Little Gifts

Why? Whether these were kids or adults I just don't get animal torture at all. The sounds they make and the obvious distress on their trusting faces when they are injured or frightened is quite clear. They can hardly beg for their lives or say no so I don't get what the appeal is even to sick sadistic people? And I certainly don't want people who are capable of doing such a thing living in the same society as me. I wish we could get a lot tougher on animal torture because it is a sign of how much a risk to the rest of society these types of people are.

I hope he buys himself a band saw and accidentally cuts both of his hands off, then he wont be able to do this again. You don't need to own an animal to abuse one. This level of violence shows a real sickness inside this human that could be directed anywhere.

I bet there will be a few tears this saturday! Fantastic story!

I don't understand how people can do this. The dog would be cowering, crying and be showing fear on its face. How can a person not notice that while they are beating it and stop? I don't know what a claw hammer looks like but I'm figuring it might chop into flesh and bone rather than split and crush it like a normal hammer would. That is just horrifying to even imagine. I'd like to take this man's testicles out of his pants and hit them with a claw hammer a few times and see how he likes it.

Yesterday my 2 staffy's found a bag with a couple of used tampons in it that was destined for the garbage but unfortunately forgotten (and no they weren't mine). I cleaned up the mess with hands full of toilet paper followed by a good hand scrubbing. My sister found out what had happened when she got home last night and was mortified. It got worse. After the dogs had their dinner my youngest burped up bits of tampon not once but twice (she is a silent vomiter) in the lounge room sending my sister to the laundry sink heaving up her dinner. She was so embarrassed. I was actually impressed that my girl brought them up without any of her other dinner. I think that has to be some kind of special skill!

I don't think her real mum would be too keen on that!

I have just realised that I know who Ella's skin mummy is! It didn't even dawn on me until I was looking on FB at mummy's latest holiday pics! She is a cuter!

Mine used to be the same with the chickens - pushing them out of the way eating the grain and the scraps. Heaven forbid if the chickens found anything in the compost that the dogs had overlooked like a dried out corn cob! I had to get a bin for the grain because the dogs would open the bag and snack from it throughout the day. Yummy, yum. The squirty poos were of course for rolling in and not eating. Blech.

I'm sorry for poor Myron - he sounds like he had some probs. And I know he was special to you Nekhbet but you might want to note he is a snake in the topic in case you scare someone - I was expecting an swf with that name!

What a fantastic story! For his young age Percy sounds like a very special boy.

Well Liz, first you get a boy dog.....and then you get a girl dog......and........

I love hearing how your heart dogs make you feel! It doesn't matter how tired or grumpy I am when I get home from work at night, as soon as I throw my bag down and sit on the lounge or bed my heart girl jumps on me to tell me how her day was and give and get some kisses it all fades away. She has also curbed my wanderings - I simply don't want to go off to a foreign land for months now. I would miss her too much! It's kind of pathetic but you can't fight true love!

We have 3 dogs but I would do anything for my heart dog and she would do anything for me. It's just the way it is. I adore all the dogs and don't neglect the others in anyway but me and the heart dog just have a different connection and engage on a deeper level. I think heart dogs take us by surprise. It is not because they are cuter or smarter than your other pets either. My heart dog was a rescue pup that no-one else wanted and has been the naughtiest dog at times - far from beautiful or obedient. There does seem to be a mutual understanding of each other that just happens. You will know it when you have it happen - you wont even need to ponder it.

Catch of the Day are selling reversible hot/cold pet beds for $14.95 plus $6.95 post. They are 23.5 inches by 18 inches. I have no idea about inches - I'm a straight cm girl, or if the price is reasonable or product is good, but I thought I'd post on here anyway. http://www.catchoftheday.com.au/smallfish_...roducts_id=4937 They do also have some excellent luggage for sale!

I can't believe I didn't see this category and think of our little dog whisperer! How does it work now - do we get to vote for nominees or does MDBA decide? He has been a central part of how confident and well socialised all your pound dogs are. He has a special way and is the most deserving nominee!

It wasn't until I saw her with Kasey that I realised how tiny she was! And she is so lucky to have Kasey - I think that has really helped her settle in. They are both gorgeous!!!!

My sisters husky/shep cross is also known as the fun police. She is constantly telling the others they are misbehaving and rounding up the young one when she runs too far away on walks. If one of the dogs does something bad in the house she is normally sitting beside it till we see it, waiting for the punishment to be doled out. Her big dobber act is usually when we get home from work. She 'tells' us all about what happened during the day and we can usually tell who she thought was the naughtiest by who she spends the night telling off for invisible crimes. Funny thing is she is far from perfect. Every now and then we will catch her playing with someone else's toys or digging a hole to china in the back yard. She just looks at us cat like and haughty with a 'don't go on about it!' face.

I was even thinking of some of the basic things like training zoo animals to show their teeth or expose their bellies so health checks can be done without having to sedate them. That is modified behaviour too but then I guess we shouldn't be keeping animals in zoos so they can be studied so we can try and avoid species becoming extinct. Nope. And farm animals who want to chase sheep and cattle, well they may as well ban that given our farmers are already struggling to keep their farms viable. Yep, time for a big change in how we do things around here people! RSPCA why can't you focus on one of the most dreadful issues we have in this country relating to the abuse of animals - puppy farming, and worry about challenging thinking on that????? As our national body on animal welfare how about leading the way on this issue by putting some pressure on creating national and enforceable legislation? Sorry what was that? You're too busy planning a wanky scientific seminar? Shall I call back later then?

I think this is the most amazing idea!

Why not buy a kids sleeping bag from somewhere like K-Mart? If you have an Anaconda near you they often have very good specials on sleeping bags as well. I know these will obviously be bigger than a dog one but if you can sew you cut it in half and have 2 sleeping bags for probably $25 max.

I used to volunteer one sunday a month at my local RSPCA. For the first few months I had a great routine in place of cleaning and feeding then playing with the puppies and when they fell asleep I'd go help out with what still needed to be done with the larger dogs. Then things changed and I wasn't allowed to feed the pups (not just me - all volunteers included) but the workers were never available and the pups would be crying for food and I would be wandering around without anything to do. I never understood the change as it benefited the pups and the workers. I always followed the instructions for feeding very carefully (they were subject to change) and monitored poos and vomits and let the workers know of any concerns for specific dog or pens. Eventually I stopped putting myself on the roster and got involved in another volunteer activity/organisation. Each RSPCA will run slightly differently so you will need to give it a try and see if it is fulfilling enough for you and what you want to do. Why not also consider volunteering at a local vet hospital or larger surgery?

My girl Stussy lets me cuddle her whenever I want, however I want and for as long as I want. I'm very spoilt! "Give me cuddles" is a command she picked up very quickly!

Wow. My girl has just passed 16 and I thought she was doing pretty well without hearing and with limited eyesight but pretty much full mobility. Tammy is like an olympic athlete compared to my girl who is of the walk slow and sniff every blade of grass variety. She plays with my younger girl every single day and also has a play routine she likes with me but she goes with the flow for the rest of the time, not ever too far from a comfy rest spot. I also check her breathing regularly and I think part of the joy of owning an older dog is that it is almost like owning a puppy again without the naughtiness. You spend your time monitoring everything they eat and do looking for signs of deterioration (as opposed to improvement like you would in a puppy). When they do positive things you praise them like they just did the most amazing thing. Their lives seem so much simpler again. They get around despite the lack of hearing or sight without complaint and still want to go for a walk even if they can't walk very far or fast. They wake every day ready for whatever comes their way. I think us humans can learn a lot from how they approach life without focussing on the limitations that come with ageing.

That is just heartbreaking. Of course the poor girl gave chase - dogs are more loyal to humans than some of them deserve. I will never understand how people think a domesticated dog can just be dumped somewhere or left behind after a house move and that it will be alright. Yes, it can go to the shops, buy some food, open a tin and feed itself! And turning a tap on so it has fresh water - no problem! With all that free time now that pesky family is gone it should be able to build a lovely weather proof shelter! If you are going to get rid of your animal then have the balls to drop it at a shelter yourself and pass on useful information about the dog so it can be rehomed. Maybe then you will learn a lesson about animal ownership and stop bothering! Rant over....

Bubby meet Stussy. Stussy the staffy is obsessed with catching mice. The only ones she can get though are those that we catch for her in a trap first. Usually she runs around with them in her mouth for a bit then puts them down somewhere comfy like the lounge and they run off unscathed (but slightly moist). She then follows their scent in the reverse direction to which they have headed. It's heartbreaking to watch. Lethal predator 0. Mouse 1.