Sheilaheel02

Oh you poor old fella S

I agree Mysticview, personality and temperament are the key drivers. While Mick (9yo Cattle Dog) will tell Lucky off if he gets two big for his boots, he absolutely loathes my current foster ACD and I can't run them together at all. Both are fine with all of the other dogs, just not each other. In contrast, my previous foster Cattle Dog, the divine Radar, could socialize with every other critter here. I think though if you have a vast difference in size and temperament, that can sometimes pose issues. While my Mother's Chi's would like to play with my dogs, they aren't generally allowed to because the risk of them getting seriously injured during a game is too high. A one on one gentle interaction inside is OK, but they would be flattened in a working dog style game in the open yard. S

When my Uncle passed away in 2011, he left behind a little JRT that I had never met (I had met his previous best mate who was a fantastic dog, but he was stolen from his yard). Another Uncle had taken "Lucky" home but already owned a small lap dog who had her nose seriously out of joint about the new dog. Given my previous experience in rescue and rehoming, I offered to bring Lucky back with me and find him a new home via my contacts. So, I collected an unknown, entire, adult JRT and then had to introduce him to 3 Cattle Dogs, a cat (who is bigger than he is incidentally), the current foster dogs (also ACD's) and two horses. Far from ideal.......and I wouldn't recommend it, however, it has worked out reasonably well so far for us, even with the odd hiccup. Long story short, Lucky is still here. He has tried his little heart out to fit in and do the right thing (well mostly anyway, sometimes his Terrier instincts just get the better of him). Incidentally, the biggest trouble-magnet in my pack is the youngest Cattle Dog I've had from a puppy, not the JRT. While I can understand the reasoning behind why someone might have suggested a working dog and a terrier might not be a good mix, I don't think it is always necessarily so. My new neighbours also have a couple of Cattle Dogs and a Jack. If the personalities clash though, it does have the potential to turn into WWIII. The right dog will come along, you will know when the timing and personalities are right and so will Kira. Best wishes and good luck. S

Just a comment about the two month restriction for dogs in care. A whole lot of amazing dogs that I have fostered would be dead today if this time limit became law. Especially if it is left open to interpretation of what is 'foster care' v's 'kennelled'. Unless I can confirm vaccination status the dogs are quarantined for a minimum of 10 days to begin with, so there is two weeks basically gone. Then the dogs are assessed over a period of time and their vet work needs to be completed etc - perhaps another 2-4 weeks. After that I would only have about a fortnight or so to find the 'perfect' home for that dog (which would include vetting the potential adopters, meet and greet, yard check etc etc). Granted the perfect home has sometimes been waiting or is available in that timeframe but it would be the rare exception rather than the rule. S

ACD wounds don't stop even when they get bigger :laugh: I went for a skin check because I spend a lot of time outdoors. When I stripped down the doc looked a bit concerned......not about any moles, but about all the bruises, scratches and scars all over me. S

WOW, cuteness overload!!! Thank you for helping the Cattle Dog pups. Weren't there 3 surrenders? Bonnie, Clyde and a sibling? Anyway, will organize my donations shortly. Bonnie and Clyde are cute but if I had time for another one of my own I would have trouble choosing between Ned, Felony and Charm. I could just imagine calling out "Felony!" around an Agility course :laugh: S

Unfortunately I don't have Foxtel any more but can you keep an eye out for a red ACD named Rusty (or Little Red) who is trained to detect Cane Toads for me please? He is a former ACDR rescue who came from Hawkesbury Pound. I would love to see the story if he features. S

I wouldn't say you are the odd one out Diva. I had used a couple of different Clinics in Canberra in the past where I was not particularly satisfied, but then switched to my current Vets (one for feline and canine, the other for the equines) where I've now been for years because they are brilliant. Unfortunately, for me the Equine Vet is the furthest away from where I live. I do, however, have a strong preference for individual Vets at these practices, and if the issue was major and my normal Vet not available, I might choose an alternative Vet from a different Clinic based on my own and close friends past experiences. I hope that makes sense. S

I also want to add my condolences to Aloysha and Tikira. One of my worst nightmares. We lost a former foster dog, Suzie, to snakebite last weekend too. Her owner is devastated. Repellers: I think they 'may' deter some snakes or at best confuse them but I had a brown in my house yard last week and it was 3-4M from the Repeller, lying out in the open. Grass is short here and I'd sprayed roundup against the fenceline so I could see what might be around (+ it's easier to mow around the repellers). You can see the repeller in the pic attached and if you look in the foreground just in front of the star picket you will see some disturbed dirt which is where the snake was. I'm not sure if I will replace my repellers when they stop working or not now, they are expensive and they don't actually last that long. BTW, Suzie's owner had spent over $600 for repellers for his yard and he still lost her. S

+ 1 for the Nekh advice fan club. S

This is Suzie, formerly of ACDR and DAS. The reference to Snoozie is because she could rival an old man with her snoring! :) She was such a character.

Thanks DOLer friends. Andrea, I'm sorry to hear that you have lost some of your dogs too Mate. Col and I had a good cry and a long chat yesterday. We discussed the strategies we both employ to keep our respective places unattractive to snakes and I think we've just about done everything we can. I had a brown here in the house yard last Wednesday and it was lying less than 4m from a snake repeller. Bring on the colder weather! S

FWIW, I have a cat and I live rurally. Yowie is predominantly an indoor cat, but he does come out for a walk around my place with the dogs under supervision. He is also trained to walk on a harnass and he has an outdoor run. He is managed this way for his own safety and because I know he is a skilled and determined hunter. As I said previously, I am aware of the laws with regards to domestic animals, but my fencing is specifically to keep my horses safer. My boundary fences are almost all netting, barring a section which I'm saving up to upgrade from ringlock to netting also. The netting has electric offsets on the horses side of the fence. Another section is three strand electric because the ground is too uneven currently to run netting tightly along it. I've already spent a small fortune on fencing to keep my animals in and to try to keep everyone elses out. To get hit by the electric fence the neighbouring hunting dogs would need to go completely over, through or under the boundary fencing. If they decide to breach the physical barrier and cop a zap that is enough to snap them out of prey drive, surely that's preferable to me having to shoot them to stop them ripping up my horses? I love dogs obviously so I would be extremely distressed if I had to do that, especially given I know it's not their fault, the buck stops with the owners. I've had issues with them previously and I've seen first hand the carnage after they have brought down wildlife. I initially went down the well worn path of contacting the Police/Stock Squad/Council, what a complete and utter waste of time! S

I was advised by my good friend Colin that the lovely Suzie, who he adopted from ACDR several years ago, lost her life to snakebite this past WE. She was adored and will be remembered fondly. Farewell sweet 'Snoozie' we all loved you so much. S

Does it also give a definition of an 'electrical device'? I use electric fencing to contain my horses specifically, but if it happens to also prevent my neighbours roaming dogs from entering their paddock to chase them, so be it. I appreciate that by certain definitions companion animals are different to livestock. However, I still struggle with the concept of banning electronic collars and electric containment fences which, when used responsibly, may deter pets from engaging in potentially life-threatening behaviours (fence jumping, chasing cars, stock etc) and allowing a Rodeo Bronc to be hit with an electric prod if it doesn't want to leave the chute at a rodeo so that people can be entertained by it's fear and discomfort. Totally arse-up logic if you ask me. S

Yes you can turn the energizers off DD. You soon remember to always check! LOL. I've got quite a powerful mains one here because one of my horses is a shocker for testing fences, but I have a battery powered portable one too. S

Electric netting? Sounds interesting, where did you see that BJ? S I found some links thanks to Google. AWESOME! I might be able to keep the rabbits off my garden and from stripping my trees. Wonder if it would deter snakes as well...... S

Electric netting? Sounds interesting, where did you see that BJ? S

I have just about lost complete faith in the RSPCA. While I can't comment on this particular case, I've long since stopped donating to them for many reasons. Too much power which is often weilded at the wrong targets and no effective accountability. We have worked with several fantastic individuals employed by the RSPCA who are genuine, but the organization as a whole has lost it's way IMHO. I've been following the situation with the Penderlea horses (Save the Penderlea Horses on FB) which is much closer to home for me. The fact that despite previous reports, this horrific neglect has been going on for more than 20 years, beggars belief. S Edited to add that I haven't just taken the FB site as gospel. I've had a number of local sources confirm the situation when I made some discreet enquiries.

Oooh thanks sheena! SM (Max and Remy) sent some to Woody as well. Tried them out in a brief training session this morning and they are definitely a hit :) Thank you from the ACDR foster dogs! I will take some to Radar who is on trial at the moment too. S

Really? This is wrong in so many ways I'm not sure where to start. Surely, the group to which she belongs does not sanction this kind of behaviour? If she's got extra time on her hands, don't go wasting other peoples, dedicate it towards something more positive.......or simply get a life. S

Fortunately, the vast majority of people who come to meet one of our dogs are genuine. Like most groups we ask a lot of questions before arranging a meet and greet, but that doesn't always guarantee an accurate picture of what the people will be like in the flesh so to speak. If references check out they may be allowed to visit the dogs in their foster environment, but we will take them to the adopters home if that is possible too. The weirdos? I swear, over the years, we've just about had them all! From the truly disturbed ones to the lonely hearts who think that we must want to save them too. Personally, twice I've approached the Law (which was not particularly comforting). One day I'm going to write some of these experiences down. I wish I had kept a journal, but I simply haven't had the time. My intent is not to freak anyone out, but the work that we do often means that we have a profile in the public domain and should take appropriate precautions wherever possible, whether that be meeting a stranger at their home or in our own. S

LOL. Love it!

I recently shared a Taree dog in need on my FB newsfeed and was delighted to read that he made it out. I do appreciate hearing your POV Malti. Thank you. S

None taken :) Just having a bit of fun with it. S