tdierikx

Funnily enough though, the general public tends to ascribe to the "it looks like a duck, and it walks like a duck - therefore it must BE a duck" theory... My Lab X girl looks "all" Lab... and no-one ever asks me if she's a cross. However, she definitely has some traits that are definitely NOT very Lab at all... I know that her "undesirable" traits come from an outcross somewhere in her "lines" with a Dingo - but if she ever ended up in a pound, or in rescue, she'd be put forward for adoption as a "pure" Lab - based only on what she looks like and her general happy and outgoing nature. Imagine the new owner's surprise if she then decided to show her nasty side when challenged by an alpha dog on her new home turf... it's not pretty, I can tell you! T.

If Cookie had FIP, wouldn't she continue to go down hill rather than showing signs of recovery of her movement, Stormie? From what I've read it's a pretty quick decline... Crossing fingers she's just been shaken and bruised by some other animal, and that now she's in loving hands with access to lots of good food, she will come good to live a long and comfortable life as someone's treasured lap cat. T.

Microchipping has been mandatory in NSW for some good long time now, yet we are still seeing many animals turning up in pounds without chips... we also see dogs with chips, but nothing has been entered into the register... All well and good to have a mandatory rule, but until it's policed properly, it's not going to be effective, is it? Also - NSW CAR registry insists on at least one "breed" being identified on the chip... when I was entering my camp dog Pickles (who would make a Heinz 57 look like a pedigree/purebred) I didn't have the option to put "unknown/unknown" as the cross. Seriously, in Australia, we have "camp dogs" - literally born in camps in the outback - why can't that be a "breed" on our registries? Listing "breed" as "camp dog" or "unknown" and then having the "identifying features" section allow room for a decent description of the dog's size/shape/colouring/markings, would be a much more effective way to identify each individual dog, no? BTW - I have no idea what breeds are in Pickles' mix, and I don't really care - she's one of a kind really... *grin* T.

Is it possible that she may have been picked up and shaken by a dog? She may have a bruised spine rather than broken - or some nerve damage that just needs time to settle... that plus the obvious malnutrition that has caused wasted muscles... The movement in her back legs is a definitely promising sign - crossing fingers she gets a prognosis that means she can live a long and happy life. I may be getting ahead of myself here, but have you thought about keeping her if she gets the all clear from the vet about anything broken? T.

OK - you made me cry... the photo of Cookie's paw on Jack's hand... *blub* She's looking like she might just surprise us all and come pretty good... T.

Good at what? :laugh: LOL... I think a lot of people have different ideas on what makes a behaviourist and what they should do. In my mind a behaviourist should assess the dog, educate the owner on what is going on with the dog and show them how to get the best out of the dog. This obviously differs from dog to dog and owner to owner. ... and there is the truth of the matter. Not all dogs and owners are the same, so assessment of both, and training of both is key... T.

Awwwww... lovely! T.

She sure is a cutie... She looks pretty comfortable considering what she's been through. If she has a chance at all, you are the one who will see her right methinks. As for your description of Bailey talking to her - he sounds like he's following nicely in his big brother's footsteps there... you must be so proud of them both... T.

I'm talking about purebred dogs that are hard to identify because they're rare and don't end up in pounds often if at all rather than a guess whatever mix thread. Well then, I'd definitely love one of those too Sheridan... information like that is gold! T.

If I were in Melbourne I would happily lend you my 60D... Fingers crossed it was a one-off incident... T.

Does it hurt her to have her back legs moved Rach? If not, maybe you could give some gentle physio to stop muscle wastage... Basic Reiki style hands on healing may also help a bit - put your hand close to (about 1cm above) the affected area, clear your mind, and then just send healing thoughts to little Cookie - if you get it right you will feel your hand get warm and Cookie will lay there and enjoy the experience - 5 mins at a time will work wonders. Katdogs has some experience with paralysis in her cat (from the Orijen food debacle) - maybe if you message her for some advice on how to keep Cookie's toileting in check, she can tell you how it's done... T.

There are heaps more nice teddies at the local op-shop... I just selected all the ones I could carry to the counter... just yell if you want more, OK? T.

Want another cute small scruffy for Willow to play with MM? lol! T.

I'd welcome and "Identify the Breed" thread Sheridan... most times it's just a guess based on what the dog looks like, as many dogs in pounds and shelters are from an unknown cross that could look like something completely different to what they actually are. Take for example my current foster pups (Frenchie/Pug/Maltese) - not one of them looks like there could be any Maltese in them - one is smooth coated, and the other 4 are scruffy (but soft). Had I not seen both parent dogs when the pups were surrendered to us, I would never have guessed that their dam was a pure Maltese. They are deadly cute nonetheless... *grin* T.

Absolutely loving the little feet shot... and he's a very handsome little man... *grin* T.

Peaches is smooth coated PS... you wanna adopt her? hahaha! T.

I'm glad the toys are a hit so far... I tried to get nice soft ones that they can snuggle with... Did Digby pick any for himself? Can't wait until the boys are stronger and make snow with a few of them... we can always get more... *grin* T.

I had someone (not from DOL, but involved in the industry) give me what I thought was a pretty darned good compliment not that long ago... she said that I have "the ability to be dispassionate with compassion" - basically meaning that I can make the hard decisions and follow them through, but do it with respect and compassion for the animal involved. There are some others in rescue that I respect a lot, who I would describe as being the same - they can think with both heart AND head when it comes to their charges. The "save them all at any cost" brigade are not those I have much respect for - and thusly don't take any of their comments to heart when they try the guilt trip stuff on. T.

Google has a forum entry from elsewhere that indicates that the original breeder is no longer breeding - apparently retired. Forum entry was back in 2007 that said this. T.

Fingers crossed for little kitty. You and your boys are true angels Rach... and he's got his very best chance with you. T.

THIS... My first thought was coccidia or giardia too. A fecal sample test is not expensive - please take her and a sample of her stool to the vet first thing on Monday. Don't forget to give the vet as complete a history of the dog as you can... ie. the "gastro" from 2 months ago. This dog WILL die if her issues are not addressed properly or correctly. T.

Can't beat the subject matter for your first foray... *grin* I'm liking them all... T.

These babies are guaranteed to make even the most seasoned puppy person go "SQUEEEE"... I must admit I did when I first laid eyes on them... *grin* Seriously - the photos do not show how stunning these little guys are in the flesh. T.

padraic and mita got it... mum is a Maltese. I must say that both mum and dad dogs are very social and willing to hang with complete strangers in a strange environment - the pups have been raised very well to this stage, and we are the last leg on their journeys to their own forever homes. I'm loving our regular cuddle times - they are incredibly smoochy! T.

Hahaha @ HW's description of a foray into the BSL forum... I can relate to that with some of the various threads I've participated in on internet forums over the years... and DOL in general is quite tame compared to a few I've been on. Personally, I just shake off any bitchiness, and read between the lines for the good stuff (ie. informational), and don't take any of it personally. T.