Snowysal

Thats lovely - I too have had the experience of sneaking my BC into a nursing home many years ago and she was welcomed with open arms and much joy. She in turn went to each person and gave them her undevided attention, gently standing 2 legs on beds of those who couldnt be up - it was a heartening experience I shall never forget.

It sux that the nursing home(your new friends are from) doesnt allow animals, I thought all nursing homes were enlightened to the benefits and joy they brought by now.

Maybe they need petitioning to bring them into the new mellenium - for the benefit of current and future inhabitants.

I'm interested in how long the crossing takes? What time does the ship load and then leave and how long before you get back to your car/dogs the next day? and is that both ways? is it expensive to take a dog or more?

Were down here in NSW and cant help you but wish you the very best of luck and good for you helping the little ones and their Mum. Hopefully the Qld contingent of DOL can get something happening here - Pacers may have some suggestions too.

Please keep us posted on how it all pans out.

keep us posted ILDD..... very interested to see this - so were looking at next week at this stage? - Do they show this person?

We got one for Sienna the other day - a large for $50 and she loves it - its perfect size for an XXL crate.

Well go back and get at least another one maybe 2 large and at least one probably 3 medium for George and cats when they are not so well.

But our guys dont eat their beds really any more either.

Where on the border are you rugerun (PM if you prefer) we are near Cooma in the snowies on the NSW side - would love to meet your Pack one day - youll have trouble dragging Dust Angel and I away from them and have to count heads when we leave

They are devine pups - Ill never forget how they can turn to molten lava with affection ,Ive seen Harvey (and too many others) literally drip off the lounge in the evening, Ive also see the grown dogs fight and believe me - they can be killing machines if not properly socialised and given plenty of (what I call) brain food - entertainment and interest.

I would dread to see one shut and left in a city back yard.

Two sets of human fingers and 10 sets of paws and 9 10(oops forgot the piggie) sets of hoofs crossed here for you - nasty spot your in there but hopefully you can see the light now.

I have only just become aware of this thread.My family bred hounds for manyy years - we used to have up to 20 pair. We had a hunt club - the Bythorn Hunt on the outskirts of Sydney. There are DOLers who remember them.

Sadly those days have passed, along with my parents and the last of the hounds died a peaceful death here at Bythorn snoozing in the shade of a tree overlooking the valley about 5 years ago.he had by that time become a house dog - Old Sargeant - testament to the breeding, my parents named each litter from the alphabet - the first litter were Ajax,Atlas etc etc.

It all started in my early teens - the whole family hunted with the Sydney Hunt Club (I think they may still exist and have experienced Hound people who maybe able to help you) and Mum na dad were presented with a gorgeous hound pup we called Harvey. he was loved by all and became the foundation of their pack. he was a huge strong dog with a wonderful nature.

On the up side. They are easy going , a bit dopey, friendly, loving, animated social animals.

On the down side - hard to train (focus) and all training goes straight out the door when overpowered by the ever present scent instinct. I ve seen them just bolt on a scent regardless of anything and everything.

This can cause problems with them as house dogs because their sense of smell is so very much more acute then most dogs - so they can be destructive to get to what they want.

I have so many memories of our hounds and packs belonging to friends. I can still remember taking 3 on leads in the old Sydney showground after being shown, back to the truck so they could go home - I must have been about 14 I think - I had absolutely no control - they were so strong, my dad was following with another 4 and the owner (my dads bestie) had another 4 - fortunately all hounds knew where they were going and wanted to get there and get the hell out of that crazy alien place and back to the kennels but gee what a ride lol.

I believe SA still has hunt clubs (and therefore hound experienced people) as well - I will email a few people tomorrow and see if anyone has any ideas from my old connections.

Where exactly is this fellow, his age etc.

Since we have a whole nother MONTH..both Dust Angel and I are pumped to do a square each from Bythorn park and our menagerie...I think this is a wonderful idea - very inspired and I would like to say THANKYOU to those of you who are organising and making up this quilt - I look forward to the photos of the finished product.I take my hat off to your generosity (specialy if I was wearing one lol)and spirit, I could not do it myself due to time constraints and talent deficiencies.

So very very glad Chi has been a survivor in this tragedy that poor Jed has to endure - one less loved one for her to grieve and one small almighty body and spirit to help lift her back up when the time comes.

You might like to try a coat drive.

I did one last year for the Canberra area and DOLers sent heaps of coats,collars and leads and quite a few other bits and pieces suplus to their needs and they all went to DAS (Canberra pound)and local rescue groups. I simply dont have the time this year but the response was phenomenal and many doggies were kept warmer . eg its -6' here right now and the pounds are cold places.

Good Luck and I hope you find/make/get donated lots of doggie winter warmers.

look here.........

Dremel lives under my bed with it's charger. I have about 6 chargers under there all going at once permanently. I am sure that is not good

You have turned your bed into a giant firestarter....thats REALY scary...can you put your bank of chargers in the garage or something. Its just that if the plugs give up and set of a spark (Ive seen it happen) especially being overloaded - and your not home - or are - either way....god knows we all know how devastating a house fire can be with our own poor Jed's tragic current situation.

Please please please be safe and do something right now about this.........

In fact Ive done the same myself but now Im a bit more diligent in turning things off.

I havnt read through this whole thread but in answer to OP's topic question, in my over 50 years of living with dogs, cats, horses and others - without a doubt YES, and in a good and positive way for the animals sanity and happiness.

And in doing THAT your life beomes a whole lot easier and happily to cohabit with them too.

The only reason NOT to desex in my opinion include medical reasons(rare), showing and registered breeding.

Lets see now - starting from the front door, as you walk in theres coat hooks and shoe stands on the right, there are some collars and leads of various strengths and sizes hanging and lying around for dogs and cats there - also a toy or two maybe even a coat along with an ever eveolving collection of drizabones,umbrellas,crops,spurs,boots,shoes,keys,walking sticks,jackets,hats and boot jacks and door stops

then in the room on the right there is 3 crates (2 up and ready for cats or dogs with bedding already in ) several doonas , blankets, water bowls and toys and a basket full of leads,collars and harnesses - theres also the odd toy strewn around.

the next room on the right (our computer room) has a couple of igloos in it.

my room has 2 crates set up for 2 dogs sleeping quaters and my bathroom has a water bowl,

the kitchen has a water bowl and the dogs feed bowls are kept there - there bikkies are in a large black plastic garbage bin in the pantry near the cat bikkies tub and baby animal food(currently a kitten)

Lounge has 3 more crates set up and a large cane toy basket - many of which are frequently strewn through the entire house - in the dining room behind an antique grandfather chair is a giant wicker basket overflowing with pyjamas and coats of all sizes and discriptions. the laundry has a cupboard with various mixtures, shampoos,gadgets etc(cooling pads etc)and a shelf full of rolled up pet towels there is a fridge and freezer also which contain all fresh pet foods. DAs room has 2 more large soft dog beds taking up all her floor space so that her 2 girls have to sleep with her

The doggie door leads from the laundry out into the dog yard which has clam shells in summer, a couple of large shade trees , a car portwith a lounge and dog bed for them and theres 3 kennels if thay want to be outside the door.

Spoil our dogs

Never

It is important to put it in writing as a formal complaint to the council - best to do this whlst its still fresh in their minds - its also imortant to go to the police and make a statement and of course keep copies and notes of everything.

Compiling a file at this time would be a really good idea - names, photos of everything(even if they are sneaky ones) like people and fences and even the other dogs if they get a chance.. Somtimes things like this take a very long time to be resolved - long after memory fades.

I hope Tyson makes a full recovery given time.

me too - a fav for us, you need to PM to Fifi - she knows a GREAT DEAL on this breed, an expert. Shell give you incredible advise on the breed also.

Been around a little while too,seen some stuff, learned a lot,hopefully contributed at least a little and maybe even helped someone along the way from my own decades of experiences,agreed and disagreed but try not to post unless I have something positive to say. Got bored with a lot of the same old from time to time but never questioned Troys job - not one I would care for.

I think perhaps unless a few forum members are not physically capable of having a life off the computer , most people who love their animals need to spend a fair portion of their time caring for and providing for them( for me that means working)- guess Im trying to say - dont get it all out of proportion and if it feels that way - log off and go cuddle your dogs or take them for a run and remeber what brought you here.

Takes off back to the less controversial OT.

PS - just seen the new xmas emoticons Troy

Our dogs are fairly cat friendly - they live with 5 but if they run they will be chased - not harmed just chased and they must be prepared to cop a fairly thorough poking all over by nose and stood over.

When we go to the vets its such a novel and intimidating place because of the smell and atmosphere - cats are safe plus they are obviously always on a lead. Not too many dogs behave at the vets I reckon and cats dont help for those that hate them. But then you never know who or what your going to encounter there either - having said that it would help if a handy high crate was available to pop resident cats in when occasion demands - makes sense and displays responsible ownership and role model.

Good for you, please let us know where you are and what your offering.

Personally I would like somewhere that has a secure environment to run the dogs ie a yard/area that they cant have access to run on a road etc. for last thing at night ,first thing in the morning and in the middle of the night emergencies (cos you never know)In hot weather it would be nice to have a clamshell full of water as well for them.

Our dogs live indoors and have access via a doggie door to a secure large yard - they sleep in their beds or crates in our bedrooms at night - others may be happy with weatherproof warm/cool secure yards for whilst the owners are out - you may like to ask for vaccination certificates or a some form of health check so that guests precious pets have a degree of safety - health wise. There are some nasties out there that I would not be happy to bring home, especially from a holiday I paid for eg parvo and even kennel cough.

I filled it out as an owner of a dangerous dog and did not hold back in my condemnation either.

Even now weeks on I think of them often and my heart aches for your dreadful loss.

You were a privileged person to have had such joy that now perversely is such extreme grief.I have never met you nor your dogs but work in the city in which you live and heard the daily news reports on the incident, I thought of you then, as I do often still nowi dont know how i would cope under your strain.

I hope the scum who caused this will suffer a far far worse fate

Our 3 GSP girls are great with everyone from new babies to older folk but do expect at least recognition on meeting or they get a bit put out and sulk. Diva's all of them.As for escaping - Alcatraz here keeps them in check- just but if one small checkpoint is left unguarded or unpatrolled or (heaven forbid)open - theyre out, not so much to run away as to play in the paddocks, hunt birds on the dam or (very bad) chase rabbits, roos or birds till they are exhausted or hungry when they come home. They dont chase stock (have no interest) and very very rarely leave the property if ever. Girls just wanna have fun, most often (all except Lunar) will come when called back anyway.

Theyve all been round the horses all along so dont take much notice of them and know to stay out of theyre way.

We have another 5 cats here, we love them all in their own way, all of them rescues but I look at the crate in the lounge room where our little girl(Ellie) spent her last week,, warm near the fire, and I see it empty, and tears come to my eyes and the sharp pain of her loss to my heart instantly.

Its almost too painful - losing them,almost enough to never want to have them again so you don't have to bear the pain that reflects the love - almost.

Oh Nat - we talked of these only last week - I feel so deeply for you , they say it should be easier when theyve had a good long run but I dont know, I think the bonds are so much stronger.

Thinking of you , your family and Elliot.

The pain directly reflects the love.