Little Gifts

This is the hardest it gets. I gave my old SBT girl her wings in May 2011 just a couple of months shy of her 17th. I had her for almost 16 years (a rescue). She stayed with me once after a serious accident until help arrived and protected me during a home invasion. She won her last dog fight when she was 16, giving the dog across the road who tried to attack me the what for. I changed my entire lifestyle during her last few years to accomodate her needs. She was blind and deaf from age, full of cancer, had pancreatitis, dementia, dragged her toes, was incontinent, you name it but she was so tough it was hard to know when she'd had enough. She still came for walks with the other dogs and played bitey face every single night with our younger SBT. She certainly didn't spend her days lying around in a comfy spot - she was always in on the action and thought she was leader of the pack right up until the end. On her final day she and our other two dogs did doggy paintings outside so I had something tangible to remember her by. I still don't know if it was her time because she never once indicated any pain or that she'd given up but I was terrified of coming home from work and finding her stuck somewhere as she became less reliable on her own. I miss her deep down in my gut still (crying as I type this) even though she wasn't me heart girl or even particularly likeable some times but the house remains full of her memories. You can't have anyone or anything in your life for that long and not have them remain a part of you and your history. Your girl will remain alive, happy and healthy in your heart and memory. Us DOLers who have been through this heartache already will be there for you when the time comes - we understand how difficult this is when other friends, family and co-workers don't. Enjoy the time you have left doing whatever still makes your girl light up. It may be more about cuddle time than catching balls now but that's ok. We all slow down when we get older but we never get sick of being loved!

Well? Whose drunk? Whose full? Who played tennis? Who got lots of doggy kisses? Whose dog was the most naughty/embarrassing?

I'll pop in next time I'm down that way Pauline even without a dog. It looks great - well done!!!!

They are making some huge claims and I don't see how they can possibly achieve them: We expect to become part of every submission, focus group, symposium or public consultation regarding the welfare of companion animals and the people who rescue them. As for the grants database and tools to get incorporated, etc a comprehensive website already exists for that here in QLD. It is not focussed on animal rescue but is relevant to all not-for profit groups. I appreciate NARGA's goals but don't understand how they can achieve them all and how they can call themselves a national body capable of representing all. Even our Prime Minister can't do that!

Jealous....

If the only times you've ever needed surgery was as a result of a dog related fall. I'm at 4 of those now!

I'll be there in spirit! Can't wait to hear how it all goes!

Wow! That's interesting to see that observation verbalised. I've always done a specific thing with my rescue dogs, many of who have been given up for bad behaviour. I always have really comfy dog beds on the lounge room floor close to where the humans and other dogs sit while watching telly at night but also in a position to give full view of the entire room, entrances and exits. Generally from the first night the foster dog will work out that they are allowed on this bed. Once they find it I leave them to it - no talking or going near them etc. But when I can see they are sleepy I go and sit on the floor beside the dog bed and start massaging them. I tend to continue watching the tv and just stroking and rubbing them wherever they will let me. Every night I do the same thing and I can see how the dogs become ok with my hands and start feeling trust in me as they will move their bodies so I can access other areas (like their bellies). By the second week I start looking at them and talking to them while I do it and I can usually find their special spot by then and ask for kisses. I've found they bond so much better and it helps with their confidence levels to have their own special spot where they feel totally safe. They are also crate trained from that first night - crate is in my room and door is left open until they have less fear. The trick for me is always giving them really squishy bedding and I don't care if they chew or mess on it. I never chastise them for that as I want those beds to be safe and happy places. I do think that it gets to the stage for a lot of rescue dogs where the only attention they get is for poor behaviour and so it becomes difficult for them to understand what is right and what is wrong anymore, particularly in all the new environments they encounter over such a short period of time. It is good to be reminded that not all this indoors dog stuff comes naturally to some rescue dogs.

She's been saving bags of that hair supposedly to do some felting. I am yet to see any signs of the 'project' commencing. I think it might be taking recycling a smidge too far!

Panzer we have had a tang style shar pei girl here since last Sept. She actually had droopy eyelids and has had her very open eyes checked at every vet visit. With not much wrinkling on her head we thought she would be fine but she started rubbing her eyes in Dec and in Jan had the entropian surgery. I'd say she was only out of sorts for that first day. After that it was like she'd not had a thing done to her. She still has stitches and scabs but is clearly a much happier girl without those hairs rubbing on her eyeballs. No long term damage has been done and it was something that developed as she grew, so don't feel bad for Ruby having developed it or you thinking you hadn't noticed it earlier. She will be much happier after the surgery and will bounce back very quickly if my girl is anything to go by. Fostering pei I have seen the damage done when owners have ignored advice that their dogs need surgery (it was nowhere near as expensive as I expected so I'm not letting money be their excuse). Some dogs have endured years of discomfort and had their vision permanently damaged from neglect. No excuse if you truly love your dog and care for its wellbeing and comfort. Arrange to pay it off if you can't afford that couple of hundred dollars up front. Just saw Kirty's post - we only had the collar of shame on for one day because Tempeh clearly felt more comfortable and didn't bother to try and scratch. She still has little scabs and the stitches can still be there for months dissolving. She did have a funny startled eye look the first night but it settled the day after.

I'm going to get some as we can always include them in xmas stockings and gift packs to benefit our rescue. If any other Peiradise people see this can you do the same please (unless you want them for your own dogs of course!)?

My sister cleaned the house this morning but has since decided to brush her husky/GSD inside. She got so much hair she made a pony sized dog out of it on the floor!

In my family I am always the person who gets the hair in her food even if we are at a restaurant. I'd rather eat dog hair because at least I know who it belongs to!

Look at Pania now! She's all grown up! And congratulations on this achievement!!!! I hope it goes really well.

He's clearly got gardening genes as well!

I had 4 nd 8 year old great-nieces in my car on the weekend and they are like "Yuck! Your car is all hairy, why don't you clean it?" Um because the vaccuum refuses to deal with my car anymore! Anyway, isn't dog hair the new microfibre?

Puppies and kids is the best combo! They will grow to be great family pets (puppies not J and B!). And don't wrangle with Tango! PS I can see how fluffy Teddy is in the back too.

You better check suitcases (storage containers and the like) at the door in case a BBQ attendee tries to steal him!

I only met one adult keeshond and thought that as well but had never seen them as a puppy. Often fluffies can look very different as pups and adults. It will be interesting to see what she looks like as she gets older. It still amazes me how many different looks of dog you can get out of one litter!

Lucky it was your bum and not the other side Don't you worry I was concerned about that too! How embarrassing would that be!

Has Epic got a Tibbie look about him/her? I still reckon Tango is going to be the naughiest out of the lot!

Tempeh has a new one now she has grown supermodel length legs. Before she just used to lick my legs dry after a shower. Not a big bother but yesterday and again today she realised she could now reach my bum and gave that a lick too. No more helping mummy dry off!

So scary! Glad the dogs and OH were there! When I was a kid my dad bought a remote farm and just before we moved there some strangers turned up asking for petrol for their car but beat the then farmer up, cut the phone lines, held the family hostage overnight and ransacked the place for food and anything of value. I think they also took their vehicle. The ticky found the family the next day and got the husband medical help. None of this worried my dad of course and we never had a good yard dog either! My sister's remote farm on the other hand - her yard dogs know me but even I wouldn't try and get in the house without her being there to give the ok! Lots of shooters ignore the no trespass signs and get run off the property! That guy may have taken the tomahawk thinking he'd need it to cut through brush to get to your place but he is clearly loopy walking when it is getting dark in unfamiliar terrain and he obviously doesn't have a clue about farm life to think he can just wander in to a stranger's property. I'd also ring the police and let them know because he is an accident waiting to happen. He may turn up at someone else's place. He may come back to your place and get attacked by the dogs or he may even succumb to thirst or a snake bite at the property he is supposed to be living at. Better the police know he's in the area I reckon. The dog's knew from the time they laid eyes on him that he wasn't supposed to be there - they are a good judge of character.

Hmmm I wonder who Ruby was getting around with?

Fingers and toes crossed here for them!