Little Gifts

Stussy likes to frock up for special occassions like Christmas. Unfortunately the fantastic xmas tree dress I bought her was too small so I bought some bits and pieces and made her up a little something for the big day. Usually she loves her outfits but she is not looking so excited about wearing something 'handmade' this year.

There have been so many precious pets lost this year I wanted to start a thread honouring them all as we see out this year and move in to the next. For those that celebrate the event it will be our first Christmas without a present under the tree for our lost one and those 'firsts' are always a little hard. So to those of you who are like me this year, with a little hole still in their hearts, this thread is for you and the animals you loved and lost. Please feel free to add your fur or feather babies to it. My girl Ricky (10/08/1994 - 28/05/2011) - there are still memories of you everywhere old girl. You are never far from our thoughts.

But You Is A CRAZY WOMAN!

My sister lives here with her large breed dog. From time to time she goes away for a week so and I would look after my two dogs (although I am now down to one) and her dog. I had no problems caring for all three or financially meeting their needs but it was impossible for me to take all three out in the car or for a walk because they all had different needs due to their ages and temperaments. The thing that made keepng them all happy easy was they also have different attention needs and are very routine orientated. One is my heart girl who loves to play and loves to be touched and one (who is now deceased) didn't like to be fussed over and my sister's dog liked contact in small doses and preferred her play to be with my heart dog so I felt I had enough time to give them all the attention they liked/needed without any jealousy or competition. If you had three dogs all requiring personal attention, grooming and training at the same level of intensity I could imagine that would be difficult, let alone coordinating outings and exercise. If one required more of your time could you give it without it impacting on one of the other dogs? We have also had four dogs here for about 6 months. The fourth dog came with an owner who worked long shifts. Everything was manageable except for outings and play time. We needed at least 2 people for that because the extra dog was teensy but liked to play rough and noisy. We'd also take two cars if we went out after squashing fears. Some nights having four dogs doing zoomies inside the house was more than my nerves could bare.

I had one of these and he simply needed to be with people. I once saw him hang by his hips from my back deck, between the metal bars, then he used his back toenails to push his hips bit by bit through the bars until he dropped to the ground. After I saw that I realised all my yard reinforcement efforts were futile. We lived on small acreage so I spoke to my neighbours and not one of them had an issue with him visiting while I was at work. He usually just sat on their front verandahs watching the world go by and then went and sat in the middle of the intersection waiting for me to come home from work late in the afternoon. I never knew that at the time of course - apparently all the neighbours were just fine driving around him! When I moved in to the suburbs my yard here is escape proof as he was a destroyer rather than a climber or digger. He was older by then and more content to lounge around with our other dog. Plus he actually seemed more comfortable in a smaller yard. But he injued himself trying to get out through the metal garage door a couple of times when storms were coming so after that I'd either have to come home and take him back to work with me or mum would come over and sit with him. If you have money to spend on trying fence overhangs then do it. If not then I'd probably just keep him inside. It sounds like visiting and wandering are just in his nature even though you have a perfectly good yard to play in!

I think I might be in love with Angus and his smiley face and big ears!

A couple of years ago I was told to discipline my girl who was causing fights by making her sleep outside for the night - like ostracising her from the pack. She carried on like a pork chop but since I sleep with ear plugs I still managed to nod off. In the early hours of the morning though there she was on my bed. In my daze I thought one of the neighbours must've had enough and unlocked my back door and let her in. In the morning I discovered she had crawled right under the house and managed to find a vent that is under our 3 lounge room stairs. She busted through some steel mesh, gyprock and the metal vent itself to break back in to the house. Very clever!

They are just the most beautiful munchkins! I dream of owning a frenchie in my old age (still agile enough for the SBTs!). Is that a big litter for the breed and did she whelp naturally? I thought I'd heard they often have to have cesars? Charm and Frodo have made gorgeous babies with beautiful markings and if they have only a smidge of Frodo's personality they will be very cool kids!

Alkhe there are so many people on DOL who work tirelessly in rescue so it is easy to feel offended. If the OP had spent a little time reading some threads throughout DOL they would easily see it is a place very passionate about the welfare of dogs. I do understand what they were aiming for but it wasn't directed at the right audience here.

When dinner is getting made mine runs around and around and around the inside of the house with excitement like she can't control her nerves. For breakfast though she just lies on the top lounge and I call her over. She grabs a couple of biscuits, gets back on the lounge and eats them and repeats the process until the are all gone. My sister's dog likes to eat brekkie on my sister's bed and as soon as the packet rustles she assumes the sphinx position waiting for the biscuits to be sprinkled straight on the doona in between her legs.

My girl chewed all the clips and buttons off the bottom of every doona cover we own when she was younger. She likes to crawl under the sheets and doona when she gets cold so of course sometimes crawls inside the doona cover as well by accident. Late last summer I had an empty cover on the bed to sleep under. When I got up she tried to get up and was trapped inside. That didn't stop her though - she did a run to the back door with it floating behind her like a ghost. Her most dork thing though is how she sleeps in the most bizarre positions. The lumpier the thing underneath the more comfy she seems to be.

I donate a percentage of my pay every single month to a range of rescue groups and rescue individuals, including those here on DOL and cat rescue (even though I've never owned a cat). I've been collecting toys and making fleece tug toys for the last 6 months and these have been donated this week to a local rescue group so their foster doggies can have some practical toys for xmas. I've also been knitting coats since last winter for next winter and will make up fleece hoodies to add to the mix before donating in time for next winter. When my old girl passed away this May I donated several hundred dollars of good quality collars to about 6 rescue groups around Australia in her name. I also donated her expensive left over dementia meds to a seniors rescue group interstate. For Christmas this year my girl is getting a second hand teddy to chew, a special home made tuggy, some homemade treats and a homemade xmas dress to wear for the day. I've spent maybe $10 on her. So whilst I understand the sentiment behind your thread the reality is there are many people passionate about rescue who give regularly, whether it be money, goods, services or their precious homes and time. And if those that don't want to spoil their dogs then that's perfectly fine by me as our dogs give us a lot of pleasure. We don't all support the same causes and people can't and shouldn't be forced to give.

I think he is beautiful! He looks like a happy boy and has a very loveable face! Hopefully he will find the right forever home quickly. Although he looks quite happy at your place already!

This has to be the most beautiful threads I have ever seen on DOL! I'll have to dig through my photos and see what I can find. I was lucky enough yesterday to be at a carers house where she has two adult swf's (hers), two cattle dog pups just weaned off mum for rescue and was babysitting a slightly older amstaff rescue puppy for her brother. It was bedlam but I got so many smooches I have had my puppy fix for a bit!

We just watched Red Dog tonight and there are three books written about the original Red Dog so I've just found one and ordered it. I am a sucker for sad dog movies so also loved Hachi!

I don't think there is any better therapy than a new puppy! Even though she has grown heaps her ears still seem to be outpacing her head! So very cute! Oh dear you get to experience her first xmas very soon! I'm sure she will be a crack up running through all the paper and checking out her new pressies!

What a gorgeous boy. I'm so sorry you are going through this. Big hugs XXX

I'm going to make mine some yummy home made treats this year as only one is into toys and I have already made some new tuggies for her while I was making some for rescue. Maybe I'll get her a huge stuffed toy to disembowel as well? I usually get op shop ones and give them a wash first. She doesn't care!

Please give your husband a big kiss from me for being so wonderful!

I love that even the well trained ones get up to mischief too!

Dogs are just so freaking amazing!

I've got two to own up to. Years ago we had our dog of that time with us down the beach near a place called Fisherman's Wharf. We called in there after the beach for a drink, with the dog and no leash. A wedding party turned up and the wet dog went over for a look and gave the lovely bride a few nudges for a pat. She screamed. We pretended we had no idea whose dog it was. A couple of years back I had a very good looking male friend staying with me for a couple of weeks. I'd mown the lawn wearing matching but old underwear. My lovely heart girl decided to drag my sweaty, old undies out of my dirty clothes basket and leave them crotch up in the hallway outside his room so he had to step over them. We both just pretended it never happened....

What an amazing age! The oldies leave behind so many memories but also a big hole. Take care of yourself. Run free Rex!

I also remember reading about Banshee and always felt if I come back in my next like as a crestie, even a really ugly and messed up one then I want to go and live with Yellow Girl because I know she will find something to love about me. Run free Banshee!

That's great news about Chance. When you are up to it I think pictures are in order!