BarbedWire

My older dog is turning 13 this year and he is starting to slow down which makes me sad. He is such a beautiful dog. My main concern is going for walks. I usually take both dogs out for about 45 minutes once a day but I am finding my old boy, Thumper, starts off full of beans but really slows down at the end and I feel guilty for having taken him so far. He does have some arthritis. My younger dog still thrives on her walk. What should I do? I don't want to leave the old boy home by himself because I know it would upset him, but if I take him he is not coping. If I just shorten their walk my younger girl will not be impressed. Thank you

As an elderly person it bothers me that some dogs don't like the elderly. I don't shuffle, not yet, but some older people can't help it. Perhaps as part of socializing our dogs we should get them used to children, old people, and drunks. However I do think that dogs do take cues from their owners though and if their owner is not comfortable around drunks the dogs will sense it and react accordingly. That being said I don't leave my dogs with children because they are not used to them, so maybe I should be practicing what I am preaching.

I have not been following this thread but this post horrifies me. See bolded part. That is so shocking and students are often attracted to vet science because they love animals. Those poor students!

There isn't an active Queanbeyan thread up in Urgent at the moment - but Lucy has been tested by ARF. Her temperament test details are available from bazilybazbaz on DOL. I believe Lucy will be safe, one way or the other, as soon as I am sure I will confirm. Lucy is safe, there were 2 people ahead of me in the queue, including another local rescue. I still feel very sad for Lucy's owner's situation and hope that she'll be OK, I hope that the pound can let her know that at least. Thank you Dogmad. I also hope the pound lets the owner know that Lucy is safe. I am not sure if pounds do this or if owners can find out what happened to a dog they surrendered. In this situation I wondered if perhaps someone could just have held the dog until the owner got back on his/her feet. 11 years with a dog is a long time. Handing it over must have been shattering (or perhaps that is just me reading into it).

Good ideas Ronja. So many of the dogs at DAS that don't make it look like the products of backyard breeding and some still very young. If DAS were more proactive in other ways it would save them this sort of work, which must be very unpleasant for the rangers, at the end. Perhaps breeders names should go on the microchip. I would love it if some of those backyard breeders were made to hold the dog as it was put to sleep.

I agree with this. The notice boards of the local shopping centres would be a good place to start.

I did not see this dog until now. What a sad situation for someone to be so down on their luck that their dog is about to pay for it. I so feel for the owner. I hope someone can fit this little girl in. She is only 11. She could have another 5 or 6 years left. I will pledge $50 if a rescue can help her. Hope it's not too late! Poor little Lucy!

That is one very cute dog

Agree with this. Good luck Sooky. What breed of dog is it?

What sort of a life is that for a dog?

You are being so responsible. I wish there were more dog owners like you.

It is important that your dog did not hurt the other dog. According to Ian Dunbar's scale if the skin is not broken the attack is not significant. See article. http://www.dogtalk.com/BiteAssessmentScalesDunbarDTMRoss.pdf

edited because I really don't care. Today is being an awful day. Sorry all

+1 Awesome +2 :thumbsup: Those dogs are having an awesome life.

This thread is so impressive. You're doing a fantastic job Koalathebear.

As juice has said perhaps you could look at some other bull breeds. Boxers are usually wonderful with children and other dogs but they do have health issues. Of course there is also the French bulldog but maybe too small for your husband. :)

Thanks for posting Roxy Sars. Thanks HW. I don't know how to do the photos. This girl has survived for another week. Here's a description of her from the other thread Yard 34 “Roxy” Desexed Female Staffy Kelpie mix Age: 14 years This lovely old duck was very shut down and showed a lot of avoidance to things that make her uncomfortable. It was hard to get a good read on her initially as she was so shut down. She was never difficult to handle and allowed herself to be handled and walked nicely on the lead. She perked up when meeting another dog and also when the treats came out. She is not overly responsive to sound so we suspect she might be a little bit deaf. She met a silly adolescent dog with great tolerance but would probably prefer a home with another very calm dog or on her own. She seemed a little stressed in the fence-jumping pen so would maybe do better in a home with company during the day. A beautiful old lady who would love a warm caring home to spend the rest of her days. She is already desexed, and tags show that she is microchipped, and registered, (which probably means she has been well cared for), so would not cost much to save from the pound. This is the same dog that both trifecta and DDD also mentioned in this thread. This dog is no longer on the pound website so presumably it has been adopted.

Thanks for posting Roxy Sars. Thanks HW. I don't know how to do the photos. This girl has survived for another week. Here's a description of her from the other thread Yard 34 “Roxy” Desexed Female Staffy Kelpie mix Age: 14 years This lovely old duck was very shut down and showed a lot of avoidance to things that make her uncomfortable. It was hard to get a good read on her initially as she was so shut down. She was never difficult to handle and allowed herself to be handled and walked nicely on the lead. She perked up when meeting another dog and also when the treats came out. She is not overly responsive to sound so we suspect she might be a little bit deaf. She met a silly adolescent dog with great tolerance but would probably prefer a home with another very calm dog or on her own. She seemed a little stressed in the fence-jumping pen so would maybe do better in a home with company during the day. A beautiful old lady who would love a warm caring home to spend the rest of her days. She is already desexed, and tags show that she is microchipped, and registered, (which probably means she has been well cared for), so would not cost much to save from the pound. This is the same dog that both trifecta and DDD also mentioned in this thread.

I think it's something people say without really thinking about it. When I had a big dog small dog owners would tell their dogs to be careful because mine might have theirs for dinner. As others have said mine was more likely to squish their dog with a front paw thrown out as an offer of friendship. If I met a big dog owner who said it I would probably give their dog a wide berth though. It would depend how it was said I guess. Just wonder why we say it.

If you are referring to my comment that said 'crush' (not eat) then it was merely used as an example of how dangerous it could potentially be for a small dog to jump on a big dogs face. Dangerous for both parties. FWIW, My previous and much loved and missed dog was a miniature Schnauzer. My parents dog that passed away last week was a Mini Schnauzer too and prior to that a Maltese Terrier - so I have great affection for small dogs :) Was not referring to any particular posters in this thread :)

Just curious as to why large dog owners feel they need to point out that their dog could eat a smaller dog if it wanted to.

Except he's not listed as a cross breed, he's listed as a wheaten terrier (full name: soft-coated wheaten terrier) which are the colour of wheat. Yeah, sorry my mistake

umm! Cross breed dogs are exactly that. Maybe it takes after the other parent in colour. Maybe it's even a mixed breed. The rescue is trying to improve its prospects of finding a home and they must think wheatens are sought after. Personally I quite like the poor pooch. It is an awful photo and I hope he finds a good home.

Roxy, a fourteen year old dog at the DAS pound in Canberra has been handed in for rehoming. Will be due for pts on Wednesday 4 March http://www.tams.act.gov.au/city-services/pets/keeping_dogs_in_the_act/lost,_found,_impounded_and_wanted_dogs/impounded_dogs?sq_content_src=%2BdXJsPWh0dHAlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuZG9tZXN0aWNhbmltYWxzLmFjdC5nb3YuYXUlMkZJbXBvdW5kLmFzcCUzRkFjdGlvbiUzRFVQRF9JUCUyNlBvdW5kSWQlM0QzNTg5NCZhbGw9MQ%3D%3D or Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ACTRescueandFoster

I have always taught the drop from the sitting position until one of my current dogs made me rethink. I could not get him to go down and then I realised that when he went down naturally he went down front legs first. I found it easier to teach the drop from a stand not a sit. eta It would also help if you lured him under something such as a chair or table then he's more likely to go down completely.