tdierikx

When I lived in PNG, our dog caught Distemper. One other thing to note is that even if your dog does recover from the initial disease, they are highly likely to develop meningitis as well... Our dog was extremely lucky to survive her battle with both and suffer no serious side effects... but it was completely heartbreaking to watch her go through it. Vaccinate your dogs/ferret people... it's the simplest guarantee that your dog/ferret won't contract this (or other) disease(s). T.

Finding something seriously wrong with Izzy or the pups would certainly strengthen the case against the original breeder... yes? Nothing shocks me any more about what things the RSPCA will do to/with animals to make their point. I'm with Steve in believing that there should be an independent body that the RSPCA must be accountable to when issues like this come up. T.

Have never been fussed on the Science Diet kibble... it gave ALL of my dogs the squirts straight up... and they weren't overly fussed on it taste wise either. Ever seen a Labrador pick at their food? Mine does NOT like Science Diet at all and will literally eat one piece at a time... *sigh* T.

I've never had a dog do poorly on any of the Royal Canin kibbles. Used to feed the foster pups RC Junior exclusively, and they all did great on it. My own dogs do really well on Nutro... or just as well on Supercoat... go figure? The most expensive is not necessarily going to be the best for an individual dog... sometimes cheaper is just as good. T.

Yep! T.

My fear of spiders came from Dr Who... before I saw the Spiders From Mars episodes I was quite fine with the critters - even having a cool collection of live bird catching/eating hairless jobbies when we lived in PNG (they were so cool then... but now they give me the heebies!) Funnily enough, the only spiders I'm NOT afraid of are the ones I really SHOULD be... I'm fascinated by Funnel Web spiders if/when they cross my path. I catch them in glass jars and just stare at them for ages... Then again, Funnel Webs aren't as fast and scuttly as Huntsmans... and they don't run AT you! This sums them up nicely... lol! T.

Hahaha! Nice one perse! T.

The symptoms could also be an aftermath from worming - I've found that Drontal all-wormer can be a little rough on puppy tummies. Have you wormed him recently benz? T.

I've been bitten by a Huntsman about the size of the one in the OP... on the side/back of my neck! Turned into a whopping great boil-like mess that had to be drained... and I couldn't turn my head for 3 weeks. Any that come into my house are sprayed with flea spray (slows them down), then smashed against the wall with an ugg boot - and I leave their guts there to act as a deterrent to the next bloody spider that thinks it's ok to come in my house... ... then I go change my undies... T.

There is plenty of video footage taken by the foster carer of the pups and mother dog in question whilst they were in her care... I challenge anyone to find anything wrong with them at all from that footage. They looked very healthy and socially adjusted in all those clips... T.

Kinda my reaction too... with a bit of sphincter clenching as well... *shiver* T.

7/31 - Kato at Symbio... regal old guy enjoying the sun... 02-03-2014-symbio 320 by tdierikx, on Flickr 8/31 - Red Bellied Black Snake - wild - at Symbio... errr! 02-03-2014-symbio 478 by tdierikx, on Flickr 9/31 - Superb Fairy Wren - wild - at Symbio 02-03-2014-symbio 484 by tdierikx, on Flickr T.

If the pup had his vaccination on Wednesday, he may likely test positive for Parvo due to it being introduced in a small dose via the vaccine. This could cause a false positive... I'd be more likely to look into vaccinosis as a diagnosis. Seen quite a few cases of it over the years - and most if not all tested positive to Parvo due to the recent vaccinations. If you suspect your Rotti pup HAS Parvo, do NOT delay getting him to the vet for immediate treatment... Rotties are expecially sensitive to the disease. I've had a Rotti pup to the vet at the very first symptom, and he still passed away from the disease despite immediate and ongoing intensive care for 4 days. Then again, he may be sensitive to the Eukanuba or has eaten a piece of chicken that wasn't quite right - or something in the yard has disagreed with his tummy. One of my male Rotties was a killer for the wierd poops if his diet changed in any way - and he had the jelly stuff happen quite often. He didn't get lethargic or go off his food or vomit though... just the liquid or jelly poops when he'd eaten something that didn't agree... T.

You know I had to look... I've now decided that I'm not visiting your place during Huntsman season... do you feed the buggers or what? That is one BIG bugger! If that were near me (or even just in the same room), there would be a great need for a clean pair of underwear! T.

..if her magic doesn't work .... Her magic does tend to work well, doesn't it? T.

If you have her in a larger cage style crate, I'd suggest one of those plastic oval bed-basket things with some soft bedding and a teddy bear large enough to simulate a littermate for her to snuggle up to. Worked wonders for singleton fosters I've had over the years... Some pups will scream blue murder for what seems like forever their first night being crated - but they WILL settle once they realise you are not going to come get them out. The longest I've had a pup have a tanty is about 20 long minutes. The best tip I can give you is to only put her in the crate once you are ready to turn out the light and go to sleep yourself - don't be reading in bed or the like with the light on, because she will not be happy about missing out on whatever is going on, and she will let you know about it in no uncertain terms... Another tip is don't be playing with her straight before bed... my fosters all got couch cuddles of an evening, falling asleep in front of the TV... then we calmly went to bed/crate and lights off. Most of my fosters managed to go through the night without needing to go out for potty breaks - but then again, I only sleep for about 5 hours... if you are the type that needs/wants more sleep, then you are probably going to want to keep an ear open for when she gets unsettled during the night, and take her out when she indicates that she needs to go. I never limited access to water for any of my fosters - they can dehydrate very quickly. T.

If you DO have all of your senses intact, then why effectively shut one off when in a public access area? Seriously, people glued to their music, or texting, or facebooking while meandering all over the place is one of my pet hates... T.

Nekh will advise medication if it's needed... T.

Firm but fair works around here... they get away with some behaviours at home, but seem to realise those behaviours are not tolerated when out in public (when they have a collar on). Collars on here means "on best behaviour or mummy takes you straight back home and you don't get your play session in the park or treats at the doggy fair"... We have a routine, and it seems to work for all of us nicely. Probably not someone else's idea of a routine, but it's what we are comfortable with, and the dogs are happy and healthy and pretty well socially adjusted. None of them are allowed near me when I'm eating my dinner - regardless if they eat first or I do. And I don't share anything from my plate... but they get a rotation of who gets to lick the youghurt tub after I've had it for dessert. T.

Are you near Steph M Nekh? Steph - maybe give Nekh a call and see what she can offer... she's had some good success with dogs like this before... T.

A 2 year ban on owning animals won't stop him reoffending... he didn't own the one he "cheated" with either... it was his girlfriend's dog! T.

I can't understand people who think that sort of behaviour is acceptable... and to take photos of yourself doing it too... presumably to share with likeminded types... ewwww! T.

I wish I lived nearer to you perse... I'd love to photograph little Ess & Don... and about a million other gorgeous sights you have out your way... ... and learn how to REALLY look at my surroundings for a photo opportunity... T.

Love the puddle with mud bubbles... beautiful shot! T.

Nice CC... T.