Snout Girl

OH will be going in to the neighbours tonight (we both work so cant be done earlier). the father usually comes home around 6.30pm so he is going to wait until he comes home hoping for a better outcome. i am hopeful, as since the father returned from OS the childrens rowdy behaviour has gotten better. they used to be outside at 11pm at night screaming and carrying on, the swear words that would drift over the fence during basketball were disgusting, and i am pretty sure a few of the boys didnt attend school. since dad came home, all this behaviour has ceased. so we are thinking he obviously has a measure of control and authroity over these kids so talking to him may be the solution. OH will be a lot more forceful (for want of a better word) this time, and will be mentioning the police, all the dangers etc.

Thanks for the replies everyone- I agree it is a very danger situation and even tho the kids are a pain in the butt sometimes i dont want them to get hurt either. OH is going in tonight to speak to the parents, he will go in when dad gets home so that may make a difference. its a sad situation, the mum is such a nice lady and loves her kids but has no control. i feel for her but at the same time i need to protect MY family (furry and otherwise :D ) will let you know how he goes

Move. Unfortunately we are not in a financial position to just up and move, as we have only been in this place for a year

thanks JD, that is very good advice. i know mum doesnt want to cause us any hassles, she is a nice lady, and i think would be in favour of soemthing that could set her son straight. a police man having a stern chat might just do the trick. they do rent, it is public housing, so i guess there is always that avenue, but hopefully your advice might do the trick

thanks fiona, OH is considering heading in again to talk to them again, is cooling off a bit first as he knows getting angry wont solve anything. the problem is this kid is jumping on a trampoline and literally flinging the knife so it lands half way across the yard. it was the same problem with the food they were throwing, some ended up hitting the fence on the opposite side and we have a large yard

nope, we went through the garden inch by inch (slight paranoia) and it definently wasnt there. plus we have had a lot of rain etc since the first incident and this knife was sparkling clean

We have lived in our place for almost a year now, and get on extremely well with all our neighbours (both sides, and behind). On one side we have a large family of 6 children, and until recently it was just the mum and grandmother, the dad was overseas (we think) but has come back. The children are basically good kids, can be rambunctious (sp?) and a little loud and naughty but nothing that terrible. their ages range from 1 year to 13 years. we have helped this neghbour on numerous occasions (once when her baby was bleeding heavily following a circumcision, mums english isnt so good so we called ambulance and performed first aid etc). they are always sending in home grown vegies etc. in turn, we dont complain when we have to throw their ball back 20 times a day and pretend we dont mind when they wake us up continually pushing the doorbell at 7am on a sunday morning wanting to pat the dogs we have such a good relationship that makes my dilemma such a tough one. a few weeks ago, i was supervising night time poos and wees with the dogs. i noticed sally VERY interested in chewing something near the clothes line. i investigated, and discoverd she was chewing the black handle end of a very large kitchen knife! i was horrifed, thinking of the damage it could of caused if one of the dogs had swallowed it. i will admit, i was shocked to almost tears. it could of only come from one place. the other side neighbours only have little babies and behind us is an older couple. OH went in the next day, son of about 8 or 9 admitted throwing the knife, mum told OH to talk to him as 'they dont listen to me' (her words) OH gave said child a stern talking to about the dangers of knife throwing, could hurt dogs, or if i had been outside hanging the washing and it could of hit me etc. have had problems with these children before throwing food scraps over the fence for the dogs, played out the same as this incident where the mum told my OH to talk to the kids. that was also a problem as they began to throw onions and large seeded fruit that bert could choke on. luckily it stopped. i had hoped that after the OH had spoken to the family that was the end of the knife throwing. unfortunately i was wrong. the other day i was outside on poo patrol when i noticed sally trotting around looking very pleased with herself. upon investigation, it was another knife, but this one she had already chewed the black bit off (found that in the garden) and was carrying around the serrated edge! i was furious! the first time i made all sorts of threats privately to OH about calling the police if it happened again, i was in shock, upset etc. now that it has happened i dont know what to do. talking to the mother doesnt help. talking to the kid doesnt help. i am concerned about my dogs safety, but also that of my OH and I if we happen to be in the firing line of these flying knives. it seems extreme to call the police on an 8 year old, the council would say it was a police matter. i really dont know what to do anyone been in a similar situation? what avenues do I have left?

I hope the RSPCA can do something to help this poor dog. I really dont understand people sometimes, and my friends and family wonder why I want to get a big property and live on it with just my dogs (and maybe my partner ) People just disenchant me at times

Good on you! I am jealous, would love to foster for rescue. Just not the right time at the moment, but very soon in the future Well done!

it is my understanding that a 'koolie' is a recognised breed, but I have only heard it referred to as a 'German Koolie'. I only know as people often ask if Sally is one, so I made some inquiries with breeders/vets

Yes, more pics please :D After another pug, I want to rescue a big boofa, probably a mastiff x as I think they are total sweethearts So if anyone has any pics of mastiff xs......

There is a pug x staffordshire at the park where I go....goregous natured dog but so very odd looking! Think staffordshire brindle coat with pug body and facial features but staffordshire snout. The owner quite proudly told me he is a 'stug'

Mine are the same as the OP, and I have two

Hi all I went down and bought one for myself today, and picked up 2 extras for anyone who doesnt have access to Aldi. Am happy to post to anyone that wants one (postage will be around $5 I think). They really are worth it! They're great!

I went to do that and discovered that my two have had a late night dip in the shell pool. instead I sighed and walked away

About 2 months ago Bert needed surgery on his airways 2 days after we had him desexed and 1 week after we had seen an allergy specialist (quite high costs involved). the surgery wasnt emergency, but strongly recommended to happen ASAP. It cost $1500 (on top of the $150 odd for desexing and $500 odd for allergy specialist, tests and medications). we had the money, but it was our 'living expenses' money. i went to aldi and bought bags and bags of .79c pasta and we lived on it for weeks. i cancelled a hair appointment, and a trip to see a specialist myself (wasnt urgent). we didnt use the air conditioning to save $$ on power and completely cut out anything that wasnt a necessary 'basic' (ie soft drink) i cant fathom not doing everything in ones power to provide their pet with the veteniary treatment they need. saying that, i dont know the situation so i cant comment on it personally, but as a general rule it baffles me.

all i can say is how bloody sad

I am a library officer and OH is in quality assurance Sally- Ball manufacturer or professional kong tester (certified). Bert- serial pest or possibly professional glutton

I am currently looking for recommendations of a mobile dog groomer/washing person to use. My mum had a bad experience with a dodgy one she got from the local paper so i was hoping for personal recommendations. We live in the northern suburbs of melbourne, around the airport area. We need someone who is good with medium/long coats that are quite full. We also need someone that can do some clipping to get the matted hair out. Despite our best efforts in grooming, sally still has some matting on her rear and under her chin/ears we would also love the person to be able to give us some grooming tips/practical advice to help us prevent the matting, as we are trying but obviously not doing things correctly. price isnt the main concern, we want high quality and someone prepared to give us some assistance, but saying that we dont want to have to mortgage our house for their services! any recommendations would be appreciated! oh, and please no criticism for sally's matting. it is only minor, and we really are trying with different brushes and techniques but not succeeding. we want some help so we can stop it occuring

I find the fact that you can be fined for your dog not wearing a collar a little absurd. If, for instance, Bert were to get out (only possible if someone broke in and managed to bolt cut our $100 security lock) and were picked up, I would wear the fine for him 'roaming' as I would be grateful he was alive and ok. But if I was to receive a fine because he wasnt wearing a collar, I would take issue with that. I have been advised by a specialist surgeon that Bert is never allowed to wear a collar again. He has had throat surgery. I am sure that he is not the only dog who cant wear a collar for one legimate reason or another. That rule seems a little absurd.

I have been wondering exactly the same thing (how early is too early). we want to get another pug (a little blackie this time) in about a years time, when our other dogs are around 2 years old. it took sooooooooo long to find bert, it was hard to break into 'pug world' for a first time pug owner (tho my family dog of 12 years is a pug, but technically isnt mine). we have no idea when the right time to put our names down is, hoping it might be a bit easier this time round! *note* none of the breeders we spoke to were rude or discourteous, a lot just said their dogs only went to show homes or homes with those experienced with the breed

I suffer from reflux that flairs up once a month or so. one night i was standing outside so the dogs could do their night wees and poos. i felt the burning sensation and promptly vomitted on the grass. whilst i was composing myself, I looked down and there was Sally gleefully helping herself to a second dinner. needless to say, after seeing that, there was more where that came from! :D

How awful for you. sending all healing vibes for your little puppy. bert got gastro when he was only 12 weeks old (he wasa around 3-4kg i think). it was pretty much identical to what is happening with your dog. he was kept in over night on a drip and within 2 days was back to his psycho self. i was distraught at the time thinking how can this teeny tiny boy fight this, but he did

Thanks for all the birthday wishes everyone. sally says a big woof to you all. we get to do it all again in 6 weeks when the little terror, sorry, bert, turns one!

Only crumbs left.... and 2 very full bellies!