Her Majesty Dogmad

Thank you - i'll come back to you via pm

Can anyone help with a homecheck in Wentworth Falls for an SOS puppy? Thanks in advance

SOS have had an enquiry for one of their puppies and need a homecheck done in Bundeena if anyone can help please? Thanks in advance.

I used to work in a large shelter. People would come in with a list of dogs to see. One of my strategies was to have a long termer in the office with me to give them exposure - there's only so much a photo can do, it often cannot convey what a delightful and loving dog lies behind it. I think this is definitely worth trying!

Horrific and disgusting that the authorities didn't listen to her complaints and deal with the moronic owners before tragedy occurred. Those responsible should pay for this although nothing will bring this lovely lady back.

SOS have a great sounding home in Tassie but before the prospective owners fly up to Sydney to meet the dog of their dreams, a homecheck needs to be conducted. It's for one of the bigger dogs and SOS appreciate your help!

Hope you got yourself the T-shirt that was there with those words on!!

dogmad - did you see the really big Dandie boy? He was such a cuddle bug. And the gorgeous little Iggy with the Oscar's Law people... wasn't he simply darling? T. T- I just loved the Dandies, they've got such big eyes and just love the look. The Italian you saw is a particularly magnificent dog - he was rescued by us at Iggy Rescue in 2011, near death, surrendered by a really hopeless owner who fed him fatty foods including chocolate and gave him pancreatitis. Fostered by his now owner who has since fostered/adopted 2 more dogs from us and isn't fostering any more! As you know it is all too easy to fall in love with your fosters. :D It will be very hot out there today - I think you should rest up!!

Currently have 2 dogs on the bed - the IG because they just have to be and one of my fosters - I don't normally allow this but she's a 10 kilo determined type and I got fed up with putting her off the bed, barks her head off in a crate so just have to find her a home where she can sleep on the bed! I end up squished over to one side generally.

I want a Dandie Dinmont!! I was hoping they'd be there again and they were. Spent a fortune on dog treats and natural meds etc plus a double lead plus an Oscar's Law Tshirt. I also really enjoyed the Flyball display, always fun to see. It was very hot so great for the dogs to be inside but I think it's going to be even worse tomorrow ...

If you contact a local vet they will probably be able to help you.

I very much fear for his safety, considering the situation and the type of people that have him.

There is something called a "Furminator" which is pretty good but you have to do it constantly. Unfortunately there aren't always owners who are bothered to be constant with something like that. If you are going to have a dog shaved bald then you'd have to be prepared to be very responsible in other ways ie sun protection or ensuring they were warm enough. My vets has a groomer and apparently he is constantly grooming matted dogs. There's no excuse for that either, you just make regular appointments and stick to them plus brush your dog in between. So many crappy owners out there ...

Plenty of food for thought in the article, thanks for posting

The tick season is bad this year but I'm not sure about the area you are in, hopefully there's someone else in Chatswood that can advise. Personally I would have thought that the area you describe is very built up so it would be a much lower risk than any areas bordering on the bush but hopefully someone else will know.

Yeah I would think it would still shed, but just tiny little spiky hairs?? And tiny spiky hairs are the worst! I've got a mainly white Italian Greyhound - they shed although people don't expect them to and they have very short hair, I spent hours picking white hairs off a new black top the other day ...

I came across this when I was working in the same place as a groomer a few years ago. I was shocked to see a Pug and a Foxy both shaved bald. I asked what was going on and was told that the owners couldn't stand the shedding but that it was a wonderful home and the dogs were very loved. As a rescuer, I do see and hear about dogs being either given up to the pound or away free or put outside permanently - all because of the hair shedding - so I don't believe this is the worst case scenario. If it means a dog remains inside as part of the family then that's good. In my opinion a lot more emphasis needs to be put on the hair shedding factor to anyone who is contemplating buying from a breeder or a petshop (God forbid) so that the dogs are not compromised at some future point, ie when new owner discovers they shed ... Many people I've spoken to have been totally ignorant of this fact until they had the dog. I regularly hear this about Labradors for example. I have dogs that shed and probably always will - yes it drives me mad sometimes as I do like to wear black but I'd never contemplate leaving them outside or getting rid of them because of it.

Good luck, I've heard good things about that vet too. I'm with you, I don't like being pushed on vaccinations - I don't do my dogs every year - they are all older and have had many in their lifetimes, it's not good to keep going with it when they are older. Breed specific issues are very important to consider so I'm glad you've found an experienced vet - I'd drive to get to one that knew my breed as they have specific issues too.

So sad to hear about Ryan, what a gorgeous soul. Hugs to you all.

Tears for you and a beautiful little girl, Tynka was taken far too soon. Hugs to you xxx

As a dog rescuer, I hear about issues in this situation very regularly so this is a topic that actually raises my blood pressure somewhat. What the general population don't realise is that many dogs get beaten, euthanased or dropped to the pound for euthanasia BECAUSE they have killed a chicken. I've rescued dogs just in the nick of time - beautiful dogs that were expected to live in a garden with free range chickens but killed them and were about to die themselves. I've spoken to dropkick owners including the man who'd rescued a "lovely dog that I love" 5 years before and suddenly decided it was time to get some free range chickens. Hmmm, surprisingly the dog suddenly killed a couple and he had punished it severely before putting the dog back in the same scenario - guess what? Followed it's instinct again. It was time for the dog to move on he said. I said what I had to say, in a nice way - that he had very unrealistic expectations that his dog should live with chickens and that it's the chickens that should go. The dog went. Some people don't understand the meaning of love, it's all about what suits at the time.

Might have been an idea to have tested your dogs with chickens first. I do this when rehoming a dog - many homes like to have chickens these days - even free range ones. Not too many dogs are OK with it though so best to have a trial first before committing. I feel sorry for the chickens, that's not a nice experience to have something that wants to eat you, banging on your enclosure. Shore up the chicken coop and keep the dogs well away in a safely enclosed area nowhere near the chickens and don't allow access - deliberately or accidentally.

What a terrible situation, it sounds that this is just out of spite. I also believed that the microchip held the owner's details which is why we have to complete the Change of Ownership forms in NSW when our dogs are adopted. There is a great lawyer on here - dogslife - who has helped others. Jill - I can find out her no if you don't get a response from a pm, am not sure how often she visits the forums.

So sad, what a beautiful man. Hugs to you Rozzie. x

I think a crate would def. make your life easier, tethering isn't a great option for a dog like this. I am sure that Aidan will be a great help to you and wish you the best of luck.