*kirty*

It appears we have stumbled across Rocky's passion... SWIMMING! Took the kids to a local lake yesterday to catch guppies, and after being tentative at first, Rocky decided to get his feet wet and that was it! Couldn't get him out! It was the first time in his life he'd ever been swimming, but he is a complete water baby. He swam round and round, played with the kids, etc. He did swim after the ducks once but came back as soon as I called him. He swam for well over an hour! :D

If you were in Vic I'd be happy to help. You poor thing, such a crappy situation to be in.

Well my neighbours were very helpful.this morning, with one mowing and then another started pressure washing. So I spent half an hour outside walking him on lead, practising obedience etc with all that noise going on around him. It took a little while but eventually he calmed down and tuned into me instead of the noises. I have the next two weeks off work so its a good time to really knuckle down and work with him.

2/52 And just had to post this one - dog or giraffe? Lol

I didn't make it to Nek as planned, got bogged down with wildlife stuff. But she has given me some ideas and I hope to see her soon. I am trying really hard to just take it one day at a time, go right back to basics, NILIF, etc. He is currently asleep at my feet after a nice long walk.

Oh no. I saw these girls on FB, didn't know that one had been killed. So sad.

I feel the same way as Haredown. A friend took the front leg off her older dog with osteosarc and personally I felt the dog really struggled. She had chemo or radio (can't remember which) but mets took her anyway about 6 months later. Dogs support most of their weight on their front legs so it is a big strain on them to amputate one. Its a really crappy situation for you to be in and I feel really sad for you. I think I would be asking for scans first so that you know exactly what you are dealing with. And only you know your dog, his disposition etc and how he might cope.

Maybe call Sandown Vet in Melbourne and just ask what they use. :)

How old is he? My only experience was with an older dog. I don't know anything about this type of tumour - have they done xrays to check for mets?

Are you saying I don't live and breathe for my animals?? Did you read the link melz posted? My animals and kids are always first and foremost in my mind and I could never have imagined this happening to me.

That's the thing, if it had been a cooler day it would have been a very different outcome. If I had parked in the shade. If it had been winter not summer...

I take my dogs that to work every day and often have a basket or two of possums. I always do one trip from the car. On this day, I left the possums in the car while I unlocked the door and then the new girl turned up. I got distracted showing her how to open the clinic. Because I am so set in my routine, I didn't even realise what I had done until I went to get the baskets to go home. I feel sick every time I get the animals out of the car, and often at work I have panic attacks that I have forgotten someone. I still can't believe it happened.

This time last year I would have been reacting the same way you all are. But if he genuinely forgot about his dog, then I feel very sorry for him. I had a horrific accident last year where I left a basket of possums in my car, and I have been haunted by it ever since. My routine changed and I just forgot to bring them in from the car. It was the most traumatic thing that has ever happened to me. People have done similar things with their babies - baby falls asleep, parent forgets baby is there... I will never forgive myself and I'll never get over it. Every time I take my animals in the car I worry and have flash backs. I know there are morons who think it's fine to leave their dog in the car 'for 10 minutes'. But there are also genuine accidents and this sounds like it may have been just that. RIP poor dog.

It would be Amacin. It won't fix or reduce the cherry eye, but it will reduce the swelling and inflammation. ETA If it is a young dog, she should monitor it and really consider surgery to replace (NOT remove) the gland. The gland is responsible for tear production and left untreated, cherry eye can lead to issues such as dry eye later in life.

My first contribution - one of my foster kittens, Finch. Not 100% happy with the composition of this one but I like the colours.

Don't leave Hazy! I love seeing your dogs! :)

So when do we post our first photo?

You can yell at him all you want, he couldn't care less. I am taking him to see Nek on the weekend.

Its so hard because he can be so lovely. He is very affectionate and great on the lead. Just a complete turd otherwise. Have sent a message to Nek.

Feeling very deflated at the moment. Rocky's behaviour has regressed completely again and he is barking like mad. He has also gone back to running the fence lines and jumping/snapping at invisible things. He now barks inside too. He has started humping the other dogs and nipping the kids as well. I just don't know what to try next.

It may just be normal behaviour, telling the puppy to settle down. Or it may be because he is unsure of puppies, and doesn't know how to behave around them. Very hard to say without seeing it. I'd suggest you consult a good trainer and get their advice.

I'd like to have a go this year. :)

I had one that I had to have PTS at 1yr old. She was born blind but that was the least of her issues. She had canine compulsive disorder (she was a spinner), she had a severely roached back and the weakest back legs. She was a pedigree from imported lines.

Don't panic, looks very typical for Horners. :) As others have said, you can use artificial tears to clean the eye but generally there are no major issues with Horners. It usually goes away on its own in about 6-8 weeks.

So the bark collar had been working really well, but now he just doesn't seem to care. He just barks anyway. The smallest thing sets him off - a neighbour mowing, bird flying over, absolutely nothing... Trying my hardest with this dog but not sure where to go from here.