Loving my Oldies

Because probably 99.9% of the time, someone is enquiring about a particular dog. I am sure that if someone was interested in a particular dog, but put in their application that if said dog wasn't for them, perhaps the rescue group could recommend another dog or another rescue group. It isn't too difficult to put a few questions onto an application form. :)

Not necessarily. There are rescue groups with their animals listed on PetRescue that I would run a million miles from .

You bet there is ... sadly. Remember pet rescuers are human beings with all the faults and failings that implies. Just because someone rescues a pet from a pound doesn't mean they are a good person. Start trawliing through the PetRescue website, if (more likely when :laugh: ) you see a dog who appeals to you, contact the rescuer ask all the questions you feel you need to ask. Explain what you are doing, that you are justing starting your search for your dog and if you sense even the slightest antipathy don't proceed. A good rescuer WELCOMES questions. When I rescued and fostered, if I felt my dogs weren't suitable, but also felt they were genuine if would always refer them on to another ethical rescuer. Make notes. Don't leave a rescuer hanging. If they get in touch with you, respond.

I've never understood why people advise not getting two puppies at the same time :). I did and used to take them to training and train them both at the same time. Difficult? Yes, but it was worth it because they had each other when I wasn't there. Breed is definitely important, but so much depends on the owner and how they treat and train the dogs. As you are young and energetic, Ruin Maniac, perhaps you could consider looking at medium sized dogs, but if you really want to keep with little dogs, the Papillon is a great all rounder: beautiful, intelligent, easier to groom than other long haireds (lol), energetic. Have a look at the breeds in the 101 forum. Remember to have fun and not over-analyse. :D :D

I'm impressed on all fronts too. :laugh: :laugh:

My deepest sympathies for your loss and for poor little Lottie. Seeing one of our pets grieving just compounds our own grief because we don't know how to help them. You won't erradicate the scent of Michael so please don't go through the trauma of moving unless, of course, you were planning to do so. Only once have I experienced having a dog inconsolable over the death of another and it was something I don't want to see again. It was dreadful. The only thing that helped was time and I adopted another dog.

LOL. Hope you are right, Willow.

Bugger. I got all excited thinking that councils were starting to do the right thing.

I popped into this thread knowing that the Poster would be given assurances that a Cavalier is totally safe. Edited because apparently Hawkesbury isn't desexing.

Despite being totally a hunk and gorgeous, the lawnmower contractor is a bit too big and bushy for me :D but I would love some of that grass. Mine is all dead dead dead. He is well aware of the OH&S requirements too.

Oh no. That is awful. I hope it is just transitory and settles down. Last time I was t the vets, I was a coughing sneezing machine and I live with five dogs and a cat so maybe Roan's coat just needs a little time for the person to adjust.

I love it that you have been rolled :D into the Shar Pei world, Puppy_Sniffer . You give wonderful stories and updates of your fosters. There is a brown Shar Pei who is regularly walked on Pennant Hills Road, but never close enough for me to see his face properly. He has a lovely gait and is obviously enjoying himself to the max. I'd love to see some photos of Dweebs/Albert/Roan in his wonderful new harness and with his new family.

Couldn't resist taking a look at the Facebook page. First thought: who couldn't love a face like that? She is gorgeous, Mantis. I wish you both much happiness for many many years.

She has been used in the paddocks and yards to bring the sheep in but she couldn't push the sheep up the shoot/race, which is pretty important in moving sheep around. The dogs run on top of the sheep and then get down and run back underneath, this pushes the sheep up the race and gets them all in, it can be anything from loading them onto a truck to lamb marking but it's pretty important to have a dog that can do it for you. What a great reply, mixeduppup. I realised backing had to do with moving the sheep along, but you have put it so clearly. I forgot to say congratulations to you, too. :laugh:

Gosh, I've had so many dogs over the years because of my involvement with rescue and dog walking at a pound; I have to be truthful and say that some I have loved more than others and some, because of their age and neglect, have not been with me for long My first dogs, Nammu and Calypso, were Maltese puppies from different breeders and the day I brought them home I discovered that Calypso had a heart problem, would remain tiny tiny and probably wouldn't see her first birthday. I remember crying and saying that I didn't want a tiny little dog ...... not long after that, I also remember saying that I could live with Calypso in my arms I loved her so much. She died at three and a half. Considering I now have 10 urns on my bookshelf, there are many stories of love and heart ache, but just one more. Nammu died of cancer on 1 January 2002 and I was at the time volunteering as a walker at a small Sydney pound. About 5 weeks after Nammu died, there was a little red dog who'd come into the pound the previous day. We walkers had a busy time and little red dog had not had a walk. I felt guilty, all the other walkers had left and so I said to little red dog that I'd take him for a walk around the block. As we walked, I started singing to myself "Danny Boy", so I said to him, "I'll call you Danny, whoever adopts you will change your name anyway." Next week when I went for the dog walking he was there right at the back of his kennel, shaking like a leaf and I felt that funny feeling in my tummy. "Oh no," I thought. "It is too soon after Nammu, I am grieving too much." I took him home to foster and, to be very very original, the rest is history. Danny is still with me, but a very elderly gentleman now, white of face, and red coat flecked with white. He is what I have learned from DOL my "Velcro Dog" - wherever I am there is Danny.

Most important. . I do this, too, and give details of the dogs' likes and dislikes, idiosyncrasies, ways they like to play with each other - anything I could think of. The last time I went away was over two years ago, but because I had dogs on medication, I did up a day by day list of everything that had to happen on each day, medications that day, etc etc. And when I came home, the dog/cat/house sitter had ticked off each item each day. I couldn't have been happier. The only thing that worried me was whether they'd all want me back.

Buy some Optrex from the chemist, dilute it with warm water and wipe your girl's eyes a couple of times a day.

Poochmad, if you are in the Hornsby area, I can recommend you a dogsitter (as opposed to a housesitter - LOL).

Considering that thousands and thousands of dogs who find themselves in pounds are adopted successfully every year, I don't think age plays a large part at all. The oldest dog I adopted was a toy poodle of nearly 17. Lived with me for 3 years until he died at nearly 20. As Kitt says, I would be totally confident that Rover loved me and had he gone to someone else where he was loved, he would have loved them.

I'd be grumpy too. Poor Norman to be so shamefully discriminated against LOL. The bag is fabulous - what a great idea. It looks as though you tuck that mesh part in for a smaller bag and pull it out when you have a larger load. Love it.

The OP has been given lots of excellent advice as to how she and the family can help the little boy.

Considering the ever increasing reports in the media where "professional help" and counselling after disasters are being shown to do more harm than good, no way would professional help be my first port of call.

Great idea :laugh: :laugh:

Great expression Can I borrow it? :laugh:

I think PrettyMissEmma has said it all, really; and Persephone had some good ideas too. What about a not too big, not too small stuffed dog to cuddle at night, if he likes to hold a toy when he goes to bed? Obviously, we don't know the situation first hand, but I'd try other things before getting in professional help. My feelings are that gradual exposure will be more helpful. Keep us informed.