persephone

Honestly, if you can do it honestly - it does seem the one thing which will save Annie is rehoming Rusty .

Bullybreedlover ... re: watchdog for your mum - have a look at these threads >some great info on breeds. CLICK CLICK if you are interested in going the rescue route .. have a read HERE :) or HERE

:D thanks.

yes, same.

"Still Alice" is great .

:) This brings back memories from my previous life , placing trained dogs in nursing homes where many of the residents were suffering the effects of dementia ..and where the presence, but more often the touching of the dog would , for a time , connect them back to a world outside their poor heads . it is wonderful that individuals will now have the support and availability of dogs trained to assist in more tangible ways, too :)

well done :) Now to market it ;)

get her a trampoline bed , and cover with a conni mat , which can be washed daily if needed :)

yep :) same here.... (as if it matters :p ) LOL

I am one who's said that on occasion !! Surprised and shocked me no end .

Oh lord YES!! Occasionally friends will bring a dog to visit - but most folks know that our dogs usually react pretty strongly to strange dogs ... many many years ago in teh City subbubs it was when dogs were allowed offlead most places ..incl treasury gardens in melbourne ... there was the odd attack , but it seems nowhere like it is now .Gosh ..I used to walk at 5:30 am ..with a dog or two and a cat , most times . ( on the short walks) NO WAY. would I attempt that these days . Sometimes Guide dogs in training would get charged - often then bitten .. but it was definitely not the norm ...and we would laugh at dogs who used to ambush us from behind big fences .

Ok ..those photos with Uncle puck are just so beautiful .....

bugga. ok - perhaps try a few of these ( large size) ..they wash and dry really well ..and hold a lot of liquid ! Conni Critter pads.

We would love to hear what your Mum chooses - if she needs help , you know where to ask ;) best of luck -

Indi's a softie. he got his name , Indiana , from being an adventurer almsot from birth ! he would be the one climbing out of bed, or on the cover, or well away from everyone else ..just looking ... Today he would have run around 20 km .

Yes I think maybe scared was a bad word to use. Maybe dislike would have been a wiser choice??? *nods* using the right descriptions is really helpful . Anyhow - it's good you're doing homework ... take time , read everything on offer, go around and meet dogs .. and consider that perhaps your little girl just doesn't want a dog yet ?

;) if your mum wants a dog - maybe let her choose what will suit her abilities & living arrangements? Then there will be no pressure on your toddler - the dog will be Grandma's , which may be helpful. if your daughter just isn't keen on most dogs - then that is her choice . :) Doesn't really sound as though she is scared, like I read originally . If you read some of what is on this site while you are deciding.... It has lots of good info, like the following excerpt :

Thanks guys .. there's a few here too --- Every working Day Indi (Indiana Goanna) puts in , The Boss piggybacks him from the ute to the chain/kennel . ..It's about 50 feet I guess . Freddie - when It is like today , 40 deg ..LOVES a hose down after his day . He worked really hard mustering goats in the heat today, so he did get hosed .hard!! these guys are on chains .. sometimes they have fleas ... the work is hot & hard and dangerous , and they get no mod cons ... but it's what they are born into , and thrive on . Last year , Indi had a couple of months off , after he caught his flank on a goat horn , and opened up a very large hole ! it was fascinating ... anyhow .. with some advice from McDowell Herbal , some herbal mixes, and lots of silver colloid washes he healed well and quickly . Like any male ..after the first couple of days being bruised & sore , he got bored & very noisy ! :) he was a bit spoilt .. a new bed, some food dispensing toys and extra bones ( that's spoilt for a toughnut ) We do love 'em all , even if they do not have all the trappings .

he's on an old armchair out on the verandah ... it has a sheet throw-over ...

a snack after swimming . mmmm dried sheep hoof ... jus thinkin'..... My pretend Whippet ... poetry in motion .... A rare white puddenheadedhippo grazing .

the vet had a look .. where? I am wondering neurological , affecting the smooth muscles ?

Is mac peeing and/or pooping indoors? is there any other behaviour that has appeared or dis-appeared ? AFAIK , tooth grinding can be a sign of pain ...and , with a change in toilet habits - perhaps he has something happening internally ?

LINK excerpt :

I start feeding at 4 weeks ..and decreasing Mum's food . by 6 weeks , mum is on a normal (or less) amount of food,and has not much milk as pups aren't suckling much . here, the pups wean themselves pretty much - we never need to separate them. because pups are getting lots of food ..mum is on a 'diet'.. it evens out .

Ok ..are you getting a large , strong, drooly, independent dog with your daughter in mind? Now you've said she is not fond of your current dog ..honestly , I agree that a puppy is probably not a good plan. A nip may well be VERY stressful for your girl. have you considered talking with a child psychologist ? having a professional along for the ride is pretty much always a good idea - hope that you can find the cause of this fear , and slowly work with one another to help your daughter - so that , one day , she may be relaxed and confident enough to choose and welcome a new puppy into her life :)