~Anne~

I am not a camera enthusiast though, nor a photographer ammateur or otherwise, so I prefer to create my look using software.

Pugger, just like humans, some dogs are more easily prone to weight gain. One of my boys, Boofy, is one such Pug. Monte on the on the other hand easily maintains weight and he will drop it within a few days if he puts some on and I redcue his intake. Boof though is really hard to shift weight from. I have to really pull out all stops to trim him down if he puts it on and we are on a never ending cycle with him. Olivia is like Monte thankfully. Up his vege intake of high water content veges such as cabbage to help make him feel full without the calories and reduce his kibble and or meat a little.

The sad thing is that in the middle of this is a dog. A dog that is a family dog. A happy dog. A dog that looks normal, acts normal and to my knowledge, has not ever shown aggression and yet this dog, this normal everyday dog has been deemed such a potential threat that it warrants death. It is just a dog.

I agree with this. What breed of dog is he? Different breeds have different requirements at this age as well. If the theory that too much too soon is behind many dietary allergies, you are also running the risk of him developing issues when he reaches maturity by giving him such a variety of food types already. Barf and raw diets are worse than commercial foods unless you are an expert in the area of canine nutrition.

Maybe it is me, but I can not follow the instructions in that link......... Cowanbree - thanks, I'll try the instructions you've sent me and see what I can do. I find the lasso tool is only good for very clear subjects though.

I once read a thread on here where people were explaining how to blur the background of a photo using Photoshop, leaving the subject clear. There was a specific name for it and I can't think of what it is so I can't find it using the search funtion. Can anyone help me with this?

I am not one for dogs at cafe's either. However, I am happy for there to be dog friendly cafes and dog free cafes though. That way I can choose if I want to sip my flat white with furry things around me or not.

Glad to hear the little dog is ok. Sounds like he was lucky. I've never heard of cat poo poisoning. My dogs love going on a scavenger hunt to see where the cat has gone to the bathroom. It's disgusting when they find it and eat it, but I never thought it could be doing them harm. What are the signs of them being poisoned from it? Mine too. I have to actually race in as soon as my cat has used the litter tray to clean it out befopre the dog's get to it. They have all eaten cat poo a billion times when I haven't relaised quick enough that she has just been to the toilet.

I am not so sure of this though. I think it is a matter of what you think they are saying. No-one has the time to put a paragraph in their post explaiing what they think a puppy farmer is. In my view, most think like I do. A puppy farmer is ANYONE who breeds large amounts of dogs for sale. They are farming dogs. What is large? That can be answered with that saying of 'how long is a piece of string'. To me, it might be only 5 dogs, but it is the primary purpose of *why* they are breeding those 5 dogs regularly that answers my criteria on them being a farmer or not.

I think the important difference in determining what makes a puppy farmer is the reason 'why' large numbers of dogs are being bred (not owned, but actively breeding). The answer will not define the label neccessarily, but it will go towards definition.

I did, but obviously you didn't read anything else but that post otherwsie you might have a little more clue to what I was actually discussing. It wasn't puppy farmers or how many dogs makes a puppy farmer. But, I will extend a little more for you benefit given that I did make a statement about puppy farmers in my last post (perhaps your sense of order is a bit screwy and you thought that post 31 was in response to me??? Not sure to be honest). A puppy farmer can breed pure bred dogs. A puppy farmer can bred mongrels. A puppy farmer can be registered with their state association even.... they're still a puppy farmer. This whole discussion of 'what is a puppy farmer'is rahter pointless. People generalise about all walks of life and evrrything in it and we each have our own definition of what a puppy farmer is... and guess what - your definition is no more right than mine or Souffs or ayone elses. It is purely what we each interpret. The same goes with bybs. I define a byb as an unregistered breeder who has the ocassional or very occassional (edited: oops, meant more than occassional) litter of pups. I know many breeders though will also call registered breeders who breed inferior dogs and those who do not register their litters as byb. But, it is a long weekend ahead and I don't plan on worrying what you consider a puppy farmer is (or what excuses you want to give breeders who produce mass litters for a market) or a byb is, cause seriously, I don't care what you think. Does not look like it. It sounds like any one with more than one bitch is a puppy farmer. Anyone who needs to have an emergency C-section, loses pups post whelping or has a small litter should "give up" as their breeding stock is "not good enough for breeding". Anyone who does not keep a puppy from their litter should not breed as that is puppy farming. It does not matter that the parents have had all the necessary health tests and the puppies are all healthy, happy and are sold to loving homes who go onto live full and happy lives. Now, now, there is no need for hysterics, whic is exactly what your post reeks of. Honestly, do you not look at some posts, such as yours above, and wonder why the pet owning public look at some breeders in less than a favourable light? I mean, seriously. I wasn't even involved in the discussion about puppy farmers apart from a statement in my last post. I thought we were actually discussing my, and your, interpretation of the profit vs loss scenario? Still, you can pull outrageously exaggerated scenarios together and actually feel chuffed enough to post them like they are intelligently thought out statements. These threads are not about you personally, try to remember that.

:D Souff, you're are, if nothing else, fabulous for a laugh when you get on a roll of inconsistencies. You have a super duper Easter too now ya hear. P.S. A puppy farmer can be a registered breeder and an unregistered breeder. There is no distinction. Large numbers of dogs being bred are only being bred for one purpose and it 'aint neccessarily for quality. Not all puppy farmers keep dogs in soiled filthy cages either, but they are still none the less, a puppy farmer - purebred dogs or mutts - no diff.

No, not "possibly" at all and not "some". They DO and many do. You may not, thousands may not, but many do. As I said, I can't understand this whole thing about profit vs loss. It is not a crime to make money. It only becomes an issue when the breeder puts profit before the welfare of the breed, the dogs and the off spring. There is a similar thing in rescue. Dog help anyone who admits to making money or who admits to running at a profit. As I said, I find it fascinating. To be honest, with a healthy bitch that has a litter of healthy pups without any problems (and lets face it, isn't that one of the things you are actually breeding for??), if you don't make a profit then there is something seriously wrong with your intelligence and your breeding. You could not help but to make a profit on a most breeds of dog. Your profit may only be a few dollars and it may very well go back into your breeding program, but a profit is a profit and it is not a dirty word. Edited to add - The word 'profit' does not mean that someone is 'rolling in cash'. It simply means that there is money left over once the outgoings are tallied. Edited again to add - If there a loads of issues (emergency ceasars, failing pups) then possibly your breeding program and dogs are not good enough for breeding, or you are incredibly unlucky and perhaps should just give up.

*Nods* RIP Gherkin. So sorry for your huge loss. Me three. I am so sorry Dotty. RIP Gherkin.

I find it fascinating that people wear 'monetary loses' as a badge almost, and profits are looked down upon.

Geebus guys, he was only checking his facts and coming out to investigate. What do you expect he does, ignore complaints? Wow, lighten up and let the man do his job.

Does anyone know if the report can be found online? (apologies if this has been asked, and answered, already)

I've just bought the book this morning. I was so happy there was one in stock and I didn't need to search for it.

Given that pedigree dog breeders in this country represent about 0.1% of the population, at a guess, and about 15% of the dog/pet owning population, I am not sure that it will make any difference. Instead, that 0.1 % of the population loses face with the public for their continual agitation at anything the RSPCA, animal welfare orgs and or legislators do.

Not true for the ACT Kirty. I'd say not true for all of Australia actually. Yes, they have committed their sins, they stuff up, the focus of some are a little off, but overall they do a lot to protect dogs and cats (and other animals) across Australia. The need for some to express their frustrations or hostilities against the RSPCA blinds them to many facets of the animal welfare debate imo.

Why would they? It isn't illegal to breed a dog. Just because you don't belong to an association, which is afterall what it is, that doesn't mean you should be penalised. There is a difference in my opinion in offering top quality goods and using a membership as a signal that your goods are good and not using one. Much like a 'quality builder' might advertise that they belong to the Master Builders Association. Sorry if it doesn't make sense... I know what I mean but am having trouble putting it down.

I've seen dogs foam at the mouth when they have eaten something they disliked the taste of. It could have been anything really. If he appears to be suffering no ill effects, I would think he will be fine.

Totally agree.

I often buy toys from second stores and markets for my dogs as they destroy them often and buying them from pet stores is very costly. The biggest warning I could give is to not give stuffed toys that have sewn on hard noses or eyes. These are chewed off very quickly and become lodged in throats and intestines just as easily. I specifically look for really strong materials and stitching also.

I would ask your question here; http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...p;#entry4419271