Steve

Leather Work Competition – 1st Prize $100 Cash. Sponsored by - Aroundabout Removals www.aroundaboutremovals.com Entries can either be based on a traditional or contemporary design that reflect and interpret the theme “Pets”. All entries must be original. An entrant may apply any techniques A label with the entrant’s name, address, telephone number, and email must be securely attached to the back of the item. Each entrant may submit as many pieces as they like. An entrant must send the finished product to the mailing address via receipted delivery for the competition by the close date of 28th of February 2011. Pieces will be judged by 5 independent judges with finalists on display in the foyer at the 4th Annual Dog Owners Choice Awards Entries will not be returned to the entrant and will become the property of MDBA Pacers [Preventing Animal Cruelty In Emergency Response Situations]. By entering the competition an entrant gives permission to MDBA Pacers to accept ownership of the product and to use it for promotions, publicity and fundraising activities. Entry Deadline: All entries must be postmarked no later than 28th February, 2011.

March 25th, 2010 Yesterday, Brandy passed the RSPCA's vet-check with flying colours but is being kept in a paddock at the Townsville shelter for the next three weeks so staff can determine whether she is healthy enough for adoption. But equine vet Margaret Preston, who has treated Brandy monthly since September, said she couldn't fault the care the horse had received from Ms McCabe. ''I do a run one day a month out to Balgal Beach and I just routinely have a permanent booking each month to go and check her,'' Ms Preston said. ''The horse is very well cared for and doesn't want for anything. ''And look, since I first started going out there I have seen continued improvement and slow, gradual progress.'' April 3rd RSPCA Queensland chief executive Mark Townend said the organisation's vet was happy with the horse's health and she would be ready for adoption after Easter. He said Ms McCabe, who has been the 10-year-old mare's foster carer for the past seven months, would be given first choice to adopt the horse. ''Our vet says she will be right in a week,'' Mr Townend said. ''We just want to confirm with Siobhan's vet, Margaret Preston, that she is happy with the care the horse has had previously and then it will go up for adoption.'' April 13th, 2010 Brandy was kept in a paddock at a private Bluewater residence for the past three weeks, monitored on the advice of the organisation's vet who wanted the horse watched for signs of colic. The horse was put down following consultation with a team of vets. Woofnhoof I'm having a hard time following you. If there was a problem with fences then why wasn't she told so she could fix the fences? If there was a problem with anything for that matter why wasn't she told?why all the talk of fences and worms? If all of those vets were so incompetent they should be sacked not offered as a defense. What team of vets made the decision to put the horse to sleep? Surely to God if it were due to something they felt may have been a long term issue they would have contacted and had the attending vet on the team? She said the horse was well looked after and improving. How else could they make an informed decision regarding what to do with it? She'd sweated over the thing for 7months and they decided it was time to assess it and take it away while she was battling her own health stresses, made public statements the thing was in good health and ready to go to a new home AND THEN - decide to bump it off without offering her an explanation or chance to say good bye AND THEN dump the body in a place where its visible? I understand their mandate is to do whats best for the animal but there are questions that need to be answered and my heart goes out to the foster carer.

Around here a lot depends on the breed and the living conditions. The working Maremmas in the paddock get fed in two spots 50 metres away from each other or one will eat or guard it all and the other has to wait for a chance to sneak in to steal some to eat. The Maremmas in the house yard the beagles and the Corgis all eat together.

Most of ours live past 15. I cant remember the last one which died [other than a snake bite] before then. In the last few years Eddy[corgi] died at 22 and Matilda [beagle] at 21. Ours have always had a base of raw meaty bones but lots of variety via table scraps and anything else that comes along. None of ours have ever had vaccinations past the puppy ones and no heartworm meds.

Lesley's are not included in the 10. = 13

No. I didnt know Lesley ordered one.

10 so far for the MDBA Too Hesapandabear! You're doing well! Julie

What about discrimination for the Dog - He'd be allowed in if they didn't think he was gay????????

Yep the'd last about a half a second around here too but maybe if we teamed them up with the blue suede shoes we have in our shop? Shoot me an email and Ill give you a reference number for your tickets. Julie

Oh you made a yolk :rofl:

Humans and animals are settled until early next week and I will then receive further info of which way we have to go to do the most good - as its very temporary - and needs action early for this family. Thank you to everyone who has offered to help I have your details and will call on you if we need you. In the mean time raffle is still open if anyone is interested in this. thanks again everyone You're all great! Julie

I don't know about other Guide Dog organisations, but Guide Dogs Vic gives their handlers an ID card, and I think the dogs wear a Guide Dog medallion. The Guide Harnesses the dogs wear are pretty obvious. Some harnesses also have signs on the handles saying "Please don't touch my Guide Dog." Yep a blind person on the other end of the lead.

Beagle.

Good grief of course the animals should be removed until there is no risk! How on earth could you possibly get that anyone here was suggesting otherwise? Before you make the statements you do about registered breeders and this forum you had better take a better look at who the people are who made the comments you so much object to - few of them were registered breeders. And much of the angst is in fact because several non breeders were involved in a case with someone who is still a member of this forum who is a non breeder and they have first hand experience of what happened. I absolutely agree that animals deserve every opportunity at the best possible life and I doubt very much if anyone here would disagree with you. Just because after I read a news article I felt sorry for the woman involved and was saddened by the fact she had to go through a court process and be fined when she was so destitute already doesn't equate to me saying leave the bloody animals were they were and let them suffer so the lady didn't get upset! Perhaps if you hadn't decided what anyone says is because they are registered breeders or people who support them you would be able to have a reasonable discussion but instead of sticking to the topic you have to constantly tell us about how you care about animals more than we do and what a bad bunch we are because we disagree on some things. If you are going to play here you had better learn how to play the game. Play the ball not the man.

how nice. no wonder us mere mortals have no defence against em. have to admit been hoping for quite a while they would do a stuff up against a really high up pollie. pity the poor koala had to die, but murdering skippys best friend may have woken someone up how long before they go back to sleep n forget all about it again is the worry doubtful - they had a fair crack at Neville Wran years ago over a donkey.He was cleared of charges but it made no difference to the system.

All mammals get HD and joint problems but few of them have the benefit of knowing the problems in earlier generations or results of scores before they breed. Professors in genetics cant agree on what causes it and there are some great research papers which show evidence of correlations to various things including diet and diet of previous generations,environmental factors including vaccinations and heartworm meds etc. Even something as simple as a case of intermittent runny poos during critical growth periods may have an impact. Breeders who guarantee against genetic issues are stupid because there are thousands of them that may show up through no fault of anyone because its a live animal.even if they do what the guarantee involves is just as variable so the buyer needs to know what the details are in this guarantee when they take the dog home. No point in being upset if the breeder will only refund if you return the dog when you knew that in the beginning. No point in expecting the breeder to pay thousands for repairs if the guarantee says they wont or that they will but only under certain circumstances. They need to say what they have done to try to prevent genetic issues and what they will do if and when a genetic disorder does occur. Everyone needs to know before the pup goes home what to expect from each other if something happens because there is not a person on this planet who can guarantee that any animal or human will live its entire life without something showing up that someone will say is genetic. Puppies are not born with HD and anything could impact on what happens between when a dog is born and when it gets diagnosed with a problem - at what point is it a shared blame rather than only breeder blame - who knows ?

No I've had a chat with some people about what that will be and there are many things that will still make the MDBA different. This was always going to happen and its already in England The aim of the MDBA was always to work with the CCs and encourage more people to join them. They never were and never will be our competition. In fact one of the directors of Dogs NSW is an MDBA breeder member. The MDBA will support them in any way we can. Its a great idea.

Quote Anne The bigger hilarity is that clearly, many take my posts as supporting the RSPCA, so they have to keep refuting my arguments. Hence it seems to me anyway. Otherwise, why is it that I can't put an opinion forward on what a fellow DOLer thinks (in this case Chocolatelover) and explain to them why I think that people don't like the RSPCA on this forum without being continually questioned, and my arguments refuted? People don't refute your posts because they take them as supporting the RSPCA. They refute them because they don't agree with what you say. You made statements to explain to a fellow doler what you thought was an explanation to them about where the angst was primarily coming from and why. I don't agree and its certainly not the case for me personally. I don't refute or question anyone because I think they do or do not support an org or an idea. I question and refute and debate when I don't agree with what they say. Sometimes I agree with what you say but sometimes I don't agree and this was one of them. I don't care one little bit who does or does not support the RSPCA. You have accused people of refuting your comments and continually questioning you because you think they are anti RSPCA yet you have discounted anything said because you have assumed it was only said because people think you are pro RSPCA. I would have questioned and refuted what you said by way of explanation to chocolatelover about the angst re the RSPCA on this forum regardless of whether I thought you were pro or anti anything because I don't agree with it and its not just chocolatelover thats reading it. And for the record - I said what I did in that thread about the homeless lady because I felt sorry for her and I would have been anti anything or anyone that added to what I saw was her misery whether that be someone who refused her and her animals help without punishment - the police, the courts or the RSPCA welfare orgs etc - It had nothing to do with whether I'm pro or anti RSPCA and I took note of the comments made against what I felt and decided I still felt it was sad. Surely you can feel sad for a persons welfare situation as reported in that story without having to defend that the reason you feel that way is because you are anti RSPCA. I feel that way because its who I am and I would hope that if anyone else is in that spot that the animals could be helped with more compassion for the human as it was reported. I get thats not the RSPCA job but thats why we started MDBA Pacers because we thought it was someone's job. We like to get there before the RSPCA because we know their focus is only the animals - ours is also primarily the animals but we also focus on the humanity. Its the same result for the animals just different for the humans involved. It is pro pacers rather than anti RSPCA .

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04...mp;section=news An inquiry examining the RSPCA's activities at Gunnedah's Waterways Wildlife Park will have to be put to a vote in the New South Wales Upper House when Parliament resumes. Yesterday, a self-reference committee was told it cannot examine the matter without Parliament's permission because the RSPCA is a private organisation, not a government department. The committee has signed off on the terms of reference for the investigation. The Nationals' duty MLC and deputy chairman of the committee, Rick Colless, says it is a technical hitch. "I have the greatest respect for the clerks of the Parliament, they always operate independently and they will give you advice very clearly in the best interests of what you're trying to achieve. They do not tend to play politics at all and they always give you very good advice," he said.

Fundraiser Quilting Competition. Cash Prizes! Entries can either be based on a traditional or contemporary design that reflect and interpret the theme “Pets”. An entrant may apply any techniques including piecing, appliqué, embroidery, whole cloth and/or manipulated fabric, etc. Any materials may be used, but the final result must be flexible in nature and consist of three layers of fabric held together with stitching. Each entrant may submit as many pieces as they like. A label with the entrant’s name, address, telephone number, and email must be securely sewn to the back of the quilt. An entrant must send the finished product to the mailing address P.O. Box 31 Ganmain NSW 2702 via receipted delivery for the competition by the close date of 28th of February 2011. Pieces will be judged by votes accepted from attendees at the 4th Annual Master Dog Breeders and Associates Awards presentation evening in Melbourne where quilted pieces will be on display in the foyer for judging. In the event of a tie the winner will be decided by a draw of straws. Groups may want to participate by each member completing a square and a finished quilt being produced on behalf of the group. Category 1. $50 Cash prize. A quilted un finished square to be used to join together to make a larger quilt. Each work must measure 30 cm on each side. Category 2 – $100 Cash Prize. Quilt finished size no smaller than 100cms on each side and no bigger than 150 cm on each side. Category 3 - $500 Cash Prize. Quilt finished size no smaller than 200cm on each side and no bigger than 250 cm on each side. Entries will not be returned to the entrant and will become the property of MDBA Pacers [Preventing Animal Cruelty In Emergency Response Situations]. By entering the competition an entrant gives permission to MDBA Pacers to accept ownership of the product and to use it for promotions, publicity and fundraising activities. Enquiries [email protected] phone 0269276706

Agreed - but I still say that its sad and that if anyone knows of anyone in a similar position please give them our contact details before the things gets to a point where someone has to be charged. Before the animals get to being neglected or suffering.

We are moving into some really exciting times. For the next 10 months the MDBA www.mdba.net.au in conjunction with MDBA Pacers www.mdbapacers.org.au will have lots of things happening to draw it altogether next February for a month long celebration of responsible Pet ownership. The climax of these celebrations will be the MDBA Dog Owners Choice Awards presentation Evening to be held in Melbourne next March. No matter what you do or who you are , what age group you fit into or what your lifestyle is there will be several ways you will be able to participate and be involved a little or a lot. Many of the things which will draw to a conclusion will require people to have lots of notice to get enough time to do what needs to be done for it all to run smoothly. There will be literally thousands of things people can get involved with. We have put together lots of great stuff to help you via tool kits and we are more than happy to chat with you about how we can get your ideas into action. This is about putting a community focus on responsible pet ownership education, raising the public awareness of MDBA Pacers and raising much needed funds for us to be able to continue to grow and help pet owners when they are in emergency situations. For those of you who would like to raise funds for other organisations we are happy to share the proceeds or support you in your activities and events even if no proceeds come to MDBA Pacers in order to spread the word about being a responsible pet owner. Over the next few weeks you will see lots of activity and additions made to our website as we launch competitions which need a long lead up time and it will all be quite exciting I encourage you all to come in with us on this and begin to think of various ways you can get involved, give us a hand or spread the word as we start to put together a calendar of competitions, activities and events and get the ball rolling in communities all over Australia. You can go after sponsors for anything from “how many seconds can I hula hoop for’etc to how many kilos you can lose, how many sao bickies you can eat without a drink, how many kilometers can you run etc.how many chains of crochet you can do in 10 mins, how many pushups, etc.read a thons, how long someone can go with out speaking. You can have mini events all over the place from the office to your home such as coffee mornings where everyone pays a dollar for a cuppa, cakes or a donut etc. Set up a swear box or maybe even a car wash or dog wash. Throw Make up parties, Tupperware parties, pet parties the ideas are endless with a percentage donated to the cause. Dog fashion shows, all kinds of theme parties to have some fun and raise some funds – every dollar counts. You can throw larger events too .Either one which has a pet theme or one for anybody. Fashion shows, murder mystery nights, trivia nights – throw your ideas around. You can promote your businesses and your products at the same time. You can donate a percentage of a service or product or something toward the prizes pool. Breeders and rescue groups and all manner of clubs and associations can use it to promote what they do too. You can enter the competitions which will be running via our website - dozens of them all kinds of craft comps, photography, poetry, story writing colouring in, poster comps or do nothing more than just talk about us and promote what we are doing if you want. But there is not one single person reading this who will not be able to be involved and join us in celebration of responsible pet owners in some way shape or form old ladies who like to knit or crochet and would love a cause to give them a sense of purpose to young kids who like to colour in and I challenge you all to join the fun and have a go with us. Feel free to jump in with ideas and offers and remember there’s nothing to be worried about. Most people who want to help have never been involved with anything to do with fundraising before and we will help you with it all. Oh yes and remember MDBA Pacers is a safety net for all domestic pets not just dogs so that gives you even more room for ideas.!

www.mdba.net.au Link for courses on the left hand side of the front page. There's heaps of them and price starts at $50

MDBA Pacers 349 transmitter Rd Wooroolin Queensland 4680.

Yes, I totally agree with this statement. I am a fence sitter with the issue of the RSPCA. I acknowledge there are issues, but I am also not afraid to acknowledge the good they do. I think we're all doing pretty well here having a rational discussion and Im certainly not afraid to acknowledge the good they do but surely that doesn't mean that we have no right to speak of the things we think they muck up. The minute anything is said -because some have made up their mind that open discussion which doesn't support something they have done equals a hatred for them - we get bogged into "you have nothing to say I'm interested in because you hate them" Chocolatelover can tell us about a case which may have meant they had done something they shouldn't re a rescue horse and thats O.K. because we don't think she hates the RSPCA but if I bring a news story here and don't even make a comment on it I hate the RSPCA even though over and over I say I don't and I support them in what they do - just not all some of them do. And I know there is no point in going after them because its the system that needs the reform. No matter which group was elected to be a quasi police force with no adequate safety to ensure people are treated justly over any area of society, no matter whether they do a great job or not I would not make donations to them and I would watch them for evidence of corruption or injustice to try to push for law reform because its a flawed system. Some of us are more exposed to more cases because of the area we work or play in - just because someone knows of more instances that doesn't necessarily mean what they have to say is untrue or not rational.