PeiPei

I think if you read orbit other post's you would be well aware that the dog has had all the care under world given & vet treatment BUT there comes a time where you can pay $1000 each year with no result from vet /holistic etc etc. People then go down the path of what best maintains that animal condition at it's worst time. We see people who bring there dogs here who have spent a fortune on there dogs care with no end result except simply being ask to put there hands in there pocket & spend more & more. I too am not a believer of "easy option " of pills but also appreciate for some dogs it is a must & like the food debate the same applies . If these people choice to neglect the meds that brought/bring comfort to there animals after many avenues had failed then they would be accused of not given the right care. If the answer was so simple there would't be a need for pills & hands in the pocket Thank you showdog Moselle, I take extreme offence to you inferring that by giving my dog cortisone for relief, I am taking a short cut. Orbit was itchy from the day he came home to me at 10wks of age. I tried diet changes, supplements, oils, shampoos, homeopathics, herbs, lotions, detox's etc. I consulted with Dermatologists to eliminate the possibility of scabies, FAD, fungal and bacterial infections. I have done thyroid testing and skin biopsies. I had two separate allergy blood tests done, because intra dermal tests were not possible for us because of the withholding period required. I have a list of everything in the environment he is allergic to. I have done desensitising injections. I feed him raw and struggle at times to find novel protein sources so I can repeat food elimination diets with him. He cannot have contact with grass or plants without becoming extremely itchy hours later. I have to put towels down on the back lawn for him to lay on when he eats his bones. He is still itchy. And with most atopic dogs, he will get worse as he gets older. He is itchy all the time. And on top of being chronically itchy, he then has the 'bad itchies' after laying on grass, carpet, brushing past plants etc. Perhaps you'd like to spend some time with a dog as allergic as mine and tell me how you'd cope? After a roll in the grass, that night, he doesn't sleep. He's too itchy to sleep. If you pat him or touch him, his skin quivers because it's so itchy. If he makes it to sleep, he wakes up as soon as he moves, because the motion of his skin moving makes him itchy. He chews himself till he bleeds. So yes, I give him cortisone because it takes away his misery. I also give him cyclosporin, at $550 for a 100ml, which lasts a dog his size about 2 months. So please, don't tell me I'm taking a short cut because I have spent the last 3 years living and breathing atopy and spending a good part of every single day, doing what I can to relieve his itching as best I can, to try and keep his medication rates down. Poor Orbit. Have you tried acupuncture? This has worked wonders for my Shar Pei and for a friends Lab. Her Lab Jordy sounds very much like Orbit, she tried everything (even turned poor meat loving Jordy Vegetarian!) Acupuncture has almost cured him and now he is able enjoy a far happier and scratch free life. Hope you and poor Orbit can find some relief soon.

Have you tried grinding up the meaty bones first? That way there wont be big chunks of bone to swallow. For smaller dogs chicken necks or wings are fantastic. If your dog doesn't chew them properly try grinding them up too. I always recommend that when feeding bones that the caregivers are present, just incase. Better safe than sorry.

Reading Dr Billinghurst books have changed both mine and my dogs life's. My dogs health encouraged me to become more educated about animal nutrition, and it has ended up with me becoming a fully qualified small animal nutritionist. My year long course taught me so much about dogs and their correct nutrition requirements. Having sold commercial dog food for a few years, I had been brainwashed about how good this 'processed crap in a bag' really was. I was very skeptical about the whole natural dog diet info at first. Let me just say that until you have read Dr Billinghursts books and have fully committed to the natural way of feeding, then don't knock it. This diet makes so much sense and most of all it works!! I own Shar Pei and found that my girls were having a lot of skin problems. I didn't want to keep medicating them and the 'special really expensive' vet food just wasn't the answer. I have now had all my dogs on Barf and the core ingredients for over four years and am amazed at the difference. Other Shar Pei owners ask me what my secret is to keeping my girls looking and being so healthy, I tell them BARF, and recommend that they read Dr Billinghursts books. I often have people say that it doesn't matter how much they fed their dogs, they just cant keep the weight on them. Solution = BARF I have had many rescue dogs come to me in very poor condition and within a few weeks of eating BARF the difference is amazing. Probably the best thing about BARF is that because the food is so nutritious the body uses up most it, which means LESS DOG POO to pick up!!

I always wanted a 'lassie' dog - as I was addicted to the show. I think I honestly believed that every rough collie would be just like her. Instead our family had a crazy red setter, who was definitely not anything like Lassie. I loved her all the same and she put up with anything us kids did to her. Sometimes we would dress her up, make her pull us along on our bikes, give her haircuts or new hairstyles or get her to eat the food that mum was making us eat. I believe that every child should be able to experience the special bond and friendship that owning a dog provides. RIP Bluey - May there be lots of Rabbits in Heaven.

Garlic is a great appetite stimulant for dogs, but don't over do it. One small clove each day is more than enough for a large dog. Have you tried tuna or adding a small amount of fish oil? Even try blending a little of the water that the canned tuna has been into the food. I would even try lightly cooking up some mince, the smell alone seems to have most dogs salivating. Try lightly warming up the food, as this increases all the yummy smells. When dogs get older, their sense of smell isn't as good any more and if the food doesn't smell appetizing, they're more reluctant to eat. Roast chicken and chicken broth also works wonders. May I also suggest massage and acupuncture as a natural way to help look after an older dog. There are many acupuncture points that can be used to increase appetite. Hope this helps

I have two Shar Pei too. Got to say they are both pretty good looking as well. If you are interested in Shar Pei and rescue dogs please feel free to join our facebook page - Shar Pei Rescue Australia Maybe you could do a Shar Pei Calendar Helen??

Doggie Foster Carers NeededShar Pei Rescue Australia is urgently seeking people to become temporary doggie foster parents. Fostering is not a life time commitment – it is an act of love by sharing your home for a few weeks or months. As a foster parent you commit to care for a dog in a loving and safe environment until a suitable permanent home is found. Shar Pei Rescue Australia supports all our foster carers by providing individual training that is required. We are recognized as an ethical rescue group. When looking for ethical rescue groups to support PLEASE look at Petrescue first! Petrescue only lists groups that follow the correct rescue procedures and protocols. Unfortunately some people are supporting unethical rescue groups without realizing it. To be considered as a foster carer with our group you will have: - a love of animals, compassion and the patience to provide a positive environment. - a securely fenced yard and safe home environment. - time to spend with the foster dog. - if you have any existing pets' they will be vaccinated and able to live with a newcomer. - no plans to go on holidays or move in the near future. - approval from other family members & your landlord if required. - a willingness to introduce the dog to new experiences, other animals and to teach good manners. - the ability to work with our rescue group to educate people about rescue dogs. - we cover all vet costs. - the patience to assist the dog to overcome problems or undesirable behaviors should they arise. Should your circumstances change, you are able to return the dog to us, but you will need to give our group plenty of time to find another foster carer. It's a big commitment and definitely not a job for everyone, but knowing you helped save and change a dogs life, is an incredibly rewarding experience. If you are interested in fostering or adopting a dog please contact us: Inga Carnell - 0408 880916 or Heather Robey - 0422 893 914 or email [email protected]

The Greyhound Owners, Trainers and Breeders Coursing club of SA has a straight track at Virginia that they do greyhound coursing at and apparently other breeds are welcome to try out, on non race days..I was going to investigate this a while ago but never got around to it. I'd love to check this out! What breeds of dogs do you guys have out of curiosity? Mine is an Italian Greyhound.. we've been training him agility but he's just too bloody fast and wont let me keep up.. I think he'd be much better at lure coursing seeing as he loves to chase things! lol Mine is american staffy who has a very high prey drive and two very lazy Shar Pei Lets hope we can find something between us

Can anyone tell me where I could try line / lure coursing in Adelaide South Australia? I have a dog that I think would really love it and would like to give her a go.

I cant wait to see this movie !!! I won a free family pass to go see it. I had to submit a picture of my dog wearing a funny hat. Wouldnt you know it, I actually have a few of those already. So much to Missy's disgust I submitted one of her wearing a pink and black beanie & she won!!! So Miss Squish and I are going off to the movies this weekend. And feedback on how the movie is???? Looks fantastic!!!

Once defrosting meat you should Never re freeze it !!! Put it in the fridge and it will be ok for up to a week.

I wont support pet shops who sell puppies... Its wrong!! Surely it would be better for them to put up posters of dogs currently in shelters needing a home. I know they would lose money, but it would stop so many impulse buyers buying the wrong breed or ended up with a dog who has genetic health problems. I often see these cute puppies in the pet shops and think you poor things...God only knows how your life is going to be.

Wait until I tell my dogs about this...They think they have it bad when I forget to turn on their side of my beds electric blanket. lol

Well Done!! I think your group is amazing!! You provide so many people with great comfort in their time of need.

She should run like the wind.....I would rather go live in the pound with the rescue dog than live with someone like that!!! My dogs come first in any relationship, and anyone who is too insecure to accept that knows where the door is...lol I feel so sorry for you having to watch it all go on...must be tough x

This works really well for any dogs that show food aggression. Unfortunately the bowl still symbolizes food. Separate them when feeding, I always put my more dominate bitches food down first. Also be careful to separate them when feeding bones or tasty longer lasting treats. Seek professional help asap - the cost of a professional behaviorist could end up being a lot less than the expensive on-going vet bills. I would de-sex your other bitch - Why leave her entire?

I love the one of Mojo with the picnic basket. She is such a supermodel

Shar Pei Rescue Australia is seeking a business or corporate lawyer to help us with some urgent business documents. We cant afford to pay big bucks because all our money goes into the rescue and rehabilitation of dogs. Ideally we would like someone who could offer their services, and in return they would be listed as a sponsor on our newly created website. We dont have a lot of work but enough that we need to employ someones professional services. We can work around the hours they are available - eg: weekends, nights, daytime etc Please pm myself or misssquish for more information.

Hope this helps a little Always be careful to use natural fertilizers and plant food etc, and never lay snail bait... Good luck with your garden...I know my puppies love nothing more than to garden....They always end up re-planting everything I plant and love the smelly fish fertilizer.... Plants Bulbs Daffodils Lilles Rhododendron Ivy Wandering Dew Wisteria Lantana Berries Poinsettias Mistletoe Azalea Agapanthus Cedar Berries Oleander Tulips Hydrangea Dracaena Aloe Vera Products Rat Poison Tobacco Xylitol Pesticides Brake Fluid Anti-Freeze Weed Killer Snail Bait Cockroach Bait Insecticides Fertilizers Herbicides Bleach Plant Food Citronella Human Toothpaste Foods Onions Coffee & Tea Chocolate Alcohol Avocado Grapes & Raisins Baking Powder & Soda Macadamia nuts Fruit Pips Rhubarb leaves Yeast dough/Bread Tomato leaves & stems Hops Potato leaves and stems Walnuts Alfalfa Artificial sweetener Candy Moldy Food Milk Medicines Paracetamol Diet Pills Anti-depressants Cold Medicines Tylonal Phenytoin

I'd have to say YES eating a possum could make your dog ill. Possums do carry a range of parasites and pathogens. I would be careful, because besides the easy to fix the things like worms and parasites, possums do carry diseases such as Toxoplasmosis and Leptospirosis Both can be transferred to your dog and can cause major problems. One of the major signs of both of these is fatigue. Also I would be careful that the possum hasn't been poisoned (hence the reason why your dog was able to catch it in the first place) My advice would be to visit or contact your local vet for more advice

Bummer...I was hoping to make this meet... Been in bed all week with the flu... Looks like next months meet is booked in for me. Chocolate Slice sounded so yummy too. Maybe Miss Squish can drop me around some???? Hope you all stay warm and dry... See you next meet

I heard a terrible story about how healthy young ex- racing greyhounds, that don't make the grade are taken to vets and slowly drained of all their blood. Apparently the greyhound owner gets $50 per dog for doing this. I was so upset about it that I googled it to find out if it was true and why greyhounds. I found out that apparently greyhounds have a special type of blood that can be used for a few different doggie blood types. And Yes, its true...How shameful...This is where I think people who rescue greyhounds deserve an extra pat on the back.

I have done the same. It makes perfect sense. If you love your animals you want to know that they will be cared for if your not around. I had to visit 3 lawyers, to find one who would write the will the way I wanted it to be written. Unfortunately a lot of people don't even have wills, and never think of what would happen if.... I sleep better at night knowing that the people and animals I love will be looked after the way they deserve to be if I die. I'd hate to think my pets could end up on the RSPCA/Animal Welfare Leagues chopping block.

The moving excuse drives me insane.... I actually wonder if half the people are really moving???? or if they are too lazy to come up with another excuse. I often ask them where they are moving..just to make them uncomfortable. I have moved interstate and to numerous homes, and it has NEVER been a problem to take my pets with me. If the place I am looking at isn't pet friendly, I just don't move there. I worked with a lady who is a guide dog trainer and she has taken her dog with her from America to London from London to Sydney from Sydney to Adelaide, now try and tell me that I'm moving house is an excuse!! You commit to a pet for its entire life...The good and the bads...The young and the olds....Healthy and the sick. Just as your pet commits its entire life to loving you....It doesnt matter to them if you are ....Fat and Ugly...Healthy or sick....Rich or Poor...Young or old...They love you unconditionally and that is the biggest lesson mankind has to learn from their pets

I am honestly sick of hearing some of the poor excuses people come up with for why they are re-homing or surrendering their pet/s. I know there are some really experienced animal rescuers on here, and thought it might be a bit of fun to share some of the most stupidest and poor excuses that we have heard for abandoning a pet. For example: I once had a lady who was re-homing a great dane because he grew too big??? or the famous one....We are moving house Please share the excuses you've heard