_PL_

I'm so sorry what an ordeal. :D Truly no idea on what his main medical problem might be but the immediate one of being released from the vet and going down hill sounds like the initial side effects from the drugs he's on. Don't panic and stop them but do tell & ask your vet everything. For sickies: this sounds silly but cooking something meaty in front of them can help. Seared steak, pan fried meatballs, chicken tenders etc. The smell helps make them hungry.

That whole breeding program was fascinating. I was worried when it ended the now tamed/domesticated foxes produced (with coats that were apparently useless for fur?) would just be disposed of. eta: not that I'm comfortable with them being farmed as pets either.

Definitely try it in conjunction with the medication they've recommended. Can't hurt but it will basically have to be only the ZD: excluding all other food for you to know if her trouble shaking her ear infections has anything to do with food sensitivity.

We had a dog come into care with similar problems Silver Boy Album - surgery was not an immediate option. The damage to his ear canals had extended all the way down and was oozing. Using a combination of drugs, flushes and swabs was our best option but I don't think it would have been nearly as effective without a complete diet change. The minute we put him on Prescription Z/D only he made a marked improvement. Once most of the infections had cleared (From memory he started with 3 colonies in ear and two in the other) - we hit the last of the nasties with a different drop, oral antibiotics and prednisolone. It takes time, his ears will never be absolutely 'normal' because he was untreated for god knows how long but he's much much happier (and adopted) .

I'm so sorry you had to give up your pup. Do you have a dog rescue shelter nearby or a WIRES network? You'd be surprised how many who for different reasons find themselves dogless but fill that gap by volunteering with animals. re Rabbits: my sister had a desexed male Rex, litter trained and amazing 'doggy' personality and a coat of velvet that didn't shed as heavily as the long coat breeds. They do like to nibble things though.

If you know a dog has been exposed to parvo (or a high risk area such as a pound), keep them away from other dogs/ penned/ quarantined for 14 to 21 days. If you are talking about a family dog with a known vaccination history and up-to-date boosters the chances of developing anything is greatly reduced but you still should be careful just in case. :D Not sure vaccinating after exposure would be of any use but am far from an immunology expert. :D Best quiz your vet on that one, I've heard a recent vaccination can affect subsequent parvo tests giving false results?? - please someone correct me if that's incorrect.

I've heard a little about apricot kernels but have not used them.

I don't really trust the supermarket stuff. Ordering online is a bit cheaper if you have time before they leave. And the tick collars I see used most are Preventic, but collars take longer to spread the pesticide across the dog's skin so presumably would need to go on in advance? - not sure if they like getting wet either.

Yes, it definitely is. And do check daily whatever products you use. Vets often stock those little tick remover tools if you aren't practiced at pulling them out.

I get what you're saying except for the pet stores bit. Surely you wouldn't want your babies sold in pet stores sitting alongside some poor oodle puppy farm produce? They certainly don't have the betterment of your breed in mind when they sell 8wk old pups to anyone with a credit card.

I lived in the US mid-west without my dog for just under a year and hated it. But she was old, not a candidate for travel and happier with my Mum who was very keen to see me go for a while. I still wish travelling with pets was easier. New York is an amazing place though. I've never seen so many pampered dogs out for a walk. It appeared to be a very dog friendly city.

Ginger just won one of the weekly $10 voucher prizes! yaaay Gingeee boy.

Sorry if it's been posted before :D Link to article and images - Still sprightly at 154 human years Learning new tricks at 22 (or 154 in human years) meet Billy, the world's oldest dog Blind in one eye and with not many teeth left, Billy the Yorkshire Terrier has seen better days. More than 8,000 of them, in fact. For Billy is 22 years old – the canine equivalent of a human aged 154. He is believed to be the world's oldest living dog, having surpassed the current holder of the title with Guinness World Records. Yet his owner, Betty Holdsworth, says there's lots of life in the old dog yet. He still goes for walkies twice a day and continues to act like a puppy. 'He's got so much energy,' said Mrs Holdsworth, a 71-year-old grandmother from Halifax. 'He's so affectionate and caring and he always wants to be near me. He just loves being spoilt.' Mrs Holdsworth gave Billy a home after visiting an RSPCA branch in June. His previous owner had died but left behind her diaries which included the day in 1988 on which she bought him as a puppy Mrs Holdsworth said: 'After my previous dog died, I decided I would like to get another one to replace it. 'I decided to go for an older pet because I don't know how long I will be around and a puppy would tire me out. 'They told me that they had this Yorkshire Terrier who was in a bit of a state. 'But he is not frail at all. He still loves to play and he is quite vigorous about it, playing tug of war and chasing after things to bring them back for me. 'He's not showing any signs of slowing down. I think that is at least partly because of the quality of his life. 'He sleeps at the end of the bed and has developed a taste for the best dog food. 'As soon as I got him home it was as if he had always been there.' Alex Darwell, an officer who specialises in rehoming elderly animals for the RSPCA in Halifax, said: 'Whenever Billy comes in to see us he is licking everyone's hands and keen to say hello. 'When he was brought in last year we were told that the previous owner had said he was 21 and the vet looked him over and said that was right. 'It is fantastic that he is in such good condition at his age.' Mr Darwell added: 'He has more energy than a lot of younger dogs which come in to see us. He's brilliant.' If conclusive evidence of Billy's age is accepted by Guinness World Records, he will beat the current oldest living dog, Sako Wilde. The kelpie cross from Melbourne, Australia, was confirmed as being 21 years 94 days in March this year. Billy still has some way to go, however, if he is to claim the all-time record. The oldest-ever known canine was an Australian cattle dog named Bluey, which died in 1939, aged 29 years and five months.

It's very popular to take dogs to offleash and let them run (and they do love it :D) but in my opinion it's not safe for tiny dogs. If you haven't got a segregated section don't bother, just do walkies like normal.

sure, I've got nothing else to do.

Fleuri the symbol means they have rescue backup and will only go to the group if not reclaimed or purchased by the time their impound is over.

sounds like we're all in it for the money. Awesome. I'll contact my bank in the morning - inform them there must be plenty in there because I do rescue. Then I'll empty the account and and go on a nice long holiday because I can't actually remember the last time I was able to leave town, not check emails, take calls, check on dogs, update sites, spend the weekend doing home visits or the day washing dogs and beds. Who's with me? Seriously, rescue takes a toll on every single facet of life and burnout is high. I personally think threads where people jump up and down about a dog they didn't get are extremely demoralising. There is a line where constructive critisism crosses over into sticking the boot in for the hell of it and wild generalisations end up looking like the norm.

Basically it's impossible to keep everyone happy. When you have to say no, it's really not all that often that applicants aren't suitable for any pet at all. Just not that particular individual animal. My dogs live in the home, I'm not taking a guess on their temp/needs, I live with them - I know them. I try to be helpful with people, not offend and see no need for arguments or narky responses which are pretty rare thankfully. And for everyone who says rescues haven't responded I'll bet I can match you for enquirers that ask a whole lot of questions and never respond to even say thanks but no thanks, or to go as far as a home visit and then vanish off the planet. It's just a people thing, we have to accept it and move on.

Have a look at Ziwipeak dehydrated from NZ. It's available in australia. btw: I'm getting very very wary of imported anything for pets. example here Might be best to read the whole article... I did, hence the imported pet products comment.

Have a look at Ziwipeak dehydrated from NZ. It's available in australia. btw: I'm getting very very wary of imported anything for pets. example here

I guess it depends on your area, the availability of good quality non-certified pet meat and whether your customers will pay that bit extra. I know one organic pet food lady and her business is her life's work. And her customers appreciate having the organic option for their pets despite the costs. We are in an area where people DO seek alternatives to absolutely everything as well as supportive 'alternative therapies' when their pets are unwell (we also have two organic markets on weekends which are extremely popular). If the brand you're thinking makes organic treats as well I'd stock them to start with - maybe at the counter to get a bit more interest or a feel for people's reactions?

I think you'll bring puppy home BUT don't get your heart set on it. You're a dally person and know your pure breed. The dog you meet may not exactly be a pure or even the age stated. (I had an english pointer who was constantly called a dally so obviously if a dog has spots.......lol) The rest is up to you. Good luck! xx

Won't hurt to respond. They could just be struggling with language. btw, sometimes scams are re-posted on the internet to warn others. If you ever get a suspect email (or see a dodgy ad), google the email addy. It can be very enlightening!

I'm so sorry Mel, that is the saddest news. Please call if you need a chat. Run free boys. Chase butterflies over the bridge. xxxxxx

Contact your state's insurance industry ombudsman. I'm so sorry for your loss, you have enough to deal with.