tdierikx

The one and only time a dog I owned ended up in the pound (some 25 years ago), the release fee was $40. There were no microchips back then and her collar had been removed by the person who took her to the vet after he'd hit her with his car. If I hadn't called the local council that 4th time about the location of the pound, I would never have got her back at all - the previous 3 calls had some airhead admin person tell me she didn't know where the pound was... grr! What I learned from that experience was that I always made sure my animals were securely housed inside if the lawn mowing man was coming (he'd left the gate open when he left that day), and as we now have microchips, all of my furkids have those with all details kept current. I also make sure that all of my fencing is escape proof. I'd pay anything to release one of my babies from a pound if they ever wound up in one... even beg, borrow, or steal to get them back. Pound release fees are quite high nowadays - and are often also followed by a fine notice as well. This can put reclaiming out of the immediate financial reach of some families, even if they are desperate to get their pet back. I know of at least one instance where a family has actually adopted their dog back from the pound as it was cheaper than paying a release fee and a fine - the dog wasn't chipped or registered, so they played dumb about being the actual owners... T.

I've had a couple of male Rotties in my life - and both of them were the most forgiving and tolerant gentle souls. Big sooky lala's actually... One thing I did notice with both of them was that when they hit full maturity (around 2.5 to 3 years old), they both developed a bit more overall confidence in the world and where they fit in it. Both were intact, but I don't think that really makes too much difference if the dog is well raised to behave in certain ways in certain situations. Basically, I am of the belief that a dog (any dog) is a product of it's upbringing - a calm and even owner will generally raise calm and even dogs. T.

It involves a lot of patience and timing... *grin* When I took my ones, I reckon I snapped about 1000 to get about 25 decently focused ones... errr! I worked out that manually focusing on the spot you want, then snapping in Sports mode with continuous shooting, got me more good shots then trying to catch the drops myself... I'm a bit of a lazy bugger... T.

If they aren't broken, then why aren't they getting homes? Are homes truly not available for unbroken dogs? I've rehomed some pretty broken dogs through rescue in my time - homes do exist, they're just harder to find. We've already talked about education to prevent pets being seen as disposable. Do you like this idea? Do you have better ideas? There are literally thousands of perfectly nice, friendly, healthy dogs in pounds and shelters all over Australia. Unfortunately the general public perception of pound/shelter animals is that they are there because there is/was something wrong with them due to their owners surrendering or just not reclaiming them. Equally unfortunately, not much is being done by the government departments tasked with dealing with the "problem" - easy route for pound contractors is to house for the mandated time then euth, and collect the fees for same from the councils who contracted the pound service. Thank god for the pounds that actively work with rescue to at least reduce the numbers of animals being euthed... they are true heroes IMHO. I'm a BIG believer in the fact that EDUCATION is the key to changing anything - especially when it comes to our furry friends who have found themselves homeless. It could be as simple as a half page (or even a quarter page) reminder in the community/local newspapers that there are more places to source a pet than the local pet shop or BYB. Some papers have a dog or cat of the week section - maybe that could be a good spot to add some extra info about the local pounds, shelters, or rescue organisations, and what they are offering to the community in the way of perfectly lovely pets. Every day in this country rescues are rehoming animals sourced from pounds or private surrenders, so there isn't necessarily an "overpopulation" of pets - some just need more time than pounds and/or large shelters can give them to find their new forever homes is all. I've always thought that there was something lacking in learning only the Three R's in school... I'd like to throw in another one ®espect... respect for other living beings - be they human OR animal. T.

We subsidise people having children... pity we can't desex some of the types that expect the government (read taxpayers) to provide them a living... *sigh* Contrary to popular belief, most of the animals that end up in pounds and shelters AREN'T "broken" in any way, shape, or form... Unfortunately, pets are often viewed as objects - easy to discard when no longer necessary to requirement. It's a sad indictment on our civilisation, or level of same. Personally, I couldn't live without at least 2 or 3 dogs around - and my furbabies are for life. I know why many people give up their animals, but will never truly understand it... T.

I would have ditched the model and just been happily snapping puppies all day myself huga... *grin* T.

Jasmine is even more gorgeous in the flesh Robbi... you can feel what a gentle soul she has. Young Jack picked himself the most wonderful little best friend that day at the pound... T.

Tug ropes factor highly with my lot... T.

Might be a better idea to wait until the twins are about 6 to 12 months old before looking at getting a puppy. The household routine will be more settled and she will know how much time she will have to spend on proper training for both the pups and the kids. Pups need a lot of training - especially 2 large breed dogs - they won't train themselves, and being pregnant with twins is exhausting enough as it is without trying to train 2 exuberant large pups as well. T.

Who would have thought that her previous owner could have not been able to pick her up from the pound? Such a gentle soul... T.

Awesome comparison Rach... they grow up too fast, don't they? T.

Mine certainly aren't anywhere near as nice as yours redangel... but it's great fun trying to catch the drops happening, isn't it? T.

In actuality CC, Labs don't tend to shed much when they are wet... so you probably won't have any hair issues in the pool. If RubyStar gives the dogs a good brush before coming over, then there should be no problem at all... *grin* I'd love to see RubyStar's 2 babies having crazy Labbie fun in the pool... you know you wanna... T.

Oh CC, you know you'd love to share your pool with 2 crazy Labs... they make great photo fodder... *nudge nudge* We take dogs into the pool at the rescue property all the time, and the pump thing never has an issue getting rid of any hair that may be left behind by the doggies. Go on! You know you really want to see Labs in your pool... T.

In rescue we see quite a few litters that have obviously had more than one sperm donor... but it would all be from the same season in the bitch. T.

As you can see Rubystar, a Lab will have just as much fun going looney in a clam shell pool... and they are really cheap in Kmart... *grin* T.

Zeddy is the one who will only get her feet wet in the clam shell type too... plenty happy to walk into it and stand, but that's it. Get the hose out and turn it on though, and you have maniac water chomping dog! lol! She will happily get thoroughly soaked doing that... T.

She also decided that the water bucket was fair game... She's just spat the ducky out... I love this photo - taken my lillypilly with my camera. ... and just chillin' after all that fun... T.

Seeing as Trouble is such a willing subject for water fun photos, we took the opportunity again yesterday - this time in a clam shell wading pool. More coming...

Have you thought about him being a foster failure? He's looking great - awesome job you've done! T.

Honestly, after seeing you and Takoda a couple of times now, I reckon that she is somehow channelling some of Gypsy too. It's awesome to see you and her interact - you are definitely soul mates - and Koda has eyes only for her mummy. T.

I think that the first photo is an awesome shot. I don't have any problem with the fact that Boof is doing what comes naturally. tlc - I just love the expression on the dog nearest Holly... that's Cooper, right? Gorgeous face! T.

12 year old Rotti/Pittie desexed female nearly 6 year old Lab desexed female 1 year old unknown cross (camp dog) female The Rotti X and the Lab used to get along just fine, but as the Lab matured we started having the odd fight - these fights escalated in intensity to the point that I now keep them separated. Both are alpha personality types. The camp dog gets on fine with both of the other girls - she is not an alpha personality type, so can run with either alpha girl without incident. I've had multiple females running together without incident in the past, but am much more careful in the selection of any new dog (of either sex) nowadays - to make sure that the personality types don't clash. All of my girls get on fine with the foster pups I have on regular occasions, but that's because they usually tend to be young and have a "puppy license" with the older dogs. T.

Zeddy got lucky today... it's raining... *grin* She will have her turn in the pool. I reckon we'll get the best shots with her trying to bite water I'll be splashing at her - she loves trying to kill water coming out of a hose, so maybe she will perform nicely for splashes... Go away rain!! T.

Awww... aren't they just so photogenic? Lovely photos! T.