Sheilaheel02

Hey Oso, Any chance you would be willing to post some pics of your kennels with the snake mesh? I'm in the process of upgrading as well and would like to see what your set up is like. S

And you know my feelings on them too Nic. ;) We have just finished digging up and picking up a heap of rocks in the top paddock. Not sure if it will help or not with the snakes, but it's nicer for the horses anyway. Now, what to do with a great pile of mossy rocks, do you want some? LOL. FTGH. There have already been fires in our area. My other great fear, not being able to get to my animals to move them to safety. The area around here is starting to dry off really quickly and the fuel load is high due to the really good seasons we have been having. Summer is allround stress season! S x

Ugh! I have just about stopped letting my pack run in the paddocks now, I figured it wouldn't be long before started seeing damned snakes out and about. Glad Peaches is OK Nic, that would have given you a major fright! S

AWESOME! My job here is done, anyone up for joining me for cocktails, possibly on a beach in Fiji? We can call it the "Purists Piss-up". S

I do understand it would have been very distressing for the person to lose a treasured family heirloom, and I did my absolute best to empathise and speak to them in a respectful manner at the time. However, and I know this will sound dreadful, I had to ask a fellow rescuer to call back and organize the collection of the dog because I wasn't sure I could control myself a second time. It was optimistic at best to leave a young unknown dog loose to explore the house while they were out, but the way the person described the incident to me on the phone had me biting my lip, crossing my legs and squirming in my chair...................I needed to laugh out loud SO bad. I need to take a photo of myself with a sign that says, "I laugh at inappropriate moments!". I don't need a photo and sign for all the feral stuff my dogs do, I need a coffee table book!!! Obviously, I'm a very bad dog trainer. :) S

We had someone foster a young dog for us a while back, the person had an older dog of the same breed. It all went very well for a while, to the point that the young dog was likely to be also adopted. One day the person left the two dogs alone in the house and briefly went out. We got a semi-hysterical phone call as soon as the person returned saying the young dog had to be collected immediately, the person couldn't even stand to look at her or have her in their house. The young dog had gone into the master bedroom (door was open), climbed on to bed and chewed up an antique Teddy Bear that belonged to the persons Grandmother. The little dog came back and was rehomed elsewhere. S

Not the case at ACDR. While we have had dogs come through care with papers, the vast majority do not even though the look 100% pure. Breeders are always contacted if possible, even if it is just a courtesy call. S

Never if I'm not able to supervise. Any rescues that get to interact with my dogs are very carefully selected (I have an elderly dog here and a small dog too now, so I've had to limit my foster numbers anyway). Living rurally means that any fosters (actually all my dogs) are monitored and managed pretty carefully. S

Are we certain that the pound or shelter would bear all the legal responsibility for releasing a potentially unsuitable dog? The shelter staff are not employed as behavioural experts and generally they share what they have observed of a particular animal, as a courtesy only, whilst it was in their care for a relatively short period. I have never seen it presented in a format that gives the impression it is a 100% accurate assessment of an individual. I'd be very surprised if the Government don't have a disclaimer somewhere to limit their liability, perceived or otherwise. Information rescuers provide after temperament testing and time spent in foster care is still essentially a reasonable guide only. If a dog is adopted directly from the pound, then I imagine liability would need to be established between the seller and the purchaser. However, if the dog is released via a Clause and is chipped into the name of the rescue and is then passed/sold on to a third party does full liability still fall back on the pound/shelter with no responsibility attributed to the organisation in the middle? Can anyone clarify from a legal standpoint? Just trying to get my head around it. S

I would consider my dogs reasonably well socialized, although far from perfect. However, I would not be surprised if in a situation where they perceived I was 'at risk' in some way they would, in absence of direction from me, do what was required to protect me. My dogs are not actively encouraged to protect my property or me, yet they do it instinctively. I agree it is far from ideal in a situation where I may require emergency assistance from a stranger, but I don't automatically put in the category of "aggression". I don't expect an ambulance officer or policeman to necessarily be experts on dog behaviour any more than I expect my dogs to recognize a 'good' uniform from a 'bad guy' in a balaclava. I would be devastated if emergency services personnel were injured by my dogs while they were trying to help me, or if one of my dogs was killed doing what they judged to be their 'job' at the time. S Edited to Add: While my dogs are "Associate" versions, this is from the ANKC breed Standard: Characteristics: As the name implies the dog's prime function, and one in which he has no peer, is the control and movement of cattle in both wide open and confined areas. Always alert, extremely intelligent, watchful, courageous and trustworthy, with an implicit devotion to duty making it an ideal dog. Temperament: The Cattle Dog's loyalty and protective instincts make it a self-appointed guardian to the Stockman, his herd and his property. Whilst naturally suspicious of strangers, must be amenable to handling, particularly in the Show ring. Any feature of temperament or structure foreign to a working dog must be regarded as a serious fault. No mention of 'aggression', however, their protectiveness is documented.

PR is an outstanding marketing success, no doubt, but what has many of us concerned is whether it is the real deal or a 'mudguard' organization and, if the latter, whether rescue generally could be left wearing the mud in the longer term. I doubt any of us can claim a perfect record, I'm sure we've all made mistakes while finding our way in the world of rescue, especially in the early days, but hopefully we have learned, improved and adapted our behaviour. While people and organisations come and go, there is still a wealth of knowledge here on DOL and elsewhere in rescue if people wish to seek it out. There is no shortage of excellent mentors, some with decades of experience. Equally, the old way is not necessarily the best way and we should all be welcoming fresh blood and innovation. That said, if sitting on FB and incessantly requesting donations from the public, with the goal of saving as many dogs as possible and shipping them around the country sans temperament testing and quarantine was the answer, wouldn't we all be doing it? It is a heck of a lot easier than what most of us stuggle with on a daily basis in our quest to do things the 'proper' way. So why don't we? Because we care about dogs, people and our reputations and we want to make a positive difference in our community. If PR was the answer, I'd be happy to support them and just retire from rescue to focus on other things I'm passionate about in my life. In a perfect world the two camps might have a meeting of the minds where PR and rescue groups could work together and leverage each others strengths, or possibly PR could expand to include strategies and infrastructure whereby they could legitimately run what 'most' consider an ethical rescue organization. However, it seems the days for entertaining that dream have already long passed. Because most of us do not choose to follow their religion, they either see us as competition, the enemy (I am aware of some of the unwarranted vitriole levelled at others behind the scenes), or simply a resource to draw upon when they get it very wrong. I've never been entirely convinced about having an umbrella regulatory organization for rescue, but perhaps it's time for a change of heart, depending on the structure and focus of the organization. Regulations are one thing, they must be actually be policed to be effective, but key roles of such an organization would need to be public education as well as engaging and lobbying Govt. All ethical rescue would need to be on board and share the vision. If we don't work together, I fear like many others, that we will get more 'negative' Government legislation aimed at controlling the cowboys and it will make it nigh impossible for 'private' (Inc or otherwise) rescue groups to survive. S Edited for sense. Need more coffee!

He is gorgeous and was very nearly a foster failure S

A rare 'still' as opposed to 'action' shot of Stormin Norman in his new home. S :)

B*gger, that is so beautiful it made my eyes leak. :) S

Congratulations Bev and ARF for once again getting the message out there. I don't know how some of these people enjoy the holidays knowing they've left what should be part of their family to take their chances on death row. Just beyond comprehension. Let's hope it raised the profile and the chances of these desperate dogs before their time runs out. S

Mate I saw Fatty Boomba, he is gorgeous!! So is the Cattle dog x kelpie (a Frosty look-a-like)and her terrier sidekick, the GSD, the JRT and the choc Kelpie. Hell lots of them are lovely I am having surgery next week so not in a position to take either of the blues just at the moment. If either of the blue ones temp test well but have no options I could possibly take one but would need at least 10 days temp care until I recover a bit. Praying AWDRI might be able to squeeze one or two more in though I know they are full as well. Shaz

Who does that anyway? I just can't comprehend it. I had a look and there are lots of gorgeous dogs in there S

Yep, years ago we got asked to leave a caravan park which accepted dogs. Not because we had a dog, checked that first, but because of her breed. I was absolutely LIVID and told them how appalling I thought the decision was, so they relented and let us stay the night but THAT dog had to be gone in the morning! The next morning we took our obedience trained dog for a walk along the beach before trying to find alternative accommodation. On our way to the beach, with her on lead, we were attacked by three SWF's who were out of control while their owners, women sitting having a cup of tea thought it was hilarious There were even small dogs in the caravan park pool and dog sh*t everywhere where people had not picked it up. I wanted to write a formal complaint but my ex wouldn't hear of it because the caravan we were going to stay at was an on-site one owned by one of his work colleagues.

Yep, I saw a doco a couple of years ago where a council worker grabbed a timid little terrier, dragged it out of the car, shot it and threw it onto a rubbish dump. They made no secret of it being done, he knew it was a doco. Just how it is in some places. I remember seeing that doco and the images have never left my head. S

Maybe try emailing AWDRI. They are not on DOL. S

Norman is home and has been stormin around the house yard like a lunatic LOL. Obviously, he's feeling just fine thank you very much!

Home again and looking forward to collecting Norman tomorrow. Will report back then again. I'm a bit partial to Norm I have to say, but I have already had an enquiry for him locally from some lovely people who adopted another red dog from me years ago named Cecil. Cecil was a stunning red boy too, but sadly lost his battle with cancer recently.

Just a quick note for those who have met him. Seems he bolted some of his food, threw up and then managed to inhale some fluid. However, after treatment, Stormin Norman is feeling much better - bouncing off the walls actually. S

ACD's = Strine. I'm all set :)

RIP CISCO At least you knew how to do your job Mate! Rest easy boy. S xxx