Her Majesty Dogmad

Thank you everyone. Will send an email to Nekhbet!

We've got a potential home for an Iggy in Geelong. We have a homechecker in Melbourne and it's too far - could anyone help please? Thanks!

I'm from the UK and it is much more acceptable over there to have your dog with you. In 2010 I stayed in a B&B and 2 lots of guests had brought their dogs with them, no problems, everyone was fine with it. Back in the 1980s they stopped petshops selling puppies and kittens but they do still have an unwanted animal issue but far less statistically than in Australia. Another big problem they have there are the hoodlums who use dogs as weapons, particularly staffy and pitty types. A major headline in the Daily Mail UK today shows pictures of a pitbull cross attacking policemen who were looking for the owner, a criminal. Dog injured 5 policemen and a couple have "life changing" injuries which is terrible. They don't carry guns over there and had to wait for an armed policeman to kill the dog so injuries got worse. It's a really scary story of the owner being an obvious a---hole and the authorities ignoring a serious issue.

I've rehomed to disabled and elderly people, neither they nor I are "perfect" but they offered the perfect homes for the dogs' needs.

People are pretty stupid unfortunately, there's a lot of scamming around. I recently came across someone who was scammed for an Italian Greyhound puppy, they were then suspicious of me because I rescue/rehome Iggies ...

I can't understand why people wouldn't want to be matched but then perhaps they don't know about the 150,000 unwanted dogs euth'd each year.

It can be a dreadful disappointment in life to hear what you don't want to hear, that a dog you have decided is for you is going to complicate your life and you are not able to provide what the dog really needs. I don't do that lightly. I was working at Doggie Rescue's shopfront, rehoming their dogs in Drummoyne a few years ago when a nice young couple came in, they were probably early 20s. They were renting a unit. They wanted a puppy and wanted one NOW. They both worked full time. I tried to talk to them, they didn't want to complete a form - that was really going to be too many questions for them. About half an hour later, I was in the pet supply store next door when in they walked with a gorgeous puppy. I asked where they bought this puppy and they said the pet shop. Great. I asked them if the pet shop had told them what sort of dog it was. they looked at me blankly. I asked what they knew about Beagles as that is what they had bought. I often wonder where that little chap is now. Maybe they suddenly won the lottery and bought a big house and got another dog and gave up work. What do you think?

I take offence at the attitude of "whatever i want I get". Someone at work today complaining because a neigbbour complained about their puppy barking, not only do they work full time and leave the dog alone all day, they also are of an age where they like to socialise so go out after work and a lot at weekends. Not sure why the person got the dog myself. Why do dogs such as this end up having to be rehomed or in the pound? Research suggests it's because there's been an issue in the first place with a mismatch. Don't crucify rescuers for trying to make sure a dog doesn't end up in strife twice in a row ...

PAWS is following up on an enquiry in Lakewood for one of our small dogs. Lakewood (nr Laurieton) is about 4.5 - 5 hours north of Sydney. If anyone is nearby and could do a homecheck, we'd be really pleased especially as things are so quiet at the moment and pounds are full, PAWS will be able to take another dog from the pound when we have a space.

Why people get these dogs and then treat them like that is beyond me. We got an Italian Greyhound recently, bought from a breeder, flown to Sydney and then left in a backyard, literally, for a year. No bed, coat, walks, vet treatment - nothing. Luckily they are normally a lovely natured dog no matter what and he's been amazing, has come a very long way in just a couple of weeks with someone who is breed experienced and home all day. A Giant Schnauzer won't be quite as easy from what I understand but no dog deserves a life like that, I hope someone can help him and provide all he needs.

Once you rehome a dog you sever all ties to that dog, I don't think I would like the old owners having access to my new dog and it is not fair on the dog either. Just my thoughts Maree CPR A lot of owners ask for access but i always explain it's not fair to the dogs etc etc and I find most of them are OK with receiving an update or two with photos but no contact details for where the dog has gone, happy to give a rough geographical area and that's it. I just came across a case with 2 purebred dogs who'd been rehomed free by the owner 18 months ago. New owner now wanted to rehome as they were very destructive. Apart from the fact that the new owner had a change of schedule so less time to spend with them, new owner had also agreed to old owner's request for regular access visits. These dogs had spent a full weekend with the old owner every month and sometimes more time than that, depending on what the old owner requested. New owner had to drive across the city and pay all the tolls as old owner didn't drive. Old owner did not pay for anything else, no vet bills, no food etc. A bizarre arrangement that really didn't work for the dogs, at their age there is no way they should have been destructive, I think they are emotionally distressed by all the comings and goings. New owner lives on acreage, old owner in a unit ....

Has the owner approached the original breeder? If the dog is only young hopefully she'd remember who the breeder is. Alternatively, you can contact Royoni Kennels, they don't take them but often have people on a waiting list as they are known as Cocker Spaniel Rescue. Most Cockers, even older ones, seem to rehome fairly quickly. BEst if he goes as a second dog if he's used to canine company though.

A beautiful story, so sorry that this lovely girl had to go, taken before her time. Hugs to you Rachel, I know you tried your best.

So very sad for Digby, just when he'd found love. Taken way too soon, RIP sweet boy.

Some rescue groups have behaviouralists that volunteer for them or provide a very reduced rate

Has anyone heard of the "Canine Behaviour Expert & Rescue" based at Clemton. Please pm me if you like. Thanks.

I can recommend a couple of people in Sydney that could help. I've also had ex breeding dogs here and am happy to help you with some suggestions on the toilet training etc. If you want to pm me, I will send you my phone no.

gorgeous!

are you in NSW?

Hard to avoid them when they slip their collar and make a beeline for your dog There was a baby whippet at one of the dog parks last weekend! Lets hope it stays in one piece. All it has to be is bowled at speed for a broken leg. A dog that slipped its collar and made a beeline for any of my dogs would be airborne shortly afterwards. I have no qualms about booting dogs to keep mine safe.. none at all. We had a baby Iggy up at this rougher park the other day - the owner picked him up and he wriggled the whole time to get down and play but there were bigger dogs there that would have made it impossible.. Darn but he was so very cute though.. And as Italian Greyhound Rescue, we recommend NOT to go to dog parks with larger dogs because Iggies break .... also, if you read about the breed they are usually uncomfortable in a place with lots of other dogs, they are better in a small group setting and not with bigger dogs unless very well supervised and not rough housing.

In our local dog off leash park there was a recent incident with a Staffy grabbing a puppy by the ear and doing some damage. It would not let go and apparently this was not the first instance with the dog attacking in a completely unprovoked situation. A vet was called to the park and treated the puppy who luckily didn't lose an ear, it was some kind of harmless little oodle cross. The puppy was apparently screaming so I asked my friend if the other dog owners held their dogs back and she said she knew to do that because the other owners didn't so she instructed them to hold on to their dogs, this nightmare scene went on for a very long time and was distressing to all. The Staffy's owner was told never to come back again, her dog is simply high risk BUT it is also high risk to take a small puppy to a park. I drive home past a dog park in heavy traffic and last night I saw the tiniest little ball of black fluff running round being chased by two Border Collies, not too many other dogs around but i was terrified for the little mite, the owners just often have no idea.

No problem, I've deleted my posts. Have a great day everyone. :)

Yes Anne, I get that but there's so much more to consider on this issue and I have bought many dogs from the pound. I could just list the $$ but it's not that interesting a read.

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