Burkes

I don't usually wait that long before introducing my kittens to dogs. I will always allow the dogs to smell the box/crate with the kitten in it and then once they are calm and relaxed I will hold the kitten on my chest and allow the dogs to sit next to me and smell it. Gradually I will allow them closer to the kitten depending on the behaviour of both the dogs and the kitten. If everyone is remaining calm I will allow the dogs to smell a small part of the kitten whilst I am holding it. The most important part is to ensure that the energy of everyone involved remains calm. If the energy raises, remove the kitten or dogs into another room until it calms again. Yes, your cat will jump over colourbond fences. I have a cat door in the front door so they can escape out there if they want. You can get some really good cat enclosures these days. They are quite pricey but in my opinion would be better than just having an indoor cat. I love having both cats and dogs. I have two cats and two dogs and they are all great friends. We also foster rescue dogs and my cats love welcoming the dogs into the household. Its amazing that all the dogs so far have been great with the cats.

Do you still have the Rotty in your avatar? On a cold night I always deploy my Rotty to my bed to keep me warm. It's well worth all the farting and snoring she puts me through. Actually at the moment its so cold I deploy all 3 dogs and 2 cats to the bed. Turn up the heater, put the dog in the bed and wear some trackies! Leave the washing till tomorrow

Ohhh, I love them! In the first photo they are such a perfect mirror image as far as how they are lying that I thought you must have put two photos together. GORGEOUS!

Haha, sounds like a pretty normal kitten to me. I have always ended up with scratches galore for the first month or so. Wait till he starts doing foot attacks in the middle of the night But, the good news is he will grow out of it. My youngest cat is 18mths old and still runs around the house like an idiot, attacks the dogs and does stupid things but definately for not as long and she no longer scratches or uses her claws on me. It doesn't usually take long for them to grow out of using their claws. Maybe get a scratching post, then he can go crazy on that instead of your legs

I don't have a German Shep anymore but I have three of the xl size beds for my Rotty, lab and one for my foster dogs. My last foster who was a mastiff and my current foster who is a great Dane cross love them. My Rotty is usually a mattress eater and she hasn't tried to eat this one. She has her own couch so only sleeps in it sometimes but she quite likes it. My lab is a massive chewer and he hasn't tried to eat them either. I put a polar fleece blanket over the mattress so then I can just wash that instead of taking the cover off. I would definately recommend them. They look neat and tidy inside and the dogs (and cats:) love em!

I worked a night shift last night so the dogs, cats and I have just woken up. Fortunately they are all good sleepers who never wake me up. Now we will go for a walk before dinner time.

Ohhh, I just went through last years pics. They are soooo good. I'm feeling a bit intimidated now but I figure its all about learning.

Hey KHM, I got my synthetic turf laid three days ago. It is the best idea I have ever had. My dogs are not the most active of dogs, in fact, they spend most of their time on the couch. But, I do have a lab who is a bit of a chewer. So far, they have shown absolutely no interest in the turf at all. Apart from play time galore. I just loaded it up with chew toys from Big W, balls and their favourite tuffy ring. Whilst the turf is easily hosed off if they poo on it, three days in they are choosing not to! Fantastic!

Hmmm, was hoping to really get into the challenge this month. This one looks hard though. I'm sure I can give it a red hot go though.

Ohhhhh, I love them!

Yep, most of them don't pay much. Hence why I work in the public service and then just volunteer and foster for a rescue organisation. But, I would just try and do as much as you can while you have the opportunity. Eg NDTF courses. Can you foster or volunteer for a rescue organisation that is not a shelter? If Vic is anything like Canberra there will be heaps of jobs with mobile dog washing companies.

I don't have it. It was going to cost me $60/mth for my two dogs. Over the ten years I have been a dog owner I would have paid out $7200 in insurance whereas emergency vet work has only cost me about $3000. I just whack an extra $20/wk into my mortgage and will do a redraw if there is an emergency.

make friends with a butcher or find a wholesale meat place I got 5 cut in half pigs heads for $15, thats 10 days food for one dog. local butcher gives me meat off cuts for $2 a shopping bag chicken place does 10kg chicken frames for $4 Supermarkets are BS. They charge waaaaaaaay too much. I keep meaning to do that! I'm a shift worker so sometimes I do my shopping at 7am when I finish a night shift or 11pm when I finish an arvo. Then I just have to hit up Woolies. But, I really should just get myself organised!

Hmmm, no idea. I tend to buy food for the two plus the foster all together so not really sure what I spend or how long it lasts. Depends on the specials of the month too. I can spot an orange reduced sticker in the meat aisle from 2km away. $35 for a hydrobath every 4 weeks. That saves me doing flea control. I decided not to go with pet insurance. It was going to cost $60/mth for both dogs. Over the ten years I have owned dogs I worked out I would have paid something like $32,000 in insurance but have only had two emergency visits costing about $4000 all up. I just whack an extra $20/wk into my mortgage and then I will redraw it if (touch wood) there is an emergency. Oh, and your costs will depend on if you add in things that the dog has chewed that wasn't supposed to. Eg, my $10,000 worth of landscaping, about $200 worth of shoes, 6 tv remotes, 3 sheridan doona covers........................................

Hmmm, I have the same problem but with my back neighbours feral kids who throw things and spit over the fence at the dogs. I spoke to the pound when I was down there and they said that dogs have the right to protect their own property so you would not be liable if the kids hand gets eaten. However, as much as I wouldn't mind it if the dogs ate my neighbours kids, it would mean a whole lot of problems and then people not trusting my dogs who are genuinely beautiful friendly dogs. So, I prefer to try and prevent it. I would go with the shadecloth or brush fencing idea. Its a pain that you have to spend money to keep people from doing stupid stuff on your property but a lot less painless than having your dogs branded vicious for defending their territory.

Thanks Burkes, is this the rings you talk about? Yep, thats the one. Mine is the level 10 so the strongest they have. Otherwise, I used to go down the local netball association and get all the old flat balls that they could no longer use.

You can buy the tuff rings from dogtoys.com. They are awesome! I have the mega tuff ring which has lasted 5yrs through a german shep, two rotties, a lab and numerous fosterdogs. The shaped ones are awesome too. I am about to get the lobster. They have been tested on orangutans and lions and stuff. They are imported by a DOL'er. She donates a lot to rescue orgs and other

The worst bit is that one of my cats loves it! She goes and sticks her bum in the Rotty's face all the time. Dirty tart!

I was in two minds when I read this article. I am probably a bit over protective of Rotties being an owner and wanting people to see the good rather than the bad stories. They always get such a bad rap when all I have known is love. But, I think all three parties are in the wrong here. 1. I certainly wouldn't take my dog to Rotty day out in a Pet Shop if I thought it might rip someones face off. Maybe the dog has never shown signs of this before though. Who knows? 2. People shouldn't try and pat dogs without asking the owner. Even at the Dogs Day Out events we hold in Canberra I always ask if I can pat them, even though you would hope the dogs are friendly being that they are at a large public event. 3. Pet shop - dumb idea! I hate pet shops anyway - well the ones that sell animals.

Hahaha, cat's bums, very popular in my house also. They must be so tasty. Think I'll leave it to em

'Blood was just pouring out' - rottweiler tears off shop worker's lip http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article....jectid=10660889 A pet store assistant lost her lip in a dog attack at a "bring in your Rottweilers" promotion in West Auckland yesterday. The attack happened about 11am at Animates in Westgate. A horrified witness told the Weekend Herald he was talking to the dog's owner at the shop counter when the female assistant - believed to be in her early 20s - leant down to give the dog a treat. "He just latched on to her face. It was horrific. Blood was just pouring out. One of the other girls said her lip was basically pulled off. "On the floor was a tooth, either from the girl or the dog." He said the owner pulled his dog away immediately and put him in the back of his car before going back inside to check on the woman. The victim was taken to Waitakere Hospital by car and later transferred to Middlemore. Spokeswoman Lauren Young said the woman was last night in the emergency department with facial injuries which were not thought to be life-threatening but might require attention from plastic surgeons. Animal Control says the promotion - which invited owners to bring in their Rottweilers in return for free dog food - was "not a good look". Waitakere City Council's manager of animal welfare, Neil Wells, said staff had spoken to the owner but the dog would not be destroyed. "The dog is back at home, he is secure and we are not intending to take any direct action concerning the dog. "The owner didn't do anything wrong. He had the dog properly contained on a lead and the staff member put herself into the territory of the dog," Mr Wells said. An Animal Control officer had seen CCTV footage of the attack and there were other dogs in the store at the time but not at the counter. "We consider the promotion by Animates not well thought out and had the potential for going wrong," Mr Wells said. "Bringing a lot of especially Rottweilers into one place at one time ... was not a good idea ... I think Animates now understand that ... They regretted the whole thing." Animates general manager Richard Bowker said a review of safety measures for staff and visitors during pet visits was under way. "The dog and its owner were visiting the store as part of a free dog food promotion for Rottweiler breed-specific premium dog food. Animates has discontinued the promotion." Mr Bowker said the firm deeply regretted the attack and was doing all it could to support the staff member. Occupational Safety and Health is investigating.

Hahahaha, love it!

AJ Alice Alika Alchemy Amber Amelia Amy x 2 Anais Annie x 2 Anastacia (Annie) Angel X 4 Anishinaabe Annabelle Annabella April April RIP x 2 Ari Arizona Arki Asante sana Asha Ashka Askari Ashleigh Astro Athena Aubrey Audrey Aura Ayla Baba Baci Bailey Basha Beanie Beans Becky Bella x 5 Bianca Bit Blaize Blossom Bonny x 4 (Bonnie) Bonita Boss Brandi Brandy x 2 Bree x 2 Bridie Bronte Buffy Buttercup Cally Cara Casey Cassie Casper CC Cedar Chapparelle (pronounced Shapparelle, and shortened to Chappa (Shappa)) Chelsea Cherrie Chevy x 2 Chloe x 3 Charley Charlie Charlie-May Charlotte Chilli Choo Choo Chops Cider Cinders Cinta CJ x 2 Claire Claudia Clover Cleoparta Coco x3 CocoNut Colour (for a greyhound who's not grey!) Cookie Cossette Courtney Crystal Cristie Crupi Daisy x 2 Dallas Dancer Danika x2 Delilah Delta Demi Dexta Diazz Didge Dinky Dixie Diva Durham Dyzney Ebony Echo Elizabeth Ella x2 Ellie x3 Elsa x 2 Emily Emilly Emma Emmy Enya Erin Esky Evie Faith Fanta Feather Feonix Finta Flame Fleur Flute Frenchie Froggy Gabbie Gabby Gael Galadriel(Gala) Gemma x 3 Genie (not exactly a girly name but I thought it suited my goldy) George Ginny Gita Glitter Goldie Gooby Grace Griffin GT Gypsy x 5 Gyrle Harlow Havarna Hayley x2 Heather Heddy Heidi x2 Holly x 6 Honeyx2 Honour Hope Imme Imogen - Imy Indi India Jade Jamie Lee Jane Jasmine x2 Jaxx Jay Jay Jazz Jazzman Jedda RIP Jelly Bean Jenna x 2 Jess x2 Jessi Jessica Jessie x 3 Jeune Jezebel x 2 Jindi Jinxy Jodie Juliet Juno Kara X 2 Kari Karma Karmen Kaos Katie x 2 Katy Kayla KC Keeta Keilani Keira Keirra Keisha Kelli Kelsey Kenzie Kibah Kiesha Kimba Kiri Kiri-Lu Kirra (agility name Kiz) Kishka (called Kish most of the time) Kitty Kizzey Krissy Kuean - (Queen) Lacey Layla x 2 Lea (lele) Leader Leia Leila Lexi x 2 Lexie Libby Lily x 3 Lizzy Lobo Logan Lola x 2 Lottie Lucia Lucky (yes, a bit tacky, but I loved her) Lucy x5 Luuka Mable Maddie x2 Maddison Maggie x3 Magic Mallee Marie Claudette Marina Marlo Meeka Meg x 2 Meisha Merrique Mia X 3 Miekah Migaloo Milky Milla Millie x4 Mindy Minky Minnie x 2 (Mynni) Minouche Mischka Missy Missie Mistletoe Misty Mitzi Molly x 7 Molly Coddle Moochie Mung Bean Mya Nala Narla Natasha Nena Ness Nora Nyima Olivia Ollie Pagan x 3 Panda x 2 Paris Paxy Pearl Pebbles Peggie Penelope Penny x 2 Pepper x 2 Phoebe x 2 Pink Pip Pippin Piper x 2 Pixie Polly x 2 Popcorn Porridge Porscha Prada Quince Rani Razzle Reba Rebel Reno Rhoda Riki Ricky Rizzi Rogue Rommi Rose Rosey Rosie x 2 Roxy x 2 Ruby x 4 Rumour Sabrina Sadie Saffron Safire Sahli Sally x3 Sarah Sarah Jane Sari Sascha x 2 Sasha x2 Sarsha Satu Savannah Scandal Serena Sha Shae Shandy Shannon Sharnie Sharon Sharna Sheba Shelby Shine Siann or Cyan Sinta Sienna X 2 Skye SkySnow Sola Sooty Sophie x2 Sophia Sparkles Springy Sputnik Spook Stella x2 Stimpy X2 Storm Stussy Sue Summa Suzie x 2 Sybill Tait Tamar Tameeka Tara x 2 Tasha Tashi Taya Tayla Teegan Tess x 4 Tessa Texas Tia x 2 Tieke Tilba Tilli Tilly x3 Tinka Tinny (tin tin) Toot Tori Tully Tyra Tyneal Vada Vicki Viviane Voodoo Wandy White Whitey Winter Wilhelmina Wolf Xena Xanthe Zara Zillah Zippedeedoodah Ziva x 3 Zena Zoe x 3 Zola

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local...er/1890830.aspx Canine line-up to ID dogs who mauled terrier 21 Jul, 2010 12:00 PM Two dogs were handed in to authorities yesterday on suspicion they may have attacked a Maltese cross in a Hawker backyard. A man who was looking after the dogs contacted Domestic Animal Services after reading about the attack in Monday's The Canberra Times and becoming concerned they might have been the culprits. The pair will be part of a canine line-up at the pound tomorrow and the young man who rescued his Maltese cross will have the opportunity to identify them. The Crowhurst family said yesterday their pet's health was improving thanks to careful vet treatment and a blood transfusion. ''He's doing much better,'' Stephanie Crowhurst said. ''He has started eating and he's wagging his tail ... but he has puncture wounds all along his body, a broken leg and torn muscles.'' She said Harry may require further surgery. James Crowhurst found his pet being ''ripped apart'' by two other dogs on Saturday afternoon. He said that when he bent to pick up the Maltese cross, one of the attack dogs bit him under his jaw. He took his pet to a vet before going to hospital to be treated himself. Rangers searched the street and nearby Pinnacle Nature Reserve but did not find the dogs.

Ohhhhh, he is gorgeous!