Loving my Oldies

Many years ago, my Nammu (small male Maltese) was run over by a cyclist, both wheels. He was trotting along the very left side edge of the path (off leash dog park) and the cyclist would have had to veer over to the side to run him over. She called out as she rode off, "I didn't know where he was going." I was so shocked, because I am sure it was deliberate. The cyclists at this particular park (Hawthorn Parade Leichhardt) were known to be extremely aggressive - I kid you not. I rushed him off to the vet, but he was fine with only a little graze under his chin. As he died of cancer at 8 and a half, I have wondered over the years whether he sustained some internal damage which caused the cancer. I feel so sorry for the owners of the little dog. So heartbreaking and a constant worry.

I am so sorry, @pesh . Scotti lived to a grand old age and his passing will leave a great hole in your lives. I think the pleasure, love and comfort that cats bring into our lives are not always fully understood and appreciated. My Gussy Cat was a stray as well and adopted me. She passed away at 16, very suddenly from a blood clot, and I still remember all the details of that night. I just went back to my files to check what year Gussy died - 2015. Hard to believe it is 9 years as I still think of her regularly. Scotti will live on in your hearts.

I have said the exact same thing many times, @Mairead, regarding children known to DOCS. If the designated department can’t look after the children, what chance do animals have. Virtually every child/baby who dies at the hands of parents, partner, family member is already known to DOCS. Sickening. And I am sick of the excuses EVERY company, institution, or organisation makes. There is one reason and one reason only: lack of commitment to the job.

That's what I found too, LG. The dogs (all long since gone to god) would all use the stairs, but jump off. I finally had to bite the bullet and not let on the bed and the dogs I have now can't get up on their own. I'll get them up for snuggles, but have to lift them down before I go to sleep. I have just started to foster a little Pomeranian and he just leaps onto the bed as though he was just taking a step . It's lovely having a little dog cuddling again - he crawls right under the bedclothes and lies on my legs LOL.

Google Dog Ramp and you will find a large selection, most of them adjustable heights. Good luck. Space is always a bugger.

Moved

Oh, I just saw it on YouTube. There are a lot of videos about this case some of which I’d watched and then I saw the one about sentencing. I certainly didn’t expect those sentences. Australia please take note. Of course there will be appeals, but hopefully this will bring at least a few irresponsible owners into line.

So desperately sad. Yes, you will feel guilt, even though this tragedy was purely an accident. We always blame ourselves and wonder whether we could have done more, even if our dog/s have lived to great old ages. My deepest sympathies. Blessings to you all

Trazadone is great for specific situations and is not something to be given regularly for separation anxiety. For instance, I have a dog who was rescued from a puppy breeding mill at 11yo so she is traumatised. When I have to take her to the vet, I give her trazadone 2 hours before we leave. The best thing for a puppy with separation anxiety is another dog.

LOL. She wasn’t large, just long legs. She weighed only 6.4kg when she arrived, but had put on a bit more than a kilo by the time she left.

When can the ABC get this story correct? Makes you wonder how much other crap they are sprouting. Yet another item on the Tasmanian issue wherein it was announced that the last of the dogs was rehomed today. Most of them are still spread around rescue groups.

Ditto, the rescue I foster for as well. I’m not putting my hand up this time. My littlies need a break.

I've just rehomed my foster from that farm in NSW. She was very timid, but really really sweet. The rescue I foster for has a very good working relationship with the RSPCA and I have fostered a few via that connection. Here is "my" little girl at the lounge room window.

So long as you fulfill those requirements also, it shouldn't be too difficult to find similar in a dog.

Me too, @Rebanne. I imagine that it will be like pulling teeth to get the funds out of them. However, the lady who runs Brightside is really singing her praises of the new RSCPA chief in Tasmania, says she knows her well and is very happy she is now in that position. If this is the case, hopefully the new chief will be able to withstand the politics in this organisation.

Everything I hear and read is ambiguous and the full story is just not being told. Brightside Farm Sanctuary in Tasmania has taken 54 dogs. When they posted about going up and getting the first 28, I posted on Brightside's FB page asking for more information which I didn't get. I heard the RSPCA saying that each dog's veterinary expenses would be in the region of $1,000. I posted on Brightside's FB saying that I hoped the RSPCA was giving $1,000 for all the dogs they were taking. They edited a former post saying that the RSPCA was giving them $1k for each dog. They posted a video of a dog playing and someone asked about adoption. Brightside said the dog already had a home. It is very hard to get a complete picture, but I think I read in the huge comment trail that the dogs who have been approved for new homes were going to rescue groups like Brightside for all their veterinary requirements prior to going to their homes. Who knows? It is all very convoluted. That said, the work Brightside does is simply mind boggling and they take on some of the most needy and heartbreakingly mistreated animals you'd never want to see. All on donations and with only a few volunteers.

That is all I need say. Nope just a bit more

I nearly didn't look because of the way GS are being bred today. How can anyone say that is a good look? It is heartbreaking.

What lovely girls you have unstuffed toys notwithstanding

You are such a sweetheart, Albert and very handsome in your camouflage gear

. He looks so at home there.

100% right, @Deeds. But sadly, you could apply that over much of how society operates today. Call someone out on poor behaviour and you are told YOU are the problem. And you’ll be lucky not to get some physical reaction. It is horrible.

I agree with everything you have mentioned, @coneye. I remember so well at some of the seminars/training sessions I went to in the early days of my dog ownership. Anyone who knew their business stressed the importance of training the owner more than the dog. I live on a street which many walkers (solo and with dogs) frequent. It is both interesting and sad to witness the differences in people’s interactions with their dogs. The worst are those who use retractable leads. I know it could be seen as an extreme reaction, but I believe they are the worst thing ever for dogs and should be banned. Then there are those with their new puppies, don’t have a clue and carry the dog everywhere reacting inappropriately if another dog is a hundred metres away You don’t need me to tell you how those poor dogs turn out. Some of the saddest (for me) are those who see a dog simply as an addition to their fitness regime and take no notice of the dog struggling to keep up whether on a lead or not. Yes, it amazes me the number of people who think they and their dogs are above the law. Of course there are those who have been walking their dogs for years confidently and happily and the dogs just plod contentedly around the streets, totally conditioned to their circumstances. Sadly, people are heavily influenced by what they see in movies and online and have little or no conception of the amount of consistent training that goes into whatever it is the dog is doing. They don’t understand that dogs aren’t born knowing how to walk on a lead or knowing what sit, drop, stay mean (in whatever the language of the person). One of the things I used to stress to new owners is that being on a lead is not a natural thing for a dog and that is was up to us to condition the dog appropriately. Not quite on topic, but I am looking after a dog while her parents are on holiday and I have never known a dog love her lead and harness so much. She goes looking for them and takes them back to bed with her.

Nope. Don’t know this organisation, so I am only assuming that this pricing is aimed at ensuring this dog is adopted by someone committed to his wellbeing, not to mention the costs incurred by all ethical rescue groups.