Little Gifts

That first photo is fantastic! I'm not sure if it's because I'm not a subscriber but I could only see three pics all up and only one of you (your legs) and your fur baby and I know there are more there! So your strange look is safe from me!

We just got a big arse tv for Christmas so Tempeh has shown quite a bit of interest on what is on the screen. She is mainly interested in animal shows, not so much dogs but other animals. In real life she's met a cat, some small birds and chickens but I suspect she'd be quite interested (read terrified) of horses! This reminds me - when I was a kid and we had those big, chunky tv's, our Siamese cat would sleep on top of it for the warmth that radiated up the back but she'd get really floppy and her legs and tail would flop down over the screen. We'd always be yelling at her to wake up so we could see the screen properly! Those days are long gone of course with tv's only 2cm or so thick these days. Gawd I used to have a fish tank set inside an old tv in my flatting years. That's how big they used to be! And my grandads old black and white tv was built into this massive big entertainment unit that housed a turntable, radio and had separate speakers! It was his pride and joy.

I'm so glad it went well and you both had fun!

If no-one in the rescue area sees this and can help, DOLer Tapua lives in Woodstock and might be able to do the home check for you if contacted direct. She is a lab breeder.

How exciting! You could cut down an old belt into a collar - remember to leave the tail a bit longer and bend it back as that looks scruffy. And perhaps tie a little piece of shredded rope to it like she's escaped.

It seems my sneezes are public enemy number 1 with Tempeh! I recently sneezed on her while she was asleep and she jumped up and gave me the filthiest of looks. I've been working my way through the house the last couple of weeks doing a serious declutter so I've been sneezing a bit and even if she is not in the same room she will run and stand in the door way and give me a death stare till I stop. Maybe my sneezes mimic a truly terrible swear word in dog language? Maybe I'm calling her a cat shagger or something?

I don't think giving discounts should be imposed on any vet. They are trying to run a business and we don't know how they are doing financially behind the scenes. They may have an expansion plan or need to buy new equipment. From my personal experience there are vets who for a variety of reasons like to work with rescue and they usually offer reduced rates and possibly even some services for free. Even though my vet isn't linked with a rescue group she is very philanthropic. I have taken foster dogs in to get their desex stitches out when I've had trouble, preparing to pay, but she has done it for free. I have taken in abandoned and sick dogs and cats that have been dumped on us that we are moving into rescue and she has treated them at minimal charge and given me free tablets and creams, all without me asking. She also made me a VIP client about 10 years ago so I also get 10% off everything for my own dogs. That was also her choice. One thing about vets who do support rescue is they are very giving of their time and talent and I'd hate to see that abused by people demanding discounts. It is not the vet's fault a dog was neglected and abandoned any more than it is the dog's fault. We can't keep supporting a cycle of dependence.

I guess you would also need to take note of what needs to be kept for folding purposes before you started cutting off any of the structural stuff as there will be times when it would be useful to fold and put the pram away or for transporting.

Oh Boronia that is gold! Although I think it needs tassels or something equally attention seeking! Maybe one of those multi-coloured pinwheels that turn in the breeze?

Given you are a wharfies wife, if the docks are the setting then perhaps get some ash and rub that into her coat (after the oil) as she is more likely to have oil slicks on her coat than twigs if she is sleeping rough in that environment.

I was watching one of those US animal rescue shows last night and a lady had a basset, OES and French bulldog. They all came from rescue and they all looked pure to me. The Frenchie was part of the feature story and they said it was still a rare breed (at the time of filming) so they were surprised his owners never turned up. Dog wasn't microchipped. All three of those breeds would be rare in rescue over here I think?

Rozzie I was just being a smart arse - nothing was spelled wrong here! Dachshund is a more difficult breed name to spell and I was just hinting that if a person can't even spell the name of the breed then what the hell will they know about caring for it. For instance there are people out there who think cavoodle is an actual dog breed. I know someone who referred to her new BYB puppy as a 'shiatsu'.

Farewell beautiful boy. Don't ever doubt that you were loved and will be sadly missed. Hugs CBD. I can tell from your words it will take some time to come to terms with life without Rocky. That is perfectly fine and us doggy people get it. A few of us have already been through it. My advice is to keep mementos on hand and let him continue to be part of your daily life but in a smaller way. I have all kinds of silly things that belonged to my old girl in spots around the house. She is never far from my thoughts and it has been a couple of years now. Be kind to yourself. XXX

Is ducted when it is built into the house? If it is, I have several friends up here with ducted but I find their houses a bit stifling and airless. I don't think they ever open their windows even when the weather is mild. I guess like any system though you can increase air flow and change the temp. They are probably used to it but I don't mind a nice natural breeze when it is available!

There is a lady in Brisbane's CBD who must regularly walk her poor mini dachshund amongst the peak hour crowds as I have seen them 3 times. Sure it is good to acclimatise your dog but I can't imagine how stressful it must be to have to do it in peak hour with thousands of legs everywhere you look. What kind of air quality is it getting down there? If this does become a popular breed I hope there is also talk in the media about the type of diet suitable for such breeds as being overweight is something that will definitely lead to those elbow and joint problems and expensive medical bills. People, if you can't at least spell your dog's breed name then don't buy one!

Nom, nom, yoghurt AND sardines? I've often wondered whether this would taste nice or hideous. Now I know!

I'm so sorry for all the stresses you guys have gone through. I think SA is the most picturesque of states and the people are lovely but when your weather turns nasty it really does a number on you. Four seasons in one day. I sometimes feel a lot of your houses have been built/designed more for cold English weather than northern heatwaves. At least in Qld we know what kind of day we are in for as soon as we get out of bed. And anyone who builds a house up here from scratch is mad to not put fans and split system air con in. Stay safe everyone and keep your eye on your neighbours too.

Instead of chalk what about just baby powder and the oil? That will also dull the coat. My other idea is to get some debris from under a tree like pine needles and leaves, crush them up and rub them over her coat and maybe around her ears and cheeks too. That will give her a 'stray' look of sleeping and hanging around outdoors. I hope you guys have fun!

There was also footage through that link of what might have been a red belly on a guys windscreen in broad daylight. He and a friend were inside the car, outside light industrial businesses and he was screaming because he had no idea how to get it off. It eventually fell off and hopefully headed to a cooler spot. If it was me my car would still be abandoned in the middle of the road until someone could guarantee that the snake was not somewhere inside my car!

I think you need K9Angel! She is the Queen of doggy birthday parties, including cakes!

I've been thinking about you guys today and hoping you and your doggies have all stayed safe. I think it is bearable if you have a stinker here and there over summer but repeated back to back days of it can really take their toll. Stay cool!

I just saw this article on FB. Not a hot car but a doggy death from being left tied up in the full sun. Horrible and avoidable death. http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/heat-claims-life-of-dog-on-chain/2137026/?ref=hs

He really is a Pei Poster Boy! (clearly broken though given he loves water)

Is Didi crossed with a lab or a Stafford? I can see both in her cute face! I love black dogs! I think it is a great idea to document her life. They grow so quickly.

A fiend of mine is still traumatised about her cat and the RSPCA's lack of response in pursuing the person who ordered his dog to attack and kill it. He even took photos. There were independent witnesses to the event, car rego details, dog and man details and the attack happened on a public street in the daylight but the RSPCA say there was insufficient evidence to go after anyone. Sometimes you have to wonder how much evidence they need and hearing the stories above you have to wonder at their definition of suffering. And I still haven't forgotten the RSPCA officer who when I was seeking assistance to rehome some goats in kid left on my sister's farm after she had been removed from it threatened that my sister would be charged with neglect if she didn't do something for the goats (even though legally she wasn't allowed on the property any more, they couldn't be moved because they were in kid and they didn't have a roof over their heads let alone another farm for the goats to go to). So it's ok to be a hoarder, neglect animals and be given repeated assistance to address concerns that can never be addressed but if you find yourself in a difficult situation and proactively seek help to avoid any concerns even occurring you are chastised and threatened. Good on you RSPCA. I often wonder how many independent rescue groups would be necessary if the RSPCA did the job the public 'thinks' they do? There are probably thousands of dog rescue groups established around the country and on top of that you have rescue and rehab for cats, horses, marsupials, sea life, reptiles and even chickens! All are running on the smell of an oily rag filling a void, while the RSPCA is operating on millions and saving far less of those all creatures great and small than the public think. How did this happen? Having seen some ugly sights in dog rescue I don't even buy that the RSPCA sees the worst cases and hence has higher overheads and lower rehome rates. Independent rescue is picking up the pieces that traditionally the RSPCA and local council should be doing. Why should caring neighbours be cutting fences and saving other people's animals? In a disaster (such as the Bundaberg floods) why isn't the RSPCA the go to org? Instead it is individuals organising and donating food from outside the affected area, liaising with a rescue group inside the affected area to make it happen on the ground. Then there are the media headline grabbing cruelty cases that do make it to court. The sentences given to offenders are light, the public are outraged, the RSPCA again threatens to pursue mandatory sentencing but due to limited resources the outrage on all sides continues. Here in Qld they got a new Act in 2001 but apparently it still isn't good enough! As our national body mandated to investigate and prosecute I would rather they spend all the donations they raise (have you see how many ways you can donate simply from their home page?) doing what no-one else can do and at least do that one thing properly. Grow some balls and pull in the reins. Stop moaning about how you need the public's constant money help and get on with it! I'm getting tired of the carry on and can no longer support it.