Loving my Oldies

I find it very difficult to understand when people described foxes as being sly, vicious, evil - whatever other words are used. Foxes are simply animals who have learned to kill in a certain way which equates to their size, the habitat in which the live, their particular metabolism, etc. They don't lie in the beds, thinking about how best to kill another creature in a way that gives the greatest pain or the greatest sorrow to a human who has their chooks or rabbits or other pets killed by foxes. An animal kills to eat. However, humankind plots to kill for the "fun" of it. These types of descriptions are very anthropomorphic and delivered by people who would probably scorn those who call their dogs their children or dress them up in fancy clothes or find out the food they love the most so they can treat them. (Which reminds me of a friend who went outside her house one day - luckily when her child was at school - to find pieces of their pet rabbit all over the back yard courtesy of a Golden Retriever. Who would call the GR evil? And another who came home to find her cat dead courtesy of her dogs. Who would call them evil?) How many of the people who think the only good fox is a dead one own cats, I wonder contained or otherwise. Cats are incredibly destructive to all sorts of wildlife and have probably done more damage to wildlife and, if we want to be totally honest, consider the way a cat will "play" with its victim, sometime for hours. I am desperately sorry and sad for those who have lost any of their own chooks and loved pets to foxes. I can understand the hatred. To come home and find a much loved pet killed is a horror to live with and one I have experienced. That said, foxes don't belong in Australia, our native wildlife is too susceptible and unable to compete and I certainly don't believe they should be deliberately bred and kept as pets. For sure if kittens are found they should be humanely destroyed or kept as pets only by people who are experienced, committed and knowledgable as to their needs and willing to keep them safely confinded.

The poster has stated that she cannot take the cats as much as she would like to. Ergo: Inform Council or RSPCA which she is doing.

Great news. Keetamouse

I guess I've been lucky then in terms of having non barkers for the sake of barking. My dogs bark - I check it out. That said, I believe a wee bit on senility is creeping up on Danny (approx 13-14) because he occasionally starts barking at something and has to be brought out of the "zone" to stop him. He then looks as if to say, "What's the matter with you? Why have you given me a prod?" :laugh: :laugh:

This was my post and the first to respond. No anger, no judgement, no jumping up and down and quoting the law, no trying to put others in the wrong, etc, etc etc.

Well said, Kirty

How is the lovely Hazel?

I agree, redangel, but you are tilting at the moon :) . It is a rare discussion that goes beyond the subjective and emotional. Good or bad, I don't really know, because if subjectivism and emotion weren't involved, there would not be much discussion. What needs to be guarded against, but goes on here all the time, is that people push their own particular barrows in methods that denigrate others. Argument for argument's sake is all very well and it is highly desirable that we engage our intellectual capacities. But to the extent that the person doing the arguing wants one thing and one thing only and that is their self aggrandisement and the denigration of others, relegates a debate to the insubstantial.

That was brilliant. Gorgeous dog and obviously a wonderful foster parent. The photos of Peanut are beautiful, Kirislin.

Does the Cat Protection Society operate in SA? Hire traps from your Council and take them to the pound. Poor things.

Where is that big open stretch of land, Katdogs?

High calorie rubbish. He's gorgeous, Rascal, but old before his time by the look of him. I took on a toy poodle some years ago, turned out to be nearly 17 and he looked younger than Grayson . He will be a noo poo in no time in your expert and loving hands

Hmmmm - my pom crosses (owned, fostered, recued) have never been yappers. These sorts of across the boards statements don't do anything to help anyone except to perpetuate myths and feed people's already ingrained prejudices.

Oh, these stories - there is always something waiting to go wrong even with the most caring and careful owners. Hopefully Faith (beautiful name) will make a very good recovery and continue to be a happy girl. I've had two experiences with dogs going out and nearly going out of windows and, each time, I thought I'd taken all the care necessary for their safety. Dogs will continue to surprise and scare.

Ditto re mine, Pebbles. A few times over the years, I've thought about having a night without them on the bed. They had other ideas and certainly let me know. And it certainly made them more responsive to anything going on outside in the trees, possums, cats, whatever. Each time, I've had to bring them into the bedroom just to stop them racing outside and barking in the wee small hours. Sparky, I think this woman just doesn't understand her dogs' needs, and unless she can be brought to that realisation, I don't hold out much hope for a cessation in the barking.

Rehome them to someone who understands that most dogs, particularly littlies like Pom X are not bred to spend their lives outside. They want to be inside with the family and have the choice to go outside when something is happening out there. Probably the barking has become as natural as breathing to them .... perhaps that is the way they get attention and/or amuse themselves.

Sad isn't it. So official and so removed from all the anguish suffered. It isn't easy to cling to the parts of the report that may help other dogs and their owners in the future, but I know Caz's big heart will do this.

And a lil boy in the background

YELL AND SHOUT ALL YOU LIKE. THAT IS FANTASTIC NEWS. HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY FOR YOU AND KIBAH

DD, how can I put this delicately. Genes count, too! :) :) :) You are such a comfort . Actually genes are a bit on my side at least in terms of longevity: Fraternal grandpappy died at 99, Daddy died at 91, Maternal grandpappy died at 77 because he fell off his horse, Mummy died at 83. Genes and having a mummy like Kirislin will definitely be to Kibah's advantage.

What about moi ?? . I eat 'nanas every day and I shure as hell don't look as good as Kibah.

I'm walking around with a smile on my face too. I hope we get some updates LOL

Lovely story. The dog will probably get better as he senses the love ..... hope so anyway. Maybe all he needs is some treatment.

Nothing is worse than just hanging in the wind wondering what is going on. Hopefully this evening will see you with some answers which give you a definite course of action.

Sad isn't it. Rife in the dog world, same as in any other profession. And to show you my bias - LOL - any trainer who used the word "alpha" wouldn't get my business. :)