Her Majesty Dogmad

What an awful thing to happen, you just never knwo when it's going to hit a female dog. I'm presuming she's still on antibiotics? If not perhaps she needs another course? I also think it's such a huge op for an older girl that it might just take a few more days but it's good that she's eating and drinking OK. She shouldn't be walked or anything like that but hopefully the vet gave out a lot of instructions.

Great news!

Have you posted in the cat forum on DOL?

Anyone else that saw the dog in this condition and did nothing is also guilty of cruelty. Don't tell me there were no neighbours, no visitors and so on whilst this dog suffered because i don't believe it.

I have been a household with several dogs at one time, for about 6 yrs now. I've currently got dogs which include a JRT x and a purebred Italian Greyhound, recently adopted - she's 8. IGs are very different from my other dogs but they all do their own thing and curl up together in a basket, this took some time but they all get on well. With my JRT x, when I first got her I also had an old Cattle dog who loved to play with balls and toys - the JRT was very bossy with her when she was trying to play and so I took all the toys away, which I was sad about but I was hoping the JRT x would find a new home (she was a foster) and we'd go back to normal. I would keep the JRT x away and have play time with my Cattle x girl and then do the reverse. Sadly my Cattle cross passed away of liver cancer and I ended up keeping the JRT x girl because the removal of the toys had been my main issue, I hadn't wanted to compromise my Cattle girl's life. In reality, she wouldn't have played much with the toys without me here so it wasn't as bad as I felt at the time. I'm sure you'll feel better about this in a while and it sounds like you've reached a happy compromise for now.

You were advertised on the Trading Post - Free to a Good Home. The ad said 8+ and I was looking for a little dog to be someone's companion. When I rang and found out that you were actually 14 yrs old and your owners sounded so callous, I drove out to meet you and rescue you. When I got there you were out in the road, foraging for something to eat. You had spent 14 years of your life living in the backyard. Your owners told me that all you ever wanted was to be with them but they didn't allow you in the house. They had cheered when you left, you'd been an unwanted birthday present all those years ago and they were glad to see the back of you. You were a lifeless and joyless little dog at first. Weighing 3 kilos, you hadn't seen a vet in 14 years. Unfortunately you had a mouth full of rotten teeth - you'd been fed "No Frills" canned food only and now your heart was bad and then there were the awful lympomas hanging off your legs. My vet said "6 months" was your expected lifespan but he could take out your teeth and remove the lympomas and make your life much more comfortable so that's what we did. You went on two lots of meds for your heart and you were on your way. It was Easter last year when you arrived. With tlc from the vet and a good diet and warm bed, you soon learned to wag your tail all the time. Your coat grew thicker and glossier and you loved to go for walks, something you'd never had. You never wanted to sleep on my bed and it was only the last few months where you sat on my lap for a while as you started feeling a bit unwell. You had another tooth or two out and went on some different medication but there was no denying that you weren't going to be with me for a long time. You were always my little shadow, everywhere I went you followed. You loved my JRT cross and would annoy her by taking a nip at her ears, you ate anything that landed on the floor including pills so you were easy to give meds to! You would go out the doggie door if I was standing there but you would not come in, i tried for many months, you got the concept of housetraining but when you got desperate, especially as the diuretics increased, you used a towel or mat near the doggie door. Everyone thought I was mad, you were a major expense that would lead to heartbreak and it has for me but I have loved you from that first moment we met, you were the dearest little girl and you deserved more, so much more than you ever had. I could never have left you in that awful situation. The turns you've been having of late became more frequent in the last few days and it was beginning to get very distressing for you. I didn't want you to die when I wasn't here so I made my decision and you went to sleep, chewing a treat, in my arms. Everyone says I have to console myself with the fact that at least you had love at the end. It's really not enough but that's what I'll have to do. Miss you forever little Miss Tazzie.

There was a pyrenean in a Syd pound last year - I contacted a breeder and she had a waiting list - they are so rare you may be able to find the exact breeder- have a look at the breeders' lists at the front of DOL

One vet just wanted to keep giving cortisone but the other vet was more interested in getting to the bottom of the problem luckily and my boss was getting insistent.

What a moron for doing that in the first place but even worse to make such a complaint, it is ridiculous. Would they also have euthanased my dogs/foster dogs for chipping my teeth, blacking my eyes, making my nose bleed, tripping me up? All unintentional accidents as this clearly was.

Never used canned food. Your portions are possibly incorrect. I'd recommend speaking to a vet if you are not sure! I use human grade urkey mince for my dogs plus veggies. When a dog I rescued had to diet, my vet told me just a palm sized piece of meat and the rest of the bowl with veggies - she was a cattle dog ... No treats of any kind except a carrot stick. I've dieted a number of dogs and short walks (depending on weather) are good if they are grossly obese as most haven't been walked for years but your dogs don't sound all that bad so I'm sure the weight will soon drop off.

My advice comes from a behaviouralist origianlly - let the dog just settle for the first two weeks - don't bombard the dog with affection, new experiences (lots of outings etc) or lots of new people (everyone coming over to have a look). It's like us starting a new job - a simple routine is best at first - one walk a day unless it's a youngster who needs more, sticking to the local area and then if the dog should escape they will hopefully know the way home. Keep to certain times for meals etc. Make sure no doors/gates etc are left open but that's a golden rule anyway. No off leash exercise as you don't know the dog well enough - it's about 2 months for a dog to bond with you as it's new owner. Do you need to housetrain the dog? I'd also recommend Googling "settling your new dog in" - there's lots of advice that will pop up.

Posting the outcome of this - xrays have shown that he has a bony spur growing at the base of his penis, the poor little mite. He must have been in so much pain but has remained a delightful little chap.

Sometimes it can be hard to look at a photo of your lost one. I always buy a plant that flowers at this time of year so that each year you can remember them.

I have more than 2 dogs - have had more than 2 since 2002. The dogs I've had have always been very bonded with me and with each other, some in particular with one other dog but the group I have at the moment all love each other very much. I'll never have just 1 dog again. But always let your dog pick their friends. Just to add a note on the cat situation, a second dog will follow the first in their behaviour normally - even if you start with a cat friendly dog, they may follow your BC's lead so you will need to take great care. I would not get a GSP - they can have a very high prey drive. My friend got one and then got a cat and a bird and a guinea pig. It was a constant juggling act with all the small animals in great danger. The dog killed the bird when they forgot to shut the door one day so they ended up getting rid of the cat and the guinea pig moved on as well, it was very stressful for the many months they all shared the house ...

OK - puppies take a LOT longer to housetrain than an adult dog - please bear this in mind when reading my training method. All toilet training is assisted by a doggie door or easy access to get outside when they need to go and with puppies, they don't have much of an idea that they need to go until they mature so that's why they have lots of accidents. A good walking routine is crucial for all dogs, they begin to know what to expect and can hold on eventually - walk every morning and every afternoon with younger dogs. I have old dogs and we go out every morning, they poo every time and yet they've only had a biscuit for breakfast. Most of my dogs do poo more than once a day but recently, I was giving a 15 yr old Supercoat light & mature. Every morning I was getting up to 3 giant poos - didn't know who it was. She only weighs 3 kilos so was the last on my list of suspects. Then the other fosters got rehomed and poop kept appearing - gradually I realised it was HER!! I've now changed to a different brand and get up to no poos - yippee! This old dog can't operate a dog door so does everything inside unfortunately! With the doggie door, I don't prop mine up due to flies but a friend suggested I get some shower curtain material and cut into strips and stick them above the dog door and it works brilliantly, dogs happy to go through it. You do also need to spend time training dogs to go in and out of dog doors, if it is a clear plastic many dogs won't attempt it - get a square of wrapping paper the size of the flap and stick on the flap - gives dogs a target. Here's my method which I've used on 100s of dogs now (literally): HOUSETRAINING TIPS Ok - first thing to do is decide on the command (I call it “do wees”) you will repeat over and over. You have to really focus on the dog for about 2-3 days to be successful. You have a pocketful of special treats on hand all the time for the first 2-3 days. Walk the dog several times a day and every time the dog wees, you get very excited and keep saying “Good boy/girl, do wees, do wees” – give the dog treats every time. First thing in the morning, last thing at night and every time you see the dog eat or drink (both precursors to weeing) whisk the dog into the garden and repeat the command “do wees”. Get very excited and present treats every time dog goes. The dog’s aim in life is to please you. If the dog should have an accident inside the house – say NOTHING at all. The dog soon gets the idea that when he/she goes outside you are really, really pleased and he/she gets rewarded. NB: Please note that the smell of urine must be properly removed for any housetraining to be successful. There are products on the market such as “Urine Off” but they are very expensive. A mix of white vinegar and water is a much cheaper alternative and should work for tiles and other surfaces although you should always take care with wood etc. For carpet/rugs, I use either a mixture of Napisan/water or bicarb of soda and water. I completely soak the stain using a dab on technique with a cloth. When it is very wet, I use an old towel to soak up the excess moisture. Again, be careful on any expensive carpet/rug, I have never had any problems but I cannot guarantee any method here.

They aren't a breed that likes to be outside, separated from family! Wrong type of dog for that. What about a doggie door? I rehome small dogs mainly and only to homes where they have access to get inside.

Is there a university near you? I worked at a Uni for a while and there were often ads on the board with transport going all over the place. If no uni nr you, you could contact one near the rats' location or in Sydney. Mittagong to Sydney is pretty easy and rescuers could perhaps assist you although the rats would need to be secure and I wouldn't transport them with any JRTs.

How often do you walk your dogs? What do you feed them? Answers to the above questions may be helpful. I have a toilet training method that I can share with you but I'd like to know more info. When the dogs go "out" are they only going onto a balcony? Do they have a doggie door into a garden or yard?

That's a thought, maybe you could check out whether there are any amateur photography clubs or courses (TAFE etc) in the local area as well!

Is this for the pound or a specific rescue organisation? Will the person have to go into the kennels and get the dogs out or will the dogs be brought to them? I ask because I've been to Blacktown and know they are short staffed and how the dogs are kept.

Hard to keep the younger dogs quiet after surgery and Takoda looks like she loves a game in the pics you sent me of her and Princess. The people replied to say that Princess wasn't right for them and nor was another little dog I sent through - I have no idea what they want and I don't think they do, I think Princess is absolutely gorgeous so will keep her in mind for any other enqs I get.

they are not used on greyhounds cause they bite people they are not used on greyhounds cause they bite people Agreed! Greyhounds are such gorgeous animals - such a misconception about them though Sorry I should have explained myself better, and I do love greyhounds,and know they are a gentle dog by nature, what I should have said was, they muzzle greyhounds, and they don't bite for no reason so why not muzzle a dog that does bite, I don't understand why they have to muzzle greyhounds at all anyway. I believe that greyhounds are muzzled because they chase lures and could well mistake a small dog or cat in public for same. Many years ago, when I was a child, we owned a pekinese and a fellow up the road had a racing greyhound and walked it unmuzzled. That same greyhound took to our peke ad almost killed him. Not the greyhound's fault, but definately the fault of the idiotic owner. He had a huge vet bill that he paid. There are many types of dogs - both purebred and crossbreeds that are far more dangerous in general, than a greyhound. If your thoughts were right, all large dogs would be muzzled. There are many large dogs that would kill a small fluffy animal, even of the same species and it regularly happens in dog parks as well as out on the street, you just don't hear about it. Only last week I heard about someone's Maltese being ripped apart by a Malamute.

Could be a cyst or similar, I've had one of my dogs rushed in to emergency surgery for suspected cancer on his spine (found a hard lump) and my vet said it had to go right now. Turned out to be a cyst thankfully. If it's an infection and pus etc, then that's dangerous if it bursts and gets into the dog's system so your vets are probably making sure your dog's not compromised. It's often hard to tell what is going on unless they have a good look under anaesthetic.

What a horrendous situation. Someone tried to surrender a Bull Mastiff / Ridgeback "purebred" to me they bought from a "breeder" nr Canberra. It was huge and dog aggressive .... There should be a law against this, it won't stop until breeders start getting their puppies desexed before rehoming and really, it's too late now.

And often, the owner needs training as well.