Her Majesty Dogmad

Same here, Maddie just snaps the Myna's out of the air mid flight. Do rubber snakes work for all birds, I know someone who uses them to keep the ducks off the verandah. Can I borrow Maddie?? I have a persistent pair of nesting Indian Mynahs that have cost me a fortune in pest control ...

The JRT and most terriers would normally be obsessed with trying to get chickens etc. So many people have chickens now, when I do homechecks if they are looking at a JRT type I usually recommend they don't try and have both at the same time and that goes for cats too, many JRTs would kill a cat.

If you have no experience with terriers then I wouldn't recommend it, I'd go for the barn cat option - much easier. I've had terriers (purebreds and crosses) for years, the JRTs are consummate ratters usually but not always and they are generally consistent escape artists too ... I've had a Lakeland Terrier (not a breed for the faint hearted), JRTS, a Standard Foxy, Foxies, Tenterfields and so on. Only today my Westie cross who has always shown very distinctive terrier behaviour, despatched yet another blue tongue when I wasn't here - I hate this, he disembowels them. You can't blame him, he thinks they are a snake. Terriers are very feisty and strong willed and don't always suit people - hence the need for Jack Russell Rescue which is generally one of the busiest rescues. A lot of Standard Foxies don't seem to be very good with other dogs. These are all things to think about. I love terriers and will probably always have one but they are a lot of dog in a small body. I'm pretty sure that Dachshunds (you can get Standard size) are also excellent ratters but I've never had one.

Yep, had some very vigorous disagreements here and no doubt there are more to come. I doubt I'm on some people's fan list but I do try to stick to the argument and not get personal. And that's what I admire about you HW, you have the knowledge and experience to back up your opinion as well. Congrats on 10 years, my how DOL has changed in that time and not for the better in my opinion. I miss Greytmate and some other members who added a lot of flavour to the forums.

What a gorgeous boy, RIP Jack and hugs to you and your family.

This is being responsible - you cannot afford to risk any repetition of this behaviour or the next little dog won't be so lucky. It was a Lab that killed a tiny poodle in our dog park a few years ago - most people wouldn't believe it of a Lab but it's true and I'm sure these things happen far more often than we know. Play ball in the backyard, walk your dog around the neighbourhood and watch closely for any other signs that something is amiss with her. I hope you have many more happy years ahead with no worries or problems.

Highly challenging with two different breeds unfortunately. Could take months, if ever. Best to try and find them homes individually where they have another doggie friend they will get along with.

Not a silly question, after I lost my Italian that I'd rescued and owned for 9 years, one Italian I fostered (I run Italian Greyhound rescue) was far too similar and I just couldn't keep him here because of it, it was bringing my heartbreak and memories back - this was months after I'd lost my first Italian. This dog could have been his twin and I moved him to another foster carer. The other two Italians I've had did not look the same and if I keep owning them as a breed, I would rather not go for the same colours each time. I guess with some breeds you don't have a lot of choice though and if that was me, I'd probably look at a different breed.

I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to rehome a Bassett, they are very rare and there would be people out there with breed experience, it would just be a case of finding them. There is also Beagle Rescue in NSW and even if they cannot take your dog they may have homes waiting and could advertise him.

It's no wonder that pounds and rescuers have a bloody hard time working out what crossbreed to write in a description of a dog - only yesterday we were studying one of my friend's adopted dogs (from a large rescue group in Sydney) and trying to work out what he was crossed with. I said these days, you could be looking at multiple breeds in one dog .... and this is another fine example of disgusting puppy farm and back yard breeding practices, people are in it for only greed and money making and that's what this moron wanted when she went to get another pet shop pup to breed with. Makes me sick to the core.

What a lovely life she had with you and a beautiful tribute. She'll leave such a huge hole in your lives after 14 years. RIP Indiana Paddledog, I'm glad you lead such a long and happy life. Hugs to you all.

I spent yesterday at a friend's place. There were a few of us who brought their dogs along and my friend had bought a bag of treats to give them all from a company called "Naturalicious". I have old dogs with delicate tums and few teeth - they really enjoyed the fish and roo sticks and the little buttons - i'll certainly be buying the same treats from this site in future as all the dogs loved them and no upset stomachs! http://www.naturalicious.com.au/user/31355456/web/index.asp

I take Nexium for reflex as nothing else works ... I hope Heather doesn't end up on it too, the pharmacist will be most amused. They already wondered what was going on when I presented my vet's prescription for Lomotil when Echo developed airway disease last year. :)

I think this has just started happening to my girl and I'm off to the vet this week, she's a 13 yr old Jack Russell who's been in great health but over Christmas started doing what you describe and bringing up small amounts of food and sometimes large piles of grass. I'd been given some different treats for Christmas and stopped giving them to her in case that had been the cause. She's fine some days but not others so off to the vet we go ... I've often wondered why all the licking - I've got a couple of oldies that do this to my sofa - making it quite damp - and thought it might be a bit of dementia possibly as they are in good health otherwise and have had recent dentals.

Now there's a real low life ...

Oh no, that is so very sad. I hope that the person responsible pays dearly, they are morally bankrupt.

How did she live at the breeder's place - do you know? She might have lived in a run without too much contact and now she's discovered a loving home so she's lapping it up. I personally think it's too much and too early to expect a dog to immediately bond with everyone she meets and want to spend time with them instead of you, when you are around. 4 grandchildren would be pretty overwhelming for many dogs. When she goes to stay with anyone, leave a piece of your clothing with her and take a familiar bed etc. Most dogs are far more adaptable than we give them credit for. I've rescued a lot of dogs - even very elderly ones - and it takes a few days and they begin to relax and settle. People especially cannot believe how bonded my dogs are with me when I tell them that they have lived in another home for the majority of their lives!

A lovely little girl that PAWS rescued has a possible home in Cowra. If anyone can help with this, please pm me. Thanks in advance!

There's Border Collie Rescue in NSW - just checked their website and they sadly have lots of BCs available of all ages: http://www.bcra.org.au/dogs_avail.html you can send an email to: [email protected]

Sounds like a bit of a worry - for the dogs. It isn't easy at all to run a rescue and make all the right decisions on a regular basis. It's very difficult to run a rescue remotely - ie from another state. You'd hope that it is only people with vast experience running rescues but with all the rescues springing up, and from what I know, that isn't the case now. As for being in league with a broker, if it's the broker I'm thinking of then it's a recipe for disaster - for the dogs that are sent, for those that receive them and for the community in general but if it's the same group then this has been happening for a long time.

She might be OK but I'm sure she'll never be the same and nor will the person walking her. These attacks don't take place without having serious repercussions for those attacked - I can only hope those who have enabled this attack will be appropriately dealt with. You cannot be responsible and have aggressive dogs behind a gate that a child can open.

What a beautiful dog, I thought his replies to the owner's instructions were pretty funny. I didn't think he was stressed, just being wayward.

Maree, my understanding is that they have to have specific types of food and plenty of cage rest - a rescue vet is the best to advise but I'll see if I can get some info from my rescue colleagues in Sydney.

Dogmad do you not see the irony in what you said? How is the above post not derogatory to people who have a different view point? Personally I have no problem with people arguing their own point and I can deal with whatever is thrown at me on an Internet forum, but double standards and lack of logic frustrate me. But this post was made after a whole heap of rude comments. Perhaps those who are being attacked should just turn the other cheek? I'm sure that many simply leave the forums for good.

What a lovely boy, hugs to you, hard to lose a friend after so many years of sharing love.