~Anne~

The angst felt about the RSPCA you'll note comes primarily from purebred dog breeders. I personally don't think all of it is fair, justified or even factual for that matter and I feel some of it borders on hysteria at best, however it is true that the RSPCA has not been a friend to registered breeders all the time. Historically, the tail docking debate seems to be when the support of the orgnisation began to wane for breeders as they didn't want to be told they could not dock. On DOL, many have personal feelings, such as those expressed by SBT above, due to the case against another DOLer. What I think needs to be pointed out is that the opinions expressed on DOL are often very limited in their focus. DOL members are probably only account for less than 0.005 of the Australian dog owning population, and registered breeders are only about 1%, so this should be kept in perspective. Don't take it to heart Chocolatelover, each to their own. The RSPCA is not about to come tumbling down becuase a minority hate them, although it certainly might help the RSPCA pick their socks up on their failings and become more accountable and it is the accountability issue which I think is the biggest issue. I feel the organisation has its faults, but it also has its many merits.

I think it depends on where, why and how. We had a Lab x Bull Terrier who would rip your arms off if you went within cooee of him eating. We were dumb enough to be bitten by him before we learned to take a wide berth. The bites were never serious at all, more warnings I guess than bites, but we were only ever warned by my parents to steer clear They would never have considered him a bad dog, moreso they would think we were asking for trouble if we didn't learn and stay away. Our favourite little Sheltie next door bit a few different kids, usually because they manhandled him which he didn't like (in my neighbourhood, all of the dogs roamed freely except for the Sheltie who was frequently tied up and yapping in his misery). Again, he was never euth'd, we were just told straight out to leave him alone. Big Red was a cattle dog that lived across the road. He was a nasty fat dog but Bill, his owner, loved him. When Big Red escaped his yard, we all trembled and ran inside and someone would have to ring Bill to let him know he was out. No-one went near Big Red because he did quite a bit of damage to the garbo early one morning. I am not stating anything of this to begin a debate on who was irresponsible either, just to point out that there was never any set rules to my knowledge. As children, we were taught to respect dogs as animals. Unpredictable, easy going or anything in between. I am sure if there was a severe mauling of a child, that more action may have been taken but it certainly wasn't common in my neighbourhood to euth dogs unless they were in pain and severely ill. These days, we have become euthanasia happy. We euthanase dogs at will, as we choose. Too many dogs - euth them. Dog barks too much - euth it. Dog aggressive - euth it. Is this right or worng? It depends on context and individual circumstances with some, others are just plain wrong. Anyway, back tot he actual topic - I have taken it on a little side path.

If they have included the recpercussions and fallout in their new business plan, such as where the animals will then go, I can't see it being such a bad thing. One of the reasons why the RSPCA in Australia has problems is the business units or streams it carries do not neccessarily work well together. A charity, a shelter, a Vet Hospital, an enforcer, and investigator and more. Perhaps if the different streams have a smaller focus, they can operate more efficiently.

Wow, would they be a record?? I don't know much about Gt Danes but I would think that the 'general' rule of larger breed, shorter life span applies and so 19 would be a huge milestone wouldn't it?

I don;t even understand why there is any debate about it. Each to their own. You know what, I hate Fords and Holdens and will not own one as I feel Mazdas are superior. Who gives a flying F though? Your choice of breed, dog, xbreed, cat and even shoe style is all a matter of personal choice.

Aloveen.

I agree, but also that environment and luck also come into it. The debate about which is the best type of food to feed dogs borders on hysterical mania at best. I am so tired of hearing people say that commerical foods kill dogs or that commercial feeders are somehow slack in their care of their dogs. Dogs can and do live to ripe old ages when fed barf or raw and they can and do live to ripe old ages when fed commercial diets.

I had a rescue come in that was chipped os. We simply had the Vet scan her, and register the chip on our NSW database (thanks Rappie )

I have three Pugs and a moggy. They aren't cuddle buddies but they can all sit beside each other without any worries and co-exist peacefully. We think Molly, the moggy, may be a Ragdoll x as she has points, longish fur and blue eyes.

Me too! In fact, I have two in one package.

I have had several blind and almost blind rescue Pugs come through. Pugs are pretty easy going and generally not overly timid or sensitive so they do handle things quite well. The first totally blind Pug that came through was Ralphy. Ralphy still had most of his hearing so this helped a lot. He spent a few days working out the layout before he was totally comfortable and he gradually widened his area of investigation to include the entire downstairs of the house and the yard. Having other dogs for him to follow (through sound and smell) helped a great deal. Navey was blind and almost totally deaf so he couldn't even hear the other dogs, but again, it didn't take him long before he worked out where everything was. I tis important that you place things in one position and do not move them. If at the old house, you had mats at the doors then keep those mats at the door in the new one. Try to replicate the textures and itmes where you can. Mats are good to use as signals before steps. Scents are also good to use to signal danger, steps, water bowls and beds. We used a combination of scents including eucalyptus, lavendar, citronella (danger areas) and vanilla. There are many that you can use though. Personally, I'd be inlcined to restrict his movement areas for the first few days so he can firstly get used to smells and sounds of the new home. If he feels comfortable and confident on lead, put him on lead to walk him from inside to outside and other short walks he might take as part of his normal day. Block off open areas for the mean while until he build his knowledge in his mind of where very thing is.

Sounds great!

How's Lola today? I trust she has bounced back to her old self almost. Eventually, their need for food over rides the fact they have a sore throat.

The latest report in the Daily Telegraph in Sydney said the dog was tied up at a special dog station. Thses stations have been popping up apparently all over the place. The eldest girl patted the dog and there was no problem, and then a little bit later, the youngest girl bent down to pat the dog and he bit her. The dog was apparently drinking water from a bowl at the time. See here; http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw-...i-1225854291577

In the context of making a person feel guilty, it is still not right. Education through guilt doesn't lead to healthy outcomes in my world. Yes, I must admit to always finding their system at a little difficult to comprehend too.

Yes, I must admit my Vets are way cool. They know that I am interested and they know I can understand *some* of it, so they show me lots of things and go out of their way to appease my curiosity about all manner of things related to animals. I was once their Vet nurse many, many, many moons ago so they know that I have some background interest as well.

no way, when did getting a purebred dog become bad? Don't all dogs deserve good homes? Why are pound dogs more deserving than purebred dogs? I'm hesitant to point out the obvious here.... but pound dogs are at risk of death. I trust that purebred breeders aren't threatening, or actually carrying through with, euthanasia of a dog they have bred. The point though is that a rescue dog does not suit everyone and no-one should be made to feel guilty for exercising their RIGHT to choose where they purchase a dog from. It doesn't do rescue any favours having zealots use this line of coercion. By the same token though, I have seen many, many people make people feel guilty for buying a byb dog or pet shop dog..... food for thought.

I am not sure there is any evidence to suggest they are living longer, and I would be interested to see it if there was though. I have known Pugs that have lived till they were 16. I believe the average is around 13/14. My Pugs are; Monte - 7.5 Boofy - 7 Olivia - 5.5 The oldest Pug I have ever personally owned was Rosie, who was around 15 when she died.

I would never use stock purchased from s supermarket for my dogs. It is filled with salt, even the low salt versions are. Make your own. Boil up some of those chicken piece and even some veges, pour the fluid off and freeze it in small containers to use when needed.

That is such a fallacy.

I feed both morning and night but the morning meal is mainly a sniff and a lick (and a drink), except for the epileptic boy. He needs food with his meds.

Wow, that was a lot! Glad to hear she is through it and going well. Olivia's palate was the same. The Vets, and I, were amazed at how much needed resecting. They even took a pic for me to show me. As you can see in the pic, it is astounding she was getting any air at all. I imagine that Lola's probably looked very similar.

There is an increased risk of bleeding exercise, although it is not a big risk. I would let him rest for a few days if you can. If not, then make sure the walk is slow paced and relaxed.

It seems to me there is a weird fascintation with "blue" coloured dogs.