Just Andrea

Perhaps put your request in the urgent Glenfield thread as well so it doesn't get missed. Any locals going in over the next couple of days will then hopefully be able to help with a photo or two and some more info....

Thank you for the enlightenment MonElite. Very educational. I never have time to come in here but glad I did. I think if I was ever in a position to be purchasing a purebreed pup from a breeder, I would like to think they would go to the same measures to ensure the health and wellbeing of their animals and its progeny as you have. I think for the right owner, price is the last thing they would and should be thinking about. Anyone serious about a breed should be doing their homework on many things first, price included, before making a serious enquiry. ETA: Mum is stunning and that's a gorgeous litter....

I rehomed a 10-12 year old little dog a couple of years ago to a 91 year old man. Like others have said though - I get the family involved and ensure there is an agreement in place with them should the animal outlive the older person. I was fortunate that it was my own vets father and like another rescues example, we did the adoption through him and I was confident that should anything happen to his father, he would readily take care of him. I would consider the same for any other potential adoptive person though, if an elderly owners family was involved in the process and willing to co-sign any adoption agreements and take care of the animal should their beloved family member pass before the dog does. These are brilliant homes under these circumstances. Dogs often get constant companionship, and depending on the persons health, even much more exercise and socialisation as they are often out and about every day. What a life! I wish there were more on offer! If he was closer I would consider a boy I have in care but just too far away.... Good luck.

I have received a second letter of invitation to join them last week. I sent them a reply which is unlikely to see them contacting me again. There is too little known about them for me to consider any affiliation. As someone else has said, I am too busy doing real rescue, and don't have the time required to investigate them fully, and I shouldn't have to. If I am still not clear how they operate and what they are about then how can they purport to represent my interests. Most of us have earnt what reputations we have and should exercise care with whom we associate ourselves.

As a senior experienced professional who should know better and who is charge of the welfare and training of animals on a daily basis, his behavior is inexcusable. Other matters aside, i.e. a persons sympathy for the man or not, whether they would save their dog over someone elses kid, their child over someone elses are highly emotive and subjective and I won't buy into. However, the facts are as stated in post 1 and on the website - he went inside to the office for 2 hours, forgot about the dog in car, the dog died as a result of his negligence. Again intentional or not is irrelevant. He failed to adequately fulfill his responsibiliites for the safety and welfare of this dog that was in his care. Pure and simple. He is 100% at fault. Do I personally think he should be publically whipped or flogged - no, but there is no excuse for his action or lack thereof. He is paid for exactly what he does, train including transport animals to where they need to go. He is accountable. When you are dealing with life there is no room for error. That's the whole reason this article made the news. It should never have happened. Someone did the wrong thing. I have been in rescue for almost a decade (with no pay for what I do or SOP in place like he would have had in a well known organisation, all I have is my own common sense and some dog experience) and have transported hundreds and hundreds of animals over this time. EVERY time I transport them I plan crates, where animals are getting off and on and to who and eta's. If I am busting for a piss I will do it behind a bush or race to the toilet with the car under shelter asap and have the quickest movement in history to get back on the road and to ensure I keep the air flowing in the back for the dogs and the car is constantly moving. If I am hungry and run out of food, I will do drive through to minimise time off the road, I will regularly check on all passengers and have water with me. All things which are designed to minimise discomfort and ensure the welfare of the passengers in my car. Some days I have been on the road for up to 14 hours with pickups and drops in previous years. Not once do I just take a mental break from ensuring the welfare of my passengers the whole trip - afterall that is the purpose of my trip. Even when I have gotten home after a really long day and have no energy left to bleach and clean the pissy, shiitty and sometimes vomittus crates and car, I will check every single crate before I locked up the ute and stagger inside for a personal decontamination (i.e. clothes in tub and shower). Only then do I switch off and crash when there are no passengers left. I have never once locked the car and just gone inside and left animal in there, even on an hour or twos sleep on some occassions and a full day driving. Your responsibility for a life (whatever species that may be) starts the second you take it into your care until the time you hand that life over to the next responsible person. Its not about being perfect, its about taking your responsibility for a life seriously, always. There's no ivory tower here, just taking the life of animals in my care as seriously as I ought to and so should have he. I have forgotten to hand over paperwork, leads, other minor things like this etc etc....but never a life, not even for a second. Its inexcusable. This person should not be in charge of animal again until he can go through whatever courses or training deemed necessary by the RSPCA and Guide Dogs, endure the demotion that comes with possible being downgraded (and rightly so) while he is not training anyone else nor should he be and prove himself capable before handling an animal ever again. It would be a loss to the organisation I'm sure to lose out his skill base completely and fire him. However, same as anyone else at work who might undergo demotion, probabtion and extensive training before they are entitled, if ever, to return to their normal duties following a serious workplace incident, he should have no immediately responsibility for animals and a probation period while undergoing retraining to ensure the depths of his inaction are never repeated by him or anyone else. May he serve as a reminder of how precious life can be whatever it is and her death not be in vain.

While its good news, we now have to limit his activity for a while as he is at greater risk of a heart attack apparently. His bits were coming off too at vets now that his skin condition has been cleared prior to his meeting but now that has been delayed also as has the meeting and potential home sadly. Vet won't desex at the moment - just too risky and wants to wait several weeks and also wants to do bloods before he puts him under understandably just to make sure. Bit of a snag but at least he is alive and well. Hope it stays that way. Yes I'm sure Gus found the snake and the others then joined in - Cooper is just the unlucky one who was within range and copped it. Bit like your duo. Fingers crossed he stays well. Cheers.

Well done Janey and Daisy - what a gorgeous little family.....may they all continue to thrive.

Thanks everyone. Looks like Stuart has been lucky and doesn't look to have been bitten, the bloods suggested the same too - he is going back to his home today - ironically he was over only back in care briefly because his owner went away and then got very ill so had to delay his pickup for a week and just happened to be there at the wrong time - but looks we were lucky with him. Cooper was found to have bites in his mouth and he was seen to be bitten so had the antivenom quickly and it looks like my carer acted quick enough getting him to the vet to get it into him and so far so good he seems to have pulled through to date. No-one else seems to have been bitten which is very lucky indeed. One of our resident fosters Gus (terrier blend....what a surpirse :laugh: ) has been hunting them out I have been told and we suspect this is how the dogs when off for a walk friday morning, have "come across" one again............he has just been shipped back into suburbia at the weekend where he can do more harm LOL. That is very kind and generous of you huntrox as always. Fingers crossed it stays that way but hopefully we are out of the woods with both of them now.

Hi all, Poor Cooper the lovely boy everyone was desperate to save that we took from Cootamundra pound with suspected mange over a month ago who has finally recovered from what we have had diagnosed as extensive flea allergy dermatitis and had a wonderful family coming to meet him this weekend has just been bitten by a brown snake this morning. We suspect Stuart - one who has just been rehomed but was back for a holiday may be have been bitten too as he as excessively salivating not long after. His bloods have been tested and all ok at the time but who knows. Please keep them both in your thoughts - they were both rushed to vets asap - he was given a $1200 anitvenom and we are watching him and Stuart at vets closely. We are also keeping an eye on the other dogs that were around at the time too. Please cross your fingers for them both. Andrea.

From what I was told last night I think she said she is not living there at the moment, she is apparently paying for some accomodation somewhere at the moment.......so I don't think any run in her home would work if she is not there....not sure it would work either if she was in a motel or other paid accomodation either...... KM might know more...... anyway won't say anymore about the situation as I am biting my tongue already and don't wish to detract from this dog finding a short-term haven which it clearly desperately needs. Hoping something comes up for him soon, whether it be through the springer club or a temp care option.

I just got a call from this same lady just now...........told her we were full currently and mentioned boarding kennels - apparently can't afford it..... Told same - has to be gone by Saturday even though she loves it and just spent $1000 on it recently but will take it to the pound if nothing comes up by then - not even board short-term ........but happy for someone else to look after for 8 weeks and then take it back..... Anyway, suggested postering around which she was going to send me to pass onto everyone.......

"My rescue did a whole big media thing and said they were the sole reason the dogs found homes". If you are part of a two-people rescue then half of that kudos goes to you. I obviously haven't read said article but if its all about the "rescue" and not the other person themselves, I am not sure why you are so miffed. There is already international volunteer day and volunteer week each year if you really wish to celebrate on a particular day or week for that matter. Coming from a different angle: If you have to wait for one day of the year to be told you are valued by the people you volunteer with or work for then to me it is like waiting all year until Valentines day to tell someone you love them...........if you [or they] don't know it by then, and that is the only reassurance of your [their] value all year long then I would be examining your relationship with that person more closely. I am sure in very large groups this sort of human touch and appreciation may get left by the wayside sometimes but there is no excuse in a small group, especially of 2 to be feeling unappreciated. You might be surprised though, they may not even know you are feeling undervalued. I would talk to your partner. I make a concerted regular effort to check in with carers regularly (even if all is well) and thank them for caring, temp caring, for doing something else the group, ask if they need anything, ask about their lives (I actually do genuinely care about them all) etc etc etc because its these things that matter and make you feel like part of something and not taken for granted. I'm sure all well mentored carers have some sort of process or internal fora in place. I manage a dozen or so people, as well as my other general rescue and my own group roles and personal/work/family commmittments. There is no excuse for neglecting of carers but I don't need one dedicated day to tell them they matter. It should be often and not forced. In fact my carers don't even get on DOL, any of them. They are too busy with the animals. I recently started a new rescue group and we had our first media article just recently - it had a focus on one major carer and their achievements and was taken from an interview with them and their thoughts on rescue and how our group works. Even though there is another 10+ people in the group who are just as valued regardless of the size of their role, none of us got a direct mention. But the group got exposure, and one of our carers got a moment of acknowledgement to make them feel proud of what they do. Doesn't undervalue anyone else, myself in the group included. You should feel appreciated, valued and involved all year round and if not I would be talking to your partner about your role/value in the group or going elsewhere where your efforts are appreciated.

Cleared a little for now. No too worried about this stuff though. Really don't have time to deal with these issues [them] anyway.

I just got a letter from this group introducing themselves. Not sure what to make of it all. Needless to say I won't be rushing to affiliate with anyone I'm unsure of.

Sorry I haven't been to Uriarra crossing. Wouldn't know but anywhere in the bush on a hot day lately would be risky at the moment. Yes it is an awful waste of young life and happening alot lately too. I don't hate snakes though - they are a necessary part of our ecosystem and have a right to live too. I just prefer my furry friends (who also often can't help themselves to chase and antagonise too) and snakes to avoid meeting each other as much as possible. My clam shell is away now! In fact all it has been doing is attracting a large family of minor birds..........not a species I wish to encourage.

Really? I didn't even think of that. I just filled up a clam shell for my guys yesterday to try and keep them cool, especially since the hot weather is supposed to be continuing......... May have to rethink that now....

Beautiful Samson - he had a great 9-10 months at his new home but didn't even make it to 2 years old - very sad.

Hi all, Just a timely reminder that with the bushfires around displacing them and the heat etc, the snake numbers are rife and on the move at the moment. It is with great sadness that I report that two of our former fosters have died due to snake bites in the last couple of weeks. I found out about both of them today. One was a lovely shep x adolescent we rehomed from QBN pound last year - he was rehomed to a lovely family at Yass - great home - great future - unfortunately it was the fifth brown snake on the property recently and his luck didn't hold up this time. Another was a lovely small crossbreed from the Riverina area from memory we rehomed to one of the vets in Canberra (suburbia) a few years ago - also a fantastic home - he came home to find both of them had been bitten (he had another dog) and despite rapid treatment, he lost both of them also. We have also encountered quite a few now at one of my carers properties in Gundaroo also. Just a heads up to be vigilent for any signs of snakes, and block/remove any potential hiding places or food sources (uncovered food for rodents etc which was a problem last year big time) around the home as best you can. Andrea.

To all in WAR, While I saw this some weeks ago it is only now that I have had the chance to express my sincerest appreciation for all you have done for the Riverina Animals. Your presence will be greatly missed by not only the animals but just as importantly by your friends in rescue who have grown to know you all over the years. I wish you all well in your future endeavours wherever they may lead you. All the best, Andrea.

BUMP

Heidi is a very loving and companionable 2 year old cat. She loves to follow you around the house and has no problem with other cats. She is an indoor cat and uses the litter tray well. She has a healthy appetite, and is not fussy with food and loves to play, with her favourite toy being her green mouse. For such a little cat she has a huge purr. If you're looking for a companion who likes to sit on your lap and purr away contentedly, then Heidi is the one for you. While Heidi has some minor health issues requiring the occasional vet trip, her affectionate and endearing nature more than makes up for any slight ailments she has. Heidi is vaccinated, wormed, microchipped, and desexed.

Hi everyone, Heidi was rehomed very early this year but her owner no longer wants to keep her because she gets blocked anal glands and occasionally scoots her bum on the floor - simple solution yes I know - but not prepared to continue as she is a clean freak (her words). She has a few other minor health issues but nothing serious at this stage. She is a lovely cat regardless and actually came from a hoarder seizure by the RSPCA so she deserves a decent home. Of course if any rescue has the room much appreciated but otherwise I am hoping she can find a special home of her own asap. If you know anyone who might know of some options for her please contact Rachael on 0431 586 314. Thanks, Andrea

Double post

Thanks ladies. Things are slowing coming along.

25. In conversations you have with friends, you are talking about people you know and have met and you immediately refer to another persons "temperament"........... I.e. "Oh yes....I do know her.....she has a lovely temperament"....