Scottsmum

Sounds like the best way to spend a shitty week. Guin ate roast chicken every night of her last week. We took lots of photos and shared a pizza with her on her last night. SO much love to you all at the moment. Cherish every second.

Really interesting info there about the permit etc. Thanks for sharing T.

Does that mean you're keeping that pair? I thought you might be? Have loved the updates. You've gone above & beyond & then some :)

I'm sure they let all animals in, even the confused dog-foxes.

Don't get me wrong - I bawled both times - but my heart wasn't being ripped from my body and utterly smashed to a thousand tiny bits. I had the clarity and blessing of a smidgen of distance.

I knew with Guin. It's entirely possible that she was over it before hand and I didn't notice but I have no doubt in my head or heart that the time was right. It was literally over night - well - over a day - I got home from work on a Monday evening and I knew with no doubt it was right. On the opposite end of the spectrum - our old cat was pottery and old and forgetful and miserable and regularly missing the litter tray and just not OK but I still feel like we didn't make quite the right decision for her - part of me feels like we left it too long, another part of me feels like I didn't try hard enough. To address the OP again - if you're really not sure you will know when the time is right - is there a trusted friend or family who can help you make the call? I have made the twice for family pets - one of my parents cats and an Aunts dog. Not the actual ultimate decision but a very firm "I think this is it" on pre-arranged agreement - is that a possibility?

Oh oh. Naughty girl.

Sorry to read this. Thinking of you all.

I'm sure others will have better ideas than me but I think continuing with the treiball and scent work is a great idea. Can you introduce some low impact conditioning work too? Really low level stuff always tires my (much smaller) dog out. I'm talking balance work on a donut, sit/stand/drop combos, walking on a (low) balance beam just really low level conditioning 101? We also had to take some tough love & have all but stopped playing fetch with a tennis ball after a particularly roudy game saw us in the vets on a sunday seeing the locum

*harumph* IMO there is a severe underlying issue of cuteness here...

It's such a tough time. I really relate to that Jules said about worrying first thing in the morning - we used to just stand there and watch one of our old dogs - trying to see if he was breathing. As he got older and more frail I admit I occasionally went down the yard to wake him up - just to make sure he would xxx. We each deal with this kind of thing in our own way. Have a read through the palliative care forum if you can bare to, and have not done so already. I think for me - knowing I was on limited time with my last girl helped me prepare. When she was first diagnosed with multiple illnesses and put on medication "for the rest of her life" I was a wreck - I took a day or two off work and stayed in bed (with her) and bawled. After that we settled into a "new normal" and tried to see each day with her as a bonus and when it was time for her to go it was the hardest but easiest thing I've ever done. I've always thought getting the chance to mentally prepare is a nicer option than not and I'm grateful I got that "bonus time" with her. Take care of yourself It's the hardest bloody thing we go through, yet we keep signing up for it. xxx

Better person than I. I just couldn't.

Cool - we had chicken. I tried a tiny dab once - tasted like chicken twisties ;)

I've home checked for an organisation I have no association with. I think if you searched my name here you'd see I treat my dog well. I don't do things the same way as you/others but you can't say he's not well cared for. I basically went in to make sure it wasn't a "oh hell no" situation. I mean "would I leave my dog here" is entirely different (in that case I would have - he was going to a wonderful home, breed experienced, work from home, no children, park literally around the corner) - but I think most DOLers could agree on "not over my dead body" situations. When I adopted I saw the dog I wanted online, called to make sure he was still available and on Saturday of that week walked into the shelter, signed the paperwork and took the dog home. I had a 2 week trial with him - but I have occasionally thought it was too easy. - I mean the place I got him has a good record and move a lot of pets. Had there been ore barriers I may not have gotten him at all. In my opinion - it's a fine line.

Very ikky news. Have you spoken to the vet about a compounding chemist? We used http://www.bovavet.com.au/ (I think) The vet faxed the script & repeats to them, we'd call them when we needed a top up and pay and they'd send it on to our vet for collection - which worked really well for us. So good to not have to explain it was for a dog either :)

Almond is pretty cute. So is peter pan https://www.petrescue.com.au/listings/451003

Try http://www.procanine.com.au/ I adore Dianne - we used her for basic pet manners and stayed with her until we moved from the area. She made adopting an older dog a lot easier. We attended her classes at St Peters School. She also did classes through City of Sydney at times.

There's always Jack Russell Rescue - Based in Sydney - maybe a bit too much if she's looking for something similar to her "very quiet corgi cross" But they have crosses there too... https://www.facebook.com/jrtrescue/?fref=ts There's Fred & Ginger - who have some Corgi in them - and ideally go as a pair http://sydneydogsandcatshome.org/animal/fred/ If you're happy with a mixed breed pup - start 'stalking' the rescues - but recongnise they tend to go faster than the oldies. If you're sure you're looking for a Tenterfield pup... well - this is where I'd start: http://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/puppies/tenterfield-terrier.asp

He is on SA Meds. A very low level at the moment. We have the full blessing of our GP Vet to dial it up and down as we need it. I really can't think of any changes to home. Things are reasonably normal here - other than the fact I've been dog walking for other people so (at the moment I) come home two to 3 times a week STINKING like other dogs. He's usually nose phobic - hates storms and it was domestic violence / domestics (not in our own home) which lead to us medicating him. Thankfully we have not had a single thunderstorm since being here. We're close to the army camp but the guns and odd explosion don't seem to bother him. I've only felt one quake since I've been here - I was home at the time ad it didn't appear to bother him either. We don't have a VB - but will mention it to the GP when I get around to making the appointment.

He's got a dodgy back - but nothing new that I'm aware of. He's just about due for a 6 monthly seniors check up. Will add it to the list of things to ask the vet...

So over the last ... maybe 10 days I've noticed something really odd, and (I think) new. I've noticed that if I crack my knuckles or toes when Scottie is next to me he leaves the room. Like he's got a rocket up his bum, up and off the couch or away from my feet before I can register what's going on. It's only if he's right near my joints - like if hes on the couch and my feet are on the floor that's fine - no need to scamper. If he's next to my feet that's not ok. If he's sitting on the couch my hands are almost in line with him, or on him - that's also not ok. I've never noticed it before. Now, don't get me wrong - I'm not repeating the process to torture him but I do click and pop and crack a lot - it's a bad habit and left over from too many spills riding horses as a kid. Interestingly hubby and I have wondered if he's starting to go deaf - but this observation seems to be at odds with that theory. Any thoughts?

I agree with Snook

Ok. Thanks for explaining that.

They really are just 10000000000% adorable. Love the photos and videos.

Oh lord. There should have been a cute warning - I think that derpy little face just melted my ovaries.