tdierikx

I'd probably do one on my "failed foster" dog Pickles... Born in a remote camp in the Northern Territory, suffered an injury to the brain (no knowing exactly how) which caused her to be unable to walk, enter the lovely community worker who spotted her and decided that she was too nice a dog to suffer and die due to her circumstances, plane ride to Sydney into the hands of rescue, foster carer who totally fell in love with her... pan to lovely healthy and happy nearly 1 year old girl (birthday 25 Sept) who walks a little funny but doesn't know any different, so that's OK... *grin* I'd probably have a few "props" of various other foster pups that Pickles helps along the way... basically a bit of a view of rescue and foster caring and giving dogs a second chance at the great life they should have had from the start. Oh - and there is a total misconception about dogs in pounds having something "wrong" with them... the sheer number of absolutely delightful dogs in pounds is heartbreaking. Ask any rescuer how many truly "broken" or "bad" dogs they have seen in a pound, and you may be surprised at how few there actually are... T.

Now I'm really jealous that you aren't making Chopper and Bruno calendars this year ruthless... *goes off to sulk* T.

Now THAT pic is funny Anne... lol! I love it! T.

Ummm - if you check the chip detail on NSW CAR, and the dogs are still in only her name - can't she register them with her council here? That may double her "ownership" stakes if she is still really set on getting them back in the "settlement"... T.

Sending all my best healing and nurturing vibes to you and your baby JulesP... ... and my furkids are sending all their slobbery kisses and good luck "woo-woos" at you both also... T.

Awwww... some dogs to tend to just know when they have to be gentle with their playmates, don't they? T.

I have one dog buried up in the back corner of my yard - quite a few years now. I won't dig her up if I move, and she's deep enough that any new owner won't disturb her if they want to make a garden over the top of her - although they may wonder why there is a large piece of fencing mesh buried about 12 inches down... *grin* (it was to deter our other dogs from any urge to dig there actually) Personally I don't go in for the cremation thing - I prefer to keep all of my furkids in my heart and memories instead - and each of them has their very own special memories that I can recall at any time. T.

I have friends who own 2 gorgeous and extremely well loved Dachshunds... luckily the breeder they got their furkids from didn't have an issue about my friends' sexuality, and selected the very best home for TWO of their pups. I really think that some people can be so close-minded about the stupid stuff and can lose sight of the bigger picture... don't sweat it my friend - your new little one is going to be even more special after that first bad experience. At least you had the tenacity to not give up after that other knockback... And you have another Alwyn fan wanting more pics here... *grin* T.

With the current bull breed hysteria after the latest media hype about the attack on that little girl... I'm thinking right now any bull breed looking dog could be under scrutiny if out in public unrestrained... Actual reported dog attack statistics don't have the bull breeds at the very top of the list - but the non bull breed dog attacks don't seem to make it to the front pages of the newspapers... grrr! I'm still wondering where all of these "pit bulls" and crosses are coming from - seeing as they are a totally restricted breed in Australia... *sigh* T.

If they were a perfect home for the dog in question, but had lifestyle choices I didn't understand (or want to), or they had some weird religion (that didn't include animal sacrifice), or their political views were different to mine - I'd have to say that I would most likely still adopt the dog to them. If I got the vibe that they are bulsh!tting me in order to get a dog - possibly been knocked back by other rescues and had learned what NOT to say - then I'd go with my gut instinct and probably refuse to adopt the dog to them. It's definitely a case by case basis... T.

A slightly older dog than a puppy would be better for the first time owner - and a properly tested ex-racing Greyhound would definitely fit the bill methinks... Check out GAP for some good research - call them and discuss what you are looking for, and what they offer with regards to matching up the right dog for the new family. GAP are very experienced, and do a great job with their rehomes... T.

Sharalea/Aussie Dog Squad at Picton get my vote... T.

Go Jakey!! T.

I feel for the family... it's not always easy to do the right thing. Run free AmStaff girl. T.

Whatever mix or "conformation" your dog is, it sure is a cutie... *grin* Have it registered as a Staffy X or the like and just make sure it is well socialised with everyone and everything, and you shouldn't have any issues... T.

If these people have had this 6 year old dog from a pup, then it's a bit of a worry that it's DA and they want to get rid of it now... appears they are just passing on a problem of their own making instead of taking steps to rectify or contain it themselves. As a person who has to play swapsies with my own dogs due to them not always "playing nice" with each other - I can see how someone would find it a bit of a pain to keep a DA dog separated from other dogs in the house - but it CAN be done. I took my babies on for life... they are MY responsibility... and just because they have now decided they don't always want to share the same space together, I couldn't (in good faith or conscience) ever rehome either of them. Personally, if I was in this situation, then I'd probably have my dog given it's wings before contemplating passing her off to a stranger... T.

I think the media aren't doing anyone any favours. Rarely do they report a dog attack unless it's perpetrated by a bull breed type... and thus described as a "pit bull"... The statistics do show a good number of dog attacks from breeds other than "pit bull" - but the general public aren't appraised of those statistics via the media. Simply said, it sounds better for a media hype story for the dog to be a "pit bull"... For a dog breed that is "banned" in Australia, there sure seem to be a lot of "pit bulls" around... if you believe the media hype... Any poorly raised/socialised dog is capable of doing severe damage to a human - especially a child. Having seen the damage a small white fluffy did to one of my friends' face was extremely convincing of that fact... T.

For anyone in non breed specific rescue, it's no surprise to find that the majority of dogs in the pounds are really nice dogs all around... and we are happy to share that knowledge at every opportuntity... *grin* T.

Link for those not in the know... http://www.springfair.com.au/schedule.php T.

Nooooooo!!!!! How am I going to survive a year without the handsome Chopper on my wall? T.

Ummm... I have something in my eye... *choke* What an amazing transformation... and he looks so happy... Awesome save!! T.

Please don't forget a Chopper calendar for his loyal fans... ... oh and a Bruno one too please! Love your work ruthless - you really capture the souls of the furkids you photograph... T.

I see a dog who has decided that the child is her baby - and she is going to protect it to the end... I wouldn't encourage her to behave like that with family - but if a stranger came near the child and tried to pick it up... well... T.

How long is the side of the property between them and you? You may be able to rig up some short chicken wire "fencing" to ram home the hint that you are sick of their dog wandering over to your place whenever it likes... T.

My Lab could definitely do the bite work... my Rotti/Pittie has the scars to prove it... *sigh* The Lab in the video certainly looked great - fit and healthy - just as a Lab should... T.