BDJ

must say it is funny (in a sad, sarcastic way) how pet shops (and internet and public) get it so wrong - and that is not a new thing. Many years ago ('80s or '90s) I was at a major shopping centre and the pet shop had a pup - cant remember exactly the cross but it was small to small (maltese x chi or chi x silky terrier etc) and the pup had HUGE feet and front knuckles and it had a relatively "boofy" head - the rest of the pup was smallish/cutish and sometimes a pup needs to grow in to their head, but if I saw those feet and knuckles on a staffy pup I would not have been surprised. An hour or so later I saw a family proudly carrying their new purchase through the mall. I can only wonder what ended up happening when their little bundle of fluff grew and grew and grew. Hopefully by then they were in love and accepted it for what it was, not what they were expecting

RuralPug - was the sad icon because you didn't agree with what I wrote? or because you agree that (sadly) it is true? Edit - so sorry, typed your 'name' wrong

I agree - they are crossbreds. I have a SWF, he is a gorgeous dog and everything I could possibly want - but he is a crossbred, pure and simple. People often ask what he is? - what were his parents? - was his father a maltese? - he looks just like my moodle, aren't they perfect! - is he a moodle or a (insert other type of oodle here)? My standard answer is - "I have no idea, I think his parents were whoever went past at the time - he is a crossbred of some sort". But, ...... people like labels - who wants to buy something called a crossbred or a mongrel? In the last 15 or so years has seen a shift away from 'ordinary'. Everyone is an expert and the increase in TV and the introduction of the internet and social media means to get attention you need to have catchy names or be an individual. There is also the 'hybrid vigour' tag which is hard to combat - especially (flame suit on) when *some* pure breeds have become more extreme - be it in coat length, or shortness of muzzle, or size of shoulders, or angle of hindquarter etc. These are not going to be fixed by crossing a (insert breed here) with another random dog - but Joe Public does not necessarily understand that - and if the first 10 articles on a google search give him the same message, that is hard to combat

The only time I have seen a 'prong' collar in use was in the USA. It was on a boardwalk in California, and the first thing I noticed was that there were so many dogs and people using the same space without issues. No barking, no pulling no ruckus at all - yet the dogs were comfortable and friendly, they weren't shut down at all, they were just polite and well mannered. Several of the larger dogs had the prong collar on, yet they were all loose and did not appear to be bothering them. I saw one dog get overexcited and 'rude' - the owner didn't shout, run or carry on - he simple removed the dog in a very no-nonsense 'march' to a quieter space and gave it a time out. If I wasn't actually watching the interactions I doubt if I would have noticed it. It was a medium/large strong dog and it had a pinch collar - he did not haul it around so I don't believe the dog would have been 'bitten' by the collar, but I think having the extra 'oomph' was another trigger to the dog that its behaviour was unacceptable. The collar was literally tight for a second or so and then released. So - I see it the same as most things - a good tool when used properly. Not needed in most cases, but in some yes I think what I see most days is worse - dogs being hauled and dragged around or pulling furiously on harnesses, flat collars etc. I remember talking to someone at the local park a few months ago. My dogs don't exit a vehicle until they are asked, that is one of the first rules the learn. Because I had gotten slack and for the previous however many (20-30ish) visits I had just opened the door and said 'ok' straight away, this time as soon as I opened the door Belle (RC collie) piled straight out. I simply picked her up and deposited her on the back seat - I didn't throw her but I will say I was not the most gentle - it was a firm 'oi - you are not permitted out here now, you are being put in the car NOW'. I then was standing with the door open with the three of them on the back seat (only the collie had exited without permission). A woman came up and told me that she thought I could have asked the collie to get in the car and that she didn't approve of the way I had returned Belle to the car. I explained why I had done it and then got told about positive reinforcement/dogs learn better if you show them what you want and let them chose/food and praise work well etc. - she then proceeded to tell me about her neighbour whose dog was killed last year because it had jumped out of the car at the shops and got hit in the carpark. MMM - i would much rather give Belle a reminder in a safe manner than have her killed or injured. When it was time to leave Belle happily jumped in the car to go home, and since then has waited for an express invitation :-)

they are beautiful (helps with an amazing subject - but still :-))

This is out of left field, but could there be a mouse or possum or something like that in the roof? Perhaps he can hear something you cant. I know a lot of Australia has high mouse numbers at the moment

Trying to be delicate on a public forum - but as an undesexed male he has a primal drive to ensure his genes continue to the next generation - yes, he will do whatever it takes to make that a possibility. The difference in size will have some logistical challenges, but the physical damage would not be one of his considerations - think about that 'cos its a fact. Desexing him is recommended as it will reduce part of his motivation to roam, but not all. You now have a dog that is used to roaming, so he will not be happy with confinement - but that's something that he will (should) need to get to cope with. You can help him through the transition - plenty of info available about mental stimulation, toys etc. Some people do totally struggle with 'being mean by keeping my dog locked up - he loves to stretch his legs and visit the neighbours' - that does not make it right. Would that same person think that about their 5 yo child? 'oh, he knows not to go near traffic, and I feel mean expecting him to go to bed at night or go be with an adult through the day - he is fine if I just leave the door open'. Your dog must be amazing if he can judge traffic perfectly Possibly this is not what you want to hear, but it is something that has to be said - for your neighbours, for your neighbours animals and for your dog. Best case scenario he is picked up by the council and you pick him up from the pound, worst case scenario he is hit by a car and you pick him up from the side of the road - dead.

thanks for the update It does not take away from what happened, but certainly adds another perspective - both on the owners 'commitment' to the dog (it didn't say, but quite likely the dog defended its territory during the home invasion and may have saved the family from further harm), and more reasons on what may have triggered the attack (dog version of PTSD, impact of previous activity etc). There is usually more to any story

Please read my full comments - taking one line out of context does not help I said - not acceptable, wrong on so many levels, and heartbreaking. !!!!! My comment about the overhead lockers being airtight was in response to people (here and other places) stating that it should be obvious to everyone that the overhead lockers are not ventilated (and in some cases that 'everyone' would know they were airtight). I personally dont think everyone would think that given they are in the main cabin. BUT that does not mean I believe a living anything should be put up there. Two separate points I was trying (and apparently failing to make). Should a living entity be put in a locker. NO. Would I know they were airtight. NO (and I would never find that out, cos I would not put a living dog/person/cat or bloody guinea pig in there.

This is the stuff that nightmares are made of - should never have happened for so many reasons. But I can sort of understand why no one may have twigged that the overhead lockers would cause suffocation. Yes, they click down firmly, but they are still in the cabin (so pressurised) and I for one didn't know they had an airtight seal. That does not take away from what the dog went through, or what any of the people now have to live with. And it certainly does not mean that I think putting him up their was acceptable. Even assuming people didn't realise about the airflow (or the inherent issues with the breeds breathing issues) - it was guaranteed to be uncomfortable, dark, scary, noisy, bumpy etc

aww - he grew up so fast :-) my photo for this week. The Adelaide Fringe is on at the moment and one of the things is a light show (some with music) on our old buildings on North Tce. I don't shoot much at night so had problems balancing the light of the building and the foreground light. I wish it was clearer but I loved the girl in the foreground - she danced for ages and had so much fun

Last night in the city - I am all caught up now

I missed a week, so will add an extra one this week. This is a very patient tawny frogmouth who was at a micro workshop I went to last week. His expression livened up when a small python came out, and when I got between him and the python he was not happy :-) I took 2 photos, but still learning the sensitive depth of field on my new macro lens - in the other one his beak was excellent, soft eyes - in this one its the opposite. Oh well, just need to keep practicing

My week 5 (a couple of days late) I bought my first macro lens a couple of weeks ago, and this is my first attempt using it

thanks Roova :-) And to get back on topic here is this morning at Semaphore beach

Hey Roova - is that capsicum and beetroot you are feeding your birds? Sorry for the off topic question, but I have parrots, canaries and finches all together in a big aviary, and give fruit and greens - but always looking for variety for them, so interested in what you are feeding (it looks yum :-))

I love this thread - every photo is so special this is my week 3. We have had several very hot days, and this is Daisy enjoying the airconditioning

Yep - she is on Prednisolone :-) :-( I will just keep the bedroom doors closed which are the only carpeted rooms. The living areas have rugs, but they can be cleaned of any accidents. Also good news is that I dont think she even realised, so she wasn't worried. She is a very clean girl, so if she realised what she did I think she would have been embarrassed and upset (yes, they are human emotions, but hopefully people understand what I mean) thanks everyone for your suggestions

I looked at putting something on it, but it is looking so much better that I didn't want to risk it becoming sore (she ignores it when I put the cream on, so I don't think it is painful at the moment). But just to make life more interesting (gee - don't they realise I like boring :-)) she appears to have developed a bit of incontinence. She was laying down this morning without the collar on having a sleep, and when she stood up she left a puddle (only saw it because she was on the timber floor). I checked the spots she slept last night on the carpet - and yep, it was damp. I believe it is just the meds she is on causing her system to be a bit out of whak (drinking more, not 'sleeping' with the collar on so when it is off she is sleeping deeply etc). She is on antibiotics so even if it is a UTI it will be covered. I will wait till the hot spot is fixed, and she is off the meds - if it continues then back to the vet. She has not had anything like it before, so guessing it is related.

thanks all - yes, she is a rough coat collie I have decided to stick with the cone. I was able to take it off for a few hours tonight as she was in my direct eye line constantly whilst watching tv etc. She is not trying to get to it every 2 mins, but is very quick when she does decide to try to chew it. She is a lot happier with the cone tonight - not delighted :-), but navigating better and has stopped the hangdog look :-) thanks

week 2 - a close up of an agave in my front yard

I like the sound of the inflatable e-collars, investigating that now, thanks Muzzle would not work with her as she would just use the muzzle to scratch it rather than her teeth :-) ta

Hi all, I have a collie with a hot spot on her rump, which she wont leave alone. She is wearing one of those plastic collars, but when it is long enough to stop her getting to her hip, it is that huge that she can only drink out of a bucket, and normal stuff (laying down, eating, walking through doorways etc) is quite an ordeal. Does anyone have any ideas on an alternative? I cant cover it (difficult spot and the air needs to get to it), so it is all about stopping her using her long (and lovely) muzzle to get to it :-) Perhaps something that tastes awful that can go on open skin? She had a steroid needle last night, and is on tablets and topical cream, so if I can get her to leave it alone it will clear up quickly I will give the vet a call and see if they have any ideas, but thought the brains trust may have some ideas thanks

thank you Scottsmum :-)

Happy New Year all I started last year and dropped out (again) very early - I am going to try very hard this year to make it to the end. This is a photo I took last night - he was trying to chat up a couple of peahens, he was very pretty :-)