~Anne~

I have had a couple of people over the years ask or assume my dogs (all Pugs) are mini 'mastiffs'

Pru, a little teeny tiny black Pug was taken into care by Jacq, from Cordelia's Rescue, in early 2005. In late February Pru, and her daughter Prescilla, came to me to be fostered. They were my first ever rescue Pugs I cared for. It was these two that spurred me onto becoming a rescuer for Pugs. Pru, who was 7 when she came into care, went to a beautiful new home and to a loving and caring owner, Georgia, who later became a Pug foster carer for my rescue. Georgia lavished Pru with love and care. Pru underwent life saving surgery for her breathing and surgery on her spine and survived it all. She was fiesty, cuddly and adored her owner. I have just found out that Pru died in Georgia's arms this morning. I am sure Georgia won't mind if I quote the words she wrote about Pru on antoher forum here; Rest in peace Princess Pru.

If you want to go further, Bombo beach apparently has a leash free section.

It't Ted Humphries out there isn't it?

(bolded bit) That would be my worry about letting the dog pass out first. Peres, I know in your situation it worked in your favour, but it leaves you little time really if the object is lodged tightly. I'd rather stick an object in across the jaw, if possible, and or risk being bitten by putting my hand in if I had to. I guess if the dog was madly thrashing or aggressive then maybe I would opt for your suggestion. I have watched one dog die while choking, and many live after having the item reomoved by someone or the dog itself. Wtaching a dog die while you desparately try to dislodge something is horrifying. It will haunt me forever. Thankfully it wasn't one of mine, but it was still devstating and I couldn't do anything to stop it.

The idea of waiting till the dog passes out is not the safest plan in my view. Firstly, unless you know without doubt that you can remove the object that is choking the dog quickly and easily, you are risking death. Secondly, if the dog has passed out, it means that oxygen is so low that damage to organs are about to occur.

I had a dog staying with me for a bit and she broke into the pantry one day and tried to eat arborio rice. I swear to god one of my dogs came and warned me about it. It was hilarious. She really looked like she was dobbing on the 'intruder' i have had a dobber dog before and they do tell on the naughty dogs ;) i think we humanise dogs because the language we use does this, we speak using words that we are familiar with and that others understand...doesn't mean that this is bad for the dogs Not sure it is just language though.

So, how did it go? I hope you come back here with great news.

Do you ever say your dogs are happy? Because technically that is anthropomorphising given we don't know whether dogs experience "happiness" the way we do. Dogs do experience some emotions. They are not devoid of feeling. They have sensory capacity. They are 'sentient'ebings. They wag their tails, they show fear, they feel hunger. They are not devoid of emotion and stating that to say a dog is happy is humanising it is taking the debate too far and mis-using the meaning of anthropomorphising. I do not treat my dogs like pet rocks. But I also do not treat them as little humans in fur suits. I actually buy them new toys, and I look forward to watching them revel in the exploration of a new toy. However, I do not buy them a 'gift' nor do I give them gifts when celebrating human based holidays such as Christmas. There is a total difference between providing them with a new toy and taking pleasure in doing this, and buying a gift (in particular wrappig it...) and giving it in some kind of ceremonial way as if the dog understands. I provide them with jackets to wear in Winter during the night, as they get cold. I do this for their comfort.' I do not dress them to make them look pretty or because I want them to look cute. Mind you, dressing a dog for a simple bit of fun is not so adversive in my mind. There is no harm in the ocassional fun and it enhances a families experience with their dogs some times. I provide them with a soft bed, fresh food, I play games with them. I do not humanise them. My dogs are dogs. They eat poo, they sniff each other's butts, they do things that dogs do and I do not think of them as 'my family'.

Yes. But then, I hyave also been known to talk to the air, myself and furniture. I have spoken to my car, computer and other objects too. Not much different to those who do anthropomorphise then ... on all counts. Actually, I think there is quite a bit of difference Sheridan. Although, predicatably, I knew you would try to claim talking to yourself and inanimate objects was anthropomorphising. The meaning of anthropomorphise is: Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press: anthropomorphism /ˌanθrəpəˈmɔːfɪz(ə)m/ ▶noun the attribution of human characteristics or behaviour to a god, animal, or object. – derivatives anthropomorphize (or anthropomorphise) verb. I am not, in anyway at all, attributing human characteristics to the air, furniture or my animals by talking out allowed ALOUD to them. I do not expect an answer from furniture or a dog, nor do I expect that my spoken words are understood by anything apart from myself.

Yes. But then, I hyave also been known to talk to the air, myself and furniture. I have spoken to my car, computer and other objects too.

I think personally that it is incredibly dangerous and the effects of humanising dogs is already seen. Let dogs be dogs. My dogs are not bought birthday or chritsmas gifts, I don't refer to them as my 'furkids' nor am I their mummy and my husband is not their daddy. They don't sleep me with, nor do I expect that I will take them everywhere with me so they don't get 'upset or offended' at being left out. They are dogs. Animals. I love them, I care for them, and they are my companions but that is as far as it goes. I understand 100% that they are a dog.

Have you tested them out yet Hesa? I need a general cleaning odour control product (not for cats, just the normal dogs). INterested to see a frank report on the product.

What a lovely story Mita. I love beautiful endings. I am not an overly emotional person on the outside so I was effectively able to deal with those who were very upset about their animals. I was able to detach myself and offer comfort without being seen as too remote or too attached. I think this worked well as a Vet Nurse.

Good luck. Stay positive.

It is assigned seating. However, if you have preference of who you would like to sit with, you can let them know and they will arrange it.

I understand that someone has to do that, but I simply couldn't work in a place like that. Too soft. We operated similarly with greyhounds. Every day there were hounds to pts. My very first day as a Vet Nurse, I was given a 'practical lesson' in finding a vein and injecting a dog with valabarb. We did it on the floor normally and with two nurses where possible so one could catch the head of the dog and support the body so when they sunk or dropped, you didn't hear the thud.

RIP Lucky. Sorry Horus.

For many years we reared joeys to adulthood on cow's milk .. powdered! it was all we had- the formulae hadn't been invented then! Most of them did ok Maybe the podered milk is different or they were also feeding him something else that caused him to scour. My recollection was though that the Vet declared it was the cows milk and gave them advice on an alternative. He certainly wasn't scouring when he came back in to have his leg plastered, although he was not soley on milk at that point either I don't think.

One Vet I worked for was the President of the RSPCA in NSW at the time. We saw many of their cases, including one case, where the dogs ears had been cut off while he was alive becuase they had identifying tattoos and he was then buried alive. Another, a little foxy cross had it jaw wired closed becuase it barked. This resulted in a lack of oxygen and brain damage. He was very cute but would begin turning in circles and couldn't stop until he held him. You could see the wire marks around his muxxle where it had cut in to him. Still, the worst though, not with injury but sustained abuse and neglect was a joey. The joey came in because it was badly scouring. The Vet treated it and then let it go back home with the owners when it was obvious they had no idea how to care for it. They were feeding it cows milk! Several weeks later it returned with a broken hind leg. A kangaroo, with a broken hind leg! I was irate and wanted to hold the animal so that WIRES could collect it but the Vet wouldn't let me. I can't imagine what the poor thing was being put through. I should have taken further action against them, but at the time, I was young and you don't always follow thorugh like you should I guess.

Good job Rainy!

Great to hear Marg is coming again!

I don't holiday with them, because for some part of it, it is why I go n holidays! My dogs are lovely, but Monte in particular is hard work. He has to be medicated with a strict regime, which requires 5am starts 365 days a year and he normally wakes earlier then this and cries until his is fed and medicated. I am a clean freak and so I clean up non-stop after them, again, mainly because of Monte. I go on holiday to enjoy myself and relax and to have an advenutre, and I can not do that if I bring the dogs with me. I love them but there is only so much I can toelrate.

Monte's licking isn't OCD, but as a consequence of his epilpesy and his medications. It isn't a behaviour that can be modified unless I wanted to stick a muzzle on him. I do think the muzzle would be great if I ever found a suitable one, as this would stop him eating poo as well, another action of his that can not be modified and another one that we just 'live with' because we adore him... we just don;t cuddle too close to his face .

Monte drives me spare with his licking and it isn't just bare legs! he will lick my legs even if I have pants on. He also walks along licking the floor and so all we see day in and out are big fat snail trails along the floor left by his toungue. Eeergh!