LizT

I've seen very cleaver use of bulldog clips and other stationery type clips used on simple pieces of fabric such as crushed velvet look quite effective...AND...no sewing required!

It has been my experience that the elderly dog will often be shunned from the pack and even attacked by various members for no apparent reason and then tolerated and even shown affecton too at the next moment. I think in nature the sick and elderly are driven out to die but in the confused/artificial state domestic dogs live in they are not often consistent in their behaviour. I have often had to isolate the older dog for their own safety until such time as it becomes necessary to make the hard decision regarding their quality of life etc. Most living out their last few months away from the other dogs.

Contact 'Cavalier Rescue' through the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of Victoria.

Geez, I hope I never lose a heavily pregnant bitch after paying a stud fee and caring for her throughout her pregnancy only to have the pups aborted and the bitch desexed???

Just wondering Mortonplace, was the SALE subject to them having the dog Vet checked within 7 days of purchase (as with the sale of puppies?) with an offer of return if found unhealthy? If the dog were ill or had a pre-existing condition they would have had the opportunity to have her checked out to ensure she was in good health. Has anyone told you what the operation was for? IMO I don't think you owe them anything and from what little information they are giving you it would be hard for them to prove otherwise, let them try.

Okay as I see the only facts known are that a young bitch is lost AND pregnant and that there is "no room at the Inn". Ellez offer was/is EXTREMELY generous but being an experienced breeder Ellez knows that if the bitch is 'heavily' pregnant then transporting her would be unwise...particularly from one end of the country to the other and 'overseas' to boot. It is highly likely that this poor young girl got out during her first "season' and has probably been mated with some wondering Lothario. That said Ellez has nothing to gain by offering to take the bitch. In all possibility the puppies are mixed breed and even if they are purebred Ellez is a reputable, registered breeder who can gain nothing from a young (or old) unregistered bitch, or the sale of unregistered puppies, whom by the way would be desexed anyway if she (the bitch)were adopted out to Ellez. Hyperthetically, IF the puppies were rehomed it would be best to sell them for a modest sum, as "Free to good home" dogs are generally not thought through enough by the potential new owners and can also be 'undervalued' by said new owners. Therefore it would be best if puppies were SOLD and proceeds DONATED to a Rescue Group or such. Also Greytmate, with regards to the original owners, won't their claim on the dog become defunk once she has been unclaimed for a period of time in any case???? By all means go through legal channels, it really is the only way to do these things without recourse, and I can see the logic behind what you imply by saying no one has the right to resell someone elses property (which Ellez never mentioned doing, her thoughts were still at that 'troubleshooting stage' trying to 'nut out' the logistics behind the problem). But people do have that right after a period of time. If the owner of a horse doesn't pay their agistment fees and becomes uncontactable the property owner can send that animal to market after a certain period of time and provided they place an advert in the paper can sell the animal and recoupe costs. Ellez offer was a kind and extemely generous one, motivated purely by the desire to see this young dog through what will be a diffcult time and also fueled by what sounded to me like a desperate call for help by a person faced with whelping a litter and having no knowlege and experience in this area.

Oh well, perhaps her smile was the best aknowledgement she could manage, maybe inside she was just dying to stop and talk but was shy or felt it was an intrusion?? I must admit when a Mum brings a puppy to school I'm all over it...with permission and consideration for the puppy of course!

Did that immediately For some reason my SPAM filter doesn't screen these type of emails???

Yes, that could be it! They must have a number of lists though re" woman in bank??? I was amused by the guaranteed next day delivery....Astrodog in a rocket???

I haven't read all of this thread but just in case it wasn't mentioned be sure to tell your children that even if you get another dog the door is ALWAYS open for the absent friend should he return and emphasise that it is NOT a replacement but ANOTHER friend.

Just got one of those stupid emails, you know like the "Lottery wins' and "you have been named as a beneficiery" type of email from a dude wanting to sell a 12 week old fully immunised, AKC registered 'puppy' for $650 as he has to move states (living in Michigan) and basically it's a "Can you provide a good home for my baby?" type of email wanting to know everying about you and your spouse from where you live?, how many kids? what do you both do for a living? etc. Oh, not a mention of breed, of course I deleted it. What next? Wndering if it's random and coincidence that I'm 'into' dogs or have they got my email from a Pet Goods supplier I've used in the USA? What next? Wonder if they're Nigerian??

I must admit if I make eye contact with the owner I usually comment on the puppy but don't touch unless a conversation is struck up and the pup comes over to me. It's like with kids, not everyone thinks your kid is as adorable as you do LOL Also I really don't relish someones half grown pup jumping up on me which sadly is most often the case if you approach a 'goofy' pup, usually one word to it and it's gone...no control... a complete idiot (not saying yours would be, just saying what I've experienced) so perhaps the 'old Lady' has been jumped on once too many times by a strangers young dog. Or maybe she doesn't really like dogs....hmmmm there's a novel concept.

Our neighbours big fat Rodesian Ridgeback (I love the breed but this boy was BIG AND FAT!) used to come over early in the mornings re-mark my front lawn and take a crap.....EVERY morning!! And we are on five acres and so is the neighbour! Couldn't he find somewhere in the five acres to do his business besides my front lawn! In the interest of neighbour relations I never complained as this neighbour used to let us graze his paddocks for free...this continued until he dog proofed his property as his dog was an entire male and unregistered so he must have decided to fence him in. I really, really liked this dog and he came over to play with my old German Shepherd and they were good mates but I still got peeved when 'Cannon' crapped on my lawn. I have enough dog sh12 to clean up without doing his MEGA ones too (I swea rthey made my GSD's droppings look like a Cavaliers in comparison!) I now have a fenced off front garden so passing poopers can get in! Perhaps the 'perp' just needed to go at the time he was passing by and won't come by your way at his 'time of need again', you might be lucky! Hope you don't get a 'serial offender' like I did!

Yes, very supportive...LOL can you imagine my 20 year old son going around on Saturday evening saying to my little dog "Who da bitch...you da bitch..Yah for Crissy!"

Well that makes sense, best idea is never to breed for just one particular trait then as it seems being selective on one issue can lead to problems. But as mentioned earlier that just leaves the door open for BYB who are not under any particular direction or control. Dee al I wish you all the best for that cute little bundle of cuddles.

That's what I thought until my 4 year old desexed German Shepherd suddenly took offence (we think it was due to jealousy) to my daughter's boyfriends 7 months old Staffy/Mastiff Cross! It was all I could do to pull my boy off him!! Up until that point they had been best Buds and had many "Play dates". Our fellow has also previously had house guests stay with us for up to a week (Desexed male greyhound) with no problems. He was well socialised as a pup and is always very friendly to other dogs he meets but this one time WOW!! Big Barney! We tried to let them together again after the young fellow had been desexed a few months later and all was well for the next few occassions until BOOF! Same thing again only this time I was indoors and had to run out to seperate them. Scarey thing seperating a dog fight. Poor pup (almost a year old at this stage had teeth marks on his head where the shepherd had him. So I've now told my daughters boyfriend he has to leave his dog at home. I don't want to be responsible for it getting hurt. With dogs you just never know until it happens.

Yep, mine was an ebay seller too. It is a good grooming height though.

I'm just thinking, not diagnosing, but maybe this pup had been hit in the head and is now fearful of the strangers it is with??? I'm also not saying someone hit it, it could have happened any number of ways, transporting or something fell on it when it was poking about? The animal must have been friendly enough for the person who had it to consider it suitable to pass on and I'm also wondering how it behaved when it first arrived. I don't think anyone would let someone take a growling, snarling animal to their home and allow them to leave it there?? Good on you Danielle for making the effort, don't let the negative aspect of helping stop you from being the kind person that you are. It's horrible when we let a negative experience affect who we are. This is what happens to animals who are treated badly, they react to the negative. Fortunately they also can react to the positive. Don't allow the negative to affect you, let the positive comments sustain you.

Is the 'Blue' colour an issue in all breeds or just Staffys? I've known of many blue Greyhounds. Why I ask is I heard someone saying that a Judge (recently) had told an exhibitor with a Blue Great Dane "I don't like 'Blues"! I don't know why this was said and I don't think personal opinions should be voiced, I thought it was just about colour likes and dislikes but now I wonder whether it was a back handed reference to health issues?? I still don't believe it should have been said though!

Three better words "toilet on command". Makes life so much easier. I use a combination of both.......trained to 'pee' on command (provided bladder not just emptied), umbrella and leash. P.S. Leash means "Okay, I'm coming with you to do as you wish", whether it's car, walk or toilet!!

Piccie. :p Lego......made in leisure demolished in haste! Apparently idea was by 17 year old daughter with construction assistance by 20 year old son! LOL

:( :p That sounds like the one I have. :D Yes, BB your ol' trolley is a Beautie! I think it'll keep going for EVER!!! I have a four door aluminium and I don't think it will last for years and years, my OH had to redo the fixed wheel as it just buckled over and wouldn't hold the weight. The supplier said I'd put the fittings on wrong but we hadn't so hubby redid the wheels for me. It's going okay but I don't have a heavy breed of dog (Cavs). It does save my back though as it's not real heavy for it's size, about 19 kg though. There are sharp edges on the lid too and where the aluminium has been cut.

Thanks Guys, my daughter (age 10) who normally is my "Show Buddy' didn't come that day as she was just starting to get a sore throat and the Pavilion is quite cold in the morning so we both wanted her to be well for a Ski Trip this Friday, her first time seeing snow! When I got home she had made us a 3D LEGO "1st". Very cute and colorful!

I've always liked to let my Male GSD'smature 'a bit' before desexing them at around seven months old. Usually if he's cocking his leg I consider him old enough. With females I think the biggest concern is that if they are desexed BEFORE 6 months of age OR before their first 'season', (not always the same as larger breeds do often take longer to have a first season), then they are protected moreso against breast and ovarian cancers than if they are desexed after they have begun to cycle.

Thanks Guys.