YappyLittleDawg

I was talking to Sarbi's handler, and apparently she was quite fat when returned to her unit. It is not altogether clear if she was indeed being looked after by local folk for the whole 14 months she was gone, or if she was just kind of scavenging for herself. An American soldier is credited with spotting her, and thinking she might belong to the Australians, but I have never heard if any local Afgan family was rewarded for looking after her. And yes, I have been telling everyone I'm never going to wash my hand again. Well, at least not until after I get home and let my ancient, tootless terrier have a sniff of my hand - he might find it quite inspirational! :p

I just had to come out of "invisible" mode here on DOL to say I have just met Sarbi, and she licked me!! (She didn't lick anyone else who was meeting her, but I used the "present-the-back-of-the-hand" introduction technique, and was rewarded with a Sarbi lick!!!!). And I got to pat her. I'M SO CHUFFED! Working at the AWM does have its perks. http://www.awm.gov.au/blog/2011/03/23/sarb...n-war-memorial/ <H2 class=title> Top dog honours for war hound Sarbi Updated 56 minutes ago Awarded: Sarbi was found 14 months after she went missing at an isolated patrol base in Afghanistan. (AAP: Dan Himbrechts) <script type=text/javascript> <LI class=story>Related Story: Are war days over for bomb-sniffing rover? <LI class=story>Related Story: Sarbi home again after Afghan adventure Photo Gallery: Sarbi returns to Australia An explosives detection dog that spent more than a year missing in action in Afghanistan has received the RSPCA's purple cross award at the Australian War Memorial. Sarbi served with Australian troops in Afghanistan but became separated from her handler during an attack in 2008. War Memorial spokeswoman Carol Cartwright says it is only the second time the award has been honoured to an animal in war. "The only two that are war-related are for Murphy, Simpson's donkey, and for all of the donkeys from World War I and now this one for Sarbi," she said. "The award is an RSPCA award and it has gone to dogs that have saved people in house fires and heart attacks and things like that." Ms Cartwright says Sarbi was found 14 months after she went missing at an isolated patrol base. "An American saw an Afghan with this particular dog and thought 'that looks a bit like the Australian dog', so the microchip was tested and yes indeed it was Sarbi," she said. </H2>

hmmm...don't know, but I'll certainly pass the information on. Thanks very much.

Thanks very much mita - I will look into it. :D

My darling ex-Mother-in-Law (yes, there are lovely ones out there!) lives in a retirement village in Durack, Brisbane, and has a beautiful Siamese cat who means the world to her. She has only been living in the area for less than a year, and is not happy with the vet she is going to - apparently an "efficient but cold, clinical woman". My MIL would like to find a vet who is a bit more on the "soft and caring" side, within a reasonable distance. (She has access to private transport). Any recommendations? Cheers. :D

Thanks guys. I think I'd better call the carpet cleaners and be done with it, though. Geez I hate carpet!!!! eta: the Nil-Odor in the tank sounds like a good idea - I'll try it tonight.

Before I get the professional carpet cleaners in, does anyone have any tried and trusted handy hints for deodourising a house. After 4 puppies and seven kittens, the place is rancid, even with the best quality kitty-litter, etc in place. I've used gallons of white vinegar, Urine-Off, carpet deodourising powder, air freshener, fresh air (!), and I have been busy with the carpet shampooer, etc (over a period of several months, not all at once!). But the whole place just smells funky. I want to rip the carpets up and burn them! Does anyone know anything REALLY good to put in the carpet shampooer, to kill smells? I'm desperate!

Thank heavens for your auntie! And wasn't Patch lucky to have found such a wonderful family as yours obviously is. 18 years - a wonderful innings, old girl.

Thanks for that sas. I don't know the science behind that claim, but it's a bit scarey, if true. I note that the article you linked to goes on to say "Sagewash™ Sanitizer is changing the cleaning concept. Within 2 years of its launch in the USA, Sagewash Sanitizer is now used widely by ABKA members ( American Boarding Kennel Association) and is recognised as the number 1 hand held low pressure sanitizing system". I wonder if Australian kennel owners and/or dog breeders are using this stuff, and if so, I'd love to see a post on here about what they think of it. If the effectiveness is as good as it claims to be, I think this hand-held devise & its associated chemicals could be just the thing for a small quarantine area, which I am looking into setting up at home. Look forward to hearing from other DOLers. YLD

This stuff makes some pretty big claims re parvo virus etc. Is anyone using it, or have they heard any reliable reports about it? Sagewash site (scroll down to table of things it claims to kill). Cheers, YLD p.s. no, I'm not a secret saleswoman for Sagewash!

Many thanks MTD, HollyMilo, lillysmum & TeamSnag. It's wonderful that this Rainbow Bridge forum is available to us when we lose our best friends. I remember you too, lillysmum. xo. Look to see me back on DOL more often now. TeamSnag.... to your little beauties! YLD (Sue) - Canberra xoxoxoxo

Thankyou, lovely DOLers! It is a great comfort to read your messages. Sue J aka Yappy.

MOLLY (click here for pics) Rescued from a Sydney pound three years ago, (with the help of DOLers), Molly spent her final years in pampered princess bliss, with lots of doggie friends, many yummy meals, and a life-time's worth of cuddles. She was loyal, feisty, loving, brave, sweet, (and proper little pain in the neck, sometimes!). She passed away quietly yesterday morning, in my arms. Bless you sweetheart

Hi dublin - check out this link - good description of the symptoms. Luxating patella symptoms

Can I come and live in Never, Never Land too? Seriously, there is a wonderful description of how to perform "the act" very generously posted here some time ago by poodlefan, in response to a question from me. Have a search - it'[s quite ...er...explicit ( :rolleyes: ) !

My dogs have always loved the Nature's Gift treats - and now they make the 'kibble-like' stuff called "Tender Cuisine". a 1kg bag, with 10 individual packets inside. Great for measuring out just the right amount. They LOVE this - Teddy will usually turn his nose up at 'dry' food, unless it is liberally moistened with sardines but he wolfs the Nature's Gift stuff down. Jessie, of course, will eat anything that even vaguely resembles food, but she get a little extra wag in her tail when it's Nature's Gift. Great product!!!

thanks for all the replies guys. Very interesting. Jessie is on just 25mg, once per day. She is about the size of a really fat Corgi, and weighs 13kg (yes, I know, I know!!) How big is your dog Casper? Maybe the dose of 100mg was too high for her. Jessie has not had any bad reactions to Rimadyl in the two times she has had it before, and I can really see the difference in her when she taking it. I have just picked up another bottle from the vet, but will definitely investigate the Previcox and Metacam. Thanks again.

My 11 year old girl Jessie responds very well to Rimadyl for her arthritis- she has been on it twice for short perieods, and I am thinking of asking the vet for some more. I have her on a diet and she enjoys her daily walk, but she is so much happier on the Rimadyl. Would a long-term course be dangerous?

Ooooh, that's CLEVER! I must remember that - I always have Tiger Balm in the house, as I use it myself all the time. That's definitely one for the Doggie First Aid Kit.

Hiya persephone - I got this information for you from an international forum I am on which has many different inerest groups. This group is called " Ask the Vet Techs" and the answer come from a qualtified Veterinary Technician in America. Hope this helps.

Teddy is out of surgery and doing fine (he went in a day earlier than expected) :D :D Can't say the same for "mum" though as I am still reeling from the $490 bill. No bath for 10 days - well, that's just as well, as he goes absolutlely nutzoid after a bath - that's probably what made the hernia pop in the first place No wonder they've sprayed him with "girly" smelling stuff, enough to last 10 days, I reckon - poor little guy, how humiliatin' ;) ;)

Well it turns out is a hernia :rolleyes: Teddy is booked in to the vets next Tuesday. Paws crossed everyone. Thanks to all who contributed some advice - I feel a bit of a dill, but I've never had anything to do with male dogs before.

Teddy would have been 'done' quite a while ago - at least a couple of years. He's a rescue dog and was already de-sexed when he turne up in a pound about 2 year ago. I meant to say that it's a lump that protrudes, not a lump you have to press to feel. It's quite easy to see - it's just I don't often looke there!!! Pic included for aaaawwwwww factor!

My little male dog has a lump about the size of a large grape where his testicles used to be (now that's a sentence I never thought I'd see myself write ) I've only just noticed it as Teddy has never been amenable to the tummy rub accept when he has just had a bath - then he goes ballistic with the joy of being alive! After his bath yesteday, I noticed this lump for the first time. Is it normal?

Just a little extra info you might like to use - my 10 year old dog has recently gone on a weight-loss diet, and she also has arthritis so this might be helpful. I give her "Vet's All Natural" complete mix - Dog Weight Loss formula. It's a mix of dried veg, grains, brewer's yeast etc., availabe from health food stores. You mix it with water and let it stand for 12 hours and serve it with good quality raw meat. My Jessie LOVES it. I add a heaped teaspoon of Glucosamine Chondroitin joint food powder, also available from health food stores. www.vetsallnatural.com.au Leenie in Brisbane sent me the following advice when I posted about Jessie having a problem with her right front leg collapsing under her occassionaly. I'm sure she wont mind me re-posting it here, for you to adapt as you think best for your Lab. Most importantly, as has already been said, cut down on those CARBS (dog biscuits are a big no-no I'm afraid) Wishing you all the best with your dog - may she be with you for many more years.