tdierikx

I think that the fact you are thinking it may be time means that you are actually putting his needs before your own... it breaks your heart, but you know that he'll be at peace when the time comes. If/when you have to say goodbye, he will know that you do so with so much love and a broken heart... but he will always live forever in the beautiful memories he will have given you over the years you have shared your lives together... and those memories will be a source of smiles, not tears, OK? T.

The fact that you are thinking it is his time shows your great love for your "little hoodlum"... go with your heart and know that your decision is the right one whatever that decision may be. There is no guilt attached to taking away what is making his life harder... giving him peace is a gift from the heart. Whatever you decide in the coming days, weeks, months, know that we here understand what you are going through, and fully support you... Sending you massive virtual hugs... T.

It can also depend on the kenneling setup, and how long the dogs are in them each day... if they have yards that the dogs exercise in for numerous hours during the day, then that's not the same as dogs only getting out of their kennels for the minimum required time (as per law)... but those setups are few and far between I agree. If the OP's dog is relatively social with other animals, then I don't see why a foster home wouldn't be the first option for any rescue... and I wouldn't advise kennels for a dog with severe hip issues - the weather is getting colder overnight, and he needs soft bedding and no draughts... T.

Sounds like you have a plan... and all is well in hand @Zena's mum... feed as often as you feel comfortable feeding... and keep trying not to overthink why some things happen, OK? T.

My 3 dogs and 2 foxes get fed once a day... late afternoon or early evening, depending on what time I am home. I think certain illnesses/diseases just happen, regardless of how careful we might try to be with how we care for our dogs... try not to overthink it - and certainly do NOT blame yourself! Certain breeds can be more susceptible to certain issues though... schnauzers with kidney issues, for example... so in that case, lower salt content would be a good start. T.

Many of the good/reputable rescues have foster carers that have the foster dogs in their own homes... not kennels or a shelter situation. If your boy is good with other animals, then there would be no reason for him to be kenneled... T.

You could invest in a pool cover... ... or chicken wire around the inside/outside of the fence to a height the dog can't jump/climb over... cheap, but effective. T.

Good girl Molly! T.

9 years of beautiful memories... remember them all and smile, OK? Zena wouldn't want you to be sad... T.

What a stunning lad... I'm sure the perfect forever home is not too far away... T.

You gave her an awesome last 8 weeks @Zena's mum... and she will never be far from you really - just look into your heart and she will be there to give you beautiful memories to smile about... T.

Try Fairford Rd Vet... they run puppy kindergarten and may have a list of recommended in-home trainers... http://www.vetfriends.com.au/animal-hospital-bankstown T.

Fly free with the angels sweet Zena... my Woosie and Zeddy will show you the best places to chase bunnies and to rest in the sun... Hus to you and your family @Zena's mum... you gave Zena the best life, and a dignified end... T.

Fairford Rd Vet Clinic does puppy kindergarten... and may have a list of recommended in-home trainers... http://www.vetfriends.com.au/animal-hospital-bankstown T.

Your best course of action is unfortunately all of the options you say you can't be bothered doing... I wouldn't be kicking out at a 50kg dog myself - and if you do, it's owner might just report YOU, and then who will be in the poop? Put your big boy pants on and call the bloody council, OK? T.

Thanks all... The bird shot was pure luck IMHO... hand held tracking while she was diving for food... and it's a crop too... shows off why you should invest in a top notch lens... *grin* The chimp one is as it came out of the camera - they were going past about 15 metres away and the little guy was checking out the crowds... he's such a little imp! T.

Having brought a stray to a local pound and standing there while the staff member scanned the sum total of the area directly between the shoulder blades and announce no chip, I can see how a stuff up can happen... I asked for the scanner at that point and scanned the dog properly and found it's chip about 3-4 inches away from where the woman had failed to find anything. Lucky for that dog, as we managed to get it's owner's details and they came to get it about an hour later. Another dog at the same pound had his chip in his flank area! Turned out to be a pet shop sale when it was a pup, and the pet shop (nor his owners) hadn't bothered to have any actual details entered into the registry... *sigh*... our rescue took him on and ended up finding him a lovely new home, but you do sometimes wonder whether the dog's old family had been looking for him and never found him because no-one bothered to double check his chip and details were correct. It's a great system when it works though... T.

At photo club on thursday night, we had our monthly digital photo evaluations. We have a judge come and evaluate and give feedback on all the entries, and then they award credits or merits for the photos they feel are a cut above. Credits are like second prize, and merits are the ones we all strive for... I entered 3 photos... and came away with TWO merits!!!! Sweet! I've managed to get one or two credits for previous months' entries, but these are my first merits, and I'm so excited! Anyways... here are the 2 photos that the judge thought deserved those merits... Gonna be hard to top these two... but gonna try hard in future evaluations... *grin* T.

I got Meloxicam (same thing as Metacam, just different manufacturer) from a vet for $70 for 100ml - last year. T.

The lambs, kids, and calves are bottle fed twice a day, but are mostly weaned. The really tame/humanised animals that enjoy going out on visits stay with us, and the others go back to the farms they came from originally. We have quite a few seriously cuddly adult animals too... *grin* All of our rabbits and guinea pigs are female, so no breeding happens at our farm - and our male sheep/goats are neutered young. T.

I've had people dispute what breed my Labrador is because she's not fat... *sigh*... she is lovely, lean, and fit... and at 11, can outrun most 5 year old Labs with ease... *grin* T.

I'm pretty sure that's the one that pooped on me during a school visit... twice! Much to the delight of the children... lol! T.

God help me if Harper ever found herself in a pound/rescue. She has bad nerve that she was born with - scared of everything and anything she has never encountered before... a dodgy rescue could very easily decide to say that she was abused or worse, which couldn't be further from the truth. With me, she is a cheeky monster... but she just doesn't cope with strange/new situations well at all. When I've had to board Harper in the past, I always tell the people that she may carry on, but if they give her food/treats, she's gonna be their best friend forever... and she's been just fine after the first night. She has never bitten anyone, despite the carry on that indicates she isn't sure about the situation. As for Pickles - on her chip, the notes say "yes she walks funny - that is normal for her"... in case she is ever picked up and they think she's been hurt or something. God only knows what a dodgy rescue would be able to make up about Pickles... errr! On the upside, she is terribly social with strangers... lol! My experience is that lots of dogs may be happy to have the chance to wander and check out new environments given half a chance... and if that is in completely unfamiliar territory (on holiday interstate for example), then they could easily stray too far and get lost... this is NOT due to bad owners, it's simple dog nature given the chance. T.

Fly free withe the angels Ernie... Massive hugs to you and yours @Ernie's Mum T.

AFTER I am finished cuddling of course! T.