Steph M

Maybe pop a little betadine/paw paw ointment or something on it to knock off any infection that might be brewing? You're right though, nappy rash powder is a lifesaver.

We had an English Setter who lived until a few months ago and I've never met a dog with less road sense! Despite being asked to sit at roadsides from 6 months old he never just did it without prompting in all of his almost 15 years. He would gaily barge onto the road and have to be dragged back. The most amazing dog in all other respects but a dummy on corners. I'd love an Irish one day though.... It's all you can really do. Amazing people think your PB is less healthy because you know the lineage? What the?! How does that even compute?

I want to own a house with enough room for some chooks one day. That's my dream and I'm very annoyed it hasn't magically come to fruition yet. I'd love some ducks too. And a goat and perhaps a cow. I've always loved goats and cows as pets, they seem so lovely! I've had the coolest guinea pig ever and not sure another could top him, I wanted a rabbit until we got Rosie. Not sure small fluffy animals sharing a yard would be wise at the moment. Will always have a cat. Brooke had a Burmese his ex took when they broke up and he was more upset about the cat than the ex so I've promised him we'll have a Burmese one day. I would love Hector to live forever but I just cannot click with my Persian, so I probably won't have another one of those... Hector is my spirit animal, I want him to live to 100 he was another reject cat dropped off at a pet shop sick at a few weeks old and was such a horrible feral little kitten but evened out really fast and became the great love of my life. He's a persnickety, jealous little turd and god help you if you pat him the wrong way or do something wrong. He makes it known by eyeballing you with his ears back but he's also the most affectionate, intuitive and openly loving cat ever. I love him to bits.

I've looked at the pig heads but knowing my luck the little turds wouldn't eat it and I'd be left to clean up

These are lovely, lovely stories. I love hearing things like this :)

x 1087254897345!!

Just a question for the older and wiser heads on the forum: is the above the new definition of purebred? If so, I need to adjust my ideas. In the same conversation, the same co worker went to add how several of her friends have labradoodles and the ones she met were all freaky and psycho... Which apparently was because they were "pure breds"...... I have a friend who comes up with the same. Her aunty waited for months for a PB spoodle. I explained she waited months for nothing and she said 'but it has papers?' and genuinely believed that they were a legitimate breed and reg. breeders bred Spoodles. Perhaps not entirely her fault, I can see where one would get the idea.

Don't feel bad! If you can feel ribs and see a waist I would assume he was a good weight too! Perhaps he's just having a rough growth spurt that might be eased by a little less weight. Don't feel bad! :)

You'd be mad not to at least mention it. I'd certainly like to know that before taking on a dog, what if the couple want to move to the country in a year or so and run a hobby farm? Would like to know that before taking on a dog who isn't a fan of sheep.

Yeah our whippet x would eat a rabbit in a second, but loves our cats and loves kids. I've seen her tear off after a rabbit before and had no doubt he would have been lunch had she not responded to a very serious, very loud 'LEAVE IT' (got lucky that she did!) I certainly wouldn't be giving up the cats or muzzling her around kids because of this.

Of course!

Well certainly would expect him to be 'excited' it's only human canine, but he didn't get carried away and it's all about how you manage it that counts more than what he has or doesn't have attached to his undercarriage. I've known desexed females who hump and entire males who couldn't care less.

Yeah this was one of those aforementioned emergencies. Gus had a red mucky eye, and I don't mess about with eyes. He popped some dye in and said it was more than likely just from the beach water and hey presto it went as quick as it came, but better safe than sorry I guess! He was pretty rude, one of those winners that talks over you and doesn't listen terribly well. I can't say I blame the vets as much. Sure they see loads of bogans with entire dogs and just see disaster but see less people willing to put in the work and manage and discourage behaviors and actually contain the animals to prevent puppies and fights. It still does irk me when they just don't bother to hear you out and flat out tell you you're wrong. I think the daycare woman just had the shts that he was stressed and barking, which undoubtedly makes her day hard and wanted to get the jump on me and have something to complain about. Bottom line is though if he hadn't had fun I wouldn't take him again, all of our problems are solved!

Are you in the area or just (rightly) against it setting a precedent? If you need support or (interstate) numbers please yell out. This is nightmarish!

I know right? It's the cure all for every behaviour, when it;s done they just stop being naughty. I even had a vet at the lort smith on Saturday tell us we were mad for not having it done at 6 months and that breeders all tell old wives tales about desexing at older ages to keep dogs entire and continue their breed and make their show dogs grow bigger. Yes. Makes perfect sense now just look at his red eye and be quiet. It's shaping up to be quite a battle keeping his nuts for a few more months!

She was just so rude, I couldn't believe it! Sure I'll get the rundown of his sins when I pick him up. Be interesting to hear really, I might have to coach her on her appalling phone manner and service skills. Haha. :D Your dogs are so fab. Brooke was pretty jealous yours were all clipped and clean and small enough to pop in the tub and ours are big mud monsters. He's been willing Gus to stop growing since about 10 weeks. Haha!

How awful. I agree wholeheartedly. What a shitty shitty law. What could possibly be the benefit?

Medium sized handbag should do it. :D Another good hint! Hahaha. I like your style!

Poor Gus is not having fun at daycare. I just called to check they were being good and Rosie is having a blast but Gus has knocked the top off his wart and has been barking and stressing and not enjoying himself. Overstimulated is a good word I'd say. The woman said being a big dog they wouldn't take him again ‘entire’ Bit annoying really but I get it, still he’s not aggressive or humpy (he's the most submissive, happy dog generally and the woman who answered my call backed me up on that and said he was a darling and so sweet and teddybear-esque, so not sure what his great crime is in that case) I did tell them he was a big happy puppy, his weight and size is on his application form, which they'd had for over a week, as is his desex status and they'd met him before photos and we'd discussed they were in today and that Rosie was more timid etc etc, I mentioned again he was entire. What really got me was that she was so stern with me! Like I’d done something wrong not having them off already! I did mention he wouldn't shrink after… ahem. Clearly desexing is a magic cure for stress in an unfamiliar environment, new people, new dogs and his routine being thrown out. Lucky I don’t think we’ll bother again, if he’s not having fun. Maybe Rosie can do a day here and there to keep her busy but seems Mister would be happier with a bone in the yard and a park trip after work. Looks like I’ll be popular tonight after I pick him up, will be taking the toll roads to get there quicker. I thought it’d be the other way around that Rosie would be a bit quieter and Gus would be a total clown. Feeling quite miserable he isn’t having any fun! Might sneak off early ;)

Sweet! And Em sounds like a bit of a wonder. I'll bring a big handbag for the kidnapping! :D

Cool! Good hint! Anything else we should bring or do to prepare? Any more handy hints, oh wise one? :D

I don't either, we've watched them play enough to trust they're pretty good together. We can be irresponsible together! Personally I think the drama of having them baby gated apart would be just too much, one can clear a baby gate without a run up and I wouldn't dare crate them all day... I often come home at night to both snoozing on the couch.

I don't quite see the link between seeking compensation for a perceived 'fault' or health issue and having unrealistic expectations of the dog. I could be missing something but surely the two are miles apart. If I as a first time dog owner bought a dog and something went wrong and the vet said could be genetic would the first point of contact after the vet not be the breeder? There is a lot of misinformation about what a breeder should or shouldn't cover so the owner asks if it could be covered as her vet mentioned it could be genetic. That doesn't mean they expect ridiculous things of the dog, they just want a healthy dog and mightn't know where to look next IMO. I don't think there's a clear cut way unless you specify what would or wouldn't be covered and up to what point in your contracts, and what happens in each case. Some negotiation may be possible, but if not, it's as stipulated in your contracts. I have to say, I would really think twice about buying from a breeder who would demand the dog back in the case of any issues. You can't realistically expect this from a person or family.

I have to admit, without sounding cocky cause I sure didn't do anything to avoid trouble or deserve it, we haven't really noticed Gus being a teenager yet. He isn't rebellious or playing deaf. I'm still waiting on it though... Course now I've said that I'll be sorry. The kids are doing their first day of daycare today while we have some fencing repaired and the agent in to inspect. I hope they're ready (the staff) for a big day. It'll be so quiet at ours later! Rosie had a catch up with her brother on the weekend, just for a bit of fun. They certainly recognised each other and bickered like siblings and ran for hours. It was nice!

Yes, when is next? We're itching to go. Gus has been throwing himself in muddy creeks and ponds everywhere. The idea of a clean pool to swim in is almost unfathomable at the moment! Haha.