Mairead

Did some searching online with mixed results. Most breeders had limited info on genes and genotypes. It seems most poodle colours, with the possible exception of black or white, will change colour over time - get lighter then some will get darker again, or get lighter still. UV exposure was mentioned as a factor as was health. Otherwise it is genetics. The " I " gene (intensity of colour) was mentioned, as were rufous genes. A Czechia genetics company (Genomia) had red poodles with black noses, lips etc as eeBB or eeBb and red with brown noses etc as eebb, as did as least one breeder. Simples!

From the article: "Unfenced dog park" with cycle lines [sic] next to it . From park guidelines if I was looking at the most up to date map: Dogs must be on leash on roads, shared pathways and cycleways. But they have insurance, or Mummy and Daddy do. That she didn't say it was the cyclist's fault or get details says to me that she was at fault and there might have been witnesses who would say so. Dachshund: Characteristics: "courageous to the point of rashness". Do they still have paths for horses there too? Could have been a different outcome if the dog ran up to a horse. I'm thinking the clickbait in this story is the potential cost of the surgery.

I wasn't aware there was a fading red. Is it actually apricot not red, and you have assumed it was once red? Reds are a recent development in poodles. Maybe they aren't common in miniatures. Probably info online somewhere from the serious breeders/genetics nerds not the puppy farmers. The Malcolm Willis book (old, but the basics haven't changed that much) talks about "light red" being an ee red, so black or dark pigment will not form in the coat despite the dog having the genes (BB or Bb) for it. "Silvery red" is an ee red with GG genes. G for greying, GG and Gg animals will be dark at birth and lighten with age eg Kerry Blue and Bedlington Terriers. "Red" is not mentioned. Reds sound like they might be an ee red with selection for more rufous polygenes which also explains the difference in intensity of colour between a moggy ginger and a show ginger cat. I love this stuff but ended up with a breed with almost no colour variation, which is as it should be. Don't let colour influence your choice of dog, unless you are selecting away from deleterious colours.

T, my greyhound vets (alas not around any more) had two waiting rooms (greyhounds and others). I used the greyhound one which had a walk-in scale. Greyhound owners didn't mind sighthounds, usually had some questions to ask me. In the other waiting room you could almost guarantee owners not supervising their dogs, even not bothered when they dropped the leash. Sometimes cats would be brought in carried in the owner's arms "oh, why did she scratch me!".

Dog parks seemed to be a difficult concept for councils when they first came in - unfenced area next to busy roads or a fence not very high or with gaps at the bottom, or both, fenced area but hardly bigger than a decent sized backyard and so on. I was willing to travel for the decent ones. I know that park too. I have a photo of one of my dogs resting on the higher railway line side near the cafe. One front paw folded under, head raised in the "kneel in my presence, peasant!" sighthound pose.

I thought the GSD method was to let people in but not let them out.

Just heard this Australian author, who has published a memoir about his dogs "Three Wild Dogs and the Truth". The first sentence is (he said) "There's nothing like having a punch-up with your dog on a crowded Sydney street". He said people were [glaring but didn't say anything]. The dog ( which had been returned to the pound a few times before they got him) was " a friendly dog" but had started attacking them when walked. He said people would ask them was he a rescue "Yes", had he been abused? " No, we think he was the abuser. So many issues here! It was on ABC Radio National this morning - the Art Show. It is the first item after the introduction. Strangely, the host (not the usual host) says he is interested in lots of things [so describes himself as] "a real truffle hound".

I have the back door locked at a narrow opening width using a sliding bolt on the back.

Looks like advertising. (Not going to click on that link, just the tone etc is suss)

There used to be a bread delivery box in my sunroom off the kitchen. It was closed off on the outside after a kid broke into the house by using it. But if you have a neutral sign "dog on premises" with a neutral drawing of a dog that may be enough. I have a sign on the front door "never mind the dog, beware of the owner" which is pretty accurate.

I might feel like scooting too if that was done to me.

People may not realise there is a post here because of the blank space. Better change it. Choice magazine (should be available in your local library) looked into pet insurance a while ago and I believe even gave it a Shonky Award because it was such a useless system. Maybe it has changed. I never used it because it wasn't worth the money. It may have exclusions for preexisting conditions and advanced age. You may be better off putting money aside each week for emergencies. If you think that is impossible go see a free financial advisor. You may want to have a chat with the vet about possible future health problems and how to prevent them or recognise them early. Wait and see is never a good idea. Get a detailed quote before deciding on treatment. The amount to spend? As much as it takes for the quality of life of the animal that is your responsibility for all of its life.

Kids don't seem to have enough people looking out for them, so what chance for companion animals, or even lower on the value scale, livestock? I read a while ago that one feedlot in Queensland only had a bit of shade provided, and only for the Wagyu animals because buyers made a fuss. "The law is an ass" (from the 1600s, popularised by Charles Dickens)

So you don't know if the child has been seen by an allergy specialist? People tend to diagnose themselves with Dr Google, even ChatGPT or social media which is why I ask. A pet-friendly doctor would be one who doesn't always jump to anti-pet solutions or assume that the pet is the problem. The child's symptoms (what are they?) may be due to something else or may be temporary while their immune system learns.

Are the owners absolutely sure that the child's problem is due to the dog? Has a (pet-friendly) doctor been involved in the diagnosis?