Whippetsmum

Ours was desexed at 3 years, he was fine. No changes in personality. No weight gain etc.

My blue and white Whippet was mistaken for a Kangaroo...........my neighbour saw her sitting, from behind, and must have needed glasses. 100% true

Someone in my area has put cut outs in his fence for the dogs to look through. I can't walk my dogs past that house any more because the dogs in the yard go psycho everytime another dog walks past, they sound so incredibly agitated/overstimulated, and not happy at all. I can't help but think that it would be kinder for these dogs not to be able to look out. The main problem though is that the dogs bark and sometimes snap at people because there is no cover to their spy hole, and it's large enough for the head and neck of the dogs to reach out. I saw an old man walking by these dogs, he was tottering along, obviously recovering from a stroke, and although the dogs didn't reach him, the dogs leaned out barking and the poor old man almost fell over.

Not quite a sunsuit, but when our Whippet was growing, we'd buy kids T shirts, and put elastic in the hem to hold them onto the dog. You may need to make a few nicks in the neckline to accomodate some dogs. These work well and are very cheap, and wash well. You can get sun safe T shirts at Best and Less and other cheap clothing shops. (SPF 50 plus) Although they don't cover the legs, the dog probably won't want to bake as much as they are a bit warmer when clothed. I used these but was home to monitor the dog and prevent overheating WARNING- be careful that the dog doesn't overheat.

It's really important to let the vet know what happened as many people ask them for recommendations. Years ago, I picked up my very emaciated Whippet from a 2 week stay at a kennel, she'd been there before without any problems . Next time when I asked the vet for a recommendation of a kennel, they asked where she had been and why I was looking for a new kennel. I was honest but just said that she'd lost too much weight the last time......they said I had been lucky as they knew of cases where clients had gone to pick up dogs only to find they had died and their remains disposed of before any autopsy. They recommended another kennel.

OK, obviously not the right sort to sell a pup to. Agree 100% with you there. You say that you are in a rage thinking that a registered breeder sold the pup to a pet shop, but that may not be the case here. Given that the enquiry came from someone not so well informed, they probably have that wrong too. Hopefully when they said "registered with Dogs NSW" they meant that they have registered his chip in the companion animal register. A lot of people think that their dogs's "papers" are the microchip paperwork and proof of vaccination. It's only when you buy a pup from a registered breeder that you would become aware of the other meanings, and the difference between main and limited registers and the reasons why you shouldn't breed from limited registered animals.

It really is the quality of the tenant that counts, so multiple references showing a long standing pattern of responsibility is what will get you a lease above another applicant, including having a steady job, having long leases in the past etc. We have rented with dogs and always left the house in better condition than we found it, we always pay special attention to the yard and garden. Our tenants (they were selling their house, and had no rental history) on the other hand destroyed our house, and the dog was apparantly the best behaved member of the family. The lesson that we learned was to go for a more experienced tenant with a few years of relevent refererences at least, in the case of dog owners like us, a few references mentioning the dogs would be what I'd look for.

There is next to no public transport to Eastern Creek. I think you would do well to hire a car. Nearby suburbs include Mt Druitt, Rooty Hill, Blacktown and St Clair. You won't be far from Penrith (by road) but the nearest trains are at Rooty Hill

Our old Whippet ripped dew claws all the time, very badly too. She would be covered in blood, and then spend a few weeks with her claw taped tight to her leg, she'd be OK for a month or 2 then rip the other side. Our current Whippets have not ripped theirs, one had his dew claws removed as a newborn, the other gets has her claws intact, but has her claws trimmed every week.

Danielle, I am sorry that you are having to make this decision. Trust that your love for your beautiful companion will lead you to the right decision at the right time.

Another 2 options: 1. Buy a big pack of tennis balls from a discount shop and give them to the kids, $5 can buy a bit of peace. Make a point of telling them that you will return the Balls only if they go to your front door and ask nicley, and you will only do a ball collection once a day, eg 6pm. Choose a time that will suit you when you get a job, and make sure you make it late enough so they won't accost you as soon as you get home from work. OR 2. Tell them that the dogs like the balls and may bite if anyone tries to take the balls, the dogs like to kill the balls of course, so they can't be returned, very sorry of course, bue they need to be more careful!

Keisha, How's Chip, have you been to the vet yet?

Maybe Petshops should be banned from making up breeds, and not make any claims unless they have the paperwork to prove the breed, eg: Labrador. Calling a mutt a name like a Moodle (Maltese x Poodle for example) gives a false impression to the idiot shopper, it doesn't give any real information to the purchaser. Out of interest sake, do those pups come with a receipt listing the "breed"? I do think the Petshops should be made to prove what the dog is if they want to make claims. Afterall, would you buy a large box like appliance that was possibly a fridge freezer, but weren't actually sure? Wait a couple of months then find out it wasn't "as described", it's more of a freezer than a fridge, and a bit too big for your kitchen? I wonder if a consumer action group working with animal welfare could come up with something to "protect the buyer", maybe some truth in labelling consumer law would apply? (hopefully somehow the process, would reduce demand and then maybe there would be fewer furry victims. Edit for spelling

New Sparkle (Newcastle and Sparky) Peachpark (Peaches and Sparky)

Never mind the snails, my Whippets ate my vegies seedlings. I made a Vegie cage to protect the second planting, the Whippets broke in. I now have a vegie patch in the front yard.

At the moment, I am making do with a collapsible light crate for 2 dogs, but really need to get a trolley. The problem is that I can't fit one in my car with the gazebo, chairs, dogs etc. I thought of a trailer, but I don't have storage for a dog trailer, otherwise that would solve my space problem niceley. Unfortunately, I can't change to a bigger car at the moment either. Has anyone heard of, seen or made a carrier for a show trolley that can mount to a tow bar, eg: like a bike rack? I contacted OKS, but they don't have solution. Thanks Whippetsmum

Hi A and G, It's obvious that you trust your dog, and wouldn't have meant any offence or harm in the situation you describe. I get that from your post. "It's OK he/she's friendly"....is probably the hardest thing NOT to say if you think your dog is friendly, but it's almost 100% sure to p### people off when your dog approaches theirs uninvited, wherever you happen to be. Owners read their dogs differently, perhaps the dogs being approached are signalling to their owner that they are uncomfortable. What I'm thinking when it happens is, well, we might have different definitions of friendly, and , fine...it's nice that you have faith in your dog but have our dogs met before, do they know how my dogs will react and even though it's never happened, what would the approaching "friendly" dog do if my "friendly" dog decided to protect me, and what if my dog is taken surprise and reacts to the oncoming intruder (has not done this yet but you can never tell) Lately my boy has taken a dislike to anything like a GSD, pricked ears and mid length coat are the common factors, the dislike extends to Samoyds too. It may be from a friendly approach by an off leash dog a while ago, it wasn't even an incident, the dog was reasonably friendly, but a bit abrupt and in your face, but now my boy gets really over vigilant and tense when he sees a similar body shape. Rin Tin Tin or Inspector Rex, it wouldn't matter to him. As responsible dog owners, we have to remember that our dog is less than 50% of the equation at the best estimate. The only thing I want to hear when a dog is rushing me is "Come Muttly" and for the dog return to their owner, possibly followed by "I'm sorry, I've got him/her now, did you want them to meet?" I hope that you get a chance to make friends with the other dogs, and that the owner doesn't stay mad. It would be a shame to feel like avoiding places or people.

If you want to say thanks to your hero, but don't know who they are, why not put up a few signs in the estate to say just that?

Moddle....skinny thin breed prone to temperament issues, such as pouting and sulking if not given undivided attention. Moddles are a difficult breed, they often have food "allergies". Often thought of as a high maintenance breed. Moddles were originally bred to prance up and down in front of other dogs often in silly clothes. Common health issues include broken legs from wearing high heels, and torn nails. Several have had to be put down because they attacked tehir owners by throwing phones. Not really suitable to place a Dobe and a Moddle. Moddles are a choking hazard to larger breeds because they are so bony, and are easily caught and eaten. Moddles can't run because they sprain their ankles on their high heels, which can be an issue if placed with a dog with a high prey drive.

Hi, I just recieved an email from Purina (mailing list from when pup was young) and one of their newsletter topics was dangerous foods for dogs over the holiday period. OK, caffeine, chocolate avocado etc.....I agree with that, but then came bones....not cooked bones, all bones apparantly. Here's what they say: Animal bonesWhile bones are not toxic, their ability to splinter is extremely dangerous for your dog. They can cause cuts and lacerations inside your dog’s mouth as well as their stomach and digestive system. Bones can also cause obstruction in the throat and digestive system which can result in choking or suffocation. Just remember, bones are not a treat, they’re a potential threat to your dog’s health 2 thoughts to ponder.....I wonder how all the wild dogs survived without processed packaged foods...apparantly wandering the wild with perforated bowels and things stuck in their throats, and ....Any ideas what bones they'd be if not animal?

The Wednesday night classes (Pauline's classes) are now on Christmas break, she said we'd start back Jan 5 at 7pm.

I am really sorry to hear about your dog, Can any of the Victorian animal welfare organisations help with your enquiries? If the dog "ran out of air" is that an act of cruelty or neglect?

We have one, it holds a lot of kibble for a Whippet! I have 5 treat "balls" including the Bobablot, it's our dog's favourite. Ours hasn't been chewed at all. At first glance, I couldn't work out how to adjust the outlet, but it is adjustable, so you can easily adjust how fast or slow they get their treats.

As a landlord as well as a tenant, I would be really surprised if the landlord can chuck you out. I had just repainted the house and a bunch of ferals moved in (with excellent references of course!) and they demolished the place. Not much we could do. I specified that all damage to the garden had to be repaired at end of lease, guess who is repairing the lawn?, Anyway, as a tenant, I had the same problem with my no dig dogs digging........arggh Skedaddle from Bunnings in the pest aisle all over the lawn is what I used, it's citronella based put a bit extra in the holes, and I wouldn't usually cover te holes with dirt (of course you may need to with teh inspection coming!) Calm down, the lawn will grow back faster than you think, and any little holes at inspection time, tell them you've been digging out weeds!

Until you make a decision about whether or not to use the fertiliser, do make sure the dogs can't get to the fertiliser bag, put it in a cupboard up high. You never know what dogs will eat given half a chance. I don't like putting anything on the lawn that sits on the surface, to me, slow release means it could be laying on the surface for a while. That goes for blood and bone, pellitised chicken poo and everything else. The scenario I'd worry about is a dog leaving it's chewed bone on the lawn, and getting some fertiliser stuck to it. So far, I've used a spray on seaweed mix, it is a soil conditioner rather than a fertiliser, I think it has carp or something else in it. At least I can hose it in well, so there's nothing left on the grass leaves, and nothing for a dog to lick up.