coogie

So sorry for your loss, wishing you strength for the coming days. He looks a beautiful little man,RIP Monte.

David Burgess at Stafford did our girl's hip surgery, different to a knee I know, but the staff were all fantastic and submitted the insurance claim for us. We were very happy with them and they let me visit her each day once they could see it did not upset her. She had a slightly extended stay as she went in via the ER over a weekend. They put a t-shirt of my hubby's in her crate and her favourite Pooh Bear toy, small things I know, but we felt they cared very much about her well being. The follow up care was also excellent and the hydrotherapy and physio they suggested has really helped with her long term soundness. The insurance covered both - we are with Petplan, not sure if other companies cover but would be worth asking if MacG needs it. I went with the specialist centre because Issy had already had knee surgery on the same leg and I wanted her to see a specialist as we know she will have ongoing issues. My sister takes her GSD to Matt and speaks very highly of him as well, but I don't have any experience of them personally. I really hope MacG is on the road to recovery soon, it's so stressful when they are hurt and facing a long recovery.

Mac

OH has just said I am buying the beds for myself, as the dogs are far too busy lying on our outdoor furniture or the warm deck boards to worry about an old dog bed. I said they are for WINTER the deckboards won't be warm,he correctly pointed out they will most likely be inside on the couch. Such a spoilsport. I will look for Bart's measurements and PM you Little Gifts.

LOL, I am waiting for your beds for indoor beds Little Gifts ( still want to call you PuppySniffer). Just needed new outdoor cushs since ours have spent most of the Qld summer soaked and are now all manky. Been years since anyone bothered to moon me Minimax :D Plus am trying to economise so need to live vicariously through other people.

One of the worst things I have seen was a small, terrified terrier type running out into traffic - owner had dropped the retractable lead and it wasn't locked. It shot along the concrete pavement clattering loudly, straight towards the dog. It sent the dog into a blind panic and she could not catch him,it was semi- catching on clumps of grass/stumps beside the footpath and unwinding and then releasing and "chasing" him again, he was incredibly lucky not to be hit and only stopped when it caught in a tree stump and jerked him backwards off his feet at the lead's full extension. I had stopped to try and help, the dog was traumatised and the owner more so. I had only used one a couple of times but I swapped to long lines for the rare instances I need a longer lead after seeing this,but would only use one where the dogs can't get tangled with other dogs or people and never near roads/anywhere built up.

Deals Direct have some specials on dog beds today and $3.00 shipping if any one is looking for new beds. DD Dog beds

So sorry for your loss, RIP Blacky.

Wouldn't farmers just shoot them down? Surely they would be within their rights to do so if it was interfering with their stock? Ten metres is ridiculously close and could easily spook stock and cause massive damage.I've only ever seen one in a demo and it was quite noisy.

I find it pretty bizarre and a bit distasteful really, he did say in the footage I saw that the dog was "under" I assumed this meant anaesthetic and that he applied topical anaesthetic as well. No mention of a vet though so also wondering what he used? Anyone who has had a tattoo will tell you you would have absolutely no chance of getting a dog to submit to that without anaesthetic or serious physical restraint. It is pretty painful, almost like a constant burning sensation and the dog and tattoo are both quite large. I struggle with the reasoning that it is to identify and protect the dog because it is an emblem, if he was really worried about the dog why not his name and address/phone number.Although it could be argued it is a unique identifier I suppose, personally I just had my dogs microchipped! I can't see any reason other than cosmetic and he felt like it. I don't see how it can be compared to desexing a dog which isn't purely cosmetic? I can see why it is compared to ear cropping though because as far as I know there is no reason other than cosmetic to do that either. May he couldn't spell his name and address, he certainly couldn't spell the dog's name assuming the report was correct and her name is Duchess. I also struggle with the "there are worse things" concept, sure there are, doesn't mean it is ok though in my humble opinion.

So sorry for your loss, he looks like a beautiful, special old boy.

To be honest Moreton Bay Regional Council stick to the letter of their by-laws so it is worth checking property size and other rules in relation to permits before venturing here. A lot of bylaws changed following amalgamation, and dog ownership has been much more restricted than previously. Link below gives details for breeders' permits available. They are good to deal with in that they respond quickly and the staff are always helpful and pleasant - but they are pretty inflexible in my experience. I wanted to foster, but our property is not deemed of size to allow this and they were quite clear that even though it is a "case by case" basis that I shouldn't waste the non- refundable application fee.Even "visiting dogs" were not allowed above the maximum numbers based on property size. My argument that to foster my breed required additional couches rather than additional square meterage didn't sway them. MBRC

I just don't lead walk my dogs round the streets anymore. After Issy's surgery she needed to do lots of lead walking to build up her muscles, after one stress filled week of trying to walk a post op (so consequently not totally sound) dog calmly for a couple of hours a day I took to driving her to a deserted oval. We could barely ever get to the end of our cul-de-sac without being rushed by a Jack Russell, the owner would often be watching from the verandah and shouted abuse when I fended it off with my foot once. She got a mouthful but it had no effect - dog was still loose the following day.Every street seemed to either have loose dogs with no owner about,loose dogs with moron owners 20 metres behind them with no control at all; or dogs hurling themselves at often flimsy looking fences. I was terrified Issy would damage her leg and the whole experience was stressful for both of us,she is normally great with other dogs but had been on extended crate rest and seemed more wary than usual.She didn't lunge or bark but her body language was definitely defensive - It really annoyed me that we couldn't just have a calm walk in our local area but it just wasn't worth the risk. It stinks but I would rather go further afield and know my dogs are safe. I often wonder how people without cars or access to quiet areas cope.

I haven't tried the spiffy collars but both mine wear these, they swim and one is a total mud monster - these can be chucked in the machine or just washed under the tap, they dry really fast, no smell at all. Not sure if limited slip would suit you but they do have similar ones in flat collars. Clean run comfort flex ETA they are on free shipping just now.

Great news, pleased he is home.

Link to QLPR - they list by area. Lost pets

You could cross post to Qld Lost Pet Register as well?

My worst nightmare Woof, I would be beside myself as well- hopefully Ams will see it and pass it on as well once she is home from the Peinic - she will still be on the road. she may know some people up that way.

Shared WoofnHoof, hope is is home soon.

Crickets, all I can say is stunning - the tiles, the decorating and the dogs! Lovely.

Really pleased he is coming home bianca.a ,hope his recovery goes well.

So sorry for your loss of Charlie. Rip brave boy.

Mystiqview I thought of something else today, we used a gym ball quite a lot in Issy's post op work - I know it is a way off for Faith but just thought if you spot one in the meantime for a good price you could grab it. It helped a lot with some of her flexibility exercises and stretches. We also bought a wrist sling - the kind with just one strap and a loop at either end - it was much better than a towel for supporting her in the first days of free walking and way softer (and cheaper) than a harness - more control and if you looped it over your wrists you weren't worried about the towel slipping out of your grip and bumping her. I still have it if you can't find one and want to borrow it. Hope she is going ok and is comfortable.

Mystiqview, I'm really sorry to hear about Faith, hope she is doing ok. It is about 14 months since our girl Issy had the same operation following a hip dislocation of the same nature and you are right it is a long road. However if you saw her today you would have to look hard to see the slight wastage in her muscle on that leg. I think our best weapon has been hydrotherapy - twice a week to start with and now a once a week session to maintain her. She has also had a lot of physio - initially with Lesley Harrison at UQ and more recently with the wonderful Chris from Foundations Physiotherapy.Both Lesley and Chris teach owners the exercises and massage techniques which we still use to keep her as flexible as possible. One thing I found frustrating was the fact that it was not a linear journey, in the first few months she would have long stretches of no limping only to randomly come up lame for a week. We were lucky in that we had a great ortho as well, he would call to ask our vet to dispense meds to save a trip in and so she could get back on the anti inflammatories for a few days while it settled again,signs of lameness are very rare now. We use a ramp for the car and have gated the stairs at the front of the house to try and prevent explosive dashes up and down. I know you are an extremely experienced owner and breeder so will most likely be on to everything anyway- but if you do ever want to chat about any post op stuff please pm me. I found it hard to find anyone else who had a dog who had had the same surgery until we went to hydro. Photos are 1 week post op and 9 months post op. She has improved the muscle tone a lot more since but can't find a picture of her back end!

Sorry for your loss Persephone. RIP Hamlet.