PossumCorner

I can only offer sympathy Rascalmyshadow, no advice. We have a similar situation with Rheneas - he is about 14, has always been touch sensitive and reactive, and now that his sight and hearing are fading it is becoming harder for him (and us) to manage his nervy reactions. Not at desperate point yet, and have a good vet to monitor him, so one day at a time finding the best management strategies and accepting when they have run out. On another subject, what is this about baby geese in the bathtub? And when will they appear in the ducks and geese section, with photos?? Did you see my little toots there, can't believe how fast they grow. I have another four coming soon as our hatching was pretty poor - they are 8 weeks now, will be 12 wks when I pick them up, so have missed their baby days. And talking about pet aggression, two of my older boys have so ramped it up, can't go in their little field without armour plate or a plastic rake to fend them off, savage-as in the breeding season.

Sounds good, did you think it had an on-going effect with live snakes? Maybe a power shot water pistol might work as well? I don't think I'd be very accurate with a water bucket (more of it would be on me than the dog).

Here's the fb link - you might need to join the group, but if so they are quick to respond - and it's quick to 'un-join'. https://www.facebook.com/groups/123414681051780/

Thistle I guess it would not be acceptable, but I'd like to attend a session without a dog (as an observer). Before committing to booking a session, paying my $300-ish, and then feeling pressure on the day as to whether to 'continue or withdraw' and making the wrong decision either way. A few comments from the fellow who put his dog through the training are on the Kyneton Buy,Swap and Sell fb group. Looks like they are going to have a repeat training day there for others interested.

PK there was a reference to it in one of the alpaca or poultry groups, with photos, and apparently they 'just' use a shock collar, zap the dog when it gets close and said in general it only takes one go, dog will not approach snake again. It's probably a good idea for some dogs, I know it wouldn't work with young Rheneas, nor would I have considered it with either Piper or Frodo (rest in peace you two, look after the bits of my heart you took with you). But that's just a nerve thing with these doggies, I know it would be great for some, but I'd have to pass on it. Relying on being around if a snake is close, and a good 'leave it' response is not as good as it once was now that Rheneas is 14 and losing sight and hearing. I do worry about the big brown snake that cruises by the chook pen now and then with a nose out for mice, but touch wood he/she has never seemed aggressive, just wants to hide if accidentally 'sprung'.

Not bizarre surely. Certainly very very sad. Sometimes a person's love for an animal, or dependence on it, or the sense of terrible guilt in failing it, will make the 'wrong decision' seem their only option.

This was on a chook page, an Australian snake catcher has said it is good, (not sure if that's Snake Catcher on dol) but it seems to be in early stages and doing a crowd funding exercise. If it does work it would be great around an outdoor kennels area, bit expensive to do a whole house-block, but feasible I guess. Made in USA but they will supply world-wide. Has anyone here heard of it, seen it, know about it?? http://www.atroxsnakebarrier.com/ Edit to add: checked again and yes it is Barry, haven't seen him here for a while, the info is on his fb page not the website - Snake Catcher Victoria, google finds it.

That's our Rheneas. Yes he had all the blood tests, clear. And is now about 14-15, but still has the moments - losing his hearing and vision but not his attitude.

No details (yet) on the news. Must have been a severe attack as a man was also injured - and attending police were also attacked and shot the dog. Poor people, poor dog - there will be a lot of talk and misinformation as usual I guess, very sad all round.

That would be tough, I do sympathise with her. If you can give a bit more info, suburb they are in, breeds or colours, can they fly, whether they are ftgh or for sale, maybe photos - I'm happy to put notices with a contact method on waterbird group pages or poultry boards. One of the problems giving poultry away or cheap is that there is such a ready 'resale' opportunity, not overlooked by the genuine-seeming applicants (aside from people wanting them for their own table). Of course also lots of lovely people with a flock of pet ducks who would never eat or sell to dealers - but just as hard to sift as rehoming pups or ponies. More specifically, some dealers advertise themselves as sanctuaries for roosters, ducks, geese, sheep, goats, piglets - a forever home. And then run laughing all the way to market with them. With roosters which are notoriously difficult to re-home, any offer of retirement to "an orchard where they can free range" is usually synonomous with "dealer to shonky buyers".

Rebanne I'd never heard of it (sheltered life?) but google has a ton of articles. I'd assumed USA greyhounds only but this talks about all breeds, cocker spaniels boxers etc in the UK. What I don't like, both this and the Australian ABC link use the words "flesh eating". ABC TV news mentioned "tropical" not sure if that was stressed or just in passing. But nothing really tropical about England. So yes, share your hope this nasty is different, if bad enough. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/what-alabama-rot-everything-you-7097104

This is sad, poor fellow raced and died next day, not race-related exactly, it does show how much resistance to any bug it takes out of them. That and not exactly spelled out dirty kennel conditions but clear enough as in "kennel hygiene is a factor" who would have thought? http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-21/flesh-eating-disease-kills-three-racing-greyhounds-in-darwin/9073240

Thanks Roova, a bit of zoom, but - just not a Nikon lens: (handy Lumix compact, with limitations). Yesterday four kangaroos appeared, we don't see them this close to home often, they live in some remnant box forest a mile or so away. Goose is sitting clamped and angry on a couple of goose eggs and some duck eggs, they must be due to hatch fairly soon. Apple trees are out in blossom, the birds are already eyeing them off, they usually take most of our apples, and I go pick some at a netted orchard for us. Show season is under way - this pretty Welsh Pony was champion harness pony at Maldon (Vic) Show on Sunday.

Agree, and with the restriction to rural properties it should not impact suburban and pet cats. Can only hope for long term benefits in attitudes and responsibility. For the 'how' I don't know - shooting isn't possible everywhere, even rural properties not always suited. Trapping - what are the options then? Vets will not take on a trapped feral cat or fox to euthanase.

At least he got a sentence of sorts. I am gutted that a Darwin pony was shot to death with a crossbow, and the 17 year old who "turned himself in" was interviewed and released, police have the (illegal) weapon. And those beautiful little wallabies that were slaughtered in the same way in the same area, wonder if it was the same person.

This is for Zena's Mum - our only frog is a concrete one til it rains. The lamb is a bit intrigued, never seen a frog before. Tiny birds on a wire - baby swifts finding their way around.

Anyone else in there? Now listen up you rabbits.

Miles behind so will do a catch up from this afternoon. I am stunningly beautiful. Look at me. I am the King of the World. Just enough okay, you look like a galah. Umm alright, point taken.

I love a blue sky with a white Moon - there was one this morning. So the apple blossom was lit by sunlight and moonlight. The little orchard is hanging on, but the trees should be twice the size now - just not enough rain or spare water. The ducks like it though.

Where is Frodo's Mum these days, haven't seen her posts for ages?. She was breeding coloured sheep and did get some white lambs - that was a few years ago, before we had sheep here. We only have lambs from one other ewe and the black lad, - they are wicked jet black twins, ten months old now and naughty as.

Lovely SnM, I remember all the curl-tail dogs, I often wondered if they were an ancient-breed relative of Basenjis. The street dogs were sad to see, yet so many people would give them some chicken and rice left-overs or the like, some of them were lovely friendly dogs, never aggressive.

Blue Bee. Jealous much. I have only seen one on the lavender, and that was four years ago. Glad they are 'safe' in your patch - wish they were still here as well.

And this furious little face is Autumn the youngest alpaca. He's much angrier than this with the lamb but this is the angriest face he can pull. He thinks the world should revolve around him and resents any competition.

Our newest arrival, Natasha. Two days old this afternoon and cute as. Mum sheep is Emily, a Merino-cross-Something or Other who was sort of dumped on us a year ago. Dad is Tiberius, a black Corriedale.

Maybe a dahlia. (?Waterlily Dahlia).