~Anne~

Yes, I so totally agree.

I can't beleive anyome would watch the video and expect that it is truthful WHERE is the evidence of anything that is claimed? Seriously. You see a GSD that is obviously not fabulously cared for and then you see a dog that appears to be it dead with a head wound. Where is the evidence that the RSPCA killed the dog at all or that they killed it needlessly or so grpahically if they did? What about the person who took all the pics? Why were they taking the pics? Only a fool would watch such a thing and take it as gospel.

OMG - that is so based on my Pugs!

I'll answer for her (and secretly I think she needs to stamp this on her forehead) - it is best to email her: [email protected]

Who is 'they'? I don't beleive this theory at nay rate, regardless of who 'they' are... unless 'they' are radical extremists in general. I find it more plausible to believe that when people call for change, they don't think it through and look ahead. They only see their small parametre of what they feel needs changing. The impact of this shortsightedness and blinkered view is that the net is cast far wider than intended. I also feel it is our gross entanglement of legislation, and those that create and manage it, and laws that compunds the issues.

It is the definition that is the crux. The definition of a puppy farm could be any breeding establishment. Maybe you are saying it more clearly than me - But how come they don't get it? Is it the way I hold my mouth?

It is the definition that is the crux. The definition of a puppy farm could be any breeding establishment.

I believe that Pugs are born this way, it isn't anything to do with training. They view food so highly and are gluttons. I don't understand why that doesn't transfer to humans though as well, but I am gald it doesn't. I am not sure if the aggression itself is a genetic trait though, but more so the genetic trait of gluttony would be the cause??? My estimation of 40% is possibly a tad conservative to be honest. In the last 5 years, I have had over 55 adult Pugs come through my rescue and not one showed any aggression towards me if I went for their food. Many would inhale it all the more quickly if they thought I wanted to take it, but they would not growl or show any signs of aggression. Some however were VERY reactive to other dogs and one would attack another dog that was more than 2 metres away from them while they ate! Edited to add - resource guarding of toys was not as common as food guarding.

I would say that at least 40% of all of the Pugs Ihave known show food aggression to other dogs, not humans though. Which are you referring to?

Hotspots are a fungal infection and can be made worse by heat and humidity. I always clip the hair away from the spot and I apply a cream specific for the purpose (of which the name always escapes me off-hand!). I have also heard of people using curash powder on hot spots with success, among many other things. I was a little confused reading your first post (and I still am a little confused) as you said 'hot spot' in the title but 'cut' in the post. A cut is not a hot spot and both would be treated differently. You can bath him whenever you like I would think, but ensure you dry the offending area really well. Edited - I just read the remainder of the thread and can see it wasn't actually a hot spot but a wound that became infected.

Then make it food. One of mine, Olivia, has a hisotry of bladder stone surgery and so I encourage her to drink. She can be fussy with water and will not drink unless it is fresh, fresh and just poured in fresh. Literally. I have her drinking a bowl of fluid each morning by adding broth to the water and warming it up. I will also give her pet milk mixed with water. The first few times I offered her the broth she turned her nose up at it, but by the end of the first week she was gutsing it down. She will drink this until she bursts now! My cat is getting on in her years and to ensure her bladder health I have started to add water to her food, just like other posters do with their dogs.

My dogs are less inclined to use the grass when it is long or wet. They will toilet on the paved area during these times. This also happens to be a great incentive for my husband to mow the lawns often.

The canine councils are registires only, not advocay groups (in general). Hence why they are slow to react. It is not their function nor was it an intended function. Pedigree dog breeders would be better placed supporting groups such as the MDBA who are advocates and will lobby where needed.

From the RSPCA.org website. Someone else may also be able to clarify which databases are checked routinely, particularly in NSW. I can vaguely recall comments about NSW pounds only checking certain registries but I might have this wrong. It is safe to assume though that if you register with every database Australia wide, you *should* be ok.

There are several databases. Most states deal with their own but there are some databases that are utilised by more than one state. NSW has a standalone database. Vic and SA use the same and I am not really clear about all of the others. If it were me, I would take the time and pay any fees applicable to list the chip on ALL databases where possible.

No. Not the case as we the members have not been officially notified of any such decision. That doesn't seem to be an unusual thing either sadly.

I assume you've advised the obvious such as - make sure the Pugs are slim. The leaner they are, the more easily they will handle the humidity. Also tell them to watch for hot spots if they are double coated with manes. They'll have no chance of aclimatising and will possibly suffer serious problems with the change if they are fat or obese.

I am not saying to not act with caution. I am simply stating that there is no need to be assuming, just return and retireve the meat and have it tested. If I seriously thought I found meat that was baited, I would have it tested to be sure particularly that you know where the offending meat balls are, then the council and Police WILL take action. Otherwise, it is just guess work and no-one really knows and the dogs that come along after you are at risk because you don't have the resources that the Police and Council do.

For MM This is 'Dot' with Cookie and Cookie's 'brother', Patch.

People feeding maggies perhaps? There could be any number of explanations.

I would go back and retrieve the meat balls for testing perhaps. It may be nothing at all.

I allowed an elderly woman to adopt my Cookie (for those who followed my rescues, you'll remember Cookie had terribly deformed legs and a smashed leg and hip). I know that (we'll call her Dot) Dot is very elderly and that her time may be limited. Her daughter was a part of the adoption process and we spoke about what would happen if Dot became too frail or if Cookie's medical needs became a burden. I offered to take Cookie back at any point in time regardless of why, as you normally do with a rescue anyway. To this day, Dot and I regularly correspond in the beautiful old fashioned way of letter writing. I hope that she enjoys good health for a while to come but I also know that probability is against her (she is in her 80's.) I would never hesitate to allow an elderly person to adopt the right dog. I would, as I have here, put in the extra effort to maintain contact and reassure them that I will always be there to help and take the dog back if the worse happens. Dot loves Cookie and Patch, her other dog, and her life is so much richer for having her two dogs in it. Cookie's life is also enriched for having such a beautiful woman love her for however long it lasts.

Speaking of pet shops - I saw a sight that horrified me a tad today. A well known pet shop in Parramatta Westfields. The bottom glass cage was covered in newspaper so you couldnt view inside and a sign on the outside stated something along the lines of "We are being treated for an illness. Please feel free to ask the staff questions" I didn't ask questions as I was too horrified. An illnesss? WHAT illness requires you to totally cover the glass in newspaper, but leave the dogs well within the public arena? I peeked through and could see only one dog, a black Lab looking pup, no sign of diarrohoea or vomit in the cage. The poor dog could not see anything but newspaper. How absurd. Can anyone shed light on this?

Thanks for the reply souff but if i want to reply a diffrent way i feel i can! To tell the truth i feel i have enough posts at the moment on this topic and im still looking into alot of the info and websites posted and i dont want to be felt pressured for a quick reply. I will reply from the first few posts first, then work my way down! I want to reasurch a few topics and return with answers later on. There is no time limit so im going to take my time, and do it at my own free will. But like i said, its time for me to get off the computer and go and enjoy the weekend, after a working week! Samantha Good on you for taking the time to consdier all aspects. Have a good weekend!

Your topic is one that is prone to generate lots of discussion. By the way, welcome to the forum. You have a while to wait so you have time to read, listen and dissect the advice given. Good luck. Edited to add - knowing what I know and seeing what I have seen, I'd be inclined to desex her.