Her Majesty Dogmad

The owner of these two dogs has had a job change that is taking him away from home regularly. Rosie is an 8 yr old German Shepherd that is not coping well with her owner's constant absence, she is more shy with strangers but a very loving dog. She loves other dogs, playing ball, walks etc. She was from a registered breeder. Dexie is a 3 yr old Lab cross (with a Husky but much more Lab like in behaviour). Dexie was adopted from her owner - through me - a year ago. She came from a home where she wasn't walked or allowed inside and has thrived in this home, it's so very sad that she once again has to move on. Dexie plays ball and loves walks etc. These girls have had all vet work done. Both dogs are extremely good with other dogs - even small ones - cats and people alike. They are housetrained and have lived inside and enjoy regular walks etc. The current owner is going away overseas for a longer period and moving, at the end of May so I would like to rehome or at least find a foster carer(s) for them asap. Of course it would be great if they could go together but I think that will be unlikely to be achieved so a home with other dog(s) etc would be great.

I disagree with exporting any wild animals personally.

I used to have a Jack Russell cross, he was a rescue and at first - when I didn't know him - I was really worried when he'd show his teeth but after some time, I realised he was just doing that when I got in the door or I said would you like some dinner Herbie? He was very smart and was communicating with me by smiling ... it was something I had to be very wary of when rehoming him because most people thought he was baring his teeth.

the body of one small dog was found last week in the Hawkesbury area, after being one of a few dogs stolen from a particular area. An autopsy is being done by the RSPCA but the dog had been mutilated and also showed signs of being attacked by more than one animal.

Thanks guys! He was a beautiful boy, he was with me for a few temp days when his foster carer had to rush off somewhere for family reasons and his new owner picked him up from here - having driven all the way down from Byron Bay. He's blossoming in that beautiful area and lives with another male Iggy of the same age. Everybody's happy and Iggy Rescue is very happy that the RSPCA called us rather than euth him because he simply couldn't pass their tests - Iggies never can.

The dog could also have been run over, etc... A very hard lesson to learn about not letting your dog run loose... I feel sorry for the family (especially the little boy), but they really need to own up to having some responsibility for not keeping their own dog safe and under effective control in a public space. T. Quite - what if it had managed to eat some bait whilst loose? People are so very stupid and careless with dogs.

Utterly horrific, DNA would be on your dog but that said all dogs MUST be kept secure, no good any dogs getting out of yards. I reported yet another neighbour whose Amstaff type is regularly roaming. As I said to the council - i'm becoming a prisoner in my own home because these d---heads cannot keep their dogs locked up. The council appears unable to force the issue - they said they'd go round but tomorrow the dog could be out again. The laws need changing ...

I visited a local nursing home with a couple of my dogs over 5 or so years. Although I was visiting one lady in particular (as part of a volunteer program) who really enjoyed seeing the dogs it gave pleasure to others too. The dementia residents were often placed in a room near the front of the building and when I came in, their faces would often light up and some would want to pat the dog etc. It really does mean a lot to people and give them pleasure in a challenging situation, some would cry for the dogs they remembered or couldn't take with them and tell me their stories ... Many of them don't have too many visitors sadly.

I couldn't agree more, it is extremely irresponsible. Those that do it shouldn't have a Clause 16D or be operating at all.

I've rescued oldies with really bad hearts - usually years of dental neglect has brought it on but my rescue vet has successfully operated on their teeth, it's a real problem because many dentists feel it's too risky but without it the dog will continue to be very uncomfortable and have more poisons draining into their already compromised systems so I think I'll always take the chance. The last little dog I'm really thinking of in this regard was 14 and had not been to the vet for 13 years and was in poor shape. I had the dental done, got her on heart meds and had her for a very happy 8 months. I was devastated when I lost her as she'd had such a rotten life with no love, comforts or treatment when needed. However, I'd do the same again!

Not sure of the statistics but there are far too many. Groups take as many as they can but you are often up against it with the costs and then you can only rehome for a small amount as people understandably don't want to pay full price for an old dog very often. I've rescued quite a few seniors over the years, it's my preference but I can't do it too often because of the costs. I've got one here at the moment - owner died, family didn't want so I've taken her on. Vet bills $400 which is very reasonable compared to some of the dogs I've rescued but I'll rehome for $200 or like some dogs I've rehomed - for nothing because I've found a wonderful home and that's my aim at the end of the day. Old dogs are the best, I recommend giving them a chance - if you can't rescue then adopt.

I have been exposed for more years than I care to recall to the way organisations work ..... I imagine they have a policy of "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours." They certainly used to - I reported the AWL shelter I worked at for cruelty to the RSPCA and was told to get lost - I was shocked as I had witnessed everything personally and couldn't believe they wouldn't investigate.

I would love to receive this information and will email you - thanks for all your hard work to help the rescue organisations and their dogs/new owners!!

Disturbing on many levels.

I'm with you on that. I hope he will get some intensive treatment in prison, he has serious anger management issues. You cannot blame everything on your parents' divorce, single parents, drug taking parents or poverty and be let off - happens far too often.

Yesterday I met someone who said she'd had a Kerry Blue previously. I said how did you go, I believe it's a breed that isn't so great with other dogs? Turns out that she'd actually purchased 3 x 7 month old KBs from a breeder (this shocked me). She gave one away and kept the other two. One of the two she kept was aggressive with other dogs, esp small dogs and would attack them in the street or make a bee line for them at dog parks when she let the dog off the lead, so she euth'd the dog as it was a liability. I kept my mouth shut as I have never met this person before but I was horrified for several reasons. No need to have euth'd the dog, just don't go to bloody dog parks or let it approach other dogs when you know it's aggressive. And this is what we are up against, people who don't or won't take responsibility for their dogs' behaviour and inflict it on other people.

ooops quadruple post ... sigh

ooops triple post

ooops - double post

Agreed Maree, I truly appreciate the great work that the DAS testers do. If you love dogs, it's very hard to know that the dog you are handling may not make it and I'm sure that nobody wants that for any dog but it is very important to be honest at what you observe. You can only go on that. It is equally important for the public to understand that there are simply not enough homes for all the homeless dogs and that even if there were, there is sadly a time limit and one may not find the other.

I think formal temp testing is good but must take breed into consideration. Italian Greyhounds don't fare well in any form of tests. I set up Italian Greyhound Rescue with Indigirl in 2009. We've rescued over 50 IGs, each one of them was bullet proof with other dogs. They are not great with strangers at all, most are scared of kids and often they are not great on the lead. They cannot pass the RSPCA's temp tests and most get euthanased for timid behaviour but that IS the breed, that is the normal behaviour they exhibit amongst strangers and sometimes those they know well. I would say that in this regard, formal temp testing is not in an Italian Greyhound's best interests. Aside from that, I think formal testing does give you at least some idea of what a dog will do and is definitely worth it in most cases.

So sorry that your happy partnership ended too soon, what a beautiful boy Coco was and I'm so glad that he met you and had the happiest years of his life. Coco, RIP sweet boy, taken too soon.

Sounds like these dogs aren't suitable for the dog park either .... I guess the owner of the Whippets thinks they need to run, she could be right but she needs to find somewhere safer to let them off with or without muzzles and certainly no other dogs around. Dog parks are far too risky, I've totally given up taking chances.

I would definitely get a better night's sleep if it weren't for dogs on the bed but try telling that to an Italian Greyhound - don't get one unless you don't mind a dog in the bed ...

I've got two incontinent old dogs, one is now banned from the bed but I've purchased a rubber mattress cover and the other one still sleeps on there but so far no more accidents ...