Loving my Oldies

Exactly. The things the “experts” say are patently ridiculous. I’ve had dogs who would lie in my arms forever if they could; conversely, I’ve had those who stiffen up and push away from me when I pick them up. I’ve had those who are a mixture - that is, they like to lying close and even touching, but not interested in lying on my lap or being cuddled. We have to learn the differences in individuals and respect them. Humans are the same. I love a cuddle, yet I have a sister who would rather have her nails pulled out than touch anyone or have anyone touch her. I am looking after a little dog the moment, Bushriver, who loves petting and cuddles from strangers ----- her behaviour when meeting people on our walks shows this.

I know I will be shot down in flames, but I have had first hand experience from all sides and the behaviour, knowledge, care, experience, training, etc etc of pound staff and managers in some cases is gob smackingly bad and downright negligent and, as many procedures are enshrined in law, illegal. The sad thing is, that the ordinary run of the mill dog owner has no experience of these places. They take their dogs to the vet for check ups, annual vax, visit a dog park, walk around the neighbourhood and that is about it. When their dog goes missing, they generally have no idea of what to do. Their biggest chances are to get onto social media and hopefully someone with a grasp of what goes on behind the scenes will see their pages and respond with advice. As for the spread of pounds in Sydney, well it is truly a minefield trying to find your dog. Who, in the general public, would know that Hornsby Council’s pound is the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home in Carlton. I have it from phoning Hornsby Council one Saturday to report a roaming dog (too aggressive or frightened to get near) that those who take these sorts of calls are instructed NOT to call the rangers. Because of my long association with pounds, vets, rescue, et al, I know to take a roaming dog (if I manage to secure it) to my local vet and that they are a drop off point for dogs in the Hornsby Council area. Many vets ( and I also have first hand experience of this) will no longer take dogs and shoo you out the door to manage it all yourself. It is very easy to criticise those who get caught up in horrible cases like this one when they don’t even know that they were supposed to know something or other.

Oh god, poor people and poor little pup. I think the breeder should go at least halves in the costs.

Swooooooonnnn.

A truly stunning sequence of photos.

What super news that you are all together again and the girls are happy albeit new issues to deal with.

Oh my goodness!! So much stress. Poor you and poor them. This time next week though . . . . . . .

That last photograph of Enzi made me think of the older man in the Vicar of Dibley, the one who used to say, “No no no no no no no no yes.” Wonderful photographs as always, Grizabelle, showing the emotions and activities of these amazing families.

Have they tried PAWS? paws.com.au

Gosh, the big journey for you all is nearly over. It seems impossible at the beginning and here you all are. Well done.

You might not take as many photos as you used to, K, but your skill is still awesome

Considering the Federal Govt wants to screw every last dollar out of already dry stones, I can’t imagine anything like this being even on their list, let alone a priority Big frogs in small ponds hold on tightly to whatever power they have or think they have. Just look at the $squillions of rate payers money being squandered on legal fees around the amalgamation of councils debacle. There are over 40 separate councils in Sydney alone, all jealously hanging onto their little bit of the taxpayer dollar. And that is OUR money being wasted and greedily gobbled up while people and animals suffer. And again, look at the often shocking bullying and threatening behaviour that goes on between rescue groups. To get interstate co-operation?? Tilting at windmills come to mind. Of course, that doesn’t mean people shouldn’t keep trying while these total stuff ups keep occurring.

Such a unimaginable tragedy all around. Unless the little boy in hospital can remember with any clarity, we will never know the full story. My immediate thoughts are with what Persephone said. Can you imagine the emotional charge in the air that the dog would have picked up on? Poor dog would have been driven into a frenzy of conflicting actions as well, I imagine. I just hope there is someone in the pound with some sense and gives Buddy the benefit of the doubt. I also read on FB that the father who never even met the little boy (and his fatherhood is questioned) who died and hasn’t seen the other for about 6 years, started a crowd funding operation so he could travel to the hospital and funeral. When I was growing up and even into adulthood, the thing that always gave me comfort was that, no matter what the situation, I could always turn to my parents for help and/or comfort. For some children not to have that must be just about the worst thing ever. I just hope the grandmother is emotionally strong enough to help him (and herself) through this terrible terrible time which will never entirely end.

I haven’t looked at the site for a while, juice, but they also have probiotics, green tripe, powdered pancreas, etc etc. I had a long conversation with them giving them as much information about Danny as possible and they came back with a very detailed daily regime. Because Danny was feeling sick at the time, I couldn’t put anything in food because he would not eat, so I used to mix everything into bone brother and give it to him via syringe. I credit their advice with saving Danny’s life. I’ve just had a look into the dog food cupboard and I still have some powderer pancreas left over. It would be at least a year old, I imagine, but I can’t find a use buy date on it. More than happy to send it to you (or someone here will tell us whether it should be tossed, I’m sure LOL). As for their treats, I discovered that the one thing I could be sure that Danny would always have a little bit of was their dried chicken breast. It was very thin and he (AND the others ) loved it.

It is extraordinary for those who have been involved in pounds, rescue groups, fostering, etc etc, that the knowledge ISN’T widespread, but that is the case, and so these articles do such a huge amount of good. This is just like the plight of greyhounds. Despite the political fallout and yet more evidence of how people’s desire to make money no matter who or what suffers seems to triumph , Baird’s actions did a huge amount of good for greyhounds generally.

These sorts of stories are so beneficial in educating people. Yes, lots of heartache and heartbreak but a helluva lot more love and gratification for having these wonderful animals in their lives. I follow a couple of rescue/rehoming FB pages and it takes me every ounce of willpower NOT to fill out the application forms for some of the elderly dogs. The only thing that stops me, really, is my financial situation ... OAP . I am sure I will one day see a dog who I simply cannot resist LOL.

Juice, I wish you would at least talk to BM Animals. John and Marie their names are.

Such a big move, Sandgrubber, especially with the dogs. Glad they are now safe and sound on the ground and you will soon be with them.

Too right Wish I could do things like that Looking forward to hearing from an unjetlagged Sandgrubber and doggies.

That is terrible, Sandgrubber. But only plain sailing (or flying) from now on

I’m sure there are those who SAY that, but I have become very suspicious of all claims of pure, green, clean, organic, etc etc etc It’s like those items which are supposed to get rid of 99% of germs. So do good old fashioned hand washing and water

I know ! I can’t remember how I eventually twigged - a long time ago. Maybe I was standing close to it and got the full blast ??

You’d need to be 110% certain the cleaning company wasn’t using chemicals !!

How I relate. Nothing like your experience, though. I was a complete nervous wreck just taking one of my dogs from Sydney to Brisbane . As soon as possible, I had the stewardess get me a glass of wine. Keep trying to look ahead to when you will all be on the ground and back together. Best of luck that all goes smoothly.

Juice have you stopped using all those air fresheners around the house. I hope so. The moment I am near one of those things, I start sneezing, coughing, runny nose - etc. to me they are poison. Posting this made me recall the time I used to go to Enfield Vets when they were the pound. It took me ages to find out why, that every time I went into reception I would start sneezing and coughing. They had a clock which used to puff out scented air freshener !!!!