mita

Yes. Let's start by taking the tens of thousands of dollars the council gives to the sport of greyhound racing each year, and use it to embrace that concept and achieve those goals. Yes, & embrace that concept & achieve those goals (of working towards zero euthanasia), within the sport of greyhound racing. As well. I live next door to a man associated with greyhound racing. Even tho' he loves his dogs, it gives me a window into that sphere where life can be short for those who don't measure up as runners.

Bit O/T, Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasle, was a great, down to earth, inspirational leader, during the recent floods. When people in his area had to be evacuated, there was no hesitation about pets being allowed too. While Brisbane Council was first saying No Pets....until someone ( bless 'em!) got that overturned. And he managed to be funny as well as supportive of his community. When looters got caught, he threatened he'd use them as flood markers. When some shops sold basics at inflated prices, he said they'd find council road/footpath works right outside their stores for the next number of months. All gloriously politically incorrect...but exactly what people were delighted to hear during those hard times. There's a can-do, will-do attitude spreading around Ipswich. Looks like pets will benefit, too, from this new partnership with AWL Qld.

I couldn't be happier. AWL Qld has its own excellent veterinary facilities. Homeless and surrendered dogs & cats require sound veterinary assessment, just as they need sound behavioral assessment. That enables AWL to give animals the fairest deal possible. They put it under the headings of Rescue, Rehabilitate, Rehome. Many of the AWL programs extend to prevention of dumping, such as counselling prior to a dog being surrendered, 'settling in' programs that help adopted pets 'stick' in their new homes, educational programs for homes with new babies etc. They even have top class education programs in schools, at many levels. It's hard to single out anything from their many initiatives. But their Golden Oldies program is special to me. Older, mellow pets make a wonderful addition to many homes. I've just been keeping an eye on a 10 yr old tibbie boy, surrendered to AWL on Gold Coast when his owner went into a nursing home. In some facilities, age alone would be regarded as reason for the green needle. Well, this 10 yr old boy at AWL Qld, well bred & raised, was so healthy he only needed some teeth clean-up & nails clipped. And so good natured, he & a new owner and their present dog passed their 'matching' test. Only took days for him to be rehomed. AWL have been a delight to communicate with, as I've tracked how this lad is going. They handle so many animals, but the staff could give immediate information about him, when I phoned. With genuine care for him. I hope AWL's move into the Ipswich region will get the organisation even more public support, via membership, donations, volunteering, fostering and support for their many activities. I'm biased. We're Life Members of AWL Qld & they get a yearly donation.

Little tibbie next door is a real lively 'look at me' princess. But when her 'dad' had an eye operation that left him in agony afterwards, she wouldn't leave his side. He could only lay face down on the bed, head held up with pillows. Lily lay beside him, absolutely still, for hours on end. It was if she knew the slightest movement would cause pain. Friends recently visited an older lady recovering from a stroke. One of her tibbie girls would never leave her side. The other appointed herself guard & would bark a warning as soon as anyone came in the door of the room. The friends said it was lovely how they did team work to look after their 'mum' In the past, both dogs would just happily greet visitors & then go off about their business generally. But now they've got work to do.

I saw some examples of Mark Sheppard's communications, during the DogsQ negotiations about the status of Amstaffs. Apart from what he wrote, how he wrote was exceptionally good for negotiating with the authorities.

I've always liked owning 2 dogs. I find it easier as they're company for each other. And have tried to own 1 dog straight from a good registered breeder & the other a dog with a rescue background. Good on you for highlighting the importance of putting thought into getting a new puppy/dog. And for giving useful advice to friends. So many people don't know how to get dogs from registered breeders. Neither do they know of all the lovely dogs to be got from rescues.

This has nothing to do with universities & nothing to do with any published scientific papers. As far as I can see. I was searching on their website to locate just who the 'scientists' & 'researchers' are, who are credited with developing this test. 'Wisdom Panel' looked promising. But turned out to be funny. For $69.99 (reduced), you can find out so many things from your mixed-breed's DNA. Including how best to target your dog's nutrition. Which is not surprising given that this stuff is under the aegis of the Mars commercial company. Best known for pet food. http://www.wisdompanel.com/ I tried clicking on 'Resources', maybe some published reports cited there. Turned out to be a short list of assorted associations. Including the American & UK Kennel Clubs. Giving an impression that there's some link.

I get the pet transport company to also pick up from the airport & bring to me by road. Even tho' I'm in an outer Brisbane suburb. It means the dogs are straight into the care of the person doing the next stage of transport. This person has always phoned me to let me know what they're up to....like if the plane will be late. Seems to me there's continuity of superivised care, that way. Or it makes me feel better. I often look at my Annie in wonder. She flew from Sweden to Sydney, as a youngster. Yet she was shivering hard when she flew from Canberra to Brisbane. The road transport person made a good decision to get her from the airport to me as fast as possible.

I got 2 adult tibbie girls met at the airport by the transport bloke who was then to deliver them by road. He told me the girls got lots of pats at the airport before going in the van. And he gave them a trip to the toilet & drink of water. But he'd kept them in his arms, & firmly on their leads. I had no problem with that. And the girls arrived in fine form. He said the airport staff were specially pleased that day because 2 tibbie puppies also came thro', from the same breeder. A different situation, tho', re the baby puppies because of lower thresh-hold immune systems. Is there some way 'freighting' instructions for baby puppies can carry specific directions about reducing contact with people & with other environments to only what is necessary for their safety & comfort? Like a supervised cuddle & drink of water & little run around. And also highlight the need for security re strangers being left alone with dogs of any age?

That happened with our sheltie as she got towards 13 yrs of age. The vet told us it's a loss of muscle mass in older dogs that can give that impression. She'd been a solid girl all her life previously.

Meg, that's a great idea. I'm going to squirrel it away for future reference.

Glad to see a poster who's said dogs need to have a 'waist'. I heard that for first time recently, when I asked an experienced vet about tibbie, Annie's weight. Annie looks like a little tubby (yes, tubby!) yak, to me. I was worried she might be over-weight. But the vet felt her over & said she was exactly right...& that she had a 'waist'. The vet had already weighed her at 6 kilos. But it seemed that an essential final test was 'having a waist'. I filed it away as something I needed to learn more about.

Another great post. :rolleyes: Whether about puppies or middlies or seniors, they just keep coming. ;) I agree that the seniors are gems. So mellow. And I totally agree that lifestyle & conditions must be checked to make sure they get quality of life. I've just seen one of the older dogs that tempts me....because they've proven so wonderful when adopted. AWL Qld has a surrendered 10 yr old tibetan spaniel boy, Simba. Lot of retired people in that area, so likely an age-related surrender, like going into nursing home. Simba's got all the signs of his breed in full flower. Affectionate, confident, good with children & other dogs, loves a walk. This breed ages well. I'll bet Simba, in person, is more like a 6-7 yr old. Shameless plug for Simba. Enquiries (07) 5509 9000 [email protected]

Getting a puppy in a nutshell! Lovely description, including puppy breath smell. Last puppy we had was years ago, with a border collie pup. In recent years, the youngest was a 7 months old p/b sheltie, who'd grown too tall for showing. Magnificent, healthy girl but she'd been kept in kennel conditions (with great physical care, tho'). So she hadn't had all that socialisation which has to be hard-wired in, during those early weeks. So lot of work getting her used to many things, when she was anxious about them. But she gained confidence. Since then we've had an adult rescued sheltie (a saint of a dog!). And adult age tibetan spaniels retired as pets from breeders who'd already put much love & care & socialisation into them...from their earliest weeks of life. Age we got them ranged from 4 yrs to 9 yrs. When people admire their lovely natures & behaviours, I've always truthfully said, 'They came like that!' And no trouble bonding with me. All of them have been 'heart dogs'. So I'd happily take an 8+ yrs. I also agree with Cris's last comment. Always keep a door/heart open for the dog or pup that just comes along. Like the mixed-breed puppy we once found, thrown from a car. And who lived to be almost 23 yrs of age. Then known as Gran & much loved by many.

So sorry to hear this. I know how it feels to have a dog treated for something...then the very treatment itself causes a bigger problem. Sending healing vibes Daisy's way. Mason, thanks for that info. Makes good sense. Very handy to know.

Double post.

All that Staranais said made sense to me. I think the OP was sharp to pick up the overall change in the vet's behaviour. There's some kind of decline going on....from whatever. Burnout? Depressed? But even if there's a reason, it's no excuse for unnecessarily rough handling. Also odd that there'd been no pre-op weighing. I understand Magstar's tears after watching how her still groggy dog was treated! I agree it's so important for a dog to be handled/managed as humanely as possible, as it's more likely to cooperate with exams & treatments. I notice that my girls respond differently to different vets. With only one vet, my girl (tho' making no fuss) presses close to me. With another vet, she throws herself into his arms as soon as he enters the room. She adores him & is happily cooperates. Like she needed a scan, where many dogs have to be sedated to keep them still & 'moveable'. But not her, with the vet she likes.

Agree very much with the highlighted bit. Also is 'play' being used as an umbrella term for 'socialising' with other dogs? Or does it mean engaging in certain ways?

I can't speak for the OP, but there's a gorgeous bloke called Sarge for adoption in Brisbane. A couple of decades ago, I'd be applying for him, in a flash, as a family dog. He's with Animal Rescue Qld ARQ that's been founded to foster/rehome dogs displaced in the chaos of the floods. And not claimed. Name is Sarge, & he's labelled a great dane X, but he's got a bit of the mastiff look. Loves children & children love him back. Takes food gently from your hand. And sits quietly, drinking in all the Ooohs & Aaaaahs he gets for his good looks & happy face. For family protection, I'd have Sarge as a housedog with a fenced houseyard. Alongside him, I'd have a tibetan spaniel as an alert dog. Big Sarge would be a visual deterrant. Unless the 'baddie' happens to see Sarge wondering why he can't fit thro' the cat flap! Lovely pic in his PetRescue profile: http://www.petrescue.com.au/_feed/view/?animal=98778

Well, your sister must have missed this article in the science section of the Guardian newspaper (UK based). The man who first crossed labradors with poodles (labradoodle) to try to get 'better' guide dogs, says that it was not a bright idea at all. It didn't produce 'better' guide dogs, but he says it led to an explosion of crossing poodles with all sorts of breeds, to get unlimited 'oodles'. He says many of them have problems....& lots more. Yes....'groodles' are mentioned. He regrets, with a passion, what he started. So tell your sister to lock herself in the bathroom & go nowhere to buy a puppy, until she's read this article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/nov...ors-idea-regret

The 2 pet dobes that I've known well, fit what you've said exactly. Both p/b from registered breeders. One raised from a puppy along with the babies & children in a family. He was an amazing 'nanny' dog. One I've described previously, pet of a builder, & a big sweet sooky boy. Both inside dogs & household pets with access to well-fenced yards.. Their value as guard dogs lay in what people up to no good thought about dobes.

I thought that, too! Our young relatives' Newfy used to love to go swimming. He'd circle them all the time, ready to save them. :D Your new boy is absolutely beautiful.

Couldn't agree more about a fenced houseyard to keep the dog in. And the comment about a guard dog & an alert dog. I've got dogs that alerted us to an intruder who was entering our house thro' the doors onto the deck. He fled into the dark outside after hearing the dogs' barking coming at him, up the hallway. But he still didn't escape, the dogs tracked him. And found him walking down the driveway next door. So I got a good look at him, for description for the police. Turned out he'd stolen from a few houses in our block that same night, but our dogs were the first to discover him. Our alert dogs are tibetan spaniels. Builder we know has the perfect combination. He owns a dobe & his wife a tibetan spaniel. He has a lot of equipment & materials on his property. But alert dog, the tibbie, lets them know when there's a stranger come in (only time it barks). And guard dog, dobe, wanders out to take a look (providing the deterrent). What intruders don't know is that the dobe is a sweet, sook! Alert dog in position. :D And a team of 1 alert dog & 2 guard dogs, at the gate. A tibbie between 2 tibetan mastiffs.

Thanks for posting that article. There's one hero in the telling....the person who anonymously sent a copy of JH's statement for the Committee, to the dog's owners. A dog that she'd said had died from some appalling condition. But actually, is alive & well. Way back when JH made her first dramatic critique of pedigree dogs, she acknowledged in an interview that she'd over-stated to get attention to the subject. So, here we go again. Her behaviour has lived up to the name of her enterprise, Passionate Productions. I'd have trouble with anyone who was offering 'research' or 'information', under that label. If I were chair of any committee where such a 'company' was giving a submission, I'd tell them to change their name to Rational Productions. And only come back, after trying some of that. There's also an excellent comment at the bottom of the article, by 'Dr Barnes'. All he says was posted here on DOL, when JH's program first surfaced.

Tua & Croftie are beautiful. They'll bring a lot of joy to people, in their work as therapy dogs. Congratulations to the 3 of you. :D