Sheridan

Begs the question: which is the least crazy?

In rescue or in general?

Well, I think yes- it would, but a number of conditions would need to be met first. This is again a pretty grey area- I haven't heard of it being done before- but the important things are: for a contract to be binding, it should be (doesn't have to be here but should be) in writing; and it HAS to be for consideration. So, there needs to be money exchanged or mutual benefits on both sides. Something like, I'll pay you X amount of dollars if you care for my dog for X number of months or find it a home, for example. Otherwise it would not be enforceable. Your will would then to have a specific clause in it, allowing your executor to continue with that agreement on your behalf; and the agreement itself would need to specify that it bound your executor/s and beneficiaries after you died. In other words you'd have to deal with the issue that one of the contractors is dead, assuming that's when it would come into effect. It's a good idea on the face of it, but I think you'd struggle to find any welfare organisation that would agree to enter into a contract like that. No doubt they would prefer a donation that didn't bind them in any way! Caveat- I have only mulled over this for a short while- there could be a big problem with the arrangement that I haven't though of yet- if I do think of one I'll come back and update. I do think though that the real issue is going to be finding a welfare organisation that will agree to it. Food for thought but I certainly wouldn't use a welfare organisation at all because I don't think much of most of them.

Well, that's altogether too likely.

But then we get into the area of what constitutes a housepet. Plenty of breeders keep their 'housepets' in kennels with nary a complaint from various people on this forum. Why is it different for a householder or shelter who has kennels?

Sorry but that is not proof that a dog knows about or fears an impending death. I've had that very reaction from a dog that had been poked and prodded, xrayed, needled and all manner of things done to him in my presence at the vets. We went to give him an AB shot and he screamed and screamed and screamed, it went on for a couple of minutes before he eventually calmed down. Yes, it's very upsetting and not how you would want to remember your last seconds with your dog but it's certainly not a reaction bought about by a dogs sense ( or lack there of ) of it's impending death. My dog screams like she's being murdered when I clip her nails. If doesn't hurt her, she's not dying, and I'm there holding her. There is no impending death, she's just a drama queen. Hah, Mini once gave an almighty 'She's killing me!!!' yowl when I picked up a comb. Hadn't touched her yet.

But this isn't council. This seems to be, if accurate, the RSPCA.

I'm confused by the edict that the RSPCA won't deal with Mark Aldridge or indeed Lola. If they won't deal with the owner of the shelter who do they expect to deal with? Can they enforce that if the actual law says something else?

Waste rather than cruelty.

So, to clarify, it would be more enforceable if the trust (or legal agreement) was between persons rather than a person and a charity? Or have I misunderstood?

Esch, would a legal agreement between the person/organisation looking after the dog and the owner be a way around that?

I wasn't aware that I had offered , but as usual, having nothing constructive to contribute, you turn things into a personal attack. This is a thread about the unnecessary cruel and mean destruction of a healthy dog. I am saddened by the number of people who think that is okay but also heartened by the greater number who think it is not. You said your previous post was to me and to Jo, so I was responding to it. Make up your mind.

Sarcasm aside, perhaps you could take note of my previous post and ask your management friends why the RSPCA will not impound the starving horses on Penderlea Common.

I wouldn't risk it, CM. I have no idea what the crew would do but I doubt they'd assist. You would have to ask the Spirit of Tasmania company when you book but even then there's no guarantee.

Very sorry to hear about this, Kayla1. I had a dog die of kidney disease. From diagnosis to when he was pts was three weeks. He spent some time on fluids in an attempt to flush out the toxins but this simply gave him oedema and pleural effusion. I have to state though that the kidney disease was very specific rather than just general kidney failure so it won't necessarily apply to other dogs. I have ears fluids under the skin can be successful for general kidney failure. When creatinine and BUN are very high, I think the best you can do is ensure your dog eats. If he's eating, wont lose the weight. My dog was losing over a kilo a day. My dog stopped eating and drinking and wouldn't touch the kidney food and given he didn't eat, it meant he also wouldn't take his medication. I took him to the surgery every day for equivalent injections. The vets were marvellous.

Someone mentioned in this thread this Guide Dog was owner trained, a couple of us have asked for the link(s) to the article(s) that mentioned this and these links have not been provided. This thread is about a Guide Dog, and in that context, we have expressed outrage that a "trained" guide dog, presumably from a relevant organisation trained and provided this Guide Dog and due to the cost to train a guide dog and the value to the community and the age of the dog and breed of dog, this dog should have been given a chance at a new life with a new owner, whether it be reclassified if from a guide dog association or retrained or rehomed as a pet. Whether you like it or not, Guide Dogs are and should be treated differently than pet dogs due to the invaluable service they provide the community. And what were the rules pertaining to guide dogs where this woman was located?

When we let Ollie dog go it was very peaceful. I put him up on the table, he was happy to see the vet and got to say goodbye to quite a few of the wonderful vet staff that had helped him over the years. He was ill and had enough. So we made the decision with the vet that it was time (and I just knew).. He was given an anaesthetic (due to the condition of his veins from chemo) and then once he was asleep he was given the final injection. As sad as it was for us, he seemed quite fine with everything that was going on around him. Grumpy tried to bite the vet. One more time for old time's sake ...

I'm rarely talking to base level staff. I tend to meet these people at seminars and conferences. I was invited to speak to various managers about my research one time. When they speak frankly you start to realise how difficult their job is. When I was invited to speak to them it was partly about improving temperament tests. They are not clueless at all. A lot of the stuff people have been saying about them on this thread indicates poor understanding of the issues. Next time you meet with the managers at RSPCA NSW perhaps you can ask why the RSPCA will not impound the horses that are starving on Penderlea Common?

Who knocked pound dogs?

Hardly. But you have such strong views on this I thought you'd help a sister out :laugh: Thanks for helping prove my point by the way. Oh, people have strong views but when it comes to stepping up then that's another matter entirely. I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about and why you'd expect me to be knocking at your door. . But, as always, the health and happiness of my dogs take precedence over everything else and so off to tend to them :) and leave this thread to the degeneration that most of any substance take I think you are mistaking me for Jo. No, I was talking to both of you. Rest assured, I wouldn't look towards you (or indeed, Mita) to look after my dogs.

The glen of imaal is around 17 kg. They're short not small.

Hardly. But you have such strong views on this I thought you'd help a sister out :laugh: Thanks for helping prove my point by the way. Oh, people have strong views but when it comes to stepping up then that's another matter entirely. I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about and why you'd expect me to be knocking at your door. . But, as always, the health and happiness of my dogs take precedence over everything else and so off to tend to them :) and leave this thread to the degeneration that most of any substance take I think you are mistaking me for Jo.

You are reading things wrong. Rescues deal with already abandoned dogs. Different scenario.

Not sure of his reg name, but it's Paddy owned by Lesley Walsh I've got a catalogue but it's in the car and I won't be getting it out till tomorrow. Let me know if you need more info. Be good to know the reg name, ta.

My previous answer about attitude to another's different ethical choice: Someone else would not make that choice but would PTS the dog .... saying they wouldn't betray the person's wish. But I'd weigh up the young dog's 'best interest' to live out its life.... against the thinking of a person suffering & facing death. Ethically, neither of those solutions would be right or wrong. Each of us would say we made a call according to how we sorted thro' our own values. Best any of us can do. I am with Jo on this one. You can make no guarantees for the dog's safety after the dog leaves your care, therefore you rehoming the dog is not in the dog's best interests.