Gallomph

Thanks everyone. I knew when I adopted the oldies that I might not have them for many years, but it's been gut-wrenching losing both of them within a month.

I lost my sweet old girl Jen Jen last week. Jen was the second of my adoptees from Senior Dog Rescue. She had been rescued from the pound in an awful state, practically bald and with blackened, crusty skin. The marvellous folks at Seniors put a huge amount of time, effort and love into rehabilitating her, and eventually her lovely coat and her sweet but feisty personality came to the fore. I adopted her two years ago, and she stayed with me for her retirement years. Jen Jen didn't care much for other dogs, but she loved ear rubs and cuddles with her person, enjoyed wombling around in the garden, sniffing the breeze, and loved to snooze away the day out on the verandah if the weather was pleasant. She was a lovely, quiet, undemanding companion.

Thanks everyone.

I lost my little buddy yesterday. Tim was a big personality in a little body, and he lived life full tilt, at 100 miles an hour, until the day before he passed away. He had a very dodgy heart though, and eventually it just couldn't keep up the pace. Tim was convinced that everyone in the world wanted to be his friend and cuddle him, and funnily enough, he was always right! Nobody could resist his wide eyed look of expectation. He was a great little watchdog - always the first to hear the gate squeak open, and he liked to think he kept the yard safe from possums and birds. He even chatted to the horses. Tim also had the amazing talent of using his 3kg body to take up 95% of a queen sized bed, although he graciously allowed me to have the remaining 5%, since I was a good foot-warmer for him! I adopted Tim from Seniors and Silkies Rescue, and I want to thank Linda for allowing me to adopt him, and for all the support and advice she's given me over the past 2 years.

Cook it outside!! On camp stove or BBQ if boiling, or take microwave outside. Otherwise it stinks out the house for hours.

One of the biggest risks is illegal landings by small boats (eg fishermen) from the islands. The coastline is too large and the border patrol resources are too small to cover everywhere. Shore camps of Indonesian fishermen are found fairly regularly. These people often bring animals with them as a fresh meat supply. Farmers have been worried about this for years, with respect to introduction of things like Foot & Mouth disease and Avian influenza. The govt maintains "sentinel stations" in various locations in the NT in an attempt to provide early warning of the introduction of exotic diseases.

I wouldn't use wild pig meat unless it's well cooked, due to the risk of trichinella.

Akita: Kyojin, Kuma American Staffordshire Terrier: Tua, Max, Juno Australian Shepherd: Banjo, Archie, Lottie Australian terrier: Bailey, Brandy, Jasper Australian Kelpie: Revan, Abby, Bluey, Cahill, Franky, Izzy, Spfyre, Milky, Kinta, Banjo Australian Kelpie X:Toby Bearded Collie: Charlie, Bonnie, Bailie Belgian Shepherd (Groenendael): Fleming, Ivy Border Collie: Roy, Molly, Kirra, Rory, Rumor, Diesel Borzoi: Oberon Boxer: Bruno, Nelsson Brittany: Zora Bull Terrier: Bonnerville Cane Corso: Ali Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: Bree, Ingrid, Jersey, Lacey, Fern, Floyd, Indy, Arnie, Joey, Renae Chihuahua: Chelsea and Pansy, Heidi, Bertie, Moose, Archi,Pepe, Squirt, Limpet Cocker Spaniel : Maggie Dalmatian: Appollo Dogue De Bordeaux: Moose & Chevy English Setter: Spartan, James Finnish Lapphund:Halo, Vienna, Jaana,Magnus,Aurora-Rose,Niina,Paddington,Maximus, Ahsoka, Fable, Demi,Varda, Asha, Boots French Bulldog: Lola, FeeBee German Coolie: FlashBazil, Latte German Shepherd: Java, Odin, Tlaloc, Rebus German Shorthaired Pointer: Pip, Coco, Polo Golden Retriever: Onslow, Matilda-Rose, Chester, Genie, Ella, Rosie Great Dane: Sparkles, Whitney Greyhound: Harry, Kiff, Sally Griffon Bruxellois: Mocha Hungarian Vizsla: Flynn, Rogan Japanese Spitz: Emmy Keeshond: Jedi Labrador Retriever: Lestat, Bailey, Tia, Mieka, James Miniature Long Haired Dachshund: Mini, Rover Newfoundland dogs: Annabelle, Katy, Lukey Norwegian Elkhound: Odin Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriver: Nova, Darcy, Jovi Papillon: Blaze, Minka, Portia, Tyson, Coco, Tonka Pointer : Kite Audrey Poppin konrad, Badger Poodle (Toy): Chilli Poodle (Standard) Merry & Pippin, Poppy & babies. Pug: Lotus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Meisha, Bakari, Boss Rottweiler: Roxy, Feonix, Radar, Neo, Abby Samoyed: Mistral, Alchemy, Yngvie, Dante, Bundy, Kamikaze, Fergus, Kato Schnauzer (minature): Maximus, Coconut,Betty,Jigga Shih Tzu : Gizmo Siberian Husky: Akira, Tikaani,Romeo,Baby.Riddick,Indie, Esky Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Kiara, Zola, Diesel SWF: Zoe Rescue Bitsa: Keely, Fred & Ginger, Ozzie, Tess, Maverick, Bosco, Kyah, Charlie, Astrid, Mala, Bella, Tiny Tim, Jen Jen White German Shepherd: Casper White Swiss Shepherd: Rakim, Whippet: Herbie, Buzz Weimaraner: Ariane, Lulu, Louie West Highland White Terrier: Penny, Mac, Daisy

Another vote here for the Hydrogen Peroxide. I used it (on vet advice via phone) when a dog had eaten rat bait and we were about 150km from nearest vet. It was very effective, took about 10 minutes, then lots of green vomit!

Same here. Have just discontinued my insurance and started an account to save for vet fees only. My reason is that every year since I've had it, not only have the premiums gone up much more than the rate of inflation, but each year there have been more conditions, exclusions etc added in the small print at renewal time. I've never even made a claim, but the way the policy was heading, bugger all would be covered anyway.

I've got a box of the new version, my little dogs are not keen to eat it, and it does have a funny smell (not off, just ???) and the colour is different too. I'm sure there have been changes in the product. Also hate how the peel off lid curls up and will not reseal the pack any more (my dogs get 2 meals from each patty). So, I won't be buying it again.

Not sure what State you are in, but in Qld it is illegal to sell a dog that isn't microchipped. I bet these vendors did not have the pup microchipped. If not, they can be reported. Fair Trading is definitely worth a try, they are actually pretty toothless, but they sound official and can scare some people into doing the right thing. Also, if the vendors are breeding and selling pups regularly, they could be dobbed in to the Tax Dept, 'cos they're probably not declaring the income.

We had a problem around the farm with roo ticks getting on people. You didn't feel them while they were attached, but most removal methods cause the tick to react by injecting (??I think - stomach enzymes??) into you, and the subsequent itching was awful, with scratching then leading to infection / sores. Anyway, we contacted an entomologist at Sydney Uni for advice, and she said applying anything containing pyrethrin will cause the tick to disengage and die without doing the injecting thing. It was actually quite hard to find human-use things with pyrethrin in, but eventually we found a scabies cream and a head-lice shampoo! Both of these worked, it took 3-24 hours for the ticks to drop off, but no itching or sores afterwards.

I'm a long way away, so no practical help. However - car trailers can be hired fairly cheaply, storage places often only cost about $30 per week and some lend a trailer to new customers, some storage places have shipping container storage that cars can be stored in. This place seems to have a nearby location http://www.ustoreit.com.au/wp/ This could all be arranged fairly quickly tomorrow if you don't get enough volunteer help. I'm willing to help with expenses for a few weeks if needed.

I got some of that outdoor carpet from Clark Rubber. It has thick rubber backing and the top is some kind of synthetic stuff. It's not the most beautiful stuff, but the dogs like to lie on it, and it's non-slip, so they can't scrunch it around. Best thing is - it can be pressure washed!! A once over with the pressure washer, then hang it over the line to dry - easy as pie!

I've always had Chihuahuas, but one day I'd love to own a Great Dane. Various friends have had Danes, and spending time with them/ babysitting them has sold me on the big leaners!

An anklebite of Chihuahuas.

Limpet gets called "you rotten little troll" Squirt gets called "poo mouth"

Have evacuated for the second time in two weeks. All dogs & self safe with friends, house under water again

I've used one of those plastic backed picnic blankets. Large enough to tuck in all around, easy to take on and off, washable, heavy duty so dogs can't skritch it up into a nest....

Thanks for your thoughts, everyone. I was lucky compared to all those further north. Only half a metre of water through the house, a big cleanup job, the house is now empty and clean, and I'm back "camping" in it. Have power but no hot water, stove, washing machine or any furniture to speak of. (It wasn't all ruined - have put what was saved into storage for now until the situation settles.) The worst thing is we've just had heaps more rain and the river is rising again. I've just finished packing stuff into the ute ready to evacuate again if need be.

The roos are pretty smart. As I was leaving my house during the flood, there was a roo going around and around in the water, getting more and more exhausted. I felt so sorry for the poor thing.. I left the gate to my yard open, hoping it would find it's way onto my verandah.... and it did. Two days later, my boss went past in a gravel truck, checking water levels, and he spotted the roo camped on the verandah. Trying to add a picture of the area...if this works, my house is in about the middle, opposite the little church. The Gore Highway goes right through the middle (though you'd never guess!!).

Thanks for your thoughts, Ozjen. I'm lucky compared to all those up north. It's hard to comprehend how devastating it is for them. Have just finished the indoors cleanup, and will move back in in a couple of days, when it has dried a bit more. Won't be returning much of my stuff though, as with all the rain forecast, there is a chance of it flooding again. This was a pretty big flood for the area. The property behind me is the original homestead in the area, and has never had water through it in flooding since it was built in the 1840s. The creek came up very quickly and there was minimal warning. The worst thing was not being able to get any info on whether it was going to get worse, that made it hard to decide when to leave. Finally when it was an hour til dark and water started bubbling through the floorboards, I decided not to stick around any longer!

I've just got back online. I got flooded out on Monday evening. The water came up very fast, I had about 1.5 hrs to get out. No warnings, help, phone calls from authorities etc. No info as to whether it was expected to get worse... My house sits lower than the road, so the first thing I did was get the ute up onto the road. Then began wading back and forth with crates, some food, clothes, dog gear and finally the 5 dogs (all little ones, thank goodness). It was waist high when I left. Saw a snake in the water as I waded out. EEK! The road was cut in both directions, but I managed to get to some higher ground a bit further down the road and camped in the ute there the first night. Thank god I had a ute not a car, because the water was at .6m when I drove through. Staying at a friends now - 5 dogs living in her bathroom!!!. Got back to my house yesterday arvo, water went through at .5m. It's pretty trashed. Starting the cleanup today. Truck arriving at 9am to start hauling out all the wrecked stuff.

Most basic technique is to go out at night with a torch and pick them off the plants and squish them! If it's a raised garden bed, you can try the copper tape (one brand name is "Slugga", but there are several) around the perimeter. This also works around pots. Another one to try is placing used coffee grounds around the perimeter or around the plants. You need lots though - see if you can collect from a workplace or cafe. The caffeine is toxic to them. Thirdly, they hate travelling over sawdust, so a sawdust perimeter may help stop new ones from joining the party. Also traps work quite well. You bury them so the lip is level with the soil, and half fill with old beer or vegemite dissolved in water. You can buy traps ready made with lids (work best in rain) or make your own with tin cans or plastic bottles cut up (need to be about 10cm deep). You have to clean then out and put fresh attractant in about every 2 days. Good luck!!