Pretty Miss Emma

Seeing as though we're sharing cute photos of misunderstood relationships!!!! Kenzie loves cats and kittens - she knocks at the door when my cats come home to tell me to let them in and then gives them a bath as they walk in!!! The photos below are from when I had my 4 foster kittens last year. Sometimes some of them come back for a sleepover and she just picks up where she left off!! Kenzie loves playing Mum to the babies in the house!! More than happy to give nigh-night cuddles!!

Benson and Emma can hang out together now, she liked Aussie's.

You and I had the same day yesterday then. Emma and Cindy are probably galavanting together and doing things that dogs do! So sorry for you.

Thankyou everyone. Even though I don't know you all personally it really does mean a lot to know that you care.

Not a good update. Emma was put to sleep at about 4pm. her kidneys had stopped working and we could have done some treatment but there was no way I was putting my beautiful girl through something that wasn't going to do a lot for her. So Kenzie and I spent about an hour with her and then my Mum came and we all spent some time then she went away peacefully and just looked beautiful, quiet and pain free - that's all that really matters. I'm totally devastated. She was my first dog and 3.5 years is just not long enough to have together. But I have lovely memories to hold on to and my munchkin Kenzie is being a gorgeous girl. Everyone give your pups a hug from me tonight and tell them thankyou for being there with you!

They get a present (not wrapped usually a favourite type of toy) and they get something special and yummy either for dinner or as a special treat. If Emma makes it to her next birthday she will be getting a big party, although I'm not confident it's going to happen - but I'm going to plan for it anyway in hope!!

Emma is back in hospital again, hopefully only for the day. Don't know what is wrong, thought it was too much insulin but who knows. She's been a fussy eater the last 3 weeks since having her dose changed, but in the last day has refused food altogether. So sample sent off for a full blood screen hopefully that will give me some answers around lunchtime. I'm now having to live the pitfalls of adopting a senior dog, I've only had Em for 3.5 years and we have to deal with all this aging business so quickly. Not that I'd have left her to be adopted by someone else. But it feels a bit unfair that we haven't had a super long time together and we're dealing with these problems.

Emma has incontinence. Usually fine during the day but we used to have problems when she fell asleep. It did turn out that she also had diabetes so was drinking heaps and heaps as well - but in those couple of weeks before diagnosis she was having accidents all the time not just overnight. Anyway, it may be worth having a urine test done just to make sure there is no infection and possibly a blood test to rule out anything else (I'm a bit paranoid about changes these days so don't hesitate to spend the money on these tests if rules out all other possibilities!!!). But Em is on Propalin - liquid that goes in their food every 12 hours. It is very effective. She was on Stilboestrol but she became resistant to it. So that's when we moved to Propalin. the only time we have problems now is if her diabetes is out of whack, otherwise we are an accident-free household!!

Agree with lots that people have said here... -lots of space for food treats with easy accessibility -storage space for leash and toy

Just wondering if anyone has ways of making food more enticing to oldies?? I have heard of warming their food so it's a bit smellier (and probably a bit nicer so it's not cold). Em has been off her food recently (I'm hoping it's actually due to her insulin dose - should find out tomorrow), so I've been trying to do anything I can to make her more inclined to eat. So wondering if there are any particular yummies that people add in?

I was doing the bank account thing. But I did insure Kenzie (she will no doubt never get sick seeing as though I've done this!!). Bank account thing is good if you're prepared to make some pretty hard decisions. I've spent close to $10,000 on Emma in the last 6 months, about $5000 was elective surgery. I wanted to do the best by her. It hasn't worked out and I'm still out of pocket. If she were insured it would have been covered I'm pretty sure, and the other $5000 that was not elective but life saving definitely would have been covered. So I've decided that I will insure all my new pets (all my current ones other than Kenz are too old to be covered for illness - and that's the bit that gets them as they get older!).

Just wondering if anyone can give me a quick confirmation that George Schofield does not operate on Tuesdays??? I was planning on going to see him with Em on Tuesday, but obviously that may not work!!! So might have to bring it forward to tomorrow (Sunday). But just wanting to know if anyone has recent knowledge on which days he sees dogs. Thanks in advance!! :D

When I brought my munchkin home she was in a crate and cried for the first hour of the 1 hour 15 minute drive!!! It was awful. But after that she was pretty good. First night there was a bit of crying (maybe 30 min) at bed time, but I figure it was her fisrt night away from her brothers and sisters and she was sleeping in a crate on her own. After then we really had very few problems, still have a bit of a howl for the first 2-3 minutes if she is left on her own, then she just gets on with life! Just set up a routine and stick to it, they work it out pretty quickly!

To me it sounds like normal cat-pup dynamics (when the cats aren't used to dogs!). My cats do this to every new dog that comes in to our house, they did it with Kenzie when sh first came home. Kenzie kept persisting like Harper, had a few scratches on the nose and quickly learnt not to get too close. The cats then started moving closer when she was sleepy/quiet. And eventually they all figured out that if the dog was calm the cats would be close. That made everyone happy!!!! Now Kenzie lets me know when the cats want to come inside. She gives them kisses and cleans them all the time. They go up to her to give her headbutts! I'm sort of thinking that if no one is experiencing high stress levels from the interactions then they need to sort the dynamics out themselves. If there is lots of stress then I would be separating them. Oh and I also make sure that my cats have a space they can get to that the dogs can't - they don't use it often, but it's there!!

Em gets glucosamine (either powder or liquid depending on what I've bought) and she also gets a fish oil capsule each night. If you go to a compound pharmacist they can make up something special for you that has all of it in one (my cousin is one, so I'm thinking of getting him to do this for Em when I run out of my current supply) - you don't need a prescription although it might help to know what dosage the dog requires. But, my current system is working well and I think it helps her with her mobility.

I saw a chiro today and they gave me a website that she said gives a list of registered chiros. Website is... www.avca.com.au

Any time I've noticed a bit of "that" smell coming from my girl I've given them a bit of a squeeze. But usually they haven't been very bad although it has seemed that there has been a little excess fluid so maybe it was an indicator that if they didn't get a squeeze it would be off to get a professional one (and they're more invasive than what I do!!). ETA - If you have a bit of a feel around where the glands are you will probably be able to tell. I know with my girl that normally I can't really feel anything, but when they are ready for a squeeze I can feel little pea sized (and once or twice larger!) lumps.

Out for information - dog became diabetic and then blind. Lots of resources overseas but was hoping to find something more local.

from me and Emma and Kenzie I agree with Persephone - do something decadent for yourself, you deserve a treat of some sort.

Thanks mackiemad I thought that I may have read somewhere that availabilities of insulin brands were a bit hit and miss. And in my searching of online pharmacies there was only 1 that even mentioned protaphane. The hunt shall continue!

I did some more thinkng about this and everything I provide here may not be relevant because I'm in Vic, but I did remember reading something about dogs rushing at people and minimum distances etc. Anyway so I did a little hunting. So remember this is in Victoria, but maybe there is something equivalent in Qld. From... My link "Legal requirements for dog owners Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, all dog owners must securely confine dogs to the property. This means your yard must have a closed gate, and an escape-proof fence that your dog can not jump, get under or through. Legally, visitors must also have safe access to your front door, without being stopped by your dog. If your dog could get through your gates or fencing, you can be fined even if it doesn't actually leave your property. Magistrates have the power to require owners of pets that have escaped to carry out works to ensure this does not happen again. To make sure your dog is properly confined, keep it in the backyard behind a locked gate. Legal consequences if your dog rushes at or chases someone If your dog rushes at or chases someone, you could be fined, and your local council can declare your dog to be a ‘menacing dog'. This means you will have to microchip it and you may have to leash and muzzle it in public. If you do not comply with these requirements, council can then declare your dog to be a ‘dangerous dog'. There are very strict controls on the housing, exercise and ownership of dangerous dogs. Legal consequences in the event of an attack on a person or another animal You are liable if your dog attacks a person or animal outside your property, or someone trying to get to your front door. You are also liable if your dog attacks someone who has been invited onto your property. An attack by your dog can lead to court action. If convicted, owners can face substantial fines. This is in addition to damages, which may potentially be thousands of dollars. In such situations, dogs are often ordered to be destroyed or declared dangerous. Strict ownership controls are imposed on dangerous dogs for the rest of their lives. Other reasons to confine your dog in the backyard Apart from the legal consequences, an attack can be very distressing for all involved. This is particularly the case if the victim is a child or is badly injured. If securely confined, your dog will be safe from traffic injuries or fights with other dogs. It will also be prevented from wandering and becoming lost. It's easy to prevent most dog attacks in public places, just by confining dogs. That's good news for the reputation of our pets and for responsible dog owners. So for the safety of your dog and everyone else, remember–confine your dog. Backyard is best!" From... My link "Dog owners: * Confining dogs to their property could prevent 80% of dog attacks in public places. * Your yard must have a closed gate, escape proof fencing, and visitors must have safe access to the front door. * All dogs can be territorial. Most dog attacks in public occur on the footpath or road in front of the dog’s property. * You can be fined if your dog isn’t securely confined, or if it rushes at or attacks a person or animal." From... My link 12. Housing Minimum Standards * Dogs must be provided with a weatherproof sleeping area and shelter from sun, wind and rain. * Kennels must be large enough for the dog to stand, turn around and lie comfortably. * Dogs must be confined to the property at all times, unless under the effective control of the owner or handler. * The area a dog is confined to must have secure fencing that the dog cannot get over, under or through. * Where dogs are housed in enclosures or restricted areas they must meet the minimum size requirements as listed in Appendix 4. * Enclosures need to allow dog(s) to move around freely, to urinate and defecate away from the sleeping and eating areas and be cleaned daily so that enclosures are free of faeces. * Vehicles must not be used as permanent housing for dogs. * Each dog must have its own sleeping area and food bowl. * Dogs must be given adequate daily exercise outside of enclosures. * Adequate ventilation must be provided if dogs are housed in enclosed areas or buildings. * All housing areas for dogs must be maintained in a safe, clean and hygienic condition at all times. The following requirements are part of the Code of Practice for the Tethering of Animals: * Tethered dogs must be trained to accept tethering and require greater supervision and owner vigilance than other untethered animals. * Water and weatherproof shelter must be available and within the dog’s reach at all times. * Collars must be fitted with a swivel to which the tether is attached and be checked daily. * Dogs less than four months old, bitches in season and bitches about to give birth must not be tethered. * Dogs must not be tethered to movable objects or adjacent to a fence in a manner that places them at danger of death by hanging. * Dogs must be given regular daily exercise off the tether. I feel like I read somewhere (no idea where) that rushing to within 3m of someone means that the dog could be reported as being menacing. But can't find that, so maybe my mind made it up!!! But like I said this is all victorian stuff, so maybe there is something equivalent for Qld. I was interesting reading through all these acts as when I looked at it so many of the minimum standards aren't met by people, yet it's rare to see something done about it! I guess it comes down to knowing the standards and then reporting if you see them breached. Good luck with your quest!!! I know it's probably stressful for you and others in the community, but I was also thinking that dog is probably also under a great deal of stress in that environment.

It's not illegal to tether a dog down here in Vic so long as it meets the standards (access to shelter, food and wate; tether must be ?m long; there may be a requirement that it can't get tangles) - this may have been changed recently, if not I know that it is an aspect that is being investigated to change. So if those requirements aren't being met then it may be illegal (check out the code of practice with the state government agency responsible for animals - here it is DPI). I think also that you may be correct that you can't block reasonable access to the property. So if they had a doorbell/intercom at the edge of the property so that people did not have to deal with the dog then maybe that would be a loophole. I think that one is either dealt with in the code of practice or it would be in your councils local bylaws if you wanted to look it up.

Hmmm, well if I didn't expect to pay for them I wouldn't have them!!! Emma has probably cost me about $10,000 in the last 6 months,I've had her for 3 years. So if she cost that much every 3 years then she'd be a $40,000 dog!!!! Oh and that was just medical expenses, who knows what I've paid in terms of food/activities/etc. But I'm happy and have happy dogs!!! I have decided though that pet insurance is a must, as seeing as though Kenzie is insured nothing will ever go wrong with her and I will never need it (one of those karma things I'm sure!!!!)! ;)

Ok,this talk of dogs standing over other dogs makes it sound a bit scary. I'd like to try to trial my young one in CCD maybe later this year or early next (never done anything like it before so I figure a good place to start). But there is absolutely no way known she would cope with that (well not just yet!). So which are the group exercises? And from the sounds of it most of this type of behaviour seems to have occurred during the stay exercise, so how far apart are the dogs during the stay exercise? How many dogs will be in the ring at one time during these? And if a dog does behave in such a way do the judges/officials deal with it/the handler (as really it sounds like it is quite threatening and potentially dangerous)? Or is it just dealt with through loss of points? I'm planning to go see some trials before I even set my foot in a practice ring, but this has been interesting to follow!!

Instead of boarding you could look into pet minding (where they mind the pet at their house), would probably still cost but be cheaper than a kennel. Or maybe there is someone in the local community who would like temporary pets? I know one of my friends loves looking after other people's pets because it gives them the chance to "have pets" but without the long term responsibilities.