Her Majesty Dogmad

I think it's nice to ask not to have dogs on seats but they are a vet, not a fancy restaurant. I just had a Whippet cross in at the vets on 3 occasions in 3 weeks and he'd leapt onto the bench seat before I'd even sat down, he was quite insistent and as he was an anxious dog, I decided not to make him worse. Noone said anything - if someone had needed the seat I'd have got him on my lap. What really hacks me off is not dogs on seats, it's the people that come in - despite the vet request on the front door - with dogs off lead, loose cats they are holding and so on. Now that is disrespectful, rude and risky.

8 dogs dumped at one pound in Sydney today plus lots of cats/kittens.

It's Andrea who is also Maremma Rescue NSW, she's out nr Lithgow. She is a reputable rescue.

Merry Christmas to Yellowgirl, someone with a huge heart who does so much for animals in need and doesn't baulk at ones with huge medical and physical needs. If only everyone was like that, the world would be a much nicer place.

Very confused here - what about all the posts for dogs looking for a home that are fostered in rescue? I was under the impression that this was the same scenario but cats. I thought the only rule was they must be desexed and not from a back yard breeder or puppy farm advertising them? I recently did a post about a Himalayan cat needing a home/rescue (all vet work done). That wasn't against the rules.

Doggie Rescue has a Border Collie currently. I was also speaking to someone yesterday who was looking to rehome their BC as they are unable to find rental accomm. Dog is good with other dogs and they have a 2 yr old child. I can find out more if you like. They are driving through Sydney in about a month and can bring dog with them.

Go Tim Vaseduva!!!

As for the off leash dog scenario - there is a problem in my area but only one dog is small, others are much larger. None of them are with their owners, they are all wandering loose .... usually the same households that are just totally irresponsible and no matter how many times the council visits (and I'm talking about over the YEARS), these morons don't change.

I also live in an area with many Asian people, there are different reactions, some of them like my small dogs and ask about them. Others look at them in horror and cross the road or try and squeeze themselves into gateways etc. I've had people shriek as well .... I've learned to give them a very wide berth if we are on the same path or cross the road. I asked a Chinese lady I work with if she was frightened of dogs and she said that she was brought up to believe all dogs were diseased and dangerous and would bite her so she was terrified of them - no matter what size. So it is very much cultural.

In NSW, the vet is supposed to take a stray dog off your hands. The owner's information is private and only so many vet staff have access to the chip database. That said, I have had one vet refuse to take the stray dog I found but generally they will. Hope you find the owner soon - take some photos and put them up on posts around the area as well!

Same to you SM!

Absolutely Dogmad, I'm definitely going to be talking to my son about Prozac. Great, I know it's a stressful time but they may just come across somewhere they can rent with a dog that is suitable.

Bellacody, will you at least consider what I suggested about the Prozac? If a dog is suffering from stress, it may help - definitely worth asking the vet if Mia doesn't have to be gone right now.

I think they call it bullying actually Nic B, rude or bullying, none of it is good.

I didn't say that, either. Read what I and others have said from an objective point of view rather than rushing in to tell of your experiences. I didn't say to rehome her to an elderly person either, just a person who wants a constant companion which does not arbitrarily mean an elderly person. Mia's home is a very tense one at the moment - having to move, car written off, coming up to Christmas. A lot of anxiety producing events are happening all at once to this family through no fault of their own. For an anxious dog to be around all that can exacerbate her problems. Again, through no fault of the family. I agree with what Clyde says. On the other hand, there may be a rescue group who has a carer who could foster Mia and with the experience to assess, manage and diffuse her problems. Bellacody, DOL has a vast membership, but it is not the be all and end of the rehoming and rescue world. Mental note to self - don't bother sharing any experience, it's not welcome on DOL. I really thought that's what DOL was about - how silly of me. I actually wasn't replying to your post DD, my apologies for quoting you - I really try and avoid that. Now that you are helping in every way you can, I can stop worrying about this little dog.

Well I was thinking exactly that, that maybe an older person just wanting a constant companion would be perfect....but I wasn't thinking about her stress levels completely. Part of me thinks her anxieties would be better if she had that special someone who wanted to be with her all the time...it's just so very hard, isn't it. I have a few rescue places to hear back from and one to call so maybe it will be ok...I hope. Actually this isn't always the best option, everyone thinks it is because the dog needs company it seems. The dog I just mentioned in my post had an elderly owner who spent most of their time with him. However we all have to go out at some point - shopping, doctors etc unless we are housebound. When his owner went out, the dog I had was put outside. His distress was enormous and he climbed trees and a 6ft fence and took off. In the end his owner would leave the gate open so he didn't injure himself in his stressed out state. Weaning the dog off the need for constant human company is the best thing ... We are all aware and in awe of your vast experience, Dogmad, but my response was not made in the context of Mia's need for constant attention: it was made in the context of her being a vey small Staffy and a vey loving playful little dog. AND, in the knowledge which I am sure that you also have, that dogs can change in different household. Owners, despite their very best intentions, can make a dog anxious and wary and, perhaps, even dog aggressive. In another home, Mia could just as easily settle down, curled into a comfortable ball and wait for her owner to come home. No need to be rude Danny, where I'm concerned I know you find it difficult - merry Christmas to you :) Dogs with anxiety problems don't generally just get sorted out by moving to yet another home either.

I think you can still put a frozen bottle of water in with the dog by cable tying it to the door. Dehydration on long trips is a major issue for the dogs. Personally I'd do something different, have the dog fly later and stay overnight and take an early flight next morning, if that would be possible?

Not much time at all sadly, but a wonderful suggestion if they had the time. I'm going to talk about everything to my son and his wife later today...maybe there is something we can do. Maybe I could muzzle all the dogs?? Just kidding...trying to make light of a horrible situation. I do know of a reputable dog trainer in Sydney who has overcome aggression issues in dogs, it does take a bit of time and I imagine it doesn't work with every dog. There would also be a cost factor and I guess money would be short if moving is imminent. There is also the liability factor if she does manage to get out of every yard and then attacks another animal.

Well I was thinking exactly that, that maybe an older person just wanting a constant companion would be perfect....but I wasn't thinking about her stress levels completely. Part of me thinks her anxieties would be better if she had that special someone who wanted to be with her all the time...it's just so very hard, isn't it. I have a few rescue places to hear back from and one to call so maybe it will be ok...I hope. Actually this isn't always the best option, everyone thinks it is because the dog needs company it seems. The dog I just mentioned in my post had an elderly owner who spent most of their time with him. However we all have to go out at some point - shopping, doctors etc unless we are housebound. When his owner went out, the dog I had was put outside. His distress was enormous and he climbed trees and a 6ft fence and took off. In the end his owner would leave the gate open so he didn't injure himself in his stressed out state. Weaning the dog off the need for constant human company is the best thing ...

Would your son keep her if she wasn't so anxious? There are a couple of suggestions that may help him. As she's quite small, can he install a doggie door so she can come and go, this will be much better all round. I've just fostered a dog with terrible separation anxiety and my vet put him on Prozac - it isn't expensive, you can get your vet to write a prescription and get the tablets in the chemist. Works out at about $20. She isn't very rehomable as she is. Because she isn't good with other dogs, many rescues could not house her. If you and your son love her, then please, try the above things and see if that helps - give the tablets a couple of weeks to work plus practice curing the anxiety by doing certain things in a routine (not too onerous and very worthwhile). The dog I had turned around pretty much straight away - he was only so badly behaved due to an ignorant owner. They loved him but made him a mental basket case.

In Sydney they aren't kept in air conditioned places. I would only do an early morning or evening flight at this time of year, after checking the forecast.

Sandra - I'm a rescuer and may be able to help point you in the right direction. is the dog desexed? Was the dog from a breeder? If so, then the breeder should be your first port of call. Would be helpful if you could post a picture if you don't know the breed so that people can get some idea of the size. In order to get help, you need to provide a lot of information as most rescue groups only have room for certain kinds of dogs. Whilst I specialise in sighthounds, I help dogs of all kind/sizes but for fostering in my own home, I can only take smaller, mature dogs. You can pm me if you would prefer.

I'm on the upper north shore - there are some places around that have terrible tick problems - Wahroonga, Turramurra, St Ives. I used to walk my dogs in Wahroonga and they'd get ticks every time in tick season. My vet at Hornsby and the St Ives vets are always both full of tick cases constantly during the season. My vet said they've had quite a few deaths already this season. I'm ok in my garden and I generally walk around the neighbourhood but my neighbour's dog has picked up a tick just walking in the local area so they are around. the ticks do seem to be spreading across Sydney, heard about a sick dog in Rose Bay last week.

what a sad and amazing story, so glad there's a happy outcome

SOS have a potential home in Kempsey for one of their large dogs. Can anyone help with a homecheck before Sunday? I know it's a big ask with Christmas coming but this lovely big Ridgeback cross boy would love to be in a new home. Thanks in advance.