Little Gifts

We are still fighting against the expansion of one on the Sunshine Coast. I reckon its got enough steam to be successful. It's been at least a year but they still operate and pump out puppies. I wish govt would find a way of legislating the demise of puppy farms and irresponsible dog owners without slapping qualified small breeders around the head at the same time. Like how do we reduce column A and B whilst encouraging column C? There will always be a need for well bred dogs and dogs bred for purpose. It's the unskilled breeding practices, the abused bitches and studs, the unvetted whelps and the overabundance of expensive and defective puppies that needs to be reduced - that is where the impact/cost is on consumers buying faulty products, rescue and shelters picking up the pieces, policing animal cruelty and of course abuse on animals. Surely they can come up with ways of reducing one and increasing or maintaining the other?

See if the pet store was on Facebook back in 2016 and look back through the photos of that time. Maybe you can get a sense of whether they carry the same breed/cross bread a lot. That could indicate a puppy farm supply. If it is not a lot of the same puppies then probably backyard breeder (who would be breeding from the same dogs but not in the same numbers). If they seem to just have random puppies then probably they are supplied by by whoops litters. You can also google what you want to know and see what comes up like "are Buy My Pup affiliated with a puppy farm". There are people out there who are trying to expose puppy farmers and their retail faces so you might get lucky. But after that you wont find much else about your specific dog. They are pretty faceless to those kinds of breeders.

Yes T, I can imagine you guys are under intense scrutiny. Even with so many standards you'd have to ask why is it still so ambiguous then and open to individual interpretation? Makes it all a bit pointless.

I know I'm a bit late to the party on this but I wanted to comment on the equine vets story Asal posted above. I don't agree with how the RSPCA went about things at all but shouldn't all animals owned by humans have access to shelter? On large farms cows will shelter from rain and sun under trees. Wild brumbies will shelter from the same under trees and overhanging rocks and in gullies. Wildlife also shelter from the elements in and under natural growth. It is something instinctive. It is not specified in the story if there were any trees in that paddock and the photo makes it look like there was none. So even though the vets were able to assess that being without shelter (and by that I'm assuming they mean man made shelter) was not harming the animals in anyway, I'm sure if there were trees for shade and rain protection on that plot of land the horses would be making use of it. If there are no trees then a man-made shelter of some type is another option. If I saw farm animals on a plot of land in stinking hot sun with no shade option or standing all soggy in a rain storm for the same reason I'd also think it was a bit harsh. What would you think? Are people (owners and the RSPCA) getting too pedantic about what words mean and what basic needs could entail? And just because an animal isn't being physically harmed is that a reason not to provide a little more if you can? Particularly with farm and companion animals. We know enrichment is a big thing for wild animals in captivity so why not for other animals we own? Just some things I was pondering about that particular story....

I'm not a breeder but don't find breeder's prices unreasonable at all (good, quality breeders I mean). It is a skill to breed a good, sound pup so to me that has value. I consider time and knowledge part of the purchase price as well as vet fees involved during the pregnancy and life of the pups, food, supplements, training, genetic testing, micro-chipping, registering, food and cleaning. It all costs the breeder money. It's like buying your product from a professional craftsman. It actually offends me when puppy farmers charge more than a quality breeder and they've put zero effort and skill into the genetics behind the breeding, left the puppy in a pen to be whelped and raised by the mother with minimal human assistance or vet care. That's where the madness is and that is where the true price gouging is happening. How can people not see that?

My vets and vet staff mean the world to me. It makes me so sad that they are exposed to this kind of suffering. Back when I was a teen (in the 70s) I did work experience at a chemist and I still remember the chemist telling me how people would get angry at paying the cost of medicine to make them well and save their life but think nothing of blowing their cash on a night of drinking or a holiday. Same mentality isn't it.

Brachy breeds as well? For some reason I thought there were restrictions pre lockdown on brachy breeds. Anyway the right rescue should know. Minis was also recommended to the owner by someone else.

Squishy Face is in Vic and Minis is in Sydney and we have travel bans still at present. But did find a Frenchie club that rescues and rehomes so will pass that info on.

Squishy Face is in Vic and Minis is in Sydney and we have travel bans still at present. But did find a Frenchie club that rescues and rehomes so will pass that info on.

This has popped up on Gumtree. Frenchie is not desexed and has a leg issue so no-one wants it going to a backyard breeder! I've sent links to some shar pei options already but don't know anything Frenchie specific. Can anyone help or advise? https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/north-lakes/dogs-puppies/dogs-sharpei-french-bull-dog/1247500197?utm_campaign=socialbuttons&utm_content=ios_VIP&utm_medium=social&utm_source=com.apple.uikit.activity.copytopasteboard&fbclid=IwAR1HsTOEnt2VHkgXBi1AFz3qMKqOws_G-4cT5UwrG9m4zxc4FmrCFpyCa-w

There is a FB Page that is on this puppy farmer like flies on shit. And I love them for it!!!! They've been trying to expand their operation by a ridiculous number of breeding dogs but not getting far still because of the public backlash up here.

How did you go at vet Juice? Stussy developed one after a dog fight. It was large and very uncomfortable. She had to have surgery and was a lot miserable but it healed and no reoccurrence, although that ear remains sort of thicker and she doesn't like me to rub over where it was anymore. She had to wear a cone right up until the stitches were out or she was trying to rub or scratch the ear. I made her a fabric soft cone so she could cope better (it was QLD summer too).

Sorry Coogie I only just saw this. Yesterday I played a couple of videos to Jonah where you could hear Duane calling to him. I started softly as I didn't want to upset him. He got up and looked out the back door but wasn't stressed or cying at all. Then he went out and lay in the sun, hopefully dreaming of his dad. It was interesting to reflect yesterday on how far he has come here. We are so glad he is in our lives and hope Duane looks down from time to time and sees both dogs are in the best situation for them.

I'm very sorry Cynthia. I know how much your dogs mean to you and how huge a part of your life an old dog becomes. Fly free Jeune.

Thank you j. I confess I read the entire article but didn't watch all of the video as I found it too sad. My bad.

I just want to add I hadn't heard that the dogs had been an issue before, running loose and attacking another person, when I posted the earlier link. Adds a different twist to things.

Here's a story from the owner's perspective. Very sad. https://www.9news.com.au/national/woman-mauled-to-death-dog-attack-jervis-bay-nsw-news/b67675a8-4f69-42fb-bc0a-264da5c7b50d

I did with Pet Circle for several years and my only hiccups were the delivery people and the strange places they would leave it.The only reason I stopped was because I changed brands when Jonah arrived and the price on it fluctuates a lot so I tend to shop around. I have a kibble bin so I know when it gets down to a certain level it is time to start shopping.

I'm not sure if you would also consider a Lab? Pauline and Pete from Tapua Labrador Retrievers are in NSW. They are very well known for their service dogs. The pups start training from birth for purpose (probably while still in the womb!), they win awards for both their breeding and acknowledgement of their service skills. They are here on DOL and also on FB. I've cared for their dogs as a house sitter and their are other DOLers who own them. I couldn't fault either the dogs or Pauline and Pete's skills and knowledge. They have new litters during the year but might also have adult dogs available from time to time that might suit your needs?

Never thought about it from this perspective. We always had expensive purebred cats back when I was growing up (they were just cats to me!) and my first dog that was purchased just for me was a purebred OES that we went and got from a breeder (still remember all the details about it). And we also had quality farm dogs that were carefully selected and paid for. But as an adult all my animals have been rescue and they have all been unwanted and chosen me. So I'm not sure I even have a preference but I recognise the value of both in our lives. I cringe when people bang on about adopt, don't shop, outside of the rescue world. I think well bred, purebred dogs play a very important role in our lives and the world - maintaining healthy specimens of a breed, particularly those breeds serving a purpose. I'd also much rather breed more towards health than show ring beauty but that is me. And of course I'd love to live in a world with more balance - less puppies and dogs overall ending up in pounds, shelters and rescues with no hope in hell of all finding a home. In my mind one major way to do that is reduce the number of poorly bred ANYTHING. Since puppy farmers produce far more of this type of dog they are first on the chopping block for me, followed by dodgy back yard breeders as both are deliberately producing high/higher numbers without any concern for the future health of the puppy or where it ends up. We just don't need any more of that type of 'product'. There will still be plenty of oops and sneaky litters so dog owners wont ever become an elite group. And given my love of shar pei you can clearly see when we have a meet up the difference between a well bred pei and all the others who supposedly had 'pure' parents. Then you have the clearly cross bred ones because pei will breed with anything! It's all there if you look. Not all have significant health issues but you sure reduce the odds significantly with more careful breeding. There is an important place for both but like anything we need to do it in balance so the animals themselves don't ultimately suffer our neglect and wastefulness.

Very sorry to read this. You have dedicated yourself to your fur babies and Bunter could not have had a more loving home. I know this one is going to hurt so take care of yourself.

Happy tears! I just love their relationship and loved that story! Thank you Boronia!

I don't think they will be banned either but if we, the people who attend these events advise the organisers now that we no longer want fireworks and want other entertainment options that are already out there, then it will be them who choose to spend their money in other ways. Otherwise we boycott these events and everyone who relies on them loses money and they get the message then. Councils are the first place to start because they put on NYE and local shows and plan well in advance. Write on their FB pages for a start. Oh and I should add that the business who create the fireworks shows also do the laser lights and music and some are moving into drones as funds permit so they will not lose their livelihoods. Can't speak about options for firework sellers though.

What a cutie and obviously a beautiful boy who will always be loved whether he is by your side or not. X

Here you go - China using drones to create a unique display to see in the New Year. Let's move with the times and say goodbye to fireworks. Tell your councils and major event organisers now so they have no excuse to keep using them over the coming year. https://www.facebook.com/jim.cook.14268769/videos/2935428783142444/UzpfSTU3MTgwNzgxNjoyNjE1OTE4OTExNzk0Nzgy/