Little Gifts

Seeing that gap makes me realise we need to be vigilant to check our fence lines regularly for things our doggies might be getting up to when we are not home. The gap in that pic is a getting to a risky size particularly as it leads into a thoroughfare. Kids do dumb stuff. Hell even adults do dumb stuff. You can teach and you can tell and you can supervise but still stupid things with bad consequences happen. This really seems like an actual accident with no clear neglect. Sure the supervising adult could have done better and sure the dog owners could have patched up that gap earlier but apportioning blame solely on the dogs or the child will not stop a random accident of a similar nature happening to another child. We need to all do the best we can to keep children and pets safe, learn and change where there are learnings to be had from events of this nature but also accept accidents can and do happen. I wouldn't like to see those dogs put down for this anymore than I am happy a child lost her hand this way.

It is possible the girl's hand was damaged not only by the dog but by her trying to yank it back through the fence immediately after she was bitten. I think that would be a natural human reaction. I had a worrying situation like this once. A man was renting across the road with what was maybe an ADD type kid. He was only about 5 or 6 but I often saw him up at the T intersection from where I live on the wander. I don't think his father could cope with him. One day I discovered that he had come in to my yard, had gone through the front garden and through the small side gate (always kept bolted) and had been trying to feed my dogs under the taller back fence (which was always key locked). My dogs are fenced back from the house and street because I don't want them at risk of strangers. They were used to kids but were protective of their property (we'd had a home invasion) and I was terrified as I really had no idea if my dogs would consider him a threat sticking his hands under the wooden gate. They hadn't eaten any of the sandwiches he'd left so I have to assume they were suspicious. And we are only talking a couple of centimetres gap - there was a concrete strip under that gate so the dogs couldn't get out and people couldn't get in but hands were not something I'd factored in.

Oh my, I just went and googled Tonkey and there are some pics where he looks more like a stuffed toy than a real dog. I was shocked when I saw so many on Scumtree (don't know why I torture myself and look) and even weirder there were quite a few husky x pei litters and now it makes me wonder if they are trying to breed for the Tonkey teddy bear look? Very sad for the pups themselves. I also noticed a few creams on there which you don't usually see a lot of and I wondered whether that was because of the current Paddington craze? People are idiots. All pei are unique and cute!

I'm so pleased that Pudding has come good! Rupert is divine!

I don't think Ams is on DOL anymore but if you PM Coogie she might remember the breeder Ams got Avatar from as her breeder was considered a quality one. There were a few bear coats on Scumtree when I looked last week. I still haven't seen one in RL myself!

Joining Pudding vigil. Glad the other two are now home. What a nightmare. I hope you are holding up ok. Absolutely not your fault either. We can't predict everything our dogs are going to do, particularly if they haven't done it before. Hugs to you Kirty. XXX

I think this is good news. All three have improved overnight and just need to keep taking steps forward. I'm so glad you found them when you did. There is a lesson here for all of us with what we bury in our yards.

Oh Kirty I am so sorry. Waiting to hear an update on them all hoping it is a positive one. Fingers, toes and paws crossed here for you.

My love everyone Stafford girl was traumatised by a groomer with one of the RSPCA super stores when she was about 3 years old. I'd left her to get her nails cut while I was using the machine to wash our other two dogs. I realised she was screaming and went in and discovered the girl had her pinned to the floor with her body and was being really rough and verbally aggressive with her to cut them. She'd never had a problem with having them done before but she is almost 8 now and ever since that one event she is terrified of anyone even touching her paws let alone getting clippers near her toes. I've tried desensitising her but she still wont even let me pat near her paw without pulling her leg away.

I think everyone has heard a story about a dog dragged along behind a ute and it is just such a horrific way to die or be seriously injured. A long, long time ago I was in a ute on a no stopping section of freeway and the dog the driver had in the back decided he wanted to crawl inside the cab. His chain was long enough that the dog was able to do so too while the car travelled at 120km. It was terrifying and the struggling dog (large breed) had to be dragged in through the drivers window while he was driving. He was luckily unharmed. There will always be a need to secure dogs on the back of utes (because that is the type of vehicle a lot of people own for their jobs) and I much prefer a cage set up as the dogs will at least have shade, maybe water, are safe from falling off the side or being thrown from the vehicle in an accident, as well as safe from theft.

Just bumping this as the giving will commence in September. If you want to give or receive then please follow the link I provided. A webpage has also been set up. I can't link it from my phone right now but Google Team Bart and you should find it.

What is the answer? Should they be forced to give all of the money they earned through those dogs to rescue? Would that be a deterrant to them or others? They certainly don't deserve to own any more animals! It really pisses me off that the son's employment needs were more important than so many dogs lives. Out in the real world people with disabilities and mental health issues have to find jobs to suit their specific needs all the time. I think that excuse is a cop out they just used in court when you consider how much money they were making from their little family business. Maybe when the courts start handing out sentences that are more meaningful and in line with the harm caused we might be able to work towards a solution. I don't see anything going underground anytime soon. It seems to me the farming approach remains very lucrative with enough legal loopholes to see these places operate for years without any real impact on their growth and income. Sickening to think we share air space with people who have no problems owning businesses like this.

Yes, very important. Don't ever assume it is all ok! Tempeh's transfer never went through properly at the registering end and I only found out when I did an online search (prompted by a DOL thread!) maybe a year after she came to live with me to check all her details were current and they had no record of her at all! Further digging revealed a query on the transfer paperwork that they had never bothered to follow up with through either me, the rescue or the vet who did the microchipping. I was not very happy they had left her at risk for so long. She never would've found her way home to anyone if lost.

Tempeh is a kisser. It seems to be a pei thing as most I know like to give them. I sometimes request one and other times she just wants to give multiple kisses to you herself. My SBT girl is a licker - people, the floor, the furniture, the bedding, your clothes, other dogs. She is a mild licker compared to my deceased SBT. She even licked the air! If she managed to pin down the old family cat it would be dripping wet after her version of a spa session! he was so bad my mum would put eucalyptus oil on her knees so that Ricky would run over, get a whiff and back off. Otherwise mum would go home with soggy stockings. Edited to add I do give Tempeh kisses on the snozz but I never lick Stussy back and I actually try to discourage her as she has slimy phlegm. Temp's kisses are dry ones.

Feel free MRB. It bugs me that we do all that for dogs to give them the best ever chance of a new home and some people still think they are damaged goods not worth considering. Even worse are the people who complain about paying an adoption fee. I mean the rescue gets them for free right? Just cause their original owners didn't value them doesn't mean that we don't. And I loved that clip - dogs have more uses than a Swisse Army Knife!

There is something important I wanted to add here about adopting a rescue dog that has been with a foster carer. While dogs (regardless of age) are in their care, foster carers (with the help of their rescue group) endeavour to: - Toilet train - Crate train - Provide basic command training (sit, stay, walk on a leash, etc) - Assess temperament and personality (so adopters know what type of dog they are getting) - Address behavioural and health issues - Socialise and expose foster dogs to a range of stimulus and experiences - Provide a positive homestyle environment so the foster dog can successfully transition to a permanent adoptive home environment. You will also get the above with a quality registered breeder but you will never get this from puppy farmed or BYB dogs regardless of their age or breed. You may also get some of this from a dog rescued from a pound or adopted through a shelter style environment. But for the money you pay why wouldn't you choose a dog with known temperament (even if it is only still a puppy)? Why wouldn't you choose one that already has positive toileting habits? Why wouldn't you choose a dog who can simply transition from one home to another with its routines, likes and dislikes already known? You also end up with a support network AND a return policy if you run into any transitioning problems. People don't seem to see how much value there is in these kinds of rescue dogs and pups. The main goal of a foster carer, from the day that dog arrives, is to prepare them for a forever home and unlike pet shop dogs, none of that work is added to the sale price. We've done the road testing and trouble shooting all for you and are still offering our 'product' at bargain basement prices!

That coat is very Coco Chanel!

I've also posted about this in Off Topic but I really didn't want any rescue groups or their supporters to miss this information. Bart Chambers is a very special dog who is owned by some very special, animal loving humans who have supported many animal rescues over the years. Bart has faced, and continues to face some serious health issues. Despite his advanced years is a very prolific poster on Facebook. His skin parents decided to garner his popularity and turn it into something positive. Team Bart To The Rescue was born. Bart always likes to do things a little different. Team Bart is seeking Champions - people interested in making, buying or donating a little or a lot on a bi-monthly basis so as a group we can support a range of rescue groups wherever they have set up shop. Team Bart is also seeking rescue groups (big or small it doesn't matter to Bart!) to register their interest in receiving goods as follows: - Sept/Oct - Dog Rescue - Nov/Dec - Wildlife and Exotics Rescue - Jan/Feb - Cat Rescue - Mar/Apr - Pocket Pets Rescue - May/Jun - Farm Animal Rescue - Jul/Aug - Providing assistance to the pets of homeless people The reason groups need to register interest is so we can target what we donate - we want these items to make a difference. So we are wanting to spread the word and find more Champions but we are also wanting to get the message out to the rescue world too and DOL has always been great at sharing information. I'd personally love to see small and remote groups getting some assistance. And we know not all Champions have cash to spare (like me these days) so we are after creative types who can make useful items (we know there are some here!) and we've even started a Pinterest page with ideas! Why not have a look at Bart's page where he explains it all a little more eloquently and register your interest in being part of something a little special, unique and grounded in a love for animals?

Happy birthday gorgeous boy! I hope you have a lovely day and are spoiled rotten (because lets face it you are under threat of constant neglect the other 364 days of the year - NOT!)!

My sister has a husky shep cross who is now 12. She has arthritis due to age so has lost strength, particularly in the back legs. Based on vet advice she had monthly injections for a bit then went on Sasha's Blend. She was like a different dog! But then my sister decided to try Joint Guard. It worked fine but her dog was always ravenous and put on a lot of weight. She was always underweight before so it is very odd to see her so broad now. We cut back her food and went back to Sasha's Blend and her appetite has settled and she has lost a little weight. She still needs to drop a bit more. There are great suggestions on here but we are kind of reluctant to keep trialling different supplements now due to the weight thing. I have no idea if increased appetite and weight gain are a problem for other dogs on some of these products?

I had an sbt who lost two playmates at different times and she'd stand for hours looking out the back door waiting for them to come inside. She couldn't be consoled. She was just one of those dogs that needed to be part of a pack and was lost on her own. I know getting another dog is not a solution for everybody but in both instances we ended up with another rescue dog who needed a home not long after both deaths and she took on mothering them and had a job to do again. Perhaps Chloe could use a new job or role in your house to distract her or re-focus her? Even with my pack here now I can't imagine one of our dogs (Tempeh) coping with being an only dog. She relies on the other two for so many things that she lacks.

I know it was a couple of months back but I loved that video! Both dogs were having so much fun together! And I love how Jonah breaks the stereotypes of pei - he loves bush walks and a swim at the beach and is toned as well as wrinkly. Most people wouldn't think they could be such active dogs (if they so choose of course!).

I agree. I don't know many businesses that could get away with simply saying 'I didn't know' about their products origins or quality. That's your freaking job to ensure the customer is getting what you advertise.

I used to sell my handmade pet goodies at a local farmer's market and the variety of purebred dogs that visited was amazing. I've seen breeds there that I have never seen at even a pet event. The markets sell all kinds of food and I've not seen any problems with dogs being there. I would've loved to take one of mine with me each week but I don't have the kind of dogs who would sit still for that many hours.

Only twice with Miss Stussy. Both were my fault. First time it was a hot summer day and we were taking all three to see a doggy psychic (don't ask). I blew a tyre near home and when I got out to look the little rodent jumped out of the car window (which I'd stupidly put all the way down when we stopped so I could 'watch' them) and ran down the laneway to a huge park she knows. There was a bmx meet going on and my poor sister ran after her but couldn't spot her. I had to stay with the car for the RACQ and to sort the other dogs out. Eventually she came back by herself exhausted (as did my sister!). The second time was only last year. We keep a collection of collars, harnesses and leashes inside as well as on the front verandah and I used to drive Stussy to the local 7/11 every Sunday morning to get the paper as a treat. I let her on the verandah and discovered all the collars and leashes had been moved back inside so I went back in to grab one without realising the front verandah gate was not closed properly. So off she went. She actually followed the path my car takes to the 7/11 and instead of just crossing the road to it was running around the big roundabout when a lovely family stopped, opened their car door and she jumped straight in. Meanwhile I'd been given false advice from some kids that she had gone to our local park so I went there looking for her first (as well as the 7/11. Eventually I came back home and started ringing around. As it was a Sunday the lovely family had taken her to the closest open vet about 20 minutes north. They'd done a microchip check but had been too busy to call me. I had her home in about 2 hours. I left Tempeh on the front verandah recently by accident and she was clinging to the front door desperate to get back in. She has no interest in leaving the property. Glad you got Fluff back so quickly Sam.