Little Gifts

I'm speculating that one reason for the distrust between both sides is that rescue feels like they are cleaning up someone else's mess without all the prize money and glory and so would be quick to want to identify breeders, trainers or owners neglecting their dogs and dumping unwanted ones on an already over burdened system that runs on the smell of oily rag carrying volunteers. Breeders, trainers and owners know they are being judged even when trying to do what they feel is the right thing by those dogs. There is nothing circular about the process so there is no reflection or closure. Different values and ethics and different end results wanted from both sides.

Obviously a percentage of funds raised through gambling comes back into state government coffers (here in QLD anyway) and it is then given out as grants to non-profit groups. It is a relatively new thing though - maybe only over the last 10 years? There are always more applicants than money. But the QLD government did approve over $12 million in funding for a new greyhound racing track in Logan March last year(currently under fire for obvious reasons) as part of his $110 million Racing Industry Capitol Development Scheme. Have a read what Newman was happy to spend money on when he sacked so many public servants and ceased funding so many community services. http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2014/3/15/new-greyhound-racing-track-at-logan-gets-green-light

m-j where the hell will 10 - 15,000 unwanted greys go every year? I think a law of that nature is bound for failure as there are simply not enough homes available for them all to go to. Perhaps some breeders will be forced to curb their breeding numbers if they already have a kennel full of duds looking for a home? But I say to you again that there are already laws in place for ALL dog owners and there are additional rules in place for dog breeders and conditions placed on anyone who is a member of a dog related activity and yet all these terrible things are still happening. No-one is policing these things now. These are the people who are ruining it for the entire industry because great trainers and breeders pale in comparison to the number of dodgy ones unfortunately. The majority you talk about now are the wrong doers and I don't think you can turn that around as the baddies will always look for ways around the rules. The industry has effectively killed itself at present (unless something radical comes about). A couple of you have touched on the financial gains (or lack thereof) of the industry. So who is making the money off these dogs? The punters? Trainers? Breeders? Owners? It sounds all so lucrative but I still can't see the pecking order? With horse racing I'm thinking it would be the owners up top (prize money and status) but with dogs it seems different.

A magistrate should take on board both sides of the situation and determine a fair outcome. The buyer could always make a case if they can prove they have kept up their end of the contract caring for the dog and not breaching any written agreement but I suspect a good breeder is in a position to work differently with an owner if a health issue arises than a pet shop would be. A good breeder is more likely to be able to show that the pup had vet care and checks prior to being sold 'in good faith' as sound, so any damages should be minimal if an Act of God occurs. They probably also got the new owner to sign some kind of contract regarding what to do in the case of future problems with the dog - a kind of warranty arrangement where the breeder has a say in assessing significant health issues that arise. A pet shop can't do that as they don't care about that side of things and hedge their bets. If you buy a dodgy pet and don't come back and complain it's no skin off their nose. Whereas a good breeder would want to know if anything genetic showed up in one of their dogs. Now if we are talking about a crappy breeder then I guess they will care as little as a pet shop. Can you see the difference? Not knowing you were selling a faulty item (especially when you have strategies in place to ensure you are not) is very different from not having any checks and balances in place to ensure you are selling a sound item in the first place. Pet shops may as well stick 'AS IS' signs on all their dogs.

Yep, I think this is why I have changed my mind over any/all practises involving animals and lots of money passing hands. I can't justify to myself the unnessecary loss of animal life for my entertainment anymore. Here's a question for those of you in the know. What would happen to the greyhound racing industry if the public gambling aspect was removed? Would owners/trainers with great dogs still want to meet? Would those who love to see great dogs achieving great things still come and watch? Would it reduce the number of dogs bred and discarded? Would it stop blooding? Would/could it become like obedience trials or the range of other sporting activities that enthusiasts and their dogs like to participate in and watch without it being about money?

Under our laws pets/animals are actually considered goods and chattels. So they entered a contract with a pet store buying an item (let's forget it was a living thing) that was supposed to be fit for purpose. Under what would be considered normal care (basic food, access to water and adequate shelter) this item would be expected to operate fit for purpose for 'x' period of time. In this instance the 'goods' started to fail within a very short period of time. Alterations to house and lifestyle had been made in good faith to accommodate and care for these 'goods'. It became 'fixed' in place. Money had already been expended to care for these 'goods' above and beyond the basic care needs being met. Regardless of the comments in the story I'm not sure about a tribunal can use the emotional card of a dog being a family member. I doubt goods could ever legally be considered the same as living beings (humans who have legally registered birth names) so the tribunal would have to be basing their decision on some legal grounds for it to stick. Basically these people made a purchase in good faith, met all warranty obligations and were sold faulty goods which were now considered fixed in place and couldn't be returned for refund so they got compensation instead. There are lots of other non-living goods out there that can't be returned for a refund either - you can't pull down house extensions for instance but the owners can be reimbursed for extra costs expended to rectify faults and live with a less than perfect job that might give them problems in the future.

I was thinking about the actual camping floor mats you can buy that come as squares but can be interconnected to make a bigger floor mat. They are fairly highly condensed rubber so would be comfy and durable. And pretty cheap! http://www.anacondastores.com/camping-hiking/tents/tent-accessories/spinifex-foam-floor-mat-pack/p/BP90030158

m-j all dog owners already have laws and by-laws in place regarding the care of their dogs. Registered businesses that accommodate or breed animals would also be subject to additional laws/by-laws. If they were a member of a key organisation regarding the breed of dog or commercial industry the dog was part of there would also be more conditions they had agreed to with membership. So the issue is not the percentage of people who are doing the right thing but the number of people who are blatantly doing the wrong thing. They are the ones ruining it for everyone and these dogs are paying the ultimate price for it. And as far as an industry goes, how is it morally ok with anyone that a healthy animal is killed simply because it can't run fast? Where has this industry set up proper rehoming options for the hundreds/thousands of dogs that they know don't make the cut each year? The rescue stories regarding greys are often appalling. They clearly don't have any value to a lot of owners and trainers if they can't make them any money. This is a very different scenario to normal canine breeding situations where those that don't meet purpose go to pet only homes - they don't take them off somewhere and shoot them. And do you really think those dogs couldn't sense fear in that paddock? They didn't just take one or two at a time. There were 55 there! They could probably already smell the decay of other canines! Laws, culture and consequences have not worked with alcohol either. Go for a walk at club closing time or visit an ER on a Saturday night and see the damage people are doing to themselves and others. The amount of crimes committed under the influence of alcohol is also staggering. And this costs our communities more money than the alcohol industry makes. Laws do not make greedy people suddenly good people.

I know BFR have a shipping container going to Vanuatu but I don't think already opened kibble would fair well. Hopefully a local rescue can use it.

Could just be gossip but I think I read on FB before that they had found at least one microchip in the carcasses. I don't know how realistic I am being here or how far I think things should go but I'm starting to think we need to take a long hard look at a lot of things we do with animals. We are supposed to be a civilised society but we use farming techniques to poorly breed companion animals, and greed and corner cutting to save money/make more money in both the greyhound and horse racing industries (remember the public outcry after last Melbourne Cup?). Maybe as a species we are incapable of putting the needs of animals first when it comes to money and if that is the case we need to make sporting activities involving animals and mass breeding of companion animals illegal because we can't be trusted to follow the rules already in place. We have ruined these things for ourselves. We have nobody else to blame for bad media or the loss of income. We are causing the senseless deaths of innocent creatures for fun, entertainment and money. I don't think I can continue to pretend that is ok with me anymore.

This is really tricky but your friend obviously loves her dog so why not focus it that way? You were so worried for the dog's anxiety levels and being a pet owner yourself you know that is not normal or healthy and that for the sake of the dog isn't it worth trying to resolve whatever issues can be resolved? She may never end up with the perfect dog but it will hopefully be happier and more content. I bet your friend is already well aware of the issue and is hoping the dog was ok while she was gone. All you are doing is confirming with love and kindness and the best interests of the dog that it wasn't. And at least if she sees a behaviouralist she will get tools to manage any problems that wont ever go away. As the good friend you are can let her know what you are willing to do to help, which obviously includes caring for the dog if she goes away again.

It will be great to see regular pictures of him (hint hint) so we can all watch his amazing coat develop!

Cheesus - those poor dogs who have lost part of their jaw simply because of poor dental hygiene. But what an amazing program!

I've been down this road too. You might sometimes wonder if you made the decision too early but you will always fully regret leaving it too late.

I like Milla too and I pronounce it Meelah/Me La if that helps?

I still can't believe how big Harper grew from that little puppy!

He may not be prickle proof but luckily he seems bomb proof!

The Doodle Bug when she first arrived as a foster from Peiradise. She is the one in the front and about 13 weeks old.

A keeshond needing a new home was how I discovered DOL all those years ago! A young boy called Herbie was dumped on my parents after his owners got evicted from public housing. I'd never even heard of the breed before! He had never been fed anything more than scraps and was quite small too. Always an outside dog with no actual shelter from the Queensland sun. He was originally very badly matted but the owners took him and got him groomed (at the request of mum) right before he ended up with my parents and he got terrible razor burn around his boy bits and we had to get it treated yet he never once complained either - so pleased to simply have some attention! Anyway BFR took him on and he was rehomed to a kitten foster carer. I still get to see pics of him on FB. He gets hotspots so they keep his coat short. I think they are a wonderful looking breed and they seem to have a good temperament. So few come through rescue that hopefully she will be snapped up quickly. This girl looks amazing for what she has been through.

They also offer some good courses. Hopefully Steve will come in here and answer any questions you have about their purpose.

Good on you for becoming Comet's forever home! He's obviously had some struggles early in his life that hopefully he will never have to worry about again!

YAY! I loved this story!

A friend recently posted pics of her pei boy covered in leaves and cobwebs. He'd decided the lizard population in their yard needing a good sorting out! A love the ways dogs find to amuse themselves!

I love all their tails waggling while they are training (they just think they are having fun)!

I went from a hatchback to a wagon for two reasons. We became a three dog family and my parents were getting rather old so if there was a flood or cyclone or something and we had to evacuate I'd need a car big enough for the parents, three dogs AND all our gear!