Mags

Our grey likes everyone, regardless of species, she has on a couple of occasion when we were out walking swung herself around in front of me and defensively barked at a person (such a shock as it is not something I expect from her)- I take this warning very seriously.

Very much so - and they all take their own time to handle the loss. We recently lost one of our oldest cats - whilst all our cats and dogs were affected by her passing as she was everyone's "aunty" - her sister and litter mate who appeared not close to her (I would have said they tolerated each other) - has reacted very badly to her passing. She has aged very quickly since her sister left us and seems far less confident then she was before. It appears she is suddenly unsure of her place in our animal family without her sister's presence.

My hubby and I have been together for 26+ yrs but before I got serious about him my dogs had to at least accept him, didn't expect them to love him as they were very bonded to their people and aloof with strangers. My gordie immediately loved him - unusual as she was standoffish with strangers and very protective of me, our BC who only liked 3 people on the planet, and use to ignore lesser humans, thought he was the best thing since kibble. Turns out the dogs were right If they hadn't at least accepted him we would not have kept going out and he knew that as the dogs were not negotiable.

This is what we did and it has worked well for all our dogs, we added the word give when they dropped it in our hand and before long they would "give" us anything they had in their mouth when we asked.

It's interesting, I've noticed that most cat breeders don't let kittens go until at least 12 weeks. None seem keen to let them go sooner. Is that because they want to desex them first? That is also a consideration (as no pet kitten leaves here undesexed and our kittens are desexed at 14 weeks minimum) but cats are just slower maturing and also just need longer with their litter mates/mums to learn house rules. I can have kittens that are still suckling from their mums as their major source of nutrition at 7 weeks (whilst maine coon kittens are big they are slow maturing) and they are not fully weaned till about 14 weeks - we never force wean - mum and kittens work it out themselves. Their siblings & mum teach them bite and scratch inhabition, they learn to use toilets reliably, they gain confidence and are much better able to cope with a move to a new home with minimal stress and fit in without experiencing any problems. They also get taught before they go it is not manners to climb people like they are trees, land on their shoulders from dog knows where, wreck curtains and blinds and it is OK to ask if you can sit on a lap, cuddle up for sleep with your people (without attacking feet)etc. Their mums are also very comfortable at them heading off at this age (as long as they see them leave). We have had people "demand" we sell them kittens much earlier as they can get puppies from 8 weeks - really not interested they are different species with totally different requirements.

As long as they are being well socialised it probably doesn't matter. And even if they weren't it can still work out well as long as you put the effort in later. We currently have 2 adults rescues we took at age 2 and whilst neither clearly had been my idea of properly socialisied and in fact been quite badly treated they are both responding very well to training and are both sweet dogs that are becoming wonderful companions - get on well with other dogs, the cats and people. Cats are so very different - our kittens don't leave here until 16 weeks as they are a slow maturing breed and need the time with their mum, our other adults and their siblings (and our dogs) to learn the life skills they need to make good indoor companions.

That is pretty special - he sounds like a lovely caring man. I wonder if this girl was homed as a puppy or was older when she left the breeder - not that it matters what he has offered is pretty amazing given the age of the dog but he is obviously cares for her.

Bloody hell I hope they find the sub humans that let this poor dog get into this appalling. They need to be held resposible for their actions. At least he had a worm bed and was made as comfortable as possible for the few days before he had to be PTS.

Hoping Alvin is back soon

Hoping the little one made it through the night - he is in the best place to have a chance of making it with your family. How special is Jack - what a kind caring person he is - I am so impressed by your little man's compassion.

Here's hoping the story in the local paper will bring you some information. He can't just have vanished - makes you wonder if some one has taken him in and decided to keep him without checking his microchip.

That's not really giving anyone anywhere to follow up. How do we find examples of these dogs and their breeders when they don't have websites, don't advertise and don't appear to sell their dogs? Happy to read up on these dogs but you say there is no documentation? I am assuming there is a central registry somewhere and contact details available if there are people trying to save this "rare breed".

Hoping he is found soon.

So cute babies thanks for sharing and they look even cuter with those big ears up. The fawn boy is looking amazing and poor baby girl with her cherry eye is it causing her much grief? that's not the little girl you were keeping is it?

Now that's not nice, not necessary and not even true. Even the AVA has moved to 3 yr vaccinations in their guidelines and full bloods on healthy young animals why? I do choose to get regular bloods done on our oldies so we are aware of anything going wrong asap but I certainly wouldn't have it done on healthy young animals and I imagine my vets would think I was going mad and would tell me so.

True and a tiny amount of research would have informed her not to buy where she did. Will legislation like this be playing right into the hands of the animal rights movement after all they don't want any of us owning animals and I would think this is the first step in that process.

I have already commented that I always opt for IV fluids as I think it safer but I have to say our vet charges considerably less than the cost quoted - $80 does seem a lot given the cost of a bag of fluids and the giving set.

Agree photo updates would be lovely.

I have pre-op bloods done if they haven't recently had a base line done. Worth the cost for the piece of mind and things have been found before in one of ours that was supposedly young and healthy. IV fluids always sign for them too. They are options up to you to choose what you think your dog requires after discussion with your vet.

And I am still confused because I looked up staghound after the comments about them being a long established "breed" and found sites for these and kangaroo dogs and they are still talking about crossbred dogs??

Goodluck hope you find him soon and safe.

Is he crate trained? as inside in a crate seems to work for our little noisy bucket. Doesn't make a peep until its time to get up - loves the security of his comfie bed in his crate.

That's very disturbing and must have been terrifying for those attacked. I thought what is referred to as a staghound (in Australia) was a deerhound x grey??

She looks so happy - great foster home or has she found her forever home? Just so nice not to see her tied up but included as one of the family and allowed to roam around the yard to do as she pleases.

What the hell is the point of the chip then? and it is clearly not the case at all pounds as I am aware of several breeders that have been contacted over purebreeds that ended in the pound because the owners had failed (thank goodness as it turned out) to change the details on the chip.