courtnek

Not yet, but I would like to... I had a cat that would steal things and make it look like the dog did it...

I always hated Xmas too, until Dec. 25, 1986..... On that Christmas night my son was born. I never required another present after that...he was my gift from God. And as troublesome as he sometimes is, I couldnt ask for a better present....

GOOOOODDDDDDD JOB!!!! Give ya warm fuzzies, doesnt it? Glad she'll be home safe again!!

C'MON everybody..thoughts please!!! even negative thoughts are encouraged...I'm NOT easily insulted.... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Thank you Nancy...I didnt know that. If the judges are ruled by the Bred Clubs, things may never get changed. And I am not for that. I truly dont believe in docikng or cropping unless its' necessary,l but in some instances, it is necessary...

I agree that it's not necessary, however it is required by the show judges. I dont believe that's right, and I agree that they should be left to the natural body they were given... I think Rotties and Dobies with tails and non-croped ears are cute... actually less threatening looking then the ones with docked tails and cropped ears..

My other bitch is with the Hunt Clubs....the dogs get too old to work, so they simply "put them down"....GGGRRRRRRRRRR... If it werent for the Rescue Socities, I wouldnt have Laurel. And while she's a handful, I WILL get her issues worked out, and she WILL be a good housedog. She loves me more than my other dog does!!!!!!! I wont get started on this...but I think if you're going to have dogs, whether they work or not, you NEED to provide for them in their "non-working" old age.....

Kendalyn and Guest, I agree with you both. If the dog is not going to "work", or be shown (Rotties are required to be docked to show) then there is no reason for it. A pet wont face the hazards of field working, or herding, or anything else, most likely.....My point was only that some dogs do still start out their life as workers, and there are valid reasons for docking with a working dog. Remember, their original purpose was to herd, to fight, to guard...and a long tail could be a disability under those circumstances...Not so much for the herders (I really dont understanf that thinking) but for the military dogs and guarders, I can understand it. A dogs tail can easily be grabbed, and the dog can be trapped by it. So for military and guarding work, with some dogs, I can see it. Dogs that may have to fight, to do their job, are better off without the tail. I think that's how docking got started, contrary to the article...

Mine are NOT, because there are not universal readers in all places. Once the universal readers are in place, I will have them done. However, I think the law is good. If it is a law to have them microchipped, and a dog that bites someone. or attacks someone, is not, the owner is then liable. Since they also want to require the low-cost chipping, there is no excuse to not have it done except laziness. Yea, the lines might be long, but if it's cheaper then the vet I think most people will do it. I also think this might help the Pits and Staffy's, who have responsible owners, in the long run. Chipped dogs can be identified. Non-chipped dogs who bite or attack will be taken away from an irresponsible owner. The fact that they want to make this a felony may help as well....The good owners with Good Pits, Rotties, Staffy's, Dobies....they may no longer have to put up with the crap about "your dog is evil..." if the truly EVIL owners are weeded out....

Guest, while I agree with the majority of your statement, I do have to disagree with this... [quote]to me it looks like a bunch of excuses to keep docking the tails of dogs that are for the most part not working dogs anymore, and haven't been in some generations[/quote] My rescued Foxhound was a working dog. She was field trialed. Hunted foxes, basically. She originally belonged to a Hunt Club, and they were worked every weekend. When her trial life came to an end, she was rescued by a Foxhound society, who tries to find them new forever homes. A lot like Greyhound Rescue... So some of them, although not most, still "work"...they dont dock foxhound tails because the dogs use them for navigating around, like a rudder when running fast... :)

[quote]while I generally agree that the sort of statement that you said can have bad repercussions later on in life (such as a fear of all dogs) is it such a bad thing to have a child know to not approach strange dogs? [quote] I DEFINITELY agree...my own dog is a :ab mix, and I cant tell you how many times I have to warn off parents who yell "ITS A LAB!! YOU CAN PET IT!!" She is PART lab, but looks purebred to people who dont know, and she DOES NOT LIKE SMALL CHILDREN.... I cant tell you how many times I have had to tell them "DO NOT let your children approach a strange dog!! No matter WHAT KIND it looks like!!" Then they get all miffed and say "why do you have a dangerous dog then?" "what did you do to make a Lab mean?" (THAT ONE really pisses me off....) even purebred Labs will snap under stress, depending on how they have been raised and trained.... :o :o :o :o [/quote]

I personally would not do it, since I dont have working dogs, but I can see the reasons behind it. The tails of my dogs, although the hair is short, often get matted and filled up with burs, brush and junk in the yard. My foxhound had the runs, and her tail was covered with dung that I had to clean off... I can see the purpose in a working dog, for the dogs sake. My fox hound also bangs her tail into walls, doors, and doorways, and has has a lump that will need to be sliced and drained.... I COMPLETELY disagree with "rubber band " docking...I think thats cruelty. If it needs to be done, have it done surgically where there is less chance of infection and future problems....

thoughts everyone??? Illinois legislature passes controversial dangerous-dog bill Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich is expected to sign into law a controversial dangerous-dog bill recently passed by the state legislature, despite opposition from dog and cat breeders and fanciers who say some portions of the bill may hurt responsible pet owners. The bill, which is an amendment to the state's current animal control laws, calls for tougher penalties for owners of vicious dogs and requires dangerous animals to be spayed or neutered. The bill also gives counties the authority to require microchips for all dogs and cats and to increase registration requirements for dog and cat owners, breeders, and small rescue groups. The bill was introduced after two vicious attacks by pit bull-type dogs in a Chicago forest preserve left one woman dead and another seriously injured. The primary sponsors of the bill were state Rep. Angelo Saviano and state Sen. Don Harmon. Several government agencies and animal welfare organizations, including the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, the Illinois State VMA, and American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, backed the bill. For more information about the bill, visit [url]www.avma.org/onlnews/JAVMA/may03/030501e.asp[/url]. Some organizations representing dog and cat breeders and fanciers say that, while they support a crackdown on owners of dangerous dogs, they oppose mandatory microchipping and increased registration requirements because they say these requirements would unfairly burden responsible owners. DiAnn Plaza, the president and chair of the Illinois Dog Clubs and Breeders Association—a group that represents the legislative interests of dog clubs and breeders—explained, "We realize they have to do something about negligent owners." Plaza said, however, that mandatory microchipping would create unnecessary expenses and paperwork for pet owners and county animal control agencies. "The responsible people are already (microchipping their pets)," Plaza said, adding that some owners may avoid taking their pets to the veterinarian if they have privacy concerns about microchipping their pet. Linda Pollack Mercer, M.D., a former cat breeder whose is active in cat rescue efforts, agreed with Plaza and added that the bill would effect only owned cats and not have any effect on feral cats. "(Owners) who are responsible are already microchipping and keeping their cats indoors," Dr. Mercer said. "(Responsible owners) would be paying for other peoples irresponsibility." Proponents of the bill say the microchipping component will not only help officials identify the owners of dangerous animals, but also help reunite lost pets and owners, and reduce animal control costs. "It's for the benefit of pets and people," said Ledy Vankavage, the Midwest government affairs director for the ASPCA. Vankavage said the groups that worked to refine the bill tried to address concerns about cost and microchip readability. To aid owners who can't afford the full price of microchipping their pet, the bill requires counties that mandate microchipping to provide low-cost microchipping clinics once a month. Also, the bill requires microchips that are readable by universal readers, and requires shelters to scan animals immediately upon arrival. Dr. Daniel Parmer, the director of Cook County Animal Control, said he supported the bill, though he said he did not know if Cook County Board would use it's new authority to mandate microchipping. "We're in favor of (microchipping all dogs and cats) because it's good for the animals, animal owners, and animal control," Dr. Parmer said. Dr. Parmer said it's necessary for the state to toughen its dangerous animal laws, and would like to see more animals—including primates over 12 pounds and dangerous snakes—covered under dangerous animal laws in the future. The dog and cat breed groups also oppose portions of the law that would require small animal-rescue groups to register with the state and pay a registration fee, dog and cat breeders to pay to register each litter, cat owners to pay to register their cats. Plaza said the bill would not stop irresponsible owners, who already flout vaccination and registration requirements. "It's going to be too much of a burden for good people," Plaza said. Vankavage said the intent of the bill is not to burden owners but to help raise funds for animal control facilities and shelters. "Animal control agencies need money; we're trying to get them money," Vankavage said, explaining that requiring registration fees for cats will create more revenue for agencies that are dealing with both dogs and cats. "In Illinois, dog owners are footing the whole bill." The cat registration requirement may not have much effect on some counties, such as Cook County where cats are already registered through their rabies vaccinations.

I definitely like the first and second ones - the first gives you a real good idea of the size of the dog walking past a sapling....and the second is a great shot of leaping off a boat. Very nice Roo!

[quote]I have to keep my door locked because it doesn't 'shut'.. [/quote] that was the problem with mine. it didnt latch when I shut it, she stuck her nose in it and swooped right past me while I was closing the screen.... I had to put slightly bigger screws in the latch panel to make it close... I was soooo scared I would lose her....

Sanvean did anyone call the police? Usually people report their lost dogs to the police or animal control.... Also, for identifiers, the name is a good idea, along with the nose, but also check and see if she has any scars, or healed wounds, anything like that that an owner would know right off the top. Definitely call the police and animal control - someone may have reported her missing. She is beautiful....

Laurel is finally coming around a little. She (and Freebee) escaped the house today..let themselves out thru an open door. I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO SCARED..I know Freebe will come back, after she hasun around a little, but I had no idea what Laurel woud do....She followed freebee around and when I called Freebee back and she came, Laurel came with her. They both gave me that "did I do something wrong" look, and they came back obediently... this is amazing, considering her fear and adaptability issues. I am always afraid that she will run away, because of her fear.. I feel I have reached her, in some way, she is not afraid of me and came back when she didnt have to...I could not have caught her.. And the door has been repaired, so they cant do that again... GOOD DOGS!! I will sleep happy tonight!

I agree. especially the part about thinking it's "cute" that small dogs are psychotic...... However, on the plus side, a lot of people watch those shows. Maybe seeing the Staffy's and the Pitt's doing "cute" things will change some of the nastier public opinion. I can only hope so.... and I cant stand Mario, either.....

GOOD for Ms. Bell....A lot of people wouldnt want that dog, which is probably why she was dumped in the first place. Glad she has a forever home now... :angel: :angel:

also, if he continues to seem listless and sickly, he might have ben poisoned. He didnt have any access to anything bad did he? Antifreeze, bug spray, that sort of stuff? you're going to need to keep a close eye on him

what are dogwhiches? raw meat can often carry salmonella, and while dogs handle it better than people, it can still cause vomiting and stomach distress....watch him closely. If he continues to vomit you will have to take him to the vet before he dehydrates.... :o

[quote]You mean the grinch isn't real??? [/quote] Oh, he's REAL allright....I work with him..... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

It's correct to NOT comfort them when they are afraid...rather do something fun that distracts them, then praise and treat. Even basic obedience is good in this situation. When Laurel gets all wound up because Kyle is around, I give her a stern "CHILL"!! and when she does then I pet her. The I take her outside and lt her run in the yard. It's taking a long time, but I am also giving her rescue remedy, and it appears to be working. She is a lot "looser" then she was at first, getting up and checking things out...fear overcoming is hard, and takes a long time. It's a primal instinct, one that is so deep rooted that in humans it requires psychological care and drugs...it's what has kept us alive all these millenia...

Actually, it's been shown that most STRICT vegetarians (no meat by-products, no fish, no dairy) are actually not as healthy as Omnivores, which is what we are. They require vitamins that provide protein and enzymes that only meat, dairy and meat by-products provide. We could do WITH A LOT LESS meat in America, we tend to overindulge and that causes heart and cholesterol problems, but meat and it's by-products appear to be necessary for complete health. Meat builds muscle, gives "slow-burning' protein to our bodies, but with slow-burning food you also need strenuous exercise to counteract the bad stuff. In our early hsitory, people would have eggs, bacon, toast, sausage for breakfast. Then they would go out and toil in the fields all day...the slow burning protein would keep them on their feet, and working hard. It's not a good diet for a couch potato, because fat develops, and cholesterol and heart problems. But pretty much everything you do in moderation is ok for you, and meat has been proven to be necessary for muscle growth and longevity...

I can sympathize...Freebee has taken out rabbits, squirrels and the occasional field mouse, which she insists on bringing to ME as a gift.. (Gee, Girl, THANKS ALOT!!) :lol: