Sheilaheel02

I thought I read on DOL a while back about a clam shell which had become empty blowing over onto a small dog or pup and it ended up dying from heat stroke because it couldn't get out. I've also heard of a small dog somehow getting stuck in a bucket full of water and sadly drowning. I think it's sensible to give our pets additional access to water on really hot days, we just need to be careful. S

Interesting thread. Two of my dogs can get negative reactions from other dogs, they don't have to be even looking at them. I think it's due to the the fact that both are extremely high energy and move in a very 'upright' way. Mick in comparison, who I also consider a fairly high energy dog, doesn't seem to attract the same attention but he moves very differently across the ground and has a lower tail set. It's not just dogs that sometimes see other members of their species (or closely related) as bizarre. One night, years ago, a stray donkey turned up at our place resulting in my old mare totally losing her sh**. The look of the thing and the noise that came out of it, I'm sure she thought hell had come to pass (though she also thought Turkeys were the work of Satan)! It took us ages to get her settled down again. I was at a horse show more recently (Western) and there was an open class being judged and almost all competitors entered. It was pretty interesting watching the reaction of the 'big' horses as they were overtaken by a speedy little mini pinto bobbing along with child rider on board. I think the only horses who didn't freak out at all belonged to the same family. Mind you, my young bitch who has been around horses her whole life went ballistic the first time she saw my Mum's mini pony up close. It was the strangest noise, a cross between a bark and a scream!

Yes, I was thinking just cover the whole darn fence with the stuff LOL! It certainly is horrid stuff to use - I use it on the smaller poultry pens and that is bad enough. Outside would be best, as you say. Would be great to see a photo of your new snake proof kennels once done.Looks like we both have a bit of work ahead of us Will do espinay but don't hold your breath as crickets pointed out affordability is an issue. I have snake mesh on the current dog runs, but it was only meant to be a temporary measure until I could organize a more permanent set up. Hopefully, it will be six runs with a walkway in the middle and a colourbond roof and concrete floor. Still looking at various options and designs to keep snakes out but special attention will be paid to the external gate. I'm guessing the budget will run into $10k plus. Of course though, the dogs won't be permanently in them, mainly when not supervised, so when they are out hooning around the yard, they could still sniff out a snake. Now that I have a JRT, the threat comes not only from snakes but a pair of breeding Wedge Tailed Eagles who regularly circle overhead. Happy for them to clean up the rabbit population (which is crazy ATM), but rather they didn't fly off with my little dog.

Thanks for posting the link to the gate Espinay. I would say the mesh would need to be a minimum of a metre high, perhaps more. I've seen a startled brown go vertically up my garage door looking for a way into the garage. It would have been almost a metre up it I swear. Also, when the new kennels are up I will make sure all mesh is on the oustide of the run. If it is on the inside then I reckon a snake could climb up between the bigger mesh and the snake mesh if it was seriously wanting to get in and the dogs can damage it. It's a bugger to work with though, the mesh is really fiddly and sharp.

Good questions espinay2, Can I ask where you found the pic of drop down gate please? TIA Sharon

Hi ES, I hope you find a resolution for Serenity-Jane. Just another recommendation for Steve @K9 Pro from me. I recently took Lena to see Steve and I was impressed, money well spent. I still have a long road ahead with the 'Lenatic', but we are making progress. Regarding the quivering and chattering, I recall running Mick in two Agility classes in quick succession at the Canberra Royal one year and as we exited the jumping ring the crowd parted like Moses had appeared! Mick's sides were heaving and quivering and his teeth were chattering in between him growling and reefing his tug reward. Mick was on adrenaline overload. A little boy was nearby with his little sister, Mum and Grandpa following on behind. They had obviously just watched us run. To his Mum's horror (and my embarassment), the little boy yelled "Look at him, look at him, look at the Mongrel Mummy, what's wrong with him?". His Mum sushed him and hurriedly moved along, but as Grandpa walked passed he smiled at me and said "Awesome Dog!" S

I'm sorry to hear about the injuries to the Dobe and hope he recovers quickly. Another sad story regarding inappropriate business practices and poor standards of care when entrusted with our beloved companions. There are issues surrounding identifying these businesses, however, when we do find the holy grail and experience exceptional service maybe we should all ensure we recommend that business in a thread or section for the benefit of like-minded DOLers with similar values and standards. I don't know if a rating system where members can vote would cause angst for Troy and those who advertise here however. Just a thought. S

Hi SA, I'm with PP and have exclusions removed for one dog and one horse when they had not had a repeat issue in a 12 month period, but it's not automatic, you need to request it be removed and provide evidence from your vet when your policy is due for renewal. Cheers S

I used to get my dogs washed by a mobile groomer every month when I lived in town. He was excellent, but I was always there when he came. He moved on and the new people weren't as dog savvy IMHO so I stopped using the company. I had left my dogs at a grooming place a couple of times, but on one occasion I explained to them that one of my dogs had recently recovered from a foot injury and to please be paticularly careful with him. I quickly ducked out to do some shopping and when I returned there was a bit of a rush to restrain one of the dogs behind a door when he heard my voice. When they brought him out they said to me there's nothing wrong with said dog because damn he could jump! What!?!?!? Apparently, they had let him loose out the back and he had cleared the split barn door and landed on the cement floor on the other side. Fortunately, he was OK, but I they were made aware how disappointed I was and I haven't been back. These days I have an anivac system, but it's a bit hard to keep the dogs clean for any length of time when I live on a small farm. They invariably find something delightful to roll and perfume themselves with straight after a bath. Unfortunately, it's harder than you would hope to find alternatives when required to provides the service and care that we expect. I've had kennels assure me that dogs were never left unattended in exercise areas while completing paperwork in the office, only to walk out to the carpark to leave and witness exactly that occurring. I've also had house-sitters who despite having a detailed list of instructions, think they know better and deliberately defy what I've said. What Caz and Buddy have experienced is horrendous and unforgivable and whatever path Caz decides to pursue in the way of this absolute tragedy I wish her all the very best and hope that this never happens again to anyone else.

Caz I'm so very sorry. Beautiful Buddy did not deserve this and neither did you. Please try not to blame yourself, this is a case of pure negligence on the part of the groomers and it's shameful. RIP gorgeous Buddy. Hugs to you Caz. S

Agree with Reverend Jo. I'd take her pic and one of her licence plate too if you can. When I lived in Canberra and walked all the time I used to encounter idiots and bullies like this on a regular basis. S

I'm really sad to read about WAR's closure, but also totally empathetic to the challenges involved. THANK YOU all for your fantastic efforts and every animal you assisted. Very best wishes. Sharon

May also be too long but I like Right Side of the Track Rescue or maybe FastTrack Rescue or Runner Up Rescue.

Thinking of you Nic, good luck Bella. Shaz B

You are too kind Huski. I need to focus on the dog in front of me instead of constantly comparing her to my older ones. Anyway, will keep you posted on how things go over the next few weeks. S

While I don't have the skills or the lifestyle to suit a Mal, I think I may just be in love with Wisdom. WOW! S Hehe, I am in love too! I hope she didn't leave you too bruised and battered! (unlike me :laugh:) Mate, I've got so many scars and bruises from the ACD's a few more just adds to my character :) Damn she's the bomb, what I'd give for just some of her drive in my young dog. Well.........I'm working on it. ;) Gotta lift my game. S

While I don't have the skills or the lifestyle to suit a Mal, I think I may just be in love with Wisdom. WOW! S

Hi Cosmolo, Nevermind............ I was going to suggest Radar as a possible candidate but he is near ACT, not VIC. Sharon www.australiancattledogrescue.com

It must be a Cattle Dog thing asal. My old red girl Sheila used to duck dive and retrieve rocks from the bottom of the river. I visited a friends in Nowra years ago to do some tracking training and they were amazed to see her after a pretty hectic morning in the paddocks try to retrieve a telegraph pole from the surf at the beach in the afternoon. And she eventually got it up on the beach believe it or not!!! KTB, you reminded me of being in the Canberra Day Parade many years ago with ACT CDC. I was having a great day showing off my dogs obedience skills and marching with my club members.....UNTIL IT APPEARED.....and I felt the colour drain from my face. IT was a guy dressed up as a giant butterfly tottering around on stilts, who upon seeing the dogs approach kept coming closer and closer looming over the top of us and flapping his big beautiful wings. A few of us tried to wave him away but it only attracted him more towards us. Sheila saw him and I noticed her stare harden, her body stiffen and then her hackles slowly raise and she let out a low warning growl. The butterfly still didn't get the hint oddly enough and one of his stilts was within grabbing range of us. I think I eventually yelled out something up to him to about moving back. I could just imagine Sheila deciding to negate the threat by grabbing one of his stick legs and felling him like a tall sapling onto the ashphalt in front of the huge crowd. Disaster averted - phew! A dog who would take out a large butterfly would have to be a massive fail right? S ETA: Somewhere here I have some photos of that day, I must dig them out.

I have 3 Cattle Dogs and a JRT. All would fail at least a couple of the RSPCA test criteria without being in a high stress environment. If tested in a high stress environment such as at the vet or going into boarding, at least two of the four would likely fail criteria. Incidentally, my cat would also probably fail this test. S

Today's effort - the old reverse liverpool kiss :laugh: Was squatting down with my latest foster sitting between my legs but facing away from me. Gave him a big old cuddle and told him he was a very good boy. He got excited and threw his chunky head back and hit me hard just under the left eye. Was heading out to Agility comp tonight, but the headache that's setting in is a cracker, so going to take some pills and stay home. S

As for sustaining injuries rather than averting them, gosh so many, but I will never forget being skittled by one of my foster dogs who was 26kg of solid muscle. He was racing at warp speed with one of my other fosters around the yard and clipped me at about calf level. I got completely airborne and came down on top of him winding both of us. We both needed a chiro treatment afterwards. I don't know how neither of us had any broken bones. Another time I bent down to call and praise my blue dog Mick. He was pretty pleased with my response and came in like a rocket with a leap at the end when he reached me. While in the air, his front foot and toenails went between my bottom lip and my gums (Mick is about 20kg. WOW it hurt, left me bloodied, sore and bruised. People kept asking me did I get into a fight and what did the other person look like! LOL (funny.....now). S

I hope you apologized to the Maremma Steve, what an awesome dog! I had a similar thing happen but had no witnesses, so most don't believe me. I have a big Appaloosa who is one of the loves of my life. He is a great horse, but if I'm honest he's pretty lazy, he'd rather be eating than running. Anyway, I had sighted a snake earlier in the day and decided to practically scalp the lawn so I could spot it if it came back. I was riding the mower along the track I'd chased the snake along earlier (it disappeared into the paddock) and 'Brave' came bolting up to the fence, skidded to a halt right beside me and reared up. I was stunned at first and then started telling him what an idiot he was for giving me such a fright. When I turned back to continue along, there was the snake curled up right in front of me! I would have driven right into it. Lots of carrots that night for the big boy. S

Similar concept to a red ribbon in a horses tail. Public education would be key, but unfortunately, it won't always deter plain stupid. S