bamboo

Hi Jelly, Like everyone else has said, you have been such an exceptional companion for Roo. I don't think I could have persisted the way you have and then had to make such a heartbreaking decision. It takes great courage and compassion. You are clearly a fantastic, loving and dedicated dog owner, and I hope that one day in the future you will feel healed enough to share your life with another very lucky dog. There are so many out there needing a person like you in their life.

I can't help but suspect that if this topic was all about the wildlife cats are catching in their own backyard the tone would be very different. As in cats should always be inside or in a cat run. Why is it that the dogs are just being dogs, but the cats (in their own property) are slaughtering wildlife? And yes I am aware that many cats are roaming outside of their own backyards and I am not condoning this.

Personally I would give the injections urgently and then Spey before the next season. My personal belief is that any abortion must be performed at the earliest possible stage of development of the babies . I understand that in the case of rescues late abortions may still be the ethical choice, but this is not the case here. I also sympathise totally with staff who must euthanise late term and young pups and cannot understand why they should be expected to not feel strongly about the issue.

Apparently I am very lucky. None of my dogs, with the exception of one claw that grew straight after an infection, have ever required their nails clipped! And yes, I do check regularly, including dew claws. We have a paved courtyard, but most of their time is inside, and most walking is on grass, and they have been of varying breeds and sizes, so I really don't know why short nails have been the norm in our household.

How heartbreaking for you. Smudge was obviously deeply loved by you and I hope you find some comfort in knowing that she had a wonderful life with you.

I grew up in Port Macquarie, and still visit there. The reason the koala would have been released into an urban environment is that they are an urban population. They are also very territorial and have very specific food requirements, meaning that they cannot simply be moved to the nearest forest. As the town has grown the koalas have become habituated to living in suburbia. As a child we had koalas walk up the street to reach a favourite front yard tree. They would sit quietly while being patted by the neighbourhood children on the way, then move on apparently unconcerned by the interruption. And yes I know now that is entirely inappropriate. They had regular, exceedingly noisy, squabbles outside the bedroom window. One night a young koala was found hanging by his front legs from a tree branch when neighbours investigated the incredible racket coming from him and two adults.Someone fetched a ladder and pushed him back up into the tree,so we could all go back to sleep! The koalas were all tagged and named, and if there was any concerns about welfare a volunteer would come to check up on the animal in question. Mums and babies were a regular sight. Last year, visiting my parents, dinner was interrupted by a mother and bub making their way along the (specially designed koala friendly) fence on her way to the next urban tree. In short, they are an urban population and that means they encounter dogs regularly, and often tragically. However, I think it is appalling that a dog owner would not restrain their dog at night in areas where koalas visit. It seems like very little to do to preserve such a unique and vulnerable local population.

I assume all those young, single fun runners will be advised to ditch their border collies once they partner up? Don't let facts stand in the way of a stereotype. My young border collie is no doubt on the couch at home snoozing until the return of his beloved 10 year old mistress/sibling. Bamboo is definitely at the lazy end of the collie spectrum, but that suits us just fine, and he is a brilliant family pet. Up for anything from swimming and fetch to endless belly rubs while watching tv. I don't know why people insist on producing such poorly researched and over-generalised articles.

I have a quaker parrot, bc and a cat. The quaker is boss. Bamboo, the bc, has concluded that it is best to leave the room when the bird is out, even though he has never been bitten. The cat, who has been bitten once, has reached an understanding with the bird, they can both sit on me at the same time, the bird will hiss and squawk at him but he will not relinquish his position as he used to. The bird is an obnoxious little bully, and seems to have concluded that nipping the cat doesn't work, so while he makes a lot of noise he no longer actually bites him. The cat has shown remarkable restraint in the face of provocation and never tried to injure the bird. They are closely supervised when the bird is loose, and nor would I allow the bird to continue biting any other pets! I didn't really train the dog not to hurt the bird, I think he simply finds the bird a peculiar being to have around and recognises that it is under my protection and not to be touched.

Our border collie played dumb with his new Kong and trained the girls to do it for him too. Eventually they got bored and he stopped being 'dumb'.

Another like for the chair....

My dog would be dead if he had to react positively to that strange giant doll. His first rrsponse to an unknown object like that coming towards him would be anxiety or possibly barking and growling. Given the opportunity to examine it he would settle. He loves children and happily sits and allows them to surround him and pat him when picking up his most loved person, my nine year old daughter from school. He is leashed and sitting next to me so I can closely supervise the interaction. Ridiculous test.

Please practice tolerance by noting that this thread was started for the purpose of asking people's advice and experience. :) Quite true, and yes I will. As others have suggested an electric fence, even if legal, would probably be hard to erect in a way which would be effective against a cat. I have known cats who adapted to the special collar/cat flap well, but on the other hand I know my own elderly cat wouldn't. If the main problem is your cat having the opportunity to eat sufficient, would changing her diet to something that she LOVES work? I know that crunchies at my house are not that highly prized but some nice smelly, fishy mush disappears very quickly. He's not about to take any chances on missing out on his favourite.

I get so depressed by the number of people on this forum who are so unfeeling in their dealing with cats. It is irresponsible owners who create the problem, not the cat. While the situation with feral/stray cats differs, recommending a likely death sentence (at the pound) as the first and only solution to a wandering cat, especially one where the home is known, lacks compassion. No, cats shouldn't be allowed to wander, and I understand it is frustrating for some people when they do, but the only real solution will be slow cultural change. Personally I prefer tolerance.

Anything is possible. Some people are just extra 'generous' Sorry, not sure how to link, so here is cut and paste version. Marijuana found on roadside with 'Free dope' sign Posted 20 November 2012, 11:06 AEST The three garbage bags full of freshly-cut cannabis leaf were found propped up against a fence beside Bolong Road near Nowra on Saturday morning, by a local man going fishing. A cardboard sign was left with the tied-up bags, reading 'Free dope. Mull up'. Police say the bags' contents weigh around 16 kilograms in total, and have a street value of around 90-thousand dollars. Shoalhaven police are puzzled by the discovery, and are appealing for anyone who saw the green bags being dumped to come forward. Police say the cannabis will be destroyed.

Is onleash/ offleash always black and white? In my country town the main off leash dog walking area is the showgrounds. It is not officially off leash, but has been used as such literally for decades by locals. The caretaker has stated that he has no issue with off leash dogs if they don't chase cows or horses which are often grazing there and owners clean up after them. Most locals would expect that it is likely loose dogs could be encountered there. Official areas are very few, small and generally uninteresting for dogs or owners. Those people who would prefer to walk their dogs on leash and feel (relatively) secure that they won't be approached have every other street and field in town available to them. This group included myself until I felt confident in my own dogs improved social skills, so I do get that offleash is not for everybody.

Fascinating article, particularly interesting I think for people who make their own dog's meals or follow less conventional doggy diets.

I have left Bamboo tied up outside a shop for a few minutes, where I can keep an eye on him. He gets to enjoy a walk, I get to do an errand. I would not leave a dog tied up for long periods of time, or where I would be out of sight. I work in a public library and every day dogs are tied up outside in a shady garden patch. In 25 years I haven't seen anything more serious than a yappy dog. The dogs generally look quite relaxed and to be enjoying their outing. But perhaps I live in an exceptionally honest country town - people constantly leave mobiles, laptops and ipods unattended in the library and so far none have been reported stolen.

I agree lisacc, two different species and expected behaviours. We havent bred cats with the same emphasis on temperament as dogs in most cases, so it would seem somewhat unfair to demand similar stability predictability to a dog. I would expect a fearful cat to be aggressive and would handle accordingly without condemnation. I would also forgive aggression in a terrified dog. Does not mean cats don't recquire responsible management.

That does sound like a good setup for your cats Rebanne. I shall have to see how I go in my possibly catless future and seriously consider such options if I succumb to the charms of a new kitten. A setup such as yours would also allow for cats to have a dog free area which could be useful. My old boy is really over my 18 month old border so we have to be considerate of his needs and ensure he can always access a refuge.

I am glad your neighbours cat wasn't badly injured, has gone to the vet, and that the neighbour has been reasonable. I would be terribly traumatised if my dogs injured/ killed a cat (on our property or elsewhere). I have always chosen dog breeds less likely (not guaranteed) to chase to kill. If my own cat were to be injured by someone's dog in its own backyard, that would not in any way be the dog owners fault. I don't understand the attitude of some dog owners who appear to have no compassion for cats, roaming or otherwise. I find it interesting the change in attitude to cats over the past 20+ years. When I first got my own cats, as an adult, it was utterly normal and assumed that cats were allowed to roam, as mine did, and my one remaining one still does. I lost my 2 old girl cats, at the ages of 18 and 19, over the last couple of years. My one remaining cat is 17. All were outside/inside cats, but that does not in any way mean that I don't love and care for them. We live in a very quite street, so minimal risk of car accidents. My neighbours are cat friendly, in fact the very elderly lady next to me has gone out of her way to encourage my old boy to spend time at her house, and seems to appreciate the company without expense or responsibility. Roaming dogs are very rare in our street. To change my old boy's lifestyle at this point would be stressful for him, he doesn't like to be inside during the day at all. His idea of blissful retirement appears to be sleeping in various sunny patches in the garden . I do, however, recognise that changes in attitude to how cats should be kept do have considerable merit as well. I find that I am conflicted over any future cat ownership as I do not really feel that an indoor only cat has an ideal lifestyle and outside runs go some way to addressing this problem but they just aren't the same as a whole garden to choose from. Perhaps if I could have cat proof fences for my whole backyard that would be a system I could be comfortable with...........At this point I have decided not to have any further cats and stick to dogs. I will miss having a cat in the family though, I have never been without one.

Our quaker parrot escaped one day, while noone was home.Took himself outside to spend the day in the courtyard within reach of two cats and a dog. He was pleased to see me and completely unharmed. He can fly but rarely chooses to. He has successfully intimidated the other pets so thoroughly that they actively avoid the bird wheneverhe is loose. Not that he would normally ever be unsupervised.

My border collie was big on humping soft toys and cushions. He was desexed approx 3 mths ago, at the age of 14 mths, and the behaviour is gradually disappearing. We just say stop it if he starts, and he generally co-operates. I think it is likely the behaviour will completely disappear. My previous 2 boys never humped anything, that I saw anyway, despite being entire.

Bamboo loves foot massages. He lies on the floor next you at the lounge and sticks up a front paw so it is conveniently placed right at your hand height. He will stay there, apparently blissed out, for however long you are willing to massage. He also likes to have his 'hand' held whenever he is anxious about something, which is quite often! He is the biggest sook ever. Swimming with his 'siblings' is also a hot favourite.

Thanks for the welcomes. No problem LizT, I get what you mean and have ordered a flame suit from ebay.........

I think its sad your kids don't get to chose themselves Why? Most kids eat what their parents want them to eat. Free choice comes when you leave home. Because becoming a Vegan is a personal choice and not one your parents should make for you. I believe children should be free to sample all foods and decide what is palatable to them. I'm not sure how well it would be policed in a school ground anyway with children swapping lunches, getting tuckshop, having sleepovers. Isn't choosing to feed meat forcing your choice on children? Part of being a parent is making decisions on behalf of our children and they will reflect our own beliefs in all areas. I have never énforced by choice outside of the home, I have found that beyond some curiousity and experimentation the children have reached their own conclusion. Perhaps it is easier as we live in area where vego/vegan is not uncommon?