tdierikx

How much has Zuri grown lately? She's looking so grown up! T.

I have student work placement at a wildlife rehab centre, and we get ravens into care at times. I seriously can't see one being able to cart off a 400g wriggling animal of any type... T.

All 3 of my dogs eat poo... and it's a learned behaviour in their case... T.

As HW says... just because a dog is more food motivated (be it by a genetic quirk or not), it doesn't mean you have to feed them more... My Lab would walk through fire for food, but as I'm the one responsible for what goes down her throat, I just make allowances for that fact and keep her at a nice weight of around 23-25 kgs (she's one of the smaller and more compact Lab types). I don't weigh her often, but go by her body condition to dictate what's a healthy range for her particular build and activity levels. T.

Awww... Pudden is such a derp! T.

The ones of the Enzi "sandwich" are to die for... gorgeous! T.

I think you are very right there Katdogs... they are really pretty amazing critters when you get to know them and their peculiarities... *grin* I love pretty much all critters... except Huntsman spiders... hehe! T.

Foxes can be funny buggers... many hand reared ones tend to be pretty friendly with their regular carers, but quite stand-offish with new people. Roxy was a bit like that, and it was a massive priviledge to have her decide that I was one of "her" people... the first time we met, she tried to bite me... lol! Massive kudos to Fox Rescue keeping her comfortable and safe so that her old carer (before she came to fox rescue) could make the trip from London to see her one last time and be there as she got her wings. T.

Nawww... just as gorgeous as her mummy... T.

Rupert (I call him Ru) is having his first time inside the house today. So far he's been really good - not trying to chew things he shouldn't, and generally loving the freedom to run around like a little lunatic. Pickles is playing the fun police, stealing all his toys and not sharing, and Trouble is pointedly ignoring him... lol! Ru hasn't been with other dogs since he was 3 weeks old, so he's not overly interested in annoying the girls like most pups do... so this is part of his socialisation training, and I think it's going well so far. And no accidents in the house yet either! T.

Today I had the distinct priviledge to say my goodbyes to the oldest resident at Sydney Fox Rescue. Roxy didn't really think she was a fox, she thought she was a dog... and demanded tummy rubs from all her fave people regularly... and loudly! She was nearly 12 years old, which is an amazing innings for a fox - even in captivity. I feel honoured to have been counted as one of "her" people this past year, and have many fond memories of her tanties when I wasn't quick enough to respond to her tummy rub demands... foxes can get really LOUD, as Roxy could happily demonstrate... lol! During her recent annual checkup and dental clean, the vets found an aggressively malignant cancerous growth in her jaw, which was inoperable and untreatable by any method that would be well tolerated by an animal in their twilight years, so the hard decision was made to give her her wings with dignity and love. All her fave people came from far and wide for one last cuddle, and now she is at peace chasing bunnies at the Bridge (I'm sure they let in foxes who think they are dogs there)... I shall be looking out for a new star in the heavens tonight and raising a glass to sweet Roxy fox. T.

Oopsie! Norty Miss Molly! But kudos for her cutting skills... lol! T.

Pud is such a dope... lol! Is that Ash or Smoke? Don is just so darling... Miss Molly is definitely mummy's girl, isn't she? T.

Nahh... once they've taken yer money and approved your pet permit, they apparently tend to leave pet owners alone. They save their spot checks for the Fox Rescue premises... *sigh* I don't want to share my bed with them anyways... they do smell a bit... errr! T.

Gotta love Smoke... Master Puke... lol! One way to get to stay home with Mum all day... I hope you put the roo out of his misery quickly... T.

Hahaha! They have a distinct odour that would give away the game very quickly... lol! Besides, Trouble and Pickles may be a little miffed at sharing with Tom and Ghost... hehe! Harper would probably love to have them sleep in the crate with her - she's a bit besotted with them... T.

Up until December 2014, it was actually not illegal to keep a fox as a pet in NSW. In December 2014, the law changed on that, and now all pet foxes must have a permit from Local Land Services (LLS) and be kept securely contained like the requirements for a restricted breed dog. They are not allowed off your property except for vet visits, and then must only be accompanied by a designated handler experienced in foxes. Designated handlers are listed on your permit application, and ONLY those people may handle your foxes (I am listed on Fox Rescue's permits and a few of the other pet owners' permits). Same for designated vet clinics that have stated they will provide care/treatment must be listed on your permit (mine are Vineyard and West Cessnock). My guys' pen is on concrete, so that works well to keep their claws in check. I am allowed to have them out of the pen in my yard, but only securely harnessed and on lead - they are not allowed off the property unless in a travel crate to/from a vet for treatment. They are also not permitted inside any residential dwelling, so even if I wanted them to sleep on my bed, it's not allowed... grr! For activity levels and stimulation, their pen is set up with all sorts of climbing, hiding, and roosting apparatus, which gets changed around at regular intervals. Enrichment routines are paramount to keep them healthy, active, and mentally sound. My guys are around 20 months old, so pretty much fully grown, but still young adults. Seeing as I'm currently studying to be a zookeeper, it kinda goes with the territory to have an exotic pet or two, yes? And I figure that foxes are a little more exotic than reptiles or birds... *grin*... I'm also doing my major work for my course - a Husbandry Manual - on the Red Fox, so keeping my own really helps with that... Contrary to popular belief, Fox Rescue are not against farmers protecting their stock (or chickens) from foxes by shooting those that they catch raiding same. We'd prefer that means other than 1080 baiting were used to try to control foxes in the wild though... 1080 is not overly effective in any real sense, causes a slow and painful death, and is not safe for any animal that predates upon the corpse of a baited animal (native carnivores, raptors, etc). T.

Young Ash seems to have all the right drive to be a great working dog... but I think the Boss might need to have another little chat with the naughty bugger about waiting until you have some backup before trying to sort out wild goats... lol! Well done Merle! T.

I actually have just had my pen inspection for the 2 foxes I've got a pet permit in for... *grin* Here are some photos of Ghost - my Mr Sunshine... T.

Secret is the luckiest little girl ever to have you as a mummy... T.

...and a front on shot of Master Derpy for his new fans... T.

You guys think he's cute now... you should have seen him at 3 weeks... OMG! Even with the ringworm, he was competely adorable... He's a smart little bugger though, and has learned that "uhhh!" means to let go of the pants leg he's tugging... and we are working on his tendency to get a bit over-excited and bitey. The foxes are very interested in the small hyper thing when he has a run in the yard... they both start making play noises and wagging their floofy tails and try to get his attention... he hasn't noticed them yet though... lol! He's so good with being alone, as he's been in isolation in my granny flat for a week before being allowed to play with the big dogs - just making sure no more flakes appearing and hair growth started. They've been able to see each other through the screen door, and Harper has taken to sitting vigil by said door, as she's infatuated... *sigh*... she so loves puppies! Prior to coming to me, he was in isolation with some kittens with ringworm at the rescue - all are now clearing up nicely, so he's been given into my care to work on his socialisation skills. We'll have to start collar and lead training soon... that will be fun... errr! He'll be going to puppy kindy too when his spots are regrown with hair properly. Here's another shot of him playing with Harper yesterday... T.

OK - I have a new foster puppy... His name is Rupert and he's some sort of pigging cross... 9 weeks old. He came into care with Sydney Fox Rescue (they don't only do foxes) at the tender age of 3 weeks with a case of ringworm. His story is a sad one, so we won't go into it - let's focus on how well he's doing now, yes? His ringworm is clearing up nicely - hair regrowing well - and he's in dire need of some socialisation with other dogs, so he's come to Chez Dierikx Holiday Camp for a while... Yesterday - experiencing grass for the first time unconfined Today - playing with the crazy Horse Puppy The play session with Harper started off a little shakily, as Ru hasn't actually met another dog since he came into care - but Harper is so good with pups, and adjusted her play style to accommodate him, so all ended on a good note this morning. Both are sleeping like logs right now... lol! T.

Oh - my current foster puppy has ringworm, so has been having 2 medicated baths a week... poor little man! I'm glad that the pet foxes (Tom and Ghost) keep themselves nice and clean... Ghost might behave, but I know Tom would crack a complete mental... and I'd like to keep all my fingers thanks! T.

Harper and Pickles have never had a proper bath... might have gotten wet in the pool at the rescue once or twice when they were puppies is all... Trouble has had baths, but doesn't really need them. None of my dogs has a "doggy" smell, so I leave well enough alone when it comes to baths... *grin* T.