~Anne~

Re photos. I just lost Miss Molly, my old moggy. She was my mum's and it occurred to me today that I would have loved a photo of mum and Molly together, but I don't have any. I then realised that even though she has been with me for the last 12 years, and I have loads of photos of her, I also have none of me with her. Remember to take photos of both you and your pet together!

In 10 years? Surely not? Where are these stats from?

All Vets do different things. When I worked in Fairfield in Sydney, the animals were collected by Council. When I worked for a Vet at Chipping Norton, we stored them in a freezer before taking them over regularly to the RSPCA's furncae at Yagoona. When I worked for a Vet in Liverpool, we took them to the local tip, and they were not placed in any specific medical waste area.

Do you actually need 'clearance' though to quote someone? I wouldn't have thought you did, particularly if the quote has already been 'quoted' and taken from another article.

Yes, anyone can go and you can wander around as much as you like.

Really? They are like bums these day's. Yes, totally agree. As I said, I have a couple myself. Still, in the world of symbolism, they are not thought of as wholesome, family orientated images regardless of what you or I think of them and they are best not linked with a breed that currently is not thought of in a postive light. Marketing is largely about perception.

Tattoos are still associated with defiance, non-complaince, a rougher edge. When linking things with a subject that you want to give a softer edge to, you don't select icons that go against the grain. For example, when you think of the great outdoors and summer, you might picture a bbq or the beach. You might picture a swimming pool or a balnket under the shade of a tree. You wouldn't picture a snowman or blustery winds. You wouldn't picture a thick coat and a scarf. If you want to convey a black box as something sweet and tasty, you might have chocolate or creamy custard filling the box or display images that relate to things that are sweet.

Keira, I am aware that large numbers of people have tattoos (although I would seriously argue 50%) and I myself also have a couple. However, as I said, from a marketing point of view they are seen as a negative.

It would depend on 'why' I didn't like them and how much I disliked them.

I am not sure it showed anyone was failing to abide by legislation unless you have information on the dates the pictures were taken?? However, from a marketing viewpoint, it sends mixed messages and will not help promote the breed I wouldn;t think. The picstures of tattoos (still considered largely unacceptable in the general domain rightly or worngly) and the images of fighting and reference to this in the breed developemt will only count against them. The pictures aside from the above were lovely and told a warm and caring story. I thought they were fabulous.

I've owned Pugs all my life and I have never specifically sought out a "brachy specialist", just a good all round knowledgeable Vet. There are many such Vets around. Sorry I can't help specifically with Brisbane Vets though. I am sure soemone will recommend one.

There is a woman in Kiama who takes 3 dogs at a time only and privately boards them at her home. As I understand it, she has kennels and runs, and also allows them house time if she is able to. If this is of any interest, let me know and I will pm her details to you. There is also Hanrob at Sutherland.

I just caught up on the "dob in a pb" hotline idea. How tragic. I can't fathom just how disastrous this hotline will prove to be.

I can tell you for a fact that it pales into insignificance compared with deaths and injuries caused by bicycles. Lets ban those too shall we? ;) I am sure it would pale into insignificance, however, are there stats to show it is increasing anywhere that anyone is aware of or is it just my perception?

Does anyone know if there is an increase in the numbers of humans killed or seriously injured by dogs? My perception is that the issue is ocurring with more frequency, but this may not be the reality.

Way to go Shmoo!!! To those who may not have purchased their copy of the book, I can only say - do it now!

I cant answer the poll. It is such an individual circumstance thing. I look forward to the poll result to see what the general opinion of those who respond is.

Yeah and even then they don't eat pet dogs so it was a silly comment to make. As surprising as it is people in Asia who eat dogs can also own them as pets and manage to differentiate between the 2. Crazy, I know! It's like they're like, normal human beings or something! And that is it in a nutshell. They distinguish between food and pets and it is only peopel who are practising the 'old ways' that are still eating them. Granted, China still has a lot practising the old ways but this is changing at a rate of knots. The China today is not the same as the China of 10 years ago even. SHanghai , in particular, is becoming very, very westernised. I was dumbstruck by how westernised it is. All of the dogs I saw in China looked incredibly well cared for. Most were wearing little outfits, snazzy collars and the like and were all on lead or being carried and cuddled.

I found it.

I had a dog stolen from my yard by people who claimed she was theirs. The police didnt want to know about it. If it was a boat or car they wouldnt have done something. In their words, they had no facility to hold a dog until rightful ownership was established. I had papers and everything to prove she was mine but possession in this case was 9/10's of the law. I never saw my dog again. i was devastated to the point I moved house because everytime i entered the building I expected her to be there I still have her rego tags, bowls, toys etc.. Even the council didnt want to know about it, everyone kept passing the buck. As much as it is wrong and irresponsible, I would have taken the law into my hands in this example. I would have retrieved her using force.

Exactly. The story doesn't add up.

Yes, you can change address with any Council. You can't change it through the DLG though which is what I was conveying. I am not sure about Renbury, as a private org, being able to change the database but I'll take your word for it. The last I heard, not even the RSCPA had access to change and add details.

Your dogs are not registered with the local council if you live in NSW. You may have submitted the papers at the council but they are all registered with the state, not the council as no council has a register anymore. Check their registration papers and you will find that they are on the NSW Govt Companion Animals Register and this is where you need to do the change of address. The councils can set a number limit that they can enforce only if they receive complaints, otherwise you are free to have as many as you want so long as they are state registered, correctly cared for and the neighbours don't complain. You still change the microchip address with the local Council. Local Councils administer the database in NSW and are the only ones who can access the databse to edit and change detail. The Department of Local Government (a State Government Department) develops and implements the policies and laws. Local Councils then enforce them.

This.

If I threw them out, I'd be spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars each year on blankets given how often I wash them. I am loving my new top loader. Its as big a house and I can shove everything in. I've only had it since last night and I have alredy done 3 loads. Ahh, such a joy to wash again!