Steph M

I don't want myself to be the ONLY source of joy and comfort for the dogs, they're allowed on the furniture here and if they want a pat they come get it. All I ask is if I tell them to go 'out' which we use as out of my personal space or 'off' they do it. And they do. So as they were! Haha

Yes! That's a good point!

Yeah sorry. I don't buy this either. If I ask my dog to hop off my feet/legs/lap he will but otherwise he comes to sit on me for warmth/affection/comfort. Dogs aren't people, its not the same deal

I don't! If we go down to smaller dogs one day they're on the maybe list. No matter how popular they are they're still the perfect dog for some I guess.

Can I be honest? I don't know why anyone gives a flying frick if anyone else thinks they're 'unethical' for not desexing? You do what works for you, for reasons you're happy with and taking on risks that you're comfortable wearing. Its not like your dog has to wear a flashing collar or you have to explain yourself to anyone if you don't want to. I don't understand the point of this thread, you do you and don't push anyone else one way or another. The rules are there because a substantial number of people can't have nice things, desexing or sterilising should be the default for Joe Public who likes to take his dog to the park on weekends, train it enough to come when called and sit for treats and has no intention or need to breed it. I don't think we should be advertising the benefits of entire dogs to everyone who comes in with a pup, incl people who will take advantage of that viewpoint or that or might be unable to manage them.

Powelegs & Maddy, god love you both.

I'd lobe yearly reg! We pay almost that per year!

Agree! Especially with that last part! Be nice to see those other options publicised and pushed a bit more. I guess its a catch 22, no ones willing to try it, vets don't get experience and don't think to suggest it much.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I will never ever judge someone for desexing their pet if they do not wish to or are not able to manage an entire dog. Frankly I never batted an eyelid at the extra cost before Gus was desexed. I made a choice, I was happy with my choice and I paid more for it. I believe the education programs and benefits for people to desex pets are great. Most pets owned by the general public SHOULD be desexed or sterilised.

And then there was Em. She does a lot more than him to earn it! He's like one of those renaissance paintings of a guy being fed grapes, the lazy ass.

I'd believe it. Gus is a bottomless pit

Haha, I've been etsy-ing like a fiend! There's a lovely Navy plaid one but shipping is absurd, although the matching lead is only and extra $2 to ship so that's less painful...

I do follow her on Instagram, definitely on the list!

Hi all! I've decided my idiots have done their time with cheap leashes and am after a nice set for each of them for going out etc. Would love to see where you get yours! Enable meeeee!

Oh fab! I joined another one ion FB that was 98% people talking crud about nothing, 2% camping info haha.

I agree with all these posts but the house sitter probably could have been more open with her experience and more forthcoming with her disclosure, I doubt this all came about overnight. Makes it hard to fix issues if you don't know they're there.

I guess with the rise of emergency vets there's less call for home call outs for some families, so perhaps people aren't having this conversation til the end in some cases. I think its great to have the option if your day to day vet isn't available.

Oh OK then. How dare they! I think this is rad, and 22kg!!! Go Bev!

"There are only 3 possible groups who can be affected by the virus" Nope. Vaccination isn't 100% and different strains of viruses come and go. Any dog really can pick up the disease and spread it about. Its like me saying I had the flu shot, so am totally immune to the flu now. What actually happens is I can get the flu but the severity, symptoms and duration are less because my body has worked out how to fight the flu. I think if you're going to push this agenda so hard you really need some immunology education, ideally not from google. There will always be a vulnerable subset, seniors & the very young, immune system compromised and the sick, that's where herd immunity comes in and where its important those able to ensure their dogs are vaccinated.

Why was the cat not checked for vital signs before entering the freezer? Any cat that can try to claw it's way out and end up like it did presumably would have had some vital signs of life?

Trade your partner as collateral! Kidding, mostly...but it sounds like he's making things difficult for you, I hope he doesn't resent her when she does come home or take it out on you. Fingers crossed for a cheap, speedy recovery from here out. :)

I wasn't talking about any specific breeder/puppy farm, I don't even know who's being mentioned. I was replying to "you don't have to be a puppy farmer to have a bad experience with parvo, it can happen to any breeder" and I was actually agreeing with you, but making the point above which I stand by, that your average high volume puppy farmer probably cares less, has more dogs in a space and possibly with poor immune systems, the pup itself sees less veterinary intervention or later and the hygiene standards are probably less than stellar and thus more likely to see a big breakout. Which I totally stand by.

No - One got sick several weeks after it went home and it wasnt Parvo You don't have to be a puppy farmer to have a bad experience with parvo. It can happen to any breeder. But I can see how it's more prevalent and easier spread in high volume puppy farms where pups are probably less closely monitored and less likely to see a vet at the first sign of being off colour.

Gus ate a bee once, much like Idiot Dog he was not phased and just bought us a ball with a face like a Pei and wanted to play. Haha. I love the bees, can I have your bees? Haha.

Please be absolutely honest with the breeders you pursue. Not every dog or line be a fit for your situation and be prepared for some rejection too, but please don't feel like little white lies will get you what you want. Might work in the short time but these people know their dogs, take their word for it and ask why, treat it as a learning curve if you come up against brick walls