kayla1

There is also Canine Body Language: A Photographic Guide by Brenda Aloff. It has lots of pics which is useful.

Yes I do this too, either wait in the car or outside, and also only take one dog in at a time. One of the vets has a side door and we sometimes go in and out through that which is good because we avoid the waiting area.

Quite. Wondering if you've ever applied for a job? Did you get it? Did you apply for any other jobs after getting that job? Did you get them all? Probably not. Did you then say to yourself "well, that didn't work for me, I'm not going to ever apply for a job again." Or did you begin a campaign of harassment against the company that didn't hire you? Perhaps, most likely not. With regards to how I respond to people, I normally prefer to speak to them and discuss other options available. If it must be done by email (ie perhaps that is their preference), then I take the time to explain why this particular dog is not suitable. I also suggest other options to consider. One example though, if they haven't got any fencing then I'm not sure what you'd expect me to do there - i wouldn't be recommending any animal for them. Likewise if they live in a loft apartment and work full time and study or go out in the evenings - what would you recommend for that? (This was a recent surrender to my rescue group, no dog would be suitable for this life but someone had allowed them to have a puppy, they finally worked out for themselves that this wasn't a good idea). So many scenarios to consider and I take each one as an individual case so can't give a blanket answer to all but suffice to say I'm naturally a helpful and understanding person who hates the mass euthanasia of unwanted pets so I do my best. I've had more than one person tell me that because I've said no, that I have forced them to go to a petshop. No I haven't. They probably wanted an excuse to do it in the first place because they wanted "easy". They are the ones that are lacking something (ie common sense, reasoning ability, conscience) - not me. There are even a few applicants that use this as a threat almost - if you don't give me a dog then I'm going to a pet shop! I think part of the problem is also that some people just don't want to take responsibility for their own actions. So instead of acknowledging that going to a pet shop is a course of action they choose to take, they attempt to justify it by blaming the rescue group.

Yes, my gp also recommended a tetanus booster as a precaution when I had a single puncture on my hand.

I'd probably do the same in that situation, keeping an eye on him tonight. These things always happen out of hours! Agree re getting a fright. Annie got her paw stuck in the fence once and boy did she scream - no harm done, she just got a fright (well actually I think I got a bigger fright than she did).

Sometimes distractions don't work and the dog is not interested in training, food, or anything else. It's not coddling as such but as corvus said, calm comforting. I find calm comforting (holding, gently stroking) works for Annie because she seeks me out when scared and prefers to be close. Kayla, on the other hand, needs her space and she has her own safe places, which on NYE is usually in the shower. So calm comforting doesn't work as well for her. They're all different and you do whatever works for them.

Not sure where you have taken her already but Ray Ferguson at Monash vet is a very knowledgeable vet chiro.

Wise words indeed. Thinking of you gwp4me, shepherds, Bindo and all who are going through this.

Poor girl. Is she on anti inflammatories or other medication?

Sorry, double post.

I'm very sorry for your loss White Shepherd mom.

Yes same here, my dogs used to pick them from the tree. :laugh:

I looked into a few of them but decided it wasn't worth it because of all the exclusions. I have a savings account for emergencies, and credit card or home loan redraw as back up.

When they don't get vegemite on their toast or biscuit.

Stans mum I hope you give yourself a present! :) My dogs ignore the tree. They would have fun with presents under the tree though if I was silly enough to leave any there.

Seeing these two threads together...poor Cinder. OP, in the meantime can you at least separate Cinder from the dobes when they are being rough so that she doesn't get hurt?? The OP has said in the other thread that she's separating them. Thanks.

Seeing these two threads together...poor Cinder. OP, in the meantime can you at least separate Cinder from the dobes when they are being rough so that she doesn't get hurt??

I recently paid $470 for scale and clean with bloods and fluids, for a 10kg dog.

Like a couple of others have said, the worst thing was a decomposing possum. They'll all eat cat crunchies, kangaroo poo, horse poo. Only Coco eats dog poo, but fortunately not as it comes out - he waits for it to dry off a bit, which gives me time to pick it up. :laugh: Often I see Annie rolling around on something outside and I think, oh no what has she got now, but it usually turns out to be a dead worm. Luckily they don't have a strong smell.

If you go into each application with an open mind, rather than treating applicants with cynicism, it's easier to gather the information and applicants tend not to feel uncomfortable. Though of course there are always some that feel uncomfortable completing an application form or answering questions, or that find yard checks intrusive etc, and they'll go somewhere else. It's not the full-time work as such, it's all the other things relevant for the dog's lifestyle - hours alone, other pets, exercise etc etc. Personally I prefer case by case based on these other factors, but if some rescue groups choose not to rehome dogs to full-time workers then that's entirely their perogative - their dog, their choice.

I believe if you rescue a dog, then you owe it to that dog to find the most appropriate home. So the way I see it, rescue groups can be as particular as they like (though I don't agree with asking for salary details). I'm glad for the groups that take the time to screen potential adopters thoroughly, because I'm sure we're all aware of the result of revolving door rescues where inappropriately rehomed dogs continue to bounce from one place to another, or worse. One of the problems with screening potential adopters is that not all of them are honest. I was adoptions coordinator for several years, and over that time there seemed to be a gradual increase in the number of applicants willing to lie to get a dog. So when screening, it becomes not just a matter of determining whether a potential adopter is a good match, but also trying to establish whether they are being honest in their application. All of which means the screening process has to become even more thorough in order to find the best match.

Just keep an eye out for swelling in other areas too. One of my dogs gets facial swelling from bee stings regardless of where on his body the sting has occurred.

It just reads to me as if the author has a chip on her shoulder. From what she has written it sounds like she just couldn't be bothered going through the adoption process, or perhaps she was rejected for a dog that was unsuitable for her, who knows. Either way, she clearly doesn't understand the importance of matching rescue dogs to appropriate homes.

The other morning Kayla had a problem with one of her hind legs. It started when she got up in the morning and lasted for a couple of hours. Her leg was obviously painful, flicking it out when lying down and not weight bearing when standing. The vet couldn't find anything with that leg except some mild arthritic changes, so I'm wondering if it was a cramp. She had slept in a different spot overnight, somewhere she doesn't usually sleep, so it's possible that may have caused it. Is there anything that can be done for leg cramps? Gentle walking perhaps?

Annie and Maxie are getting isqueak balls, song birds, and wubba ballistic friends. Kayla is getting a go dog dragon and holee treat ball. Coco is not interested in toys so he is getting a selection of cookies from the gourmet dog barkery, which he will share with the others!