tdierikx

Cute... *grin* T.

This may sound kinda strange, but we are all crazy "dog people" here, right? Go out into the back yard - sit down and get your other dog to sit with you where you can cuddle them... then get that completely primal grief howl going on... and bugger what the neighbours think! Works for me if/when things get a little hard anyways... I think you are going through a really bad case of the "what ifs"... the decision to let Lace go to the Bridge was not an easy one, was it? There is guilt (unfounded, yet real for you, yes?), and you are dwelling on the fact that you maybe could have made different decisions if a number of external factors had aligned to allow you to make those different decisions, yes? You made the hardest decision an animal lover ever has to make - and IMHO you made the right one for Lace given the circumstances you found yourselves in. Please don't beat yourself up about it. T.

I used to have a Rotti that used to take any food out of her bowl and spit it onto the floor before she would eat it... dog only knows where that habit came from... ?? Made it rather messy if she had rice or kibble in the bowl... T.

I second this... great offer Steve! T.

Next week is the 10 year anniversary of my beloved Woosie's passing... and it still hurts. A piece of my soul went with her I think... Time doesn't necessarily heal, but it does allow us to develop coping tactics to deal with the intense loss we feel when a furry soulmate leaves us. T.

We had an old Goldie surrendered to us a few years ago... who we ended up transferring to Goldie Rescue, as they were originally going to take the dog, but the owners were suss that GR may call the RSPCA on them for his condition. GR did contact the RSPCA, who were actually aware of this particular dog and it's owners - and they were given a fine for neglecting him. They had taken him to the vet and were given a treatment plan, etc, but never followed it up... thus the dog got worse, and they ended up surrendering him rather than be caught with him on the premises when the RSPCA turned up. The RSPCA had followed up with the vet clinic involved, etc... Rescues CAN contact the RSPCA or Animal Welfare about any dog surrendered to them - and not have to surrender said dog to their care before action can be taken. T.

Funnily enough, the only bed that Pickles hasn't eaten yet is mine... *grin* Probably because that's where SHE sleeps too... Harper's not allowed on the bed because she tends to use it like a trampoline and keeps everyone awake... *sigh* T.

Such beautiful eyes... rest now sweet girl. T.

Oh Kirislin! Run free sweet Penny... T.

When I had shingles type nerve pain caused by my spinal lesion last year, I found that Neocort gave me a whole 30 mins of relief... *bliss* T.

I had a stranger actually reach into my car and pat Harper while she was doing one of her fear displays... brave or stupid, I don't know - but she let him pat her... *sigh* I know that Harper will not bite - at least that is some small consolation. She's more likely to shut down completely or capitulate than bite - even if cornered. If she's met someone before, she's also more likely to jump all over them for another cuddle next time she sees them... she's a complicated one... T.

Would look awesome adorned by a Crestie or two methinks... T.

It wasn't your thread in particular that prompted this discussion Terri... just that there have been quite a few similar ones - and it got me thinking about why we are reacting so strongly about what would have once been construed as "normal" doggy behaviour when placed in a stressful or frightening situation... as though NO dog should ever react at all to a stressful or frightening situation it may find itself in. I have 2 dogs here that are about as "bombproof" as it comes - but I'd still expect them to let me or anyone else know that what was being done to them hurts or is stressful. I also know it's MY job to ensure that they aren't subjected to unnecesaary stress or pain if at all possible. If one of my dogs was backing up from some stranger in a vet clinic leaning over it with a strange object, I'd not be asking what the dog was doing wrong, but why the hell someone who is supposed to have more sense when handling animals was being such a dick. I hear you loud and clear about the fear thing, as I'm pretty sure one of my other dogs has a worse case of that than your Didi... funnily enough she is also part Dane... T.

If only I could afford you huski... lol! She's usually fine once she's been patted by a stranger - dog help you if you come to my house and get past her initial backing up barking and shaking... she has a nasty habit of turning into a 30kg lap dog pretty quickly... *sigh* T.

To be fair huski, I'd say that you would probably see more of the problem dogs than the average person - being that dog training is your line of work... *grin* The worst thing for me is when I take any of my dogs out in public, there are so many "experts" out there trying to analyse the slightest little thing each and every dog is doing - rather than focusing on their own bloody dogs and enjoying their outing... *sigh* I have a weak nerved failed foster pup that I wouldn't dream of taking to a dog park - not because she isn't good with other dogs, but because she's terrified of people she doesn't know. I know she won't bite anyone, and if left to just happily play with another dog, she's completely unaware of strangers that may be around her - but it's that initial stupid barking and cowering thing (with humans only) that tends to make people very leery of letting her play. The thing is that at home, and at places she's been before, she's a normal cheeky overgrown puppy - she just doesn't cope with meeting strangers in strange environments. I've had her meet other dogs just fine in public, and she acts appropriately with them... and she's fine if people ignore her fear display and give her a gentle pat, it's as though she only then realises that they are fine to be around. Huski - how would you approach rectifying the above issue? I have another failed foster pup who has neurological issues which manifest in a mobility disablity - her body language isn't easily read by others (dog or human), so she doesn't go to dog parks either - even though she'd enjoy it immensely. She does go to dog days where all dogs are leashed, and laps up all of the attention she gets with complete relish... My other 2 dogs are fine in public. T.

I really love this summation of the issue... *grin* T.

A few other threads here have had me thinking about what goes in to raising a happy, healthy, and socially proficient dog nowadays. We have SO much information about all sorts of things that could contribute to creating the above - or detract from same. Much of that information is or can be conflicting, is downright wrong, or may not apply to every single dog out there. Training methods, feeding, weak nerve, prey drive, etc, etc... it all gets so confusing, and I'm starting to think that maybe - just maybe - we may not actually be doing many of our dogs a favour by overthinking every single thing they do or don't do that is "perfect"... My childhood memories are of dogs roaming the streets and playing with all of us neighbourhood kids with very few incidents - there were very few general dog training groups or "puppy kindergarten", dogs were just dogs and allowed to be dogs, and everyone treated each other with kindness and due respect. Neighbourhood dogs were our best ever playmates. Fast forward to my early adult years and I got my first "only mine" dogs - taught them sit, stay, drop, and took them out with me whenever it was appropriate. I was blissfully unaware of any/all potential behavioural or emotional issues that could raise their ugly head at any moment (if we believe all the stuff going around nowadays) - and I managed to raise a good 8 dogs over the years who were well mannered and lovely dogs in every respect - despite the fact that they came from pet shops or BYBs. The only common thing used with each of them was common sense and a little respect for the fact that not everyone is going to instantly adore my large breed doofus dogs, so I just made sure that they had plenty of good socialisation with people and other animals, and not much else really. Nowadays though, it seems like everyone is so focused on trying to raise the "perfect" dog, that we seem to be losing sight of the fact that they are dogs... not four-legged furry humans. The constant bombardment of TV shows regarding problem dogs and how to "fix" them, the constant media hype about dog attacks, the conflicting "advice" regarding training from so many different sources... is kinda making it seem so less rewarding an experience to live with a furry companion... instead it's a constant "am I doing the right thing" feeling, or "if I don't act on xyz right away, is Fluffy going to become one of 'those' dogs"... T.

She looks so pretty... and certainly doesn't look her age at all... My old girl will be 15 in a couple of weeks - still has prety good eyesight (except in the dark), can hear just fine, but can be selective at times... she has some arthritis, but it actually hasn't been bothering her too much this winter - which might be because she has a nice new warm beddy, and I leave the heater on in her bedroom until I go to bed so her room is warmer than all the rest of the house. Haven't needed any meds this winter, yay! She's a bit slower getting up the back stairs nowadays, but can still bolt down them and up to the back of the yard to tell off the neighbour's dog when he has one of his manic moments (he's a bit "speshul" and decides to attack a bush in their back yard near our fence every now and then). Pickles plays "bodyguard" for Zeddy nowadays - and stops Harper the horse puppy from knocking her over or being rough... it's nice to see Pickles looking after "granny" Zeddy like that - they do seem to have a special bond. T.

An xray will show up objects inside, and most importantly, the positions and likelyhood of being passed naturally. T.

Yep - that's a female Fairy Wren - a Superb I think... the Splendids are a little different in colouring. T.

The trick with the Fairy Wrens is to just be still, quiet, and patient... they will come close to you and give you the shots you are after... *grin* T.

So are some of the others if you look closely. Ummm yep........I did.............. I didn't... *grin* T.

I think I know where it is... last time I drove by there, it had a sign out front selling "Rotty pups"... T.

Absolutely wicked photos GrufLife! Wish I'd taken those! T.

As an owner of larger dogs, I am constantly aware of how they may be perceived by the general public... However... I am not in the slightest bit amused when someone's smaller dog decides to use one of my dogs as a chew toy. My dogs will rarely react in kind when out in public, but they really shouldn't have to put up with that sort of thing at all. I usually stare straight at the owner of the offending dog and say, "it's not funny - how would you feel if my dog was doing to your dog what yours is currently doing to mine?". Usually the response is along the lines of "oh small dogs don't do as much damage as bigger dogs"... as if that somehow justifies my dog being bitten by their dog... *sigh*... my next words are not usually as polite as the first approach. T.