Little Gifts

And we are all too scared to say anything in case they wont work with us and the animals pay with their lives. Does anyone know of a council pound run by say a rescue co-op of several smaller rescue groups working together? I'm just wondering how feasible the idea is? AWL started out as a small independent rescue and have maintained their values and good name over years of expansion. I grew up on the Gold Coast and still remember their old shelter in the swamp at the back of Labrador and their dodgy op shops. The volunteers were always so friendly, true animal lovers and committed to the cause. So it can be done without losing sight of why you exist. What happened to the RSPCA and LDH?

I love who I love and if you saw me at Woofstock or the Pet Expo you'd know I love a lot! I do have certain weaknesses though.....

She will end up where she is meant to be.

I don't have any detailed information on what LDH is doing in Brisbane. All I know is that some rescue groups have started a petition asking that a policy of not releasing to rescue be changed. And current 'snap' adoption-available figures taken from their own website seem curiously small given the council area population is above 1 million. My response will be to go to those responsible for awarding the contract... the Brisbane City Council. I'll speak with our local councillor & also the councillor who chairs their animal management committee. As ratepayers, we have a responsibility & a right to get information and make comment. We pay for that contract. http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/about-council/governance-strategy/councillors-wards/ Pointing out (apart from the facts above): 1. there's been history of (at least some) healthy & rehomeable animals being released to rescue from Brisbane Council pounds. 2. UQ research concluded that it could be in a Council's economic interests to focus on rehoming, as there's costs in putting healthy/rehomeable animals to sleep ... both money & human mental well-being. 3. there's viable rescue groups who have offered to contribute to that rehoming, thereby reducing those costs.4. viability of responsible rescue groups in SE Qld has been recognized by RSPCA Qld, who now host Adoption Days including them. 5 we already have a respected role model in SE Qld. AWL Qld contractually works with both the Gold Coast & Ipswich Councils in increasing rehoming of healthy/rehomeable dogs & cats. Both are huge population areas, too. This totally shits me. Rescue groups don't have an income of rates, application fees and fines. Rescue don't have a huge physical and HR infrastructure to draw upon. They don't have numerous figure heads (councillors) to advocate on their behalf, they don't have a captive audience (rate payers and residents and pardon the pun) and pathways (newsletter and rates notices) to sharing information regularly to that audience and they certainly don't attract local media attention as easily. So why does BCC get to fob off their responsibilities to a contractor who then doesn't meet expectations so it falls down to little old rescue again? It is not good enough! Especially for a council of it's size and age. They spend millions on footbridges over rivers and questionable art work on the streets (and their own buildings). But independent rescue has to step in and offer them their precious resources so healthy, rehomeable dogs can be saved? Am I the only one who thinks this is ludicrous? I'd be interested in seeing what grants they have provided to local rescue groups this financial year. I bet the figure is awfully low. And while I'm having a moan about the South East Qld area I'd like to say this. We have the highest population growth in the country, year in and year out. We have 10 councils. Each of those councils (I am assuming) would have animal management services and possibly one or more pounds. On top of that we have huge RSPCA and AWL facilities and they are very well known brand names. But as evidenced by the RSPCA Adopt Out, we also have at least 30 independent rescue groups operating in the area. I'd say even more as I know BFR (who have like 12,000 likers on FB) were not there. What is wrong with this picture? In anyone's terms you would think we were over serviced. Animal Management is not the responsibility of independent rescue groups yet here we all are picking up the pieces! How much money is being used inappropriately on this issue, whether it be a local authority who does not fund it adequately, a large entity who seems to be raking in the money with public sympathy but making little impact on the lives of animals in need or contractors like LDH who swallow up animals whole? Rant over.

I'm happy to do it if you want to send me the info. I've done a few home checks now for interstate rescue groups, maybe even PAWS?

I pretty much notice and want to touch every dog I meet but always ask first. We've had quite a few doggy events recently with Peiradise and I come home covered head to toe in dog slag! So many gorgeous dogs and different breeds to feel and smooch! This afternoon on my way home from the Gold Coast Pet Expo I was a bit shaky hungry so I pulled off to get something to eat. I took a look at my hands and realised they were filthy. I ate anyway!

YAY! Go Zipp!!!!! Work your magic on the mum!

I just saw this Pers. I'm so very sorry you had to make this call. Sleep soundly, pain free Mr Wilson. XXX

Happy Birthday Mads! Make sure you schedule a few naps into your busy day!

Is issuing a death certificate normal? I've had 2 pts and never asked for or received one of those. I haven't needed it for council registration records either. I can imagine needing proof that a dangerous dog was pts though but figured a receipt for the service would be enough?

Hilarious! I have to fess up to something very embarrassing recently. I was in the deepest of sleeps and obviously had to go to the toilet and sadly had an actual toilet dream (do other people have those?) and started to pee in my sleep. But the dogs had pushed me over so far that I was lying on my side with my entire arse hanging off the bed in mid air so I didn't even wet the actual mattress! But don't tell anyone, because like I said, it's a bit embarrassing....

Hard to believe such a gorgeous boy who has obviously been cared for didn't get claimed from the pound. But here's to a great new home for him!

I've also put this on BFR's page and asked them to boost it. They have over 26,000 likers so who knows, his skin parents might see it!

I will start sharing on FB. What area of Brisbane was he found? And what are ABR's contact details in case someone knows him?

Yep, there are risks that come with being 'crazy old dog lady' and this is definitely one of them! I'd like to think mine will at least try and get into their kibble bin before eating me, but?????

That poor ear looks very uncomfortable! I hope one of the options posted up here are tolerable for him while he heals. And don't give in and take it off - he'll be scratching at that first chance he gets.

Thank you for stating the obvious Dognurse. Unfortunately I don't control the entire universe or the outcome would possibly have been different (dependant on her health). And yes, it did take a long time to catch her. Many people tried and failed and many different methods were tried and failed. She was a very smart cookie and her small size made her like Houdini (maybe that should've been her name). The fact she was caught so easily this time could be because her health and mobility were finally failing her. The old Irish would never have even had her kittens in an open corner like that, so it does all point to her not being well. At least she is no longer out there afraid of humans and pumping kittens out of her poor, tired body.

This. Saw it all the time when I was working in the child protection system. If parents aren't paying their rent, feeding their kids and sending them to school then you can hardly expect the dog is faring any better. It's ok to be angry at the time, but there is no point carrying anger; that wont change anything.

Massive decision. I had to go through this with my almost 17 year old Stafford. Blind, deaf, full of cancer, limbs failing, incontinent, dealing with dementia, yet everyday she was right there in amongst the other two playing and keeping them in line, still thinking she was the Queen of the pack. We even got her a doggy pram so she could come on walks with us - no way was she missing out even with all her disabilities! It was a long time afterwards that I still wondered whether I made the right decision. I think she could've kicked on like that for another six months, but the reality was she was only going to get worse, never better, and it would've broken my heart had I gotten home and discovered she'd got trapped somewhere in the yard and been stuck somewhere for hours, getting herself all distressed. I feel like I saved her from her unpredictable self. She was physically active beyond her abilities and that increases the level of risk of harm happening. It was an awful day but she was a tough old girl and didn't want to go! Hugs to you Trisven. XXX

We have one across the road and it was bliss when the neighbours were away for several months and the dog was being cared for elsewhere by family. Now he's back! I honestly don't know why he doesn't need a throat lozenge to keep it up!

I made it through without crying! It's a miracle!

I wasn't questioning the name - I think it is a fun name for a fun girl, but I didn't want a potential adopter being confused on whether to call her Zipp or Zippy if they come to meet her. Instead of saying 'our girl' (like she already belonged to someone) you could include some lovely adjectives like "This sweet girl is....." or "This warm hearted/loveable young miss is....". Regardless it is a fantastic ad and the photos are brilliant!

My only feedback is that I would only refer to her as Zippy (rather than Zipp) and I would remove any references to 'our girl'. Instead just say Zippy. The reason for this is that on a quick read it sounds like she is already owned and adored and someone might just look at the pics and move on to the next dog. You want them to imagine themselves as being the ones who say she is 'our girl Zipp'. Aside from that it is fantastic!!!! Plenty of heart in it!

I'm sure they thought the whole family had marble brains with me ringing twice and telling them a story about a neighbour dropping them off when in fact the council picked them up! We are at least lucky that because we feed Irish and can offer her extra meals when she is feeding a litter, the kittens are generally healthy and Irish herself has never had gummy eyes or anything of that nature. In fact she is one of the cleanest cats you'll see - no fleas, nice soft coat, no icky ears. I've never been able to see inside her mouth but based on her inability to eat a lot of kibble I'd say she has teeth problems. But she may have cat flu in her system as one of her kittens (the one mum fell in love with a couple of years back) did and we had a lot of problems clearing it. I've decided not to go to the pound. Just not up to dealing with it to be honest. I didn't mean to sound negative towards their treatment of strays in my earlier posts. I'm just being realistic about what they could do for her or with her. She could turn absolutely feral being confined and it would be very difficult for anyone (pound or private rescue) to contain her while she raised the kittens, let alone handle her when it was needed.

Beautiful!