Talien

I hope she stays away a few days, comes back safe and sound and preferably not pregnant (highly unlikely) and that this ordeal terrifies my friend enough to book her in to get desexed. It sounds mean but I think that for Elysia's health and safety, it is the best thing that could happen for her (not that she went missing but that the ordeal causes her to get desexed) None of that sounded right but I'm sure you all get what I mean

Sue called all the vets-yes more than one, and yes the RSPCA. We've also notified all the buy/sell/swap sites we know of that get a fair amount of traffic on FB. We did the area as best we can but I've heard that a bitch can roam as far as 5km, sometimes more when she is heat. Yes she has rego tags, name-tag with number, as well as a microchip that has current details. "where she is usually when she decides to take herself for a walk." By this I mean the park. If she gets out, which this week has now occurred twice we found her at the park, being held onto by some teens who live in the area. Sorry ruralpug "Ballarat's notorious: puppy farms", i thought that there were more in town, obviously I was wrong but the whole idea of it is so horrific and my mind has a tendency to go to worst case scenario We thought maybe the teens still had her because late last night we heard another dog barking that sounded like her, however today we found a lab her size and male, he has a slightly deeper bark. Because of our panicking though we have the rangers number. According to the RSPCA any dogs the ranger gets he brings them to the shelter so she, if found by the ranger, will be scanned for a microchip on entering the RSPCA. Elysia has been walked all over the place. Sue is very sick but my partner and I take her for walks all the time, especially to the park which is her "ball time", I think that's why she keeps going there being on heat + boredom. I hope we hear something soon, and that if we don't she finds a home that will care deeply for her (and get her desexed).

If you've seen my thread about our missing Lab in heat you'll know that there's not much you can do. Sometimes I feel like I am surrounded by "idiots" I use this term because it's forum-safe. I have a lot of other words for it. I don't know if I am just being judgemental or just expect more from people or what Take for example: My Dad: Groenendale (spelling?) Not bought from a breeder. Many health defects. Didn't bother to train her. Got upset when she acted up. Almost said he was going to put her down because she was so badly behaved, these thoughts only stopped when I advised angrily that it was his own fault for getting a dog and not doing anything with it. That and I threatened to never speak to him again, as teenage girls are wont to do. My mum and step dad: Owned two dogs. GR: Let it get so fat. Sooooooo Fat. Didn't play with him and as such didnt notice the fist sized growth on his chest. MAL-X: Extremely fat. Trusted a vet. Shouldn't have. (this is not necessarily their fault.) Then they got another two (I was horrified.): CSp 1: No Training at all. CSp 2: Ditto. (seriously, none.) Friend 1: Has a bitch that she wont get desexed. On heat and now missing Friend 2: Just got a "Miniature" Pug. Wants to breed it. Backyard bred. (nothing against "backyard" pups, it's not their -the pups- fault) I think all in all, I have only 2 responsible dog owners that I know of. One being my sister (curvball!) and the other being my friend beth who owns a LReg Dalmation (he is so cute and well behaved!) Like I said. I feel like I am probably too judgemental but how hard is it to ensure that you train and properly care for your dog. And if you want to breed that's fine but get help from people smarter than you are in the field and give the pups the best possible chance you can. Edit: Sorry I should add that while I have attempted to broach these topics my friends get extremely angry saying that I don't get to choose what they do with their dogs, and that it is not my right, no matter how gently I have been. When it comes to my family, I will NOT compromise. While mum's two cockers are not trained they are NOT fat! (win!) and Dad kept bonnie until she died of a massive hereditary problem at the age of 14 (he had her looked after to great expense by a very good vet so she lasted a lot longer than even I thought she would.)

Sorry. It's just hard you know, I love my friend but I know she is the worst pet owner. She doesn't abuse her pet, but in not caring for her properly she neglects (in my opinion) and it's really hard to see things like this happen. Elysia is loved and played with but it's not enough sometimes. :*( I feel like there's nothing I can do. I am trying so hard but she just wont listen to reason. If she had have listened Elysia would be inside right now playing with the cat, or sleeping by the heater. Or trying to get fed a snack. gah. I'm glad you think she might still come back, maybe there's hope yet and this might be fate convincing my friend for me.

Oh dear, Saffioraire I hope this all gets sorted and everything turns out ok xoxox tal

Moving from WA to Vic was a huge change for us we moved away from the ocean. In Perth we had a pool and lived about 2k away from a dog beach so we had a lot of water fun. Coming to vic we didn't get to the beach, the local parks were all lead-on and our poor babies never really had much of a swim. I think it would be a fantastic idea to incorporate, and it would increase the amount of people using the pools in off season - we nearly lost 3 of our pools a while ago due to lack of public funding - meaning pools saty "afloat"

Elysia has only run away this year, she has never had the opportunity to escape a yard before, so we're not used to anything like this occurring. It's ok to turn around and say "it's irresponsible to have a bitch and not desex her", this is a sentiment I agree with 100%. The reason she is kept outside is that she bleeds and when she does it makes a mess. We live in a rental and while we do our best to make her comfortable outside when she has to be out there we cannot have her bleeding on the carpets. Secondly, I am not a breeder. It's not something I ever plan to do. I am trying to talk my housemate and friend out of it. I grew up with male dogs. Desexed male dogs. She grew up without dogs. If I knew anything about bitches in season then this probably wouldn't have happened. The problem is I didn't. She doesn't. That's a little unfair. I agree she's an idiot. To some degree I may even agree with you that she doesn't deserve to get her back. That said, I would not want to see her in anyone else's hands. Some dogs are lucky if they are fed and loved and played with as much. Others don't even get given a chance :*( Edit: She is a 4yo Black Labrador

Ok so some of you might have noticed me mention a bitch in a few posts that is owned by my housemate. She is not de-sexed... Yet... (Don't go there I'm working hard on pulling my housemate around in thought) I put her out on tuesday night. On monday morning she had artfully escaped THROUGH the fence. She never normally runs away but she's a little--- she's in heat at the moment. We've called the vet. We've called the local radio station. We've called the Animal Shelters. She's microchipped and registered. We've canvassed posters everywhere. We've drop-boxed over 100 missing notices in the area around the park where she is usually when she decides to take herself for a walk. I KNOW it is irresponsible to have a dog un-cut. This is not my pet and so I can't just run off with it to the vet (as much as I might wish to). Elysia (the dog) is loved and cared for well. She is extremely fit and tiring her out is an effort. What I want to know is the likelihood of getting her back now that she's been gone for so long? I am terrified that this beautiful girl will be used in one of Ballarat's notorious puppy farms if she is found by the wrong people. Is there anything else that you can think I can do, or the owner Sue can do in order to find her? I am so angry because her life is now in danger because the ONE person that is supposed to care for her wanted her to "be a mummy", I have lived with this dog for 3 years and feel like she is part mine (though I know legally she is not the love I feel for her is the same).

Hey everyone, I was wondering what people's views were on pet insurance? I am getting a puppy golden retriever in December, and I want to be prepared for any event. What pet insurance do you have/recommend, if anything?

I wanted to say a HUGE thankyou to everyone who has suggested liver treats. I live a girl who ons a gorgeous but badly trained Labrador. I got some liver treats to see how they worked with Elysia and it is magical! I have let her inside and she has been very happily lying by my side. She even walked (after a little bit of work) without pulling on the lead (only in the backyard though). it's magical!!!!

Hey everyone, I was just wondering if any of the dog lovers are from Ballarat?

I agree, when fate knocks you on the head that strongly, answer it I highly doubt you will regret it!

What breed are you getting Tara? I got some stuff for Arty's glory box today :D

Thanks so much, I emailed the breeder herself, and (she is such a wonderful lady), she put any worries I had to rest. She is definately not a backyard breeder and strives to better the breed I can't wait to get my puppy and she's happy to have a friendship too so that if I or arty ever need anything we can go to her and seek help and advice. I am so happy! :D

Should I be worried if the breeder is not part of any clubs associated with their breeds or if they are not part of the VCA? Is it normal to not be?

I am trying to find out more information on certain breeders but each time i try to go to the Victorian Canine Association, it says the website is unavailable. Is there a way to find out whether or not a breeder is registered with the victorian canine association?

What will the breed of your new puppy be Iskiea?

I'm not sure of the legalities, but legally you have to have your dog restrained whilst traveling in a car yes? I plan on extensive traveling with my new pup, so I am wondering what the legalities are, and also what sort of restraints are recommended? What is the best way to bring the puppy home? (It will be a few hours in the car) In a crate/what size? Or can I get a harness of some kind?

Also what toys/brushes/items do you all suggest getting? I was hoping to pick up a lawrence brush, as well as an adjustable collar this week, I have ages to go but it doesnt hurt to start early!

Sounds like her How long do bitches stay in heat? Is there anyway to tell if she has gotten pregnant just from looking at her?

Is it normal for the girls to be getting out and roaming though? I thought that was just a boy thing? Could she just be bored out of her mind or is it because she is in heat?

Hey all, This is not an issue with my dog, he's not arrived yet, but, my friend's dog Elysia keeps escaping the backyard. She's not been spayed as my friend wants her to "be a mummy" (don't even get me started ) Anyway Elysia keeps getting out even though the fence seems fine. Is it normal for bitches to roam when they are in heat? How can I tell if she has gotten pregnant? And how can I try to convince my friend to completely stop thinking about this? The whole idea disgusts me and will be unfair on both the bitch and the pups, Elysia is according to my friend only limited register and they don't even have any papers being told it was cheaper without any papers at all. I don't even know if the the girl has been vaccinated. Man there are so many things wrong with this and I am doing my best but I don't know what else I can do

Yeah he was a beautiful dog, but he hated fetch. When I said he was princely I meant it. You'd throw the ball for him and he'd look at it and then give you "that" look. You know the "Are you serious? Go and get it yourself." Still, he loved ice cream.

Thanks so much guys, also I should mention Zeuss and his golden retriever buddy Apollo died some time ago now, but still loved as much as ever

Sorry to hear about your loss Ams. Congratulations on the puppys guys and Jarvis looks so cute, he reminds me of my mums blue roan Merlin I am finally getting a puppy too! His name will be Arty, he is due in October and I should be able to bring him home in December I am beyond excited! :D Oh and he'll be a Golden Retriever :D