Little Gifts

Tibbie Tabbie have you seen what pet shops are charging? In some cases they are charging more than a registered breeder AND there is no guarantee the dog is the breed it is advertised as! People are buying bitsa's from pet shops for like $985 because they think it is a pure bred! Would you buy fake Jimmy Choo shoes or a Gucci handbag for the same price as a real one? Nope, so why do people do it with dogs??? People impulse buy shoes and handbags too so it can't just be an emotional buy and it certainly isn't a bargain!

I too don't understand how people who have been so negligent with any animal can ever own any of them again. They should not even be allowed to own freaking goldfish because they have proven to have either an inability or disinterest in meeting the basic needs of the animals they have had. It is not a case of one strike you're out but 250 strikes and you are out because that is how many dogs had to be removed from their 'care'. If I ever I forget to get fired up about the puppy farming issue/back yard breeding issue then all I need to do is remind myself that a dog with no eyes was basically allowed to be raped so these 'inhuman beings' could make money. That dog would've had no idea what was put in the pen with her or what was going to happen. She could not read body language or see to protect her own body in some way (like sitting down). She was at thw owners mercy and in my mind she was raped. I've never used that word in relation to a dog before but there was no way she could've consented on any level to that mating so to me she was violated in the worst possible way. You know I'd really like to see a show on tv sometime where these BYBs and PFs speak out and defend themselves, even if their identities are kept anonymous. I'd really like to know what drives them to do this and whether they lack empathy towards human beings, their children, spouses or other animals as well? Do they kid themselves that they are doing it because they love animals or because they don't know any other way to make a living? I'd really like to know how they justify this to themselves and their local communities, let alone to the owners they sell these poor puppies to. How can they look in the faces of these damaged dogs? How can they bare the stench of where they keep them accomodated? How the hell can they look at a precious new born puppy and not want the best for it? I truly don't understand them and perhaps if we did we could address the problem at their level because going to court and being fined don't seem to change much. Perhaps they should have to go to court ordered therapy as well???

Saw this on Facebook and thought I'd be an enabler and post it here! http://www.ourdeal.com.au/deal/paws-for-life-keep-you-best-friend-war-with-a-weatherbeeta-dog-jacket

Go Skeeter! I love the mismatched ear action!

I feel sorry for staff losing their jobs and I feel sorry for wholesalers who might lose some income but I do not feel sorry for PP owners and operators who choose to run shops that sell live animals. And I certainly don't feel sorry for any BB's who lose an income outlet. Boo hoo to you, get some humanity, get real jobs that don't hurt others.

Oh Teebs this is so sad. I too have laughed over Atlas and his antics. What a terrible loss for you. I wish there was more that could be done than send you our love and understanding. Alyson XXX

Thsnk you Mita! I really do love being a foster mummy. We don't have one at present because I am heading interstate for a few weeks soon and our last boy was just adopted. The house is very empty and my heart girl and I are clinging to each other for comfort! She misses having a crazy playmate as our other dog (my sister's heart dog) is too prissy for such silliness!

1. I foster shar pei and they need a good diet. Our 2 dogs actually eat cheaper kibble than the foster's do but extra's and treats are all the same. I'm kind of fussy about ensuring the fosters become as healthy and health stable as they can be and obviously potential forever homes are vetted to ensure they understand that an appropriate diet means a healthy, allergy free dog. 2. The fosters have always slept in my bedroom. I aim for them becoming crate trained. Because of some conflict I did want one foster to sleep in the bathroom (our laundry has too much dog food in there!) but he broke me down and ended up sleeping on my bed. He slept very soundly there! My preference of course is for fosters to sleep in their own beds, hopefully in a crate, but I do like to have them in my room so I can keep an eye on them, particularly in those early days when I'm trying to bond with them. Having them sleep on your bed sets them up for disappointment in their forever home and I agree that it also miffs your own dogs. Funnily the dog mentioned above does not sleep on the bed at his forever home. I really think he was pushy about it because he wanted to be where the other dogs were. 3. We have a thing where our dogs can be on the bed and lounges but only when invited to do so. We have lovely dog beds everywhere so there is no lack of comfy spots to lie. But as per point 2 above one foster just kept at it until I gave in and let him on the lounge. Once on the lounge he was very quiet and took up little room. When he went to his forever home I suggested to them that they put a blanket on their lounge and let him up but only onto where his blanket was. So far he has stayed on his dog bed! I think it is because he is not competing with any other dogs. I have not had any trouble with other fosters simply staying on the dog beds next to the lounge and that is my preference. 4. I have bonded with all my fosters. I can't help it. Our dogs also become extremely close to some of them. But once you see them interact with people who they have decided are 'the one' it is much easier to let them go. I have a heart girl and I really want these rescue dogs to find their heart people. The other thing is these dogs will get different experiences in their new homes. One boy I had here was a physical and emotional mess when I got him. He has gone to a family with young kids and he LOVES them! I never would've expected that and I could never offer him that kind of life here. I'm getting all teary even thinking about this topic! 5. I don't feel I control when a dog's forever home comes along but I do feel it is my responsibility to make each foster the best they can be in the time I have them so that they are ready for their forever home. The fosters that have been here have had fairly quick interest. I had one boy I still hadn't managed to get to walk alone (ie without the other dogs) and hadn't managed to get car trained (a panic vomiter). His forever home worked around this. The last boy was still a terrible weaver on the leash. I just share all this with potential adopters because I think it is important they still get to do something developmental with their new dog! I'm lucky in that SP are very smart and often simply follow the other dogs behaviours and learn quickly to do the same. All mine have already been toilet trained as well. At the very least I think the basics that are needed are of course toilet training and basic commands such as sit and recall. I'd also be focussed on stopping bad behaviours like jumping up or being mouthy as quickly as possible. The other thing for me is recognising when a foster is in or has hit the limit of their comfort zone and working with that. I've had one boy who only ever ate outside without being watched. Fine by me. The same dog would not go to the toilet if anyone was around. Again, not such a big issue to work around. If they like toys then I encourage play with those types of toys. If they like balls they get balls. If they prefer to lie in the sun then I put a dog bed in a sunny area for them. If they don't like to be touched a certain way or in a certain area then I'm not going to force the issue (unless I have to for health reasons). And if they don't like me kissing or cuddling them all the time then I deal with it! Luckily I have not had one who doesn't like a smooch once they get used to me!

She is such a cutie pie! And yes she does look very happy!

Rest in Peace now beautiful old girl.

Suz I think that is amazing, that they are so in tune with the people they have bonded with. On the reverse side of things one of the rescue staffords I mentioned earlier started having seizures when he was 6 months old, which is why he came back to me. His mother had stayed with me and he was going to be pts because his epilepsy was so severe. One of his issues was being alone so I had arrangements with my neighbours that I would drive through their places on my way to work and drop him off for the day. He would be waiting for me in the afternoon from up the hill and come running when he saw my car. Despite having regular seizures we never saw any evidence of him having them when no-one was about. He seemed to know they were coming on and would always take himself into an open spot at ground level where he could be seen. I think that was why he felt a need to always be with people, even if they were just kind neighbours. But it saved him from accidentally injuring himself having a seizure alone. My neighbours were amazing too - cleaning him up and sitting with him till he came to after an event.

I had mother and son rescue staffords. I lived on acreage and fell down my front steps. One dog stayed with me while the other ran to the property next door and alerted them to come and help me. I injured all four limbs and was unconcious so could've laid there for a long time until someone found me if it weren't for the dogs. The one that went and got help was a very anxious dog so I was very proud of him. I still have a permanent dint in one leg from that fall. In 2000 or 2001 the same two dogs chased 3 intruders from inside my house. They had broken into the top part of the house and ransacked it, stacking things to take. We were out the back of the house watching tv. The dogs suddenly jumped up and flew up the stairs. One intruder fell from the top floor window trying to escape them. The interesting thing was once the intruders were out of the house the dogs immediately returned to protect me (ie they did not physically attack the intruders or chase them down the street). I had run out the back of the house and called Triple 0. Unfortunately they could not send a car to me and with a 000 operator still on the phone I had to go back into the house and make sure each room was empty and lock up the house as best I could. It was terrifying and the only reason I was able to do it was because the dogs were by my side, on the alert. Those 3 intruders were drunk and had robbed several houses that night. The one who fell from the window broke his foot or ankle and was later caught by the police. Unfortunately the son passed away 5 years ago and the mother just over one year ago. She lived to be almost 17. You always hope your dogs would protect you in your time of need and these two did. They were a special pair still sadly missed. I know as they are deceased their stories aren't useful to you but thanks for listening anyway!

I got all my display stuff from a lady who used to sell at markets and bridal shows. She lives close by so I've been scrummaging at her house numerous times! Her prices were also very reasonable so I was very lucky. And when I'm finished I'll on-sell them cheaply to someone else! Mrs D I couldn't get your link to work either. WTH? I wonder if it is because I have them linked to an invite only event on there?

Hi Noisy!

Melinda after the event I will put up what doesn't sell in the Commercial Marketplace thread. Prices will be the same. If I find anything in particular is really popular at the party I will make more but of course they wont be exact copies as I just put the items together as I feel at the time. I will continue to raise funds for Peiradise but also have some specific items to raise funds for MDBA Pacers. I am a terrible photographer but I went back and looked at FB and it said the album doesn't exist! Poop! I logged on and it was there and it is marked as 'public' so I'm not sure what else to do. Anyway any items leftover will be photographed again and posted up. Alyson

A couple more pics

Some pics

Little Gifts is a hobby I have developed to raise funds for animal rescue. The first major fundraising event for Little Gifts is taking place on Saturday 4 August, 2pm to 4pm at 3 Parkhurst Place, Kuraby. All monies raised at this event will be donated to Peiradise –Shar Pei Rescue Queensland’s large vet bill. The majority of items available at the event are original designs handmade by myself. Prices are as follows: Necklaces - $15 Bracelets, bookmarks, Pandora style keychains and embroidered jewellery rolls - $10 Earrings and silk jewellery pouches - $5 Loose Pandora style beads - $2 There will also be lucky door prizes and snacks available at the event. All purchases will come in either a brocade silk gift bag or chiffon gift bag (for smaller items). All animal lovers welcome (but please leave your pets at home)! Please note this is a CASH ONLY event. **I will include a couple of photos below but more photos are available on my Facebook page

As a foster carer I see it as my job to maximise the potential of a foster dog to find their forever home, so I would hope to have a dog placed with me that can benefit from the home environment I can offer here as well as any particular skills myself and my sister have in caring for them. Our two dogs are also very different in personality so they are also an important factor in considering the personality of any foster dog placed here. It is all about being able to provide a nurturing environment that meets the needs of that particular dog (and all of us!). At present I am home nearly all the time so I can care for a dog requiring more intense support. I also like the challenge of having a foster dog that might need something specific addressed while it is here. As a foster carer I have to verbalise all this though or how will my rescuer know? I think it would be harder for carers who don't have a coordinator to deal with because we do have questions and concerns and as each dog is different we are developing our skills with each and every placement. So ultimately I rely on the rescuer to match a foster dog to me (although I can make suggestions!) so we have the most positive end result for the dog that we can. Using this approach has worked well for us and the dogs we have had to date.

Teela I'd never seen a baby crestie before! So cute! Actually all the dogs are so gorgeous as puppies that it makes me shake my head in disbelief that people can dump or harm young animals. Each one is so precious.

Esky we all have our fingers and toes crossed for you and Penny here. Very hard waiting for news by yourself.

You will be sadly missed gorgeous girl. XXX

See I really don't get why some people don't like black dogs (thinking rescue here). You can't look at Brett and not think he is absolutely stunning with his shiny coat and the light showing up his muscle definition!

How can you tell them all apart? All that creamy fluff!

Wendy go into the rescue threads and post there as there are several breed specific rescuers who I'm sure would love to share knowledge with you. Edited because of several brain farts....