tdierikx

Many years ago when I didn't know any better, I bred my 2 papered (but still BYB) Rottis. Now, purebred Rottis were selling for between $400 and $600 back then, so we set our pups price at $400. 10 pups - NSWCC papered - $400 each... I think I still came out with an overall loss. Nowadays I'm involved with rescue, and SecretKei has the right of it there - people seem to think that rescue dogs should be dirt cheap, but they seem to forget all the expenses incurred to get the dog to the point of adoption - many rescues operate at a loss because they can't possibly recoup all the costs for all the dogs they rehome... sad, but true... It's especially bad when a rescue has an obviously pure breed dog up for adoption... all of the bargain hunters come out of the woodwork then... *sigh* A well bred healthy dog is worth so much more than money IMHO... T.

Go on! A day trip to Sydney to cuddle puppies is never a wasted day... *grin* T.

Oh yes... the "something's stuck" dance... know it well... T.

A good and reputable behaviourist is worth their weight in gold... and I'm sure someone on DOL will be able to recommend a good one near to you. T.

Petey is even more outgoing than Bones CLBS... he's always up for a game with Timmy the (now 11kg) BC cross pup. Petey is the smallest in the litter, but has a personality as big as the universe... Where are you located roughly huntrox? You may be near enough to come visit and see Petey for yourself - we are located about 20 mins south of Penrith (in Sydney). He's worth the drive... honest! Failing that, I'll see about some new photos on Thursday, OK? I have a couple of job interviews tomorrow so will be a bit too busy to take photos then. T.

Pickles will be chewing on a rock she's dug up in the yard, and the moment I look at her and go to tell her to drop it, she swallows it! Same with bits of plastic... she really is a complete garbage guts! Mind you, it makes the poo patrol a real adventure - or a mystery... "what the heck was that she ate and when" is usually the response when I find her poos infested with the latest offering to the camp dog tummy god. At least she manages to chew her things up small enough to pass through ok.... *sigh* T.

You are so going to hurt tomorrow donatella! 150 sit ups? I'd be lucky to complete one before I was completely swamped by my 3 and the 2 fosters! Can we see more photos please... hehe! T.

Yep - back to the normal madness this morning... *grin* The girls are up and at 'em - had breakfast, been out for potty - and are now playing up a storm - regardless of me trying to get them to take it easy... T.

Sage came into care at her previous place with a litter of pups - one would think that would have made her more reactive with other dogs, but she slotted into a large pack quite well. Mind you, most of the dogs in that pack were larger than her and not so easy to push around. They had all been used to strange dogs coming into the pack and weren't fazed by silly behaviour by a newcomer. Could she be picking up on your nervousness as well, which is exascerbating(sp?) the issue? Is your trainer a behaviourist? If not, maybe a consult with one will help get to the root of the issue, and possibly be able to help more... All that said, I have known dogs that developed similar behaviours to the point where they had to be pts. It's never easy to hold a dog that is otherwise lovely whilst we do the only thing that can truly give them release from certain issues. T.

It's my birthday on Sunday... a place award for one of my photos would be a cool present methinks... *grin* Thanks MM and smooch! T.

I drop the actual photos off tomorrow - and they will be judged on Thursday the 22nd... Wish me luck... *gulp* T.

I am so wanting your beach and your weather right now... I'm getting jealous! T.

I know they've upped their postage costs to something a bit exhorbitant... other than that I've not been on there for a long time either. T.

We still have 5 available for adoption huntrox... *grin* William, Charlie, Petey, Joe, and Sasha... T.

Timmy is off to be desexed and have his rear dew claws off tomorrow (Tuesday). T.

The girls have come through their surgeries just fine - a little subdued still, but they are hungry. They've had a bit of water and a little bit of wet food, and if that stays down just fine, they can have more dinner a bit later. They should be just fine tomorrow... pups are such resilient things... a hysterectomy rarely gets in the way of having a good time, I've found... *grin* T.

They are totally lovely little ladies - 2 of the nicest fosters I've ever had. Fern is leaner and a bit smaller than Willow, but she's the cocky/cheeky one. Willow seems more dependent on having other dogs around to boost her confidence. Willow will come to me when I'm watching TV and wants couch cuddles - which I'm happy to give her because she's such a snugglebug. Both of them go completely floppy (like a Ragdoll cat) when you pick them up for a cuddle. They both also go outside for potty on their own - never had to teach them that either. Such easy pups all around. They are both being desexed today, and are a little miffed they haven't been given breakfast... T.

My Lab savours hers - they last all of 5 minutes then... *grin* It takes Zeddy about 10 mins, and Pickles about 15 mins... I have them all separate when they have pig ears, otherwise Trouble will take them all and scoff them. T.

Playing... They also both had a playdate today at Katdogs' house - zoomies is really good on the fresh cut short grass! T.

Hot off the presses... new photos of the leggy brunettes... *grin* Fern... Willow... More coming...

Well - Willow found her play bark voice yesterday afternoon... it's such a cute bark though... ... and Fern found hers this morning - it's a bit deeper than Willow's, but still cute... I have also learned not to lie on the floor with these two around - they have a thing for jumping on your head and chewing your hair! I also think I'm going to have to get new collars for them very soon - they've almost outgrown their current ones - I had to adjust them again this morning and we don't have much more room for expansion there... They are still shy of new experiences, but they are perfectly fine and normal (read cheeky) once they are familiar with their surroundings. These girls are going to make some very nice family pets methinks - they are just lovely in every respect. T.

Hahaha! They do pull the best faces when playing, don't they? He looks like he's settling in just fine and has you completely wrapped around his little paw to boot! T.

Haha @ MavericksMission... Are you sure you are up for a very smart deaf puppy? Oh, and he's scared of sheep... lol! We tested him with the 2 sheep we have at the rescue, and he's a big sooky lala - he can run faster than they can... in the opposite direction! Mind you, he's a lovely boy who plays really well with others - we have him playing with Fern and Willow (LabX pups) and the little guys (BT/Staffy pups) on a regular basis - and he thinks Pickles is the best playmate ever because she does zoomies with him. We'd be happy to adopt him to you, if you want... *grin* T.

Dogs are NOT people... and for us to "humanise" them is kinda silly really. My dogs have the option of inside/outside - the back door is always open. The fact that they like the creature comforts of couch and bed is just their preference... *grin* I have friends whose dogs like to be outside - and that is their preference. I foster pups, and they are crated at night for their own safety, and to prevent them from eating the house while I sleep. They are also crated when travelling in the car - again, for their own safety. I also have 2 dogs that don't get on - one is crated when the other is running loose. They take turns as to who is crated and who isn't. Much better than the alternative of having to take them to the vet all the time for hurting each other - I can't rehome either of them as I know what they are capable of, and also because I love them both and committed to them for life when I adopted them. Both are perfectly well adjusted and behave nicely with others in public - they just don't like each other on occasion with rather scary results. I'm not so fussed on dogs being tethered for long periods of time, but until I know the circumstances I really can't judge that either. If the dogs are otherwise happy and healthy and get enough interaction with their owners, then I really can't see that it's any of my business. T.

I'd leave when I saw them arriving - and tell other owners to do the same... maybe the AmStaff owners may get the hint that their dog needs some proper training before it's allowed to play with others. From experience, talking to certain owners has little effect, but being completely snubbed by everyone else in the park can have them rethink the situation. T.