tdierikx

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.

I'm of the belief that if a rescue can actually make a little money back on a desirable pup/dog, then why not? Or is the general "rule" that all rescues must run in the red and not make anything above and beyond their costs per animal in their care? Seems a ridiculous business model, and one that is not exactly feasible, wouldn't you say? T.

I would start with feeding them all in separate rooms if you can... as feed time seems to be part of a trigger that is causing this behaviour. They could also be picking up on your feelings of loss/grief and the change in their routine. This you can't deal with overnight, but it will get easier with time, OK? It's not your "fault" any of this happens under the circumstances. I have 3 female dogs here myself - and one of them doesn't get on with the other two at all - and, like yours, she's a bigger and younger girl than the others. I keep her separated from them at all times... as if there were a fight, I could not break it up on my own safely. All 3 get plenty of "mummy time", so the arrangement works for our little pack/family. If you feel you may not be able to cope if these issues escalate, do not feel bad if you need to make a decision to rehome Milly... sometimes it can be the best solution for all involved, and is not "palming off a problem", but a selfless act to ensure all 3 dogs' welfare. T.

When I used to foster puppies for rescue, we learned really quickly that Drontal can be really hard on their tummies... so we switched to Canex or Fenpral, as they were much kinder to the system. I've never had one go manic on it though... T.

Nawwww... a "speshul" moment... lol! T.

Definitely an amazing and caring person... T.

Trouble received a parcel in the mail today from an amazing fellow DOLer.... and she's beside herself with happiness right now! She sends her biggest woo-woos and sloppy labrador kisses to her kind benefactor... *slurp* Thank you so much!!! T.

OH Teebs! My heart hurts with you... *sob* Fly free with the angels Kaos... my beloved Woosie will share her fave spots with you, OK? T.

They are so pretty... and so healthy looking... sad that they are feral and cause issues... "Little" looks like there may be some Beagle in the mix somewhere... Midge is gorgeous! T.

You know your boy best... and whatever you decide, I am right behind you with all my support @DesertDobes... I've had to make the decision more often than most... during my years in dog rescue where we took on a lot of special needs dogs, some just couldn't be fixed... It's hard to do, but when you know it's the right thing, that certainly takes a bit of the sting away. T.

I pick my vets well... *grin* T.

He's actually really sweet... he hates what's happening almost as much as I do... especially as he can't fix it regardless of all his experience and skills. And she does need to slim down a few kilos... an extra fat layer around the neck could increase the effect of the lump on the throat... and we want to keep her with us as long as she's comfortable. T.

We had a checkup this week, and took bloods to see how the rest of her was looking. She's actually gained some weight lately, so thyroid function was top of the list, as the throat lump is in that general area. Bloods came back as darned near perfect ... she's a really healthy specimen apparently... but needs to go on a bit of a diet... *sigh* She doesn't get treats or extras... and I'm usually pretty strict about what and how much she's eating... but I may have "compensated" a bit of late due to the shock of what's happening to her... She's still happy and active... and still totally oblivious to what's happening... so that's good. The throat lump is now about 1.5 times the size of a golf ball, and the tongue lump is about the size of a 50 cent piece. We are especially watching the tongue one, as if she bites it, it could get infected and/or bleed profusely... neither of which is desirable. T.

I'm with perse... surely there must be a vet surgeon who can do something? I'm in a similar position with my girl... her lumps are inoperable, but she's perfectly fine and healthy in every other respect, and would have gone on to live a long life if it weren't for the damned lumps... grrr! The reality is that I'm going to have to say goodbye to her when the lumps compromise her ability to swallow... and it won't be years from now. T.

Love yer work @Powerlegs... have shared... T.

Gee... I wonder which large "rescue" organisation they model that on... T.