mita

RP, I don't know much about agility. What's come up in this thread has made me curious to go look! Your opinion is a fair one about a dog's proportions lending themselves to doing certain things. And tibs have a longer back in proportion to legs, which wouldn't help long-jumping! But they can run like the wind (with hare feet like greyhounds), climb like mountain goats & change direction quickly at great speed. I've been watching, this morning, our tib girls playing with the 14 weeks old greyhound pup next door (she's from champion stock & destined for racing). The grey girl tries to get a long run to chase them, but the tibs do all the ducking & weaving at speed, & leaping up on high surfaces. When the grey gets a straight run up, she moves like greased lightning. (CW EW, Casper would love to be in this game!) Sorry for going O/T, SP, but there are interesting topics turning up....even tho' I realise agility isn't high on your list. Fascinating, looking at the various breeds.

Tibbies do take part in agility & win titles, but it seems more in the US. They had a website devoted to US tibbies in agility. http://agiletibs.tripod.com/titles.html http://agiletibs.tripod.com/agiletibs.html Maybe it tells more about we tibbie owners in Australia! You made me think, tho', RP. The small dog that used to be in the Pal Superdog Team, doing all sorts of agility tricks, was a Papillon. I don't know a lot about Papillons. But could it be worth OP looking into that breed, too??? I also think that already loving the 'poodleness' in the present dog, maybe go with a small p/b poodle???

The ruby Cavalier boy sure is gorgeous. Lovely nature, too. Maybe he'd tempt you to re-think Cavs??? Tibbies are born companion dogs to people. That was their main purpose in the buddhist monasteries of Tibet. They love running & playing. Tho' their coat is wash 'n wear, you do have to regularly brush out the undercoat.

A sheltie, by the way, is very trainable. We owned shelties before we had tibbies. Our boy sheltie, Danny, was a saint of a dog. Biddable, loveable, & not a barker (as some can be). Our girl sheltie, Shelley, was a lunatic, but we loved her. As for a Cavalier. Have a look at the face of this ruby Cavalier & see if it'd turn you! No, he's not for adoption. He's presently in excellent care in Brisbane, having been found lost last week, after the flooding chaos. His owner is still being sought. In the meantime, he's wowing everyone with his gorgeous looks & loving nature. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=484...190006734345627

Tibetan Spaniel

I did a bit of googling around to see what evacuation plans had been developed following the new laws that stemmed from Hurricane Katrina in the US. Each county has to have evacuation plans in order (& for pets, too), if they want to get federal funding after a disaster. I found the San Francisco area one. And it's realistic. Of course, it's hoped a first option can be for residents to get out under their own steam, early, & take their pets. Or if there's transport that can accommodate pets, too. Gives a list of things which people should have, at the ready, to take along with their pets. Makes the good point that people should continually crate/carrier train their dogs & cats, so it's not terrifying for them when there's an evacuation. It also helps plan for when disasters are in various spots (like in the Brisbane floods, when one part of a suburb was flooded, but the other untouched). They tell people to make good connections re their pets with neighbours & within their communities. So assistance can be called on. Like an already existing list of volunteer foster-carers could be used to make matches straight away. It also refers to the worst case scenario when pets have to be left behind. They give a list of things to do before you go....that might give the animals some chance of survival. And they tell people to leave a list somewhere prominent, of what pets are in your house. That's because the 2nd wave of rescue can often include animal rescuers, or people who'll feed animals until owners can return. They tell people what to take with them in a case like that (all the ID info + a photograph of family with the pets). Microchipping isn't mandatory there, but they strongly recommend it.

I only know a big bunch of tibbie breeders & they'd be appalled at any deliberate cross-breeding to produce 'novelty' dogs for sale. I'd have to get the smelling salts ready, before telling them of any case. You know a lot more breeders, so it's good to hear your opinion it'd be rare across the bigger picture.

I just spoke to the vets Mita And the receptionist was saying that the funds raised on behalf of the clinic will be going towards the Toowoomba pet people who have lost everything. She said that the funds are being distributed by a Council of people who decide who gets what. Which is great. I was of the understanding that some of the money raised was going to Gatton as well but this doesnt seem to be the case. Good for that info, SB. The notice said it would help pets in the 'Toowoomba Region'. Like you, I figured that might mean down the valley at Gatton, too. But seems they very much mean 'Toowoomba'. Sure is great that the money will go to the pets of people who've lost everything. There's a lot of them!

West Toowoomba Vet Surgery is holding a Sausage Sizzle, Hydrobath & Raffle on 5th February, 2011. To raise money for the treatment of animals injured or made ill by the recent floods in that region. Address is 194 West St Toowoomba. Phone for contact is (07) 4636 2027 All info here: http://www.facebook.com/notes/animals-lost...136481119750046

Great effort by DOLers for the dogs & cats in the very worst hit area. You're a champion, SB, for bringing it all together. And driving distances over harsh roads to do so. Thank you. :laugh:

Fantastic!

So does that mean the Uni has promised to put the money into Scrappy's account. You haven't got my donation yet towards his account.

I'd think that any registered breeder who also deliberately crossbred to make 'novelties' for sale, wouldn't be too bright about the purebreds they also bred. Double whammy to their reputation. Recently, the Guardian newspaper listed things that their 'inventor' lived to regret. First on the list was an interview with the man in Melbourne who first crossed labs & poodles, hoping to get a better Guide Dog. The labradoodle. He says he regrets doing it, because it led to some people discovering 'novelty' sells. And they started making all sorts of inappropriate crosses & selling the dogs at inflated prices. His quote: I'm on a pension & live in a little shoebox flat. If I'd gone into breeding oodles for a living, I'd be on easy street. But there was no way I'd do that. My conscience wouldn't let me. Another quote: So many of them have problems. I believe one third of the dogs bred today are the poodle crosses. People say aren't you proud of yourself, & I say no. Not in the slightest. I've done so much harm to pure breeding and made these charlatans quite rich.' Guardian Weekly 17.12.10 Full article here. Note they've put it in their Science section. ;) http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/nov...ors-idea-regret

Thank the lord...oops, I mean Troy! ;) +1 to the crowd who loathe those sickeningly graphic subject lines. But I like to read the other interesting stuff people post.

JB, we've talked about it before on DOL, how pet owners of purebred dogs from registered breeders are a great front-line for 'educating' the general public. I used to think I really, really didn't like big standard poodles. But I've come across pet owners & their p/b standard poodles....& I've learned what truly delightful dogs they are in everyday life. They're now in my top 10 favourite dogs! Now imagine a pretty informal outdoor activity where registered breeders & their dogs, and pet owners with their purebred dogs, are welcoming of the general public. Just to enjoy & learn & maybe make contacts. Maybe the general pet buying public would come to appreciate why the good registered breeders are so protective of who gets their puppies & of their dogs' bloodlines, generally.

I agree with this. TA, I think you gave courteous replies to these honest people. In a few words you managed to be educational without sounding as if you were blaming them for not knowing. I can understand your feeling angry that a registered breeder might launch their puppies into a new life via a pet shop. Where god alone knows who'd buy them & do what with them. But you didn't take this anger out on the enquirers. I wish there were ways that the registered breeders & pet owners who have their dogs, could interface with the general public. Not at dog shows, where people are too busy. But I'd like to see Purebred Pride days where people could come mingle & learn a lot about the purebred dog world. Also Breed Club Days, open to the public.

Thanks!

Doesn't take much to set me off. I've seen a few bits of grey showing around my 11 yr old golden tibbie Nina Zena's muzzle. So she's getting more hugs & cuddles that ever. There's an old song which keeps running thro' my head...it was about growing old, with 'silver threads among the gold'. Fits, except the silver is showing on the muzzle. Just brings me to tears. Darling, you are growing old, Silver threads among the gold Shine upon your brow today; Life is fading fast away; But, my darling, you will be, will be, Always young and fair to me, Yes, my darling, you will be, Always young and fair to me.

Interesting read, with pics, of how the AWL Qld first responded to the worst hit areas around rural areas of south Qld. In conjunction with wildlife carers & local rescue groups, they took their AWL van, full of supplies around this area. Handing out animal food to pet owners & making note of any animal needing help. Anyone donating to AWL for their work, can take heart they've done very well! http://www.awlqld.com.au/files/AWLQ,%20ARR...communities.pdf

I saw a pic of this little dog & his family on TV. The 'family' looked more like a gang. Bunch of strapping lads. Agree that's it's not funny to encourage any dog, big or small, to be 'ferocious'. Only dog that's ever bitten me, deliberately, was a small white fluffy.

Good on you for helping out these dogs affected by the floods. LM's given v. good advice. I'd only add that it's great you're in a position to do 'test' walking & 'test' play with any other dog you're considering. And that also I find 2 dogs easier to care for than 1, because they're good company for each other.

From Brisbane City Council. People are doing it tough at the moment after one of the city’s worst natural disasters in modern history and Brisbane City Council is urging residences to help out any way they can. This campaign will really make a difference for those people struggling after the floods. Canned food donations can be made to Brisbane City Council libraries from Friday 21 January until Friday 18 February 2011. The initiative is being run in conjunction with grocery-charity Foodbank, who will be responsible for distributing the food. Please only bring canned food items, as no other items can be accepted. For a full list of libraries and opening times, please visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/libraries or call (07) 3403 8888.

Onya, SB. It's thanks to you that we know about Scrappy's dreadful wounds & surgery. And also about the other dogs with cruciate injuries. I'd be happy to contribute to Scrappy, in the first instance. I agree with you, it's a case of figuring out how. If the uni sets up a specific fund, where the moneys are only directed to Scrappy and the others, it'd make it easy. And/or if the uni would accept donations that they'd put directly into Scrappy's account (or other dogs). They may even be talking about the issue. But ongoing huge thanks to you. It was great to read all you did with the money sent so far. Wonderful to know that the dogs are wearing nice new collars & have leads for being walked by the volunteers. And that the owners of pets in the evacuation centres were helped, too. Nothing is better than knowing actual needs & having someone on the spot who so efficiently pulls it all together. :D

If either of you are talking to chief vet Bob, again, mention how the UQ Vet Clinic used to have an on-going Charity Fund. People could donate to it knowing the money would be used only to treat strays brought in or hardship cases. It was a good idea & a great way of honouring a loved pet when it died. Maybe they could consider resurrecting it. There are other organisations which do something similar. Just an example: the Qld Country Women's Association collect ongoing donations for their Public Rural Crisis Fund. They can dip into at any time to provide for a country person or people, in an emergency (don't think it'd cover vet fees, tho!)

Thanks, SB. University of Qld News has an update article on all the rescued animals at their vet clinic at Gatton. Dated 17 January. Lovely pic of a miniature horse foal that was orphaned by the floods when only days old. http://www.uq.edu.au/news/?article=22522 More pics here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/uqnews/sets/72157625841083366/ They didn't forget the mental health welfare of the animals & had a band of volunteers giving nurturing care: “We also had up to 20 people from Gatton and surrounding small towns volunteer to help care for the animals. We ran two-shifts each day with volunteers helping feed animals, walk dogs and clean out their housing,” Dr Doneley said.