dougal

I've found my glasses, wallet, credit card wallet, shoes, mobile phone, underwear......all unharmed, but she does like to collect things :)

I am in the market for a new crate, following the destruction of my old one by a very naughty spaniel. Admittedly the soft crate was a cheaper one, and about 5 years old.....but still not happy I'm looking at getting a new crate, although my preference leans towards a soft crate rather than one of the wire ones. Not sure why, probably the soft ones just look more comfy to me :D ...and have some recollection of some of the wire ones collapsing with the dog in it. The front "door" (the mesh part) of the old crate is what was ripped by the dog. Just wondering if anybody has had a similar experience with the newer softcrates, or can I put it down to an old one. Dogs will be crated overnight in it.

Thanks everyone.....will stock up on supplies

One of my girls got a bit too excited that other day and urinated on my wool/polyester mix rug. I immediately soaked it up, blotted, and put clean water over, blotting again. The smell remained, so then tried 50/50 water and white vinegar; repeating the blotting process. The stink still remains What am I doing wrong? The rug is dark purple, so at least the stain won't show, but the stench is awful.

crickets is spot on with the mouth with cockers, the stench can get quite bad in the warmer months. I use F10 wipes, and the vet recommended keeping zinc/castor oil cream on it to provide a barrier. I was told as long as a good quality shampoo is used, a weekly bath is not a problem. Most showdogs are washed weekly for the ring without problem. Also, diet can make a big difference to the smell. That said, I have one that tends to smell and need bathing more than the other. She just happens to be black and white :) The gold & white is far less smelly.

That's really interesting jr_inoz. I also get the feeling that it depends on the secretary or representative of the body corporate that speaks to the RE agent at the time. Another response was, "we don't have any pets here, but maybe be could look at one" (I have two).

For me it's about how you decided to bring the dogs into your family. My dogs are part of the family and adored by all family members, but ultimately I am responsible for them, and they have always been considered my dogs. Our children are shared :D

Thanks everyone - I'll measure up the width of the door to check out how much room I'll have. My dogs are medium sized, and can "barrel" through the doggy door when they're in a hurry. Presumably there is no returns? ....or the cost of return is prohibitive? SecretKei - that solution looks really good - hope it works out

I'm looking at buying a pig in mud patio door. Given the price are they worth it? Easy to instal? Secure?

My dogs are extremely placid (cockers), but get very uncomfortable with persistently bouncy, excited dogs (either big or small), and give the go away bark. Maybe she is just a bit too much at first

This is so sickening. I am so sorry for your loss.....I am struggling to comprehend how somebody working with animals could be so careless and inconsiderate of such a beautiful old dog. I can't even begin to imagine your pain. RIP Buddy

Wow ....Glad you got there in the end skully. On reflection I was wondering how the strata that said "no noisy pets", would cope with noisy children! Hope somebody with six kids under 10 moves in :D

I had a similar experience some years ago. My terrier was returned to me with a broken leg. The kennel staff carried him to the car stating "that he'd had a bath and didn't want him to get dirty". I was also pregnant and they claimed they wanted to help me (he was all of about 6-8 kg). When we let him out of the car at home it was obvious. Took him immediately to the vet. Reported the kennel to Fair Trading and the RSPCA. The vet supported my claims with various statements, although I didn't get anywhere. RSPCA weren't interested (apparently the inspector had a relationship with the kennel owners. He wasn't ever boarded again. It is only recently that I have left my cockers in a kennel environment, and then with people I know, or highly recommended by people I know.

It's great that newer developments are accommodating. It seems to be the established villas/townhouses (or older apartment blocks) that haven't got with the program If it was purely investment I'd look at inner city, but want to try to avoid the city when I start to reduce work days (and my kids are based on the North Shore). As Kirsty & Phil say.....got to find the compromise :D

Would love to see a 27kg pup being carried through the common areas :laugh: . One of the units I looked at had the same rule, although they were prepared to allow 2 dogs in a 1 bed apartment. Wasn't sure how I was going to carry my two across the threshhold. Pergola is a good idea - did you have to get strata permission?

:laugh: one day I'll be one of those upper north shore grannies

wrong State unfortunately. Looking for Upper North Shore in Sydney.

Thanks Greytmate I'll check it out. Interestingly dogs have been allowed in a couple of ground floor apartments (generally recently built), although on reflection I didn't want to be constantly worried about the dogs being distracted ie barking at, neighbours above, or worse still, if anybody above objected, throwing food etc into their yard. Probably over thinking this, but planning for a peaceful existence in retirement :D Thanks jr_inoz, I did wonder how I would stand, in time, if there was a change, even if I had it in writing from the Body Corporate on purchase. Really frustrating and sad that people are so restricted in how they want to live.

For some time now I have been looking at purchasing an investment property, with an option to use at a later date. I have been looking for over 12 months and have found the response of strata bodies to be disgraceful. The latest response I have received when enquiring is "in relation to pets.....no dogs. No noisy pets." I understand different landlords may not want pets and thus it is difficult to rent, but I have been quite shocked at the response on the purchase side as well. A number of agents have suggested challenging the position, but for me, it's not a good way to start out a neighbourly relationship. Has anybody else had a similar experience? challenged their strata body? I am looking at villas and townhouses, with yards etc, ie suitable for my dogs, not even trying to have a dog in an apartment.

Best advice my vet gave me when uncertain whether behaviour is tick related or not, is to get the dog to bark. If they can't bark, it is one of the first signs of paralysis tick. If mine look remotely off, I always get them to "speak". One of my girls took quite a while to show clear signs. It was the lack of noise from a usually chatty dog that convinced the vet she was in the early stages with a tick. Eventually we found it lodged in under her toenail (after shaving her from head to toe and hours of searching).

Maybe I'm slow....haven't seen this on TV before, but for those familiar with rescue, I cannot believe the ABC is televising a show portraying the Lost Dogs Home in Victoria as caring, sharing rescuers

This is absolutely disgraceful. So sad for the owners and the poor dogs. There are enough dogs put to sleep each day without homes, now Council's are removing dogs from responsible homes and killing them. It is beyond belief that the council ranger's opinion cannot be challenged. Politicians have gone mad with this legislation.

Three years when we lived overseas and he was too old to come with us. He stayed with my mum. We missed him terribly, but he knew mum and seemed to cope. I don't think my cockers would cope at all.

I have only ever used Advantix on my cockers without any problem, or ticks....and we live in a high tick prone area.

1. Newfoundland 2. Bearded Collie 3. West Highland Terrier 4. Aussie Shepherd 5. English cocker ...and a springer