westiemum

SG sometimes I think the irony of this is that older dogs often are less stressed by these sorts of moves than younger dogs IME, particularly as their sensory losses seem to provide some comfort and protection. While it wasn't an OS move, I had to move Mac around from house to house for over 12 months (5 big moves in 12 months IIRC at age 14 - 15 years). And because he was deaf and had dementia he seemed to cope really well. Came through like the trouper he was. In fact, I was more worried about Andy my youngest westie. If Jarrah is otherwise healthy, I'd do some crate training with her (assuming she isn't already crate trained) and see how she goes. Without actually knowing her I'm guessing she'll be fine. And she may then have a couple of extra good years with you. Anyway thats my take on it. :)

Great result DD.

Yes we only saw a snippet - you're quite right. But that snippet made me do a double take. And please load video of back scratching paw!

The dog doing a poop in the corner... busted ! :laugh: Well spotted Marg! Its Sarah - my public poo-er! :laugh:

Thanks Perse but I think you miss my point. In a small child who is developmentally immature I maintain that as a former clinician, that behaviour would make me look twice. Last time we met, you were a lovely mature interactive adult making conscious decisions to use paws as a back scratcher :laugh: - unless something has changed since then ;) :laugh: And I doubt you do it without any interaction with the dog! (Using the paw as a back scratcher is not a bad idea! Might try that one myself! :laugh:). And I'm not for one moment suggesting the dog has a terrible life at all - I'm simply questioning a piece of child interaction (or lack thereof) that as a clinician may concern me.

Beautiful series of photos of fantastic interaction between a littlie and her dog. ( :laugh: ) I think the difference between what you posted and the original post is that there is no interaction between the first little girl and the dog. She is simply using the dogs tail for her own ends as if it is inanimate. And to me that's a concern and a possible indicator of things to come. Both interactions are entirely different IMO.

valbitz that is a great stroller. Long-term DOLers will remember I did the same for my Mac and I too found it a great solution - Mac in the stroller and the others on the lead so we could all still go to the park. And when Mac got too tired from pottering and sniffing around at the park I'd put him back in his stroller for a snooze until we were ready to go home!. (The bottle of red is mine not his! :laugh: )

Yep as it happened acutely, I'd be off to the vet. And depending on what you find there, I'd also consider a visit to a chiro vet. My chiro vet helps my 15.5 year old westie enormously and she's off for her next chiro check on Tuesday. As for distances, my old girl goes around the block on a good day - so a km or so. And then sleeps the rest of the day away! She hasn't been able to manage anymore than that for at least the last 18 months or so.

Nup, while tolerating it the dogs ears are back and there's some leg movement which makes me think its not as comfortable as some might think. ^ Yep this. And as a former Speechie, any child using living creatures as inanimate objects in this way with no interaction with the dog I'd be having a much closer look at...

Yep so do I sparkycat. When the RSPCA post on FB asking for funds to help animals in their care I think "WTF"? Where does all the millions and millions of dollars they raise from a gullible public go each year and what are their in-house vets doing if they have to fund-raise for specific aniimals? Something smells big time.

Yep spot on TSD. While vets often won't tell you directly you can usually tell. And IMO thats part of what I pay them for - to help with these incredibly important decisions. I took Mac to two practices (one my emergency vet and one my regular vet who both knew Mac very well over many years), a day or two before he died to say goodbye. And they both were kind enough to clearly validate my decision for which I'm so grateful - but in my sad moments I still wonder if I got it right... You are judging quality of life and thats subjective - and I never want to make the mistake again that I made with my cat George. So I'll always now try and err on the side of going a little early than even a day too late. I owe it to my beautiful companions. And I actually don't really see that rescue is any different (except their greater responsibility to the broader community to rehome only physically and mentally healthy animals).

Great article Rebanne. Thanks for posting. If I have one thing I really worry about its that - as I really believe "That old saying. . .”Better a day early than a minute too late” could not be more true". Even though you think you've got it right with me there always seems to be this niggling doubt. In my case I still wonder if I got it right for Mac after getting it really wrong (two days too late) a few years before with a beloved cat. (Incidentally Mum actually called it better than I did that time, so now I listen to her much more closely). Even with the best intentions and will in the world its so hard to get it right, particularly if its a decision you only make rarely. Two vets said I got it right for Mac - yet I still occasionally wonder if I did?? And as Sarebear approaches the end, probably within the next 12 months, I worry about getting it right for her too. As the article says its so grey.

Protexin here too. There was a thread I think I started a while back on probiotics. Has really helped my Sarah who tends to have a dicky tummy at the best of times.

Contact one of the breeders associations and ask them if they know who insures their members?

I don't think these sorts of problems are specific to this breed. As part of his GOLPP, Mac was fed using an elevated bowl to help gut motility. Agreed Rabanne. Sadly I suspect this pup won't have a very long life but good on his family for giving it a go.

Hope Roova pops along - she's the enrichment Queen bar none!

karen thats what my Andy would do! Despite their reputation they are actually pretty clever. (And yep I'm biased!)

I was talking about the boy dogs that Thistle is meeting. :D Ah! Thought you meant my boy! Heats pickling the brain here...

She? PK it's Andy and its no problem giving him tummy rubs just cos he's a boy!

Usual tummy rub position, on the leather lounge, flat as a tack!

'Andy don't you listen to Thistle' - great tummy rubs happen here despite any protrusion! ETA: And he's not 'dopey'! Far from it - he's very clever for a puppy farm rescue boy!

While I adore my Sarah (she is a smiley, waggy tail, happy go lucky girl), I prefer boys too - much more cruisey and laid back I find. And yes while Sarah loves a cuddle I find Andy sticks to me like glue regardless of what else is going on.

I don't often remember my dreams either but I do believe that things happen at certain times for a reason - and I have no doubt our departed babies look after us. So I have no doubt Ponti sent your new pup to you Paul777 when the time was right. And I know Mac is waiting for me and I'll see him again, and this time it will be for eternity.

OK I'll jump in. I think you need some legal advice. While I understand dogs are property under the law, depending whats in the paperwork, co-ownership may be enforceable as its the transfer of the ownership that is important and what the agreement around the co-ownership and the case law actually says. (And as an aside, these circumstances are precisely why I personally wouldn't get into a 'co-ownership' arrangement - it can get really messy - and for me, you either own the dog or you don't - and I'm not sure that its that clear here). While the legal advice will likely cost you a few hundred dollars I think its money well spent. You'll know exactly where you stand. I doubt anyone here can give you good advice without seeing the complete paper trail. Will be interested to know how you get on.

Steve a great deal of what you've said I don't disagree with. There's no argument wotrth having here. We bascially agree that nooone has a monopoly on poor breeding. And I've never once suggested that purebreeders have got it all covered form an ethics or marketing point of view. So we're agreed on that too. There are only three other issues which I find sooo problematic. Sorry again for the previous long posts so this time I'll try and be brief. Cross breeders in my experience while using purebreed breeding 'stock' (term used deliberately) and doing some purebreeding the vast majority breed and market mainly cross-breeds. But we can agree to disagree on that. Secondly, while some purebreeders breed unethically (bradycephalic creeds as one example) and market falsely, in my experience the trophy belongs to the cross-breed puppy farmers - only heard last week of a complete corgi cross litter euth'd after legs would not support bodies. Lastly, noone is addressing the issue of cross false marketing of cross-breeds, the blurring of lines between responsible and irresponsible mass cross-breeders, the naming of cross-breeds as if they are purebreeds with cute marketing terms (cavoodle etc) instead of describing as their true cross and generally misleading the general public with false information (leading the general public to beleive its a 'breed' when its a cross-breed). At least with ANKC registered breeds there are breed standards to refer to in the main. Maybe with the exception of the cobberdog its an absolute free-for-all out there in cross breed land - or is it that lack of breeder distinction again? Anyway, hungry mouths to feed here. Good to see we aren't really that far apart. ETA Steve's quote above for clarity.