Little Gifts

What happens under the doona stays under the doona......

I was reading up about this after reading this story and there are organisations researching this issue. It has links to OCD and the people think the animals need them and they have no idea that they are actually harming these animals. They are generally living in as much squallor as the animals themselves. Cats are hoarded a lot because they can be hidden behind closed doors. Recidivism rates are very high with hoarders which means that they need to be closely monitored after being caught. Most of the animals removed from hoarders have to be pts. Generally only young animals can be brought to health and a social level needed for rehoming. Oh and it is not uncommon for people to start out as rescuers, working closely with pounds and shelters and turn into hoarders. More common with single women but not restricted to this demographic.

That's a lot of cats to have gotten hold of and I wondered whether some would've even been people's beloved missing pets? Imagine your cat goes missing and that's where it ends up? That would crush me. I wonder what kind of research has been or is being done into animal hoarding? It does seem to be more of a female issue but many of these people have family who also live in the house, including smaller children, so I doubt it is about being lonely or needing something to care for. Apart from the dangers to the poor animals I think it is an interesting mental health issue and there must be a way of helping these people lead normal animal free lives again.

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She sounds like a beautiful girl and you gave her a great life in her older years.

I've got a hero tale. I had mother and son rescue staffies (mother is still with me). I lived on acreage and had been sick with the flu. My parents lived on the property next to me so I was going to walk next door to show them I was getting better. But when I went to walk down my front stairs one leg went between the stairs and I flipped down them, knocking myself out on the side wall of the house and landing on the pavers. The mother dog who is not very smoochy stayed quietly with me. Her son who was a bag of nerves over even blowing leaves ran next door to my parents house and alerted them that something was wrong. They ran over and found me and got medical assistance - I injured both arms and legs and was concussed. Still have a big stair dent in one leg. I would not have been able to get help myself and no-one would've heard me shout. I could've been there for hours or even overnight if it wasn't for the dogs. I was so proud of those two for what they did!

Happy birthday Kuga! my old girl turned 16 in August so I know what owning an old dog is about - some of them just keep going and going and I do believe willpower and love has a lot to do with it. You go big fella!

I've done something terribly silly. I get very jealous of all these people whose dogs like to wear Christmas attire and pose. Yesterday I was at Big W and bought a girls Christmas Fairy dress (with wings and headband!) in size 6 - 8. I took it home and put it on one of my staffies and it fit! She hates headwear but seems to love dresses! She was strutting around, tripping over the chiffon skirt all proudly! So all dogs will be getting a bath on the weekend and we will be attempting photos. Probably more out takes than good ones given that my girl actually looks like a bloke dressing as a woman in her frock but dammit, I want Christmas pics!

Goodbye big boy. You will be sadly missed.

My older girl was 13 and her son was 12 when he had to be pts after an accident. Sorry to say she aged before my eyes after it happened. They had been together for nearly all their lives (both had previous owners but reunited in my care as rescues) but didn't seem that dependant on each other. I took in another rescue several months after the son went and my older girl devoted herself to this new pup. We currently have 3 dogs including the old girl who is almost 16 and a half now. I think my older girl is just a dog used to being part of a pack and doesn't do well as an only dog. I understand you may not be in a position to get another dog, but if you do make sure it is one suitable to Tara's needs and temperament as well. My old girl is deaf and blind but new dogs of any age don't phase her at all. She still likes rough one on one playing but the risk for her is mainly when all the dogs are being too active together she gets bowled over as her back legs aren't as strong as they used to be. Others will have different advice for you as well - this is simply what worked in our household for this particular dog. Very sorry for your loss of Sam.

I feel truly sick about this one. That has to be a horrific way to die as it is neither quick or painless. Whoever did this is a real danger to society.

Boronia, Best Friends Rescue cover SEQ and have rehomed numerous huskies and mals - [email protected] is the email addy re surrendering dogs. They will also give advice about rehomng.

I work for this dept and at our central office building there is a lady who has a guide dog puppy in training that she is allowed to bring to work and another worker has a small yorkie looking dog that is also in training to be an assistance dog that she brings to work with her. It's gives me a warm fuzzy feeling when I see them coming and going from the building.

MavericksMission I like the idea of an edible xmas card! I have been threatening 2 of my dogs with the pound for weeks now so if they survive all 3 will be getting a new clam shell pool, some homemade treats (trying new recipes) and the youngest is a toy freak so she will be getting some new tuggies (also homemade) and a couple of stuffed toys to demolish. Oh and a bath so the visitors might actually want to cuddle them. I have these xmas buckets with lids that everything will go into (except maybe the clam shells!) and they can dig in on the day.

To anyone in Brissie my friend sent me this comp for your animal santa pics. Prize is good so get those entries in! http://www.b105.com.au/win/santa-paws/enter

Not only do I have an old dog full of under the skin lumps and bumps but she is also covered in warts and skin tags - things are sprouting off her everywhere! We did have one gross skin lump that kept growing and growing under one armpit and I am horrified to tell you that the younger dog ate it off! It was only attached by a small piece of skin and there was very little wound or blood. My girl has six monthly check ups now due to old age issues and cancer. My vet checks all the growths out and has never been concerned by any of them. And apart from the armpit one my old girl doesn't seem to care either. I personally don't like them as I constantly panic that one is a tick and catch them on her doggy comb (have changed to a glove thing now). I'm sure the vet will be able to tell if they look problematic or just one of the bodies great mysteries of old age (like your grandpa growing very long ear and eyebrow hairs).

I used to be a vegetarian, lived on acreage and grew my own herbs, vegies and fruit. Since the dogs always want whatever the people are eating they ate a lot of vegetarian food as snacks (still had meat for their main meals). Kiwi fruit skin, orange rinds and the odd frozen grape (before we discovered they were bad for them) were highly sought after tid bits. And since I hate raisins and sultanas if I was ever eating dried fruit they would be dribbling at my feet waiting for them. The other funny thing was that one of them used to break into the chicken's grain and snack on that from time to time as well. You can just imagine how well turned over my compost heap was - those manky old corn cobs were practically a delicacy!

I have someone too - Penny Alexander, but I'd have to find her details at home and PM them too you. I guess it depends on the issues. Mine related to pack dynamics and serious fighting between the youngest and oldest when the youngest hit sexual maturity.

I too am previously guilty of letting a puppy sleep on my lap while driving and a large dog hang so far out of an open window because she liked it that she once fell out at the traffic lights (we were at a stop and she wasn't hurt). I used to have a car cat who lay on the back window ledge and a pet goat who rode around in the back of my hatchback. I implore any of you still doing this to think how devestated you would be if some tool missed a stop sign and hit you and killed your beloved pet. It isn't about how far you are driving or how good a driver you are, it is about taking preventative action to keep you and your loved ones (furry and skin) safe. It is no different to keeping your dog leashed when walking across a busy road - you would do that even if your dog didn't like it wouldn't you? You give heartworm treatment to your dog so it doesn't die a horrible death don't you? These are both preventative measures to cover those what if scenarios. We can't control everything but we can make efforts to minimise potential harms that we are aware of. Dju - this certainly wasn't directed at you (just saw your post above). I was just going back through the posts and noticed a few people who weren't into dog restraints yet and I hope in time that all of them will be - for theirs and their pets safety. I was previously the same as well and didn't see the need. Now I have seen the consequences first hand of dogs sitting on laps, in foot wells or just on seats loose. It's heartbreaking.

Goodbye beautiful girl.

Kirsty my sister has been feeding all the dogs the last 2 days as I have had some long working days. I just realised this morning that she had run out of the dementia meds, apparently 2 days ago. As of this morning my old girl just keeps peeing everywhere and not making any effort to go outside. And she keeps licking at the pee as well (which is how I keep discovering it) so the meds definately do make a difference and I will be picking up more this arvo. As it is also raining here and she hates rain I'll be keeping nappies on her until the meds kick in again.

I used to assist with road accident investigations and believe I have mentioned somewhere on DOL before but anything unrestrained in your car like your dog or a chainsaw (yes i have seen the damage that one did) may become a lethal flying object in a crash so not only may your dog be horribly injured but so might you and your passengers. And for anyone travelling over the break do not let passengers sleep reclined in your car. Seat belts can only contain a loved one in the upright position. If you fall asleep at the wheel while your loved one is reclining in a snooze then they can slip out of that seatbelt in a crash and go straight through the windscreen. Be safe peeps - cars are dangerous.