White Shepherd mom

I'm sorry for you loss, pesh. It sounds like you gave Jabby Jasper a wonderful life and he gave back all the love he had. Rest in Peace Jabby Jasper.

Thank you Gayle for reminding us how fragile and temporary life can be for our furry kids. As mine approach their 10th birthdays, I already worry about the hole they will leave behind when they are no longer with me. Every night when I put them to bed, I make sure I say "see you tomorrow" as if this will make it so. Every morning when they greet me at the back door, I give thanks that they are still with me. Huge condolences to you and all the other grieving DOLers who are without their beloved pets this weekend.

I cannot see the screen through the tears. There's nothing I can say that will make this better but please know that my heart aches for you K9angel. At least Gypsy is not alone, you see, she was needed at the Bridge. She's keeping your furfamily protected until you can all be together again. I am so very sorry for all your losses, but especially this one. Look after yourself. Rest in Peace Gypsy, you were very much loved.

Have you considered taking him for aqua therapy, either in a pool or treadmill? That's meant to be excellent exercise without stressing the joints. There is also no harm in adding some glucosamine and fish oil even if his food does have it. Poor Buddy, it sucks getting old

If this is true, the police should have told the owner to restrain his dogs before they brought the police dog out of the car. I guess someone forgot to explain this to the dogs on the property. Very sad for all the dogs involved in this...no matter whose fault it was.

Sorry, just popped in to post that last night without having a good look around first!

Article "SOME pet food is being laced with high levels of a preservative that can trigger severe neurological conditions in cats and dogs, Sunday Mail tests reveal. Companies are allowed to use the preservative, sulphur dioxide, in pet meat products with impunity because there are no rules about labelling or how much can be added. One product tested by The Sunday Mail last week had 435 times the sulphur dioxide level claimed on the packet, while others included the preservative without any mention. "The problem is because often it is the cheapest thing you can get to feed an animal, ill-informed people or pensioners feed that," University of Sydney veterinary specialist Professor Richard Malik said yesterday. After being alerted to the test results by The Sunday Mail, one major supplier to Coles and Woolworths withdrew its website claims about the preservative. The results come as a wider debate rages over whether pets are being harmed by an exclusive diet of canned and dry food. Clinical studies over the past two decades have proven that sulphur dioxide can destroy Vitamin B (thiamine) levels in food, which is essential to animal health. Scientists have warned that thiamine deficiency can cause neurological breakdown in cats and dogs. The RSPCA has been pushing for new laws to ensure there is enough thiamine in pet food and last week said it was alarmed at The Sunday Mail's test results. "If you want to feed your pet raw meat, our recommendation is to use human-grade products until we have adequate safeguards," scientific officer Dr Jade Norris said. Vet and nutritional expert Linda Fleeman treated a cat for thiamine deficiency at her Victorian clinic in April. "It happens very suddenly and is extremely severe. They get neurological signs that are over a very short period of time," Dr Fleeman said. "It may appear that the animal has a brain tumour or other neurological condition." Confusing symptoms could lead owners to have their pets put down unnecessarily, she said. A new Australian Standard requires that pet food has adequate thiamine but the voluntary system does not apply to fresh pet meat. Sulphur dioxide is used in red wine and dried fruits but in pet food can cause illness when the animal's entire diet consists of products high in sulphur dioxide with no thiamine added. The Sunday Mail last week bought 10 products, selected at random, from Woolworths, Coles and a pet store chain and passed them to Biotech Laboratories for testing. VIP Pet Foods Supreme Steak Mince for Dogs had the highest sulphur dioxide level at 1140mg/kg. Published research says a level of 1000mg/kg depletes thiamine levels in pets by 95 per cent. Paws Fresh Roo Mince for dogs and cats - part of the VIP group - had a level of 870mg/kg, despite the brand's website claiming it "keeps sulphur dioxide at a minimum, at just 2mg/kg". The brand withdrew the website claim after being contacted by The Sunday Mail and said it accepted consumers could have been "confused". VIP's Supreme Steak Mince for Dogs and Gourmet Fresh Mince for cats did not mention preservatives on their packs. The company says all its packaging will have a preservative statement by the end of next month. A VIP company spokesman said extra thiamine was added to all its products to make up for any lost through the use of sulphur dioxide. He said VIP conducts regular tests which show the thiamine levels in their products meets or exceeds international standards. "The sulphur dioxide we use is a food-grade product; it's no different to what you'd consume in wine," he said. Pet Cafe Fresh Meal for cats, manufactured by Sydney Pet Foods, had a level of 715mg/kg. A Sydney Pet Foods spokesman said levels were safe, however the company would soon sell products free of preservatives after developing a process where sulphur dioxide was not needed. Vet Dr Bruce Syme from Vet's All Natural helped develop the product some years ago and continued to receive a "small royalty" but his company withdrew its endorsement after being told of the test result last week. "I don't know if that's safe, unsafe or not an issue, but we don't have preservatives in our pet foods," said Vet's All Natural managing director Andrew Gleeson. A spokesman for Coles said the company would contact manufacturers of the pet food it stocks to "have them verify that their products are appropriate for sale". "The Coles product you've tested contains appropriate and safe levels of sulphur dioxide and is fortified to counter the effect of the sulphur dioxide on thiamine," the spokesman said. "There is no current Australian standard for pet food so we follow the American one." Woolworths has begun running its own tests on a range of pet food it stocks, including its own brand. All products will remain on the shelves until testing is finished. TWO years ago Guide Dogs Queensland ditched commercial dry food and began feeding its colony of roughly 200 dogs a blend of fresh raw ingredients. A plague of health issues persuaded chief executive Chris Laine that change was needed, and since then she says there have been some remarkable results. Healthcare costs have dropped 82 per cent, despite the colony expanding. Serious skin and digestive issues have all but vanished and healthier teeth and gums have been observed, along with reduced body odour and fresher breath. The switch is all the more notable because the group, a registered charity stretched for funds, was offered free dry food if it endorsed a brand. The organisation had asked a question that affects millions of Australians - what's the best food for our four-legged friends? The issue is at the centre of a fierce debate among pet owners, vets, animal welfare campaigners and manufacturers. All-natural advocates say an exclusive diet of some processed products is harming our dogs and cats. Supporters of manufactured products counter they are the best way of ensuring a complete, balanced and safe diet. But Guide Dogs Queensland, like a growing band of owners, stopped and asked what exactly they were putting in their animals' food bowls. They found the dry food they were using was loaded with carbohydrates, which vets such as University of Sydney expert Richard Malik say is against the natural order of things for dogs and cats. "It's a common sense thing. If you think about what they eat in the wild, both dogs and cats are carnivores, they kill animals and they eat them," Dr Malik said. It was important to feed animals "things that need chewing, that have got a lot of protein and don't have too much carbohydrate in them . . . which meant going to the butcher". "In my opinion there are enormous health benefits to feeding natural food for half the diet," Dr Malik said. The pet food industry is almost entirely self-regulated, leaving animal owners to rely on manufacturers doing the right thing as far as maintaining healthy standards. But owner faith has been shaken by product recalls in recent years, including concerns about products sold exclusively in the US. John Aird, from the Pet Food Industry Association of Australia, said these practices don't occur here and he does not see a major challenge from the "raw" pet food movement. Guide Dogs Queensland is now selling its blend of pet food to the public as mince patties called "Leading Raw". "

Dogs shot by police in Kenwick, one dead Phil Hickey From: PerthNow July 20, 2011 5:48AM AN internal police investigation has been launched after two dogs were shot by police officers after they attacked a K9 police dog in Kenwick overnight. One of the shot dogs died. Duty Patrol Commander Neil Blair said police were attending to a disturbance at a home in Wanaping Road about 11pm when two large dogs came from the rear of the home and attacked the K9 police dog, which was at the front of the house with its handler. “Two police officers who were with the dog handler at the time discharged one round each,” Cmd Blair said. “As a result one dog died and the other sustained a bullet wound.” The K9 dog was injured in the attack and was treated overnight at a vet hospital in Murdoch, as was the other shot dog. An internal investigation into the shooting is now underway. ---------------------------- I take this to mean that the attack happened on the dogs' property. Were the police right to shoot the dogs? I wonder if they tried to seperate them first. What do you think?

Frodo's Mum, can I ask what you polish your dogs with please? ;) To answer the question, yes, I feed Senior dog Eagle Pack Hollistic. Have no idea if anything has changed but I'm happy with it. Mind you I can't say I noticed a huge difference between that and the IAMS I used to feed them. Bella's coat does seem shinier but I don't know if it is because of that or the fishy cat kibble I throw on the lawn for her to forage every day.

What a stunning boy he was Gayle. I am so, so sorry he is no longer with you. So young and yet what a full life he lived. He left you with so many memories, I hope it won't be long before they take over your grief. I have tears in my eyes from your post and the poem. Big hugs to you and your family. Rest in Peace beautiful Benson. Too many of you have crossed over recently.

I am so sorry for your loss of Emma. You should be so proud that you gave her 3.5 years of happiness and love. She will be forever yours. You are right though, 3.5 years are not enough but neither are 10 or 15...we never have enough time with them. Rest in Peace Em, keep an eye on your mum down here.

I am so sorry for your loss, what a shock that would have been. Thank you for the reminder about chocolate. I will be extra vigilant to hide it from the dogs. Rest in Peace Cindy.

Bella always barks when people come to the door, Casper stands next to her, wagging his tail, waiting for the visitor to come pat him. If it is a stranger at the door, I leave the security screen locked and talk through that, with both dogs standing next to me. I think they find Bella intimidating, she has a glare that can make your knees buckle whereas Casper has a big goofy grin. From what I read here, it looks like girls are more into alert barking than boys! ;)

I belong to a Yahoo group for dogs with mobility problems and a lot of the people there have carts for their dogs. It seems the most popular ones are from Eddie's Wheels in the States. I have not looked into these yet as I am in a state of denial that Casper will need one but you might want to check them out. As an aside, when/if you purchase any cart, I would appreciate it if you could post some feedback on DOL. Thanks and good luck.

nice one BM - I think you should go back to that house and ask those nice people to join DOL...we like responsible owners here!! to budgiew, a double (only because of the breed in question, you understand!!)

Happy Birthday, Gemma, old girl. May you have a wonderful day, make sure you get more spoilt than normal today!

Broken arm when Casper yanked me off my feet...I'd hate to think what would have happened if he wasn't wearing a halter! Shattered ego everytime I landed on my butt or knees trying to hold back 2x35kg dogs. Thankfully after about 7 years I worked out how to control them AND stay on my feet (except for the arm breaking time ) Doesn't compare to some of these other stories though!

I bought some boots for Casper a couple of months back, but have not had a need for them...yet. I'll get the info when I get home. I just wanted to say, considering your dogs will be running all day, make sure you find out whether the boots you are looking at will stay on all day. I know there are some that apparently come off easily. The ones I bought Casper are similar to the ones you posted a link to and they apparently stay on very well.

I don't mean to offend M2S but from your original post I honestly thought you were about 16. Show this little dog some compassion and some humanity. He doesn't have a choice who he belongs to, but you have a choice as to how you treat him. It is not his fault he has not been trained and is not walked, but you can make a difference. If you truly love dogs, you will treat him with respect. Spend time with him, let him hang out with you, take him for a walk when you take yours. Buy a bottle of no-rinse shampoo and run it through his coat. Do some training with him to tire his mind, then at night, when he is clean and exhausted and indoors, he will start to sleep and be happy. You have the power to make it happen, and you might even end up loving him. It is time to grow up.

my two have been getting 2 glucosamine/fish oil capsules daily for years. I buy the human grade ones from the supermarket and just put in their food without breaking them up. So far their joints are in great shape. I cannot answer your question about introducing them slowly though...I can't remember what I did for my two as it was a long time ago...I'd guess start with 1 a day and if there are no adverse reactions, then give 2.

he might only be tethered out front at a certain time of day. Perhaps he's put there for a change of scenery after spending a lot of time in the back yard. If you are concerned that he gets too close, perhaps walk on the other side of the road. Apart from that, I don't think it is illegal but I am just guessing.

There's nothing I can say that will help. Just know our thoughts are with you. Rest in Peace darling Brock.

you are an angel, adopting a pet at 11 and I'm sure he paid you back 100-fold. What a good life you gave him in his golden years. I hope the pain of his loss fades and only happy memories take its place. Rest in Peace Bronson.

My eyes are welling up with tears and I could not read your whole post. You and Whitey were strong for each other, it's because of you he held on so long. Feel some comfort that he went on his own with your love to carry him over. Rest in Peace Whitey.

Another loved one passed. I am very sorry for your loss. Rest in peace Princess Dixie.