Little Gifts

I think my feelings towards this issue have changed. I have loved every dog in my care for their uniqueness and because they have needed me I guess. Only one dog has ever been one I chose myself - the rest are rescues that never left. But just over 2 years ago a young staffy girl came into my life and I just adore her to pieces and can't even imagine leaving her for more than a couple of days, even with family. She is just a normal dog - smoochy, funny, naughty, cute. But she has come into my life at a time when I needed her as much as she needed a home. As far as dogs go her needs have been very simple - food, shelter, exercise/play. No health issues and minimal behavioural issues. Loves everyone and everything. Always grateful for whatever comes her way. But for some reason she and I have a bond that means I can't be too far from her. I'm not sure it is reciprocated but she certainly knows when I need her affection or need to be left alone. I enjoy every single minute in her company. Is she my heart dog? She certainly is for the last couple of years and hopefully well into the future but I don't know if she will be the only one during my lifetime? Maybe it is me that has changed and not the dog????

Julie/Steve - your inbox is full so here is my pm back to you re grants - I will print out and take a copy of the guidelines home with me tonight then look at your website tomorrow and give you some suggestions on what you can apply for and how it needs to be done. Does that suit? Do you have another email addy you can pm me in case your inbox is full again? Alyson

I agree with Kissindra - if AWL are incorporated (which I believe they are) then they should be applying for Jupiters and Gambling grants. I know for a fact that RSPCA are successful with obtaining grants through these funding programs which are managed by DEEDI in Qld. I used to read and assist with grants applications for another dept and have links to someone who looks after Jupiters and Gambling so would be happy to help put grant applications together to make them more successful. Grants can be used to buy vehicles, equipment, items for events and for capitol works (buildings).

What is meant by dogs have a high value? Is that like going there is all about the other dogs (for your dog) rather than what your dog is going there to learn in relation to you the owner? I guess I looked at puppy school like the start of training - getting used to being around other people and other dogs and in a different environment and me and my dog learning from that. Next phase was beginners training - my dog and I doing more structured one on one work both alone and in a group, to the point that the focus was always on me and not on what the other dogs or people were doing around us. This was in an effort to get my dog to respond to my commands each time I made them. Further training after that was also reinforcing the bond and response plus introducing more stimulating activities for the type of dog she had become. That's how I have seen the journey to date but is that wrong? One thing I am always concious of is my friend's who have single dogs that never interact with other dogs after puppy school and seem to lose the skill to interact successfully with new dogs quite quickly. Sometimes reinforced by panicky owners as well. I don't know how you fix that so I've always felt socialisation (as opposed to training and as opposed to straight out play) is important. Have I got it wrong or have I focussed on the wrong aspects of things? To me the dog/owner relationship is always a work in progress because our lives never stay the same so how can our responses to it?

My pup was one of those that all the other 'parents' were worried about! I really thought she was going to get thrown out. She was always the first one to piddle on the floor each week and she even ate the graduation cap that everyone was supposed to have their photo taken in on graduation night! She was a rescue staffy and 12 weeks when she started puppy school. She was already well socialised with other dogs who were much bigger than her and who played very roughly with her. So at puppy school if there was screaming from around the corner then it was usually my girl at the heart of it all. The funny thing was at the end of it (I was a wreck!) the other parents told me that initially they were worried but how good it had been for their pups to be with a more boisturous pup. The feedback from one was that their shy pup had learnt to stand up for itself in a controlled environment and was much more outgoing as a result. Another told me they had been treating their swf as some little fragile thing that needed spoiling/protecting and realised that it was actually a dog who needed to be treated more like a dog than a grand child. My girl wasn't aggressive (all play no fights) but you can imagine her size and enthusiasm might've been intimidating. Funny thing is there were 2 tiny guinea pig type sibling pups there and they loved playing with my girl the best. She is now 2.5 years old and still plays rough and still loves every dog regardless of their shape, size or fur growth, but recognises and respects the signs from other dogs much better now.

Sorry I read this all wrong - I thought you were looking for someone to long term board your animal, not the other way around. If my dreams came true I would run a puppy day care business! (sleepovers would be allowed)

I was just having a clean up today and found a brochure for www.findadogminder.com.au which is dog minding in a family home. I've never used it though so am just providing the details and not a reference for them. And the brochure I have says "enter the promo code vip2010 and get 20% off membership", so you may as well use that as I think I got the brochure at some doggy event here in Brisbane. Oh but the members in the staffy thread rave about Camp Warley! (see SBT123's post)

Yep, he is looking brilliant K9Angel! You'd never know he had such a rough start. Gypsy looks part sheep in that coat!

Penny, BFR recently had an auction night and the products came mainly from their supporters and were very diverse. Someone worked for a mobile phone company and got a phone donated. Someone else was an airforce pilot and got a flight simulation donated. There were also spa vouchers that went down well and lots of bottles of wine. What I bought was a small framed painting done by one of the foster dogs. There was one done by a foster cat and both were very highly sought after - bids went high! I have since printed out and laminated a pic of the dog that did mine and stuck it on the back of the painting, which makes it more personal. I saw that there is a shelter in America that does a huge pet painted exhibition every year to raise funds. So what about getting a couple of paintings done by the 'inmates' and raffle those? Something different to the usual gift basket of animal goodies?

Just lost my reply! Anyway what I was saying before the gremlins hit is that I live half way between Brissie and the Gold Coast so Pipsal if you'd prefer to make the arrangements with AWL then I would be more than happy to come and pick them up from wherever you are in Bris and drop them to AWL for you. You will probably be tired from your trip and happy to get out of being in a confined space with the crazy things! I don't work wednesdays but can also work half days other days so pretty flexible at this end. I will keep my eye on this thread and PM you my numbers once you make your final decision on how you want to handle all this. What approx date will you be in Bris?

Pipsal they look very healthy and are also very good looking pups. They should rehome easily in a more populated area like Brisbane. Well done for not contributing to the dog problem out there by leaving them behind.

We watch a lot of zombie movies and think my young girl has been affected. All stuffed toys are despatched in the same manner: 1. immediately remove beady eyeballs so 'the undead' can't see what you are going to do next 2. remove brains through eyeholes using a quick and repetetive up and down head motion till brain area is empty and fluff is scattered all around you 3. Do a quick check of all paws and limbs to test for squeakers (don't want to attract more of the undead) 4. Remove and kill all squeakers found 5. Pull off a few limbs in case it still tries to run away 6. Remove empty head (ears must remain intact as a warning) and display it publicly so the other undead know you mean business 6. Leave torso intact where it lays - you don't want to look like a total animal do you?

I have the exact opposite. LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT WHAT I'M DOING! YES I DID THAT! ISN'T IT GREAT! Part elephant part attention seeker. Whenever she goes quiet we all panic and think something is wrong and go looking for her.

People don't think about the danger to both themselves and their poor dogs. Sure your dog likes to sit on your lap and look out the windscreen or hang out the window getting a lovely breeze through its hair but in an accident that poor dog becomes a lethal projectile. Your dog could kill you or your passenger, including itself. That's no way for your buddy to end its days of faithful companionship to you. And it isn't about your own driving skills - lots of stupid people doing even stupider things in cars everyday that cause accidents! It's just not worth the risk.

Very sorry for your loss. Doug sounds like he was a wonderful boy.

The pups will definately have better long term options if you are able to transport them to Brisbane with you. Definately the RSPCA at Fairfield OR you could contact Michelle the surrender volunteer with Best Friends Rescue which covers south east Qld. Explain to her that the pups are in a remote community where they wont get good care and need foster care and long term homes and that you are able to transport them to Brisbane. She will endeavour to find carers, BFR will do the vaccinations and desexing and find the right long term homes for the pups. I also live in Brisbane and would be more than happy to assist with transporting the pups to their foster carers once you hit Brisbane if you need it. I can't foster - already have a full house. Best Friends Rescue - www.bestfriendsrescue.com [email protected] - I'd contact her now to get things in place for your arrival if this is the way you want to go with things.

Well that's good news then - about the ACO visit I mean. Sorry he's a long term neighbour though. Would it be worth doing some heavy planting of vines or shrubs along that side of the fence to block the neighbours view and hose? Is your fence at maximum height? Is it timber on that side? I know you shouldn't have to worry about these things but sometimes it is necessary. And did the ACO give you any feedback or advice on how to manage if it continues?

OK, you have your answer so perhaps talk to council about your concerns re your dogs and seek their advice so it can be managed. You don't want your angels affected. He will probably move on fairly quickly - people who create trouble don't tend to stay in one place too long.

I know others may not agree with me here but we had a new owner complain about our dogs so I straight away talked to the council dog control officers about it asking for their help to resolve the situation. They could tell I was a responsible dog owner who was wanting to resolve what was a temporary problem. They are not stupid - they can tell the real complaints that need action from the ones which owners want to fix. And part of our problem was the new neighbour was hanging over our fence trimming trees and yelling at the dogs to stop barking. Once the trimming was over and they were no longer invading our space no more barking. The new owner had dog issues which I was able to also explain civilly to the council guy - the new neighbour put a note in my letterbox on about day 2 of living there saying I should get a puppy I had one of those collars that shock them when they bark. Obviously not a dog lover. I used to be a complaints officer with child safety and my advice is to not get into taking photos or video or audio tape his behaviour (it escalates things and makes you look like the nutter) but DO document anything you are aware of - dates and non emotive statements of what you witnessed. You also have a right to contact the council and share your concerns about the safety of your dogs from his behaviour with them. Remember dogs do bark from time to time and that is perfectly ok and doesn't make them a 'problem'. And also this person might have 'problems' of their own which are already known to council and police. if you get the sense they are then I'd also avoid direct contact/confrontation with them.

Some pure bred dogs also end up in the rescue and pound system. Kazzie has felt your collective wrath and removed her posts. Yes, us newbies can be naive coming on here asking for advice from those of you with knowledge. By all means use the opportunity to educate but please do it in a constructive way. Otherwise nothing is really learnt.

I was a vegetarian for about 15 years happily growing my own eggs and vegies. I just went off the taste of meat, chicken and fish. During that time any dogs in my care who wanted snacks the humans were eating only got vegetarian snacks and usually just fruit or home made bread crusts. I never thought they'd get so excited by watermelon but they did! Their main diet was of course dog food, including raw meat and bones. The strange thing is I have a dog on a *'supposedly' vegetarian diet now for the last 10 years. She has chronic pancreatitis and has only eaten dry or tinned Hills Prescription Diet W/D in all that time, under my vets supervision. She even gets vegetarian pigs ears as treats. She also gets fresh chopped raw carrots to chew for her teeth. She is thriving on this diet - almost 16 and still very active. My vet did go to the effort of translating this it all into a diet I could make myself for her but there were more ingredients required than are stocked in my whole house to get the same balance (no meat though), so we've stayed with the packaged variety. She doesn't even bother with what the other dogs are eating (raw meat). It keeps her from getting sick so we'll stay with what works. What's wierd is the other dogs often raid her biscuit bin so it can't taste too bad! (*And I say 'supposedly' because I just pulled out the biscuits and in the long list of ingredients is included chicken by product meal third on the list)

I don't think I have ever laughed so hard - my ribs hurt! I also often wake up to a brown eye. Usually I just tuck the tail between the legs but now I see I have another option. Must get one in each colour to match my doonas and pillows.....

Is that like biting him on the ear will make him respect you and be obedient forever :rolleyes: When I was pre-school age (I'm now 47) we had this small dog (no idea of the breed) called Chimmy and he would bite me and steal my vegemite toast every morning at breakfast. Apparently I took to biting him back on the ear in return. He did stop stealing my toast out of my hand but anything that hit the floor was still his. Back then in our family if the family dog bit you it was normally considered your fault and you had to sort it out between you!

My old staffy girl is currently 2 months shy of her 16th birthday! She was my first staffy rescue, has had numerous operations due to her original neglect, on a special diet for chronic pancreatitis since 2000, got diagnosed with cancerous tumours 3 years ago and was diagnosed with mammary cancer and dementia about 2 months ago. Partly blind and deaf, went from being black to white hair, has a piddle problem, doesn't like to be touched so much now and needs inside and outside warm comfy spots but she is definately not ready to go yet! She plays with me and a young staffy every morning (roughly with the other dog) and would have a tanty if we all went walking without her (she does have a dog pram just in case). Has not once been off her food in her entire life with me (almost 15 years) and starts and ends every day warm and comfortable with a contented look on her face. With the cancer I'm not sure how much longer we will have her so we are taking photos a lot more regularly and never passing up an opportunity to show her how much we love her.

OMG Macka, Archie does this too !! Sometimes he stays in that position just watching what's going on around him. Front legs on floor, back legs still up on the couch. Must be a lab trait, Mason does it too, OH finds it hilarious! my GSP does this too I've had 2 staffies who use this exit technique. It's like they are having a bit of a stretch at the same time.