Erny

Sorry. My bad. I was informed (by a Vet) to the contrary.

I believe that the implant was actually created for bitches but it works as well with dogs. The implant itself does not dissolve over time. Don't know about the infertility stats so I'd need to rely on others who post.

Oh - definitely read up on and enquire about it and not just with the Vet .

What I was going to say, too. Why pay for it when you have it home made on tap, so to speak .

Problem is, the majority of Vets continue to push the 12 monthly boosters in spite of even (but not only) the AVA advising against this.

When I was a child I used to grieve a lot, and for quite a while whenever I lost any of my numerous and varied pets. My Mum obviously felt helpless at my inconsolable and heart rendering sobbing - each and every time I lost a pet. One day, after having come home to find that Carrots, my pet rabbit, had escaped his hutch and paid a visit to the snail baited vegetable garden next door, and had subsequently passed, I was face burrowed on my bed, almost hysterical with grief. I think I was about 10 at the time. Mum left me be for a while, but when I didn't cease, she came in to me. She sat on the side of my bed and put her hand on my back. And then she told me she wondered if I should have more pets, for the grief that overwhelms me each time they come to pass. She waited there a moment but when I didn't respond, she quietly left my room. It was a sobering thought and is a moment in time I have never ever forgotten - I don't think she realised how much I actually heard her, that moment in time. It was then that the reality of the fact that in one way or another, tragic or not, our pets will pass before us and that grief is ok and is something we should permit ourselves, but not to the point that it is all consuming, actually sunk in. Only you know your children well enough to know what the right thing is to say to help them. But I would say that my Mum's simple question strengthened my resolve to allow myself to grieve but to not let it completely overcome me. My Mum said what she said because she didn't know how to help me and she didn't want to see me suffer the way I did. I don't think she said it with any 'plan' or special psychological approach in mind. But it had a huge effect on me and I think for the better. This doesn't mean I don't grieve any more. I do. It also doesn't mean I don't become very upset when I lose a pet. I do. But it has helped me to remember even while I am grieving, to remain in touch with reality.

Funny you should mention that, Steve. When my boy was just a pup, and learning, I copped the needle sharp teeth (accidental) bites/knocks at the beginning, whilst I was building drive. The backs of my hands were a disaster area, with all the marks, skin breaks etc. and I did search around for suitable gloves. I'd like driving type gloves - you know, the type that are fingerless and with a gap in the back of the hand, except I'd like them reversed so that the palm is exposed and the back of the hand protected. Either that, or soft flexible palm with slightly heavier protection for the back of the hands. I don't need it so much for my boy any more, but I'm always working with untrained dogs, helping people to get them trained, which means I still tend to suffer the knocks that come with dogs who are just learning. So I will be very interested in the gloves you are designing, and I'd suggest I'm going to be a very likely customer for these .

Fantastic! Glad it helped. I use the Calendula but have Zyrtec antihistamines on stand-by. If the Calendula doesn't work, I will use the Zyrtec. So far, after 12 months of hives and other sorts of lumps and bumps, the Calendula has been the saviour and the antihistamines remain unopened in the cupboard. Deelee - I would seriously reconsider annual vaccinations. IMO they are not necessary and they do add stress to the immune system. For that matter, I'd reconsider regular 3 monthly worming as well (assuming you follow that regime). Half the time we apply these drugs for no good reason.

A VERY poor show, that's for sure. It would be like someone asking a question of me as a behaviourist and me supposedly answering by saying "I don't want to go into details" and even worse, expecting the other person to accept this as sufficient. How pathetic.

What Steve (K9 Pro) said. Through the steps of his training, I have taught Mandela so that even when he's screeching up to me from a stay release to receive his tug reward, he'll stop dead if he sees my hands are in the way, no matter how much I repeat the word that says he can have the tug, and try to get him to take it. If he accidentally lands a tooth on the skin of any part of my hand, I see and feel his hesitation to bite on the tug.

You're absolutely right. And there's no listening to reason by the politicians who bring in these laws. But don't quit on this - As Sumosmum said - 3rd reading is on 10th August. Gather all your letters that you sent to the MLA's (Lower House) and include them as attachments to an email and send that email to every single Member of the MLC (Upper House) before 10th August. Will it make a difference? Whatever. But we need to keep trying so that we know we have. And remember - there are a lot of dog-owners who live in Victoria. When it's all said and done, speak with your feet in November.

Just seems to be a standard "no" to every amendment that has been suggested.

The vote is with the "nays". The amendment is lost. This part of the Bill (48 hours death sentence if deemed by the council person) is in. Eyes - 3 Nays - 33

They've rung the bells, which calls all the MLC's in from their little rooms where they might be sleeping, working, whatever. They make a vote and then the count.

My volume won't go up high enough. I heard a lot of "eyes" and not many "nays".. What happened? Did it just pass? ETA: Most if not all of the amendments proposed by Sue Pennicuik seem to be being rejected. Arguing the 48 hours destruction rights - Sue's putting up a good argument for that one. They're ringing the bells on this one!!

Kaye mentioned about Procedural Fairness. Wonder if she'll mention they've based this law on Herald-Sun media reports. This is the ALP's Bill. You'd think they'd be able to "umm and ahh" a lot less when they speak about it.

KCC will grab that with both arms, I think. ETA: Kaye's not going into the details of such important matters such as the Council having power to destroy on the spot and what conditions Council have to meet, because of the time of the night. Great one Kaye. Yet you thought the most important part to spend most time on was the (by comparison to death of the dog) the more benign topic of the fines. Right.

KCC will grab that with both arms, I think.

Speak up Kaye!! And you're wrong!! Responsible dog-owners DO have things to fear out of this Bill!! You are just clouting the rubbish that has been sprouted to us in the past. We have already answered to that in the many of our letters past and present and yet you stick on the same record. Kaye Darveniza - ALP. Thinks the Laws are ok. State Elections are 27th November. I won't be voting ALP.

Totally agree Erny, and now she is on to puppy farms. This is good! Yes - she seems to be covering much of the key points and doing a pretty good job. Hey Libs and Nationals!! If you're reading, we're listening in. And hoping you are sensible enough to take on board what Sue is saying and understanding that we want and need you to vote strongly against this Bill.

I think the others are asleep! They're at least alive .... I heard them snorting and making other humanic noises.

Go Sue Pennicuik. I'm impressed .

"Other stuff", if it isn't in relation to dog training, then I'm not so concerned.

Sorry Ravyk - my post wasn't directed at you but I wasn't clear about that.

I don't believe JulesP is trolling. Either something is wrong (we all have rotten days/weeks/months that accumulate and get on top of us from time to time) or there has been a misunderstanding of words, intent ... or both. Give her a chance. As Ravyk has mentioned, she is a long standing DOL Member and generally her posts have come across as being very sympathetic to her dogs.