Kirty

I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you for caring for her in her hour of need. Sounds like you were all lucky to find each other. RIP Mushi

I wouldn't panic yet. Any sign of distress or discomfort though, get her to the vet. Most labs have fairly iron guts.

That was the most beautiful tribute. Emma was a truly special dog.

I don't think a harness would cause a lipoma, but now that it's there it might be uncomfortable if it is rubbing on the lump. I found the big one on Maisie's chest first, then over the next few weeks found the other three. We only decided to remove them because the big one was growing under her armpit and hindering her movement. Our old family dog was covered in them and she lived to be 17. They never caused her a problem.

I have two foster pups here at the moment who have had a pretty crappy upbringing until now. I suspect they have been kept in very isolated, cramped conditions because they are very fearful and they also use their bed as a toilet. They are currently in quarantine so they are in a pen. I have put newspaper at one end and put their bed, food and water at the other end. They frequently wee in their bed though. They also wee right next to their water and food. They use the newspaper too, but I've never had such dirty puppies. I am hoping once they are out of quarantine I can teach them to use grass, but does anyone have any ideas to try to stop them doing this?

My three dogs (including a Greyhound) live with 10+ cats at any one time and are fine with them. They all sleep in my bedroom together at night. However if a strange cat ran through my backyard one day, I couldn't guarantee its safety. Dogs are dogs. They have prey drive and every now and then, even in the most placid dog, something will set it off. I think they lady and her dogs will be fine but I would be telling her not to make a big scene out of it online.

Rach, this is just not fair. Sending you massive hugs. We are all here for you. RIP Gypsy xxx

I work at an animal eye specialist clinic. I asked the vets and they said we don't really see many Chi's and the only problems we generally see are extra eyelashes and dry eye. Neither of which are prolific. Hope that helps. Dogs that go blind in old age often just have age-related changes in their lenses, which is different to cataracts. They may also have some age-related iris or retinal degeneration. And this is not PRA.

The girl has her tail tucked under. Her face is a bit Dobe like - they are definitely not Aussie or BC. I think they have a dozen breeds in them though. I don't think they are going to be massive, but they will be at least Lab size if not bigger.

My dog Maisie developed her first lipomas when she was about 5yo. I found 4 lumps on her and freaked out! Three were just small (one under her chin, one on her rump and one on her head from memory) but she also had a big one on her breastbone. FNA confirmed they were lipomas, but the one on her chest eventually grew under her armpit and was causing her to walk funny. We needed to remove that one and decided to remove the others while she was under GA. She has since developed more and the vets say she is just a lumpy dog.

We have seen some with extra eyelashes, not sure about other problems. Will ask at work and get back to you. ETA: PRA is generally not a disease of 'old' dogs - it generally sets in at 4-6 years of age and they are blind well before they are old.

Some quick, crappy photos. The boy: Check out the worm belly!!! The girl:

I will try and get some photos of his legs tomorrow. They have been in a pound for at least 8 days, so that would have been a concrete floor. Prior to that, they were abandoned when someone moved out of a rental property - so I have no doubt their diet up until now has been crap. The little boy eats like a horse but the girl is so bloody picky! You'd think in her state she would be grateful for any food she gets... Naughty girl!

Thanks guys. They are supposed to be Dobe x but they look like they have a few breeds in there. The bigger one is a solid boned pup, the tiny one is very fine boned. I'd guess they are about 9-10 weeks old? I have started them on a premium puppy food and will get some frames tomorrow.

I have just taken in two large breed puppies in fairly crappy condition. One is much bigger and has more weight on him, but he is very down in the pasterns. The smaller one is just skin and bones - really disgusting. Any advice on what to feed them to help improve his legs and get the weight on her?

VAAT is the council pound for Yarra Ranges and also a shelter. Some shelters are also pounds. They run the council pounds for whatever council and when the dogs have done their 8 days, if they are suitable, they go into the shelter. Edited because I found new info.

I think he is a Pom x ACD. :D

budgiew, just to clarify. There is a difference between pounds and shelters. Pounds are where stray/dumped dogs end up. They do their 8 days, then they are either PTS, taken by a shelter/rescue group or adopted from the pound. Most Victorian pounds have contracts with big shelters (RSPCA, VAAT, etc) and many don't deal with the public at all. Dogs do not stay until they find a home. Pounds do NOT do temperament assessments. Sometimes volunteers from the general public will go in and do temp assessments (which is what you see in the DOL rescue threads). Shelters and rescue groups DO do temp assessments. Hope this helps.

It can be done, but it will require some hard work and management on your part. Cavaliers need to be part of the family - they don't do well being left in a backyard for long periods. Ideally the dog will have access to the house when you are out, which means it needs to be toilet trained, which means dedication on your behalf. It would be a good idea if you could organise a week or two off work to get the pup settled and into a routine before it was left alone. Otherwise, consider adopting an adult dog from a breeder where the hard yards have already been done.

Oh my gosh, Gayle. I am so sorry. Benson was such a beautiful dog and I can't believe he has left you already. You and your family are in my thoughts. RIP Benson xxx

My dogs and cats are only ever vaccinated with a C3/F3. Foster dogs are done with a C5 because its the rescue group's policy. The one time I had my dogs done with a C5, they all came down with KC.

Just wanted to clarify that the group in Wonga Park is called Blue CROSS. And yes they are lovely there.

Ive just found this Jules and I am so so sorry. I dont think Im too far away so if there is anything I can do, please let me know. RIP Brock xxx

I am so very sorry Jacq. She was such a special dog and I always loved seeing the photos of her on your website with the latest batch of foster pups. RIP beautiful Cordelia.

Oh no, I am so sorry Rach. He was so lucky to have you to care for him. RIP Whitey. xxx