Staranais

Oh wow that's surprising. When was that, Star? I found Nepalis pretty bored by a camera lense unless it was in the face (yes I did see people doing that and I dont do it) or taking photos when they were having a bath (I dont do that either but yes, some travellers need a bullet to make them behave). About 10 years back - I lived there 6 months. It was mostly a few older people who had an issue with it, but like I say, I found the vast majority of people were quite pleased to be photographed, so long as you didn't do anything disrespectful. The people in Kathmandu seemed to just be used to it, and the people in the more remote hill regions liked the novelty. When I left I gave the lady I had lived with a printed copy of a photo I'd taken of her, her mother, and her daughter together. She was very pleased with it - I don't think she had a photo of them before that. One Nepali friend of mine said that some people were worried what we might use the photographs for in foreign countries, that perhaps their picture would be printed in the newspaper, then the old papers ripped up and used as toilet paper etc, which was apparently a terrible thought for modest Nepali ladies, so that's why some of the older ladies refused photographs.

Yes and I'm sure you've got plenty of photos to prove it, just like I have. So what's the issue deep down - that it's not OK to take a street photo in Australia incase someone catches you but it is in another country? Serious question because I dont know the answer. Nah, I was always really careful to ask when photographing strangers when I was travelling. Most people were absolutely delighted to have their photo taken, but a few (mainly but not only older people) looked appalled and said a definite no when I asked. This was in Nepal. I guess some people wouldn't bother to ask, and maybe in most cases the subject wouldn't have found out so no harm done, but I personally would have felt really rude not asking when I knew some people would hate the idea. Also, some of the holy men were happy to be photographed but wanted a small sum of money for it (fair enough I guess, they have to make a living somehow & even as a backpacker I was a lot richer than most Nepalis). The problem was with the few that asked you to take their photo and then demanded money for it!

Did they remove because a parent was uncomfortable & complained, or just because they took it into their heads to do so? Also, was he wearing identification so parents knew who he was? I guess I can see both sides of this. If he did look at all suspect, then as a parent, I'd want him checked out (not necessarily chucked out, just checked out!) But assuming he's up to no good simply because he's male, or european, or has an expensive camera is also daft.

I think you should, if you can easily do so. But I don't think it's as important as if you were planning on selling them or putting them on the net. Depends also on what the people are doing, and wearing, I think. I wonder if how people feel about this issue depends on whether you are a photographer? And maybe also on how private a person you are?

Like I said, I think there are lots of grey areas! :D I wouldn't mind that so much if it was me you were photographing. It's still a crowd shot. Other people might mind, though. I guess for me, it comes down to asking can you easily ask permission of all the people in your shot? If you can't, then you don't. If you can, I think you should - especially if there are additional factors that might worry someone (like photographing a child, photographing someone in a bikini, photographing someone in a country where people often view photography as dodgy or invasive, if you're planning on selling copies of the photo, etc).

I feel OK with taking crowd shots without asking permission because you're not singling anyone out. Individual people aren't the focus of the shot, and most people may not even be all that recognisable. It's also logistically hard to ask a large crowd of random people for permission, so you couldn't do it even if you wanted to do so. I feel much less comfortable with one person being the focus of a photo. Mostly because if it's just one or a few people you usually can ask them for permission, but for reasons of your own you choose not to do so (by ask permission, I mean ask before or afterwards - it's easy to delete a shot from a digital camera, or just not use it, if a person says they'd rather not be in your portfolio or on your website). I'm aware taking individual shots without asking permission happens, and don't think it should be illegal, but I do find it kind of rude and potentially creepy and voyeuristic. I think it also matters what the subject is doing (if you're performing in a parade, for example, it's a given that strangers are going to photograph you - different to if you're walking along the beach in a bikini!) And how the picture will be used matters as well, I think. These are just my thoughts on the topic. I'm not sure if I explained them well. And I'm aware there are a lot of grey areas. :D

It may not be illegal to take photos of people & publish them online without permission, but I do think it's rude. I would be unimpressed if I noticed someone photographing my dog or myself, and they hadn't asked permission. I'd find it rather creepy. I'd also wonder if they were interested in (trying) to steal my dog, as she's quite unusual and striking looking. I think it's different if I'm part of a crowd or something and a photo is being taken of the whole crowd. ETA: I'd also never dream of taking photos of someone else without asking. When I've been overseas & wanted to take a photo of one or a small group of local people, I've always asked their permission first. I'd feel incredibly rude doing otherwise.

I would also wonder about nausea causing gagging? I'd be taking my dog back to the vet & asking for a full investigation. If something is lodged in the throat it will probably show on x-ray (either itself, or the way it displaces tissue around it), or they could do barium swallow rads to have a look, it would definitely show on endoscope, and you may also be able to palpate it from outside if it's above the point the throat enters the chest cavity.

We have a tug-n-jug which my girl really likes, but only takes her about 15min to get all the food out, even with the modifications I've made. So probably wouldn't keep your dog occupied for long. Could you keep him outside when you're gone? Having a big yard gives them something to do, and there's less to destroy outside (or at least, it matters less when they destroy things!)

True, but they must be getting something out of it!

The Michael Ellis DVDs from Leerburg are excellent.

Incubation period is about 3 - 7 days, or there abouts. Being vaccinated after exposure is unlikely to do much to stop him getting infected. If there's a chance he's been exposed to parvo, and you can't afford the treatment, then I'd suggest you take out dog insurance now. Early and aggressive treatment of parvo cases has a good success rate, but it is $$$.

I'm sorry you're going through this. :D I'd hoped it was something minor. Can I ask, what type of surgery are they proposing? Hopefully he'll just need the cage rest.

My understanding is that they will usually take several tiny biopsies through the endoscope, which are sent off to the lab for histology, & the cell types they see in the biopsy help classify the types of inflammation. The way they taught me, you can only make a definitive diagnosis of IBD is made when two things happen - the biopsy is consistent with IBD, and you've ruling out any other possible inciting cause of inflammation or diarrhoea (of which there are lots).

I guess we will find out if the OP is for real if s/he contacts Nekhbet. I can't see any reason why they wouldn't be genuine. I'm sure my grammar is atrocious whenever I've been overseas & tried to talk a foreign language, although luckily noone has called me a "troll" for it yet.

Yes, do take Nekhbet up on her offer.

Aussielover, cows will hump (ride) each other when they go on heat, it's one of the ways you identify which dairy cows are coming on heat so you can inseminate them at the right time. They will only do the mounting when they're coming into estrus, and they only stand to be mounted by other cows when they are fully on heat. So female animals can certainly hump for hormonal reasons, not just dominance ones. My girl will occasionally hump when she's coming on heat, she knows she is not to do it at other times, but I think sometimes when she's in estrus her hormones run away with her. Not entirely sure she can help doing it, and don't think it's a dominance thing as she won't do it when she's not on heat, so we don't scold her for it.

Yes, mine is well trained, but not well behaved. :D

I think it also depends what you want your puppy for. If you want a show puppy, find a breeder you trust that wins lots of shows, and ask for their guidance. If you want a sport dog, find a breeder you trust that has their dogs doing dogsports, and ask them for their advice. If you want a working puppy, find a breeder that has bred successful working dogs, and ask for their guidance. There's only so much you can tell from a pedigree. A good breeder has lived with the dogs, and will be able to point you towards a litter, or even another breeder, that is suitable for your situation and needs.

Yes, I agree with Kavik, sounds like she doesn't understand what you want yet. My old boy was like that when I first got him. He had never learned much in his life before I got him, so he just didn't get that he was supposed to do something for me to get something nice. He'd just stand there looking hopefully at the treats. If I lured him to do something he was pleased to get the treat, but initially it didn't seem to make any connections inside his head. It took me about a month to teach him to down. The good news is that once they understand the concept of learning, it it much easier to teach them new things. So I'd say, get something you know she wants. That might be really nice food, it might be play or toy play. She won't work if she's not motivated. Don't just use her regular kibble if she's not a guts - she won't want it enough to make any effort to understand. And secondly, ask for really, really simple things to start with. Things that don't require much, or any, effort from the dog. Nose touching your palm can be a pretty easy one that many dogs like. Alerting to her name is another good one. Once she's got a few easy tricks like those under her belt, then try again with the down.

I'm no behaviourist, but I personally wouldn't worry if there are no other danger signs. Many dogs would kill chickens just like they would "kill" a tug toy, neither means they would hurt a child. If the dogs are acting in a predatory way towards the child, that's another matter entirely.

Beagle?

It's you. But I can't remember how to switch it back! Hopefully someone else can help.

I don't know much about herding, but it sounds like simple prey drive to me. My girl would definitely kill a chook if it got into our yard.

Ah ... Kelpie aren't supposed to be chunky because they're supposed to be able to walk on sheeps' backs. My puppy (here) would probably never be a good sheep dog because he's far too chunky for a working dog, but we love him anyway Yeah, the photos of working kelpies look much more like they have the structure same structure as our kiwi working farm breeds. The kelpies I've seen in real life look almost like little pointy eared labradors, or little chocolate coloured bears, something. That's probably also party to do with them being a bit fatter due to not being in working condition, I suppose.