Little Gifts

I've had a chipped front tooth (foster pup decided to jump off the stairs for me to catch her), an abscess on the base of my spine requiring 2 surgeries (foster fail got under my feet while carrying a basket of washing and I fell hard on my butt onto the concrete to avoid stepping on her) and a shattered wrist requiring 2 surgeries and months of rehab (foster dog wanted to pee in the middle of the night, coffee table had been moved and I could feel myself falling down the lounge room stairs and threw myself to the side so I didn't face plant into it. Still took doggo out to pee before calling ambulance!). Dogs can be dangerous in lots of ways but I still love them!

Amazing outcome. I only wish they talked more in the story about the specific rescue and the supports they offer as it is something now needed across the country. People are surrendering due to their lack of housing all the time now in QLD. Plus I think we've got a marked increase in loose/wandering dogs due to unsuitable rentals or ones where tenants are hiding the pets from the real estate so fencing and the like can't be updated without drawing suspicion.

Thought it might be time for some Albert spam. Poor bubba was showing signs of Shar Pei Fever over the weekend (slightly swollen hocks and not quite himself) but he's back to himself tonight, Mr Cray-Cray dragging all the floor mats everywhere. He was trying to eat my sister's hair just before this photo

Oh Fivers, I just saw this. We get no control over when it is 'time'. We can't hold it off because life is already hectic or something amazing is happening soon. It sucks. You've got a plan to bring him with you into your new life and that is the best you can make of this situation. I'm sorry. Big hugs to you. Your boy is currently having a ball over the bridge without his frail body holding him back. He will still be there at your new place in your heart and memories. My shar pei Tempeh is the first dog I ever cremated because I knew I would be moving house and I couldn't leave her behind. She still 'talks' to me here. Her strongest connection was with me, not where we lived. Take care of yourself. X

There was a time in our lives when a friend of my sister's came to stay with us with a teensy black chi named Tyson. We had a husky/shep cross and a crazy stafford. We'd go down this big park where the dogs could just run and rumble without issue and that chi was always right in the middle of things. It shocked me how it survived some of those outings.

I've always owned medium or large sized dogs (mainly staffords and pei). When I get older I'd love a Frenchie, Boston or smooth haired terrier of some type. I like a dog with a bit of sass. The only reason I have avoided smaller breeds is a fear of not seeing them and tripping over them, as that has happened to me with puppies and I've had serious injuries requiring multiple surgeries to repair. My dream breed many moons ago was an Old English Sheepdog. I had one girl so far and she was a cracker, but strength wise I'm avoiding larger breeds as I age and have less strength. We recently fostered a lab pei cross and he had the best of both breeds (we really loved him) but was far too much dog for me to handle now I've gotten older.

Hangry Albert - he sure lets you know when it is coming up to meal time!

Albert likes catching fish and practising his bed dismounts.

And last night helping while I stupidly tried to finish a jigsaw puzzle.

While I took a shower to go on a client visit this arvo he ate my favourite, wear everyday, work shoe. On my bed too. He's playing the 'I used to be very sick you know!' card.

The first picture looks like your average staffy. Don't know how I would've coped if that legislation came in here while my stafford girl was alive. Probably would've packed up and moved with her. A very sad move for many dog lovers I think.

Little f***er kept me awake all night with his licking. Now of course fast asleep under my computer desk while I try to be alive enough to work.

Cone finally came off this morning! He's so happy! Lots of running around and getting up to mischief. My sister has started doing some training with him and I think his sight in his right eye is not s good at all. And getting him to sit is not going well either (he just jumps up to see what you are doing with your hands). We will persist and talk to the rescue if it is likely we need a different approach. Lots of zoomies, drinking out of tubs and rolling in the grass this afternoon!

Have you tried asking a community page on FB? I discovered a swimming spot for dogs and another for dogs and humans within 10 mins of where I live after someone asked the question. I had no idea both spots even existed. I'm in QLD so no point telling you about them.

I reckon he will be one of those dogs who starts glopping his bits next to you on the bed as soon as he wakes up everyday. And then wants to give you kisses.

I've now been relegated to wound inspector and scratcher. He tries so hard to pretzel and get to it still so I try to help where I can. I think the cone will have to stay on till tomorrow night to be on the safe side (we are applying Neocort to help things along) . He's coping fine in it. Normally I'd take off for meal times and when we were directly supervising but getting it back on him when he's in a licking mood requires a battle plan and more soldiers than we've got. The force is strong with this one!

To me the main purpose of a fine is to bring a breach of something you did or caused to your attention. Authorities over time have identified that hitting people where it hurts most is the best way of doing that. I've worked for both local govt and state govt and its just a job. Noone is busy rubbing their hands with glee over finding more ways to raise revenue, but on the flip side a lot of time is spent trying to resolve resident and community problems. And loose dogs are problems. Noone is going to know whether your loose dog is friendly or not going to cause any harm or havoc until they get close either. I've owned staffords for most of my life and can tell you if ANY loose dog came racing over to me (particularly if I was walking my own dogs) I would be on alert. Even a docile dog could have a trigger. So is it worth pursuing in court because a detail of the fine is incorrect or is it worth accepting your dog was out and it did potentially cause a problem and council was merely trying to get you to take responsibility for that problem the best way they know how? I personally would prefer to know my dog was out so I could fix my property because emergency vet bills for a dog fight or car accident while they were out is a whole lot worse.

Yes I can see it now! Thank you Dogs!

It's only dog neck size. I don't know the purpose of the extra bit.

In rummaging through my supplies to find a harness for a new foster I found this collar. Just wondering what type it is so I can google how it works on a dog? I have no idea where I got it from of course or how long I've even had it! Thank you!

The cone had to go back on last night. He ate away all the scabs and just would not leave it alone. He chewed off the t-shirt too! Getting the cone back on was like a 10 person job but he forgave me enough to spoon last night. If it was easier we'd just take it on and off but yeah, nah. Training will have to wait till next week when it will be safe to take off again. Oh Albert!

Well Mr Alberto Magoober got his tummy stitches out today so no cone! He is so happy! And he was brilliant at the vets too. Long car rides as well but he loves the car so no issues there. He has put on some muscle tone since he was so ill but still needs to get weight back on him. He can eat kibble again and we will do 4 full meals a day rather than 2 full and 2 medium. We will start training him on some basics tomorrow. To tell you how poor he is on a leash he actually swivelled me in a 360 degrees manner like I was Neo in The Matrix. I know I'm going to feel it tomorrow! Oh and in typical boy fashion he has not stopped licking himself since the cone came off so now he is wearing a t-shirt because we don't need any infection in that still healing wound! Here he is after we got home from the vet to a cone free life!

When you've got your appetite back but noone will share their sausage with you! I don't think that soft cone is going to last much longer. It was brand new last Friday but he constantly pushes the boundaries of it. Looks like the heavier Kong soft cone might have to make an appearance soon.

Fantastic news!!!!! I'm so happy for them!

Monday morning and he slept with me the entire night and was so good I didn't even realise he was there! We got up early and a quick wander around the yard and another poo! No discomfort and still looking like a good poo should! After breakfast it was time for his morning massage of course. He followed that up by trying to steal some clothes and shoes. I guess we are going to be a lot tidier with him around! We decided no training until after his stitches come out and he has the all clear on Friday. We're happy to just see him happy and healing. He's developed quite the following on the rescue page too and made the top banner this morning! Exciting moment for a foster carer!