mita

The fact that good people intervened on May's behalf saved her from something far worse. Not only did they offer a chance of a better life, if her condition permitted, but they saved her from a lingering very painful further decline, when it didn't. Which is why, I'd be willing to offer a donation to good people who try to help an aged homeless dog (as Gill & DD did). There's mercy in both directions. Sleep in peace, sweet May.

PetRescue is posting pics from the Rescue Dogs area. https://www.facebook.com/PetRescueAU

Bless you, Nic, & all who were stepping up to help her. May had so much love in that short time. I'm sure it made her poor, dear heart glad. She closed her eyes for the last time, still feeling that she was a much loved princess. Now she can't suffer any more. May's memory will live on in that she's made people even more willing to do what they can for the old dogs. So, bless her, too.

Interesting post, Corvus. And you're not wrong about dogs picking up a detail that's not part of their regular experience. A neighbour used to be so concerned... he said to his horror he had a racist dog. Molly the border collie was very people friendly, but she took to barking ferociously at any member of a very nice local family, whenever they walked past. They had dark complexions. When he asked his vet, she said exactly what you did. Dogs can 'take on' about some detail that makes a totally innocent person appear suspicious to them.

The breed standard here, says they come in many colours, including light ones like fawn. Also says their tails curl up. http://esquirecaucasians.com/rkfstandard.html When I read the info on the forum, it stuck in my mind because I thought this breed looks a bit like the Tibetan Mastiff.

KC, I agree with you about a blind dog. Our sheltie boy went blind in his last 4-5 years. He did OK in the everyday family setting around the house. His hearing got a little dimmer, but was plenty sufficient for home life. In a funny way, because gentle touch was so important for him ... as well as talking to him before touching so he wouldn't be startled.... there was a very special bond with him. You sound as if you've had the same experience. I hope all goes as well as possible when you find out the full picture.

Great minds think alike, Rozzie. :) Beautiful looking dog BTW. The other link given was: http://www.esquirecaucasians.com/

Someone asked the same question on another dog forum. What were the dogs in 'The Way Back'. A forum member answered that it was this Russian dog breed which was used to guard prisoners in the Russian Gulags as well as to do border patrols. I didn't see the movie.... so you can decide if the pic fits the dogs you saw in the movie. Name & pic: http://www.russiandog.net/caucasian-dog.html

You're right about the AKC making a reasoned & straight-talking response. Brilliant. http://akcdoglovers.com/ Thanks for posting the link.

Amen to that.

Did someone ask for gorgeous? Try a Tibbie, whose curled tail is taller than his head. (click to enlarge)

I agree that health matters are in the top priorities for newbies. But in my experience it's being friendly & biddable with people that they get attracted to.... as that's what makes a dog a close companion dog. Strangers often remark how surprised they are that our ex-show dogs are so people friendly & sensible. They expect 'show dogs' to be robotic. I tell them that our ex-show dogs are that way because they were show dogs. Showing involves a bond growing with the breeder, loads of out-in-the-world experience as the dogs meet other dogs, strange people.... & even get handled by judges they've never met before. So it's not surprising that the majority of 'show' breeders love their dogs as much as any pet person. I show those people 2 pics. One is a trio of Australian registered breeders socialising after a dog show.... with their happy, 'smiling' dogs around them. The other is the UK breeder hearing the announcement his dog's won Best of Breed at Crufts. Spontaneously, he opens his arms, with the biggest smile... & his little dog, tail wagging, leaps up into his arms for a cuddle. Just as our much loved pets do. No 'snobbery', just dogs who love their owners & vice versa. OK there will be exceptions among show breeders .... but pet buyers need to know the means by which the majority of registered breeders produce well socialised dogs (& there's research evidence saying they do). So they need to know what to look for... & why. 'Showing' needs to be described to pet buyers & the general public for the positive outcomes it brings for dogs.... as companion dogs. In most cases, 'show dogs' are loved 'pet dogs', too.

BC, I spoke to the people at the excellent Brisbane kennels & asked if they personally knew of someone in your general region who operated the same way they do. Unfortunately, they didn't have any knowledge about kennels in NSW. I hope some of the other suggestions made, will help you.

I agree with wings, too. Information about how the puppies are raised... like exposure to children & home life tells heaps to a pet owner trying to match with their lifestyle. Brief comment about how parent dogs & kept & socialised, too. Plus any specific means of owner support. Some breeders write, 'Puppy comes with .....'. Recently, I put a good family, with a 3 yr old girl, on to Dogzonline ads, looking for a particular breed. They got back to me saying how delighted they were that the very first ad, highlighted the fact that the breeder's adult dogs & puppies were raised in a homestyle way, alongside children. Pure gold info, the family said, in regard to what they were looking for.

Very nicely put. I thought it's an overall excellent statement, showing social conscience, business ethics & insight into the p/b breeding world. Well done, Troy. Just wanted to highlight one bit of the statement that 'speaks' to me. Recognition will also be given to those who participate in ANKC activities (eg Showing, Obedience, Agility, Retrieving etc). This kind of participation as dogs go out into the world & encounter other dogs, other people & other environments is worth its weight in gold, for socialisation. And that's what makes a companion dog, a companion dog. And well socialised mother dogs have a positive influence on their puppies. This is ONE aspect of the p/b dog breeding world that's the total opposite of someone operating in a puppy farming way. .

Thank you, corvus. The papers you referred me to were spot on!

Couldn't agree more with all your points, inez. (We're starting a Mutual Admiration Society :) ) You're so right about registered breeders being targeted.... because they're lumped in the big category of 'breeders'. It's not snobbery... the evidence is in that dogs coming from registered breeders are far better socialised, & those breeders have more control over numbers of litters. UQ research. Of course, there will be exceptions... but that's the statistical trend. Given that... it means what the 'regular' registered breeder already does is fine. And should be supported as it's not the group from whom the big problems come. Frustrating, isn't it. Seems that at the level where regulations about dogs are being made, actual evidence (of all kinds) is not being looked at. They just keep making it up.

BC, I've just had a thought. That kennels I know of in Qld are run by a family that's been in the business for yonks. They head up a professional association for kennel owners. So why don't I phone them & ask if they know of a kennels in your region, that runs their business just like they do. You are going to do well.... I just know it.... because your heart is set on getting back with your 2 kids. Will you be able to keep in touch with us on DOL, while you're in hospital? There'd be lots of cyber hugs for you. :)

Exactly, exactly & exactly. There's evidence that dogs involved with serious bites/attacks tend to be unregistered. Also one study found that the owners tend to have higher than average traffic infringements. Connection is that owners who are impulsive & not given to compliance... will be the same with their dogs. Not that I'm advocating it, but I just heard on ABC Radio National, the Swiss 'animal attorney' who's visiting Australia presently. He said people in Switzerland are required to do a 4 hour course about dog ownership.... when they want to get a dog. Apart from that novelty, I wish our authorities would look at steps taken elsewhere & the long-term results. Calgary is a good example. ADDED: Just out of interest.... I'm not advocating it... here's the Swiss requirement: Geneva All dog owners in Geneva must complete a dog instructional program, designed to ensure that dog owners are aware of the unique needs and behavior of dogs, along with the legislation that they are subjected to. This training is made available by a certified instructor or Geneva veterinarian.

First I hope all goes well for you in hospital... & for the 6 weeks recovering. I know exactly how you feel if I were in that same situation. Wish you were in Qld because I know one place that would suit beautifully. They even have a vet on staff. But I'm sure you'll get recommendations to similar good places... that are geographically possible.

That's great corvus. Thanks for telling us about it. We've had a long line of senior dogs here. So, even tho' geography's against me.... I hope you keep us updated how things go.

Bolded is where they lose me. I should have been clearer in that my addition of Support breeders who breed/raise their dogs/cats so their needs are met .... means buy only from those breeders who do. I'll edit to make that clearer. I have no problem about two options being advocated for acquiring pets.... rescue/shelters AND ethical breeders. In fact, CHOICE points to both options. ADDED: I've changed it to: Promote purchase of pets from breeders who do so. (It was following spelling out how dogs' needs should be met). The balance is better now with promoting rescue/shelter adoption. So that was a fair point.

I'm going to regret this as there's a strand of highly emotional personal squabbling that I have no interest in. The 3 OL aims are clearly available on their website. I found them & put them in my very first post in this thread. And repeated them again to show how inadequate they are.... on their own.... in ensuring a better life for dogs. And how what's left out, gives the pet buying public no directions for buying from ethical breeders, & gives law-makers nothing evidence-based to work from.

Yes, but what are they doing towards this. How are they going about it. What is their mission statement. They are large scale goals, supporting those goals is good, but not realistic unless it's broken down. So how are they going about abolishing the factory farming of companion animals? By protesting in the streets? By having celebrities saying "we want oscar's law"? That's not going to achieve the goal. By selling merchandise? What are the funds going towards? The mech is getting their name out there, but for what purpose? What is their name achieving Oscar's Law is confusion. It's broad global statements that mean very little action in the real world. Is Oscar's Law a law? Legislation? Please do not take a section of my post out of my context. If you want to discuss the present aims of Oscar's Law.... then find those aims yourself & do so. My post highlighted the additions I'd ask for. And, in an earlier post, I've already indicated that my idea of a useful campaign would not to be Oscar's Law.... but Oscar's Needs, Meet Them!

This is on the OL website. OSCAR'S LAW: .Abolish the factory farming of companion animals. .Ban the sale of companion animals from pets shops/online trading sites. .Promote adoption through rescue groups/pounds/shelters. I'd add: . Promote how companion dogs/cats should be bred/raised so their physical, behavioral & social needs are met. . Promote the purchase of pets from breeders who do so. . Advocate that codes & laws about the breeding/raising/sale of companion animals are based on this. If the OL folk included the proactive, they'd have greater capacity to make a difference for the animals. And it doesn't require being a rocket scientist. The Irish are able to summarize the additions in one paragraph of practical applications. And, interestingly, CHOICE (Australian Consumers' Association) is onto this whole picture on their buying a puppy page. For a moment there, I thought the average !Q must be higher in Ireland. :)