt to me at the time.

8 hours ago, Dame Danny's Darling said:

I’m not doing anything as productive as writing a thesis , but when I go into the study and sit at the computer, I’m followed silently by four little dogs who settle on their beds and rarely make a sound ........  unless it is around dinner time and then Mezza might make his presence known.  

Mine do exactly the same DD -even my new little girl westie.  If I head to my home office to work my two lie at my feet and don't make a peep unless I move! No need to regiment or lock them away. They love to be with me and I love to be with them - but they also seem to know when I have to work.