Kelly_Louise

My OH is fussy about Sash being inside - and luckily she is very well behaved inside. She spends alot more time inside than he'd like - but he knows that we are a package deal... and he knows it hurts my feelings if he boots her out unneccesarily. He knows that I care for her wellbeing and do what is best for her - and accepts that. So, we compromise on the time she spends inside - with what is best for her. If she is frightened, unwell, too hot, too cold, the neighbours are having a party, it is unsafe or something is going on I want her away from etc - she stays inside (will sleep through the whole night and is no trouble whatsoever). Otherwise, she is outside and she is more than happy with that. She lets me know when she thinks she needs to come inside, if not, she prefers to be outside (but her bedroom is a carpeted garage that is attached to the house - no car allowed). It certainly is about compromise in a situation where you have differing views, but also about what is best for the dogs.

Thanks for all your suggestions guys - will have a better look when I get home Wagsalot - I'm not after anything special at all, just something light (so she won't act like she is in the middle of the desert) that will keep most of the rain off, not concerned how it looks!! I'd prefer something without the leg holes in them, as while they provide better coverage, she is an odd shape and I find fitting her hard - plus she's not really keen on wearing coats as it is... You say you have 50 or 60cm - is that the length of the back? If so, might be a tad too short for her. If you can have a look and let me know though, that would be great... I will measure her when I get home too. I really appreciate all your help - will check them all out and let's hope we can find something that will keep her happy to walk in the rain (when she has to wear her thicker coat - she sulks and does little annoyed pffffffs out the sides of her mouth the big turd!!).

Thanks for the suggestion Jess, will add it to the list of potentials. Gah aren't they expensive though!! They are way more expensive than the faithful old warm and thick Weatherbeeta rain/coat that she has!!! But I guess the bigger the size the bigger the cost

Sash loves to walk - rain, hail or shine and I don't have the heart to say no... I have a thicker coat that we use when it rains, however it's a bit hot for summer and she doesn't like to walk it in and puts on her sooky face. So I was wondering if anyone knows where I can find a lightweight, summer raincoat please (for a BIG dog)? I have seen the Ruffwear sun shower coat for around $120, but was hoping for something a little less pricey as we probably won't use it alot. Anyone have any suggestions please? Thanks in advance!!

Having also just discovered a lump on my own dog, I know how you feel - and truly wish that it is a benign lump that will cause no further health issues for Heidi. ETA - my older girl also had a couple of lumps in the same region you described and her chest, which were scary, but turned out to be fatty lipomas, very harmless. Best of luck with positive news for the results.

She is booked in for Monday the 6th at 9.40am (the first available date when her vet is back)... so we will start the investigation then. Hopefully it goes away before then... fingers crossed.

Oh thank you so much for your understanding Stormie... it helps enormously. I'm a worrier with my girls - because they mean the world to me. I've seen Chloe through leg ops and the horrid Cushings disease and unknown allergic reactions etc - and I know she's tough as nails and will get through anything. But she too is getting older, will be 13 soon and I know her time with us is more limited now. Still, she continues to surprise us and I thank God that she is still living and loving life, and relatively healthy. Sash, however, is more fragile. Her health and immune system has always been a little on the poor side - however I think I've turned this around in the last year. But her 'issues' hinder her still, and whilst it is an ongoing battle - her bravery and improvements endear her to everyone. She is a very special girl. She has only been with me for 2 years - and I have no idea what I'd do without my big, gangly, awkward shadow. I read last night that mast cell tumours can look just like histiocytomas, so it's back to worrying a little. I'm going to book her into the vet (hopefully Friday when someone can come and help me with her) - so at least we will know either way what we are dealing with. I just can't imagine my big, smiley girl having cancer - so I'm remaining positive that it isn't (but still worry creeps in).

Me too... I'll keep Sasha in my thoughts, I hope it's not bad news! Thank you And thanks for that info Stormie, appreciate it (and good to know). GT - you're right, but easier said than done. Sasha is... for lack of a better word... 'special' in so many ways. I couldn't bear to lose her or have her go through extensive treatments due to her fear issues. However, I would do it in a heartbeat if I had to. SnT - LOL - no problems!!!! Luckily Chloe is very used to being poked and prodded, bless her old paws... and although she has had so many health issues, the one thing we are ALWAYS thankful for is that she has not been affected by cancer (well that's if you exclude the pituitary tumour). There have been times when it's been suspected, but always comes back clear... thank goodness, she has enough to battle with. Sash is young and strong, regardless I'm sure she can beat anything.

Secret Kei, that is very similar (in description and from the picture) to what Sash has Although they are benign, I wonder if having one of these tumours (IF that is what it is) is any kind of indication to her susceptibility of having other cancers in her lifetime? I hate cancer...

Thanks for your understanding guys... I'm keeping a close watch on it, and if it is still there or changes by Monday night then she will be off to the vet on Tuesday. SnT, she is still only a youngun' (she will be 5 soon), so that is why it concerned me a bit more. Chloe, my old girl, has lumps and bumps everywhere - but have all been passed as fatty lumps etc and not dangerous, via needle aspiration. I've just not seen anything quite like this. It really is like one of her nipples, and feels what I expect one of their nipples should feel like, but it's only come in the last couple of days. It's a really strange lump. Raineth, we've had a bit of a breakthrough with Sash and the vet. I took her to a different vet and he was able to do a quick examination of her. She wasn't comfortable, but she allowed him to touch her and feel her stomach etc and take her temp, and give her vacs. Now that was a first, and Sash can be unpredicatable, but I feel more confident that it was a bit of a breakthrough and that we could probably even do a needle aspiration if necessary without sedation. As long as she is muzzled and I have some help in keeping her still I *think* we could manage. It just doesn't strike me as a normal lump that I would associate with cancer... but I guess they come in so many different forms. So I was just hoping that someone has seen something similar and could give me some suggestions on alternatives to what it could be (other than my mind just hoping against the worst). Secret Kei, thanks for the links, and for the positive thoughts... I will check out the websites now. Thanks again

Okay, thanks anyway for your time. I was just hoping (praying) that it was so obviously not a cancer that someone would be able to tell me so. Unfortunately Sash has issues, so I can't take her to any vet. But will take her to her normal vet asap. Again, thanks anyway.

Oh yes, I'm not suggesting I wouldn't take her to a vet... I was just wondering if anyone had seen anything like it, or could lessen my anxiety that it may be a cancer?

And some more...

Hi guys, I noticed a lump just behind Sasha's front leg, on her lower rib cage but not totally underneath her. It is kind of like a raised mole would feel like on a human, no movement, quite firm. The skin is a bit of a different colour on it and it's pinky and has hair like normal. I only noticed it yesterday, and it can't have been there for long as I've not noticed it before. It doesn't seem to be bothering her, isn't painful to touch - but it looks like she may have tried to scratch at it as there is an area above it that has a tiny bit of skin missing. It's ovalish in shape, seems to have a clear definition around it and is a bit smaller than a 5c piece. I have added some pics if it will help. I'm petrified that it could be a cancer... absolutely petrified. It looks like a nipple, but she doesn't have any obvious ones like and is desexed... so I don't know... Please tell me it's not cancer. I don't even care if it's something really basic and everyone laughs at me... as long as it's not cancer Any help is much appreciated. Thank you in advance.

I like to hope this may be the catalyst for some change... at the very least, it might reach some of the population and change their views on buying pets in pet stores. We need to flood Today Tonight with the horror stories we have seen in pet stores, keep them on it. It needs to be stopped. Massive applause to the undercover woman who infiltrated the pet store. Sometimes one person can make a difference... or put it on the table anyway.

Yes, the more this gets out to the public the more the chance of outrage and change. TT is good at taking up causes, send them the pics please - they may take this on and help the poor little souls and those in the future like them.

Nasty? Or perhaps it's just a breed that doesn't cope at all well with being shoved in a backyard and not trained or exercised, as so many people do to their dogs... Hear, hear. As a cattle dog owner, I am mortified at this. My cattle dog isn't nasty. But she certainly has been attacked by a number of dogs that may have made the 'safe' list. Uneducated findings like this repulse me, and do nothing but create and fuel community hysteria. It's time he stuck to what he knows... and that's not pets. I don't know what it is, but it's not animal behaviour or breedings.

Ugh... just... ugh. These people need help. Jail time is a start too though. A year would have been better though.

Whilst I'm glad of the ban, I hardly think this is a tough sentence. People like this need to be put through rigorous psychiatric treatment/anger management programs etc. This sentence is not a deterrent. We need to really punish them (serious jail time) and get to the root of their 'problems'. This is not normal behaviour, there is something wrong with these people - and a ban, some community service and a light fine is not going to do that. Come on, let's get tough on these cruel, warped people.

I'm laughing at you laughing! Stop it!!! I guess I've just seen it too many times... my own gangly legged goofball with her own puckering bum (that strikes fear in my heart) and the familiar curling of the rear end... And when I tug her along, the sad expression I get and the 'puckering' effect... and the kind of crab walk with the rear end still slightly curled under. Oh goodness... I need to get a life. I've seen too much puckering in my time!!!

I can't stop laughing at a sniffing dog with puckering bum image... That will keep me amused all day!!!

BAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA The visual image I have in my head made me laugh out loud at work. We've all been there I think. Puckering bum... Poor buggers!!

Have you spoken to them about it? Maybe given them some pointers on how better treatment of their dog may result in less boredome/destructive behaviour? Some neighbours don't pay attention. Our neighbours' dog digs under our fence and sticks it's nose and paws through. Sasha is not a dog aggressive dog, but she is of course territorial and snaps at it's face/paws. Usually she ends up hurting herself, but if that dog got any further through - I can't say what would happen. She is the only dog that Sasha genuinely dislikes. We've tried boarding it up, to no avail. So we've warned the neighbours - I'm not going to keep Sasha out of the area as it's her main living area - it's the side of the neighbours house (not living area for the dog) only about 1/2 a metre wide so they could easily shut it off - so if they don't do anything, don't complain. Sasha isn't a fence runner - only when this dog tries to dig under - we have no problems with the dog on the other side and they get along like a house on fire. Otherwise, yes I'd go to the council and report it immediately. I would also consider a call to the RSPCA (if it doesn't get out to get walked etc). It sounds like a desperate dog... poor thing. But it's a danger to you and your family... so take no chances.

BAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAA - reverse psychology - I love it!!! Makes you wonder how far up the evolutionary chain dogs really are

I figure I wouldn't like someone telling me to hold it if I really needed to go