Kelly_Louise

I agree. Could be many things. Cushings disease and similar also cause the coat to grow sparsely and very slowly - although you'd probably have noticed other signs as well.

Oh goodness, how heart wrenching. Totally agree that anyone who doesn't believe dogs 'feel' things should watch this video... it is truly touching. When he puts his arm 'around' the white dog, well that is the true example of actions speaking louder than words. That kind of loyalty and friendship should teach us humans something. I hope the comment is true. I think it would have been awful to have taken footage of these guys and then just abandoned them...

Yes, raw chicken or decent amounts of any raw meat gives Sasha runny poos. She can eat cooked chicken, or canned items with chicken it in... but not raw. I've had to take her off all raw meats completely, other than the big bones I give her - but I make sure they only have a little bit of meat on them. But she appears to be able to handle raw beef better than raw chicken.

What an awesome looking dog!

Yeah that's my concern... the weighing up. Even the safer version scares me. That said though, waking up and shuffling into the kitchen at 6am to find 4 cockroaches and a million ants is also rather scary (and more than a little annoying). We generally also have white tails and some redbacks and some other scary looking spiders, but mainly on the outside of the house. We do however have so many daddy long legs all over the place that they are rather annoying too. I try to vacuum them up and their babies, but the next day they're all back again... With winter coming I'm wondering if maybe I should delay until the warmer season hits again and just bear with it... It's a tough one. Thanks for your advice and opinions guys

Due to a roach/ant/spider problem, I've ran out of options and looks like we will need to have our house sprayed. My husband HATES chemicals of any kind, and we've never used them before in our house. We have chosen the plant based spray, which I believe is safer (still contains other chemicals as well). Is it safe? I will keep Sasha away for 5 or so hours... but I just want to know it's safe to proceed. I'm sure lots of others have it done. Also, I'm trying to fall pregnant - would this be safe? I won't be here when the spraying occurs I will also be away for 5ish hours... but if there are any concerns over safety I'd rather not do it. Thoughts please?

Yes, it's a pity more people didn't understand that they aren't a disposable 'thing'

I agree, and if nature had her way - these pups would have perished without doubt. But they aren't out in the wild, they were deliberately kept alive by humans and now their responsibility. Regarding Faith... yes she will more than likely have issues further on down the track, because it's not natural for a dog to walk on 2 legs. But is the core issue any different to keeping a dog with an injury that cause cause similar problems alive? Yes it's different cause it's an injury, but it still modifies their way of life - and without human intervention - would probably not survive. Her lifespan will probably be shorter granted, but is it anymore cruel to keep her alive when she appears to be happy and otherwise healthy, and at the moment does not appear to be suffering in anyway? Maybe they should have been PTS at birth, maybe Faith should have been too. But she has inspired so many people and received so much love and adoration from the people she meets - I'd certainly never want to take away her chance at receiving it. I do think it should depend on quality of life and if it is achievable, and if someone can be prepared to take on that lifetime commitment. If not, then yes they should be PTS. I don't want to believe that people would start deliberately breeding them though... Now that would be the most ultimate form of cruelty imagineable. But I would never disrespect anyone who would choose to PTS at birth, I don't think it's a wrong decision.

They may also be adopted by genuinely caring people, who are aware of their needs and are quite happy to care for them for the rest of their lives and give them every shot at happiness. There are some people that like to help the 'underdog', for no other reason than they can, and they want to and it is rewarding personally for them. Were they kept alive for the right reasons? Hmmm, not sure. Was it the right thing to do? Again, I'm not so sure. But for whatever reasons, they were kept alive. I care for a dog that most people told me should have been PTS many years ago. But she's happy and loves life and isn't suffering... and I wouldn't change her for any healthy dog on Earth. We regularly see a small dog that uses a cart for it's back legs after a spinal injury. Should it have been PTS... well I'm sure some say yes. But to the special person who loves this boy, and to see how happy and loved he is and how he copes - there was never any question. These pups don't know the 'norm' that they are missing out on. They are adapting (albeit with help) to what they have and learning to live their lives. I'm sure there will be hurdles, and I hope potential adopters are selected carefully with long term requirements in mind... Humans made the decision to let these pups live, they should be responsible for making sure they are cared for their entire lives. What about that other dog who was born with no legs... learnt to walk on 2 like a human, travels the world giving inspiration to others. It's awkward and I'm sure he's come up against hurdles too, but he is happy and loved and living a long life. Should healthy dogs miss out on a home and die in their place? No, definitely not. But it's not because of these pups that they will die is it? It's because of humans, and until that changes it will continue to be so.

I totally agree with the above.

http://www.examiner.com/dogs-in-national/i...dog-not-a-thing

Wow... that is very harsh. And yet, I have neighbours and their teenage/adult kids (who have the capability to understand and should know better) who are a total menace to our community, and nothing can be done about them apparently (advised by police AND council). Pathetic.

Yes... Sasha knows my husband by 'Dad'... I'm Mama, but because I don't refer to myself much I'm not sure if she knows me by that title. I think I'm pretty nameless, but not to worry, cause I'm highly adored judging by the way she watches my every move with her big loving eyes, and is always following 2 inches behind me everywhere I go She is known as Mama's Big Girl. LOL.

If that's not enough to put a smile on your face, I don't know what is What gorgeous pics!

I had to laugh at some of the replies to the piece. "where's his helmet?" Oh, and "who names their dog Norman?" :rolleyes:

Sasha had a liking for cat poo and duck poo... After a few reprimands, she now remembers that it's not on. But yeah, I've gotta be taking notice and gotta move quickly - cause she can scoop it up and gobble it in mere seconds. Only very rarely now does she 'forget' and try it, but otherwise we have poo-free walks now!!

So would I - which is why I would be one who would investigate all avenues before allowing nature to take it's course. I don't know if I could live with myself without at least giving it my dog a shot. The end result may be the same - maybe not - but personally I would feel obligated to at least try (as long as that did not mean they were unnecessarily suffering). In saying that though, I totally understand people who would make the alternate choice. I think you should be guiding by the specialist, they know more about the reality of this situation. Either way, you will never do the 'wrong' thing for your girl, please believe that. I'm so sorry that you are going through this with your girl, and hope you have many many more good times ahead of you together.

Can't fool them... they KNOW!!!

Bless her after all she's suffered through. What a happy pup she looks now!!! May she be adopted by the most wonderful. loving family ever, and never go through such awful times again.

What a tragedy... Poor baby, and I can't imagine what the parents must be going through... I don't have kids yet, but surely saying that a 2 year old should always be at arms length is a little over the top... You just don't imagine that a pet's water bowl could impose such a risk though do you? :D

Me too... you think we'd learn to stay away from these kind of things wouldn't you!!! But I find this very true, it's easy for people to dismiss statistics when it's 'faceless' - but when you see it first hand, it's a whole different story. This is the side people need to see - perhaps they wouldn't be so careless with their dogs lives, instead of believing they hand them over and they all go on to live happily ever after.

http://www.examiner.com/dogs-in-national/a-dog-named-sam

There certainly isn't!!! I still remember when Chloe was the most adorable little puppy!!!

Is there anything cuter than a cattle dog puppy??? :D Tess is just DIVINE!!!

How sad. Skimping - when used in the context of taking away an innocent dogs life. Just doesn't sound right does it...