mr.mister

I've lived in Cairns for seven years which has a very similar climate. I personally loved the humidity, though it varies from person to person. I talked to people who'd lived there for 20 years and still couldn't handle the humidity. I also love cyclones (sadistic little me), the wet season, and everything that comes with it. The things you really do need to watch out for, particularly for the dogs, is Cane Toads but mostly, Paralysis ticks. These guys will kill your dog if left unnoticed; many of my friends have lost dogs up there due to them. The most recent case was a Malamute. My friend was devastated as she'd had her for 6 years. This means ritualistic, extremely thorough searching through the coat on a daily basis (we'd normally do it every evening while watching telly) including ears, nose, lips, armpits, groin, anus, in between toes, everywhere. I cannot stress the importance of this enough. By the time a dog shows symptoms of tick Paralysis (stumbling around, loss of use of back legs), it's normally too late. Use Frontline or whichever it's called in conjunction, but never rely on it completely; still check dogs daily.

I think I would agree with this. On a basic level like with our BC, I think it works great to make mealtime a lot easier but wouldn't rely on it, nor push it for much more than that.

We taught our BC to do this. The code word was 'Lucky' and he would sit at his bowl looking at us until we gave the command, then he dove in. I think it was an extension of a combination of 'sit' and 'stay' commands. We would make him do these and then hold his attention until we gave the release word, then he would naturally go do the first thing on his mind - eat the food in front of him. We started with very short periods and then slowly lengthened them. The problem, however, was he only ever did this with us. It was like he knew his manners at home, but if he was in boarding or something like that it just didn't apply. I don't consider it a fool-proof method to keep a dog from eating something poisoned/baited.

I voted other - and am specifying. I personally do not believe enforcing a new law will necessarily change things. But, my main issue here is people who do not breed, but keep their dogs entire for either show, work, or sport. Many like to keep their working dogs entire as I believe they are better workers/performers? Don't quote me on that as I've never owned a dog specifically for work. Anyway, I personally believe the above are legitimate reasons if a person does not wish to desex. If there could be a way to police people who get dogs solely as pets and think, "Hmm let's breed Flossie because she'd make cute pups/show kids the wonder of new life/make some money", then I'd be on board. My view is, for general joe public, if you have a dog solely as a pet, why keep it entire? ETA: We also need education campaigns specially designed for men, that teach them that desexing their male dog is not a personal attack upon their own nuts!

Perhaps I will put that to her!

Wow, thanks for the wealth of info, Jed. That was fascinating. :D I was trying to explain that to her. All she said was, 'Well no there was no trigger because she was looking after it really well,' I don't know how she got that info by hearing a secondhand story? I guess all I can do is gently reguide her dog logic. eta: I will drop this now, but just a last word LoPan, suggesting my friend (however vaguely) is an idiot does nothing to contribute anything useful to this thread apart from ruffling feathers.

I would imagine a mixed bag of any/all of these: kelpie ACD foxie border going out on a limb but perhaps also coolie.

Well, it's a very personal decision really. Me personally? I'd say yes. Mainly because I'm on the organ donor register so have already signed up to being recycled when I die. When our family dog died, we were so devistated we didn't even think to get an autopsy or donate him to science. It would have been incredibly difficult, but going from personal experience, I think the pain of a death with no answers (or limited answers) is much worse than if you knew more / could help other dogs with it.

Well she is not perfectly intelligent is she. What she has shown from that statement and her reasoning reveals alot about her logic process, she is not sensible at all. I would bet that she applies the same process to lots of things in her life. Most people are not perfectly intelligent and sensible, the majority of people are ignoramuses who think they know everything. Well, I suppose I know her? She's a good friend of mine who has always been on the logical side of things in many situations, which is why I was so shocked by this as it was out of character. She certainly isn't an ignoramus. :/

I was on the train with a very good friend of mine the other day. She's always known as the logical one of our little collection of friends, who always has something reasonable and level-headed to say. For some reason the topic of Staffords came up, to which she said to me, "Oh, they're horrible dogs. You know, they've had hundreds of years of fighting and killing bred into them; they're very dangerous - I think they should be banned." *facepalm* This really shocked me, as she refused to listen to my reasoning. Apparenly a friend of a friend's uncle's next cousin (or something ridiculous like that) was looking after one, and it attacked. I told her there could be any amount of reasons for this happening (without seeing the full picture, which you can see is already very cloudy) - from lack of early socialisation to being in some sort of pain - even if the attack appeared to have been unprovoked, it certainly didn't happen because all Staffords are vicious reincarnates of the devil that are bred to kill. This is a dangerous kind of ignorance - here, she knows didly squat about dogs, yet feels from a single secondhand story she can paint all Staffords with the same brush. She simply would not listen to me and was absolutely certain that these dogs were baaddd. I might even understand slightly if it was a personal experience of hers. But no, she heard the story from a friend and even the details she gave me were vague! (basically what I wrote on here) It just.. upsets me when someone I've always considered so level-headed has this skewed notion in her head. She was even stating to me 'facts' about the breed (see above) when in reality she is basing those conclusions simply on this blurred story. The only trickling of something sensible appeared was when I was talking about how ethical breeders would never breed or sell animals with questionable temperaments, and she said, "Exactly, it's all the backyard breeders and puppy mills (that I have been telling her about) that are the problem. That's why they need to be banned." That shut me up for a minute. And when you think about it like that, you can see how someone like her can have this idea in her head. I would love to try and shine a more positive light on the Stafford for her, as to be honest they are a breed I admire -so.. any suggestions or links to good, strong information sources would be nice. Doubt it would change her mind though.. So, in conclusion - when perfectly intelligent, sensible people are thinking this - and you compare them to all the loonies out there - what hope is there? :D

good on you for reporting them! This is absolutely disgusting. Please keep us updated.

Has anyone ever been told off for this in the ring due to distracting other dogs? Does it distract other dogs? Curious.

My first ever go at handling was a bit of a disaster - I think it was a bit worse though because it wasn't my dog, it was my mentor's. I was practicing running her around on the grass to get a bit of practice in beforehand (it was an impromptu decision to handle that day) and before I knew it my mentor (who has her other dog in for group, where I was also supposed to be) was calling me as I was about to miss my call!! So, I sprinted into the ring with the dog bounding along next to me - problem was, I stopped behind the last dog in line with room to spare... my dog didn't. The momentum I had given her propelled her straight into the other dog's butt, which in turn unsettled that dog. I was so nervous my hands were shaking, and I just couldn't stack her. She kept sitting down and looking around dreamily (probably more like trying to figure out where her owner was and who the hell this spazz was on the other end of the lead ). After my fifth attempt at stacking which resulted in her sitting down (she found the chunk of sausage in my hand to be completely uninteresting to boot :D) my mentor had to take over and I was asked by the steward to step out of the ring. Very embarrassing, and at the time I was close to tears but now I remember it and have to laugh. And for the dogs credit, she was only a pup and not high up on the experience ladder herself.

It sounds like an idea but how would one police such a thing?

I cannot believe she saw the euthanasia video and still didn't care... if that doesn't affect people like this then what hope is there at all!?? As well as what others have suggested perhaps ask how she would feel months/years down the track when people come back to her demanding refunds/paying for $$$$'s in vet bills because the offspring have developed bad hips/hearts/genetic problems. Maybe direct her to a show or something where she can have her sense talked into her - and if she's still desperate to go down this breeding track, perhaps someone there can lead her in the right direction the proper way with showing/tested parents/breeding for improvement/etc. Doubt it though.... Best of luck, I'm thinking of you.

I would always want to be there in their last moments - no matter how difficult it was for me. I missed the death of my heart dog because I was in boarding school at the time and it wasn't a euth but rather more sudden. I wish to this day that I could have held him and been there for him in his final moments. Luckily my mother got there in time, so he had someone familiar holding him.

No matter how many times I see this stuff, it never gets any easier, and I like it like that. That beautiful little kitten tipped me over the edge. Just went and gave my kitty a big cuddle.

Um.. so removing a dogs testicles automatically makes it gay? Righto.. :D

It's a sad state of mind many people tend to have. 'hmph, I'm not going to be a bloody snob! I'll just go next door and get a pup out of flossy the bitzer!' Maybe they get called a snob, because they look down on people who own crosses. I'm a little confused?

It's a sad state of mind many people tend to have. 'hmph, I'm not going to be a bloody snob! I'll just go next door and get a pup out of flossy the bitzer!'

I'm keeping an eye out for a second hand one to add to my collection. Why do they always seem to be for sale only in Qld or WA. Keep your eyes peeled.. you'd be surprised where you find one! I found an old c-crates style steel trolley at the local sunday market - the lady had no idea what it was (oh yeah, you can probably stick your dog in there, or something..) and I got it for $40! The matting needs replacing (clark rubber) but apart from that it's beaut! It's heavy as but I don't mind - I'm just happy that it will last.

wow, I've never heard of such a thing with mals... I have this peculiar combination of feelings, a combination of curiosity, and not wanting to sate that curiosity with a ten foot pole!!

greyhound!

just a quick note anyone who wants to add me.. please specify you're from DOL - because if I don't recognise you otherwise, I will ignore. ;)

+1 here. I have heard nothing but good about greys adopted out from good greyhound adoption programs. They're beautiful looking dogs, with a great personality to suit. As other people have stated, cat-friendly greys are available I think there's even a thread somewhere devoted to photos of greys snuggling up with cats -can't remember what it's called though. One day I would love to adopt one myself.