imported_Kat

Since I was told today that I was no longer contagious with the chicken pox, I paid a visit to the animal shelter outside the city in a village called Zuidwolde. Its something I have been dying to do since I discovered the nearest one. Big mistake :( I offered to volunteer but they said they had enough. They took my details but I wasn't impressed with the shelter at all. Its horrible. The dogs are in tiny pens with hardly any space and the noise and banging from the staff closing the doors is enough to make any dog insane. I walked in and they all went mad and I walked to the end and they were all barking and growling, except one 7 year old Golden called Fleur. Shes a typical placid old Goldie and so like my Zoe but she has horrid tats behind her ears. I tried to get out as many as possible but the poor girl needs a home. Shes miserable. This is her photo from their website. [img]http://www.dierenasiels.com/data/326/fleur2.JPG[/img] Another one was an Airedale type tri colour cross called Mars. I made friends with her and slipped her lots of doggie biscuits (I filled my pockets before I left home). Shes just your typical pound mutt and wants to be loved. Opposite to Mars was a dog that stole my heart and I'm not too proud to admit later reduced me to tears. When I first walked in an 11mth old Malinois GSD cross was up at the cage and barking and growling and throwing himself at the front of the cage in a very intimidating manner. I had walked past a few times and finally it was quiet. I went over to him and didn't look at him but just talked for a while. He was still barking and growling but he was kind of wondering why I wasn't running away from his intimidation I think. I just sat with him and told him he was a good boy. He settled and he lay down and put his paw through the cage to me. That small gesture just meant so much. I read up on his card and he had a bad start to life and was abused and it said he found it hard to trust people. I just sat for a good hour and a half with him feeding him biscuits and talking. This dog is amazing. You just look into his eyes and you see such a deep soul. He wants to trust but he was hurt before and its evidently hard. One of the staff came past at one point and told me not to touch him because he was aggressive. I told her i would take my chances and about an hour later she came through again and said that he normally was very aggressive and and right enough when she walked past he was up and barking again. I tried to be nice and tell her he just needed some time and patience and she replied that he must trust me because even when they feed him, they have to put it in through a hatch. I so wish that we lived in our own house. I'm going to go back and spend some time with Pasja. These photos don't do him justice, but here you are. That shelter broke my heart but especially Pasja. Its so unfair that animals are in these cages and not in loving homes. I was reduced to tears cycling back and I can't stop thinking about him. :( :cry: [img]http://www.dierenasiels.com/data/326/ACFCD3.JPG[/img] [img]http://www.dierenasiels.com/data/326/ACFCD4.JPG[/img]

BRILL news! Congrats! :D

lol brilliant :lol:

One day at a time to increase their strength :wink: . Great news to hear that the remaining 3 furbabes are taking steps towards better health :D

I hate greyhound racing. Its big in N.Ireland but used to be much bigger. When I worked at the surgery it sickened me to have a guy come in with a dog for euthanasia that "was useless" , through injury or just not fast enough. :(

A month is a bit long to still have disolvable stitches in, however a quick vet trip can nip them out in seconds.

Congrats! :D

poor little puppy. I'm sorry to hear they are losing their fight. :(

I would wait and see what the next few weeks brngs and see if the pups get over this illness. One step at a time then pending good health then it will be the time to make your decision. :wink:

oohh I'm sure you will get Tater now :D

lol thats too hilarious from the dogs point of view :lol:

[url]http://www.kateconnick.com/library/fennelllistener.html[/url] read and enjoy :wink:

Oh I am so sorry to hear that Angel went to the bridge. You tried your very best with her and her puppies. :(

I'm really delighted to hear that you are going to go the extra distance and try with Jackson :D As for Jan Fennel don't go near any book of hers. She is a total fraud and wrote the book after spending several months with one very well known dog trainer. She can't train her own dogs let alone anyone elses. I attended one of her seminars once and when presented with a problem GSD she totally balked and refused to even handle the dog. I read a priceless review of her book a few weeks ago and I'm going to go find it now for you. :wink:

Its great to see how you strongly feel about wanting to make a difference. Talk to the pound about your concerns and don't let them fob you off with rudeness. Stand your ground and if you get no joy take it the the borough council or if necessary the local humane society.

Poor Kyra being blamed by the old witch. Set as many people straight as you can and if they don't want to listen then thats their problem.

what a very fitting name! :D They should make a film out of it!

very sweet pics. Sasha looks rather intrigued by the kitty :D

Paws crossed that you will get Tater :D

oh yeah Meg and I do canine freestyle and heelwork to music. Its great fun and we have done a couple of routines at Crufts before, like Grease, Oliver twist and Abba dancin' queen and line dancing :wink: In N.Ireland they dont do it competitively so we mainly just did it for fun and for demos at schools, festivals, hospitals and other events.

Aww he looks like a real wee spirited dog and not the type that would want to think he was a wee dog either :D

I don't think this has come from raw feeding. It sounds like it has came from bird droppings. Birds will actively move more with the recent hurricane action and therefore they will poop more. Dog walks in poop, licks paws when he comes in and bingo you have yourself a lovely Coloform (E-coli) infection, typified by colitis and vomitting.

Puppies shouldn't really be given bones for starters. They can damage their mouths through chewing down hard and the rawhide bones in particular can stick in the puppies throat all too easily. For puppy teething its better giving something like a cool raw carrot.

The one problem with trying to work out the most intelligent breed is how to actually define and measure intelligence. Its something that aggravates and puzzles canine researchers world-wide! :P

I had a look through that site and would personally boycott it as they advertise the sale of all kinds of exotics from bears to caracals to camels! :o