PuggaWuggles

Woman, 85, mauled by dogs - http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0...502-952,00.html AN 85-year-old woman has bite wounds on her head after she was attacked by a pack of vicious dogs at a property in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. The attack occurred about 10.30am at the property at Glass House Mountains. A Department of Community Safety spokesman said the woman suffered bites to the head and was taken to the Caloundra Hospital in a stable condition. Police were called to assist ambulance and council officers, and one dog has been destroyed.

Top walks for you and your dog. THINK your dog might like a change of scenery on its daily walk? Here are some suggestions both you and man's best friend can enjoy. Tailor your walk to the comfort of your pet. In this heat, too much walking will stress a dog and possibly cause harm. Keep your pooch on a lead and have those plastic bags handy. No one likes dog owners who don't do the right thing and pick up after their pet. Sunshine Coast, Caloundra Park up near Moffat Beach and walk up Queen of Colonies Rd, a name resonant with the story of an 1863 shipwreck. You'll pass the memorial to much-loved surfing pioneers Ma and Pa Bendall and reach George Watson Park, with great views of any shipping. The ships heading for the Port of Brisbane pass close to shore near this headland and so do the migrating humpback whales for part of the year. South of Shelly Beach, around Caloundra Head, you'll find plaques set in the ground that commemorate those who gave their lives in past wars. It's an easy walk down to Kings Beach and great views down over the sprawl of Bribie Island, extending away with its ocean beach south towards Brisbane. Have a break there, and give your pet some water in the park, then head back the way you came, or cut straight back along Edmund St. Brisbane: Kedron Brook A string of pleasant parks between Brookside and Toombul Shopping centres offer great opportunities to take your dog for a good walk. Families love Kalinga Park at Wooloowin and for shade, try the woodland that used to be a US wartime base at the Grange Forest Park, which includes a leash-free dog run. There are great amenities for a family picnic in Ginstead Park with walks up past Sparkes Hill flying fox colony on a good track that runs along the boundary of Everton Park High School. Perhaps the most popular dog walking area along the whole creek system is downstream from the Gilbert road bridge at Grange. The north side of the creek is a long grassy swath set aside by the council for leash-free walks. With big sandstone ''stepping stones'' and a pool ideal for dogs to leap in to fetch a tennis ball just below the bridge, this is a social hub for mutts and their owners, especially in the hour before sundown. You can walk downstream towards Lutwyche and let your hound meet and greet other pets. They love it. Brisbane City Park somewhere below the William Jolly Bridge and take your dog on the South Bank loop. This lovely riverside stroll has plenty of shade trees and runs along the southside of the Brisbane River below the Gallery of Modern Art, Queensland Art Gallery, under Victoria Bridge and on through South Bank Parklands. There are multiple temptations in this area, from cafes to the weekend markets. Follow the bougainvillea arch out at Siddon St, around the Maritime Museum and across the Goodwill Bridge into the campus of Queensland University of Technology. Turn left and walk the cycleway underneath the freeway. Keep the dog close because a lot of cyclists travel along this path. After passing the historic Commissariat stores building, walk up for a crossing on the Victoria Bridge or stroll down George St and then take the Kurilpa pedestrian bridge back over to the GoMA area. For a longer walk, explore the City Botanic Gardens after crossing the Goodwill Bridge before resuming the loop. Sherwood Forest Park This 15-ha slice of peacefulness overlooks the Brisbane River opposite the Lone Pine koala sanctuary. Dogs will have plenty to sniff from the lake, up along the avenue of kauri pines planted in 1925 and on the riverside path with a stop for a rest at former lord mayor Jim Soorley's Sorry seat. The Sherwood Arboretum has 1100 trees representing 300 species, including a mightily impressive Indian bayur tree. Toohey Forest Park Another good, shady area through pleasant bushland, 10km south of Brisbane CBD. The Toohey Forest Park has an extensive network of tracks ideal for jogging or dog-walking but, as with several other Brisbane City Council reserves, they are home to native wildlife including wallabies, so it is important to keep the dog on its leash. The tracks hook up with the bushland grounds of Griffith University. Access is from Toohey Rd, Tarragindi, or Outlook Drive at Mount Gravatt. Download a track map from http://www.brisbane.qld. gov.au or call 3403 8888 for brochures on Brisbane's forest walks. Victoria Point The park at Victoria Point is a good place to start a loop walk around a quiet bayside suburb. From the point, walk down to the Air Sea Rescue base and, at the end of White St, join the track along the shoreline around to Point Halloran. Walk south with wetlands on your right down Point O'Halloran Rd, then turn right up Orana St to the car park of the Eprapah Conservation Reserve. Explore the tracks or turn left past a lagoon on the alignment for School Rd, which eventually turns into a real suburban road. Walk down to Colburn Ave, turn left again and walk back to the Point.

Neighbour kills 33 dogs in 'bloody frenzy. http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0...327-952,00.html A KIWI man has sought the ultimate revenge on his neighbour by shooting 33 of his dogs dead in a "bloody, rifle-killing frenzy". Bad blood had been brewing between Russell Mendoza and Rowan Hargreaves since Monday when Mr Mendoza found his fox terrier mauled to death. He was sure one of Mr Hargreaves' 39 dogs was to blame and sought retribution the next day by heading next door to the quarry property armed with a .22 rifle and a 12-gauge shotgun. Mr Mendoza asked Mr Hargreaves, a mechanic who lives in a broken-down truck surrounded by car wrecks, to sign a note agreeing to the mass shooting. What ensued was what police in the small North Island town of Wellsford described as a "bloody, rifle-killing frenzy". The owner, who said he'd felt "under enormous pressure" to sign the note, stood behind a shack to shield himself from the "bloodbath". He said the sound of his canine companions being shot was unlike anything he'd ever heard before. "They were screaming, making sounds dogs just don't make," he told The New Zealand Herald. "When one was gone, the others knew they'd be next but they had nowhere to go." Dozens of dogs were found dead in a corner where they had been cowering to avoid gunfire. Others were shot in their cages, hit either by ricocheting bullets or at point-blank range. "There was a pile of puppies right alongside the campervan the dog owner lived in," Senior Constable Barry Rose said. The youngest were three weeks old. Four pups hiding under their dead mother in the van and two other dogs survived. Sen Const Rose said it wasn't a straightforward case of a neighbourhood dispute. "They got along quite well as neighbours before," the officer said. "There was no dispute, no nothing, not until the little fox terrier was found dead." On top of that, it seemed Mr Hargreaves was more aggrieved by the manner in which his animals had been killed rather than the fact they had died. "But whether it had been under duress or not he had given permission for the dogs to be shot but not in that manner," Sen Const Rose said. The Society Protection of Animals will investigate whether the killings were carried out humanely.

Hi BertandSally,Thats wonderful news,you must be so relieved.Its hard to keep a good Pug down,what a champion. I must ask my vet to check Wugs Larynx etc when we take him back for desexing and soft pallet op. It really gets you down when you have such bad luck,as i know exactly how you feel,we have had no good luck as yet with Wugs,but that all dissapears when your little man is sitting or sleeping near you,or on your shoulders,snoring his head off,waking up every 30 mins to give you a lick on the nose,just to make sure you are still there with him.

Precious pup home after dogged hunt- http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0...87-3102,00.html WHEN an alleged thief scooped up the tiny white ball of fluff, Ellen Moloney thought she would not see the precious pomeranian again. The nine-week-old puppy became the subject of a police hunt after going missing from Keperra Petworks on January 19. Yesterday, covered in fleas and a little worse for wear, the puppy was returned. Police found her on Tuesday at a Wynnum home after tracing a car with stolen plates to the address. Ms Moloney said she had sleepless nights worrying about the dog. "We love the puppies so much and we always try to make sure they are going to good homes," she said. With new name Snowflake, the puppy was rushed off to the vet for a check-up yesterday. Ms Moloney said the dog could be up for sale again after the vet check, but she suspected a Petworks staff member might take her home. "She's certainly become a bit of a star," she said. Police have charged a man with stealing and a woman with receiving stolen property. The two will appear in court on February 22.

I am quite confused and angry too.He never actually explained to us why he did not want to open the abdominal cavity and get the testies out.Could he maybe too young,he is 7 months old? Its just so frustrating,my poor little fella. i will definately be asking for MY Vet to do the operation next time,especially with the Elongated Pallet surgery(if it is advised by MY Vet to be done).

I have everything crossed and double crossed for poor little Bert,the little man will be sore and sorry,but i am sure he will be ok. Sending lots of cuddles and good thoughts to you and Bert.

Sorry, but I don't understand this at all. What makes the vet thinks the testicles will drop in another 3 or 4 months? If they are not down now they may never be down and if they are not down it is all the more reason to remove them. I have never heard of a vet doing this. They usually just make a bigger incision, find the testicles and remove them. Anybody else ever heard of a vet doing this? We asked the same questions.We were told that they will hopefully drop in 3-4 months,the Vet(who was not our regular,same clinic,but we were not told that our regular vet was not there)said that he did not want to open up the abdominal cavity to find the testies,he said he has seen pugs whos testies have not dropped even when a year old.But the thing is,the Vet nurse told us that it was a certain cost if the testies had dropped,and a bigger cost if they had not,so why give us the 2 prices and not do either. Its not the money that gets me,its the discomfort and trauma that Wugs went through,only to have to go through it all again.I just wanted him to be desexed,weather they had dropped or not. Any one have any ideas why they would not just find the testies and remove them ?

Hi BertandSally, I am so sorry to hear that.The same happened withWugs.They opened him up to desex him,what they thought was a testicle,was a fat sack,so he got sewn up again and we were told to bring him back in 3-4 months,asked to pay 1/2 the price for desexing,and then told,oh,and he has an Elongated soft pallet. We were told that they can operate on his pallet when they desex him again next time,as it can all be done at the same time,and they told us it was not a very expensive operation. Where is the luck hey?? I hope Bert is ok and everything goes smoothly for you. Please keep me infomed.

Thanks Ams,How long should i wait to see weather he grows into his elongated pallet?Or is it safer to get it operated on in 3-4 months time,will i just leave it up to the vet when we take him back?

I hope everyones pups are doing well. Wuggles went in on Friday,got a call in the arvo from the vet,they opened him up and his balls had not dropped yet,what they felt was some sort of fat sack,i am not happy at all,so we have to go through it all again in 3-4 months.He was a little bit sore but is ok now. What a waste of time,money and effort,as we took days off to be with him,still had to pay 1/2 the price,and he has to go through it all agian.No bodys fault i guess,i just feel so bad and guilty. And more bad news,Wuggles has an Elongated soft pallet,so we are going to get that operated on at the same time he gets desexed,AGAIN. Why is nothing ever simple,and everything always seems to go wrong with us. Does anyone have any experience with elongated soft pallets at all? Anyway,i hope everyone is doing well after their op,i hope you had more luck than me.

I am glad to see everyones pups are going well after the operation,i hope they continue to recover quickly. Good luck for Monday Bert,wishing all the best little pug man. Wugs is in tomorrow,i am getting worried now.

Hi All, I am starting to get a bit worried about my 7 month old pug Wuggles.He vomited in the bed last night,he didnt cough or reach,i didnt even hear him,and i just read today that vomiting may be a sighn of an elongated pallet,so i did some more research,and it does not sound good. He makes alot of noise when hot,snores terribly,takes a long time to settle,and when he barks,it seems as though he is struggling to breath back in after he lets the bark out,its like a snorty grasp for air,hard to explain the noise. Has anyone had any experience with this,or do all these signs point toward what i expect,any help and ideas are greatly appreciated. he is getting snipped on Friday,so i will ask the vet to check it.Can he perform an operation if needed while he is there?is it dangerous?is it an expensive operation? I hope he is just being a normal puppy,but from the resarch i have done,i am a bit worried now. Thanks

You and me both sandra64, hope all goes well for you today, I am a wreck, Marlin goes in midday, poor girl cant understand why I wont give her anything to eat. Will post update this afternoon. Hugs to everyone and the babies getting desexed today Good luck to all of you,I hope all goes well,please keep us informed.I am really starting to get nervous and anctious now. when does wuggles go in? He goes in on Friday morning.

You and me both sandra64, hope all goes well for you today, I am a wreck, Marlin goes in midday, poor girl cant understand why I wont give her anything to eat. Will post update this afternoon. Hugs to everyone and the babies getting desexed today Good luck to all of you,I hope all goes well,please keep us informed.I am really starting to get nervous and anctious now.

Hi all, We have always used Fido's Free Itch shampoo for Wugs(pug),he has never had any skin problems with it.It was recommended by our breeder,simply because he was too young for any flee control,and we have used it ever since.We have now finnished the bottle,and i am not sure if we keep going with the Fido's free itch,or if we can change his shampoo. There are so many out there,does anyone know what is good for a Pug's coat and skin,and should i use a conditioner. Another question,is it better to use Ear Wipes,or an Ear Cleaning Solution(drops)? Thanks all.

Thanks Lyn for the advice,greatly appreciated.

Hi BCPuppy, You must be getting a bit nervous by now,I hope it all goes smoothly for you and Marlin,i know it will.My Vet,who is really really good,has not given me a great deal of info,like can he eat or drink before hand etc,i think i will call soon just to make sure,but we know Wugs will be ok,our vet owns 2 Pugs himself,his secretary owns one,and evertime we go there,there is at least 3 or 4 Pugs waiting to see him,so he must know what he is doing,but i will still be nervous. I hope you can keep Marlin away from that water,i wonder if you could just use a wet towel or something and give a gentle wipe down to cool off. i hope all goes well for you and Marlin,good luck.

Hi BertandSally,I hope Bert is all well and good,i think we will both have a sore little Pug come this time next week.it's not really worrying me that much yet,but i am sure when i drop him off,i will be a little frantic. Poor Sally,i really hope everything goes better for you this time.I will keep i touch about Wugs progress,he is sooky enough now as it is,imagine what he will be like when he is sore and sorry.Let me know how you go with Bert,ill be thinking of you all.Good Luck.

hi all, Just wondering about any precautions/care i need to take before and after my pug gets desexed. Is there anything i need to do before hand,like can he eat before, should i put all his toys away etc. can he have treats when he gets home,do i need to get him an elizabethan collar,can he have his advocate before he gets done etc. Any advice or ideas would be much appreciated.

Labrador in a twist after retrieving snake HE'S never had a nose for trouble before but black labrador Bronson sure knows how to turn heads with his retrieving tricks. The champion obedience dog stunned his Victorian owners when he recently returned to them to proudly show off his latest find. Locked firmly in his jaws and coiled around his snout was a long, live snake, believed to be a deadly copperhead. "He's normally an excellent duck dog but he'll pick up absolutely anything and return it to us, hanging on to it until we say 'give'," Deborah Allen said. "My husband Peter didn't know he'd lost his mobile phone out in a paddock recently until Bronson returned with it in his mouth." The couple were lucky to be at home together at their property at Yarragon on January 4 when Mr Allen called out to his wife: "Hey, come and look at this." "There was Bronson with the snake hanging out of his mouth and the snake's body wrapped around his nose," Ms Allen said. "We weren't sure if it was alive or not and we touched its head which was down at ground level and it moved - it appeared slightly stunned." As they grappled with a plan to deal with the snake, Mr Allen told his wife to quickly take a photo first. "He didn't reckon anyone would believe it," she said. With a camera always by her side, Ms Allen captured the stunning sight as perfectly obedient Bronson, 11, remained totally rigid, trained not to move his head while carrying anything he had retrieved. "But he had a real forlorn look on his face like he was saying 'Hurry up and take this thing'," Ms Allen said. Ms Allen said their second labrador, Madeline, usually tried to steal anything Bronson was carrying. "But this is the first time ever she wouldn't have a bar of him. She kept well away." Ms Allen found a chaff bag and lowered it to the ground, pulling the bag up and over the snake while at the same time releasing its body which remained wrapped around Bronson's snout. "And as soon I said 'Give' he dropped it right into the bag and we sealed up the ends." With the snake safely stored, the pair rushed Bronson to the West Gippsland Veterinary Centre where a coagulation blood test confirmed Bronson had copped a bite. Four days in hospital followed on a drip, but Bronson is now happily at home. Australian Veterinary Association president Peter Gibbs said an alarming number of pets had been brought to clinics this summer for treatment of snake bites. "Snakes tend to be at their most active towards the end of day, with snake bites usually happening in late afternoon or early evening," Dr Gibbs said. "Dog owners should avoid snake-prone areas." Symptoms of snakebite include seizures, vomiting, bleeding around the bite, weakness in the limb and paralysis. The animal will collapse with laboured breathing. Urgent treatment is needed but call ahead so they have antivenene on standby. http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0...5013016,00.html

Hi All, We are getting married in November at Banora tweed heads,we are looking for advice or reccomendations for a Pet resort for our Pug(Wuggles),either in or around Calamvale etc,or down the coast,Tweed Heads etc. I came across The Tweed Pet Motel www.tweedvalleypetmotel.com.au,any one ever used or heard about them?any info would be great,or ideas,we were even looking at a homestay pet carer? Thanks

Yep, and anyone who'd casually recommend others assault a person with undiluted chlorine better take a good hard look in the mirror. Permanent blindness, severe tissue burns.. all for "self defence". WTF?? Sorry,maybe a bit over the top,had a hard week,and this story topped it off.Sorry.I Should never had said something like that,or recommended it.And i would never do anything like that.a bit over emotional at the moment.

Now theres a way to end up in a spot of bother. Nothing wrong with a bit of self defense(easier than carrying around a big plank of wood..I would do and try everything and anything to stop someone hurting my dog or myself.You need to be prepared these days.Looneys are everywhere.

Hi BertandSally, Thats terrible,that really makes me cranky ,i want to come and help find this crazy schitzo old bag,take that plank of wood and shove it where the apples dont grow.There are too many crazy ass people in this world,we need a People Ranger,so when you encounter a nut job,you can call them and they will take them away to a people pound . That lady is lucky Bert was not there,pugs will rip crazy people apart I hope you and Sally are feeling better,take a can of spray with you next time,just incase this happens again,i prefer a mix of curry powder and cayane pepper,if not,use undiluted pool chlorine,give her a good dose in the eyes.