persephone

I am still wondering at the public killing/butchering/feeding out of this animal - I wonder if it is common practice at some zoos ?

yep. their systems (as are most animals) are very effective in using moisture in their food - cats especially ! :) A cat who eats prey is eating a food with around 70% water - as opposed to dry food with under 10 % ! Wild cats can survive in arid climates because of this - they concentrate urine and need to drink very little extra water .

..and then fed out to the lions , again with the public present .... NOT posting a link to teh photos ........... . "castration is cruel" said someone important ...... I wonder if the someone important was given a choice, lose your nuts or lose your life, what would he choose? yes.....

..and then fed out to the lions , again with the public present .... NOT posting a link to teh photos ........... . "castration is cruel" said someone important ......

alpha bet - if there were health/behavioural issues, perhaps that should have been mentioned? My guess is that more understanding would arise from that ... if the managers knew of a problem with inbreeding this calf should have never been born- or should have been euthed at birth ....instead of probably been a useful drawcard as a gangly big-eyed baby ... and then lion food as a useless adult.

:) Thanks . I like these spiders - they are much more placid - and , when eating - just stay nice & still -usually-

taken with iPhone 4S and olloclip macro lens . A flower spider has caught herself a beeautiful meal!! it amazes me just how powerful these spider are !!

no - IMO , as there were many more opportunities for early socialising - NO parvo ..many more offlead opportunities .... and 'the public' had more general sense of what dogs were like . It is sad now that new owners have so many things to concern them - worries which get in the way of simply enjoying bringing a pup into their home. hang in there, Chey - it WILL all be good !! :D

:) I don't use food rewards - but will suggest you have a look at this youtube video and others in teh series - I like the way she works! https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=PRT6r6d79OU&list=PLF26FD559887E7EA4

..very sad - I am wondering why he was allowed to get to that age ? there is this also : LINK excerpt:

it's an excellent start, YES!! :)

Shared around ... thanks.

LOl yep :) ..or at least they say sorry afterwards :p

Hopefully they start to put on some 'puppyfat' now that mum is more relaxed .. That is a very cute photo of the little girl :)

Cheys - yes, apologies- we can be a bit full-on and enthusiastic at handing out advice --- it can be overwhelming ;) Ams wrote a very good post (as usual)

agree!! I think it's great :) and another from me.

:) Sorry you now seem to be feeling that it's impossible - Not impossible - but Impulse isn't the way to go, either . You have planned and have good things in mind for your new pup - and yes, it's your choice . what makes a good family dog? eek? How long's a piece of string? this is a very individual situation .. for some families, it's a small dog - others, one who is rambunctious and an exercise fiend ..or large and goofy .. What has led you to choose a goldie or lab?

they are very different! , Labs & Goldens ....... No idea of the breeder you mentioned - the thing about buying a pup is to do your research! Research the lines - check as to what the temperament is like ... what have these dogs done ? Have any of teh family been shown - worked- trained as assistance/guides or anything? Word of moith is a wonderful thing when seeking a breeder !! maybe check out who has labs on here - what breeder they got them from, and how happy they are ??? :) some are just way too boisterous to have around young kids .. labs , in my experience tend to go 'through' people/kids rather than go 'round' ... Don't forget too they shed 26 hrs day ;)

..I thought you wanted a Golden Retriever?

The growl/under the tongue needs to be FIRM ..and to be uncomfortable ...

Oh, Gosh - I had no idea :( Thinking of everyone . INFO SITE HERE

Sounds ok :) ..or you can always just walk out the room for a minute ;)

A lot of it also comes from the parents - ;) some more homework for you ............. HERE A puppy is born with its own temperament/personality . What happens with the raw material is then dependent on its upbringing. :) Not all pups are the same - which is why, at around 6-8 weeks , an ethical experienced breeder can match a puppy with a family/home :)

better the kids be disappointed now than a year down the track if pup showed behavioural/health probs and there was no support from the breeder .... I also hate confrontation --- just 'rip the bandaid off quick' and send an email .....