DogPaddle

Thanks to you as well HF, I don't mean to seem paranoid but . . . well I guess I am a bit. I was really hoping it would all be legit cause the pictures were tugging at my heart and pocket. :wink:

Courtnek, I agree with you most of the time and respect your opinion always but I do have to disagree on this point. [quote]While the majority of us cannot approve of dogfighting in any form, we have no right to stop other people from talking about it. legally. We have no proof that the "dogmen" or the people that defend "matching and rolling" are actually doing it. Perhaps they are. But then again, maybe not. Should I turn someone in to the police who says, in a moment of anger "sometimes I'd like to kill him/her"? Murder is illegal as well, but if no crime has been committed [/quote] If someone said "I sure would like to see if my dog could kick your dog's butt" I might not report them if I could determine if they were seriousely thinking of pursuing this action. Same as your sometimes I'd like to kill him/her statement. However, if someone said "I killed him/her" or "I fought/fight my dogs" I would turn them in in a heartbeat and let the police investigetors check it out - that is my moral (and possibly legal) duty. If I knew a dogfighters real name and real info I would report them to their local SPCA/Humane Society and local authorities, (even if the local authorities where useless good ol' boys likely to do nothing) because it is IMO the right thing to do. If the person was just running off at the mouth and not actually breaking the law than they will be found innocent and learn not to support the illegal activities by word or deed.

Good points RnP and Mutts4Me. As long as the majority of members continue to post their opposition to dog fighting etc - I don't think that a claim that "the majority" "condone" these sorts of things would be accurate. I could be wrong but the position of Snow and Autumn was that people who fight or condone fighting shouldn't be here - therefor we can assume that they hold the opinion that they should be banned. I am not on either side of the banning issue and was divided and concerned the last few times this came up. I have a devil's advocate sort of question for Autumn and Snow: What purpose would banning the offending members serve? What positive effect would it have? I'm not being flippant, I'd really like to hear, make a reasonable, strong arguement and you may convince people.

Sadly we do have 1 or 2 members who even admit to "rolling" their dogs. We do have other members who "see the value" of "game bred pits" - note if you want to continue to get "game bred" dogs than at some point you have to accept that you are condoning "rolling." So there are some truth to the statements made by Snow and Autumn. Granted verying opinions are great but I for one do not want to contribute to what I see as a problem by in anyway condoning it or not opposing it. Imagine what message might be sent to those on the fence or those uninformed or kids or impressionable folk. Here we are educated, concerned dog owners, what message are we sending by not actively opposing anything related to dog fighting?

Thanks, makes me feel better about a donation. Too many internet donation scams out there - ya know.

I agree Ellie - it is tragic but the wolves are just doing what they do - getting food and eliminating a rival dog/pack in what they consider their territory. They have lost to much habitat and game to us and are probably fairly desperate if they are living so close to man as wolves are incredibly manshy.

K - Do you know this person well (even "online well")?

Huskies are on the unofficial escape artist list. Jump, dig, tunnel, climb, squirm, wiggle, chew through . . . they find a way. :lol: A husky could be very healthy otherwise but have mild HD (as could any breed.) May jump up on you but not over or up or down things as jumping up on you is not quite the same - there is not the impact in the hips. Or it could be depth perception - animals and people with poor depth perception tend to prefer not to jump distances or go up or down uncertain surfaces as they are not able to gage the elevation of the landing. Or you dog could just be a bit unusual and prefer not to? As for fostering and your fence - there are fence toppers that might work, check your local Home Hardware are any store that has a fair sized fencing gooods section.

Yes - "meat" can be anything. It has been reported that they use roadkill and the three D's so it would definately not surprise me that they use horsemeat.

Eowyn (11 year old siamese cat) split here nail and the vet we took her to said there was nothing he could do short of taping it up till it heals/grows out. Maybe the vet was no good, I don't know, but if the pain is not to bad I would tape it or use that horse hoof repair or possibly even superglue if you can keep the cat from chewing at it. Good luck.

IMO depends on the dog. Got a dog with dominance issues, maybe not the best idea, otherwise, ususally pretty ok.

Thank-you Cassie for once again reminding me why I want nothing to do with breeding. What a responsibility. Krissy - What breed is Princess? (It's not really relevant, I'm just nosy.)

I agree completely with the above with two additions: Do not get the same breed or a very similar breed or call the new dog by the old dogs name or some variation of it. The child needs to know the new dog is not a replacement of the old dog and that dogs are not [i]replacable[/i]. And if the parents are not ready they may need some extra time so it may be a good option to visit shelters or breeders for a bit, this way the parents get their time and the child is placated, part of getting the new dog can be discussing ways to keep it safe, this will help with any fears about this the child may have, reinforce that dogs or not replacable household items and address any issues of safety.

So does anyone have any suggestions on how to address the dog bite issue, public safety and legislation.

That's better.

It does sound like stress, see if you can see what makes it worse and mention it to your husband. The other suggestion will still help with stress. Excercise doesn't have to be outside if you really can't manage it. I do try to take the boys out for a walk everyday but that isn't that much excercise really, for real excercise they need a good play session outdoors, Zaphod is untrustworthy so he has to do his on a longline (we only have a tiny yard.) If the weather is really nasty or Kavik needs some extra excercise to manage his energy level/work drive, we play fetch indoors for an hour or so - I can do this in the evening in front of the TV if needs be. Kavik is happy to do this and will return the ball right to my lap so it works out well. Also keep up the obedience it is almost certainly helpful. At the point the stress is getting to her try another quick 5 min session. Maybe even try to get hubby to do it if possible and only use commands she is good at so she is gaurenteed to succeed and thereby get praise from hubby. Also if she is untrustworthy try leashing her to you for a bit, this stops her from getting into things and if you do it long enough breaks bad habbits like eating paper. If you let her off and she gets into things, leash her back up, she's a smart little thing, she'll get the pattern eventually. This also keeps her with you and possible will calm her. As for the food, maybe try feeding her about 5-10 min after you start dinner, she may eat just because of pack instinct and might filch less food. Other than that just go with a quality food or quality homemade food and try the other suggestions. Good Luck.

Jack Russell here. Ummmm, did anyone notice the nasicor or whatever Allegy Lesson of the Day: To reduce allergy symptoms - Keep pets outdoors. Not keep pets safely secured outdoors a little more when weather permits or anything like that just - keep them outside. :roll:

Let's assume that "dangerous breeds" are those that are listed by insurance companies, SPCAs and CDC as more likely to bite. This list would likely include: Chained Dogs Unnuetered Males Pit Type Dogs and Crosses Rotties GSD Huskie and Malamute Type Dogs Dobies Chows Akitas and apparently Saints and Great Danes (this occurs on CDC study but I encountered it on less insurance sites - frankly this seems odd to me) These are the dogs listed on many sites as most likely to bite and/or most likely to do significant damage according to many insurance groups and the CDC. What is the best way to deal with the issue of "dangerous breeds" and dog bites or attacks on people/pets/livestock in your opinion. Please keep in mind that your solution should take into account how to determine what breed a dog is or how we are to know if a given dog is a part of the list unless your solution would work by applying to all breeds/owners/breeders equally. Also understand that we are not dealing strictly with dog people when laws are passed so these are the people you would be pitching your idea too. Also your idea should be reasonable easy and inexpensive to implement or chances are people won't do it. The goal should be to [i]appease[/i] people pushing for BSL and ensure public safety. If we can come up with something good I would be very interested in proposing it to any group in my general area that is investigating or pursuing BSL.

Yes we have a conservation area within a 10 min walk of here. The place is full of small ponds, its dangerous in early winter and in early spring but once they get good and frozen it is so much fun. There is a group here that takes a truck out and plows and smooths skating paths on the ice of one of the ponds! I reiterate the danger though. Pik fell through last year or the year before during spring thaw. Much of it was his own fault - I was on the dock with the dogs, refusing to let them go out with him. I pointed out that a wet slushy surface on the ponds did not bode well. And when he said "hey, there are bubbles coming up through the ice here, neat" I did tell him he aught to come off the ice. He made a very funny face shortly after that when he fell through. He was only about 10 ft from the dock fortunately. I had the dog leash thrown out to him fairly quick but it was so cold he didn't noticed and just brokeice/swam/clambered to the dock. Very nippy walk home for him but you know I just couldn't help laughing.

Kavik - When I was 9 I read one of those man against nature, super loyal dog stories that had a dog named Kavik in it, loved it. Kavik is supposedly (although this is from a work of fiction) inuit for "little wolf." Zaphod - Zaphod EatDog Beeblebrox actually. The EatDog part comes from his gastronomic habits :lol: . Zaphod Beeblebrox is a character in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - very funny book. Zaphod was a comical character who felt he was the centre of the universe and was just about the most fabulous guy in the Galaxy which really seemed to suit my pup so . . . We also considered Ford (Prefect) but thought that might be confusing and it suited him less.

Does Hollywood ever seem out of breath when he aught not to be? I'm guessing no, as you have never said anything about it. To reassure you, my uncle's lab had a touch of a murmur, never showed any effects, lived a very long, healthy life. Hope Hollywood is feeling well after surgery and good luck to Hercules next month.

Tyr was the same, when we went to pick him we could here an occaisional bark from some dog in the back but over them all we could here this mournful, full-throated, LOUD, howl/moan. Poor dear was pretty distressed, he quieted down as soon as he saw us, must have been driving the vet office mad. Glad Paddy is home with you now.

Hmmm, maybe I'll try eliminating the SG and a chunk of the carbs from the homemade diet and see what happens.

Excellent points. I have the proper opportunity to let the boys offlead BTW, Zaphod's recall needs serious work and he startles easily and Kavik doesn't like unnuetered males that are taller than him :niewiem: The dog park naturally is out of the question, so I have never had to think whether or not it is someplace I want to take the boys.

[quote]I'm not sure, either, which is why I posted and asked her to clarify [/quote] Well hopefully we will get a response soon.