Loving my Oldies

I saw a gorgeous bird through my kitchen window, grabbed the camera, crept to the sliding doors ..... managed the last couple about two metres from him (the clothes line is the neighbour's not mine - exposed since I had an aggressive pruning session a few weeks ago ;) ). He flew off after the last pic but at least he isn't sitting in the turpentine laughing at me. And here's looking at you too - LOL:

This was my first thought. They probably arent really hungry and its so much easier to eat their other food at dinner time. How rude ;) Bones are not "as well"; they are a meal. But yes, I have been cutting down on the amount I give them and I am not a fusser. If they don't eat within 10 minutes, the bowls come up and I don't try them with something else. It is what I put down or nothing, providing, of course, that they aren't unwell. Naturally if they are ill, it is a different story. I have tried a different supplier for raw dog food and the first delivery came yesterday, so it will be interesting to see how they go.

Good to know I am not Robinson Crusoe here. Some very funny stories ... but as for putting the bones on the bare floor ;) that is a complete no no for my dogs who aren't dogs. A not dog needs a mat didn't you know (don't ask me why - LOL). She still has a couple on the left side. :D Oh dear, how really funny. I do have crows, and magpies and butcher birds who come and take bones and if it is fine and dry I do generally throw the bones into the yard. Some years ago, I had done this and sometime later looked out and all the bones had gone; I wandered downstairs and was standing under my Turpentine, hands on hips, saying, "Where are all the bones? You can't have eaten them all." Absolutely on cue, a bone dropped from the sky beside me. Good birdy, returned one bone at least - LOL. Some of the crows are so big, I have feared for the tiny dogs who have lived with me.

I am pretty sure he is a Finnish Spitz cross, adopted from a pound in February 2002. He is going quite grey now .

None of the Magnificent Mufti because he is downstairs in the rain and mud happily chewing - LOL.

Today I had a tray of wonderful lookings bones to give the dogs. I'd left them out overnight to bring them to room temperature and because it has been raining, I put down easily washable mats in the kitchen, closed off the rest of the house and tossed a few bones in the kitchen and out on the deck. This is the result: Myrtie hoes in with gusto, Danny leaves in disgust while Jeune and Tamar look on as though the bones are the greatest insult in the world. Danny has moved onto the deck and I really should have a video instead of stills, because he is going from bone to bone sniffing and looking away in disgust:

Isn't that thrilling news !! Just a query: why only one day a month for a stayover for Banjo? Seems to be a very slow process. But I guess if people see both Banjo and Gary able to cope with faster tracking, that will happen. How about some photos

I'm not going to look at either the videos, because I know they would haunt me. Just wanted to say to Brennan's Mum that a brag about the Orange County person seeing you YouTube is well founded ;) .

Exactly. People who weren't there don't really know what happened. People who have disabled or just unwell children are generally exhausted and operating on autopilot, especially if woken from sleep. And as a personal experience: I was bitten by a dog a couple of years ago, had a few puncture wounds and one wound which hardly bled at all required seven stitches.

Come and get Myrtie . We went out for our second walk (leaving Mufti behind with some liver treats) and I decided to give Myrtie her head. Well I think we accomplished the longer walk we do when we don't take Mufti in record time, her little legs were going like pistons and she was out in front as though her life depended on it. She didn't even notice two cats So not sure whether to offer her to lead a team in the Iditarod 2011, or to offer her to people who need to get fit and lose weight. Actually, I do, but it might kill me in the process. Off to to ponder the possibilities. Or maybe something stronger.

Too right . All s/chick's stories are totally engrossing - "The Tricks, Trials and Transformation of Tango". Wonderful to know that Tango has some new friends, but I hope they don't teach him any [more] bad habits, like kicking - LOL. Loved the photos.

A woman with same mind track as mine ;) except I would have to settle for being his grandmother. Haven't posted, read, or lit a candle for a while Jed. Now that I am home on my own computer, I am busily addressing all these important matters. Would have loved to have found you and visited while I was in Queensland, but I figured you didn't need strangers, albeit a fellow DOLer, intruding on your space. As others have said: I think of you and yours every day and try to send the healing throughts through the sun and the clouds.

I haven't read all the replies, YG, but I have to say that I am with frufru. Sometimes people understand with their hearts, but not their heads and you and they need to know that both their hearts and heads are engaged - LOL. However, as much as your heart may hurt at the thought, if all the playdates go well, I would be inclined to give it a try. I am having the same predicament with Miss Myrtie. I love her to bits, but I think she could do better than my household and I think Gussy Cat would love to see the back of her. Banshee has come such a long way with you, something that would never have happened if she hadn't have found you. If she goes to another family and they and she are 100% happy, you will have a space to help another little dog. :hugs:

For someone who started this thread, I have neglected to heed my own words. I've been away and using different computers not always easy. But off to continue the lighting ...... Keep getting well Jed. Would loved to have met you while up in Queenieland. Maybe next time.

Wonderful. Such a relief knowing that you can get him warm.

Gosh he is totally stunning, Cosmolo. He still looks pretty confident - LOL.

Exactly so, graysmum. But it is still heartbreaking as so many rescuers and fosters have experienced. ;)

As hard as it is, try to let this be of comfort to you. The main thing is that Gabrielle didn't die alone and cold and wet and frightened. Beautiful girl.

What I do find hard to understand is why people fill up their bins with plastic bags and poos when all you need do is bury it in the garden. All that plastic binned by millions of dog owners contaminating the environment is pretty scary. Even if you have several dogs and/or big dogs, it breaks down so quickly. You don't need are large yard and if you have a small yard, just dig a hole drop in the poo every day and cover with a bit of soil or leaves and put a brick over the opening so dogs can't fall in or dig in it. You would use that one hole for a long time. Think of the "long drop" toilets in National Parks. I have 5 dogs (little admittedly) and I just use a trowel and a dust pan. People with larger dogs could use something larger. to be honest I never thought of doing it that way. do you have a smelly area in the back yard? I should have put that in my post.... there is never any smell.

I think you need to give a little warning about opening the link. Despite seeing many many dreadful things in photos and reality, I still clicked off a second after opening it.

You are far from alone PoppyDog. One of my first dog's was from a neighbour whose dogs I loved and when he told me he was going to breed them, I was overjoyed and booked two - LOL. I had absolutely no idea and so many of us don't. Joining DOL is a huge learning curve for just about everyone - and not just about dogs

What I do find hard to understand is why people fill up their bins with plastic bags and poos when all you need do is bury it in the garden. All that plastic binned by millions of dog owners contaminating the environment is pretty scary. Even if you have several dogs and/or big dogs, it breaks down so quickly. You don't need are large yard and if you have a small yard, just dig a hole drop in the poo every day and cover with a bit of soil or leaves and put a brick over the opening so dogs can't fall in or dig in it. You would use that one hole for a long time. Think of the "long drop" toilets in National Parks. I have 5 dogs (little admittedly) and I just use a trowel and a dust pan. People with larger dogs could use something larger.

Sweet 16 and kissed approx 16,000,000 times.

I remember reading about her in Urban Animal when she first started up. Great to see she is still going strong ... and stronger. Must be a lot of hard work. I will def check it out.

I can't imagine it, but I have a very itchy skin and to not be able to scratch must be a nightmare :D . Tell her you'll pinch her at the first sign of scissors.