Loving my Oldies

In a word, No. And in your household now, you are. He is - not a scratch - just a lot of biting, growling and screaming. I on the other hand needed a stiff drink! ETA: It lasted all of 5 seconds and they are now fine with each other. I have tiffs from time to time and I just tell them to stop being silly. I think that sometimes Jeune doesn't want clingy Tamar around and for some reason that only they know, she will suddenly growl at Tamar, Tamar will put two legs on Jeune's back, lots of growing from Jeune and then they are licking each other. I think I will clock the next person who asks me who is the alpha, boss, leader, whatever. I always say, I am. From what I've read over the years on DOL it would appear that in some breeds, having a structure is very necessary, but then there are so many variables. Maybe the person isn't strong enough, maybe the person is too strong, etc etc. Maybe the dogs just don't get on. Who is the DOLer who has large dogs ( Shepherds?? Huskies ??? Mals??? - I can't remember) and she had a photograph of them all lined up with their food bowls in front of them waiting for the signal to eat? A great picture.

Crikey! What is the story there???

I don't want to derail your beautiful thread, S/chick, but I think about this a lot too. As with human to human interaction, I think human to animals interaction has a lot to do with exercising presumed power. I could go on forever on this point, but so many people feel powerless and "put upon", that they look around for someone/something that THEY can exercise power over and too often it is someone smaller or a creature they can dominate.

Beautiful photographs, Belgian.blue and I remember that puppy shot. The last one of you both is stunning.

Thanks Toohey. My mind wouldn't come close to being able to imagine what Jed is going through :D . Just wish that magic wand Harminee envisaged in the Waiting Room was real and we could just wave it to solve some of the biggies Jed has to deal with.

Well, me too, crying n stuff. So DOGGONE happy for your s/chick and the spotted ones too. Jeez you've held out for this for so long and now it has happened. Over the moon stuff !!!

Yoo hoo!! Je - ed!! Looking forward to your next update. That is selfish, I know. Really just wanted to say, hullo, and let your know we think of you everyday and several times a day. And you are always in our

Agree. I thought the same. PACERS needs a marketing department - LOL. Steve could just about start her own "Good News" newspaper with all the work she is getting.

Isn't that wonderful. And I can't get over how cheap it was. From memory, it seems to have been modified quite extensively from when he first presented it on The Inventors. I think it was somewhat bulkier, but now seems very streamlined. I think it is a good idea for you to keep it for when you are going on your off leash rambles. You'd hate anything to scratch Tango's eyes after this surgery. Tasi sounds a very focussed person

No, I will go to the thread now. Edited to add: The visor is great!! What a terrific invention: simple and so effective.

Gosh that is fantastic news. You must have been holding your breath. Thrilling stuff, S/chick. Is the eye protection visor from the chap who was on The Inventors?

Just came across this in The Seniors Email Newsletter. Hope I am not breaking the rules . People so often ask about boarding facilities. I know nothing about this one, but thought I'd put it up here for information purposes. Pet Care When you go away Deciding what to do with your beloved pet when you are away can be nothing short of heart-wrenching. One option is a boarding facility. The Animal Welfare League of NSW, which has recently opened up a brand new eco shelter in Kemps Creek offers the following advice when choosing the best home away from home for your pet. Animal shelter manager Brett Bell says: Visit the shelter first – The internet can guide you and provide you with lots of good information. There is no substitute however to visiting the shelter yourself. Any reputable shelter should be happy for you to turn up unannounced during business hours, take a look around and talk to the managing staff. What you should expect – The premises should be clean, hygienic, have bath and grooming areas and the sleeping areas should be undercover. It should also be secure. A variety of services should also be available such as mental stimulation and physical exercise facilties for both cats and dogs. Don’t be shy about asking questions – Consider checking the qualifications and experience of the staff and checking the evacuation procedures in the event of an emergency. Is it staffed 24 hours a day? How to prepare your pet – All vaccinations should be up to date and if your pet takes medication, check with your vet about the quantity required. Let the shelter know of any behaviour issues your pet may have. In case of emergency – Discuss with the shelter what its procedures are if your pet requires vetinary attention. Check that it has access to a 24 hour vet service whether it is onsite or on call. Ensure you leave the details of your vet so that the medical history of your pet can be checked if necessary. Also advise the shelter of the best contact for you while you are away. Contact Animal Welfare League of NSW or phone (02) 8899 3333 seven days a week between 10am–3.30pm.

She sounds as though she is on the road to be a really good dog to have around others who are not so good . She and Charlie make a great pair. Well done.

"I talk to him when I'm lonesome like; and I'm sure he understands. When he looks at me so attentively, and gently licks my hands; then he rubs his nose on my tailored clothes, but I never say naught thereat. For the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes, but never a friend like that." - W. Dayton Wedgefarth ;) I've just read that one.

We never really own a dog as much as he owns us. Gene Hill

If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience. Woodrow Wilson Heaven goes by favour. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in. Mark Twain

Histories are more full of examples of the fidelity of dogs than of friends. Alexander Pope Recollect that the Almighty, who gave the dog to be companion of our pleasure and our toils, hath invested him with a nature noble and incapable of deceit. Sir Walter Scott

This is a bit sad: We give them the love we can spare, the time we can spare. In return dogs have given us their absolute all. It is without doubt the best deal man has ever made. Roger Caras.

This will be a bit controversial - LOL: Let dogs delight to bark and bite, For God hath made them so. Isaac Watts

God give me by Your grace what You give to dogs by nature. Mechtilda of Magdeberg

Properly trained, a man can be dog's best friend. Carey Ford

But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee. The Book of Job

Some of our greatest historical and artistic treasures we place with curators in museums; others we take for walks. Roger A Caras A Dog is Listening

A dog is not "almost human" and I know of no greater insult to the canine race than to describe it as such. The dog can do many things which man cannot do, never could do and never will do." John Holmes

Thank god your beautiful big boy is out of the woods, Cassie. I'd never heard of bloat until I went to Burwood Pound many years ago where I was a volunteer walker to see a lovely big dog lying out in the sunshine on a rug with his owner hovering. Never having had dogs susceptible to this terrible condition, I still don't know much about it except that it has a very rapid onset and is a killer. Even though I have only toy breeds, I still follow the rules of no going for walks for some time after eating. Again, so happy for you that Hudson pulled through.