elysia

My crossbred dogs have been every bit as good as my regiztered pedigree dogs. this does not mean i encourage the intentional breeding of mutts, only that i find the assertion they cannot be as good as apedigreed dog inaccurate and offensive when i thknk of the mutts i have loved as family members.

A school and parents can both take responsibility for teaching and modeling compassion and kindness to all living beings. My children attend a school which takes the teaching of human values such as love, respect, non-violence and right conduct as seriously as it does academics. As part of the philosophy of non-violence the school provides only vegetarian food at canteen and school functions, although what children bring in their own lunch boxes is totally up to their parents. They have many service activities which support both sections of the community, such as the elderly and homeless, as well as animal welfare. A story dog program, which provides support to children having difficulties with reading, sees dogs regularly in the school, along with education on the appropriate way to interact with them. All these activities have been interwoven into the standard NSW curriculum in a way in which the children are doing well, both academically and in the development of character. I guess my point is that it needn't be either/or - parents and schools can work together to achieve great outcomes for children.

I had to pts my old dog Loki, a Tibetan Spaniel x several weeks ago. He had a rare form of cancer which deformed his skull significantly, but lived for approximately 3 years with it, much, much longer than anyone expected. His only treatment was a steroid drug which effectively reduced inflammation on his brain and prevented seizures. When we felt he had had enough we arranged for the vet to come to our house to euthanase him, and I don't think such a sad thing could have been handled any more smoothly, peacefully or respectfully. We had known the vet for about 20 years, and she bought a nurse with her. Loki was very relaxed and comfortable in his own home and passed very quietly and calmly. The vet offered to take a pawprint from him, after death, which was printed onto a beautiful poem. A lock of fur was clipped and sealed in a bag. A cardboard coffin, of the appropriate size was supplied, and he was placed carefully into it by the nurse. I was consulted at every step regarding my wishes and both were supportive, warm and professional. It did cost me more to have the vet come to our house, but it was absolutely worth it.

Please don't assume that there will be behavioural issues in the future as the dog matures. My personal experience is that there may be, or may not be. I had one male desexed at a couple of years old because he was starting fights, and especially being a great dane, this was a dangerous situation. I have not desexed my current elderly male dog (tibetan spaniel x) because there simply have not been any issues that a small amount of training or management could not handle. He does not hump, start or attract fights, wander or mark indoors. My new male pup (border collie) will be done only if issues develop which I am very confident are best managed by castration. The health benefits claimed for castration I find personally unconvincing. My males have never been permitted to breed, and never displayed any behaviour that made me think they were miserable because of it. I am not saying don't desex your dog, just don't go looking for problems that may never come.

I know how you feel as we are in a very similar situation. My children know our dog, who has had terminal cancer for approx. 3 years, really can't go on for much longer. Although we don't believe he is in pain, at times he is restless. Other times he wags his tail and wants his dinner. Handling the practicalities with children is very difficult. Should we tell them beforehand if the decision is made to euthanase him? How much beforehand? We plan to do it at home - should they be at home? If not where, and who with? I have talked to the children and they are both adamant they want to know beforehand so that they can say special goodbyes to him, but have also decided they don't want to be there. As they have also lost 2 elderly cats within the past 12 months they do have an understanding of death and grieving, and in some ways I am tempted to make the next death easier for them by saying he died in his sleep while they were out. I think the anticipation of his death may be too much for them, especially the younger one.