Mags

I should have been clearer I was referring to yoghurt etc that contains gelatine (derived from Halal killed animals). As with most things looking at ingredient lists helps. We now make our own yoghurt and it contains no gelatine.

Just found this thread - really glad to here young Zoey is doing better. If they send her home this soon watch her really closely as she will still be very fragile. Hope she continues to get better and you are posting soon about a full recovery.

We use human grade meat for the animals - our butcher still buys animals out of the paddock so I know they are grass fed and not feedlotted. Our eggs are free range too as we both have issues intensive husbandry practises for chickes and beef/sheep. We eat little chicken or pork though when we can get paddock raised pork its a treat and we will take the whole pig or half if we can find some one to share. We refuse to buy yoghurt etc that is labelled halel we do not like the practise and will not support any product that uses ingredients derived from an animal killed in this way. We eat very little seafood as again we do not support the way these animals are killed - long lingering deaths and the killing of other animals accidentally in the process just doesn't do it for us. Unfortunately for most animals killed for human consumption they meet their end in an abaittoir which may not be all that pleasant though these days for cattle and sheep at least they try to stress them minimally. Chickens are a whole other issue and another reason we eat little chicken meat. Best death from my perspective is being able to kill them yourself quickly and cleanly without them knowing it is coming. Unfortunately not the end for most animals and the majority of people could not do it themselves anyway even if they had the space and the means to do so. We all do what we are comfortable with when it comes to eating animal products and feeding them to our pets. Some people's choices are more limited because of the money they have available to spend and that is OK too. We all have to get by. The one thing I really do not hold with are vegetarians trying to make their obligate carnivore pets (ie cats) vegetarian too. Seriously people get a different pet if you can't feed them meat or meat products.

Goodluck getting it all happening. If cats are anything to go by the showing of alters can work and work well. It encourages people to show their companion purebreds and they can be terrific examples of the breed. It encourages new people into the ring and therefore into the fancy and down the track some of these people start breeding and showing entires too. Many of these people would not have been happy starting with an entire. Some people will just be happy to show alters and that is fine too. I have just had a litter of Maine Coon kittens - very happy with their quality and will be keeping one back. Not to breed from but as a show alter so people will have an example of my breeding available to see as I currently do not have a show alter as my 5 yr old black silver boy deciding to call it a day (despite only just having reach full size and looking probably the best he ever has) - this boy besides earning all his titles made many people fall for MC's in his time on the bench as his type is good and his temperament amazing. Entire cats are often not as easy to handle as their altered counter parts and it is a much harder task to keep them in show condition - perhaps this is why alter cats have been encouraged to compete in the cat fancy whilst the move has just started with dogs. I do hope you can get more awards available with cats we have alters competing against each other in breed/group/top 10 (best 10 entries across all breeds) as do entires. Once we get to the Best Alter/Best Entire/Best Entire Kitten/Best Alter Kitten they go against each other for Supreme Exhibit. Not all associations run it the same way - but all allow the alters to compete on an even footing and many breeders show an alter.

Unfortunately most registered breeders regardless of what they breed get these type of calls. And people don't want to hear that no reputable registered breeder will let them use their stud. Some of them are polite when you say no and others are rude but none of them listen to the reasons you have said no. I have pure breed cats and the same things happen with them. Jo

There are apparently now breed restictions on the Iditarod http://thepoodleanddogblog.typepad.com/the...les-in-the.html

Beautiful photos of your stunning pair. We are currently looking for another dog - and we have been investigating getting a greyhound seems like it might be a good choice. Thanks Kirsty Jo

I was unable to upload Tania's attachment so if anyone would like a copy please PM me with your email addy. Thank you for taking the time to read this post & a huge thank you to anyone that makes a submission. Jo

Hi Everyone, A fellow cat owner whose cat was also affected by the disaster that was Orijen in Australia has prepared this email regarding the pet food safety & labelling review that is now open for public comment. Please read and make comments to the review if you are able. We need to have a system which ensures pet food safety and we currently clearly don't. Jo Hello fellow pet-lover and I hope this finds you and your furry friends well. PET FOOD SAFETY AND LABELLING REVIEW OPEN FOR PUBLIC COMMENT If you weren’t aware that there was a Pet Food Safety Review in progress it’s not surprising – it has been kept below the general public’s radar, as was the human Food Labelling Review earlier this year. The Pet Food Industry Association of Australia, together with the RSPCA, Quarantine Dept, DAFF and Australian Veterinary Association have developed a Draft Australian Standard for the Manufacturing and Marketing of Pet Food which, when finalised, will replace their current self-regulated Code of Practice and offer the consumer more peace of mind. While this is not government regulation, it will hold all domestic and imported pet food to a strict standard of manufacture, labelling and marketing. The draft is available for public comment prior to finalisation and can be accessed here as Draft # 5812 http://infostore.saiglobal.com/store/Detai...oductID=1431982 MEDIA INTEREST AND PET OWNERS’ CALLS FOR OVERHAUL This is a response to pet owners’ demands for regulation of the industry following three separate pet food/treat recalls in 2008/2009 (Kramar chicken treats, Orijen kibble, Virbac dog chews) and considerable media coverage: ABC 7.30 Report January 12 2009 http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2008/s2464272.htm (Transcript & link to video) Ch 7 Today Tonight July 13 2010 http://au.videoyahoo.com/watch/7872869/20861921 (Video of segment) LACK OF PUBLICITY AND PUBLIC INFORMATION BY BIG BUSINESS OR GOVERNMENT The Draft has been made available for public comment with minimal, if any, publicity unless you were going looking for it. The RSPCA has information on its website with guidelines for response here: http://www.rspca.org.au/what-we-do/science...ic-comment.html Veterinarians have been alerted and comment invited via their Association. Pet food industrialists have been alerted and comment invited by the PFIAA who have posted a link for consumers on their home page here – if consumers happen to access it: http://www.pfiaa.com.au/Home/New-industry-standard.aspx However there has been no publicity of which I am aware aimed at consumers, who are the primary stakeholders and the very people who finance this A$6 billion dollar industry, even though Australians are one of the largest pet owning populations in the world with over 60% of households having a dog or cat companion. http://www.ava.com.au/newsarticle/pets-con...e-power-economy Yes, it’s “Big Business”, and we all know how Big Business often treats its customers. That’s why I’m sending you this today and I hope you accept this opportunity in the spirit it is offered and do not consider this to be an intrusion. I just felt you deserved to know and be given the chance to add your voice. PIMC PET FOOD SAFETY WORKING GROUP STILL DELIBERATING In June I made an unsolicited submission to the Primary Industries Ministerial Council Pet Food Safety Working Group. This is a separate body from the committee which produced the Draft Standard for pet food and they are still meeting/deliberating. They have failed to report their progress via communiqués as promised and I have this week alerted the new Minister of DAFF and the opposition Parliamentary Secretary to this fact. I have attached my June letter (without attachments but with references) for your interest. Perhaps some of the issues I raised in it are of concern to you too. These are my own views and in no way am I suggesting they should also be yours or that I ask you to agree with my viewpoint. It may, though, be useful in summarising for you some issues of concern and assist you in considering and forming your own viewpoint and response to the Draft Standard. THE ORIJEN CATS Some of us have had pets die, have pets who have been harmed, or have pets who have been permanently maimed by pet food. This is how my cat, Colette, is today after eating gamma irradiated food – in a wheelchair, rear legs paralysed and urinary incontinent. Let’s all make sure nothing like this or the issues covered in the above media videos can ever happen again, to our pets, to us, or to any other pet owner. THE PROCESS TO FOLLOW IF YOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE The process for comment on the Draft is rather complex and I believe, exclusive – not in the Australian spirit of a Fair Go. The frail elderly, blind (Guide Dog owners!), computer illiterate – all are excluded from this process. Let’s be a voice for them too. And if you don’t have a pet, or like me, feed human food to your fur family, let’s consider the working animals that help make our lives secure – working farm dogs and cats, guide dogs, therapy dogs and cats, Customs dogs, Army dogs and Police dogs – who would stand in the line of fire and take a bullet to save their handler – let’s give them a voice. In fact, I believe this issue affects everyone. Please do your best to not let the rather cumbersome method of commenting put you off – that’s what “they” probably want. It’s a two step process as follows: 1) Get your pdf copy of the Draft Standard Follow this link to the Standards Australia publications website. The below link should take you straight to the Draft #5812. You must register to download the Draft. http://infostore.saiglobal.com/store/Detai...oductID=1431982 Register for free, download the pdf, consider its contents, jot down the comments you wish to make. Note the Draft is licenced to you only and should not be passed on. 2) Go to the Standards hub website to comment. The web address is on the first page of the pdf you downloaded and you will need to register here as well. www.hub/standards.org.au/hub/public/listOpenCommentingPublication.action Find Draft#5812 in the list and click on the “submit a comment line”. This will take you to the registration page – click on the Register message on the right hand side. Fill in the registration form. They send you a confirmation email and direct you back to the log-in page so you can submit your comments. Note you can return to re-read and edit your comment before you finally submit it. Note that email, fax, or letter submissions will not be accepted or read. The RSPCA have offered to help anyone with advice for this process – in their email to me they said: “The process for comment is a bit complicated but members of the public can contact us directly at [email protected] if they have any questions or issues and we will assist them. Please do feel free to pass this on to any interested parties. We are hoping to garner as much support as we can for the RSPCA guidelines/position.” You might not agree in full with the RSPCA position – read what they have to say and decide, it’s up to you. The same goes for my letter attached. Please give yourself a couple of nights over the next two weeks to do all this. Submissions close Tuesday 23 November. Please take part. It’s what we’ve been asking for. It’s what we and our pets deserve. Thank you. Tania and “the Girls”.

Geez has no idea what the dog is but knows all about it? Does make you wonder if these people ever listen to themselves. Can honestly say I have never had advice from staff at pet barn or any other pet food store I have been to - I go in buy what I want and leave. But then I don't take any of my animals in with me either. Jo

Make a complaint, give details so they know its just not sour grapes and advise them you will not be showing under this judge again. Judges will not keep getting judging assignments if no one enters under them and its the only way that we have of expressing our lack of confidence in their skills. Really disappointing but at least you know where you stand with this judge - one less to enter under.

Do agree with the comments made about learning a little more about breeds as I am aware of several issues that are breed related with cats that caused me significant concern. A young ragdoll having her food severely restricted on veterinary advise because she was fat - this decision was based on her having a fatty pad on her abdomen. The fatty pad is a breed characteristic not an indication of being overweight in this breed, there was also discussion about her weighing far too much when she was in fact within breed range for her age and boning. A British shorthair owner being told to diet their cat until he had a nice long neck visable - again a major issue as this cat was not overweight and a nice example of his breed which do not have "nice long necks". And something we all got a laugh out of but potentially not a good situation for pet owners or their cat when a vet thought a healthy Devon Rex kitten had some horrid disease because of how it looked. No one can expect a vet to know everything about every breed of companion animal but they could take a little time to familiarise themselves with these breeds when they belong to their clients.

Can't speak highly enough about our vets they have been there for us through one of the worst periods of our lives when all our cats were poisoned by Orijen Cat food - it was our vets that prepared surveys and asked me to get them out to people, it was our vets who spoke to collegues o/s and got us help and found a lab in the US that would test food and blood to try and find out what the hell was going on. It was one of the clinics that paid for counselling for clients and staff alike and set up a mailing list so we would be kept up to date on what was going on and that was for all affected owners not just there clients. When one of our cats collapsed I rang and our vet was waiting at the door for me and raced our little girl into the consult room where he had the ulrasound waiting to check her chest. Yes vet bills since this started have been horrendous but this has been going on since April 2008 when our first cat became ill. What do vets need more of - unfortunately I think they do not get enough practical at uni and their handling and clinical skills when they come out is very poor. Yes they have to learn but I would prefer it is not to be on my animals that they make their mistakes especially when I am expected to pay the bill. Our vets had a new grad start with them and adequately supervised him until he was ready to stand alone. Unfortunately this from what I have seen appears to be a rare situation too many new grads are just left to their own devises and not always with good results. An eg: one of our cats - a show cat was to be desexed by a vet we had used for years - the mess that was made of her wound was unbelievable it was clearly done by someone other than the vet that was suppose to do it. I did complain and was told they would "fix" it think not you just lost my custom and that of my family and friends in the surrounding area who did not want their animal being next. If the new grad was to be allowed to do the op I would have expected he was supervised this clearly did not happen. In my opinion a total disregard for my cat and for me despite being a loyal client for years and I was assured our old vet would do the op. Took months to get her well enough for another vet to do surgery to repair the damage. A friend had a similar situation with her vet of many years in her case the cat died - not good enough I'm afraid. So better supervision of new grads - people have commented on them not being paid much well until they have the skills they need to do their job unsupervised that is not surprising. And I suppose the other thing that is needed is a requirement for them to stay up to date with changes that are occurring eg: change in vaccination protocols and the reasons why this has become necessary. Oh and nearly forgot they need to know how to report adverse drug reactions.

Chemist - here is a link to an online chemist that stocks it - they have stores in western sydney too (we use the Richmond store which is how I knew they had it). Goodluck

What a gorgeous happy boy - so glad the neighbour spoke up and got him rescued. Hope he goes to a wonderful forever home soon to still love people after what was done to him speaks volumes for his temperament.

If you are thinking of it as a rescue with all the inherent risks that potentially come with it that is fine go for it. I do not like to encourage BYB's but these people are not asking for money so they are clearly not doing it for profit. I suspect the father of the puppies could be any entire dog in your area not necessarily the dog across the road so that is something to consider. But if you are fine with getting a puppy that could grow into anything then go for it. Not really happy that this is the second litter they have had (getting the bitch desexed after the first mistake would certainly have made sense). IMO given it is raised in the house and is not in contact with umpteen other dogs it is probably safer to get this puppy then one from the pound as far as immediate disease issues are concerned. Anything after that is guess work as it is with all rescues. We have had rescues and purebreds from breeders over the years and there is no guarantee one will meet your needs better than the other. Most of our dogs have been very special regardless of where they started life. We have only had one with significant behavioural problems and she came directly from a breeder, though some rescues have had health problems that had to be dealt with and that can be expensive. As far as how a puppy will turn out - a lot depends on you and the work you are prepared to put in to it. Sounds like a puppy going to you will get the care and attention it needs. Your friend also having a puppy at the same time as you and from the same source means they can have contact/playtime with out you worrying about disease transmission. If you do decide on one of these puppies take it home via the vets and have it throughly examined and all required work done on it as you would with any other new companion animal joining your family. We have always had a vet visit before going home with any new kitten or puppy even from a registered reputable breeder - though in that case it is more a wellness check. Goodluck with whatever you decide.

Instead of introducing more and more stupid laws like this one what about enforcing some of the sensible ones they already have. Don't know about everyone else but I would like to be able to take my dog for a walk withour being threatened/attacked by free roaming dogs. But then that would tak e time and effort wouldn't it.

As a little kid my brother usse to eat the doggie donut bikkies mum had as treats for the dogs lol. But after having my cats killed/paralysed by pet food one of the reasons may be it could be irradiated or treated with goodness only knows what and they don't have to put it on the packaging because pet food isn't considered "food" in this country!

As has already been stated the coat on a poodle cross (I refuse to call them any of their DD names) vary considerably - I have seen them looking like a wolfhound cross (standard poodle cross with not a wolfhound anywhere to be seen - have seen several like this and from quite different crosses) to by far the worse I have seen - one that had to be kept clipped off because her coat formed dreadlocks as soon as it got any length at all. Is your friend ready to put up with a puppy that ends up looking absolutely nothing like the dog she wants? A dog that has been tested for nothing and could have genetic problems? Amazes me that people are prepared to pay petstores a fortune for crossbred puppies that more than likely began life in a puppy farm! with all the associated suffering their parents go through. Show your friend this site Where DDs come from

Glad Grover is back to his normal self hope you are feeling better soon too.

Poor little one thank goodness you were there to give first aid and stop the adults hurting themselves. Glad to hear it doesn't appear to have caused physical damage hope she is OK and not too traumatised.

Our ACD does it too - the other very strange thing she does is climb the steps at the side of her water trough drop her front legs and head in the water (head submerged) and then hand stand walk to the end of the trough where she lowers her back end into the water and then pops her head out and starts to play with the water. We couldn't believe it the first time we saw her.

Glad to hear he is so much better this morning. I do hope it is the ply that was causing the problem - it may have been something as simple as the glue that held it together outgassing particularly if it had been wet. What type of ply was it? Other things to check - water supply is your and the vets water supply the same, food - are you feeding the same know you fed chicken carcase but are you feeding the same brand of commercial food and if you are is it the same batch. PFC's can change ingredients without having to change labeling if its a supply issue. And given it is an allergic reaction the fact it is not affecting anyone else in the house is irrelevant. We have a cat that is allergic to many things - and over time her allergies have changed so there is no guarantee that what she can eat today she will be able to eat tomorrow. We also found out the hard way - very sick cat with major respiratory issues - that she was allergic to the wood dust in the cat litter we were trialling. She was not using the litter and in fact was not even close to it but it just being in the house was enough. We had no clue what was going on when she first collapsed we got her stable and all seemed well and then she went down hill again. The litter was not the first thing we thought of as it had been in the house for weeks prior to her first becoming ill. Fingers crossed for continued improvement.

So very sorry for what you have gone through - this time is hard enough without have to deal with this type of issue. We have lost 4 wonderful friends of late - 2 older ACD's and 2 young cats to the effect of Orijen and we were treated so very well by both our vets and pets at peace which whilst it doesn't fix anything still makes it more bearable. The most important things you have of your darling girl are your memories of her as someone has already said she will always live in your heart. We are planning on developing a special private place in the garden where there is shade and lush grass that the dogs would have loved and where there are vantage points that the cats would have viewed there part of the world from - scented plants to ease the soul and a bench so we can still with those that have gone. Do you have a special photo you can enlarge and frame so she will still bring joy to your life with a look. Try and put this behind you and remember just how good life was with your little one and know that she will always be with you.

Oh no so very sorry to hear that Grover has relapsed and the likely reasons. Hope more is known soon and his meds and fluids kick in and he does better. Jo