Fastgals

I want a robot wolf on our back verandah. Looks perfect for persuading a certain dog not to wee on the concrete. And go out on the lawn like a proper dog.

I bought a bike trailer/stroller for one of our greyhounds when walking got too painful for her (bone cancer), so she could still come on morning walks with our other two greys. I got the largest I could find at the time, but there was quite a range of smaller trailer/strollers available. Only problem I found with it was that dropping the back of the kids' seat down to provide more room meant that the stroller was unabalanced and the front wheel would lift. Fixed that by putting a couple of weights in the front "footwell". Lulu loved it and I wished I'd bought one years ago - at least two of our now departed greys would have made good use of it. It's currently in the shed, unused, but won't hesitate to get it out if our current oldie ever needs it.

Congratulations to you and Phoebe. So sorry about the little fella but so pleased mum and gorgeous bubs are doing well. Jane.

Dear Roskyle Dental Services Does Dr Jemima do canine nails as well? If yes, when can I book! Thank you on behalf of: Silly Miss S, who runs from room at first sight of nail clippers or file, and Slightly Scary Madam S, who barks and lunges

I'd like to recommend Anne Neville at East West. The Chinese herbals have worked well for some of my dogs and not others. Anne is happy to work with only conventional veterinary medicine if that is your preference. Anne's clinic also provides acupuncture and osteo. I have found Anne's expertise in the palliative field has been a tremendous support to both me and my dogs that have benefited from it.

We're in Glen Eira, Victoria and my multiple dog permit has lapsed while we don't have a third dog. I'm pretty sure it's still a three year permit for $150. The usual annual registration fee is payable on all dogs. I'm not allowed to apply for a new multiple dog permit until I actually have the third dog, and then will have to go through the whole inspection process again. ...so it would be pretty disappointing if they said no... Luckily, Glen Eira has been OK about extra dogs - apparently not the same story "next door" in Monash.

The entire Board of GRV has voluntarily resigned(posted in The Age at 11.51am). The Board will be replaced with a "three person team", whatever that means. I guess there will be more info shortly.

Because responses to this type of scenario in the US might inform strategies here?

As Rebanne says, greyhound rescue is huge in the US, with many of the remaining track-linked adoption groups achieving 100% adoption rates. Greys that would not be considered suitable or safe as suburban pets here, are adopted out in the US. Things are quite different in the States, where racing dogs actually live kennelled at a track, rather than at private training farms or properties. I can't find the links now, but I remember early in my membership of a large US greyhound forum, reading about massive, multi-state rescue efforts to collect and adopt out all resident greyhounds when racing was banned in certain states and/or tracks closed down. In Australia, despite the wonderful work of GAP and other groups, we simply don't have the population base or rescue group coverage to rally this level of support.

I'm so sorry. Run free beautiful Penny. Regards Jane

I've used the water proof baby cot covers. These are lightly padded and the waterproof lining is encased in cotton - which makes them more comfortable for your dog to sleep on. Also kept a supply of baby wipes to clean the urine off the dog. (We had several weeks of really bad incontinence with one of our greys, before we found the right medication that worked for her. I liked the convenience of the cot covers so much, I've continued to use them as dog bed covers - even though we don't have any incontinent oldies at the moment. If you need to put an extra rug on the bed in winter, use polar/micro fleece - easily washed and quick to dry.

Kirislin, I'm so sorry for your loss. A beautifully peaceful passing for little Kibah - sent on her way with love. Hugs to you. Jane.

I can't personally vouch for either of these in your dog's circumstances, but I've heard that there is a particular Bowen technique for spay incontinence. You would need to find a practitioner who could provide this - or perhaps consult an animal osteopath. We also had success stopping one of our dog's quite serious incontinence with a combination of acupuncture (and a course of anti-inflams). Although her incontinence was being caused by pressure on nerves from a spinal condition, I'm pretty sure the acupuncturist said that acupuncture can also benefit other types. There are also herbal supports for incontinence. I would suggest that any of these alternative therapies are best used as supports for a regime that also includes veterinary medicine. But they may make it possible for Dori to be on a much lower dose of medication.

Good.

Hi Rebanne, If spinal support is important, how about a cot mattress? A cot mattress protector makes an easy, washable, waterproof cover. Regards, Jane.

I assume you'd have to check on a State by State basis.

I live in the SE suburbs of Melbourne and pay $52 for a 3 year permit to keep "three greyhound-type dogs". The initial permit assessment process included a detailed application, visit by an animal ranger, and sign-off by all immediate neighbours. I get a reminder to renew the permit every three years, send through the same property information and ask my neighbours to sign the form. The Council may re-inspect our property on reapplication but has not done this to date. After the first year, I pay the usual registration fee for the third dog. My Council is very good about granting the permits. I gather that the neighbouring Council is not nearly so accommodating.

We had a foster greyhound who had a particular "thing" for my gorgeous, sixties suede stilletos. She just liked to collect one and sit next to it. Our gorgeous old Girlie collected all sorts of things and like to wrap them up in the blankets on her dog bed. Once (and only once!) I fed the dogs pieces of raw fish...and spent the next two days finding stinky fish pieces hidden in her blanket. I think she had a stash outside, so whenever I found and removed pieces, she'd go out to her stash for replacements. Another time she collected and carefully unwrapped (she was also a star unwrapper) a couple of little gifts I'd left on the coffee table. I later found the tiny thimble and medallion - guess where? - wrapped up in the blanket on her bed. She also confiscated the squeaky puppy soft toy that I'd bought our other greyhound, upset by the squeaking when Maggie chewed it. This and Girlie's squeaky puppy were promptly bundled up and hidden in the blanket on her dog bed. Awake late one night, I snuck down to check on Girlie in the lounge room to find that she had unwrapped the two squeaky pups and was lying stretched around them on the bed. Presumably it was safe to let the pups out to play while evil Maggie was asleep. So cute!

I use wee-proof cot mattress covers on all our dog beds, following an episode of serious incontinence suffered by one of our elderly dogs. These are cotton covered, have absorbent padding and are lined with a completely waterproof lining. They were a sanity saver for me as I had found even the waterproof bonofido mattress covers would leak through the zip and also tended to absorb a little urine odour, which was very hard to get rid of. The cot mattress covers largely prevent spillage, wash out well and dry quickly. A spray of preen on the urine and/or napisan in the wash is also a good idea.

What a horrible, shocking thing to happen. I'm so, so sorry for your loss.

Have sent PM.

Hi Jess, Do you know if the owners have contact GAP Victoria?

Lillysmum, My thoughts are with you, I know just how hard this is for you. It involves expenditure, but I wanted to let you know that we have been managing our 14 grey's deteriorating lumbosacral condition with a combination of first veterinary and then herbal pain/inflammation relief and acupuncture. If Lilly's condition has not significantly deteriorated when her Metacam course finishes, I would strongly recommend trialling Onsior. Even though Lilly's condition sounds worse pain-wise than our Maggie's, I can't say enough good things about the relief a 4 week course of Onsior provided for her. It was so successful as an anti-inflam, it halted quite serious incontinence that had been caused by pressure on nerves to her bladder. Both of you are in my thoughts. Regards, Jane.

Gorgeous traveldogue . Must get my Guzzi outfit back on the road for summer - our youngest greyhound loves riding in the sidecar.

Does this look like the fungi? It's one commonly found growing in lawn, mulch, etc in my area. Seems to be some debate as to its toxicity as it contains only a small amount of psylocybin, but a follow up liver function test wouldn't go astray. http://bie.ala.org.au/species/urn:lsid:biodiversity.org.au:apni.taxon:268046;jsessionid=2CA80FB4D1412D8C6706495FB49D1D56