mita

Oh, boy, is this bringing it back! Your collie girl is so like our first sheltie. Wanted my company so much, she developed what the vet behaviourist at the uni called 'separation anxiety'. That's where we had to learn all that stuff about the importance of an owner's scent & how to train her to be comfortable to spend time alone in her special spot....whether we were home or not. We were also told to give her basic obedience training in that she would have to obey 'Sit' to get all the nice things of life. It was a big learning curve for us...because we'd thought all the following us around & demanding company meant we should just reassure her. It was also why we then built on the verandah -deck in the way we did...to provide the 'special spot' for the dogs. But the vet told us that shelties are excellent 'learners' so she'd do well on all the things we had to do. Just like your collie girl!

You're right...another thing to consider. Our friends with the ACD who use the laundry as a halfway spot live in a rented house. Any chance of doing something similar with your collie? We own our house....so our verandah-deck was purpose- built to take dogs into consideration. Wherever you decide you want your collie to settle....try letting her have something that strongly has your scent on it...like an old unwashed T-shirt. The owner's scent is like a stand-in for its owner, to a dog. Rub the palms of your hands over her toys...or sit on them (truly!) for a while. That will get your scent onto those items, too. In fact, her sniffing out 'trophies' are likely to be things that you handle a lot or wear....that is, they have your scent on them.

Nat, I figured my Queenslander bias might be showing there

Chezzyr, I think it's because I'm a Queenslander that I'm shuddering at a dog left out in the cold of a dreary Melbourne day Seriously, the experienced Victorian collie folk are the best at commenting on that. On the second need of the Collie for company, I don't know what the back area of your house is like....but we've always found it helps with dogs to have a sort of halfway place between outside & inside. That is, a place where they can see what's going on inside the house...but is sheltered. Like, friends have a back door leading thro a laundry with a door leading into the kitchen. They have a doggie-door in the backdoor....& a large, strong baby-gate across the door leading into the house. So their ACD can use the laundry as a half-way place....there's a nice thick dog mat, water, toys etc. They've trained him to be content 'sharing' homelife for some time in this spot (like you're doing ignoring any protests but rewarding good behaviour with a treat or praise.) We have a weather-proof verandah deck room....with big glass doors leading into the house. This area becomes our dogs halfway secure place at some times (we can close the doggie door that leads from there into the house). I'm not suggesting you get a second dog....but we've always found that it's easier re the company issue, to have 2 dogs.

Sounds reasonable...the collie may be cold....&, as she's a dog which is a pack animal, would like company. Have you any ideas for providing for these 2 needs?

Bob, that is a beautiful poem for a beautiful dog. In your sadness is so much love.

I found out the hard way that weekly washing of dogs that had a tendency to get hotspots, seemed to make the tendency worse. Even when using mild oatmeal shampoo. So I don't give the tibbie girls a soaking weekly bath anymore. But I do give them what I call a 'Bloomers & Blouse' wash. With just a little water in a baby bath....& some oatmeal shampoo...I sit them in it & wash their bottom end, shirt-front, & legs.

Had a similar situation with our 15 yr old sheltie. Same type of problem, same 'going' in the back legs (& not always able to get up again if no one nearby). Real fear on her face for the first time in her happy life. Decision made....so hard for us, but so right for her. We save our pets from misery, fear & pain with no end...& we pay an awful emotional price to do so. But that's real love. Thinking of you.

What a magnificent dog, Holly. Zac would truly represent the best of a great breed. How sadly he'll be missed. Dianne, that is a beautiful graphic.

Sas, that gorgeous dog you posted is my pick as one of the all-round nicest dogs up for adoption as the moment. He got a great review from his foster-carers. He's with Cordy's Rescue.

Thanks for this tip. Shall look into it. ADDED: Did a search & found MooGOO...an udder cream that is also used for human dry skin. Here's the site. http://www.moogoo.com.au/category1_1.htm

A Shetland Sheepdog (with a Tibetan Spaniel for a pal!). Or a Kelpie. Or one of the wonderful rescue dogs who's already known to have a great temperament.

Luther died like a true hero. There's sure to be a special place at the Rainbow Bridge for the valiant dogs like him. My deepest sympathies, Roz.

I've discovered that my Gracie's skin allergy flares up, if even 1 flea gives her 1 bite. I've found that Advantage...applied almost monthly keeps the fleas away. I make sure the stuff gets right on her skin....& shave 2 spots (about size 50 cent piece), one between her shoulders & one between her hips. Have also found that 'overbathing' her seems to irritate her skin. She eats Supercoat Lite (bit podgy, too)...& lean chicken, basmati rice & vegetables, sometimes tuna added. I put some Melrose Flaxseed (Linseed) oil in her dinner (from fridge in health food stores.) Also during a phase when she's getting the itches, I give her antihistamines (Polaramine)...recommended by the vet (talk to your own vet about this). And I put clean cotton cotton sheets on her bed (I get them from the Op Shop.)

Here's a site with food safety tips re canned products. http://www.yehey.com/lifestyle/food/article2.aspx?id=12215

Play in doggie heaven, without pain, Elle. That was the great gift from the people who love you.

A truly exquisite Lassie girl. My heart goes out to you, Lynne.

Bless little Zoe....her last moments on earth were in the arms of the person who loved her so much. And lots of friends were waiting for her at the Rainbow Bridge. And bless you, Roz, for giving Zoe the best care a doggie could ever have.

It doesn't matter how well trained a dog is, it should be on a leash in a public place, in my opinion. And that includes your friend's dog. If not, then he/she will have to bear the responsibility should any situation arise. When I'd feel sorry for the dog...& other people. But I'm prepared to hear a convincing reason that an exception should be made for this particular dog. And that reason should have the words 'other users of the walking track' somewhere in it.

Take another person's perspective...a walker who has been or will be, frightened witless when an off-leash dog comes at them behaving as you describe. I love dogs...& am not frightened of them. But I've had horrible experiences with my leashed dogs on walking tracks when other people's off-leash dogs have come racing aggressively. One time, my 2 shelties reacted by twisting their leads around my legs so I was flattened on the ground with a snarling dog circling. 2 men raced up to the rescue. The dog's owner just stood there with the dog's lead over her arm. Another time, people didn't notice their GSD coming like a bat out of hell at the shelties. I honestly thought we'd had it...& bent down & put my arms around my dogs. Thank goodness, at the last minute, the owner noticed & whistled his dog, which propped. Another time, a cattle dog did the same. But he made it to us. I'd put my arm in front of my shelties & I got the deep bite. The local council investigated that one....& the ranger was amused when I kept defending the dog...because it had meant to bite my sheltie, NOT me. He said I was the only person he'd come across who'd been badly bitten, but who stuck up for the dog. It was the owner's fault, in my opinion. I commend your friends for recognizing the problem & wanting to do something about it. Please tell them they're right... it's unacceptable for other walkers to be frightened witless by a charging dog in a public place like a walking track. Dogs in a public place should be on a lead. Except in an off-leash park. That's the only solution in my opinion.

Rest in peace, Steven. You were indeed a pretty boy. So sorry, Roz. Bits of our hearts go with them each time.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Gemma was a beautiful name for a beautifully cuddly girl. May she be at peace.

It's hard trying to figure out the signs. I've got a belief that you don't wait until you have to put an elderly dog 'out of its misery'....I want to find the right time to help it to heaven BEFORE it experiences misery. Quality of life is the whole point. Easier said than done, tho'. Hard to tell if eating just a few mouthfuls is the result of the heat. Our elderly cat a couple of weeks back began a pattern of eating just a few mouthfuls....& I thought Ah, she's fading. Now she's back eating normally. Thinking of you....

Fudge was beautiful! No wonder you loved her so much. We're all like you....the memory never fades, even when we think it has. I saw a quote from a man who lost his dearly loved German Shepherd. He wrote: 'Always on my mind. Forever in my heart.'

So sorry for your loss of Bindi & Shelly. They were much, much loved & you gave them a wonderful life... and every care when age & illness came. Thinking of you,.