*kirty*

My facebook is currently filled with stories of stickers on fence posts, painted marks on the foot path and men in vans pretending to be council rangers, all trying to steal dogs. It seems like every day there is a new story about people trying to steal your dogs. Are these true? Or are they urban myths? I'm not in a position to leave my dogs inside when I'm out but these stories make me nervous.

I think he has a separate business selling furniture or something.

I personally wouldn't want that method done on my dog if it was over 20kg and active.

Have you had her eyes checked properly? She could have extra eyelashes or blocked tear ducts.

Yes I've done it. My dog had surgery (TPLO) on her first leg, but when the second leg went I decided to try conservative treatment. She was on anti-inflammatories for 2 weeks and has been on joint supplements too. She also had the course of cartrophen injections and now has them every 3-4 months. She is completely sound but does get sore if she over does it (which has only been 2 or 3 times in a good year or more). But she is 12yo and only 18kg which is perhaps why its working for her?

Also there are different kinds of conditions. Eg a dog could be clear of congenital cataracts but then develop inherited cataracts or diabetic cataracts. Also different kinds of PRA, etc.

That photo makes me want to cry. She looks so grateful and happy and relaxed... probably for the first time in her life.

Very close to home. And again, its the bloody owners fault for allowing their dogs to roam.

I think a lot of it is genetic. I see a lot of customs dogs and guide dogs at work - all pedigree Labradors, all selectively bred and raised. But the difference is like apples and oranges. The customs dogs come barrelling in, jumping all over everyone, very excitable and boisterous. The guide dogs are much more sensible and calm. And these are dogs who haven't had any training yet, they've just been with puppy raisers.

That ad is a scam - the text has been copied and pasted with the breed changed. It says 'bichons are great family pets', hence the non shedding comment.

While I agree that it can be hard to pick breed mixes based on visual ID, I don't believe the DNA tests either, I don't think they are reliable at all.

Awww that is so beautiful. Elly's pups are such chubbers!! What a good girl she is. :)

Yep, I knew a family who bought two female Stafford pups (litter mates)and by 1yr old, they wanted to kill each other. The family tried everything to sort it, but ended up having to keep the dogs permanently separated. Another family I knew bought 2 female pups (Dalmatian and Lab x Poodle) at the same time and the same thing happened. Unfortunately that family weren't interested in fixing anything and had both dogs PTS.

I have a Greyhound (race bred) and she is gorgeous. :) She is a silly, goofy dog who loves everyone and everything. As a puppy she was quite boisterous and naughty (like any puppy) but she is now very laid back. She likes to sleep - a lot - but she is just such a funny dog. She knows what she wants and isn't afraid to tell you lol.

Oh no. Its completely your decision and I think you might have made the right one, but I just wanted to tell you that chemo and radiotherapy in dogs generally doesn't cause the nasty side effects like people get. My colleagues dog was treated for osteosarcoma and she had no side effects at all. Big hugs, was hoping it would not be serious.

Thanks all. :)

I take one or two of mine most days but I work in a vet clinic so its a bit easier. I love having them there. :)

Found this great article about choosing the right breed of dog called 'Mismatches'. I haven't copied and pasted because it's quite long. Couldn't help but laugh at this comment: "And then there is the jogger I know who got a greyhound and was saddened by his dog’s lack of interest in jogging, especially if it was raining or wet or cold or snowing or too hot or windy or at night or in the daytime." http://dogsinthepark-suenestnature.blogspot.ca/2013/05/mismatches.html?m=1

I taught my blind pup 'find it' which was her cue to start sniffing. For a blind dog she was very keen to use her ears instead of her nose! I would drop a few treats in the grass and say 'find it' while tapping the ground near the treats. She quickly learnt what it meant and if I kept saying 'find it' she knew there was more to find. I'd perhaps try teaching her this game and maybe add in the cat tail once she knows the cue - so put a jackpot reward with the tail. Then you can try dragging the tail along the ground to make a trail, with treats along the trail, and then have a jackpot at the end with the tail.

Absolutely disgusting. How can they be allowed to go on unchecked??? Its frightening and devastating when you think of the power they wield, and with nobody to stop them. I remember watching an episode of an American rescue show and they came across an old man hoarding cats. Rather than prosecute him, the staff helped him. They took away most of the cats but allowed him to keep a few which they desexed for him. They also got other services involved to help him get his house cleaned up and help him take care of himself. They were compassionate enough to realise he needed help, not criminal charges.

While I agree that most of those dogs were being kept in very poor conditions, some of them had nice kennels and beds and fresh water - the only issue was that they were chained up. And I don't have a problem with chaining a dog if it is done carefully and the dog is looked after.

Probably removed. All dogs have front dew claws so those at least would have been removed. Only some dogs get rear dew claws and they are usually removed because they can get caught on things and tear off.

Oh no! I've got everything crossed xx

I don't believe that for a second.

There were three dogs, and they were American Bulldogs. Yes I'm sure there are some dogs that are just bad natured due to their genetics, but I think the majority have bad temperaments due to the way they are raised and managed.