Chris the Rebel Wolf

*Dives headfirst on more photos*

WHOOHOO! *Hugs, hands over cookies* My husband baked them today :D I am so spoiled. I LOVE colour Snow Leopard! That's my fave for sure :D

Oh wow Mav, zoo photos! *falls on them eagerly* Sorry I'm not much of a photography critic, I don't know a great deal about the technical side of things, but here's my comments! The tiger shot is beautiful; I love the framing of the plant and the dappled lighting! That mandrill, what a fantastic pose you got him in :D Classical! OhmythatSnowLeopard!!! *melts* Pretty please, do you have that in colour? I feel like I'd give you two whole plates of cookies to see that in colour! Ooh, I like the bear... goodness, what type is he? That's not a sun, is it? No, too light. Is he a Grizzly? Do you have more? :D ... I am visiting Melbourne late in the year, if i have time among the wedding, I am completely for heading to the zoo after seeing these :D

That's the way to go! Good on you for seeing this through :D

I actually think it's a good idea to advertise this hotline. I meet plenty of people through work that don't have a clear idea of what to do if a dog threatens or attacks them - in fact there was an article in our paper this week about it. *digs* http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2011/09/17/267271_news.html With legitimate attacks occurring, the council MUST be notified so action can be taken, otherwise these attacks are simply going to keep on happening. I agree there are some idiots out there who are going to overreact, but a responsible owner should have nothing to fear. Hopefully, this isn't about vengeful neighbours or those who are doing the right thing - this is about unrestrained dogs, dogs acting threateningly.

Hmm, that's an interesting spin on it. I suppose it's far easier for an owner to understand what a type of park means than to pick behaviour that means their dog is in pain. I certainly have no problem categorizing Zeke's range of barks. I know his alert bark for when he's heard something but doesn't know what yet, his more defensive bark if he thinks somebody walking by is too close to the fence, the bark he uses to tell my husband's shepherd puppy to back off and leave him alone, his welcome bark if somebody he knows is arriving... but I daresay most owners would be able to recognize that sort of thing. I can tell when his arthritis is bothering more from behaviour, his reluctance and multiple attempts to sit or lie down, or jump into the car. It's definitely something more subtle.

How did you go today Dee? Did the first ranger you were originally talking to come back or get back today and deal with this? Hope you are feeling better this morning too and not quite so rattled

I would agree that a few pre-picked dogs who are used to crowds ought to be there, but it might get out of hand is everybody brings theirs, especially if the media are involved. You know what some rags are like - a photo of a dog yawning becomes 'OMG it's a vicious killing machine!' But at the same time, just a few well-behaved ones will illustrate the point.

Hmm, the last question was a tough one for me. I voted yes in the end, because typically I would be looking for a particular colour in a purebred, as well as temperament. But it wouldn't be the be-all-and-end-all decision maker or breaker

*headdesk* Thank goodness you called to check, some people are a bit brainless! Hopefully now there will be a result; I can't imagine with the constant reports the council can just let it go. *hugs* Remember to do some big breathes, and have a nice strong drink of coffee/tea/fizzy to calm your nerves, it's only natural to get upset over things like this. I understand if you're reluctant to go to the police, but please keep it in mind, even if just to file a complaint about the man and his dog's behaviour. Remember he is legally responsible for everything that his dog does. Your hubby has a valid point of view, obvious he doesn't want to see you (or Honey!) getting hurt by dog or person, but it's a real shame that something like this has to upset your routine, that you are forced to take another walking route because of one irresponsible dickhead.

I found that 7 PM report pretty disappointing. They didn't offer the 'average joe puppy buyer' any solid information, and barely touched upon the importance of getting legislation in place for banning puppy farms altogether. On the plus side, any exposure for the general unknowing public is good, to get them at least thinking about the issue, but it's an issue that needs a whole lot more than thoughts unfortunately. I think it's a separate issue if you're a responsible breeder - by that I mean one who is working towards the betterment of their breed, who provide their dogs with enriched lives and who take the time to find their puppies forever homes. I don't think anybody is going to mistake a responsible breeder for a puppy farm. I understand the point about 'don't breed any pups and have 100% rescues' and how this would threaten a registered & responsible breeder but there is a demand for purebreds (And what many of you are saying about advertising proves this; some of you would never need to advertise anywhere aside from here, because you have waiting lists) there will be a demand for those who breed them responsibly. The goal here should be to produce a responsible puppy buyer; weather they want a specific purebred and sign up on a breeder waiting list, or weather they are happy with a crossbred and adopt a rescue, the aim should be the same - forever home for the dog, no matter what end of the spectrum the buyer is.

I am really proud you are taking action here Dee lee, you and Honey deserve much better than that, and so do any other members of the public who might be walking dogs on the same path. Just want to stress you are doing the right thing and you have a heap of guts at that. Running away from the guy doesn't change that, I surely wouldn't have stuck around myself, that would be asking for trouble. Unfortunately this moron has not learned from what I've been reading. I would actually consider calling the police as well as the council this time - the man actually threatened you this time, and that's not on. You also mentioned that this guy had a panelbeating business - it is him that owns the place, the owner of the aggressive dog? Because if not, if it my chance it's part of a chain or anything, you could put in a complaint with the business as well. If there is a business reputation at stake action may result then! Keep us posted about what the ranger says, and try not to stress too much over it, I know how upsetting these sort of incidents are. Zeke and I are cheering for you!

What awesome photos :D My bigger boy, Zeke the Lab cross, doesn't climb much - he has badly formed back ankles and has had arthritis since age five, so he doesn't trust his balance. But my last dog was a very agile little Jack Russell cross, Jayne, he climbed all the time. We used to walk down by a river, and he and I always sat on a log that stuck out over the water while Zeke swam. Jayne never did like to go more than belly-deep, he was just a people-dog who wanted to hang out with you even on a walk. Thanks for this thread Newfsie... that was a nice memory I hadn't relived for a while And it's always nice to see other people's dogs getting out and about!

Hi Ronda, sorry to hear your whippet is having some issues. I'm sure they can be worked through with a little time and patience. Can I ask was anything different about your uncle - had he cut off all his hair, was he wearing a hat, or strong smelling deodorant, or had he grown facial hair? Sometimes a chance like that can unsettle a dog. It's a bit concerning he growled at your neighbour as well. A health checkup would be beneficial, Joey may perhaps be having some vision troubles that is making him more fearful/nervous than usual. Have you done much socialzation with him as a puppy? How does he usually react to new people?

From your guys experience I am just now thinking how fortunately I am to have been on contact with breeders who are up front and don't take offence when I ask about health guarantees!

At the store I work at we used to get Ziwipeak. We sold mostly the venison flavour and had a huge amount of positive feedback from customers on that, although I do admit that was much more the treats than the actual day to day food.

It sure is Hastey... I agree, Ruthless, it isn't hard to contain dogs and owners need to take responsibility for that. Poor dogs. Lives cut short for lack of some training, socializing and throwing up a proper fence

And I missed it, home late... but it doesn't sound encouraging from your description Juice Why why why are they going to the trouble of putting these things into news reports if they aren't going to go the extra mile and tell it like at is? The government needs PRESSURE from the public to get proper laws in place in stop puppy farms happening, not just 'Oh, these dogs from this puppy farm aren't on the verge of death yet - give them a tick!' - NO! Dogs cannot be left loveless, caged-up lives without every knowing the bond they are meant to share, never getting a chance to be a best friend to anybody. ... Looking at the channel ten website... another 'why' question, WHY is there always somebody who starts on about homeless kids and claims that we shouldn't be worrying about dogs? I'm as concerned about people as I am about animals, but the attitude that you can only support one group and not the other (Eg, if you are supporting banning puppy farms, automatically you don't care a scrap about the suffering of humanity) is insulting and bigoted. I would see red if anybody ever said that to me just because I support animal charities. The person who treats their pets with respect is more likely to treat their fellow humans with respect; likewise there is a shallow step in mistreating animals and mistreating another person. *breathes* Okay I'm done ranting now.

I'm really interested to hear about this Nobivac, it's a new one on me. Is it only needed every three years as opposed to yearly? Is it a stronger dose?

Ah, and so it works both ways - I would be really bothered by the 'race car' comment Zug, since the types of questions you were asking only prove you want the best for your pup, and have obviously done your research and are being responsible about buying. Money is always a touchy issue for some people. If I were asking $2200 for a puppy, I would be accepting if somebody told me they couldn't afford that. To some people it might not sound like much, to somebody on an average wage it is. I've been specifically saving so I have enough to purchase my next dog, which including transport is going to go just over $2000. But there was a period when I had to make an emergency trip to NZ to help look after my Grandma after her heart op, and I was concerned that would drain the funds I'd been saving. In the end it didn't make as much difference as I feared (and I was highly relieved that I'd gone!) but situations do change when you're talking about that level of money.

Oh thanks for the tip Lavender, I don't always turn on 7 PM project but I'll be sure to catch that story now. Let's hope this helps raise awareness of the situation...

I hope these people are reporting the attacks; especially the poor shepherd pup owner. Otherwise the door is being left open for the same thing to happen. Police should be called if there is immediate danger (eg being attacked on a walk) and most councils have a hotline to call for dog attacks. Action needs to be taken on dangerous dogs, owners need to be held accountable.

Great to see action being taken! But I'm getting a page not found on the Auswide one?

Some of the canker drops available at petshops do mites

The government really needs to take more responsibility, letting that farm have 50 dogs legally is a prime example! Simple, make it so puppy farms are against the law, they will be closed down, that's all it would take. No dog deserves to live a loveless life, sitting around in a cage being bred like machines I can't understand why if you have to have a pet shop with a puppy in it, why not get a partnership through the RSPCA and local councils - do adoptions in store? That would be far better than having puppy farmed puppies. In the end it all comes down to education as well. I still have people on a daily basis coming into the pet shop where I work and ask for puppies. (We do not sell them). Unfortunately with some of the shops out there, they will continue to stock puppy farm and other irresponsible backyard breeders until the public demands otherwise. The public at large needs to know the truth about puppy farms!