tdierikx

My brother's Labrador did the Sydney Mardi Gras parade in his red Ruff Wear boots - make sure you get the socks to eliminate most of the rubbing, OK? T.

I work in rescue kennels every weekend - so don't have to deal with neurotic owners... a big plus! Adoption appointments can be "interesting" - some people rock up with the opinion that they are doing us a favour by wanting to look at or adopt one of our charges. We do not allow the general public to wander through our kennels to "select" a dog... Getting covered in anything that may be expelled from a dog is par for the course. If you get queasy easily, this is definitely not the job for you... *grin* Getting to interact with dogs of all sizes, shapes, ages, and temperaments is an amazing experience - they are all individuals, so learning their little quirks and seeing them become ready for great new forever homes is awesome. I am a volunteer, so I don't get paid to muck out kennels - my "reward" is that I get to interact with and nurture many dogs whose lives have taken a turn for the worse, and find them great new homes - and that is worth more than any financial remuneration IMHO. You know that you love your "job" when you know the names and personalities of every dog in your care - that can be fun when you are working with up to 100 dogs at any given time - and a constantly changing population to boot! I don't work with cats - I'm allergic... T.

Ummm... poor baby looks really impressed... hahaha! I've got a photo somewhere of a Rottie that we dressed up in a pair of stubbies (shorts) and a singlet... she had the same look on her face... T.

I'd call the ranger to take him to the pound... maybe when the owner gets extra fines for the dog being a persistent roamer, they might get the bloody point... T.

I have a Labrador... and I can sympathise... *grin* I have snowdrifts in my house at the moment - clean them up, they are back the next day. I've tried stripping brushes, etc... not much really seems to put a dent in the Summer coat drop... *sigh* T.

Tummy upset? T.

I love the "Staffy snuffle"... we have one in rescue that is a real grunter... she is adorable! T.

My preferred local vet doesn't have any cats wandering around - plenty of silly people coming in without them in a crate though... My girls are OK with other animals at the vets - but I'm allergic to cats, and it narks me when they are roaming around and dropping hair all over the place. I've been known to break out in hives from some cat hair... grr! T.

Oh man! Loving the photos of Tammy playing like a puppy! T.

Tell the dogs to start digging - you'll have a pool in no time... *grin* T.

He is a a classic example of a very rare breed called an... "I Want One"... hahahaha! T.

*patiently waiting for pics* T.

Hate to put a damper on things, but if you've had parvo at your place as recently as September 2009 - then I'd be waiting a MINIMUM of 12 months before even THINKING of bringing a puppy home... 18 months would be more like the timeframe I'd be looking at... T.

Dribble (or drool) doesn't bother me - but I DO love your answer to it... such a cutie!!! T.

What business is it of a complete stranger anyways? If Lady is happy nad feels more comfortable with her short hair, then that's all that matters, right? I wouldn't have bothered to dignify that woman's comments with an answer myself... T.

Way to go Anna!! You be da bestest!! T.

Pups are very cute at 5-6 weeks of age... not so cute when they are 30kg and eating your house, shedding coat everywhere, and generally being a lot of hard work. I have a smallish Labrador (crossbred at some stage of parentage) - she is now 4 years old and weighs around 28kg. She has a short coat, but sheds like an absolute bitch at this time of year. She is generally well behaved now - but during her adolescence was a complete PITA. I wouldn't swap her for anything in the world though... *grin* If you are wanting to get a pup - make sure that the seller has vaccinated, wormed, and microchipped the pups - and they shouldn't be leaving their mother until at least 8 weeks of age... also, when choosing a pup, let the pup choose you - not the other way around. I've found that it's much easier to live with a dog that wants to be with you from the start... T.

I reckon he's just doing it to show off his ever so sexy butt... hehe! My Lab girl walks like that, and there is nothing at all physically wrong with her - just an adorable booty to show off! T.

What area do you live in Bartok? And what do you feed your babies? These things need to be taken into consideration... *grin* T.

My 4 rescue foster Staffy cross pups are named Merlin, Connor, Joshua, and Elmer (but he answers to Fuddy) - their sisters are named Marlie, Molly, Dottie, and Izzy We had another litter of Staffy/Bully/Cattle cross pups that we named Calvin, Cody, Casper, Cory, Clayton, Cade, Charlie Girl, and Cara The 3 Dane cross pups were called Dominic, Dante, and Dakota (girl) We have some little JRT cross pups we are calling Cyril, Cecil, Cedric, and Cynthia My own 2 dogs are named Zeddy and Trouble (both girls), and I used to have a big Rottie girl named Woosie (it suited her, OK?) T.

Did your friend ever leave him outside when she wasn't at home? He may have had a nasty experience, and is now frightened to go outside or on walks because of that. I'd be calling a behaviourist, and seeing if they can help - especially if there is no sign of any physical issues... T.

My girls know that "leave it" means stop begging for whatever and come here... *grin* The only unfortunate thing about dog parks is some of the people who go there... no regard for other people or dogs - the park is there for free use, and they don't seem to understand that it would be a much nicer place if they gave their dogs at least some BASIC obedience. The other side of the coin is the "park nazis" - those that expect every dog there to be a bloody robot and not play silly games like zoomies, etc... T.

My girls reckon that Atlas needs some extra treats for the next week for looking after his mummy so well... T.

I have met some of the loveliest bull breed dogs walking off lead with their "tuff" looking owners - funnily enough, quite of a few of these dogs have only their owner in their minds and sight... until I ask if I can give them a cuddle... *grin*... the owners are 99% of the time quite flattered that someone wants to cuddle their best mate... T.

I'd just take the lead off myself and hand it to her - and collude with others at the park to do the same... if she letting the dog run unattended in an off leash park, and it's a friendly dog, then the lead should be off to avoid injury to her dog and others. If she wants to keep the lead on, then one end of it should be in her hand. T.