poochmad

Hi sas, unfortunately not. We got them from a house sitting website. The fact that they were so doting on the dogs did not make me worry about leaving them, especially after receiving an email about the length they went to coax Jindi to eat (she was refusing food and wouldn't go near them), but this does not help ease my anger when they were risking something happening to our dogs (by being out the front or the female panicking on the main street and getting loose, which happened to us once). They have been housesitting for 4 years.

We've just come back from a 5+ week holiday to our home and dogs that had been looked after by house sitters. The dogs were happy, although a bit chubbier than when we left them. The house was not up to our standards of cleanliness, but we were prepared to overlook that as the dogs were so comfortable with them and they with them. However, I did discover that they ignored two of our rules, not to walk the dogs down the main street as Jindi is scared of strangers and we have worked really hard to get her to the point of being comfortable with people walking past, and that they are not to go out the front of the house without a lead on, as we live on a main road and our gate does not close properly. When we were doing the hand over, they mentioned how the lady had tripped over on the main street while trying to console Jindi. I tried to remain calm as I knew that they had gone above and beyond to bond with the dogs, especially the female. It was revealed that they took her down to the main street when they did their shopping and even let people approach the dogs. They said they thought she was getting better at being on the main street, even though they reported that she often did not want to go for a walk and they would either tie her to a post and leave her for a minute while they walked off or would leave her at home and then return for her where she would then show an interest in joining them. The fact that they blatantly ignored my instruction that she not be walked down the street due to her fear, really annoyed me. However, I was also prepared to let this pass as they also advised they watched her tail to see what her mood was and they went at quiet periods. However, my friend who lives up our street advised that she often went pass and the front door was wide open and the dogs were out the front, either lying in the sun, sitting at the gate watching people going past or sitting in the doorway. This, I am not happy with. Had they been out the front doing something, then that would be forgivable, but my friend reported that the dogs were out there for hours. Not only do we have lots of traffic, both cars and people and anyone could have opened the gate, we have quite a number of aggressive strays who have gone for our dogs before and the front fencing would not protect the dogs from an attack as it is has an 'open' style. Combined with them taking her down the main street, I am really pissed me off. What right is it of them to ignore the two most important rules that were advised in writing and verbalized? Did they think they knew better, or is it a generation thing (they are in their 60s), whereby they just do their one thing? We are going away for 2 weeks next November and I am not happy about getting them back. I am happy to try another set of house sitters as the husband does not want them in a kennel; don't suppose any of you could recommend a reliable person/s?

What a beautiful story. You are a lovely lady to have rescued her and she sounded like a lovely dog. Hugs to you in this sad time.

Regardless of what the original reason for this thread was, it was amusing. Thanks guys. :D

I keep changing my mind about the next breed. I absolutely love the Field Spaniel, but am tired of all the hair from the bitch. I also wonder about 'downsizing' because of my age and how old I will be when the next dog comes along. I am tossing up with a French Bulldog, a Cavalier, a Mini Schnauzer or a Havanese. I also have been admiring the Lappie, but then wonder if I get a dog that size, whether I should just stick with the Field as they fit our lifestyle so much. Hubby said he won't get another breed (we have a dog each), but it will be hard to get the same breed as the next one will have so much to live up to...sometimes I wonder if it's best to get a new breed when one passes so you are never comparing it to the previous dog. My problem is that I admire too many breeds and want them all.

RIP Valentino.

So sorry for loss.

That sounds fantastic ! Will definitely check them out.

I agree with Mita and LizT, I think it's sad that he doesn't know the breed. How do know that someone hasn't told him previously that Cockers are a Pit Bull? That would explain why he thought your dog was one. Sorry for sounding like a preacher, but I don't think it's nice to laugh at someone with a disability. ETA: your dog is gorgeous.

Agree with the problem about breeders having litters stolen. Updated post to remove response that was off topic.

Putting flame suit on. I could be wrong, but it seems to me that your friend for whatever reason has had second thoughts. The fact they've had the dog for 8 months and are saying they haven't 'bonded' sounds like something they think they should be saying as a reason to part with the dog, rather than saying the real reason, i.e. they no longer want the dog. If someone in the family hasn't bonded after 8 months, I don't believe that will change, especially if there are other reasons (that they are not telling you). Personally, I think it's best for everyone involved, including the dog, to rehome. A friend of ours recently rehomed her dog after 4 years and even though I didn't agree with her reason for rehoming (she said she had no time for the dog), she made the right decision as the dog now lives with an elderly lady and is 100% loved without any underlying negative feelings. As long as your friend doesn't then rush out and get a replacement (I.e. rehomed under false pretenses), I'd be supportive of the dog being rehomed. There is nothing worse than when someone says: I need to rehome my dog for [insert reason here] and then the next thing you know they have another dog, or worse a puppy, then they've lost my respect. By the way, my friend who's rehomed her dog is not allowed to get another dog by her husband in case she loses interest again, which is what happened with dog that was rehomed.

Love the Glen, the Irish Terrier was just striking and my fave was the Irish Wolfhound.

That was really sweet. I thought the cat was extremely tolerant and just loved the last part when the cat was licking the face...a very 'awww' moment. :)

What a relief. Excellent news!

Great post, Puddleduck.

Jindi loves socks. As soon as you drop it, she's there in a flash. She doesn't chew them, just holds them in her mouth. It's very cute.

Adorable. Nothing like a bit of body heat. :D

Some breeders charge differently for colours due to popularity. There are also different prices for different sexes.

It's so sad to think of someone's beloved pet being turned into a beast just because of the way they look. It's sickening.

A very patient dog.

We are using house sitters for when we go overseas for 5 weeks this August. They are a retired couple who spend most of the year looking after houses and pets. We've emailed and spoken on the phone. They have police checks and references. I'd much rather the dogs have someone in the home to keep them company, give them individual attention, walk them and look after them, as well as looking after the house, then put them in a kennel. I didn't place an ad, I just looked through the ads and contacted the ones I liked.

How stupid. Those poor people doing the right thing by registering their dogs only to end up losing their dogs that are innocent and whose only fault is 'looking' like a perceived type of dog. What gets me is this stupid rule of focusing on dogs that 'may' be a risk down the track, just because of the way they look rather than focusing on dogs that are already nuisances. We have a stumpy tailed blue heeler in our street that is very agressive, has bitten children, attacked dogs and roams the street, yet that dog is still alive.

What a horrifying experience. That poor lady to not only have to witness it but to also be bitten herself. Poor Rolly.

Aww, that brought tears to my eyes. (I'm such a sook.) Great ad.

So sorry for your loss and so sad that she passed at a young age.