spottychick

I'm a big lover of free speech so I havent "reported" anything and wouldn't unless maybe it was exceptionally serious. I think I was reported once tho - kinda surprised me at the time as I didn't think what I said was much at all - but I accepted the process and didn't argue the point. But it made me much less free in my participation here, I don't join in threads as freely as I did before and I censor almost everything I write (including this comment which is taking me ages to do!! LOL). And some topics I simply won't even respond to - my fingers itch to get typing but my brain says - "Step away from the computer!!" Which is why I don't like to report people - if you get too precious and report or try to ban every little thing that upsets you, you lose people's individuality and personalities and I prefer the variety and spice you get when people don't feel too constrained. But thats just me. Genuine abuse, highly offensive language or content and spam don't = free speech tho - IMHO.

Hi Feistylady - I dont know how to help you other than to say I know how awful it is to see something like this happening to a very dear friend. My seemingly very fit and strong dally boy suddenly started limping one day and 3 months later I had him pts. His tumor was in his shoulder muscle and it spread (into other muscles) and grew at an incredibly fast rate. Every day I'd be shocked at the increase in size. There's nothing worse than watching this and trying to decide every day how to deal with it. My boy was also very okay within himself tho, he kept trying so very hard to go for longer walks etc and still had a massive apetite and enthusiasm for life. It wasn't until he was almost totally incapacitated with clearly no hope of getting better (he was on the operating table and it was obvious how bad things were) that I made the decision for him. He just wanted to stay with me no matter what. Broke my heart (I still lose it when I think of it even after 4 months) but I have to admire the devotion and love dogs have for people and life. He was an outstanding dog. I wish you and Matey well and hope you have a better outcome than we did. On a positive note, my other dally - who lived to nearly 19 - fought off three large external tumors from the age of about 13 onwards. Occassionally they came back and we fought them off again. I used natural treatments (as an op would not have helped, especially at her age) and worked on boosting her immune system and used poultices to suck out the toxins. We managed to get rid of them completely.

I had a read too - and followed a couple of links etc to see what everyone was on about. Sorry, but I don't really see a problem in there. People will have their own perspectives and points of view and I have no issue with healthy debate and opposition - as long as no-one's hurling abuse I don't see the need to "moderate". But I wouldn't presume to tell the powers that be how to run this forum in any case - whether or not I agree with them. I reckon I either live with the way they do things here and make adjustments if necessary or go somewhere else. I've occassionally seen examples of people getting stuck into a poster unfairly and without reason but I don't see that in the thread referred to here.

Yep I also buy from Camerawharehouse for their good prices and because they are NOT "grey" stock. ETA Also these guys for the same reasons TEDS

Yes there was a similar thread a few days ago - the general consensus was don't make a big fuss and "just pop it down the throat" ;) That's what I do! My poor guy was having to take a lot of pills every day for months when he was battling cancer. I used to offer them to him to take himself (and some of them he would), then if he didn't take em I'd pop up to three at a time into the back of his throat, gently hold his mouth closed and stroke his throat to encourage swallowing - and usually give him something nice afterwards to make it a less horrible experience. If it's just a one-off thing I don't usually treat them tho.

PS Aiden - Why wouldn't you use a muzzle? I do actually have a feeling it would have a detrimental effect on Tango - no reason I can articulate, just a feeling it would be a bad idea. And as for normal spats between dogs, I guess I've just been lucky with all the dogs I've had before that, apart from maybe one intitial sorting out scuffle, they've all been incredibly loving and gentle with each other. I have a fave pic of the three I used to have (including Pepper) plus the cat (!!!), all scrunched up together and top of each other in one medium sized basket - even tho there were two other big beds nearby.

Hi Aiden - thanks for you input. ;) I appreciate your advice around this and what you say makes sense. I kinda regard the facial cut as one injury tho, especially because it was quite deep and a fraction away from her eye. But I have to say, a couple of days ago Pepper was suddenly attacked by a pitbull cross that came screaming out of someones yard when we were out walking. I watched this animal streak across the road, no warning, no barking or growling, grab Pepper by the throat with this ferocious vicious snarling and then half climb onto her back and attempt to drag her off her feet while hanging on to her neck. This all happened in seconds and Pepper was off-lead just a metre or so ahead of us, as she always is (it's not usually a problem here to have her off-lead) Fortunately I managed to frighten the little so-and-so off momentarily (by very unwisely yelling at it and running toward it - but I couldn't help it! He/she had Pepper by the throat and I could see a serious disaster about to happen!!!) and then it's stupid owner must have heard me yelling coz he whistled and the dog raced back to the yard. Pepper was pretty much okay and had stayed very calm and still throughout the whole thing (she amazes me she really does). But it really put Tango's behaviour into perspective. His attacks are nothing like that. As you say, he doesn't (or hasn't) gone for the throat or stomach. He HAS bitten her legs but it's POSSIBLE this was an attempt at play. It's so hard to tell with him - he tends to snarl at the oddest times. But in any case, I know what you mean, there is not that actual intent to do harm that I saw at such a high level in that pitbull. Man it was horrible, my heart nearly popped right out of my throat!! I also noticed Tango, who was on a lunge lead and normally would have been ahead with Pepper, stayed very calm and by my side during the attack - he did not attempt to join in which I was relieved about. It was like he expected me to deal with it. Which I sort-of did, more by luck than anything I suspect. Anyway, thanks again for your thoughts. They really do help.

awww poor little Leo - bet he's not doing zoomies with anyone right now ;)

And just another update on Tango. A week or so ago I posted in the dally thread that he had attacked Pepper out of the blue. for no apparent reason, causing her to scream out and resulting in a small injury near her eye. Because of that I have been contemplating whether I need to rehome him or not. But he is so very good in other ways and progressing amazingly well. His obedience training is fantastic - I really want to get him to a training group or with a trainer to progress him further. I think he's keen to learn. I'm finding it hard to imagine parting with him now. So I've been researching crates/muzzles and behaviour stuff to see if I can resolve this issue he has with Pepper. He has had one other go at pepper since he injured her face, but at least that time I could see what the trigger was (she had a tug toy in her mouth). So I have a better idea of how to manage that one. Anyway, the good news is that today Pepper had the tug toy and was hiding around the back of the couch playing "chase me" and Tango just followed me while I chased her. Then he wanted to join in as the chasee but instead of snarling and attacking Pepper to get the toy, he grabbed one of my running shoes and took off outside with it. Hahahahahaha. I was faced with a dilemma. I really don't want to encourage him to steal my shoes BUT he had behaved so well around Pepper that I let him go. Pepper and I then chased Tango around the back yard until I got the shoe and gave him a tug toy instead. Then we chased him again but with him hurling the tug toy in the air etc instead of my shoe. Long story short - suddenly he dropped the toy and looked in this very still, alert sort of way at a row of hedges near my veggie garden. I could see Peppers feet on the other side of the hedge and he was looking at her. I took a breath and waited to see what he would do. Pepper started to run along the length of the hedge and Tango took off after her, head down, moving like he was after prey, with just the hedge between them. As Pepper emerged from the end of the hedge row, Tango raced around and to her side and..... (here I was holding my breath and hanging on to my belief that he is not really vicious).... did a play bow at her, yipped excitedly like a silly puppy then spun in a couple of circles and they raced off together doing zoomies!!!!! OH MY GOD!!! They were playing zoomies and chasey together in the back yard. It didnt last long, just a few seconds, but .......... wow! What a break through!!!! So I'm not saying he's cured of his snapping etc and attacking of Pepper BUT this did help me feel optimistic that this wierd fear aggression he has (toward me and Pepper) CAN be resolved over time. ;)

Hi staff'ntoller Sorry I didn't reply to you earlier - I didnt realise there'd been another post since I last posted - I shouldn't rely so much on the "view new posts" button!!! I heard back from the vet, he mailed me a note saying "Just don't feed him any meat and you can buy prescription diet for him" which I have to say did not impress me at all. I might try calling Hills myself and see what they say - like you said - not necessarily to buy their food but to see if they have something more intelligent to add than the "vet". Meanwhile my search for a decent vet in tassie continues. I don't know about the biscuits you mentioned - I would need to read the ingredients - are they a Hills product? Thank you so much for your ideas!

Apparently the dogs real owner - the grandson - is in jail (for 3 years) - that's what was meant by "sorting out some problems" LOL. Why am I not surprised. The picture I'm getting here of this poor dogs probably lifestyle is not pretty.

Well that was predictable. *rolls eyes* How about passing the "Oscars law" legislation and that way you'll have less chance of 'dangerous dogs' popping up in the first place? Oscars Law

Oh thank you so much Aidan. I'm afraid they will just dump him at the RSPCA coz its easier and just tell me they took him to TDH. They aren't doing anything for a few days as they've gone away somewhere till the weekend and they don't do anything in a hurry - as far as they're concerned, they can just leave him chained up until they pull their finger out. ETA - Devonport's not quite as far as Hobart - but close!

Thanks everyone. I know what you're all saying but I still cant help feeling like I let the poor fella down. He reacts to me whenever he hears my voice and is clearly attached to me - but I just can't take him myself given his size and my two dogs here. Thanks for that Aiden. Is there a TDH in Launceston? I thought the closest was Devonport which is where I hope I've convinced them to take Buddy. If not I might ring and ask Devonport if they can meet Buddy somewhere closer like Launie. You are right that it doesn't matter where he ends up. I spoke to them a while ago and they said they regularly move their dogs from one shelter to another to maximise their chances of finding a home so I was thinking they could move Buddy down to Hobart ... maybe. I don't really know - I guess I'm just grasping at straws. And I agree re the chickens, they were in the same yard as Buddy instead of over in the next yard where they usually are. Buddy didn't savage it, he just chased it and jumped on it in play. It wasn't actually killed outright. They nursed it overnight and it died the next morning. I should point out that this is a dog who I've seen loose playing with their JRT and their cats with no problem, even when he's totally hyper after just being let off his chain after weeks of confinement. He's not remotely vicious so I doubt he would have been after the chicken to deliberately kill it, so it was clearly an accident caused by their stupidity. What did they expect would happen?? Arrgghh! I have to admit I was pretty angry about it and when she told me what happened I said "And who's fault is that? Certainly not Buddy's". Which probably didn't achieve anything except allow me to vent a little. I'm just so upset by all this.

Unfortunately it looks like Buddy is going to be surrendered. Apparently they let him off his chain for a rare time in the main yard with them and he killed a chicken (of course he did. They are wandering around in the yard and he's over-excited!). WHen I went there today 'Sam' was talking about taking him to the RSPCA. I managed to convince her (I think) to take him to the Tassie Dogs Home instead where he's more likely to live (even tho it's much further away) and be rehomed. I think someone mentioned they know a lady from the Hobart branch of TDH who might be interested in helping Buddy.... was that Aiden??? I suppose I better go back and plow through all the posts/threads again and find out. Meanwhile if anyone is in Tas and are interested in this fella please PM me. I'm going to make another attempt to get a pic of him or two. I feel very sad that I wasn't able to get this woman involved enough with Buddy's training etc to avoid ending up with him being surrendered but another part of me thinks this was never going to improve. I am not staying in this town much longer so without me here nagging her I doubt he would get walked.

Of course it could be true and is probably true in a number of similar cases. They'd only need to say 'the dogs had "a health issue" or a "behavioural issue" so sadly we were forced to make the difficult decision in the best interests of the dogs blah blah blah.' Think about it. Would you leave your dogs in the care of the RSPCA???

Oh my god! Well mine's going in the bin tomorrow. Fortunately mine have never been terribly interested in them anyway but I have had them getting peanut butter out of them - I shudder to think!!!!! Glad Rini is okay - she's so pretty btw!!

Thanks evolving!!! They do look amazing

Thanks Iggy. I've been keeping a close eye on her and she seems to be okay - it's been about 8 hours so I'm not unduly worried now. I've been giving her doses of Vit C and using ice etc on the swelling so either I just had the right remedies or she isn't effected by JJ stings Yes, apparently it IS anaphylactic shock and their sting can be fatal to some people/animals.

I agree with lillysmum and others and the suggestion you go to the Tenants Union for advice and help (I used to work for them ) This has all come about through no fault of yours - you were up front about the dogs and the owner went ahead with the lease in full knowledge of that. It's up to the owner to sort out a way to resolve this - including the option of assisting you financially to find alternative digs. In any case, I sure hope you can work out something!!

Just a quick request for any tips on dealing with a Jack Jumper sting. My girl dally Pepper got bitten earlier today. SHe was holding her back leg out when we has stopped during our walk and when I looked at her foot I saw a nasty JJ digging it's sting into her pad. I smacked the little sucker off her foot and squished it. She is limping a little and I'm just a little concerned she might have a reaction - she's currently battling a bit of an immunity slump that's caused her to develop bumps on her skin and her hair to fall out a bit so she's not at her best as it is. ANyway, I put ice on the bite when we got home, sprayed calendula and CS on the bite and then put aloe vera on it. I gave her some Vit C and manuka honey. ANy other thoughts or ideas welcome. SHe seems a little out of sorts but nothing too serious atm and the bite is quite swollen and clearly painful. Thanks

Another website all focused on looking pretty and not caring about people on slow connections. Garrrrgghhh! I gave up after it failed to load after 4 minutes.

Not sure if I can help but I thought I'd throw in the thoughts I had while reading your post in case its of some use to you. I generally feed dogs raw food but I'm not totally opposed to kibble or commercial dog food generally - I just try not to feed it if possible - but when you thought of giving him roughage it might have been better to go for something natural and raw, like pulped raw carrots and greens. I always recommend at least mixing commercial food with SOME natural - especially if it looks like somethings not quite right - eg the runs Pumpkin - cooked and mashed up - is really good for dogs with diarhea for example. Also, some sort of probiotics can help with digestion and a little yoghurt (which has probiotics in it) can also help calm tummys down (as long as there are no dairy allergies or anything). Have you tried Eagle Pack dog food? Its very good stuff. And I use Nature's Gift canned food and treats which are reasonably cheap and very healthy. As for the rawhide chews - I've never heard of them being connected to the runs - but I have read cases where dogs choked on pieces of rawhide. There is also some concern about additives used in making the chews - especially the cheaper ones. I avoid it and give my dogs raw bones and chicken frames instead,

Crsiovar, just curious. Have you ever had a dog bite you when you go to pick up his/her foot to clip claws? If so, what did you do (other than muzzling?)

Yep, the wings look more like the poor things looked like in life, except without feathers. The frames look like nothing in particular. Everything's been stripped out of it. My dogs adore crunching on chicken frames. I don't have any problem handling them and I'm vegetarian. I've had worse. Lovely neighbours (who are licensed roo shooters) have been known to drop by whole wallabies for my dogs - sometimes with only the hide stripped off them LOL!