Scottsmum

https://www.facebook.com/RescueResourceNSW/?fref=ts

Oh gosh. It's such a personal thing and entirely up to you - you know you can decide to go with them and then leave the room if it's all too much for you. You can have a chat to your vet about options. As a few people have said you can have a home visit set up and there are a few other options which might make it easier for you to say good bye. I also think I'm *lucky* in that I cleaned kennels and did reception for a vet for years - I can't say I've seen it all - but I've seen a lot of euth and I have very strong views on it having seen pets come and go which I personally think should have been PTS earlier or were PTS for reasons I disagreed with - I learnt to personally prepare myself for it. I hasten to add - I would never comment on someones decision on when or why to PTS - unless it was something very off like "we're going on a holiday:. Anyhow, I found that I managed to pull something from somewhere to be with the last few dogs I've said good bye to - but I felt really guilty about the last cat - I just couldn't stay. I just had to leave here there. Maybe that's because I knew it was coming with the dogs but the last few cats I've lost have been sudden. I think too - with my last dog she'd been unwell for about 18 months on and off - I actually spent 3 days in bed bawling at the beginning of that process as I thought that was the end - the next 18 months were bonus time. But the week we decided she was going we spoiled her, snuggled, took photos, fed her BBQ chook every night, and I cried every. single. day. I'd get in the car after work and cry the whole way home. I'd get up in the morning and wake her - and cry. It was just ... urhg.... That morning we took her for a lovely little walk that morning and let her special family members say good bye. it was the only time in my entire life I've seen my dad cry (*and I'm crying now too). Then while she was out with family having cuddles I popped in and paid for everything - the nurse knew why we were there (and I'm so lucky it was the vet I'd worked for before - so she was kind of like family) then when it was all said and done we were left to go when it suited us. Which I appreciated. But I do think that's a key thing - if you can - pay before it happens - pay for the euth and the cremation or what ever you're doing and have it over and done with - that way you can walk out of the place in a haze and not think about it and when the ashes come back (if that's what you do) you can even send someone else to get them for you if you need to. Fast forward a few months and I made the "mistake" of adopting an older and now I get teary thinking about the fact I get limited time with him. Anyhow, I'm really sorry to hear / see what you're going through. Try to enjoy your time with them.

Fortunately, this is unlikely. The former owner was literally packing boxes in his smallish apartment when I came to see and later to pick up Aki. He also gave me his bed, flea and work tablets, shampoo, treats, bowl etc. He was very sad to see Aki go. If it was a ruse, it was a needlessly elaborate one. Cool :D

Ah - come on. Discount the salads, now tell me you'd happily let your kids eat from the standard maccas menu 3 times a day, 7 days a week for a full year.

I wouldn't even know how to find a picture of Scottie on google - LOL. But it is a good reminder to be wary of what you put online. I'm as cautious as possible about adding apps which will auto upload, back up or offer to do other things with my phone. I'm always worried that "that photo I took of that thing" (nothing x rated - but I do usually take a photo of the tags of my bras when their new so I remember the style and size - they fade over time and it's helpful to have it handy when you're shopping and you come across a sale ;) ) Anyhow - always worried something embarrassing will end up on facebook accidentally.

I believe he was adopted and escaped the day after - I've seen very limited mention of them otherwise.

Ha! Exactly. I don't understand how someone who really cares about a dog can let it just go off to roam suburban streets indefinitely. I thought the exact same thing. Here I am thinking they literally chuck meat to him and here she is patting him. Bloody idiot.

Hey all, I read about this a few months ago* but just wondered what you all thought of this. http://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/2016/01/how-audiobooks-can-help-shelter-dogs.html Reference Brayley, C., & Montrose, V. (2016). The effects of audiobooks on the behaviour of dogs at a rehoming kennels Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 174, 111-115 DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2015.11.008 http://www.appliedanimalbehaviour.com/article/S0168-1591(15)00312-3/abstract *I must have read something about initial findings. We always used to leave the radio on for Scottie. Don't own a radio anymore but I think I'll see if I can get an ipod dock and load him up with some stuff from the library. I remember a friend saying Kate Winslett reading Enid Blyton (I think it was) was a winner for calming her kid down. Edit to fix quote bracket & add link to paper.

Thanks guys. Trying to be level headed about this - I know, well, I expect a meltdown of epic proportions to be coming - it's been hard (on me emotionally) but he's been so good and some ahead so quickly. I hope he can keep it up but at the same time I'm bracing for it to unravel. Trying something a touch different this morning. Hubby normally pops home between 1 and 3 times a day and will be trying to come home and spend his whole lunch break with Scottie while I'm on work placement. I also came to the horrible realisation that for that to occur hubby will need the car (which we knew) but for us to all be out the door and on time - with Scottie walked and settled I'll have to be dog walking by 5.45 and no later. Considering I haven't worked a day in just over 2 months, closer to 3 by the time placement starts and I have a "rule" which I break at least once a fortnight that I need to be out of bed by 9am I think this week we'll be focusing on "Mummy's SA from her bed". I don't do mornings well. So yeh: the theme of this week - stay the course, pray we just keep moving forward, start building the morning routine into our lives and try to get it sorted for the benefit of all of us.

I had wondered where he'd gone & found he'd put himself to bed on his freshly washed blankie...

Yup. Sorry to read about this. Hope you're both feeling better soon.

Just a thought - I was thinking about Leah's comments while I was walking my dog tonight. This isn't a nice thought - but I suppose the whole "me and the girlfriend split up" could be a good ruse for a backyard breeder to sell a slightly older puppy on. Anyhow - good luck - I genuinely hope you find the answers you're looking for.

they usually set up auto feeding stations for them Out of genuine curiosity - what would they have most likely done "back in the day"? I was googling them the other day and something I read said they would often be left with a heard / flock while for months at a time. Wildlife? Sick or dead lambs?

The turbines in Scottsmum's photograph look to be above the main tree line, likewise the ones that march across the NSW Southern Tablelands, where it is too exposed and windy for most trees to thrive. When you get within one or two kilometres of them and there are light winds they make a rhythmic noise like a washing machine drum turning on a wash cycle. When it is windy you actually have to get within a couple of hundred metres to hear them as the wind makes more noise than the turbines. Hubby and I reckon that if the hills were cleared - they probably would have been cleared well before the turbines. Edit: http://www.windenergy.org.nz/te-apiti-wind-farm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Te_Apiti_Wind_Farm

BlinkBlink has given some great advice :) Her idea of emailing is worth a shot - it it comes back with no info at least you know you tried that path.

My vets have always had a rule - 6 monthly check ups or 3 repeats - which ever happens first.

Um. I've never heard them - but I've not gotten super close - you can get closer but we had Scottie with us and you have to walk up through some department of Conservation land (national park) so that was a no go. I think they look a lot better than an open cut ;) Don't know if the hills were cleared for them - I'd have to google. Edit: http://www.windenergy.org.nz/te-apiti-wind-farm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Te_Apiti_Wind_Farm

Week 4. A better shot of the wind farm. Taken from the viewing platform in Ashhurst Domain. _Keeper4 by Superspanger, on Flickr Edit: http://www.windenergy.org.nz/te-apiti-wind-farm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Te_Apiti_Wind_Farm

This is always a worry. Would it be possible to gradually introduce some logs/bricks/something underneath the hedge that would not be seen but would be a barrier? Nah - it's a huge paddock and the "under hedge" has been cleared - obviously on purpose - to about fox terrier height. LOL We'll be on a long line there from now on - but really that's fine - he just likes to derp round - have a jump like a bronco. Not so possible on a regular leash. Also: Totally 'sorsted after all this "being a good boy" 20160125_150115 by Superspanger, on Flickr

I'm going to sound like a stalker - but Marvellous has her own album on facebook - she popped up today. I've obviously followed Gapvic to her photography page at some stage. :)

We made it to 90 minutes today. He had a bully stick, snuffle mat and ice block. Only used the bully stick. Some whinging from 1hr 10 on but I'm hoping that's a bit of Monday blues - we we gave him a break yesterday. Back out for 15-30 minutes this afternoon - as I try to give another short session if he's cried in the long one. Will put ice block back out for him too (kibble, pork mince and blueberry - yummy) Found a new off leash not too far from home which appears to be hardly used and bonus points for not sharing with a bike path! It's not ideal in terms of location (it is too close to a road and a hedge he could bugger off under but it works and will be great with a long line - but it will give him some off leash - which he's been missing. He totally derped out yesterday - it was adorable. Half way through "the practical dog listener" not loving it but I will reserve judgement until I'm finished.

Yep - we ignored a problem for longer than we should have and now, 18 months / 2 years later we're really paying for it. If you can - find a good trainer you like and click with and get them on board nice and early.

I'd see if family might take the pup - let Choc live out her life as a grumpy old dog. No point in causing yourself, the pup or choc any more stress.

Loving every single photo. Huga - really loving yours - there's such a sense of character in it!