Little Gifts

She is terribly cute! I love her floppy, fluffy ears!

I'm really confused by this and would appreciate those of you in the know sharing your knowledge. Isn't it breed standards that determine acceptable conformation in these breeds, so that registered breeders (particularly those into showing) are breeding to achieve visual standards that might in some instances result in a health concern for brachy breeds? If this is the case then breed standards would need to be revised and what makes a show dog would need to change. If breed standards have indicated what is acceptable for decades what is a legitimate, registered breeder to do with their breeding stock if all of a sudden those standards change? This would have to occur over a period of time wouldn't it? All you could really do if a dog was considered to have poor conformation is to ensure it was not bred from but how do you enforce that with the BYB's and puppy farmers who are trying to mimic the same look without any genetic principles behind their work? If they don't record anything then it seems no-one can prove anything. How is that fair? How does that fix anything for the dogs? It keeps going round in circles - the people doing the right thing will be targeted and penalised and the lazy sods making money off companion animals will continue to carry on without a care in the world. Does the govt really want to stop BYB's and puppy farmers and protect abused and neglected dogs? It sure doesn't seem like it to me. They are creating an environment where people who flout the laws already in place will continue to thrive and pretend they are not doing anything wrong. I am starting to get a sense that the govt doesn't want pure bred dogs? They are doing everything they can to make it difficult for people willing to follow the rules. Edited to add that I am not a supporter of 'beauty' over health. As a shar pei owner I am incredibly lucky with my girl but know of badly bred pei (ones bred to look very cute and wrinkly as pups) who have so many issues it breaks your heart. The people who bred those dogs don't give a toss about their quality of life or what they cost their new owners or that these health issues may have lead to them ending up in rescue, broken and bleeding.

Very exciting!!!!!!!

I'm not a vet but last year we had stitches and drains and I thought they came out at the same time around the 10 day mark? I hope all goes well for Ivy and her recovery.

I'm so glad someone with breed knowledge got her. I hate to think such a beautiful natured girl ended up in the wrong hands. Congratulations Poppy!!!!

I sometimes wish I had a crate all of my own that I could snuggle into. I might at least get some bleeding leg room and blankets! Sharing a big bed is not all it's cracked up to be!

Love a happy ending!!!!!

That is Stussy every morning. She likes to sleep under my doona and come breakfast time she pretty much rolls off the bed with all the linen on her and walks towards my voice until it has all fallen off. There definitely doesn't seem to any problem solving skills at work - just gravity!

I've heard that before DDD and the offending tree took out the side of someone's house during a storm. Council can be quite ridiculous. They let suburbs sprout up everywhere and still want to protect open space and trees and wildlife but don't seem to be very good with the whole risk assessment and planning stuff to enable it to safely happen. I think there was a case on the tv about a council street car park next to a council park in a Sydney suburb. A massive dead tree in the park fell over smashing some cars in the car park and council were trying to get out of being responsible for it. Their land. Their tree. Their determination on the land use too. I reckon your neighbours should just pretend the whole trunk split in the wind and for safety reasons they had to remove what remained of the tree. What if a poor, rare native bird or animal tried to sit on the spikey tree and injured itself?

Geez that was lucky! Maybe Myrtie was looking over you all and decided you'd had enough trauma recently.

Try having three dogs bashing at the door. I'm going to take a camera in there one day and video all the noses that come in hoping for an empty toilet roll. Since ours dislike water I can generally have a shower in peace - although Tempeh likes to help me carry my towel into the bathroom and then assist with drying duties once the water is off. Stussy is probably going to be found lying on my freshly ironed clothes (which is why I don't bother!) and Wolf seems to think the best place to sprawl is across the entire door way to any room you are hoping to exit or enter. I know they all do it on purpose!

Geez, is there anywhere our dogs are safe anymore? With each horror story it is clearer that it isn't the breed of dog but each specific dangerous (or potentially dangerous dog) that yet again an owner fails to keep contained or under control that is the issue. One dog doing nothing wrong, minding its own business and another possibly high risk dog only moderately contained, out in an area where it might be exposed to a trigger. If you did an analysis of what went wrong here there are several changes that could've easily been made and both dogs would both be safe. About time we stopped beating up breeds and getting really angry with irresponsible owners.

Happy Re Birth Day Mac!!!!!!

Feeling for you. Been through the same thing myself once.

This makes me laugh. My dogs would be horrified if I took them to the snow. I can picture all the screaming and trying to eat their way into the floor mats for safety. They'd have their "are you freaking mad?" faces on. We don't do wet and we certainly don't do cold and wet. Good luck with your GSD!

Slightly OT but I was at Spotlight the other day buying more fleece to make more dog coats and I discovered some stretch fabric with dogs wearing coats on it! It was a smidge expensive but I had to buy it so I could make a top or two to wear on my market stall where I sell the coats. Crazy dog lady rules!

Whoopsie! Clearly not paying attention!

Thanks Esky - very funny stuff on there! I just read the one about dog's names and I'm feeling awfully guilty!

Following on from Harley's idea, is there another foster carer close by who might be taking a dog to a dog park and could take this one too, even if it is just once a week? If her rescue group has a coordinator maybe she could raise this issue with them as it seems a shame to move the dog if all it needs is a little more exercise and stimulation.

Which one is dog snobs? (or is that dogs nobs????)

Could he look more different from all the other fur kids in town - a wrinkly face AND shoes? I can't believe how well he walks in them though! Don't forget to get me some measurements as I feel terrible about his old coat just sitting here awaiting new measurements while he is dealing with the chill.

Hankdog I prefer puppies one on one. You get to see their little personalities start to come through and see them learning and discovering new things and they are just like babies who need a feed, a poop and a nap. They are so dependant on humans. I just love to see puppies go from romping around like possessed demons to dropping fast asleep in a heap. I never understand how humans can hurt them.

I was at a small gathering tonight at a friend's house and she has a new foster puppy. Just a brindle boofer but to be honest I had no interest in chit chat with the humans. I just wanted to play with little Zia and check her out all over to see how her socialisation and handling is going. I may have been caught sniffing her once or ten times. That puppy smell sends me right to heaven! And she was so cute when she fell asleep on my legs with her having puppy dreams and her little eyelids and lanky legs jiggling! Just nothing better if you ask me!

Geez that's a shock diagnosis! Let's hope the medication has a positive and quick outcome for her as struggling for breath must be an awful thing for an animal. I do like that her medication has been tested on humans rather than animals.......

Edited because I think you will find things to be happy with on that Etsy link.