*Avanti*

I wouldn't know what tests Casster17; I’d leave that to the vet. I just thought it sounded like your vet was not very experienced with pancreatitis if they were saying your dog could return to her old diet. I think my dog, Heidi, had some blood in her diaherria with the pancreatitis but can't remember to be sure. Good to hear your dog is getting better, I hope it continues. A tip for bones: I give Heidi the very occasional marrow bone now but get them cut open and take the marrow part out and cut off any fat.

I'd get a second opinion if I was you. I don't think she will be able to go back to her old diet regardless of the margarine possibly being the catalyst. My Ladrador girl had pancreatitis last year and very nearly died from it. She was in so much pain and so depressed that she was going out in the freezing cold of winter to lay in the garden as if she just wanted to die. The vet agreed that's what she was doing. She was admitted to the Lort Smith Animal Hospital and put on a drip for about 5 days. I was told she has to stay off any fatty foods for life now. Once they have pancreatitis all you can do is manage it to prevent a relapse.

So disgusting that I reckon it would be better if they got no 'press' at all and I do not say this wishing to offend you or any other posters in this thread Wazza Xolo. I know it may be a fine line between denial and responsibility to face up to some things but honestly I reckon these things should be acknowledged but publicly (as in giving them attention in places like forums and blogs) ignored. We cannot stop it but don't give the nutters the satisfaction of attention and I think some of them are after that but that is only my guesss/opinion. And yes I find it very disturbing and there is a point with a lot of these animal cruelty news posts where I have to ignore them to be able to maintain a happy and useful creative disposition to be able to do any good and not be held back fighting the blues about it when I could be doing something more creative. It happens/sh*t happens but we can only deal with the situations that are within our power, our reach and our possibilities to help for change. For the dogs good places; like for instance dogzonline and people like Troy make that possible and for that I say thank you.

Thanks for the more optimistic outlook. I wasn't aware of lipomas but remember my old lab has a lump or two that never became a problem for him. I must admit given her health history I tend to panic a little now. Fingers crossed it will be a lipoma or something similarly benign.

When patting Heidi, one of my Labrador girls last night I discovered a lump, a bit bigger than the size of a golf ball. It is in her body, just near her front leg. It is not visually obvious as it is tucked away in what is like the armpit but the legpit if that was to make sense. This girl has had such a bad run of health already and I fear cancer. I've made a vet appt next week for it which is the earliest I will be able to afford any procedures. We were only there the other day for allergy management issues then I discover the lump that night. She's 7 years old and has had pancreatitis, then kidney failure which is so far maintained with a special diet.

I find it all a bit confusing Steve as some (and I am only saying 'some') of the things they are proposing seem good. Whose to say any other party will do anything differently if it is the RSPCA behind the proposals? I don't know though and would appreciate more info. Posting whole article: Brumby Government to back RSPCA on animal welface Posted: Wednesday, 27 October 2010 | By: Joe Helper A re-elected Brumby Labor Government will strengthen animal welfare laws and provide further support for the RSPCA to enforce animal cruelty prosecutions. Agriculture Minister Joe Helper said a re-elected Brumby Labor Government would build on Labor’s record of improving animal welfare with a wide-range of measures designed to ensure the responsible owning and breeding of animals. “We will introduce a minimum age for buying pets, ensure more dogs and cats are desexed and introduce new laws to crackdown on rogue puppy farm operators,” he said. “We will continue to work with the RSPCA and other animal organisations to ensure animals and pets are protected.” Mr Helper said a re-elected Brumby Labor Government would: Provide the RSPCA with $4 million over four years to help fund their inspectorate work, so they can continue to prosecute cases of animal cruelty and give the RSPCA further powers to enforce animal welfare laws in relation to pets and pet-breeding establishments; Introduce a minimum age for buying pets, so anyone under 18 who wants to purchase a pet will need parental consent; Amend the pet shop code to ensure any dogs and cats sold from a pet shop are either de-sexed or the future de-sexing is pre-paid with a redeemable voucher at a vet; Review tiered pet registration in consultation with local government, to encourage further de-sexing of pets; Extend the maximum holding period for animals in shelters and pounds to allow more animals to be rehabilitated and re-housed; Improve the standards in the pet shop code of practice providing for the exercise and socialisation of animals prior to being sold; Review penalties for repeat animal cruelty offences; Expand the highly successful Responsible Pet Ownership program to cover an extra 300 kindergartens every year; and Regulate the identification and traceability of online pet sales to improve consumer protection and aid welfare investigations. Mr Helper said as part of its commitment to strengthen animal welfare laws, the Brumby Labor Government will move to stamp out rogue puppy farm operators from the pet breeding industry. “Most people breed animals in a responsible and humane way but unfortunately there are some elements in the industry that exploit animals,” he said. “That is why we will introduce tough new laws to make sure more businesses are covered by laws applying to registered pet breeders and all those businesses are audited every year to ensure they are treating their animals humanely.” Mr Helper said rogue puppy farm operators would have to contend with: Councils and the RSPCA having the ability to shut down and immediately seize animals from pet breeders who aren’t treating their animals humanely; Penalties being doubled for pet breeders who don’t register as a domestic animal business or who don’t comply with a Code of Practice from $1195 to $2389 for each breach; Changes to what is defined as a domestic animals business from a minimum of 10 breeding females to three; These new laws being applied to pet breeders who don’t intend to make money from their operation so all pet breeders are covered; Annual audits of every registered pet breeding establishment so regular checks are made to ensure animal welfare laws are being met; and A new ‘Smart Pet Buyers’ guide in partnership with stakeholder organisations to give Victorians the most up-to-date advice to make sure their purchase of a pet is from a shelter or responsible and registered pet breeder.

I've got some notes somewhere (disorganised horticulture student here.. ) but for starters this mob list some of the good ones. http://treelogic.com.au/facts/2008/06/screening-trees/ You would need to consider evergreen or deciduous. Lillypilly might not be desirable with dogs due to the fruits, things like that. A very popular one: Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Screen Master' Fast growing plant, 4-5m

I see Sheridan is talking about a situation that was quiet and peaceful and something has recently changed. She is asking here for advice and suggestions. I am not sure how your garden is laid out Sheridan or your light requirements for the veggie patch (what is north facing etc) but I could suggest some fast growing screening trees. If that is a possibility I could research some for you...from the family of what is sometimes termed "Neighbours be Gone Trees"...

I hadn't been on DOL for a few days and missed the thread about the sub-forum on renting with pets. I'd be interested in joining in if I could help and participate if it is not too late. I tried to pm you Steve but your pm box is full.

Sending my condolences for the sad and sudden loss of your girl Sophie Moselle. :D I lost my heart dog 5 years ago and still think of him most days (he's the one in my avatar atm). I doubt the love we feel for them ever dies. Take care at this tender time.

Also, can anyone report on Dyson for after service, and/or how well they last etc? ETA Thanks to the DOL member who emailed me with the helpful links.

Hi, I found out from the repair shop that my Wertheim is not repairable (motor died :p ) so I’m serious about getting a replacement now. I'm not that happy with the new Wertheims for the price. Some of the design seems a bit week to me. Also the new ones seem to have a very high pitched noise. I get tinnitus so that puts me off a bit. I noticed today that the Dysons are a little less noisy that way. Just wondering with the Dysons when people say turbo head do you mean turbine, ie the air driven, or the motorised one? The repair shop man was telling me the air driven is better and that most brands are moving over to that design now as they tend to break down less being simpler they have tend to develop less electical faults etc. It's also better on the motor, he said. The Wertheim was very good at picking up the dog hair but the problem is I cannot test the Dyson on my carpets. In the shop you only have the mats they provide. I am just concerned that if I spend that much money I might find out it isn't going to do the job as good as I was used to. The motorised head one is also nearly $300 more than the turbine air driven one I could get on special atm. Then there are a lot of cheaper replicas in the shops now as well. Decisions!

I'm sorry for your loss of your beautiful girl. RIP Phoenix. :p

I was doing a search on vacs and saw this post. My Wertheim is in at the repair place at the moment but it might not be repairable. ( ) I have found it fantastic for vacuuming up Labrador sheddings. I might have to buy a new one and am wondering about another Wertheim or switching to Dyson. I had a look at the Dysons in a store today (I want a motorised head) and I was not all that impressed. I was looking at the DC23 and it seems so clumsy with the thick handle. Maybe I could get used to it if the other features were good enough. I also thought it had too many bits sticking out, ie was not a very streamlined design and thought these might catch on things as one vacuums. There is a new Wertheim bagless out for $300 less so I am considering that. It has a power head and like the Dyson, requires no replacement bags or filters etc. I was wondering if anyone here might have had experience with both brands and could say which they think is better. Is the Dyson suction really that good etc?

I hadn't seen it either, what a dog! They did a good job with the camera too. Thanks.

Sending more cheers for a speedy and full recovery.

Hi A and G, I have no idea about any litters but just wanted to say congrats on adopting your beautiful girl and posting her pic. I have two yellow Lab girls and love them to bits. They are such sweet natured softies.

I'm probably no help except to say if it was twilight time, which it looks it may have been; I find that's when my dogs get very energised and really love their zoomies.

I have just rang the Zoo,because nothing mentioned on the news.I spoke to some-one who said the little male one was killed(autopsy done)& tossed in to the yard he was found in.This lady said that he would have put up a good fight,probably poor little beggars down-fall.I asked about security & was told there are double locks & double yards & that these "theives" came well prepared.The news & police are over there looking as I speak as there was a sighting either early today or last night of the little female one in the area close to the Zoo,apparently it is in a new estate,so if any-one else wants to help find her,should they live near by the Zoo, No is 3204.6566,I wish it would stop raining to help efforts to find her. Good on you bridie. I hope they find her safe and sound. What is it with people who would do this? Have they no clues about extinction and the reason there is a breeding program? It's so tragic about the little male. I found it hard to sleep the other night just thinking about it.

I wish the media could put some 'breaking news' on the TV/radio to plea for the return of the female explaining how serious it is for her; to somehow encourage a safe return. Whoever has her, if she is still alive, is likely to panic now that the male has died. So sad that an endangered species isn't even safe here.

:)

Sorry to post another grim thread but I'm hoping it might help them to be found even if by some prayers for them. I hope the idiots that did this may come to their senses and return them. The female is pregnant and due to give birth any day. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/10/10/3034154.htm Grave fears for monkeys stolen from zoo Posted 3 hours 27 minutes ago The stolen female is due to give birth any day now. (Alma Park Zoo ) Two highly endangered monkeys have been stolen from a wildlife park north of Brisbane. It is believed offenders cut their way in to Alma Park Zoo last night and took the tiny cotton top tamarins - a small monkey found in Central and South America. Manager Gary Connell says the male and pregnant female were part of an international breeding program and he is concerned for their safety. "They've got little needle sharp teeth but they're not wild in as far as if they were loose they wouldn't be a threat to the public," he said. "They're only about 500 grams each so they're only tiny." Mr Connell says Tonto and Conchetta need special care to survive in Brisbane's climate. "The biggest thing is if they're out in the open air environment this wet weather will kill them," he said. "They're a tropical monkey that need warmth and we have their enclosures normally warmed. "The female is heavily pregnant and she's due to give birth any day now." But Mr Connell says the stress of their kidnapping could cause the pregnant female to miscarry. He says it is unknown how many babies she is carrying, but the cotton top tamarins usually give birth to twins.

Indeed! There have been some tragic reports lately. I know they happen and I'm not wishing to turn a blind eye but I feel there is a limit to how constructive it is to read about them. We need to maintain a cheerful perspective with the good stories too and there are also many, so thank you AmandaJ for Conan's story. edited to add..

I am sorry for your loss. ;) The special ones are always there in our hearts. RIP Amme :D

I first heard about this on the radio early this morning. It happened only ten km's North of my suburb which I find creepy that there is such sick person/s in my area. Absolutely disgusting and very disturbing that anyone could do this. The police reckon it would have taken more than one person. My heart goes out to the owner too who they said had been off work from a bit of a breakdown earlier this year . They said her daughter's horse was now missing his/her friend who shared the same paddock. Now they fear for that horse's safety. In a way it seems a worry that they put that on the news until they have caught the low-life ******. I hope they catch the murderer/s, lock them up and throw away the key .