tdierikx

Do whatever you need to do to keep your baby safe doggleworth. You are in my thoughts. Yep, same here. Agree. And me... T.

Now Staffyluv, you will have to update us all with photos... T.

You did what you could honeybun... well done for trying so hard. I'm sure the little ones registered your love and care for the short time you had them, and went to the Bridge knowing that at least. T.

Awesome news Cheryl! Now comes the really satisfying part of their journey, yes? Much kudos to you and yours for stepping up and giving this beautiful little family the best love and care they needed to get them well on their way to a brighter future. T.

I have a vet friend who recently relocated and is now working in an emergency clinic... she is so glad to NOT have to do the hard sell of particular drugs or accessories that is so common in regular vet clinics any more. She was always happy to write prescriptions for human chemists to fill for commonly used drugs, rather than sell the drug company sponsored brands available in clinic. Same drugs, same doses, at a massively reduced cost through a chemist rather than the clinic prices. There are many great vets out there that don't try to overservice or overcharge for their expertise. It's not about what the vet clinic costs in order to discern what level of treatment you will get - it's about doing the best for the animal when it needs treating. Any clinic that refuses treatment because one can't pay up front is obviously NOT in the business for the wellbeing of the animals. Jan advised a very SMALL dosage of liquid Nurofen (which is obviously all the guy had on hand) for the cat's pain. The owner, for whatever reason, managed to QUADRUPLE the dose he gave to the cat. Neither can be called entirely at fault for the actions taken that night, but both should take some responsibility for the outcome. I believe that Jan has stepped up and taken her share of responsibility... now the owner needs to come to terms with his part in it. T.

I'm not casting aspersions on the vet - just wondering why the mother dog is staying there instead of with the career... T.

The average dog owner would be surprised at how many medications can be used off label with good success in animals. For example - it is fairly common for rural vets to prescribe Baycox (usually for pigs) off label in the treatment of puppies with coccidia - the best part is that it's safe if dosed correctly, and it's a single dose treatment... unlike a 10 day (twice a day) course of extremely bitter tablets that pups refuse to take after tasting the first one. Not to mention that as Baycox is a liquid, it's much easier to get a correct dose than breaking up tablets that come in a minimum 4kg dog weight dose. I've had vets confirm that a certain dose of human medications can be efficacious for short term pain relief until one can get the animal to see the vet the next day (if called outside normal hours). T.

Very well written... maybe that guy should run for parliament instead... lol! T.

If the calcium and warm quiet spot doesn't work, the mum may know something about the pups that isn't all that obvious to us humans. As WIW says, if they were all exposed to the cold for who knows how long, then their systems may already have been badly compromised and they may do the fading puppy thing... Not trying to put a downer on things, but sometimes nature can be a complete arse. Fingers crossed that this little family have a happy outcome... and kudos to you for taking them in. T.

... and so it drags on... *sigh* T.

Why is the mother still with the vet? Is there something else wrong with her? WreckitWhippet has given some very sound advice regarding what may be needed to sort her issues with not wanting to feed them. I'd be following WIW's advice, getting a muzzle on mum dog, and seeing if she will settle enough for them to get a few good feeds in. T.

Lola's court hearing is tomorrow... T.

Funnily enough, the only people that all these new rules and regulations are actually benefitting are the large scale commercial breeders... anyone see the irony there? T.

What an awesome offer efowler... on behalf of all Sydney rescues, I thank you! T.

But we don't have to live with the dog in question... or need to make sure that it doesn't do further harm to the little boy. It's a very hard decision to make, and the OP has my full sympathies and support for whatever course of action she needs to take to ensure the wellbeing of her child. T.

OMG! Could they be any cuter? What an awesome job you've done with Narla and the babies... Narla is looking great, and the babies are gorgeous! T.

Fingers crossed that all goes well and Roo learns good habits from Mia. T.

I noticed the tail not wagging too... but how adorable is she? T.

Well then - back to the original topic... I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing to allow someone to adopt/buy 2 siblings from the same litter - as long as the people adopting are responsible owners and will work on ensuring that any issues that may arise are minimised. There are plenty of people who own littermates and don't have issues - possibly many more than those who do have issues arise. ANY 2 dogs in any multi dog household - regardless of age or relation status - can develop issues with each other. I'll concede that this seems to happen more with 2 females than with 2 males... I've got 2 females here that are 6 years apart in age and totally different breed mixes that I have to keep separate. Sometimes it just happens that 2 dogs just decide not to get on any more... When I had Rotties, I had 3 females and 2 males - never had an issue - even when one of the females were in season and the males were intact... blind luck, good management, good temperaments? I must say that when I had at least one calm tempered male dog in my pack, the females seemed to be more even tempered with each other... has anyone else had a similar experience? T.

The thing is dogmad - for each of your anecdotes or experiences regarding bull breed type dogs, there are many other people who will happily share their anecdotes and experiences about other breeds. Unless there is actual independent recorded data indicating a problem with any particular breed or mix thereof it is actually going to be very hard to declare a "winner" in this debate. You will stick by your experiences, and others will stick by theirs... and we'll keep going around in circles... Personally, I don't think that there is a "bull breed" problem - but will concede that there are some owners of larger breed dogs that really shouldn't own any dog... but I don't think those owners are in majority numbers in this country. Banning particular breeds or their mixes from being owned is not going to achieve anything... but prosecuting to the full extent of the law those who do not show any regard for others by letting their dogs (of ANY breed) become a menace might bring about changes more effectively. T.

I'm trying to be really patient while waiting for photos... but it's not working... T.

I don't have human children myself, but if any of my dogs bit anyone unprovoked, I'd give them their wings... even my heart dog. I hope your little boy is OK - and that any scarring (emotional as well as physical) is minimal. It's never an easy decision to PTS - even when we know in our hearts it's the right thing to do. You have my deepest sympathies... T.

Doesn't help that the media will only report an attack if they can claim the dog is of a certain "heritage". As for the dumpage rate of certain "types" of dog... ummm... SWF's and other terriers are just as numerous in pounds as the "staffy" types - and many for exactly the same reasons as the "staffy" types, lack of socialisation, etc... No owner of any large breed dog is completely unaware of the level of damage their dog could do if it decides to bite anyone or anything - something which some owners of smaller breeds that have a tendency to bite don't seem to think may be a problem... the "oh, he's only small, so the damage won't be that bad if he bites" attitude is not appropriate either. Regardless of size or ability to cause harm, NO dog should be allowed to be snappy or aggressive in public. Before I became involved in rescue and met many really nice small breed dogs, I had a complete fear of them - due to way too many of them actually having a go at me. I have never had that level of apprehension for larger breeds of dog because my experiences with them had all been good. Now that I've had a good deal of training and hands on experience with a good cross section of numerous breeds and their mixes, I'm also MUCH more aware of a dog's body language, etc, but am still much more leery of a strange small breed dog than of the larger ones. Personally I don't condone ANY dog biting, and would be completely mortified if one of mine had that propensity - I'd give it wings rather than have the possibility of it hurting anyone... and I'm sure that most large breed dog owners would feel the same. T.

I'd look at both Canon and Nikon - and go for the models one level above the entry level ones. That will give you plenty of room for growth and give you great photos straight off the bat. T.

Oh yes! Photos are a MUST now Cheryl... *grin* So they are 6 weeks old on Friday? Wow... time has really flown, hasn't it? T.