hortfurball

People can yell when they are scared. They may look angry but it can be fear based. Perhaps he was also angry that your dog being off leash made him feel fearful for his dog. I'm not saying he handled it well, but sometimes people just react in a fearful situation, without thinking about the best way to achieve an outcome.

Not all of the other ingredients are inert. I'd be avoiding the antifungals and the propylene glycol so I wouldn't put Confidor on a dog ever. I wouldn't be stating that there doesn't seem to be anything in it to harm animals on an internet forum, some innocent could read that and believe it. Do you have a chemistry degree? Anyway, if you are using essential oils as a carrier, might want to investigate their toxicity too, particularly as you have cats. http://www.intheglow.com/speech.html http://www.thelavendercat.com/3201/index.html

Yes he went about it the wrong way. I'm glad to hear you have called the ranger and will now conform, but I wonder how it is that you didn't know that dogs should be on leash at ALL times unless there is a sign saying otherwise. Not attacking you, just curious how dog owners escape this knowledge?

Sorry Kels84 but I agree with Melzawelza and Crisovar. If you choose to break the law, then at least have the courtesy to put your dog back on leash when you see another person walking their dog. You don't know what has happened to them in the past. He shouldn't have yelled, but it may have been fear talking. My heartbeat used to go through the roof when I saw an off leash dog because both of mine were jumped so often that I ended up with two DA or fear aggressive dogs, so every time I saw a dog off leash I knew if it got close enough I could have trouble, whatever its intentions. These days I get angry and prepared instead. I step between, ask the owner to control their dog and command their dog to back off. If the dog approaches me and my dog after that I have every intention of putting the boot in. In situations like yours where the dog doesn't leave your side, I would walk in a wide circle around you, but if this involves me having to cross a road to avoid you, I'm going to think you are rude and selfish for necessitating it. It's just not fair to expect everyone to be ok with the idea of a strange dog off leash, and the larger the dog, the more intimidating the idea of it being off leash. 'Poor old Frankie' probably wouldn't care if you clipped his leash on for 50m or so.

Unfortunately, 99% of your average Joe think exactly this way. I had a hard time convincing my ex housemate that it could just as easily be one of hers, so I went with the "your puppies will take up homes that may have gone to those pound puppies, so either way more pups will die if you do this" argument. That, and the risk of awful things going wrong and losing her beloved girl, seemed to work. Funny he didn't mention his main motivation - he thinks there's a buck in it for him! Actually I think in most one-off cases money isn't a factor, they are just ignorant and naive and really do love their dogs so much that they think everyone would love one of their puppies. I was there myself many years ago before I found DOL. I really did think Kuges was the absolute bees knees, and a few people had said they would love a dog like him, and that little part of you that really loves your dog says "They don't live long, if you have a pup, it will be like a little bit of Kuges lives on..." This is particularly relevant for x-breed owners because you can't simply go out and get another of the same breed. Some will learn, some are not able to be educated, all we can do is keep trying. Yep mita, it didn't matter what I said to him, there was just no changing this blokes mind..I only hope he has trouble finding a stud dog, but I'm sure unfortunately there is probably an unethical breeder out there looking for some extra cash that will give him what he wants. Just be grateful that there are very few Aussie breeders (especially in Vic) and the ones that I know would probably hang and quarter this guy before they would let him use their stud dogs. If he's that determined and if your arguments didn't give him food for thought, he will probably eventually look for a similar sort of x-breed to cross. Let's just hope that if he gets the same messages repeated from all the breeders he phones that eventually the idea will take hold in his brain that what you are all saying has merit. Don't think that what you said made no difference though. He may have still seemed determined on the phone, but that was all within seconds of you telling him, things take a while to germinate.

"Tsüj Gniddik" :D

Way to go Rastus! No clue what's in the dog but he's gorgeous!

Kirty, people like you are truly angels in disguise. :D So glad you were able to show Rex such love in his final months. Run free Rex.

Actually I called myself 'no kill without first investigating all circumstances' which is quite different to 'no kill regardless of circumstances'. I have a reasonable and balanced approach and like to know all the facts before I suggest whether I think a dog should be PTS, and given that we are discussing these cases on an internet forum, based on media reports, I will therefore never have adequate information to make that call, and nor, in my opinion, does anyone else, which is pretty much my entire argument. Greytmate, firstly, let me say that I mostly find myself agreeing with or liking your posts around DOL, I'm not quite sure why you've singled this out as needing your attention, but please take my post in the context it was meant, in answer to this: "a lot of it is based around putting the dog down and everyone on that particular thread agrees with putting the dog down... yet on this thread I think the majority of us want Buster to at least get an assessment to see if he is an 'aggressive dog'." This is from a relative newbie who believed until recently that she was the only person on this forum that did not advocate the immediate PTS of a dog that has been involved in an 'attack', except for in Buster's case where it seems to have a different slant. My reference to 'the good ole days' was VERY tongue in cheek. Sorry you think 'pro kill brigade' is a nasty label, I am long-winded enough in my posts without having to spell out 'those who advocate PTS without knowing all the facts first'. I was merely trying to be concise, and given the length of my post, failing as usual. I think it is clear given my stance that I am in favour of having Buster assessed for temperament so would suggest that was inherent in my reply and didn't need stating. I only remember one name and have no idea whether that person is even still a member of DOL. I do vaguely remember a few choice comments but have no recollection of who said them as I don't hold grudges, so the best way to answer your question is to say that the people I refer to as the 'pro kill brigade' is anyone who states that a dog should be PTS without question as soon as they read the media coverage. Unless they witnessed the incident and have a fairly good knowledge of dog behaviour, then to call for the death of a dog they've never met for a crime that may or may not have been misrepresented and/or sensationalised IMO is simply baying for blood, an example of human pack mentality. If you discriminate, or wish to know all the facts before imposing a death sentence, then you have no reason to be offended by my post or the label/shorthand. I'm not pretending to any silent majority, nor ever said I was, but I do know that I am not the only person on this forum who does not claim to know whether or not a dog should be PTS within 5 minutes of reading a news story. See above, you already asked, I already answered...in depth (as usual :D ) And now we have wasted enough of everyone's time (those who bothered to read), back to Buster...

A bit late but are you for real? The only rodents that make me feel this way are people who are cruel and inhumane to animals. Mice don't know they carry diseases, don't intentionally do it, it is not their choice to be a pest, they are simply trying to survive. Humans have the power of rational thought and judgement, they should know better than to carry out, advocate or condone cruelty or inhumane actions. Absolutely sickening.

http://www.k9pro.com.au/news/20/Pet-dog-su...auls-four?.html (direct link to Buster's story on K9pro site - the family has enlisted Steve's aid in assessment and possible rehabilitation of Buster)

Damn I thought I was doing well... Kuges just arrived home and I can't stop the tears The fellow said "Here he is" and handed me the wooden box (so small.) I said "It's just not the same, is it" and I just crumpled.

In the good ole days we'd have ripsnortingly intense 4 way arguments - BSL supporters vs anti-BSL, and pro kill vs no kill. The threads got extremely heated and were usually closed within a day or two, if they lasted more than a few hours. I am adamantly 'no kill without first investigating all circumstances' and was horrified by the cries of "PTS, PTS". I don't and will never understand the stance of people who think that 'human aggression in dogs is unacceptable in any circumstances' and had many long, emotional and ultimately pointless arguments on that issue. (Lo Pan and a few others might remember as we stood side by side arguing our case for a fair go for the dogs) One issue I have is that according to the 'pro kill' argument, the 'hero GR' in the link Aidan posted should also be PTS for aggression. Try telling the owner he saved that and see what reaction you get. But the pro kill brigade doesn't discriminate as to circumstances. These days I simply don't visit these threads, as I see no point in getting into the same arguments with the same people over and over. The only reason I came into this one was to see what inspired OdinGenie's other thread. So it's not that we no kill people are not here, just that we are not in every 'dog attack' thread yelling our heads off. Doesn't mean we condone the attitudes, just tired, and can't be bothered with 'cut and paste' from one thread to another. I'm sorry to hear that you think you are outnumbered and it doesn't seem to be an even split any more though, can't let the pro kill brigade get the upper hand! I completely agree with you. And it is nice to (FINALLY) see that someone doesn't agree with the killing of a dog because it has attacked. I have never met anyone else who agrees with me and I am sure you do get criticised as well because a lot of people on this forum do think it is ok - and everyone of course is entitled to their own opinions! Including you and i! And I agree with everything else you said as well - you pretty much said exactly what I did in my previous post except in a simpler, non-rambling way. I think that everyone's reaction to this is because of the breed which is not a good thing unless we all start supporting the assessment of other breeds that attack as well. Now you've met two. ETA: Just saw K9's post, great news!

I know I said it before, but cocker spaniel pups! (My BFF's dog as a pup with my Kuges, aged approx 18 months, on self imposed babysitting duties) and my little muttly Ella dog was a bit of a cutie pie too, so kelpie x pups...

at the bolded bit. Oh if only we were allowed to shoot stupid people. I am SPEECHLESS that Whiskedaway's council is moving the water meter to the back yard given this rule. What a ridiculously thoughtless thing to do. Creamypuff, go to your local council's website. All bylaws should be outlined there in regards to expectations of responsible dog ownership including liability and exceptions. It'll probably be a PDF file and will all be in legal speak so will take some chugging through.

Sorry but I think that it's just a not so 'sudden fad for cross bred dogs with ridiculous *breed* names' and your lady is completely deluded! Where on earth is she pulling these silly ideas from? And why on earth do you think she represents the market? I own a crossbreed and even I know the 'breeders' of these designer mutts are doing it for the money and have no regard whatsoever for the temperament, faults or otherwise of the dogs they are breeding. They are simply cashing in on the 'cutesie pie factor' of the latest trend. Either that or they are simply ignorant people who got a cutesy puppy themselves and think that their dog is so special everyone will want one of its pups. Case in point, my ex housemate (hopefully now dissuaded) and more recently a FB 'friend'. I would suggest that your lady is sick of hearing that her beloved sweetie poppet was only bred for the money and has invented an alternative she can live with.

Looking at the results of your poll, I'd say this is far from what is happening. Brilliant post! Couldn't have put it any better! Further to your GR who won't retrieve, I read the funniest thing in our weekend paper. Excerpt from article "...an idiosyncratic German short haired pointer who defied her genes, being deathly afraid of popping noises and anything gun shaped (walking sticks, furled umbrellas) and insisting on neither fetching nor coming."

Thank you all for your sympathy and messages. It means a lot. A week today. A very long week. A very strange week. Part of me keeps expecting him to amble in from another room...

OMG! These pics are to die for! :laugh: And how on earth did I forget newfies?

This may just be the cutest thread ever!! I'm another who human babies do nothing for but show me a puppy and I go all gooey! All puppies are cute, but labs, goldens, rotties, aussies, kelpies, samoyeds, danes, most of the setters and all of the mastiffs are incredibly hard to beat. However, english cocker spaniel puppies may just be IMPOSSIBLE to beat! http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ljIL8x4kFa0/TXyX...ctures%2B11.jpg http://healthy-vending-machines.com/wp-con...ppy-Picture.jpg http://rlv.zcache.com/english_cocker_spani...848trak_400.jpg http://rlv.zcache.com/cocker_spaniel_puppi...127tdcp_400.jpg

So I didn't imagine that...trying to distance himself from the 'Tony' identity now we are all onto him? ETA

Either by some strange coincidence you are both named Tony (what are the odds?) or you are VERY close! Gees, this just gets better and better, one minute you sign off as Tony, the next you are his friend... ETA

Sorry but I'm just pissing myself laughing at the turn this thread has taken. My apologies to D22, I know you had a real scare, but you really have to see the funny side. Love this forum when someone gives 'advice' they shouldn't!

Greytmate answered beautifully. Yes I'd class that as an attack and yes you were absolutely justified in kicking the dog. Like you I don't like violence against animals but I wouldn't have hesitated to do the same if I'd found myself in that situation. I also try to get between my dog and an approaching dog if I see it coming. I've found the words "Back off!" come out most naturally, and in a commanding tone. If Lexie has a doggie best friend, or if you know anyone who has a very friendly relaxed dog, organise a playdate for her in a controlled environment. Big hugs to both you and Lexie.

I think you'll find that all the tips for helping your dog overcome separation anxiety also work for you. NOT making a big fuss of them when you leave and ignoring them for 5-10 minutes when you get home seems hard at first, but after a while it just becomes habit, and because you don't make a big deal about leaving them, you can't get stressed about it. Also, when you see that your dog is calmer and more relaxed when you leave, you stop worrying about whether they'll fret.