mita

IMO, First Dog on the Moon is one of the best social & political commentators in this country. His satire is brilliant. I'm glad to see him going in to bat for rescue dogs.

And a 'yes' to this, too.

She's so, so beautiful. Movie star looks!

A Dachie in Brisbane saved his teenage girl owner few years back. And this deed was acknowledged by the police & the RSPCA. Some bloke was attacking & sexually assaulting women on walking tracks. Police were desperate to stop him. But he met his comeuppance when he grabbed this girl as she was walking her Dachie. The little dog turned into an attack machine and bit into the bloke's leg from behind. Wouldn't let go. Bloke took off. First time the bloke had been sent packing & a determined little Dachie had done it. A lot of praise from police ... & the RSPCA awarded him a medal for bravery ... & a great big bone. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-01-17/dog-rewarded-for-biting-sex-attacker/2174054

That's sure one possibility. Interesting to know what the questions were that the person asked. Like ... is she desexed? You're right, tho', whatever the reason, it's brazen and scary behaviour.

This poor innocent dog was killed by ignorance. The tragedy is that it's not rocket science that appearance is not a predictor of behaviour. All the major Veterinary Associations make this point.... because they draw on veterinary science..

Such ignorance!

Absolutely agree with your comment re: the media. Agree with that quote, too. And dogs can't sue for defamation!

KC, show tibbies are pretty much wash 'n wear, with good brushing needed to take out the undercoat. But they do shed. My other pick is a Cardigan Corgi. I think that's a fantastic breed, such sensible, versatile little dogs. Would that coat be manageable as a starting place?

My tibetan spaniels prefer big dogs. They loved the racing greyhounds next door. In fact, one of our tibbies became a small dog tester for GAP. . She loved going to meet a huge grey that she had to do her thing with.... run with alongside, behind & then in front. Only thing she hated was at the end, the grey would go off in another car ... and she'd lose her new best friend. When we've taken them to doggie events, they gravitate towards the well socialised, good natured big dogs. And I always agree with their choice.... like a lovely big Rottie named Robbie and a greyhound that someone had adopted from GAP. Last time, at Million Paws Walk, they picked 2 gorgeous big Rotties as well as a Standard Poodle.

Nice one!

Yes, to the first paragraph. Yes, to the second paragraph.

I think there's an overlap with the 'hobby breeder' and the 'reputable experienced breeder'. The breeders I've chosen to get our dogs from... & who I recommend to other pet owners... fit essential elements of both of these. In fact, it's because they DO combine elements of both that I admire the way they raise and manage their dogs (more towards a home setting) ... as well as contribute in a significant way to the development of the breed. I'd describe them as 'reputable experienced breeders who operate on a hobby level.' That's my choice & there are sound reasons for my getting a purebred companion dog from them.

I loved the way, after Murphy was spotted, her family left out her old bed & some of the family's clothing to coax her back to the scent. And it worked!

She's a sweetie ... the doctors who've reconstructed her face are brilliant, because the pretty little girl still shines thro'. Awful emotional damage from the employee's comment ... that her face was 'disrupting' (!) customers. She cried all the way home, now won't look in a mirror and her parents can't get her out of the car to go in to a shop. She'll need heaps of love, support and reassurance so this doesn't stick. And she faces more surgery. The KFC parent company have offered $30,000 towards her medical costs. Frankly, given the extent of emotional damage inflicted, I think compensation should be much higher.

Agree, especially re the bolded bit. Breeder of first tibbie we got (her retired best winner at shows), was actually firm in saying emphatically.... if anything ever changed, I was to return the tib to her. That impressed me enormously how much she cared for her dogs. I thought we were damn lucky to get a tib that was so much valued by her breeder.

Agree, even without the muzzled dogs. I'd go mad, how could you leave the house?! Just asking for trouble, as awful as it is perhaps this will at least be the catalyst for (positive) change. Agree, too.

That's a great website. O/T but I also liked the link to the Facebook page with the collection of vintage dog photographs.

There you go! Onya, trina. :)

Even at 9 years, Benny wears his age so well. His sweet face and lovely eyes look so young and fresh. Tho' I think that also reflects how happy, content and comfortable you've all made him feel. He's a beautiful boy in every way.

Please do. I have every (personally addressed, not a thankyou to the practice) card that I have been given tucked away in a box. I pull it out occasionally when I've had a bad day and someone or something has made me feel awful. I do remember each of the patients too, and I have a collection of photos to go with the special notes. As much as I appreciate these tokens, they are mostly for patients that I have euthanased, some after a long course of illness, some that I had never seen before the day. It would be just as nice to get a card with a silly photo just for taking care of your pet after a routine surgery Thanks for posting this. I'll be remembering your words in future... and will do just as you said.

I like reading history. And it's fascinating how greyhounds were highly valued in Middle Ages, and beyond, as hunters. Their pictures in the art are lovely... showing them out hunting and being well looked after. It seems every effort was made to keep the breed pure. Great article here: http://doglawreporter.blogspot.com.au/2011/06/good-life-of-medieval-hunting-dog.html

Dougie, the ex-Guide Dog trainee, who had to learn to put his paws in water & to swim, came from Guide Dogs Victoria.

Love those pics! :)

So true ... or even being a water bunny. People I know adopted a failed Guide Dog labrador in training (he was too friendly with every dog he met). He had no idea what to do in water. They had to patiently teach him to get his feet wet and to swim. Here he is at 'swimming lessons' (click enlarge):