Little Gifts

That's the thing Jules - the dogs don't know what is supposed to happen so I take any change as a sign it's working!

Jules I use a puppia harness on my SBT and it is the best harness set up I've used on her. Nice and comfy and it gives me good control of her. I wanted one for my pei girl but her neck/chest ration is not right for one so she has a couple of Rogz adjustable harnesses instead.

I am not adverse to trying different things with my dogs that others might consider wierd. For instance At least 3 of our dogs over the years have worn crystals with positive effect. It first started when I got given a magnetic hematite necklace and I put it on my old staffy girl - she was black and it looked good on her! Anyway we found out it was good for arthritis and mobility and that girl lived to be almost 17 without any bone or joint issues. She did have some brain and nerve problems that caused her to drag her back toes. We figured she wouldn't have a clue whether it worked or not but she was certainly a lot more lively when the necklace was on so it became a permanent fixture. We then got an amethyst for my sister's dog that was rather highly strung (amethyst is calming) and she has become more content but I think that is more an age thing as it is attached to her collar and she only wears her collar when we leave the house with her these days. We got a clear quartz crystal for my young sbt and it sent her crazy immediately. I can't remember what is was supposed to achieve but it was not good for her so it came off failry quickly. I think she was also wearing turquise at some stage but I can't remember why or whether it worked. So with our new pei girl Tempeh I was reminded of this and when I set her new soft crate up (taking away the metal one) I put a large rough amethyst piece in a pocket of the crate. Instead of being a little concerned about the change of bed arrangements she seems to love the cosiness of her new crate and no longer wakes me early for a piddle; only waking me by 7 so she can have her brekkie. I leave the door of it open but she still prefers it to sleeping on my bed with the other dogs. Sleeping through the night could also be that she is older but she has not peed on her bed and also takes treats and toys in there during the day for privacy and she never did that with the metal crate. Yesterday I was in a bead shop and was drawn to this tumbled piece of amethyst so I bought it. When I came home Tempeh was fascinated with it, sniffing and licking it. So I cleansed it overnight and will wire wrap it tonight and hang it from her harness to see if that calms her down on outings. Anybody else used crystals on their dogs with noticeable change or am I the only hippy here? I love rocks in general but cannot wear crystals or even have them in my pockets - they just amplify things for me and I feel too OTT. So I just have them throughout the house and no-one else is allowed to touch them!

I think it is the crazy eyes and tongue out look that makes me laugh the most! You have to wonder what is (or isn't) going on in that head of hers!

I sometimes think there is a perception that rescue groups get the dogs for free so why charge so much for them? It's a bit like when I go into an Op Shop and see some exorbitant price on something and mutter under my breathe about how they got it for free in the first place and most of the staff volunteer so how the hell can they justify themselves! But the reality is there can be release fees, transport fees, quarantine fees, medication, vetwork, micro-chipping, heart worm tests, worm meds, collars, leashes, bedding, crates, quality food. The list goes on and on. A good rescue is endeavouring to provide an adopter with a dog in good health, with knowledge of their individual habits and quirks and basic training. Some dogs cost more money to bring to an adoptable level. I don't know any rescue group personally up this way that operates in profit (excluding RSPCA here) and I also don't know any personally that have paid employees (exc RSPCA and AWL). As a foster carer I am very lucky to have been provided with certain items by my rescuer (crates, food, medication) but I am also out of pocket for things like transport, treats and extra fresh food (like chicken necks and carcasses) and because of the type of dogs I've had I've chosen to pay a groomer to give fortnightly malaseb baths rather than do it myself in the bath. I do loads of doggy washing each week (bought a portable clothes line for that) and try and recycle and repair where possible. I make coats, toys and squishy beds but there are times when I have bought new harnesses, leashes, tags, towels, blankets and second hand stuffed toys and metal bowls. Just because they are a foster dogs doesn't mean I want them to have all hand me downs! I love them all and think they deserve to be colour coordinated and look their best in public! And anything specific I have for that dog (inc any toys they might love) I send with the dog when it is adopted. I like to think that assists the dog in some way. I've also loaned items to adopters until they can afford to buy their own, again because it assists the dog to have familiarity while it is settling into its new home. Oh and if you foster dogs you also have to accept they will damage some of your furniture or ruin your carpet, blinds, curtains, chew some door frames and scratch screen doors! If you added up every single cost outlayed by rescuers and foster carers for the period of time a dog was in care you would be shocked. If we adopted out the dogs in the same condition they came in as then people would not consider rescue dogs an option and would probably question if we were even animal lovers. I never understand though how people never question how much pet shops charge for cute puppies and you get none of the above. In fact they hope you will spend even more money in their shop buying new leashes and collars and bowls and beds! Rescue is just happy to know you and the dog are a good match! And yes we love to hear from you afterwards and see pictures! I feel blessed to have 2 adoptive families stay in regular contact with me.

Julie I agree with the concept of people giving it a go because it does only take one person to start change (as evidenced by Oscar's Law) but I still can't accept a couple of people calling themselves a national body representing all. It is naive and potentially dangerous to the whole rescue industry. I appreciate that it is safer for smaller groups to not detail who individuals are but for a national body there needs to be a figure head and we need to be able to see some evidence of the skills within the organisation simply to show evidence of their capabilities to do what they are proposing. Having many years of working in the state govt I can tell you that lobby groups without some legitimacy are not taken seriously, they are not kept informed about issues and they are not invited to offer representation or provide submissions. State based key bodies are considered legitimate (based on their professional approach and knowledge/industry influence) and get meetings with Ministers, can affect policy/politics, etc but national key organisations have to deal with the federal govt and are considered to sit over key state bodies, many of which need to network or have membership with the national key organisations. Does that make sense? If we had some self appointed local group writing to us claiming to be a new national body they would probably get the run around unless they had a local or federal MP assisting them. People can't just go around professing to be something without proof or a track record of the individuals and get taken seriously within govt. Instead of talking about our concerns here should we be sharing these with NARGA? I hate raining on anyone's parade but from a govt perspective They need to make a lot of organisational changes to be able to get off the starting block. Maybe they are capable of it but at present we don't have enough knowledge about them to know. I wouldn't want to discourage or bad mouth them unesecarily if the capacity exists and we just don't know it yet.

I probably would've had a sore belly from laughing so much. There always has to be one crazy dog in the mix and Max looks like she was it on Saturday!

I still have an issue with a group calling themselves a national body. I would need to see representation on their management committee from every single state and those representatives would need to be respected members of their state's rescue community. I would've rather they put forth a proposal to key rescue groups around the country to form a national body and then called for reps from each state to form the committee rather than just suddenly be professing they were a national but faceless/nameless body. It's not the way to garner support or determine common values and goals for the group. It's a cheerocracy, not a democracy! I also don't know what lobbying experience they have and whether they appreciate the difficulty and cost associated with being a national body. Are they going to skype members into meetings? If these members have other jobs how free will they be to fly to various activities and who will pay for flights and accom? Whose going to administrate what they are doing and ensure everyone is kept up to date and identify papers and submit responses? Besides practical rescue knowledge are any of the reps qualified in any useful way? Are there policy writers, porject managers, legal eagles or public relations people? Does anyone have any actual connections to political or media networks? Or are these just good hearted people with their fingers crossed? I strongly believe in people power but really, really don't understand how they are going to achieve many of their goals without key supporters, money and people with lobbying skills. They are thinking way too big without much to back it up.

Oh you guys crack me up! Poo cakes and crazy faced Max! The zoomie and pool shots are classic! I'm so glad you all had a good time (including the fur kids)! Harper looks like she's developed a bit of greyhound in that body! She may never stop growing T! I think Tempeh may be levelling off her growth spell (her back legs grow taller and then her front legs have to catch up usually) as she has eased back on her eating. She would've loved being there with all those other dogs to play with but would've been screaming for help had she seen any dogs in that clam shell. Water melts pei you know!

This is the hardest it gets. I gave my old SBT girl her wings in May 2011 just a couple of months shy of her 17th. I had her for almost 16 years (a rescue). She stayed with me once after a serious accident until help arrived and protected me during a home invasion. She won her last dog fight when she was 16, giving the dog across the road who tried to attack me the what for. I changed my entire lifestyle during her last few years to accomodate her needs. She was blind and deaf from age, full of cancer, had pancreatitis, dementia, dragged her toes, was incontinent, you name it but she was so tough it was hard to know when she'd had enough. She still came for walks with the other dogs and played bitey face every single night with our younger SBT. She certainly didn't spend her days lying around in a comfy spot - she was always in on the action and thought she was leader of the pack right up until the end. On her final day she and our other two dogs did doggy paintings outside so I had something tangible to remember her by. I still don't know if it was her time because she never once indicated any pain or that she'd given up but I was terrified of coming home from work and finding her stuck somewhere as she became less reliable on her own. I miss her deep down in my gut still (crying as I type this) even though she wasn't me heart girl or even particularly likeable some times but the house remains full of her memories. You can't have anyone or anything in your life for that long and not have them remain a part of you and your history. Your girl will remain alive, happy and healthy in your heart and memory. Us DOLers who have been through this heartache already will be there for you when the time comes - we understand how difficult this is when other friends, family and co-workers don't. Enjoy the time you have left doing whatever still makes your girl light up. It may be more about cuddle time than catching balls now but that's ok. We all slow down when we get older but we never get sick of being loved!

Well? Whose drunk? Whose full? Who played tennis? Who got lots of doggy kisses? Whose dog was the most naughty/embarrassing?

I'll pop in next time I'm down that way Pauline even without a dog. It looks great - well done!!!!

They are making some huge claims and I don't see how they can possibly achieve them: We expect to become part of every submission, focus group, symposium or public consultation regarding the welfare of companion animals and the people who rescue them. As for the grants database and tools to get incorporated, etc a comprehensive website already exists for that here in QLD. It is not focussed on animal rescue but is relevant to all not-for profit groups. I appreciate NARGA's goals but don't understand how they can achieve them all and how they can call themselves a national body capable of representing all. Even our Prime Minister can't do that!

Jealous....

If the only times you've ever needed surgery was as a result of a dog related fall. I'm at 4 of those now!

I'll be there in spirit! Can't wait to hear how it all goes!

Wow! That's interesting to see that observation verbalised. I've always done a specific thing with my rescue dogs, many of who have been given up for bad behaviour. I always have really comfy dog beds on the lounge room floor close to where the humans and other dogs sit while watching telly at night but also in a position to give full view of the entire room, entrances and exits. Generally from the first night the foster dog will work out that they are allowed on this bed. Once they find it I leave them to it - no talking or going near them etc. But when I can see they are sleepy I go and sit on the floor beside the dog bed and start massaging them. I tend to continue watching the tv and just stroking and rubbing them wherever they will let me. Every night I do the same thing and I can see how the dogs become ok with my hands and start feeling trust in me as they will move their bodies so I can access other areas (like their bellies). By the second week I start looking at them and talking to them while I do it and I can usually find their special spot by then and ask for kisses. I've found they bond so much better and it helps with their confidence levels to have their own special spot where they feel totally safe. They are also crate trained from that first night - crate is in my room and door is left open until they have less fear. The trick for me is always giving them really squishy bedding and I don't care if they chew or mess on it. I never chastise them for that as I want those beds to be safe and happy places. I do think that it gets to the stage for a lot of rescue dogs where the only attention they get is for poor behaviour and so it becomes difficult for them to understand what is right and what is wrong anymore, particularly in all the new environments they encounter over such a short period of time. It is good to be reminded that not all this indoors dog stuff comes naturally to some rescue dogs.

She's been saving bags of that hair supposedly to do some felting. I am yet to see any signs of the 'project' commencing. I think it might be taking recycling a smidge too far!

Panzer we have had a tang style shar pei girl here since last Sept. She actually had droopy eyelids and has had her very open eyes checked at every vet visit. With not much wrinkling on her head we thought she would be fine but she started rubbing her eyes in Dec and in Jan had the entropian surgery. I'd say she was only out of sorts for that first day. After that it was like she'd not had a thing done to her. She still has stitches and scabs but is clearly a much happier girl without those hairs rubbing on her eyeballs. No long term damage has been done and it was something that developed as she grew, so don't feel bad for Ruby having developed it or you thinking you hadn't noticed it earlier. She will be much happier after the surgery and will bounce back very quickly if my girl is anything to go by. Fostering pei I have seen the damage done when owners have ignored advice that their dogs need surgery (it was nowhere near as expensive as I expected so I'm not letting money be their excuse). Some dogs have endured years of discomfort and had their vision permanently damaged from neglect. No excuse if you truly love your dog and care for its wellbeing and comfort. Arrange to pay it off if you can't afford that couple of hundred dollars up front. Just saw Kirty's post - we only had the collar of shame on for one day because Tempeh clearly felt more comfortable and didn't bother to try and scratch. She still has little scabs and the stitches can still be there for months dissolving. She did have a funny startled eye look the first night but it settled the day after.

I'm going to get some as we can always include them in xmas stockings and gift packs to benefit our rescue. If any other Peiradise people see this can you do the same please (unless you want them for your own dogs of course!)?

My sister cleaned the house this morning but has since decided to brush her husky/GSD inside. She got so much hair she made a pony sized dog out of it on the floor!

In my family I am always the person who gets the hair in her food even if we are at a restaurant. I'd rather eat dog hair because at least I know who it belongs to!

Look at Pania now! She's all grown up! And congratulations on this achievement!!!! I hope it goes really well.

He's clearly got gardening genes as well!

I had 4 nd 8 year old great-nieces in my car on the weekend and they are like "Yuck! Your car is all hairy, why don't you clean it?" Um because the vaccuum refuses to deal with my car anymore! Anyway, isn't dog hair the new microfibre?