Little Gifts

A couple of years back I stayed at my sister's farm for a month. She had a house yard maremma and another that stayed with the goats. So even though I was there day in, day out, every time I left that yard and was by myself that dog would bail me up like I was an intruder when I tried to return. She took her job of protecting my sister, who was often there by herself, very seriously. Her bark was quite soft but it was persistent. So if the kids of have lots of friends coming and going the bail ups and barking could be problematic.

I use them on two of my dogs. Puppia on the SBT and Rogz on the shar pei. I am another who recommends you go to an outlet that sells a range of brands so you can try them on your dog so you get the right fit. You want the harness to be comfortable as well as secure. Even though my dogs are similarly sized they are not the same shape so even adjusting the straps they can't wear each other's harnesses comfortably.

Oh Kirty. Sometimes something unexpected like this comes along and it is so unfair. There is no time for proper goodbyes. Unfortunately sometimes life just sucks. Maisie looked to you to take the pain away and you did. That is as much as you could do to tell her how much you loved her. Be kind to yourself and get angry if you need to. Eventually you will get back to just remembering all the wonderful stuff about your girl. No more pain for you beautiful Maisie. XXX

From one Chisel to another - "there's no change, there's no pace, everything's within it's place, just makes it harder to believe he wont be around..." Rest in peace big boy.

Wow! So life like!

Bawling by the second photo. This reminds me of what Raineth just went through with Digby. I think every dog owner should do this on that last day or in those last few weeks if you know they are coming. We painted doggy paintings on our last day (now hanging in the loungeroom) and our old girl did something typically her just after she passed which made us all laugh. I wish we'd spoiled her even more now and made her departure day more about what she'd like than what we were doing to cope. Big hugs to all the owners out there missing their fur babies today.

I know he was shocked RP - what normal human wouldn't be. But he, like so many other owners aren't really worried about keeping their dogs contained. If the dogs get out, they get out. If they end up in the pound they might have to fix the fences up because they don't want to pay the fines, but apart from that they just round up their wandering dogs and stick them back in the yard and make a dodgy fix up job of where they escaped. In my street I have two households like that. Been like it for years and what's worse there is one dog at each location that does rush up on you. They want a dog but don't really want to have to spend much money to care for it. Containment is as much about the safety of the dogs as it is the safety of the community. The percentage of dogs hit by cars because they have escaped confinement would have to be very high. And on the flip side the number of innocent dogs and people attacked by dogs who have escaped their confinement (which would include yards, cars and leashes/collars) would have to be even higher. So we have a risk factor pattern, even if we don't know why previously good natured dogs suddenly attack. Less loose dogs would have to equate to less attacks and less injured dogs (as well as less dogs in pounds). So here is a simple idea - they made pool fences compulsory for pool owners so why not have certain types of fencing or containment compulsory for dog owners? That might put off a few unplanned new pet purchases too and put a dent in the BYB and puppy farmers pockets. I wonder how much land the rotti owner is on? There is a two pet rule for standard house blocks in the council he lives in so I wonder if he had more land or had approval for four large dogs on a suburban block? That area does tend to have a mix of property sizes but I bet he was breaching how many dogs he could have. I do hate all the council by-laws that exist for stuff like this but here is evidence of why such rules might be needed - people don't use their own common sense and others suffer for it.

That's like making your 90 year old grandpa sleep in a windy garage on a camp bed! I really, really hope this is because we have an ageing population finding themselves being moved into nursing homes due to poor health rather than uncaring owners getting rid of their old dogs. Wouldn't it be nice if the RSPCA came up with an educational program for aged care facilities so they could explain to the elderly and their families what options might be available for the furry friends they can't take with them.

As Simply Grand said, dogs are so freaking resilient that you get a sick or broken rescue dog and they start coming around with your TLC and it is so much easier to focus on how amazing their recovery is that it over shadows any grief you might feel for what happened to them to make them that way. Our youngest is not very trusting of other people but trusts me implicitly. The other night she had an armpit rash and I put some cream on it and it seemed to really hurt her while I was doing it. The look on her face nearly broke my heart. She avoided me for about three days afterwards, unable to forget that I'd hurt her. She wouldn't even come to sleep with me till after I'd already gone to bed and settled. Then all of a sudden I woke one morning and she was giving me morning kisses and cuddles again like all was forgiven (possibly never forgotten). I hate that what happened to her when she was younger has made her so wary, even of me at times, because she can be such a happy, loving and gentle girl that makes us laugh a lot. I watch a lot of those American animal cop shows. Some of the stories remain stuck in my mind but I try to remember that dogs live so much in the moment that once they are safe, healthy and loved they have the capacity to leave all that sadness behind and live a full life. I wish it was that easy for us humans. I worked in statutory child protection for many years and it would be hard to shock me, but despite everything I used to deal with at work I always felt a need to be involved in animal rescue in my down time. It's like I don't want to forget what humans are capable of to animals. I don't ever want to feel detached or immune to that kind of abuse because to me it is as unforgiveable as child abuse. There are also links between the two in real life - adults who abuse and neglect their kids are highly likely to be doing just the same to any household pets.

Even on larger properties or if renting an owner has the option of containing dogs in portable runs and crates inside the property if perimeter fencing is an issue. You could even dig in large paving blocks to mimic a concrete floor of a run for diggers, which could then be re-filled and turfed when you then have to vacate the property. My backyard was full of heavy concrete garden edging when I bought it. When I got my 6 foot timber fences installed (the same week I moved in) I then dug trenches and wedged those edges under the timber fence so my dogs can't dig out. When I ran out of edging (and behind the shrubs and trees) I forced rio offcuts vertically into the ground. I check all the fences here every week for any issues. So far so good after 14 years, but that doesn't mean I wont still check regularly. So even if you are renting you could do the same for diggers and for strong dogs who might be prone to damaging fences with their nails or teeth. Buy the stuff you need second hand even and DIY it all. There are always options - it boils down to willingness.

Cute? Nah! Happiness is a girl in a warm coat, sitting on a bed that's too small for her eating a toilet roll.

I have no idea what drop shipping even is! Only 10% of my orders need to be posted so I offer a $5 flat rate shipping fee. I usually deliver or people come and pick up from me at the markets only because I quite like to go for a bit of a drive and see new places. Strangely, a lot of people work in the CBD so I do a drive around the city pretty much once a week!

I was at the markets today googling rat hammocks on Etsy and Pinterest! There's also some cute birdy things that don't require much fleece fabric that I might try making too. PS And I noticed that Steve came and liked me on FB too! Hello to you both!

Knowing that area I was thinking about the fencing issue. Big dogs need more space to run in and their strength means they need more substantial fencing, particularly if they make efforts to escape using their brute strength. Their size also means they need bigger holes to escape from and they potentially do more damage if they do attack. Smaller dogs need less space, lighter but still secure fencing, much smaller holes to escape from but if they bit in the wrong place could still cause serious injury. So keeping all that in mind, your fence needs to match your dogs capabilities. And if you are going to own four strong, large breed dogs it is going to cost you quite a bit more to securely fence what should be quite a large yard. Did you think about that before you got four? Do you really need four large breed dogs? Particularly if you can't afford the right kind of fencing to keep them and the community safe? Same as always, this all boils down to personal responsibility by humans.

Horrific. I've never thought of using my car in an instance like that but how could you not do something? He is very lucky to have survived that physically. Mental recovery will be another thing.

Yep, PM me and I'll tell you what I can. Happy to share. Maybe include your email addy as I might have some 'recipes' as links.

I'm going to give you things from a slightly different perspective. I've been making a range of dog gear to sell for rescue over the past couple of years but a couple of months ago I decided to turn it into a small business. I obviously already had a small client base because I'd been doing it for the rescue group, plus that gave me an idea of what sold ok. I have a FB page and I sell at a farmer's market on Saturdays. I always have my order forms, business cards, pricing info and fabric options with me at the markets because I get a lot of orders that way. I try and keep everything bright/lively/handmade but professional, so I am keeping my costs down but still inviting interest. My main failing is that I am a terrible photographer and really should advertise my goods more on FB and keep the page more active. I think part of me is worried about getting too much attention and not being able to meet order demands. As I said, I already have a feel for what sells because I've been doing this for a while but since doing the markets I have branched out a little, buying some low price bits and pieces to add to the stall. I've also started making items for cats and guinea pigs (the cat items sell out every week). It can be seasonal too so there is no point me trying to sell bandanas and doggy tu-tus in winter! I think the market stall has helped me get new customers and orders. I have people who have come back to my stall over several weeks and bought more - that continued, weekly presence builds trust in your product. I've not had any returned items but I have adjusted one item on the spot and of course people return because they saw something I had and later decided they really did want it. I've been off sick the last two weeks and two different people turned up today saying they'd been looking for me previous weeks to buy things. I've had people see what I make, go home and bring their dogs back so I can measure them up. The bulk of my money comes from making custom made dog coats. There are a lot of non-standard dogs out there and a lot of people buy commercial products and are disappointed when they don't fit, so that is really the service I am selling - cheap customisation. I use a lot of stuffed dogs on my stall (purchased from op shops and sterilised) to display my wares so that perhaps people can imagine it on their dogs. Sometimes this helps when people can't remember what size their dog is - we hold the stuffed toy ones until they find a size match! Lots of people don't come to the markets with a wallet full of cash either, hence the post market orders (I send them away with the order forms and my details). So consider a market stall as a cheap way to build a clientele, even if you don't make a lot on the day. The markets I go to cost $30 and pets are welcome (that's important if you need try ons or to do measurements). I am the only one there selling pet gear, although there is someone who sells dried dog treats. I've heard of markets in other locations where lots of people bring their pets and no-one is selling pet products. So it is an untapped opportunity for some locations. The downside is it is dark and cold at 4am! You do have to outlay a little for stall equipment (don't get too carried away - I've probably spent about $200 for my 3 table set up with 3m x 3m marquee) and if the weather is bad you may choose not even attend at all and that is a loss of money for that week. And some weeks you will be chronically busy and stressed because it all depends on you. That is the nature of running your own small business. My only other advice is to try and think of it from your own perspective. Why would you buy that product and why would you buy it from you? I try and make things I like myself, I try and make everything look bright and fun because that is what draws my eye, I want my products to be practical/serve a purpose and not just look nice, I want them to be affordable and I try and be helpful and personable, particularly to people with pets. I'm happy to have a doggy cuddle and don't care if a person buys a damn thing - I hope it shows that I love and care about the needs of animals and not just making money. Edited to add - Given you live in another state I'm happy to share ideas with you of what seems to sell on a pet stall and at what time of the year if that helps given you are also making some of the stock yourself. I can probably even give you some of my secret 'recipes'! I can also give you ideas of how I maximise my raw materials (mainly fabrics) and get the most out of what I have purchased while reducing waste - I don't throw much out anymore but focus on high cost items and high volume items first. I've not made anything for rats but that wouldn't require much fabric would it......

Oh Raineth. My eyes are leaking at the thought of what you are going through right now. Thank you so much for all the love and joy you gave Digby these last few weeks and thank you so much for sharing it with us. What you have gone through is very hard but it is inspiring for any of us facing something similar. Big hugs to you. I'll be looking for your bright star in the sky tonight Digby. XXX

I have all the hardware (black plastic and steel rings) and instructions to make adjustable collars of different widths, as well as the stiffening and loads of fabrics and trim. I've made leashes that have survived rescue dogs so am not at all concerned about making durable collars if this style is what you are after? I can check the sizes I can make if that also helps? No idea of price though but I try and be reasonable for everything I make and sell. I'm Brissie southside but can post.

Loving all the photos!!!!!

One of our old foster pei was so bad we had drool cloths left around the house and if we heard him having a drink we would yell so the closest person to him could wipe him down before he trailed litres of water and drool through half of the house. His sloppy chops used to trap all kinds of fluids and food and his big snozz meant he was always wearing his food on his face too. Poor love.

At an adoption event we had a mother and two young children who was determined to take home a dog that day. She hung around for hours trying to guilt us into changing our minds. The problem was the dog she wanted didn't like her or the kids, it was a known runner and not good with chooks. So what did she have at home to counteract that - yep, she had no fence on any side, no plan to get any fence and a pen full of chooks out the back! She just couldn't get that was a disaster waiting to happen coz she was just going to keep an active young dog inside and no the kids would never accidentally leave the doors open.

I wonder how many mornings he will try this before Maddie catches on!

I think we have a combo of a behaviourist with 'interesting' methods and an owner who only retains part of the message. A little bit of knowledge in certain hands can be very dangerous. There is a noise I use to stop barking that a behaviourist taught me. Apparently it is a noise made by a mother dog to silence her puppies. It only works my on my sbt (the others must not speak dog). So imagine with that one little bit of info if I was dumb enough to think that was all that was needed to control every dog in every situation! And isn't it scientifically true that dogs have far better hearing than humans? So if she can hear the barking then of course her dogs can too! Easiest $600 that trainer ever made! Poor dogs....

My sister's friend lived with us for about 6 months and bought an eensy weensy little chi cross with her that looked and acted like a tea cup doberman. It was crazy. We'd go to the park with it and our husky shep cross and two sbt's and it would be Teensy Tyson that we'd have to calm down. I don't think he had any idea he was a small dog. The bigger dogs worked hard to be respectful of his size because he was such a rough player that they would forget. His size helped sometimes because he could find small gaps to run out of when they were playing in a group. Still, I could never imagine not supervising play between them all or calming things down if I thought it was getting more boisterous than his little bones could take.