Ciara

Well I was just typing as my husband told me what he found in the kangaroos. The thing is, the shooters don't always get the kangaroos in the head apparently, and also some of the shots are from farmers shooting at the roo's before the professional roo shooters get to them. That's what he told me. They're shot, put into refrigerated trucks and taken by semi-trailer to meat factories. The majority of the roos at my husbands work in S.A come from NSW. The worms found in kangaroos are harmless, apparently. Most of the shotgun pellets are caught in the mincing machine and get stuck in the blades, so you may only get a sliver of metal or the odd piece of pellet in the pet meat. Fact is, the shooters sometimes miss the head and get the body first, mainly (i'm informed) the shotgun pellets are from farmers shooting at the roo's previously. My husband works in a kangaroo-meat processing factory, and has done everything from skinning, boning, slicing, meat packing, mincing and getting the roos of the trucks when they get to the factory, so I guess he knows his stuff. Oh, I have no idea what type of gun is used to kill the kangaroos, as although he might be an expert of kangaroo butchery, he knows stuff-all about guns. :p When I used the term shotgun, I merely meant whatver gun that shoots the roos.

:p Sorry, I forgot to answer that question. Pet food quality roo meat can contain: Filler Meat off the floor ~ including whatver got stuck to the meat whilst it was on the floor... Offal Kangaroo worms ~ any wormy piece of meat is thrown in the pet food skip The odd maggot (Different to kangaroo worms btw) Occasional piece of shotgun shot pellet... Plastic/Paper/Latex glove particles are often inadvertently included Preservative - Sulpher Dioxide which is a highly potent and carcinogenic chemical that has to be handled with care.. I only feed my dogs the human consumption meat, that has strict handling procedures, and who's manufacture is supervised by AQUIS.

Simple way around that, is to buy human consumption kangaroo meat. It's very cheap and much better quality. Please dont ask what goes into the pet mince, I'd rather not say... (My husband is a kangaroo butcher :D )

Thanks for the huge response everyone, looks like it may have to be a 2day workshop! ;) I'm after any more suggestions for venues, from people in Victoria. Thanks to those who have already given me some contacts, and feel free to offer some more ideas. Looking forward to meeting you all as well.

Ok no worries. It's getting to be a very big list now! PM me your email address, and I'll keep you updated as venue/cost/date is set.

Oh what a beautiful story. A special dog that lived a long and happy life. :D

Hi Nicole I will put you down on the list along with all the others. :D Cost is dependant on various things at the moment, but Steve said he will do a special price. I will PM you.

The venue is as yet undecided, but I will put you on the list with the others, and contact you as soon as everything is arranged. Then you can decide if you're able to make it or not. Thanks for your interest. :D

I'm looking for a show of interest for those wanting to attend a workshop in Victoria, with Steve.. from K9 Force. I am collecting names of people interested in attending a full-day workshop early next year (2005), around March/April. Bring your dog along, and see how Steve can steer you in the right direction with any training or behaviour problem that you have. I'm sure there are alot here who have been dying to pick Steve's brain and find the answers to fixing their dogs problems...now's your chance if you live in Victoria, or like me, South Australia. Contact me via PM, email etc.. if you would like to help me bring K9 Force to Vic. and if you want to ask all the questions that you've ever wanted to ask Steve about your dog(s)! The venue is as yet undecided, but plans are ongoing so contact me soon so I can set it all up please, as places are limited. Steve may also stay an extra day to do private consults for very troubled pets & their owners. Thanks! edited for grammar :D

Oh no, I was shocked when I saw that name in this thread. So dreadfully sorry Jeff, to hear that he has gone. :D R.I.P Wazza. :D

Sorry about Gemma, Mel. Give your doggies an extra cuddle tonight.

How horrible... :p Best wishes Redwing, hopefully nothing as horrible as that happens again.

Thanks Redwing :rolleyes: By the way, Cher is alive and well in NSW... to anyone who may think otherwise regarding rumours. :p Next week I pick up another little Oriental baby, to join our family.

Thats lovely Malinda, it's good to say goodbye to people in a nice atmosphere, where you remember all the good things about them.

Hugs Tiana, how sad for you. Rats are like teeny weeny dogs IMO, and they have very distinct and vibrant personalities. At least you got the comfort of that last cuddle together.

She was a gorgeous Collie girl, and thanks for telling us about her. I always wanted a collie called Lassie, too.

Possibly being put to sleep? I wouldn't have put Cher to sleep, perhaps ask Caroline what I did say... *edited* Btw, Sue, I spoke to Caroline about your reply to me in this thread.

I'm glad you were able to get the dogs to the pound, however sad and horrible the situation is. ;) At least now they wont be able to go kill anyone else's pets. Sad situation all round. :D

aww she is so gorgeous... Did I remind you of her when I posted Tiger's thread calling him my baby angel? She is so sweet looking, and I'm sure she adored her life with you even if you only had her for a short time. I only had my baby angel for 4months also. ;) Hugs from us here for you.

sa: It was my fault, not Cher's, my fault for not being more careful. Needless to say Cher is about to go to the best home she could possibly ask for. A huge thanks to the person (you know who you are) who found her a home where she will get to do great things and get more attention than I found I was able to give her. Edited to add: perhaps you could have started a new thread to discuss your topic, my daughter reads this thread to help comfort her about Tiger, and no, it wasn't appropriate to post in here. (yes, I have an intelligent 5yo that reads fluently) Anyone who has questions regarding the situation that occured with the kitten, you can email me and ask away.. just not in this thread please.

Thanks everyone for your kind words. It's with much regret that I called Cher's previous owner and sent her home to them tonight. I fully realise that it is not Cher's fault, that it was just prey drive and it was my fault for bringing the cat near the dog anyways, but they had lived together for well over a month, and been inside together everyday without any attempts by Cher to attack my cat. Cher got along great with my other dogs although they had a fight today, before the cat incident... First fight that they had ever had, and I should have been more cautious with my cat, but I was naive obviously and never thought that she would want to get my kitten. I cant risk my other two cats lives, and I don't want to constantly separate Cher and not let her inside, just because my other cats are here. I realise I did the easy option by returning Cher to her family, but I don't think either myself or my daughter could look at Cher everyday, with the memory of what she did to Tiger, who was the most gentle and beautiful cat I have ever had. I'm so sorry Tiger, for putting you in danger, and I'm so sorry Cher for giving up on you and handing you back to your family. What a horrible day, I lost my beautiful perfect cat, and my sweet and amazing puppy.

Thankyou everyone. Tiger was my Oriental baby that I chose when he was 3weeks old.. and waited 10weeks to bring home. I just can't believe that this could happen.. and my daughter is so sad as she lost her cat Khali almost 2 years ago... She cried today *First I lost Khali, now I lost Tiger* My poor kitten... only 7months old, and was the most gentle and sweet natured pet I've ever owned. My 22mth old son used to pick him up and walk around hugging him, he never scratched him or got upset with anyone. He was my beautiful baby Tiger...

Just today, my beautiful most precious cat was killed by one of my own dogs. I won't explain the whole story here, but it was a totally unexpected and terrible incident that happened right in front of my eyes. Thank God my kids were inside the house. I just wanted to say that Tiger, my precious baby angel, I'm so, so, so, so, sorry that I let this happen to you, and I want you to know how very much I love you, and how special and perfect you were to me. I will never ever forget you, and I hope you you are playing happily with Khali and Tara... Sarah and I are so devastated and traumatised by your death, and we pray that you are happy where you are now.. Please forgive me Tiger, mummy loves you so very very much, the most special and precious cat anyone could ever own.... I love you Tiger... sleep peacefully baby..

Kai sounds like a great dog, and what a sad situation with the hip dysplasia. He also looks alot like my Kaiser... even if mine is a BSD.. that *look* he has on the couch.. is the exact same look my boy gives me.. At least you had a great time with him, sometimes the best things are only around for a short while... that makes them even more special. Hugs from Salli and her Kai.... :D :D

Thanks Lablover, another idea. ;)