westiemum

Steve we have different views of the effectiveness of councils and the RSPCA. You believe in that system as an avenue for change - I don't. And that's OK. As I said before, it's a personal decision and up to you. The thread was not intended as a debate on the legitimacy of this petition - I think people should decide that for themselves. I decided this was worthy of my support after researching it as Im entitled to do. And thought others might like to look at it and decide for themselves on the basis of their own research - or not. After all this is certainly not the first petition on DoL which people will have differing views about and probably won't be the last. And that's OK. Not necessarily true .I think the system is there and before I encourage anyone to sign a petition or decide to sign it myself I need better evidence that the system isnt working. Im more than happy to ad my name to it when ever if ever I can see some reason for believing what is being said. So far I cant .Im not saying it the problem doesn't exist or that the petition isnt required exist but perhaps you need to tell me why you think its needed because so far ithere isnt anything telling me its needed. Steve with respect a couple of points - i don't need to tell you anything as you can decide for yourself - and you appear to have decided this isn't satisfactory for you and that's fine. The research I did satisfied me and that's fine too. Secondly I have not encouraged anyone to blindly sign and I give people credit for having some sense to research these things before acting (cf I simply posted the petition). Your view seems to be either 'system' or 'petition' / social action whereas I dont see them as mutually exclusive - whether the system works or not in my view doesn't preclude social action. I'm happy with the research I did before signing the petition. You weren't happy with what is in front of you. So happy to disagree :) .

Steve we have different views of the effectiveness of councils and the RSPCA. You believe in that system as an avenue for change - I don't. And that's OK. As I said before, it's a personal decision and up to you. The thread was not intended as a debate on the legitimacy of this petition - I think people should decide that for themselves. I decided this was worthy of my support after researching it as Im entitled to do. And thought others might like to look at it and decide for themselves on the basis of their own research - or not. After all this is certainly not the first petition on DoL which people will have differing views about and probably won't be the last. And that's OK.

Yep I think it will be gret fun! The westies and I are going with a group of friends so plenty of laps for them to snooze on! Please say hello if you see us. My guys love meeting other dogs and it's gret to catch up with other DOLers.... :)

Actually I'm sure it is a legitimate business. Most puppy farms are. As are the Japanese whalers but most Australians would likely think that doesn' t make their activities right.This one purports to be a dog sanctuary, calls itself a dog sanctuary yet advertises like a puppy farmer. It's a highly secretive operation which appears to operates in the same way Freedom Kennels used to operate. No reporting on their so called rescue activities or transparency... General petitions are notoriously unsuccessful. IMO social action needs to be specific and targeted. (eg the. Avaaz/ Get Up campaigns which are VERY specific targeted and transparent). Similarly here and as happened with the proposed Geelong area puppy farm a year or two ago. In researching this specific issue I came to the conclusion that this petition is worthy of my support. I did my homework. It's up to others to do similarly and then make their own decision..

For anyone who is interested, here's a link to a puppy farm closure petition.

I sense a serious FF coming... :D She is divine!! :thumbsup: ...no...no more westies... well... maybe just one more... no... have three... no more... :laugh:

Late last year I was told there was a number of dog thefts from the northern suburbs of Adelaide - haven't heard of any of late. But I don't think you can be too careful - particularly with attractive purebreed dogs. Solid fences and gates which close off the front from the back yard are a good idea IMO - and so is a doggy door. Almost every time I've come home early/unexpectedly I've surprised my lot on the lounge or my bed so I suspect they spend a lot of time inside here when I'm not here - comfy and safe! Occasionally with a really grubby bone!! :rolleyes:

Yep I'm sure Mac will sleep through too and Andy will spend the whole night in my lap. Sarah would be social butterfly if she was allowed... :D

Hi Jules News of your beautiful clan? Does Holly have a forever home yet?

Hi Juice - maybe Rappie or one of the vet nurses can confirm but I run a comprehensive one which goes out to the lab and it costs $80 or so from memory. Macs last blood test in July came back 'perfect ' - and I can't tell you how pleased my marvellous vet and I were - as not only was I sure Mac was well and not brewing anything but obviously I was doing something right in my care for him too. I know they cost money - but I figure it's cheaper to do a test and treat anything as early as possible than to wait for clinical signs and then have an expensive battle for me and a painful debilitating one for Mac on my hands... anyway just how I see it.

This All my dogs get blood tests at least once a year - particularly as two out of the three are now elderly - I figure it's good preventative medicine and an opportunity to nip any looming problems in the bud. And if it happens to be prior to surgery then that's fine. But if they've had a recent blood test before surgery then I don't bother. But as for IV and pain relief - always - and I always ask\make sure I go home with adequate pain relief as well.

Yep... Avoid it like the plague...

TD same here - I'm the lone hooman too but the westies are very very tolerant of the rescues - and Sarebear is definitely boss and teacher - she teaches zomies, pack structure, - and manners! She gives low little growls to anyone who dares put their paws on the coffee table. But I must thank my Mum - she doesn't roll her eyes any more when the next foster/rescue arrives, babysits dogs new to the house or newly home from the vet, drives 30 - 35 minutes to my place to step in to the dinner- time routine at the last minute when I caught t work, does vet pick-ups if I can't get there... You get the drift. And then there's my two absolutely fantastic friends who with me pretty much make-up Westie Rescue SA - it's an amazing, seamless, cooperative partnership. It amazes me how we re all on the same page - and not just with our rescues and rehomes but with our own dogs too. Great thread - thanks fr the reminder to thank them all -again.

Same as puppy sniffer and Mita - great posts so not going to repeat here. Except we keep all receipts of expenses for every westie we rehome and pass these on to their new owner (excluding food and stuff like that) -not only for their records, but for transparency. When new owners see what it costs they understand the adoption fee and have never complained. In fact one new owner gave us an extra $100 dollars when she saw receipts of over 1k which was very kind of her. So yes IMO you can never be too transparent.

Yep I'm giving my girl westie a bath once a week and giving her a ' malaseb massage' for ten minutes each night - paws, base of tail, underneath tail and tummy - and yes she's much better.

Friends of mine with a westie with dry eye uses 'Murine' from the supermarket - cheap effective and with daily use her eyes are really good. Hope that helps.

A couple of months ago I was sick and needed to sleep with an extra pillow for elevation. The night I was feeling almost normal I decided I didn't need the second pillow and dropped it on the floor next to my bed. The next morning my 12 year old arthritic westie was sound asleep on it and he looked very comfortable - the pillow appeared to mould around him and support his body well. SO apart from putting another dog mat underneath it ( and changing the pillow case!), I've left it there for him - and he sleeps on it often. So it seems for my old boy a cheap target pillow is the solution for the moment.

Hows the old fella Sheridan? And how did you go at the vet if you don't mind me asking?

Yep same here - if the packet has the word 'China' on it I dont go near it. I spend ages reading packets both for me and my dogs - I'm sure people think I'm nuts but I find it incredible whats actually in some of thse products when you read the label carefully. Off topic but butter and margarine are a good example - never ever eat margarine these days.... and RMBs are still the best treats/meals for dogs IMO...

Obviously I'm a westie fanatic and will always have 1 or 2... but to keep this list to 5 other breeds :rolleyes: 1. Aussie Shepherd 2. Standard Poodle 3. Tibetan Spaniel 4. Old English Sheep Dog 5. Lagotto Hmn... it appears I like grooming... :rolleyes: Could easily add white shepherd, staffy, wheaten terrier, schnauzer to the list...

Hey thanks everyone - the flaxseed oil and leave in conditioner is a good idea. I have some fish oil tablets that I haven't given hem for a while somimmight try that too.

I've just malasebbed three westies - my girl is the classic itchy westie and my old boy is an incessant paw licker. I put them in the laundry trough, wet them off, let any water out, then put the malaseb on and give them a ' malaseb massage ' for ten minutes or so, them rinse them off and towel them dry. I pay real attention to between their toes, under their nails and around their paw pads. So no I don't measure either - but I'm wondering if I should as I've noticed it is very drying for their coats - and my girls coat looks a little yellowish - anyone ese with white dogs noticed this ? Other thoughts?

Hi YG! Happy New Year! Well I think it's adorable and damn sensible in today's 41 degree heat. A week ago Elise took off Macs English winter weight coat and although he looks a bit like a skinned rabbit he's so much cooler and happier -and to me that's the important thing. And it's growing back really quickly and will be perfect for the start of autumn. So although he was a cute fluffy before, I think he's even cuter now!

Oh Sheridan I've just seen your thread - I'm so sorry to hear th old fella has not been well. And don't much like the sound of his lack of back leg control - don't want to be alarmist but if it doesn't resolve fairly quickly I'd take him back to the vet Could be a range of things - arthritis, disc problems but it could also be an infectious or parasitic process ( neosporosis is on the increase and this is exactly how itt starts and the vets arent generally looking for it - it's rare but getting less rare - and needs early aggressive treatment). So suggest if it's not resolving today you head back to the vet ASAP. All fingers and paws crossed for you and the grumpy one here

This. Beautifully said Persephone. Prayers for you and your beautiful girl tonight, and for however long it takes...