mita

I've seen it happen in an odd way on an American rescue site. I'm on an international Tibbie list.... lot of Americans. I was checking a US rescue site to look at a mislabelled Tibbie (as a Peke). The pop-up scrolling ads at the side were for a general dog rescue based in Q'ld. Made me think they'd been triggered by my location.

Yes, the Oscar's Law folk have highlighted the ugly consequences of puppy farming. But I'd like them to point their 'What We Want' campaign in the direction of evidence-based breeding/raising of dogs so that the Oscars of this world get what they need. And the pet-buying public know what that is... & lawmakers, too. So I want the 'humane treatment' spelled out in relation to the breeding/raising of dogs. Factor that in, then we'd be on the same page.

Talk about the full circle. Visted PetRescue Facebook a third time.... & one of the Gumtree ads scrolling at the side was for the 12 yr old Cav.

Yes, the Oscar's Law folk have kept the real horrors of puppy farming (whoever does it) in the face of the public. But they leave out the essential message ... how dogs should be bred & raised. If the public is to become informed on how not to support puppy farming (whoever does it), they need to know what to look for. And regulators & lawmakers need to base any 'rules' on that, too.

BTW, I just looked at PetRescue's Home Page. Pop-up Gumtree ads are scrolling across the top, bottom & side. They're overwhelming the Pet Rescue information. Could give the impression that the dogs advertised on Gumtree are rescue dogs. http://www.petrescue.com.au/ ADDED: Well, that's interesting... on a second visit, the Gumtree ads were just scrolling on the side.

There's just been another strange ad about a 'free' dog on Gumtree. Heading was P/B Tibetan Spaniel. Picture was of a dog that didn't resemble a Tibbie in any way. Looked like a Silky Terrier. Ad said he'd lost one leg in an accident. As the dog was wrapped in a baby blanket, with only face showing ... that couldn't be verified. Bless one of the best of rescuers who emailed an enquiry. But no reply.

So much talk .... & so many proposed codes and laws.... but nothing about starting from the point of what dogs need, if they are to be bred, raised and kept as companion dogs. Presently it's like planning a health-care system or building a hospital without any knowledge or consideration about patient needs. There's even good evidence to base any system of breeding/raising dogs on. Those pet buyers who are already aware of that evidence have a checklist in their head when they go to buy a puppy. (And CHOICE, the Australian Consumers' Association, has twigged to that.... on their page about buying a puppy). If the Oscar's Law folk took a proactive approach, their title would be Oscar's Needs, Meet Them! Same for those wretched 'working parties' formulating the avalanche of laws, codes & regulations. Their starting document should be dogs' needs when bred & kept as companion dogs. Dog breeders would then have to demonstrate, via a checklist, how they've met those needs with the particular dogs they have.

Horrible conditions & hideous outcomes for dogs, led to those folk 'formulating' Oscar's Law. The physical, social & environmental needs of dogs are not met in puppy farming. But, look at the 3 summary aims, taken from the Oscar's Law website: 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. There's nothing there about what are the physical, social & environmental needs of dogs in any place where puppies are bred. To make a difference for dogs' best welfare, they should be spelled out & regarded as the norm. Any law or ethical guideline should support that happening. And, if not met via an objective checklist, then it's not acceptable either by law or by community standards. So, while I understand Oscar's Law folks wish to eliminate a real blot on animal welfare.... they've totally jumped over the point of what dogs need. None of those 3 aims address those needs. NOTE how law & standards set down in Ireland does exactly that (IKC website). Just a summary... I'd be spelling out those social requirements a lot more. But their emphasis on best conditions for the dogs, lends itself to an objective checklist: Maintaining a Dog Breeding Establishment In order to comply with the Act the owner or manager of a dog breeding establishment should provide accommodation and equipment which suits the physical, behavioural and social requirements of the dogs held. The owner should protect the dogs from other animals and adverse environmental conditions, provide sufficient space for dogs to stand, move around freely, stretch fully and rest, along with sufficient quantities of appropriate food and clean water to maintain good health and support optimal growth and reproduction. Owners or managers should also protect the dogs from disease, distress, injury, fear and pain, maintain the hygiene of the breeding premises and health of the dogs held, and ensure the premises is appropriately licensed under the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2010.

You're right, there is a trend to build on smaller blocks in metropolitan areas. Certainly, in Brisbane, the traditional 1/4 acre block is being subdivided to accommodate 2 houses. Or a couple of those blocks will be combined to build townhouses. The result is denser living conditions so things once 'softened' by space, now are in people's faces. A vet remarked to me that he'd always liked how a person/couple in the suburbs could own 2, 3 or 4 p/b dogs that they thoroughly enjoyed showing. And it proved a great interest, hobby & social outlet .... even tho' that's only a modest scale. He said he'd hate to see that threatened by over-regulation, and also by the changing nature of the suburbs. The Brisbane Council allows people to own 2 dogs. To own 3 or 4, it's necessary to get a licence. Every year it has to be paid for again. We've had a licence for years & the cost grew incredibly over that time. In order to get that licence, in the first place, the Council speaks to the neighbours to see if they have any objections. BTW, that's not a kennel licence.

A greyhound was the permanent therapy dog at a residence for elderly nuns here in Brisbane. His size meant that people could pat him easily if they were in bed or sitting in a chair. He 'starred' in a segment on Dr Harry's TV program. Dr H went to visit him.

There needs to be open discussion on calling registered breeders who rehome their adult dogs (of all ages) as pets.... puppy farmers. If they've bred, raised & socialisedl those dogs well, then they've already proven they're not puppy farmers. The bottom line is that puppy farming does not value individual dogs to include them with human lives & thus socialise them. So those good registered breeders are the opposite of puppy farmers. I've seen what wonderful adult dogs of all ages they offer to pet homes. When people praise our tibbies, I tell them the truth.... the dogs came like that! I'd love to be able to claim credit for their foundation. But can't. I've put numerous good pet owners onto that way of adopting a dog.... an adult dog of any age, from a good registered breeder. Result has been happy dogs, happy pet owners & breeders happy to know their dogs have a good forever home. As to older dogs.... we have an aging population in Australia. So there's a lot of people in the older brackets. Older dogs make great companions for them. As well as for younger people who want a laid-back, mellow dog with developed & known behaviours. The golden oldies are gems. Here's one I would've given my eye teeth for in recent times. Tragedy led to a breeder rehoming his beautifully raised, much loved dogs. 9, 10, 11 yrs? Can't remember & didn't care much. She got a great new home. The Lady Gizmo (click to enlarge): It's only a click away for pet owners to locate adult dogs from registered breeders: http://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/dogs.asp

Update. 300 people applied to adopt Dodge. One man, Phil, whose 18 yr old beloved cat had died, was chosen as his new 'dad'. Lovely pic of Phil & Dodge cuddling up at first meeting: http://thatdogdancingguy.com.au/2013/04/24/dodge-update/

No, it does not make you a puppy farmer. I've happily adopted my pet tibbies, at an older age, from the best of registered breeders. They're the best in my terms in supplying all the essential needs of dogs.... as well as doing sterling work to advance the breed. Beautifully socialised dogs who adapted to a new home with grace. Oldest I've taken is 9 years. Another was 8 years. And then 5 going on 6. Youngest was 3 yrs, retired after nearly dying having 1st litter of puppies. I'm presently Plan B for a lovely, healthy 14 yr old, should it ever become necessary. A friend adopted an 11 yr old, when a breeder fell ill. Having said that, I totally agree with you about the truly horrible situation that elderly lady has been put in by the confused & confusing proposed new laws affecting registered breeders. So many 'masters' leaning over their shoulders & not a great understanding shown about p/b dogs. As I've posted earlier, I admire the sensible system in Ireland. Small scale p/b show people are not counted in some massive campaign to regulate. They just take their place alongside the same licensing & management conditions required of anyone owning a modest number of dogs. Even their Breeding Establisment Laws for more dogs than that, is based on breeders being able to demonstrate they've set up circumstances & care, so the full scale of needs of their dogs are being met. Back to that poor lady. It's cruel what's being done to her in the name of law. Again, can she consider adopting some to good pet homes? Also can a system be applied where one of her dogs lives as someone's pet .... but which she shows? She must never think she has to euth the dogs she's loved for so long. Please reassure her that help can be at hand.

Bit O/T. We may not have to wait to be in a nursing home to have a therapy dog provide comfort. Press release this month from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Dogs will be working there to reduce passenger stress. They wear red coat with 'Pet Me': LAX STRESS RELIEF INITIATIVE: PETS UNSTRESSING PASSENGERS (PUPS) PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN HONOR OF NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK (Los Angeles, California- April 15, 2013) In anticipation of National Volunteer Week (April 21-27) starting today passengers at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will be greeted by a new breed of furry Airport Volunteers—dogs! Airport officials today announced the new program—PUP (Pets Unstressing Passengers) at LAX. As one of the few programs of its kind in the United States the LAX PUPs program hopes to provide a less stressful airport environment especially in the midst of the tax deadline. Various trained dogs and handlers, on rotating schedules, will roam through the gate areas on the departure level of each terminal. They will visit with passengers awaiting flights, provide comfort, and offer airport information. Each volunteer underwent classroom and in-terminal training to learn about LAX and how to assist passengers.

As a cat rescuer of 18 years, I hope you've spelled 'Sucker' correctly across your forehead. It's 'V. Decent Person'.

Super sleuthing! But what a wickedly great joke.

Aren't they lovely there mita? I had a lovely chat with them a little while back too... T. We'll have to get a party line going so we can all chat at the same time. :)

There was a similar example here. I used to take our tibbie girls to visit a woman in a nursing home. She used to work with us.... & got early onset Alzhiemers. I'd go every couple of months. She didn't really talk, had no memory of anything that'd happened & didn't speak more than a phrase or two. Another work colleague used to take her out for lunch occasionally. One day, they were driving along in silence as usual. When suddenly the lady said, 'I hope Mita brings those two little golden dogs to see me again.' The driver got such a shock, she nearly drove into a tree. Then the woman lapsed into her usual state. We were told that this can happen. Sometimes, something triggers a response that was thought to be gone. Then, in a flash, it's gone again.

Agree. The chance of a remaining life free of dental pain & discomfort.... and a further compromised system.... is the right goal. The little dog you mentioned did have love, comfort & treatment for 8 months. A dog's life is measured in quality rather than only quantity. Her last breath was within a more comfortable life. We can't do better than giving a dog that.

A very sensible post & great to hear of how you sorted your situation.

I honestly don't know, Rosetta. I only know a few case- by -case examples. And Charlie's the only one I know who still visits her owner. But, as DD said, there could be more out there. I guess health & temperament would need ticking off as fine. Another Tibbie here in Brisbane is owned by the nursing home's manager & he goes to work with her every day. His name is Aspro! Seems she bought him as a puppy with the expressed purpose that he'd go to work with her, at adult age. I also know a Maltese owned by a nurse & he goes to work 2 days a week with her, at a nursing home. In both cases, much loved & appreciated by the residents.

I hope so too, DD. Lot depends on the nursing home. This one has opened its heart to a workable arrangement. And it's helped by fact that all are in the same area.

14 yr old Charlie the Tibbie has a twist on visiting a nursing home. Her elderly owner some months back had to go into a nursing home. Now, where Charlie is in good hands, she gets taken to visit her, every week in the nursing home. The other residents love her visits, too. Charlie is happy & not distressed because she's with people she loves very much.... people she'd stayed with on many occasions when her owner was hospitalised. She has the best of both worlds & is very healthy for her age.

Andrea, had a nice chat with Gracie's vet. Thanks for PMing me the phone number.

Greydobe, I tracked the Charlie story to an Animal Liberation Facebook page (said it was 'Global')... where it cited the story to 'one who knows'. But no mention of who 'one' is, nor how does 'one' know. Incidentally, it located the story in Victoria. So there's a place to directly check. But I didn't find it on the Animal Liberation Victoria Facebook page. We support both the RSPCA Qld & AWL Qld (as well as some of the smaller, independent rescues). So we'll be going on the Brisbane Million Paws Walk.