Aphra

Ilka 2 weeks on. She's being desexed on Friday and when she's recovered from her surgery is going home.

We can't really claim any part in her talent, she was with us for six weeks as a puppy, her training is all down to her awesome owner. It was love at first sight when her owner came to meet her, it was one of those lovely moments when the right dog met the right person and it was just meant to be.

Really, we couldn't be more excited if we'd run the course ourselves. This is Amazing Gracie, a working breed puppy we rehomed 14 months ago to an owner who already had agility-trained Whippets and wanted a young dog to take further. Gracie had her her first agility trial on Sunday and won the class. This is Gracie as a puppy (yes, it was photoshopped a bit but she really was that great colour and she did have really spooky, pale eyes). And this is Gracie's winning run. :-) .

I'd be dubious about a rescue group represented by someone who doesn't seem to like dogs or have much skill with them! I loathe the anti-breeder stuff some rescuers rabbit on about. It's ignorant, silly and makes the rest of us look like idiots. I told people who came to see one of my rescue dogs today that what they really needed to do was find a good Golden Retriever breeder with an older dog needing a home, because that's what they really wanted. I suppose I should wait by the front gate for the rescue police to arrive now.

I'd be dubious about a rescue group represented by someone who doesn't seem to like dogs or have much skill with them! I loathe the anti-breeder stuff some rescuers rabbit on about. It's ignorant, silly and makes the rest of us look like idiots. I told people who came to see one of my rescue dogs today that what they really needed to do was find a good Golden Retriever breeder with an older dog needing a home, because that's what they really wanted. I suppose I should wait by the front gate for the rescue pice to arrive now.

And this was Ilka yesterday. She's putting on weight and is a much happier girl. And this is Ilka playing with some older puppies we had in care.

People were interested in updates on this sad girl from West Wyalong. She turned up in the pound with her puppies, but the pound was broken into and her puppies stolen. Ilka came to us, and once she's a good condition for desexing has a home waiting for her. This is her pound shot. This is Ilka a couple of days after she came to us.

That's sad news Maree. We'll cross our fingers for a rapid and safe recovery for him and hope he gets to enjoy his holidays. Thanks for letting us know.

I've read my way through the NARGA website and the associated Facebook pages (The Pet Army, 23 Candles, Australian Animal Rescue and Resource) , including the current hate page (I have no idea if its associated with NARGA or not) and I have real concerns. Are the kinds of things NARGA promotes and kinds of uninformed understandings of rescue and dog breeding the norm for new rescue groups? I'm startled at the number of people who appear to be pro-rescue but really have no idea about how it works, what the real issues are for rescuers. The list of things which NARGA sees as priorities for rescue have no relation at all to the things which I see as priorities for rescue. I've made this point to NARGA on their Facebook page and got a polite but uninterested response. But the fact that they seem to have missed the mark so widely, in my opinion at least, is sadly fascinating for a group who claim to represent all rescue. I wonder what the public is learning from all this?

Drop me a PM with details, it's not too far from me and I can probably do it this weekend on my way to or from Geelong.

Drop me a PM with details, it's not too far from me and I can probably do it this weekend on my way to or from Geelong.

Mouthing. I've had a few of the small terriers lately who bite at your hands and clothes for attention. They're not biting, just mouthing but it's annoying and persistent with little drama queens.

Really impressed with the new website for Blacktown, that's an excellent initiative for a council.

I've had a couple of really hyper Kelpies, but nothing like your girl and I'm impressed with your perseverance and really don't envy you. I've posted this before, but might be worth a try ... there's some good research about the importance of omega oils for dogs with anxiety so if you aren't already, supplementing her diet with a couple of fish oil capsules a day might help. There is also some research about vitamin lack in dogs with obsessive behaviours. Here: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/08/120820093614.htm

Welcome and congratulations on the Neo X. We have one in care at the moment. :-)

What a remarkably pretty Greyhound (sorry, off topic, but I couldn't resist).

That dark V on the head generally seems to mean some Rottie back in the mix somewhere. Good save, he's very cute whatever he is.

I've asked the question on their Facebook page and got a vague answer about how they will announce their committee members eventually. I'm really unimpressed by both their arrogance and their ignorance.

I've read their whole website and I'm not at all impressed with their understanding of rescue or current issues in companion animal welfare. For example, I'm reasonably sure that the majority of rescuers are not supporters of BSL in any of its manifestations, but one of their aims is: "Encourage rescue groups to insert a training clause for adoption of certain breeds." What breeds aren't specified, but I suppose you can guess.

Thanks for finding that Steve. While I would support some of those aims for the sake of general animal welfare, most if them have nothing to do with rescue particularly. And none if the things I think are really important to rescue are mentioned. I think rescues would be more interested in policy to ensure pounds worked with rescue; subsidized desexing; better processes for returning impounded animals to their owners; more research into reproducible temperament testing; support from local and state governments for rescue; small groups representation on legislative committees; affordable insurance; guidance for gaining non-profit status and a dozen other issues which this group haven't listed. And yes, I could suggest them, but if they intend to represent rescue shouldn't they know this stuff already? It's clear that they don't really understand rescue or any of the new and innovative thinking about rescue which is happening. From our group's perspective we would be not be at all happy for this group to think they could speak on our behalf.

PR have kennels don't they? Then if they are advocates for these dogs they should pull them themselves, do the appropriate work and advertise their successes. There are probably many nice dogs who die because most rescues aren't equipped to manage big, strong dogs. If they did the work themselves, honorably and well, I'd happily support them. Rescues do what they can do, it's not fair laying the guilt on rescues who only have resources and carers for certain kinds of dogs.

You might wish to contact your local wildlife group and ask about the koala. Native animals are very prone to infection from even minor wounds from dogs, they'll probably want to come out and have a look.

In any other community sphere anyone wanting to set up a state or national coalition of groups would consult the stakeholders first, asking them what they wanted out of such a group and developing a collaborative vision. I am somewhat exasperated that in rescue someone decides to set up an organization, announces itself and then presumes it speaks for rescue because it exists.

I'm sorry you were disappointed by not being able to adopt a puppy, but as rescuers our job is to find the best possible home for the animals in our care. Sometimes it's a matter of making a call; possibly someone else also applied for the puppy but was closer to the rescue group, and the decision was made that way. For some dogs we get lots of applications; you might get several, all of them good, but in the end you only have one dog or cat to rehome and short of Solomon's judgement, have to make a call. We rarely do interstate adoptions and always want people to meet the dog or cat first, so we have refused people on geographical grounds. However, we often get applications that people have submitted for other rescue groups sent to us and we're happy to use them rather than insist people fill out our form. If we turn someone down for a dog because we have a lot of adopters, or because of distance, we generally suggest rescue groups closer to them, or groups who specialise. So if someone applied for one of our working dogs and were unsuccessful we'll refer them to SLK/AWDRI/Farmdogz. If we know a rescue group has the kind of dog people are looking for, we'll happily direct them to that group. We're also happy for people to submit applications for a type of dog if we have nothing suitable at the time and we'll look out for an appropriate dog. But it's really time-consuming just keeping up with enquiries, reply to questions, reading applications, setting up appointments and etc. I work full time and spend dozens of hours a week answering email and phone enquiries. Someone like Pet Rescue could possibly offer a central database where people could deposit an application or expression of interest for a particular kind of dog, and rescues could mine it for potential homes.

The survey isn't interested in whether people can identify particular breeds of dog; what they're looking at is what the decision-making process is for people making identification, i.e. what visual characteristics of dogs people use to make decisions about breed. I suspect that's why odd-angled photos and the not-so-clear visuals, they're looking for the big categories. Yeah I thought the same.