Little Gifts

Thank you PK!

My stafford Stussy has developed anal gland issues. She is almost 13 and it has just started happening over the last 3 to 4 months. She's needed them expressed twice now with one side always being very bad (and obviously uncomfortable for her). I was talking to the vet today and he said we could increase her fibre intake as it sometimes helps - bigger poos push against the gland and help it secrete more naturally apparently. Despite her desire to eat anything and everything she still only does quite delicate poos so I think it might be worth a try. Has anyone else added fibre to their doggos diet to assist anal gland impaction and if yes what food products would you suggest we try? She is not a fussy eater and likes her vegies, rice and pasta and her weight has dropped with age so the type of fibre I feed her can be managed weight wise too. Thank you!

Does he like to sunbake and are the spots small? Jonah (shar pei) loves to sunbake in winter (too hot in summer) but it was causing skin changes that turned into like these blood blister things (which can also turn cancerous) so we've had to put the kybosh on it. His skin on his underside (and his nose) has spots of different colours as a result. If the spots are large or he doesn't sunbake then ignore all this, it will be something else!

Not really. I am not a breeder but know several breeders. It is quite common for good breeders or breeders of certain dogs to have a waiting list, including people who have already paid deposits and been waiting for specific litters (it could be certain colours or sexes or even matings they are waiting for). So while the breeder had multiple litters all the pups from those litters could well have been spoken for already. The litter born in July may have honestly been the only pups that weren't already spoken for and sadly there were no living pups from that litter. Perhaps they had no plans for any more litters or perhaps they have such a long waiting list that it seemed more reasonable to refund you the money. It sounds like if they refunded you quickly they really just felt they couldn't offer you another puppy and were trying to do the right thing so you could buy another elsewhere. I'm sorry you had a bad experience but the breeder can't give you something she doesn't have if the other puppies are already allocated to other waiting families. Keep looking and ask questions of breeders who offer the breed you want and find someone else you are comfortable doing business with.

Apologies @Belinda Wheeler - I only just realised you'd re-posted. Is she desexed? What age, sex and breed is your other dog and is it desexed? I am no expert but have some experience with pei behavioural issues. Your pei girl is maturing and it is possible she is trying to vie for a better pack position. For now you need to definately feed seperately as you already know that is a trigger. And by that I mean at different ends of the house and at least one dog behind a door. All bowls should be lifted before the dogs rejoin each other and don't let either dog go and sniff around where the food was down. I'd also be careful when feeding treats and I'd be careful of them sharing beds and toys until everything is resolved. Any resource guarding opportunities could spark a fight. We actually went through a heartbreaking period of something similar and had to get a series of behaviouralists in - they all helped but the last one really helped us fine tune things and the strategies weren't hard to implement. She provided ongoing support too. We had done training and NILIF with both dogs but once our pei got in that aggressive/dominant head space she wouldn't listen to us and our other dog (a desexed female stafford) would go into self-protection mode and it would be on. Terrifying stuff. Part of our solution also involved tiring her out mentally and one on one time with each dog seperately, as well as stopping grand standing and controlling behaviours by our pei (which we'd just thought of as quirky but she was really controlling all of us). We had to put all toys away too. So it was a lot of things once we started to dig but it wasn't hard. Have you talked to the breeder to see if they can recommend anyone? If not join this FB page and ask. They cost far less money than after hours vet fees for a dog fight and both your dogs (and you humans) deserve to live in a peaceful household. I know how stressful the waiting and watching can be, particularly if your pei is otherwise an amazingly, loving dog. Pei are an intelligent, stubborn and physically strong breed so you need to get to the root of this before it is totally out of control. It's not fair on either dog either to be living in conflict. Here is the page I would recommend - ask for behaviouralist recommendations on this page as I think it has gone beyond attending training when fights are already happening and risk of injury is already there. There are overseas based health and education groups too but if you go on there now you will be frozen with fear by the things people tell you! Also if you don't already have a pei savvy vet ask on the page for recommendations because you really do need one. They have health issues other breeds don't. Happy to talk more about my experiences if you need a listening ear. They are a very unique breed and I can't imagine my life without one. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1613287052088125/

Hi Belinda! I used to foster shar pei and have owned 2. Currently have a lovely boy called Jonah. @coogie also has 2 pei. Where are you based? We are both in QLD and we have pei meet ups fairly regularly. Fire away with questions. There are also a couple of good Facebook pages, particularly for health issues. If you are on FB I can send you some links.

I dealt with Jane Harper with Dogs On track. She is on the Sunshine Coast but travels. She provides ongoing assistance too and she checked in with us every 6 months to a year to see how things were going. The advice was very easy to implement and worked. From memory it was about $250 (about 4 or 5 years ago) including her travel time but to be honest that was money well spent given vet bills we had when our dogs behaviours went off the rails and caused injuries.

Please don't beat yourself up. She wasn't having a normal pregnancy by the sound of it. Nature did what it did with the pup but you still have your girl. She will be fine. Turn your attentions to her rather than thinking about any what ifs.

He is so beautiful!

We had family cats and dogs (some purebred and some strays) ever since I was born but the first dog I got to choose for myself was an Old English Sheepdog I called Phobie (I thought that is how you said and spelt the name Phoebe). I was 16.

My favourite, long term vet is European and very abrupt. She has gone far above and beyond for me many, many times but she is just very to the point about what is wrong and what needs to be done. Not into any chitty chat or long explanations. She's an amazing vet who loves animals but she is not for everyone. I like her because I like a truthful and knowledgeable vet who also offers/chooses some homeopathic options. She also says what she says she is going to do and follows through and she remembers your pets and what's going on with them. That's all as important to me as it is having a good GP for me. It's bad that one disgruntled client can result in all this though. No winners here really as it wont have changed Ms Curtis's opinion and that's a long time for Dr O'Grady to find justice. I have to admit if I had a complaint (that I thought was legitimate, whether it was or not) I'd be miffed to get a letter saying I was no longer welcome at the practise at all. Their right to refuse service of course but it makes me wonder how unpleasant she was truly being when she first complained? So many people think the customer should always be right but you really do need to draw the line at some point.

I lost my girl Tempeh far too young in November 2018. I had to make the decision to euthanise a physically healthy dog that I'd had since a foster puppy because her brain had made her so unpredictable and dangerous. The decision broke me. DOL knew about her since I'd fostered her yet I couldn't post on here because I couldn't cope with the thread about it sitting here as a reminder. She'd left some of her breakfast in her dish (just kibble) and two days after she was gone my sister threw it and the dish out thinking she was doing me a favour. I had a total melt down and she rummaged through the bin getting it all out again but it wasn't the same (a part of me may not still have forgiven her). I wanted to turn back the clock and couldn't cope with anything else changing. Despite having a heart dog who is very comforting and in tune with my moods, I still sleep to right this day with one of Tempeh's coats on a big stuffed toy on my bed. I reach over and feel the straps and it gives me comfort. I still want what I always wanted for her - to be ok. We went from being a 3 dog family for forever down to being a 1 dog family in a very short period of time. I went from being an owner who was fully committed to this poor beautiful girl to the person who took her chance to overcome her struggles away from her because it was 'easier' (of course it was our last option by then). It was hard for all of us but because I made the final decision I was impossibly hard on myself and probably still haven't forgiven myself for it ending up like that. A couple of things helped me through it. First was Tempeh herself. I got signs from her that she was ok and knew it was coming and that it was the right thing for her because she really was struggling with this world. In my mind she is smiling and being silly (which makes me type this all through tears). I still look at photos of her on that last day and she'd had enough. It was there on her tortured face. I felt her around me a lot from the day she went over the bridge (still do even though we've moved house). I talk to her when she comes just like I did when she was alive. Then another shar pei owning friend known here on DOL passed away about 6 months later and his boy needed a new family. We weren't sure we needed another dog but our remaining dog was struggling being an only dog for the first time ever. There was lots of discussion, finger crossing and tears from all sides - it was a big decision for everyone. Surprisingly the two dogs have done well together from that first day and are actually very similar in the things they love and are always together. I kept the whole thing very quiet out of fear of more heartache and judgement too. We love our new boy so and it has taken him a while to accept we are his new forever home rather than just some nice people he is staying long term with (his dad was sick on and off for an extended period). We are nothing like his dad (they ordered each other) and the adventurous life he used to have but I think wounds have been healed on both sides by our union. If Jonah can overcome his loss and make the best of his new life we can do the same. I never would've gone out and got another dog to heal the pain from losing a beloved pet but you have to trust the universe sometimes. I don't feel I have disrespected Tempeh by having Jonah in our life so quickly either. She was gone physically but will never been forgotten. It is not a competition. Same for Jonah and how I am sure he would still feel if his dad suddenly walked through the door. But it helps to be needed and to share loss. It helps to have a positive distraction and to redirect your energies and focus. And it definately helps to be able to share your feelings with other crazy dog people who understand exactly how heartbreaking going through an experience like this is. And the funny thing is there is always more love in our broken little hearts - we just have to find somewhere new to direct what we have while the damaged part heals. Jonah taught me that!

We are still fighting against the expansion of one on the Sunshine Coast. I reckon its got enough steam to be successful. It's been at least a year but they still operate and pump out puppies. I wish govt would find a way of legislating the demise of puppy farms and irresponsible dog owners without slapping qualified small breeders around the head at the same time. Like how do we reduce column A and B whilst encouraging column C? There will always be a need for well bred dogs and dogs bred for purpose. It's the unskilled breeding practices, the abused bitches and studs, the unvetted whelps and the overabundance of expensive and defective puppies that needs to be reduced - that is where the impact/cost is on consumers buying faulty products, rescue and shelters picking up the pieces, policing animal cruelty and of course abuse on animals. Surely they can come up with ways of reducing one and increasing or maintaining the other?

See if the pet store was on Facebook back in 2016 and look back through the photos of that time. Maybe you can get a sense of whether they carry the same breed/cross bread a lot. That could indicate a puppy farm supply. If it is not a lot of the same puppies then probably backyard breeder (who would be breeding from the same dogs but not in the same numbers). If they seem to just have random puppies then probably they are supplied by by whoops litters. You can also google what you want to know and see what comes up like "are Buy My Pup affiliated with a puppy farm". There are people out there who are trying to expose puppy farmers and their retail faces so you might get lucky. But after that you wont find much else about your specific dog. They are pretty faceless to those kinds of breeders.

Yes T, I can imagine you guys are under intense scrutiny. Even with so many standards you'd have to ask why is it still so ambiguous then and open to individual interpretation? Makes it all a bit pointless.

I know I'm a bit late to the party on this but I wanted to comment on the equine vets story Asal posted above. I don't agree with how the RSPCA went about things at all but shouldn't all animals owned by humans have access to shelter? On large farms cows will shelter from rain and sun under trees. Wild brumbies will shelter from the same under trees and overhanging rocks and in gullies. Wildlife also shelter from the elements in and under natural growth. It is something instinctive. It is not specified in the story if there were any trees in that paddock and the photo makes it look like there was none. So even though the vets were able to assess that being without shelter (and by that I'm assuming they mean man made shelter) was not harming the animals in anyway, I'm sure if there were trees for shade and rain protection on that plot of land the horses would be making use of it. If there are no trees then a man-made shelter of some type is another option. If I saw farm animals on a plot of land in stinking hot sun with no shade option or standing all soggy in a rain storm for the same reason I'd also think it was a bit harsh. What would you think? Are people (owners and the RSPCA) getting too pedantic about what words mean and what basic needs could entail? And just because an animal isn't being physically harmed is that a reason not to provide a little more if you can? Particularly with farm and companion animals. We know enrichment is a big thing for wild animals in captivity so why not for other animals we own? Just some things I was pondering about that particular story....

I'm not a breeder but don't find breeder's prices unreasonable at all (good, quality breeders I mean). It is a skill to breed a good, sound pup so to me that has value. I consider time and knowledge part of the purchase price as well as vet fees involved during the pregnancy and life of the pups, food, supplements, training, genetic testing, micro-chipping, registering, food and cleaning. It all costs the breeder money. It's like buying your product from a professional craftsman. It actually offends me when puppy farmers charge more than a quality breeder and they've put zero effort and skill into the genetics behind the breeding, left the puppy in a pen to be whelped and raised by the mother with minimal human assistance or vet care. That's where the madness is and that is where the true price gouging is happening. How can people not see that?

My vets and vet staff mean the world to me. It makes me so sad that they are exposed to this kind of suffering. Back when I was a teen (in the 70s) I did work experience at a chemist and I still remember the chemist telling me how people would get angry at paying the cost of medicine to make them well and save their life but think nothing of blowing their cash on a night of drinking or a holiday. Same mentality isn't it.

Brachy breeds as well? For some reason I thought there were restrictions pre lockdown on brachy breeds. Anyway the right rescue should know. Minis was also recommended to the owner by someone else.

Squishy Face is in Vic and Minis is in Sydney and we have travel bans still at present. But did find a Frenchie club that rescues and rehomes so will pass that info on.

Squishy Face is in Vic and Minis is in Sydney and we have travel bans still at present. But did find a Frenchie club that rescues and rehomes so will pass that info on.

This has popped up on Gumtree. Frenchie is not desexed and has a leg issue so no-one wants it going to a backyard breeder! I've sent links to some shar pei options already but don't know anything Frenchie specific. Can anyone help or advise? https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/north-lakes/dogs-puppies/dogs-sharpei-french-bull-dog/1247500197?utm_campaign=socialbuttons&utm_content=ios_VIP&utm_medium=social&utm_source=com.apple.uikit.activity.copytopasteboard&fbclid=IwAR1HsTOEnt2VHkgXBi1AFz3qMKqOws_G-4cT5UwrG9m4zxc4FmrCFpyCa-w

There is a FB Page that is on this puppy farmer like flies on shit. And I love them for it!!!! They've been trying to expand their operation by a ridiculous number of breeding dogs but not getting far still because of the public backlash up here.

How did you go at vet Juice? Stussy developed one after a dog fight. It was large and very uncomfortable. She had to have surgery and was a lot miserable but it healed and no reoccurrence, although that ear remains sort of thicker and she doesn't like me to rub over where it was anymore. She had to wear a cone right up until the stitches were out or she was trying to rub or scratch the ear. I made her a fabric soft cone so she could cope better (it was QLD summer too).

Sorry Coogie I only just saw this. Yesterday I played a couple of videos to Jonah where you could hear Duane calling to him. I started softly as I didn't want to upset him. He got up and looked out the back door but wasn't stressed or cying at all. Then he went out and lay in the sun, hopefully dreaming of his dad. It was interesting to reflect yesterday on how far he has come here. We are so glad he is in our lives and hope Duane looks down from time to time and sees both dogs are in the best situation for them.