PaddyForever

If this person had the money to buy a million dollar-plus luxury apartment, then she should have the money once she sells, to find more suitable, larger-dog friendly accomodation. I own a Frenchie also, and 10 kilos would be too thin for an average size male. Of course, this rule seems stupid in the first place, more naivity with the rule-makers thinking that a smaller dog is one that is easier to handle/less active, or some other such nonsense, that we all know is rarely true. But the simple fact is that the size rule was in the fine print when this woman signed for this property. She either didn't notice, or ignored the rule, hoping that no-one would actually put her dog on the scales! Sorry, Gabrielle, if you love your dog, it's time to pick up and move on to another million-dollar pad! How sad for you...!

We have four children and three dogs, and were impacted by the Black Saturday bushfires. We were renting a rural property, and everything bar the house, burnt down, inc our kennels, runs, etc, and we had to move into town. We had 5 dogs at the time and had to place 2. One dog has come back to us and another has since passed away. We found rental that allowed the dogs, but it wasn't easy. I think a bit of sympathy for what had happened played a part. Once we had accomodation though, it was harder to be considered by other Real Estates. We have been looking for another child/pet friendly farmlet rental for the past year...

Hi, Skunk, First of all, Good on you for being prepared to take on a dog from the RSPCA. If Cain is still a pup/young dog, he should not be too difficult to train, you just need to work out the methods you are going to use, and be consistant. An older dog will learn, also, it may just take a bit more time and persistance. I took on a 5 yr old Golden Retriever who had been kept at a 'puppy farm', basically, and it took me a month to teach her that it really was o.k. to lie on a dog bed rather than on a hard floor. She had apparently never had a soft bed before. She was 10 kilos overweight when I got her, but she still lost the weight, despite the fact that I am a food trainer. It's amazing the results you can get using a bit of barbecue chicken, and a lot of encouragement. With a 'worrier', you are going to need to be gentle, but firm. Babying him will only lead him to believe that he may really have something to worry about, if you seem uncertain yourself. Treat him as you would a new puppy. Take him out frequently to the same area, esp after meals, and if he is drinking a lot, as a worrier may tend to do. Take him out before you go to bed, set your alarm and take him out again during the night, and then first thing in the morning. A crate is a great idea and always a handy thing to have, anyway. A collapsable one is useful to have when you go away, or to keep him confined when he is sick. If you associate the crate with food, tossing in a tasty treat to entice him to go in, and then rewarding him with another(small pieces, of course,)after you close the door, he should learn quickly. Take him out of the crate to toilet just as often as if he was out, and let him out first thing in the morning. Don't keep him crated through the day, but allow free access to the crate as he may even find it a safe haven. Some dogs just love having a quiet place to feel safe. My dogs tear into their crates at night for their Good-Night doggy snack. They are still let out to toilet late at night, as I am a night-owl, which is useful, and my husband lets them all out first thing in the morning, about 6am. They never have accidents in their beds. Most dogs will try not to mess where they lay, although there are exceptions, but a crate can be a great first step to toilet training, so that hopefully when you start to leave the door open, and then perhaps leave him free at night, he will have learnt by then that his toilet area is outside. You will find that most dogs choose an aea that they try to 'go' in the most. In his general training, all the above rules apply. Be kind, consistant, encouraging and patient. Preferably, use your voice and 'reward' based training, using food or toys. Most shy dogs respond well to these methods. Show him that he can depend on you, and he will start to respond to that. He WILL learn, esp if he is eager to please. Wishing you both the very best of luck. :p Sorry I didn't get to you before your first night, hope it went o.k., you did get some other good advice here, though. Let us know how you go.

Sleep well, beautiful Bonnie. I too, used to pray that I would find Paddy in a forever-sleep one day, but as with us humans, it doesn't happen too often. Once, my daughter thought Paddy had gone, because he was sleeping so soundly, and I rushed to check, only to feel a horrible sense of guilt that I felt almost bad that it wasn't true. I just had always wanted him to go just that way... I know that you know we did what was right, but that cannot ease our pain. Cherrish your memories of all the happy times shared. It's what I do, because I have to. In my dreams, Paddy is always young, beautiful, healthy and strong. And that's how I believe he will be when he meets me at the bridge, as will your darling Bonnie. Love to you.xox.

This was just the most beautiful, moving tribute, Nic B. :D You have no need to appologise about being emotional. That is what this forum is all about, isn't it- the emotions that we all feel for our lost loved ones. You should feel so proud of both yourself and your beautiful Hannah, for the love and care you gave this gorgeous dog in the last chapter of her life. I don't understand how anyone can surrender a dog at such an age. I adored my old dog, and if I could have done anything to help him stay healthy long enough to remain with me, I would have done it. Anything. Sadly, as with Ray, old age claimed him in the end. As a breeder, I can understand having to give up a dog sometimes, as much as it still hurts those of us who truly love our dogs. But you always make sure that the dog is still young enough to adapt well, and that they are going to a better situation, where they will be a much-loved, well-cared for family member, and that if it doesn't work out, your door is always open for their return. Ray was so lucky that you found him when you did, and that at the end of his life you were there for him, to hold him whilst he passed over The Bridge, something his last owner was unprepared to do. Does your Hannah have another fur baby to cuddle? We can never replace our fur babies, but another can help to ease the pain. I know, because my daughter, Maddison, who is 9, can be very emotional, too. She has dyslexia, and can already suffer depression, but our other dogs are always there for her. Non-judgemental and loving her unconditionally. Love to you and Hannah, and your husband,too. Thankyou so much for sharing Ray's story with us.xox. Sleep well, beautiful Ray.xox.

Everyone always says 'He/She had such a lovely, long life', but a dog's life is never long enough, is it? We humans usually live long enough to have been 'owned by' several dogs, at least, and it is so hard, loving them so much, and then losing them. Still, I can totally agree with that quote about dogs not being our whole world, and yet the world not being whole without them. How empty my life would feel, if I didn't have my beautiful fur babies in it. I'm so glad you had your Rusky in your life, and that she had you.xox.

rastus-froggy-Thankyou.

Robbi-Thanks. I hope he licks your lovely Jess on the nose for you. Maybe they are running together...

Chiquito-Thanks for saying so.

Golden Rules- What a lovely saying. I like to think maybe Paddy did send me Ezzy... :D

KitKat-Thankyou. I hope we'll all see our furry babies again, and until then, you've given me a lovely visual image. Golden Paddy with wings of gold, also...

Wuffles-Your little girl will grow up to be herself-and she will be wonderful, too.xox.

What a wonderful, wonderful tribute to a special boy....rest easy knowing you had him to love and made the ultimate decision for him when he needed you.. Ellies mum-Thanks.

CW EW-Thanks. He truly was.

Hollys mummy-Thankyou so much. I was a Holly's Mummy, too. She was a gorgeous girl also. Love to your Holly.xox.

k9angel-I do cherish the memories-I hope we'll all meet up again, one day. Thankyou for your kind words.xox. :D

Harley- Thankyou.

Missmoo-He deserved it. He made mine wonderful, too.

Koalathebear-Thanks so much. I miss my first dog, Elton John, too. He passed away when I was nineteen- twenty years ago now. I hope he and Paddy are running together at The Bridge-they would have loved each other so...

Those we love will wait for us, With expectant eye and ear, Until our faces they shall see, Our voices they will hear. In life, they were near to us, Now out of sight, but still, Watching, waiting patiently, For us to climb that hill. Over to that Special Bridge, To that other, distant shore, Where we shall be reunited, Together, forever more.

Silverdog-We were so very, very lucky.

This story made me so upset. :D Obviously Nelson was appealing enough for that family to take him in, but not enough for them to make the effort enough to keep him. There are other ways to keep a dog contained, although I know some take money. Maybe they just realised how active a 'teenage' dog can be. I don't understand some people- don't they feel responsible enough to take a dog back in and try to find it a home themselves, if the alternative is the dog losing his/her life? Does anyone know if you can offer to foster a dog on death row for a dog pound/kennel, if you are on property and would be prepared to do it? I'm so sorry, Nelson-another young life wasted. I hope you have someone to cuddle you now, wherever you are. Please, Breeders, let's try to be really careful when we find owners for our puppies, and offer to try to re-home them ourselves, if things don't work out. RIP, little boy.xox.

Thanks so much everyone, for your kind words. He was a special boy, and I'm so proud to share a little of him with you all. Your replies left a tear or two in my eye again- but in appreciation.xox.

So sorry about your babies. Losing little ones is always hard. Thinking of you. RIP little darlings.

So sorry on the loss of your little Murphy. It was a good, long, life, given to him by you, and you should be proud of that. It's never long enough though, is it? Thinking of you.