The Bears

Empty cavities.

Nearly one year on, thought you might all like to see an update on Master Polo! Click Me!

OI!

Polo had his glamour shoot the other day - check out that smile!

Here's a short video of him exploring his new yard today.... this pup is amazingly confident! Polo Exploring Yard

I wonder who you are aiming this comment at? On past experience with you, I'm sure it's me - you need to read my posts again - sorry if will disappoint you. I did not say he should be put to sleep. It is not the dog's fault that he's been born into this world but it is the fault of the people breeding the parents IF they continue in full knowledge that this could happen when they breed those two dogs. I did say he wouldn't be easy to rehome - nor should he. He is what is termed as "special needs" - homes that are able to cope with "special needs" dogs are not so easy to find. It can be very hard to retrain these dogs and to find a foster carer who is prepared to stick with them for the months it can take. I know as I rescue dogs with special needs and look after them myself - one that i'd nursed for several months was on Bondi Vet this year. Over the years I have taken many dogs that no one else will (sick, blind etc), the very worst in the pound and spent thousands on their bills and endless hours on their rehab - that's what I do. I've also fostered such dogs for great rescue groups as well. They would not be the same kind of dogs that you rescue - many have been smaller dogs - so in your view it probably doesn't count. There are far too many cowboy rescuers who determine their success by the amount of dogs in and out at high speed. I am most definitely not one of them and nor do I advocate euthanasia as the first thing to do unless the dog is suffering and yes - I have had to do that once, it broke my heart. I'd only had the dog for an hour but the vet's assessment (and the illness) was devastating and incurable. You know what, I actually read the rest of your post and had to laugh. Regardless of breed or size I have no breed bias - you cannot claim the same. EVERY animal is precious, special needs or not. Congratulations on your successes with the special needs cases, but I trust you realise that you're not the only one. Would you like me to go on about the the terminally ill, the epileptic, the blind, the three legged through to genetically deficient animals we have spent tens of thousands on? Because I could, but I don't roll that way. Well was your comment aimed at me or not? Judging by this response, yes it was and all because I don't particularly like bull breeds, so you are taking another opportunity to have a little snipe in a thread that is completely unrelated to bull breeds. Get over yourself why don't you? Believe me I don't think i'm the only rescuer, I've met plenty of fantastic rescuers in the 20 or so years I've been involved. We will have to continue to disagree perpetually. :) I realise you enjoy redundancy, but I don't. If you read above I've already answered you on who the post was directed towards. B Who mentioned bull breeds? I mentioned you have a breed bias - I don't. That was in direct response to your own unfounded and inaccurate (once again) assumption of: Your paranoia is your own cross to bear.

I wonder who you are aiming this comment at? On past experience with you, I'm sure it's me - you need to read my posts again - sorry if will disappoint you. I did not say he should be put to sleep. It is not the dog's fault that he's been born into this world but it is the fault of the people breeding the parents IF they continue in full knowledge that this could happen when they breed those two dogs. I did say he wouldn't be easy to rehome - nor should he. He is what is termed as "special needs" - homes that are able to cope with "special needs" dogs are not so easy to find. It can be very hard to retrain these dogs and to find a foster carer who is prepared to stick with them for the months it can take. I know as I rescue dogs with special needs and look after them myself - one that i'd nursed for several months was on Bondi Vet this year. Over the years I have taken many dogs that no one else will (sick, blind etc), the very worst in the pound and spent thousands on their bills and endless hours on their rehab - that's what I do. I've also fostered such dogs for great rescue groups as well. They would not be the same kind of dogs that you rescue - many have been smaller dogs - so in your view it probably doesn't count. There are far too many cowboy rescuers who determine their success by the amount of dogs in and out at high speed. I am most definitely not one of them and nor do I advocate euthanasia as the first thing to do unless the dog is suffering and yes - I have had to do that once, it broke my heart. I'd only had the dog for an hour but the vet's assessment (and the illness) was devastating and incurable. You know what, I actually read the rest of your post and had to laugh. Regardless of breed or size I have no breed bias - you cannot claim the same. EVERY animal is precious, special needs or not. Congratulations on your successes with the special needs cases, but I trust you realise that you're not the only one. Would you like me to go on about the the terminally ill, the epileptic, the blind, the three legged through to genetically deficient animals we have spent tens of thousands on? Because I could, but I don't roll that way.

We are getting that checked out by our own vet early next week, but to us laymen it looks like no eyes formed at all. His hearing and sense of smells works so well he is already adjusting admirably in an unfamiliar environment. He's running around like a loon, happily playing and being with everyone. Importantly, he manages to find your face to give you lots of special kisses.

I wonder who you are aiming this comment at? On past experience with you, I'm sure it's me - Once again, you'd be wrong.

He was not "sold", he was surrendered to ABR. Although normally we don't take surrenders we made a unanimous exception for little Polo, to ensure he did not fall into the wrong situation as he is defenceless. For anyone who is feeling sorry for him - don't. He doesn't! He can't miss what he never had, nor is it slowing him down. He is literally just like any other pup - including cheeky. For now he is settling in nicely - and adapting well - in his foster carer's home as we start finding him his forever. For those who said to put him down because he won't be easy to rehome, I actually feel quite sad if that's how you measure rescue.

Does anyone else find it strange that the President of a "Rescue Association" is quite happy to admin/control a BSS group which promotes rehoming undesexed dogs...oh, and backyard breeding?

Thanks everyone. We'll explore all options in trying to reunite him with his owner first. But for now he is tucked up safely and soundly at his foster mum's place, and is having fun playing with her husky and ankle biter. Not only has he claimed the couch, but he winks at you! :) Oh, and his name is Bento.

The cat lived to tell the tale, with nothing more than a bit of hair missing and some bruising. And a very valuable lesson learned about not being too cocky around strange dogs. LOL I'm fine - the deepest wound healed first, the rest have reached that annoying "heal fully already!" stage.

Ethical breed rescue - such as AMRAA and ABR - will not rehome human aggressive dogs, and in fact have put them down when they've presented that way. Perhaps I'm making assumptions, but it's not reading as though he went for her on purpose. He was in a highly aroused state, someone was getting in between him and his prey... and unfortunately grandma was bitten. Heck, me who knows better is still recovering from breaking up a dog and cat a few weeks ago! (No, not one of our rescues!)

Honestly, I have no idea how to handle grandma's anxiety The dementia doesn't help. Someone experienced may be able to offer some insight here? Do they want to keep him, if they can find a way to handle grandma's anxieties? They have to honestly answer that question first. Then they have to factor in that he's older and rehoming him may take a while as well. If he's not doggie social that will make it even harder. In terms of whether breed rescue would rehome a dog with this history - the answer is, frankly, yes. There is always full disclosure to potential adopters, and arctic lovers understand the cat situation in the first place and don't run a mile from it. Arctic Breed Rescue operates out of QLD and NSW. Assisted rehoming may be an option as the numbers in care is staggering at present. Perhaps ask the legal owner to contact [email protected] and explain their circumstances. Even if it's for a general chat to discuss management options.

Why would PTS'ing him or giving him away be the only solution? Frankly, although there are exceptions to the rule, arctics have a high prey drive and should never be trusted with cats or pocket pets. Even when raised with them. Biting grandma would have been redirection. As tragic as this is there are ways to manage this - I assume they don't wish to even try?

In QLD :)

Thanks everyone - they can contact ABR on: [email protected] www.abrinc.org.au www.facebook.com/Arctic.Breed.Rescue He was found in Underwood and is at Logan Pound until tomorrow (I think!) then will be in care with ABR. Underwood Vets have several Shiba's on their books who have had eye surgery but are reluctant to contact the "all those owners" , and cannot give out their details due to privacy laws. They did ask us to send a pic to them which we've done, so fingers crossed.

Already underway, no luck so far Just concerned he may be from out of area.

This boy was impounded at the local pound and has been waiting a week for his owners to find him He is safe with ABR but, being a rare breed - and one we've never encountered in the pound system before - we're hoping that sharing him will lead to his owners. Unfortunately no microchip has been detected after numerous scans. What we know: - approx 8 years of age - desexed - blind in one eye (it has had surgery previously) - teeth are immaculate, appears to have had a recent dental He is obviously very well cared for so it's confusing us why no-one has been looking for him. Please share, pass on to your Shiba Inu breeders etc - someone has to recognise this boy. Thank you.

Arctic Breed Rescue (ABR) does not have operations in VIC :) Only operational in QLD and NSW, although we do adopt interstate.

Pound notes are an indication of how the animal is within it's current confined environment, how it presents at a particular point in time, and how it reacts with a particular person (i.e. the person doing the assessment). It is used as an initial guide by seasoned rescuers, but as Powerlegs said above it is NOT to be used as a reliable adoption assessment. I find it concerning that people are transcribing these pound notes into an adoption profile listing. Once in care animals settle, reveal more of their personality, what will suit their needs longterm etc... the good and the bad. To answer the specific question, so long as the notes remain intact with no selective editing (and perhaps a notation made that they are in pound observations) then they can be used extremely temporarily at a pinch. Having said that I'd be very reluctant to adopt from a rescue who does not take the time to get to know their charges more before putting them up for adoption, and relying on the pound notes solely to market them.

I spoke to Jacob in depth a few weeks back. The catchphrases he uses do not belong to Cesar, they were just made famous by him. What I like about Jacobs approach is that he uses an integrated approach, utilizing several methods, tailored to the specific animal. I.e not a cookie cutter approach like some others. I will be taking him up on his invitation to visit, taking the opportunity to discuss him helping one of my rescues. Valentino snuggles at the same time will be a bonus.

I don't see the need to bring personal agendas into any of this. The law is the law, and as stated above you want that changed? Then do it the right way. Just reinforces my argument that to be able to call yourself "rescue", tighter measures need to be put in place.

Even unmicrochipped animals need to be taken to the pound. Interesting you're admitting that you're encouraging others to break the law instead as though that absolves you of anything. I believe that's called enabling.