tdierikx

I just spent today with a lovely DOLer and her dogs... and had the BEST day ever! Nothing compares to spending time with dogs who are so well loved and cared for, and getting to share their companionship... if only for a day... Thank you so much for sharing your babies with me... I'm gonna dream about them tonight for sure! T.

No offence taken... he's a right corker of a little boss dog... lol! Looks like he mostly leads them out to other activities anyways... can't hunt every day, right? T.

Not a fan of fox hunting... but Albert is a cutie for sure... T.

Nat Geo Travel Phototographer of the Year 2018... http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/photographer-of-the-year-2018/ Enjoy! T.

We have a couple of our juveniles that like to try pushing at you with their horns... but as they are still fairly small, it's easy enough to push them away. I push them by their backsides to basically spin them around when they play silly buggers - not going to engage in a head pushing contest, as that only encourages them... *grin* T.

Trubs sends you slobbery kisses right back @animallover99 - and happy woo-woos... T.

They still look pretty pleased with themselves... lol! T.

As long as she's not suffering in any way, she'll keep getting whatever she likes to eat... and regular trips to her boyfriend for checkups... *grin* I wish she'd stop dribbling on my pillow though... cold slobber on yer cheek is not exactly the nicest thing... ewww! T.

Just a little update for Trubs' fans... still doing pretty well so far... eating fine, and only gets a bit breathless when excited (like when she sees her fave vet... grrr!). We have an appointment to see her boyfriend (the vet) next Wednesday for a checkup. The internal throat/tongue tumour is now about the size of a baseball on the left side, and I can feel a thread going across the front of her throat to another lump about the size of a ping-pong ball on the right. The one on the top rear of the tongue is not much bigger that I can see, but there could be growth behind there that we can't see... food still passes it just fine, so not overly concerned about that one just now. No problems chewing up and swallowing chicken carcases or turkey necks... or treats... *grin* She's also loving the duck eggs I've been bringing home from work... yummo! She has started dribbling a bit when asleep... which is a bit annoying when it's on my pillow... ewww! Will have another update after we see the vet next week, OK? T.

Hang in there Sniper... you can be the exception that proves the rule and beats this nasty! Hugs to you and yours @DesertDobes... not the best news... but there is some hope still. T.

I've left a message for Steve (phone) about this thread... she'll possibly be by eventually to address it... T.

The Standard Poodles are not like the smaller versions... much more like "regular" dogs, but they don't shed... bonus! ... and they look gorgeous in the "puppy" or shaggy clip. T.

Yay for Sniper!!! Best news/outcome ever! Please give him hugs from all his DOL fans... I'm sure he'd like that... *grin* Oh... and one can get quite used to baked beans when we know it's for a good cause... lol! T.

Thanks @grumpette... the vet says she also has the teeth of a 5 year old... all very nice and pearly. She used to be about 5kg leaner too... but now it doesn't matter so much if I over-indulge her feeding desires... *grin* T.

It's amazing how many that COULD help in situations like that, feel that there may be reprisals on THEM if they come forward... everyone is frightened of the RSPCA. T.

She sends her best woo-woos and slobbery kisses to you @animallover99... T.

Here are some photos I just took of the beast in question... for her fans... *grin* Enjoy! T.

DDD is right... so many of the dogs that end up in pounds/shelters/rescue are perfectly gorgeous canine citizens... as opposed to some of the pampered nippy and yappy types one comes across all to frequently. IMHO, I'd adopt an ex-poundie/surrender that has been thoroughly vetworked and temp tested by an ethical rescue in a heartbeat... and certainly wouldn't be haggling on the "price" involved. The perception that rescue dogs are "broken" or "unknown" is one of those urban myths... as any ethical rescuer will attest to. A good 99% of rescue dogs simply found themselves homeless for other reasons than having "issues"... As far as I'm concerned, any rescue that paints a picture of what a horrible or tumultuous life a dog in care has had prior to ending up with them - especially if said dog does have some issues, and they are excusing same with the sob story... I'd run a mile from. T.

Pickles has started paying a lot more attention to Trubs lately... lots of mouth licking between them, and Pickles is never far from her at all times... maybe Pickles knows that something's not right now? As for Trubs - as long as she gets her food and treats, she's still pretty oblivious to what's going on... lol! Gotta love a Lab for their love of every moment of the day, yes? Especially if there is food involved... or, even better, treats! I must try to get some more nice photos of her for her beautiful supporters... T.

Much more lucrative to run vet clinics and seize animals and charge ludicrous fees for holding them until an equally luctrative court battle happens... and they can spin the whole thing as "animal welfare" related to elicit more donations... Sounds cynical, doesn't it? But that's the reality... grrr! T.

I've never had sedation first... and all cases have been very quick and painless and done with dignity. I have had to assist with a few types of animals, not just dogs, and in all cases the process has been dignified and very quick. The first time I had to give one of my dogs their wings, I was a little shocked at just how fast it happens once the solution is injected... so be prepared for that by making sure you are fully ready and have said your goodbyes, given last cuddles, etc, OK? I would recommend sedation first if your dog has a heart problem that means it's circulation is poor... the process can take longer under those circumstances and that may be a bit distressing to all involved. Don't forget that it's hard on the vet too... they don't like this part of their job any more than we do. I've found that they really appreciate us making the whole process as calm as possible. I tend to save the distressing part of ME falling apart and sobbing uncontrollably until I'm alone... T.

She'll get her food soon... lol! Thankfully she's actually quite oblivious as to what's happening... and each day is a new day as only a dog can truly appreciate... T.

Awww... Pudden is sooo handsome! Luv that boy lots... T.

Trouble saw her fave vet on Wednesday... The tumour has grown out and across her trachea... so she now has trouble breathing properly when she gets excited... and she gets so excited when she sees the vet. Vet means pats and treats... *sigh* Still no problems eating as yet, as the oesophagus is on the other side of her throat to where the "action" is happening. We are on AB's again, as the tumour at the top back of the tongue gets a bit manky, and the AB's settle it down well. Oh... and she's put on another kilo... how the heck did that happen, I wonder? LOL! The bugger gave me a worry the other night... she'd been down the back of the yard where I'd put the cut off vine... managed to get herself tangled in it and ran back inside all wrapped up in dying vine - with Pickles in hot pursuit thinking it was funny Trubs was trailing vine. Poor bubba was so excited about the fun game that she was honking and hawking for a good 30 mins before she settled enough to breathe properly... grrr! Right now, she's at my feet under the computer desk, poking me to tell me it's nearly dinner time... or at least treat time... or something along those lines... lol! T.

There are a few options you have at this point... 1. call in a qualified behaviourist (NOT BarkBusters) to help you work out what course of action to take to get your girls to all live together in harmony. 2. make enquiries with local dog rescue groups (not sure where you are located) as to whether they would be willing to help you with the rehoming process - either by advertising her for you through their network, or by taking her into their care and being rehomed that way. I would definitely start by separating them all at dinner time, as this seems to be the most obvious trigger time... all that excitement at the though of yummy dinner AND having you there to impress after you've been away all day. I've had 2 female dogs decide that killing each other was the new "norm"... it's not pleasant, and not fair to try to force them to try to co-exist when it gets to that point... and don't get me started on vet bills after particularly nasty fights - luckily I was a bit of a regular at my local vet, and they gave me some discounts. Those 2 never had the opportunity to be together after one particularly frightening fight - we are talking police, capsicum spray, and the threat of shooting the dogs in quiestion... very scary stuff! If you did have to permanently separate Milly from the others, I can attest to the fact that she could quite possibly adjust to her new "norm" just fine... as long as you can give her equal you time. I have 3 dogs here at the moment - 1 can't be with the other two, and she is happy with the arrangements I have in place for her to have her equal share of mummy time and attention. It CAN be done, but it's a routine you need to stick to 100% to avoid altercations. The upside is getting to keep all 3 dogs and making it all work for everyone. T.