westiemum

Yep as I mentioned a week or two ago - some elderly friends of mine have just taken on a 12 year old westie who desperately needed a home - and he has made such a difference to their lives I think retirement villages should allow elderly resdients to have their pets and replace them - and just deal with any problems and complaints... and make sure people moving into these communities know they are 'pet-friendly' at the start so any vexatious complaints can be easily dealt with.

Yep same here - Home Brand canned mackeral or spring water sardines once a week or so (or when I forget to defrost their Barf patties! )

After three days in a heatwave, if the house has heated up I'll leave the aircon (and the telly!LOL!) on for my guys when I'm at work - its really nice to come home to a coole house in a heat wave as well...

Yep. Spot on Erny . But the 'find an ultrasound', 'another rescue service' or 'wait it out' are still IMO the best reasonable alternative options. Surgery is unnecessary in these circumstances. IMO.

The Parade Norwood Veterinary Clinic. - Derek and Christine are fabulous as are their vet nurses without exception (and Simone and Diana in particular) - and their fees are fair and reasonable, they run a very client-centred clinic and don't over-service. Well worth considering if they are within cooee of you.

IMO a 'look see' operation like this is, in these circumstances unethical and I doubt most vets would do it anyway, unnecessary GA, surgery, risk to the dog, expense and other reasonable options available. The desexing status must be determined before rehoming full stop - no excuses. Therefore: A dog with uncertain 'desexed status' must not be rehomed. Therefore this dog is not suitable for rehoming at present, full stop. If she isn't well she is not suitable for rehoming at this time, anyway. Find a vet with an ultrasound. Hold her for a couple of months until she comes into season or not - quick turn arounds of rescue dogs should be a guideline, not a hard and fast rule - if they cannot accomodate this dogs needs they should give her up to a rescue service who can. IMO these are the only ethical options. If the rescue service goes ahead with surgery in these circumstances I'd be out of there - quick smart! Muggles its precisely because you are asking these hard questions that you do belong in rescue!! Stay with it!! Hope this helps you. (Flame suit on!)

Thanks spottychick - thats a really helpful thread. I think that will suit my elderly friends so will pass it on

Moosey, Yes I think its indeed a match made in heaven - their retirement village let them have another dog because this new little man is the same age as their dog who died - 12 years old - despite there being a 'no-replacement of dogs who come in with you' rule. Incidently, this may be a good source of homes for rescues looking for homes for senior dogs. Yes I agree entirely - I use the kangaroo barf patties for my three westies and find them very cost effective - I also use mackeral, sardines, RMBs, yoghurt, supermarket meat on special and am trying Jo's Fido's Formula (smells yum!) as well. Finding a barf distributor for my elderly friends would be ideal. Anyone know one in Batemans Bay or close by? In the meantime any simple barf recipes anyone?

Boronia thanks tons for your post and for this thread Goldies... as you know Sarah is very allergic and has very stained paws to prove it - I think its in the back yeard /grass - but she too has recently become much worse - much more than usual - antihistamines help but don't solve the problem. I've tried everything I can think of and many DOLer suggestions to help her - including a strict elimination diet - things appear to 'help a bit' but not solve the problem in the longer term. So now I'm planning to subdivide, rebuild and riping out all the grass :laugh: ;) - but thats another 12 months away. Boronia I'm going to try your 'slop' with some turkey mince (which I don't think she has ever had). Goldies you could also try Jo's Fido's Formula from Fido's Funhouse over on Payneham Road - and ask her to make you a batch without the rolled oats (I'd buy it too!). If you'd like some to try let me know and I'll get you some next time I'm at Jo's (easy for me to fly past on my way home - probably harder for you to get over that way). If you stock Artemis I'd also be interested in trying some. I'm getting to the stage where I'll just try anything. I feel for you as I know how distressing it is to watch them lick and scratch incessantly...

Thanks Pixie - yes that would be ideal - but I've searched for a local distributor in their area (mid south coast NSW) but can't find anyone - the clsoest seems to be Ulladulla and not sure if they service this area - I've emailled country canine to see if theres someone who does their area and they will be getting back to me hopefully tomorrow. In the meantime I thought I'd try and get them a simple barf recipe. They really want to do the best they can for this new elderly little man. (Yes I'll post a pic when I get one!)

Elderly friends of mine, in their late 70's/early 80's recently lost their beloved 12 year old westie through paralysis tick (even the vet couldn't find it until it was too late ;) ). These friends were the ones who first introduced me to westies and I fell instantly in love... but I digress... Unexpectedly a 12 year old westie who desperately needed a home came to live them three weeks ago ( ) - and they rang to tell me today and its made such a difference to their lives after the loss of their previous old girl - and to this lucky little dog - he's gone to a marvellous, westie experienced home. My question is does anyone have a simple raw food recipe without grains which an elderly couple in a retirement village would find easy to manage? They are keen to try a barf style diet with this old fellow (who is needing a bit of rehabbing). Any help much appreciated.

Here's my 'cushion queen' (in the lounge) and 'pillow princess' (in the bedroom). She has the happiest, smiliest face and wags her tail like a windmill till I'm sure its going to drop off - and she's 8 and a 1/2 Bub! And she's always been like this - just loves life - so with any luck your pup will be the same

Yes for my very itchy westie girl, the Calendula Tea works a treat ( Thansk erny!). I also use Groomers EPO vet grade - works brilliantly. I've gone off Malaseb - don't like whats in it.

My older westie boy (10 years) had both Metacam and Tramal post op after major surgery, short-term - left ear ablation. He did very well on them and it managed his pain and inflammation very well. Recent dose of Previcox - seemed to work well too. A few years back he had a Fentanyl patch after and ACL repair - did very well on that too. Doesn't seem to have any long term side effects at all. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Abbigail Abby AJ Alika Alchemy Amber Amelia Amy x 2 Anais Annie Anastacia (Annie) Angel X 4 Anishinaabe Annabelle Annabella April Arizona Asante sana Ashka Askari Astro Audrey Aura Ayla Baba Baci Bailey Becky Bella x3 Bit Blossom Bonny x 2 (Bonnie) Bonita Brandy Bree Bridie Buffy Cally Cassie Casper CC Cedar Chelsea Chevy x 2 Chloe x 2 Charlotte Cinta CJ x 2 Claire Claudia Clover Cleoparta Coco x2 Cossette Daisy Dallas Delilah Delta Demi Dexta Diazz Dinky Durham Dyzney Ebony Echo Elizabeth Ella Ellie Ellie x2 Emily Emma Erin Evie Faith Fanta Finta Fleur Froggy Gabby Gemma Genie (not exactly a girly name but I thought it suited my goldy) George Ginny Gita Glitter Grace Griffin Gypsy x2 Harlow Hayley x2 Heddy Heidi x2 Holly x 5 Honey Honour Imme Imogen - Imy Jade Jane Jay Jay Jenna Jessie x 2 Jezebel Jindi Jodie Juliet Kara Kari Karma Karmen Kaos Katie Katy Kayla Keilani Kelli Kelsey Kenzie Kiesha Kizzey Krissy Kuean - (Queen) Lacey Layla Lea (lele) Lexi Libby Lily x 2 Lobo Logan Lola Lottie Lucy x4 Luuka Mable Maddison Maggie x2 Mallee Marie Claudette Marlo Meg Meisha Merrique Mia Milla Millie x3 Minnie x 2 (Mynni) Minouche Mischka Mitzi Molly x5 Molly Coddle Moochie Mya Nala Narla Natasha Nena Ness Olivia Paxy Pearl Peggie Pebbles Phoebe Pip Polly Popcorn Porridge Prada Quince Reba Rebel Reno Rhoda Rogue Rommi Rosey Rosie Roxy Ruby x3 Sabrina Sadie Saffron Safire Sally x2 Sarah Sarah Jane Sascha x 2 Satu Savannah Scandal Shae Shandy Shannon Sharnie Sheba Shine Sinta Sienna Skye SkySnow Sophie x2 Sophia Springy Spook Stella x2 Stimpy X2 Storm Sue Suzie Sybill Tara Tasha Tayla Teegan Tess x 2 Tessa Texas Tia x 2 Tilli Tilly x3 Tinny (tin tin) Tori Tully Tyra Vada Voodoo Winter Wilhelmina Xanthe Zillah Ziva Zoe x 3

This is really hard there is so much... Where to start Ditto to everyone elses 'know me and my dogs', clean, friendly, asking if they can have treats, reasonable fees etc. Others for me are: 1. Don't laugh but they must know their stuff - the young inexperienced ones MUST be prepared to get help when they need it - NOTHING bothers me more than a youngie trying to bluff their way through a difficult diagnosis with a very ill animal - they need to say they need help and then to get it - FAST! That gives me confidence that they know the limits of their professional boundaries and experience - the bluffing does not! And its obvious! 2. Be prepared to go further when the diagnosis isn't clear cut or the treatment is going on a long time - to stick with it and do any research which is required on latest, lesser known treatments etc 3. Consistent vets - a constant stream of locuums is hard on them and hard on us and our animals. I've discovered this improves an animals care by about 1000%. 4. Letting me pop animals prone to weight gain on the scales when I'm passing and then putting the weight in their notes. 5. For Mac's recent ear ablation I had the choice of their visiting surgeon or the specialist clinic - I choose the visiting surgeon with my vets assisting - because I have complete confidence in my vets and Mac knows the surgery. The procedure was hard enough without putting him through it in a completely unfamiliar place, with unfamiliar people. 6. Work with me - I know my animals better than they do. I'm not always right and neither are they - but we both want the same thing. I'm not a vet but I'm not dumb either. My observations and opinions can be useful. 7. Don't up-sell - I'm not there for that. In fact I buy some cat treats from my vet precisely because they don't pressure me! 8. After Hours service on the normal vet clinic number - in a panic I don't have to try and remember another number. 9. Sensible use of palliative care. And be brave enough to help us when we are having trouble making THE decision.

In the second photo he looks like he has dark nails. Does he? Also does he have a dark/blackish tinge to his skin? With those dark eyes and nose he could easily have some westie in there somewhere... whatever he is he's a very cute terrier cross!

Abrham Ali Andrew Andy Angus Apollo(different spelling!) Appollo Archie Arkhan Armand Arq Ashke Atlas Bailey x 4 Balou Bandit Banjo Bardigrub Bart Barton Baxter Bear x2 Bender Ben Benji Benny Benson Billy Bing Bluey Bomber Bosch Bosco Boxer Brady Brian Custard O'Doggle Brock Brockie Brody Bronson x2 Bruce Bud Bundyx2 Buster Cannon Caramel Carl Casper Champ Charlie x 5 Chevy Chief Chip x 2 Chok Clifford Coco Cooper x3 Cory Cowan x 2 Cowboy Cuba Danny Darcy x 2 Dashx2 Deakin Dean Declan Delgado Dennys Dog Diablo Diesel x2 Digby Digger Dinky Douglas Dumas Dylan Ebon Eddie Elijah Elliott Edge Esky Fergus x 2 Fox FlashBazil Fleming Fletcher Flynn Frank Fudge Gandor Geo George Greedy Guiness mcGuinness Hail Harley Harrison Harry Henry Hudson Hugo Ivan Jack x 3 Jake x 2 Jasper x 2 James JayDee Jethro Jet Jett Jordan Joshua Judd Juggie Kahn Kaiser x 2 Kasper Kaos Kiba Kei Kippy Kisho Kyzer Leo Lincoln Lenny Leroy Lestat Logan Luca Ludwig Lughie Lukas Lukon Mac MacKenzie Mark (the cat) Mason Max x 4 Maxie Maxwell THE DOG Mel Merlot Merry Milky Milosh Milton Minook Mistral Mokha Morris Mr Darcy Nammu Napoleon Nelsson (yes two s's) Nigel Noah Nova Nudge Nugget Onslow Oscar Oz Payton Pete Phoenix Piikki Porsha Punch Quick Raffy Ralph Randy Reeve Reagan Rex Ricky Riku Riley Ripley River Rocks Rolly Rory Rove Rover Roy Jones Jnr Rupert Rusty Sam Scout Scrap Scratch Shadow Seth Silas Snitch Sonny Soul Spartan Speed Spencer Spike Sport Spud Sterling Stig (The) Storm Stryker Sumo Swanky Tazz x 2 Teddy Tey Dog Thunder Tiger Tirra Toby x2 Tolkien Tommy Tub Tusca Tye x2 Tyson Udo Ulf Valdez Wags Walker Watson Weave Whisky Willow Willy Wilson Woody Yoshi Zac Zedley Zeppelin Zephyr x 2 Zeus Zuma

She is gorgeous! My Sarah has had two bouts of it - 12 months apart almost to the day. Luckily she pulled through - HGE is a serious disease which I understand noone has isloated the casuative 'bug' (unless anyone has any more up-to-date info?). It can kill in hours if its severe enough or a vet doesn't recognise it - and some of them don't. And it seems like you got her to a vet quickly - really pays not to delay the vet with this one. Luckily my vet recognised it and my Sarah spent two nights in the vets (until they could stand her barking no more ) hooked up to a drip and with antibiotics from memory. She pulled through but it was a very worrying time. She then was on the Hills I/D (?) for at least a week - gross stuff! Big hugs to you and Tia (beautiful girl! )

Great story - well done Raafi! :D

bertandsally well done for persevering - as you said early onn until she actually buys a ridiculous DD there is still hope that you may be able to get her to change her mind.... I have had a huge defeat in trying to persuade an older rello to not buy a cavalier poodle cross - they were in a town south of Adelaide and I did my best to persuade them 'by correspondence' - sadly it didn't work - they now have a cavalier poodle cross with bad behavioural problems including separation anxiety (and had to hide to ask me for advice!! But thats another story...) I have had one major victory in persuading another potential cavalier poodle cross buyer to consider a purebred - and that one was easy - an hour or so conversation and then some hours with my westies. Bingo! Victory! Job done! And she's as happy as larry with her new westie puppy who she waited almost ten months for after selecting her breeder. Any chance you could have her meet a couple of good purebreds? Nothing seems to change 'set' minds like some handling and personal experience. Just a thought. Good luck!!

Well said NZV! My three westies all have veggies with their meat every night so they only have a light carbon footprint - otherwise tough here too

Ambervale and the gorgeous ones - as to the 'D' word, stay strong and take care - you do eventually come out the other end.

Yeah cashew - i know exactly what you mean - I dread the day... but prefer not to think about it. So I suppose I wish I'd known truly how incredibly important my guys would become to me....

I wish I'd known what an absolute joy it would be. 1. 2 dogs are better than one 2. that older and senior dogs are fabulous 3. what a fantastic community DOL is (I can't thank DOLers enough for the help they've freely given me over the years) and lastly, just how valuable a good vet who you trust implicitly is - and to never begrudge them their fees.