OSoSwift

Very well done :)

My inlaws are in their 70's and very active people. I would see no reason not to allow them to have one of my puppies. Having said that a plan does need to be in place and if they did get a dog (they do not have one as they are retired and travelling) it would be with the understanding that we would take the dog on. If by chance the dog did not thrive living with us, a suitably selected home would be found for the dog.

I am upset by neither - unless I find a White tail or red back where it shouldn't be but then I squash it. Snakes annoy/upset me more but that is because of the possibility of death to my pets and kids.

Oh yep being a bit damp would help

Oh whoops!! Get the OH to clean it up!!!! I suggest a rake and bucket!!!! With a big bag to put it all in

Even though George's conformation is also appaling, at least he has some depth of body. Not sure if I would have that much weight on him with a back end like that.

Interestingly I have seen MANY entire dogs - live in a predominantly farming community and the dogs are rarely desexed. Even as really old dogs I have never seen a case of testicular cancer. I have seen dogs with uneven sized testes or shrinking ones due to decreased testosterone production but never cancer or tumours - with both testicles descended - note the one with a retained testicle above.. I have seen many dogs with enlarged prostates, don't think any were diagnosed as tumours but not sure, but saw a lot of old dogs with enlarged prostates that were entire. I think the cancer angle is way over used.

The only dog I have ever seen testicular cancer in was a dog with one retained teste - which was just infront of the scrotum. He did get a lump on it, got it removed, no further issues. He was 8 or nine. I would be very suprised if a dog got cancer in a retained testicle in the first 18 months of it's life.

I always say to people at Puppy Preschool. If you are thinking about pet insurance do it the day you bring them home, don't wait as it could come back to bite you on the bum down the track.

When we wanted a critter identified we got onto the WA museum so I would recommend you get onto the Vic one, they will get back to you quickly. Oh and they are great photos by the way - well done :D

I needed a Maremma puppy as well a few nights ago.....sadly Shaun didn't make it. Maybe I will order one for next time!!!!!

How old is Jive?? Could hers be teeth? CK is a measure of the enzymes that are released when muscles are broken down............... One of my dogs had Myofacial Myosytis - causes pain especially around the jaw and can cause eating issues. It also eventually causes muscle wastage around the head and jaw, he went from a Boofy Stafford head to a pointy cone head

I have very healthy well bred dogs. One recently needed TPLO surgery from what was an accident. I have been paid around 6 years worth of premiums, plus I have claimed for xrays etc before when she has dmaged her toes/crashed. My other dog I have claimed very little but I am about even with him, maybe behind a bit. I live in an area with lots of snakes, I also haev a breed that run very fast but do not always lookw here theya re going. I could have put their yearly premiums away and would be behind.

I would try putting this in general, much more traffic there :)

Oh what a wonderful story - I have a little something in my eyes!!! I am so very glad you have her home again.

Dear all - thanks for your kind thoughts. Yes I made the stupid mistake of my life and will carry the overwhelming guilt forever. Two toddlers, a ridiculously busy job and not enough time to think straight. a crushing reality to live with, especially with a three year old who constantly asks when jack is coming home. And my other three dogs who were seriously depressed for some months after. FYI, I have learned - dog kennels are effectively unregulated - 'self regulated' via the Companion Animals Act in NSW - locals councils have NO interest in the running of kennels other than land use zoning/permission So no one has responsibility. Outrageous, huh! No wonder puppy farms can flourish in this country where animal welfare laws don't exist. FYI I lodged a complaint with Hills Shire. They 1. Never formally interviewed me despite contacting them many many times 2. Said they didn't need to speak to me because 'I was overseas and by definition was not a witness to the event' 3. Concluded that there was nothing to be done because 'no one witnessed the event' 4. Sent the owner of the business an application so they could apply for approval to operate kennels!!!!!! So two dangerous staffies are out there running around and their poor owners probably don't know that their own beloved dogs need to be carefully managed. I feel sorry for them. As I said to council, if these dogs did this to my harmless and unprovocative little jack, they could do it to a child. I believe what goes around comes around. This person has it coming big time. Take life slowly, friends. Don't blame yourself, you left your dog there in good faith, as many people do with boarding facilities all over th eplace. You expect to get all your dogs back but if something goes wrong you expect to be informed as soon as they possibly can and you expect to the dog to recieve appropriate treatment as soon as is possible. I know you will blame yourself it is human nature, but the blame falls squarely on the boarding kennels shoulders not yours. It is also terrible they have not been held accountable. RIP Little man

bloody hell that is terrible I am so sorry for your loss of Jack, I ahven't even read the website yet. I am not in Brisbane but will not and do not run dogs together from sifferent families and double cjheck dogs from the same family are fine to be kenneled and run together - I had two that would kill each otehr if they were put in together. All of my runs inside and out are fully covered over the top to make sure no dog can climb into the kennel next door and also there are solid partitions between the inside part of the dog run so when dogs are placed next to each other I make sure they are suited as they can see each other through the outside part. I designed them this way to address any heat issues in summer. I was worried about hot air being trapped in summer. It horrifies me that kennels run any dogs together that are not from the same household it is a disaster waiting to happen

Well Lewis's testicles are definately coming back to size and increasing in firmness. He was trotting along infront of me when I thought hmmm might have to put some sunscreen on those (one has dark pigment over half of it at the back) then I went hey I can actually see he has testicles without really looking and they are actually sticking out towards the back. Previously - especially when cold - you would be forgiven for thinking he didn't have any!!! I am looking after a friends Whippet bitch who has come into season and Rommi is due in around 4 weeks so I am wondering if that has helped him out in any way??? When Rommi comes in I will collect him, but they are definately bigger and will be in need of sunscreen again this year - only took 2 years 1 month! Oh and SK - Lewis would still try to and would mate and tie but would take no interest until she was standing, then as soon as she wasn't didn't care again. So even though he was infertile and had Suprelorin I couldn't keep them together.

Goodness me that dog just looks all wrong the poor love. I think too much more weight and he would be battling big time. His conformation is a total disaster

I will when I have done it properly. I do have snake mesh around the dog yard/kennels at home for my dogs if you would like to see that one?

I have the perimeter fence fully enclosed with 1.2 metre snake mesh that is buried in blue metal. Along with everything mowed, scalpes around the external fences so there is no cover for them to hide in near the fences and I check double and triple check.

I would suggest you do lots of research and searching of photos of kennels on the net, find the type you like and go from there. Build kennels you would be happy to put your own dogs in. It will be hard to convince people you have great kennels if you don't truely believe in them yourself. Know that not everyone will like everything you do and all your ideas, that is not a bad thing it can help you look at things differently , but it does not necessarily mean you are doing the wrong thing either. Some people have unrealisitic expectations about what they want from a kennel Many people have very reasonable expectations and can help you build great kennels Getting all the crap through council will be enough to do your head in. If you are not just a tad stubborn and determined think long and hard about if you really want to go down that road. Research, research, research. Know your subject inside out.

what a gorgeous baby yellow horse :) My yellow horse is 28

Take special care OSO. YeP I am, never step where I haven't looked, and scan all the time. It does get exhausting watching out for dogs and kids all summer. It is also the reason my newly built kennels has an exterior fence of snake mesh!!!!!

Have seen 5 around about the place in the last week. 4 tigers and 1 dugite