westiemum

Nic.B But the problem I'm told, is that not all Australian abattoirs routinely stun before slaughter. I can't remember the source because it was some months ago the (probably ABC radio but I can't be sure), but I remember hearing that only 2 of the 9 abattoirs in South Australia stun before slaughter - and if thats accurate, I'm sure SA is not the only state where 'unstunned slaughter' occurs. As others have said, if this is correct, our hypocrisy is breathtaking... and... "There's something rotten in the state of Denmark..."

Idiots...

Yes I agree WnH. I'd like to see the pictures that I'm sure the hospital took of the man's face - although it seems he was certainly bitten on the face - and possibly lucky to avoid a destruction order. I this had been a child the story may have been very different. It seems to me neither side is telling the whole story. As I said in a previous post, I think we are getting to a point where as dog owners we will have to be very careful when strangers to pat our dogs - and thats sad I'm certainly getting to a point where I rarely allow it.

Yes very sad. I hope the petition is successful. I think there's a lesson here for all of us even though Australians are a little less litigious. And that is when at all possible to stop people who approach your dog. For example, my westies are very 'attractive' to children who often run towards them. I've got into the habit of yelling 'stop' at the child and putting my hand up. I then discuss with the parent what I'm doing and most importantly why I'm doing it, before said child is allowed to approach. Most parents appreciate my efforts. And even then it still makes me nervous. There but the grace of dog go all of us.

Mac has claimed a target pillow which got left on the floor... so now I wash his pillow case too! But I suppose it depends on the size of your dog! :)

How's Grumpy tonight Sheridan?

For me it depends a bit on the age of the dog as well. If I was going away for two nights (not any longer) when Mac was younger I'd happily leave them here at home with a friend checking in on them twice a day. Now Mac is older (he'll be 13 later in the year) I prefer to leave them at home with a full-time house-sitter (mothers are good in this regard!). Failing that they go off to trusted friends with westies and I return the favour whenever its needed. But the overall prefernce these days is for them to come with me if at all possible. :)

Yep and I wish my Mac and Andy would stop bringing half eaten nectarines and apricots inside, through the doggie door! :rolleyes:

Whiting fillets!! Wow!! Can I join Grumpy for dinner!! Yum! Spopilt boy!!! :laugh:

Yep we definitely need a pic! Great thread and looking foward to,updates... It's got me thinking.... I wonder if there's any knowledge or research around about depression on dog farm dogs. I've sometimes wondered about Mac - he rarely 'smiles' - and while I'm not sure I'd call him depressed, he certainly doesn't appear as happy as my other two or bounce around the way they do... Food for thought....

Whoops yes thanks for the clarification Erny - time for me to head to bed as I'm not being very clear tonight. You're right - I meant three monthly (Drontal) but I'm not even terribly regular with that... and still think we tend to over-medicate... :) Thanks Westiemum - but just for clarification sake in relation to both our posts (I re-read mine and not so sure I wrote particularly well), normal parasite worming is generally 3-monthly (not monthly). I haven't wormed my boy since he was a baby puppy, yet his faecal exam for the presence of worms has come in as negative even though he is now 3 years old. I agree with posts that suggest the environment and your dogs' activities should dictate how often (or not) you might need to worm your dogs.

Thanks OSS - I too get a bit tetchy when I'm tired - and also when people misinterpret what I wrote when I genuinely try very hard to be clear and fair. :) I'm a great advocate of raw human grade diets - no secret there - and I think they can even be cheaper if done cleverly. But I have a westie boy who puts on kilos at the sight of dry food (even the low calorie stuff) and a westie girl who it's hard to keep the weight on!! So although I dont use a lot of dry food, I do use it as a sneaky supplementary food for her in the bottom of her bowl, underneath her Yellowgirl raw formula, to give her a few more calories. The combination seems to work. Interestingly, this is something the practice manager at work and I are at opposite ends of the spectrum on. I admire her greatly - she's brilliant - but she loves dry food and I dont! We've just agreed to disagree! :)

Good post Ernie - I agree. I think in general we over-medicate our dogs. So I don't worm religiously each month - and haven't had any untoward effects. :) It is my opinion that we do worm our dogs more frequently than is required. I'd hate for this to be taken as a signal for everyone to completely slacken off away from worming, but I think it is worth consideration to worming our dogs a bit more judiciously than we currently do. I periodically have my boy's faeces tested for worm burden. He's now 3yo and completed the puppy worming regime when he was a youngster. So far, the few tests I've had completed in between have proven negative for the presence of parasites/worms. And his diet does include raw meat - as much as I try for human grade, some meats are labelled "pet" only. This is separate to heartworming though and I do agree that if you live in a climate that is conducive to the development of heartworm through to infestation stage, heartworm is unfortunately a necessity. From what I have read I'd avoid the yearly and run with the monthly. Again - just me. Just my opinion.

OSSread what I wrote - I did not say if you feed dry its for your convenience - in fact what I wrote could be interpreted as if you feed raw you do it for your convenience! All I suggested is to look genuinely at the reasons you feed your dog the way you do - cost, research or understanding, genuine belief that its best for your dog, your convenience, access (some country people I know feed raw because its 'most convenient') and I suppose a thousand other reasons... I too am 'a little offended' that a DOLer of your stature would jump to that conclusion...

Thanks everyone - the magic of DOL went to work and I got an email from her today & yes she is on holidays... so thanks everyone :)

Yep I too am somewhat over it as well. But... the annecdotal accounts of the benefits of human grade raw food is becoming more than a dull roar... and my guys are thriving and have 'perfect' blood screens to prove it... I think its 'do whats best for your dog' - but do some really deep soul searching at the same time - and see if the way you feed is genuinely for your dog or for you and your convenience... :)

Thanks ninahartland - appreciated. Need to talk to her urgently about a westie!!

Beautiful dogs... And wonderful ambassadors for purebreeds in general... :)

Thanks Ness - yes me, the westies and 4 other friends had a ball. We arrived early to nab our favourite spot, and had dinner including a few wines. All the doggies were really well behaved last night - mine included and because there are three of them (and they are super cute!! ;) ) they created quite a stir with the guys on the gate. I was amazed at how many purebreeds were there too - only a couple of designer mutts - but even they didn't make their usual pests of themselves! The occasional barking at something on the screen was hysterical with the whole crowd dissolving into fits of laughter on a fairly regular basis! There was a gorgeous black and white collie along from us who made everyone laugh with his perfectly timed 'narration'! Even my dogless friends said it was a great night, they thoroughly enjoyed themselves and thought the dogs were not only well behaved but really added to the night and it should continue. Ness as you say its so nice to have somewhere where we can take our dogs. Australia seems so 'anti-dogs in public' compared with the rest of the world. I think last night was a great success and I'll be surprised if it isn't continued. Hope other DOLers had a good time too. :) ETA: I think it would be a great idea for any DOLers who went last night to contact the organisers, thank them and say how much we think it should become a regular thing that dogs are 'invited' to moonlight cinema screenings... just a thought. :) ETA: Have just seen on the Moonlight Cinema FAQs that dogs are allowed at all screenings!! - so yes you're right Ness. Its such a great thing to do with your dogs that I'll certainly be going more often now!

Unashamed bump... :)

AAh! Such is life MM - I don't blame you one bit - I couldn't have let her go either. Another DOLer bites the dust and falls in love with a westie!! She will be such a joy - a tenatious westie with extra spunk I reckon - that westie attitude that you are already seeing is divine. As compensation to all us disappointed souls, you must post regular photgraphic updates of the beautiful girl!! ;) :laugh: Or we'll haunt your forever!! :laugh:

Hi Westielover, PLease can you give me a call ASAP - the number I have for you doesn't seem to be working. Or if anyone else has her mobile please can you pm me ASAP. Thanks, Westiemum.

My westies are low shedding - but the white fur still shows against my clothes - I just call it part of my uniform... :rolleyes:

Congratulations - she s such a cutie pie ! Mind you I know someone here n Adelaide who is going to be devastated that she s now officially 'off the market'! Never mind, will line her up for our next westie rescue... :)

Thanks for posting P. I'm sure they'll fill in the gaps (eg the park where DOLers meets are held at Eastwood) and add new ones as they come on line... :)