Kirty

Toy or Mini Poodle would get my vote. My Standard Poodle certainly isn't precious about anything - she is a mud monster! Maybe a Lagotto? Or Havanese? Tibetan Terrier?

Our childhood dog used to attack the cat every time the phone rang! ROFL! No idea what started it and she eventually got over it but god it was funny. When I say 'attack', she didn't hurt him, but the phone would ring and she would leap up and chase him down the hall! The look on the poor cat's face was priceless. Hahaha!

Oh no, I am so sorry you lost Harvey. I too remember him (and you) from Cat-World. RIP gorgeous boy.

The Lort Smith have a chaplain service for grieving pet owners I believe. You could try them.

Can't believe the police force just dumped the expenses on his handler, after all his years of service!!

I am pretty sure the website/blog/forum can be sued, regardless of who said it. Is this the bloke who randomly emails people massive spiels about the RSPCA?

Definitely the sighthounds! Pia does crazy zoomies and I can't stop laughing watching her tear around the yard with the other dogs in hot pursuit! LOL!

My plan is to put a big board along one side of the stairs. They are corner stairs and I have noticed that when she is on the deck, she hugs the rails. But there are no rails on the stairs. So I am hoping that if I put a board along the side, she can hug that as she goes down. I really need to increase her motivation for going down them too. Because she can do it now, but why should she when its so much easier to poop and pee on the deck?!

Dancinbcs, the cost depends on the procedure (there are several methods for cruciates) and who does the surgery.

My dog did her cruciate earlier this year and had a TPLO at a specialist. It normally costs about $4500 but thankfully I got a discount. She has recovered quite well but is still not 100% on that leg. She has now just done the other leg and I will probably go with the cheaper option of a De Angeles Suture this time.

Woo! We are making progress! She came down the stairs by herself twice tonight while I carried on at the bottom to encourage her. She was so proud of herself! I have a new idea to try as well to help her feel more confident. Unfortunately a ramp wouldn't really work due to the shape and location of the stairs, but hopefully my new plan will work!

And if they are left in the above manner, they can be real escape artists!

The front steps are a bit lower and there is one step to a landing, then another, if that makes sense. Whereas the back steps are three steps in a row. They are slightly bigger than the front steps. They are timber, front steps are concrete/pavers. She wears a harness and I have tried 'guiding' her down in the harness but she really fights it. Once she is on the last step, she jumps down no problems. Its the first two that rattle her. With other steps, she will lean down and reach for the next step, but she just doesn't like these ones! I will try putting something on them as you suggest. ETA: Going up is no problem at all! She has the backyard all mapped out so once she is down the steps, she runs around and plays, then happily runs back up them when she is done.

My little blind pup is doing great but we have an issue with stairs. I completely understand her fear but I need her to move past it! During the day, she now hangs out with my dogs outside but she refuses to go down the deck steps, and as a result, is using the deck as a toilet. I have tried praising her as I help her down them, luring her with my voice and with treats, etc but she won't use them. She knows where they are and stands at the edge and barks! LOL! She uses the steps out the front with no issue, just doesn't like the back ones. I have been using 'step up' and 'step down' since she arrived and she seems to understand. I think she may have had a scare on them? Any ideas?

Make sure the dogs have been eye tested too. Cataracts are an issue in the breed.

I am so very sorry for your loss.

She is a GSD. Totally gorgeous. She was born blind so she doesn't know she is special.

My dogs and cats get their initial vaccs, then a booster at 15mths and then every 3 years. I work in a vet clinic (but low risk) so I will continue to do the triennial vaccs.

I have a blind foster pup here and am looking for some noisy toys for her. Ideally, something that doesn't need to be squeezed to make a sound. I have ordered some giggle balls and babble balls (they make noise when rolled), but does anyone else have any ideas?

I'm very interested in getting involved in tracking too - my last attempt several years ago was a disaster though, and it really put me off. Will keep an eye out for the beginner workshop next year.

It looks like a Potoroo to me. Poor thing. And for people saying its hard to smuggle things into China - did you see the article a few weeks ago with the Spotted Cuscus? Someone dumped it at a zoo and the zoo keepers were feeding it grass. They didn't even know what it was.

How do you know that educating kids has the best results? My kids are educated about how to approach dogs, not to touch strange dogs, etc but no way do I actually expect them to do it right all the time.

I think that Fish and Feather stock Wombaroo (not that I would encourage anyone to buy anything from them, but if its an emergency well you don't have much choice). Otherwise try Chirnside Park vet.

Umm are you implying by that last comment that children are somehow at fault if they are abused???? Children are CHILDREN!! They need to be protected and if you knew anything about kids, you would know that you can teach them all you like but it doesn't mean they will know what to do when a situation arises. As others have said, this child was playing in her OWN yard. OK so she shouldn't have hugged the dog, but she is 3YO!! Thats what 3yo's do! They act on impulse, they do not rationally think about things. Bloody hell.

Foster puppy is doing great. Will be on a bland diet for another week or so to make sure her tummy is completely recovered, then we can start to introduce some real food again. She is obviously feeling better too because she is becoming EVIL! LOL! She is so gorgeous though. I am so relieved it wasn't parvo!! Still waiting on those final results but might not know until Monday now.