Little Gifts

The owner is ultimately responsible for all this, including the death of their dogs. How does one person even source and safely contain that many human aggressive dogs for the entire span of their lives? Do they never come into contact accidentally with a stranger? What about a visiting child who runs over to their cage to say hello? What if they end up in hospital - who can safely feed their dogs? Do they inspect their fences every day to ensure they are fully contained? Are these people hermits? Did they train them to be human aggressive and why? Anyone on here who has had a dog with behavioural issues knows what a juggling act it is so owning 4 like this is a full time job. He chose to keep these 4 dogs and try and keep them hidden from authorities by not registering or chipping them. That is on him. What else didn't he do, like vet care for things outside of not desexing? Seriously, it's like a person wandering the suburbs with a semi-automatic except they still had the safety on. No intention to shoot my arse. Why have it and why have it out in public then? Both scenario's are disasters waiting to happen. I'd like people like that charged with animal cruelty too. Their failings led to the death of those dogs.

I guess I've been worried only because hers does normally grow back quite quickly and I expected this area to be the same. Along her back/spine is still totally bald. Hopefully she has it back for next winter!

Wow! Hers has always grown back quickly and normally. Can't even tell she had TB surgery this year and the shave area for that was fairly decent too.

Hi everyone! My stafford girl has had a big year health wise. She had tie back surgery for laryngeal paralysis in April and then a large low grade sarcoma removed in September (too big to be left). Same specialist surgeon did both. He did unfortunately go a little crazy with both the shaving and lumps and bumps he removed. She turned 15 in November so lumps and bumps are the norm for many of our oldies. Anyway, we are almost 3 months on and this is all the hair that has grown back. It seems very weird to me. She had a previous sarcoma removed near the same area on her back (a couple of years ago) and the hair grew back normally. It grew back at her TB site and all parts of her legs that have been shaved for sedation meds or bloods this year. But there are sections of her back that are still totally smooth and many other areas just have one long hair sprouting just here and there. I've added a pic from just after surgery and today so you can see things haven't grown back much in 3 months. Has anyone else experienced anything like this? Could she have been shaved too low and now have damaged hair folicles? It's quite a large area and I'm just not sure if there is anything I can do to help it return. People comment on it asking what's wrong and I just want her as back to normal as she can get after such a scary year. Thank you!

I think this process is going to need to be much stricter after this. Meters that can be read without entering the dogs turf would be ideal but not always possible. Alternatively a text to technician from owners advising all safety measures have been taken for the visit. If not they get an estimate read. There is too much at stake for humans AND dogs to not lessen the risk now. First time ever at my house I was expecting a gas delivery when noone was home. Had to lock the dogs in (summer so not ideal) and leave the side gate unlocked. Even left a note on my front door for the gas guy so he'd know. If I had text to technician option I would've felt safer sharing that info. There's got to be a better and safer way.

I could have sworn it said owners were home when I first read it so you may be correct - an error they rectified. Not saying the owners should've done more either if they were home as they could have been seriously injured too trying to intervene. In either scenario it is a traumatic event.

Apologies- I actually read it totally differently - obviously not reading it properly. Sorry!

Looks like 3 large breed mixes. Horrible. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12-03/man-mauled-to-death-by-dogs-logan/101730890?utm_medium=social&utm_content=sf262475098&utm_campaign=fb_abc_news&utm_source=m.facebook.com&sf262475098=1&fbclid=IwAR1D6bCdae1GcEXPKyyqCp2T3B32g0MbEONs0-XYyKdIjdeh3HHKMETt3DU Edited because I made a big boo boo.

I wonder if they got loose while he was working?

Stussy has Laryngeal Paralysis ( geriatric onset LP - collapse on one side and paralysis on both, which is also nerve related) and I joined a great FB group thanks to DOLers advice. She eats and drinks from raised dishes (shoulder height). Her food bowl is this metal rod thing that you can slide up and down to get the correct height. Ones with set heights may not be the right height. She has a slow water bowl (it goes on a plastic basket for height). It is great as she was always gulping her water and a bit hacky as a result. Both items easily bought on line. Also bought a set for Jonah and he seems to enjoy not having his face falling in his food and water! There is also a water thickener that some people buy that has helped their dogs too. Could be beneficial for you to try since liquids are a problem. Can also add some pics if you think it is useful. Other ways to get fluids in are also to freeze canine bone broth (you can buy it in supermarkets now). It freezes quite soft so is easy for them to chew. I found a little tray that make ones about half the size of a normal ice cube. Maybe you could go even smaller and just aim for a straight swallow? Stussy is never ever fed or watered at ground level anymore, not even treats. Before we had tie back (TB) surgery (which leaves one side of their throat permanently open) my vet said to start feeding her wet meatball foods to avoid aspiration pneumonia (LP) so you could also start doing that. The aim is for the item to be small enough and slippery enough for a straight swallow. It hasn't all been positive though - she has vomited more this year than she has in all her previous 14 years put together but we have not had a single incident of aspiration pneumonia. I feel very lucky for that as so many other LP doggos seem to suffer AP and reflux and all manner of other problems whether they have TB. LP is different of course to Mega and it also affects the hind legs and a lot of the dogs either succumb to AP or lose their ability to walk. Some who can't have TB surgery eventually can't recover from a breathing crisis. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot that will re-stimulate the nerves once the disruption has commenced either. She can no longer wear anything around her neck so no collars. Some of her dog coats with loose necks are fine but I also made her some v neck styles. I also had to turn one harness into a v neck as it sat higher around her throat. Not all harnesses sit the same so you'll have to play with this too and find one that sits in a way that doesn't add any pressure, particularly when pulled on with a leash. I was beside myself when she was first diagnosed and we had some problems finding a great surgeon and then we had some post surgical problems. She also lost a lot of weight on the meatballs but once we got a routine and back on the kibble based diet she hasn't looked back (you can also soak kibble and reform it into meatballs). She is now 15 so has slowed down anyway but this is our first summer since she developed it and we have new skills to learn about how to manage her breathing in the heat, even if she isn't doing much. I'm sure the FB page that stellnme mentioned will have a wealth of knowledge on it for you but some of this may be useful to you as we are going through it now.

Shit Rascal. What is your relationship with this breeder like? If it has been good then when you are feeling a little calmer just send them a message advising what your vet has told you. Don't put any expectations in the email - make it just an information email and if this breeder is at all concerned about the quality of their breeding stock, this pup and you as a new owner of one of their pups then they will make you an offer and you can start some negotiations. I am not a breeder but if it was me the first thing I would be asking for is a report from a specialist and offering to cover the cost of this. A good breeder would want to know about something like this and be concerned and responsive.

Valmae the problem is people lie and they lie with conviction. You can blame them for breeders who actually care about where their pups and older dogs go for putting prospective new owners through the ringer. As living creatures they are not like other items we shop for where you see something you like, discuss the price and say yes or no. The breeder/owner of that 'item' gets the final say on price and who can buy it. If you find a breeder negotiating the price quickly to suit you and saying pick whichever one you want, yes we will send the dog anywhere at your expense then they are either a backyard breeder, puppy farmer or a scammer. All three are to be avoided. Remember the breeder already has a relationship with this dog and they know what type of family and lifestyle it needs. It's not about the money but finding a good match. If your frustrations make you combative then they will quickly move on to someone who isn't. They want it to be a positive experience too - they are giving up and animal they know and love.

No idea but one of ours loved them so much when she was cremated my sister had an empty roll done with her so she'd have one to chew on for eternity.

So glad you took her back to the vet! Pancreatitis is horrible! See we have to trust our instincts and knowledge of our dogs and honestly, a good vet will be happy with a quick phone call and follow up visit if any concerns arise post or during treatment, so never be afraid to voice concerns to them if something doesn't feel or seem right.

I have an almost 15 year old and this year she needed the steroid Prednisole. She developed every single side effect in the book and it was awful for her and us but please hear what everyone is saying - this is a drug that needs to be tapered off. You cannot just stop it. I don't know the technical reason why but there is a good reason. So please continue the doses as prescribed but you can also call your vet for their professional advice on how to manage the affects on your dog.

Very sad for the owners but what a beautiful gesture on their part! Jo, is the pic I have added the type of wheelchair you are talking about? And is it presently in Victoria? I am an Assistant Fundraiser with Craft for Paws Fundraising Inc. We are a fairly large Australia wide rescue support organisation (also linked in with another similar group) and there could be an animal in rescue who could benefit from it for a dog in forever care due to their mobility limitations or age. Or if it was a doggo up for adoption of course the equipment would go with the dog. Would you like me to put a post up and see what comes of it? Happy to wait if you'd prefer to see what comes from your post here first. I know we have a DOLer who runs a seniors rescue group but I think hers are all littlies. Another Vic based place you could approach is Life of Pikelet. They take on a lot of health compromised animals and would know others doing the same.

Life goals!!!!

The ones Bunny uses are Fluent Pet and when I googled the term other brands showed up. I've also seen people selling the Fluent Pet ones on FB.

Like Boronia we used a child's slide to make a ramp for the bottom of our bed (ours a lot less fancy!). We since got a handmade timber and carpet one from our local tip shop that looks much better! I would also suggest you get a blue light. I am on a doggy dementia page and a lot of people use them at night to keep their oldies settled. I actually like sleeping with it too. I got mine from Bunnings as I wanted a plug in style. There are 4 lights in the set but we only use 1 or it is too bright. I've included a link to it. Previously we used a light you USB charge that I got from Amazon. It was great but had to be recharged every 2 days. We also tried a battery light but it chewed through the batteries too quick. I don't know why these lights work but they provide low level light for a dog getting on and off a bed and my dog wants to sleep right down the bed now as close to the light as she can get so she obviously likes it. She doesn't get up now at all. One other thing we bought (I got mine off Marketplace) as one of those kid barriers for one side of my bed as my girl would use the ramp to go up but jump off and I needed to stop her doing that because of her poor joints. Just like when people get old and need mobility aids, some of our dogs do too. https://www.bunnings.com.au/lytworx-colour-changing-puck-light-kit_p0181967

Not true. Every rescue could tell you a story of a backyard breeder surrendering past their use by date breeding bitches and past their sell date older pups with some bogus tale so they don't have to pay a surrender fee. One of my foster fails was a pup surrendered along with 2 siblings and their 14 year old mother. She clearly had dementia and did not teach the pups good social skills. All 3 pups had serious behavioural issues. Just one story amidst thousands and just for my breed.

This article made my blood pressure rise - that journalist barely bothered to source any credible info for the story. "AMA's report found that in 2021, the typical Australian pet dog was most likely a young, medium-sized purebred, acquired through a breeder." What the f***? How about some facts there from those working on the ground rather than from their highrise offices? And one of the sad photos used looks like it was taken of street dogs in Bali.

An American friend of mine fosters dogs for a group who brings them over from poor parts of Europe with stray dog problems. Here in Australia there is an amazing group in Cairns doing vet work and taking in unwanted dogs from Thursday Island. The logisitics of doing things like this is not easy but those strays have no hope otherwise.

So despite the vast financial coffers of the RSPCA and access to funding sources by many local councils, the responsibility still falls on volunteer based and unfunded independant rescues to save more lives? Did I get that right? The day the RSPCA get their proper comeuppance for all they don't do for animals I will be incredibly happy.

I have no issue with a quality breeder making a comfortable living from doing what they are good at and dedicated to. But sadly it is the dodgy puppy farmers and back yard breeders raking in the dollars whilst pumping out poor quality puppies and spending as little money as possible on their breeding dogs and bitches and their care. Who do so many people not care either about where their pup comes from or the quality of the pup they are paying thousands for? It makes no sense to not do your homework when spending that much money on something you should have for 10+ years. They probably spend more time choosing their new tv than they do a dog.

One of those times when you wished dogs could talk and tell you where they'd been for all that time.