supafrisk

I couldn't have said it better, my heart goes out to you all. Dogs come and dogs go on the Refuge, all are remembered but some dogs become special dogs - Refuge dogs. It brightens our lives up when we hear of milestones reached, of happy times, and in rough times we feel sadness and shock. Spike was one of those "special dogs" and always will be, he had the most amazing, wonderful life with you and I'm privileged and honoured to have met both him and Cherry. Peace be with you and your family Marge, he is at rest now. Spike You were the most handsome greyhound I ever had the pleasure of meeting and I know you know you were loved as big as the world - safe journey to the Bridge until you all meet again

How true. I also came came from a violent background, it's so hard to break the cycle when the perpetrator has psychological holds over you, in our case, my biological father used to tell Mum he would kill my Pappy if she left, and used to use my brother and I as tools to further the abuse she suffered. When beatings and abuse happen on a daily basis, it's hard to perceive that there is a way out. I don't think anyone on this planet except my Mum, my brother and I would call the culmination of events that led up to us getting away as "luck", Mum calls it her lucky break. My Pappy died and probably knowing that he no longer had a hold over us, decided to give my Mum a beating in front of me in my brother's bedroom. He then pushed her out of it. Luckily for her she was already unconscious when she hit the tarmac, otherwise she would not be here now. She was on a life support for 2 weeks with three fractures to her skull with plain clothes policemen watching her round the clock and he still only got 18 months in Winson Green. I can still remember him telling Mrs Shoot next door that she'd just fallen over whilst putting out the milk bottles. If it hadn't been for my brother, they might have believed him, it was only because he ran to a neighbours and dialled 999 because no-one in the street believed him, even though the police were regularly called to our address. Funny thing is, even though I hate the spineless b***ard's guts and I never want to clap eyes on him, having unfortunately lived with his parents for a week after Mum was put in intensive care, I can see exactly where he got it from. I was reading about Josef Fritzl recently and although I still firmly believe that the man is a monster, it transpires that his grandmother couldn't have kids, instead his grandfather used to beat her, rape the maids, get them pregnant and then make them sign the child over to him and his wife. The couple had three children this way, the third they named Maria (Fritzl's mother). By her account, he delighted in the deception he created, fooling the outside world that he had a "normal family" but on the inside goading and abusing them physically for being "b*st*rds". She was desperate to leave, so married a farmhand but she also failed to produce a child after 3 years of marriage so he divorced her. She went back to her mother and father and the beatings continued until one day she and her mother ran away to Amstetten to live in the house that had been given to her mother as part of her dowry. She started a relationship with a man and wanting proof of her womanhood, seeking vengeance on men in general and wanting to correct the humiliation that had ruined the lives of both her and her adoptive mother, she went into the relationship with the intentions of getting pregnant and then to her surprise became pregnant with Josef almost immediately. However, as soon as Josef was born she renounced him every chance she got, saying she'd had him out of spite to prove she wasn't barren. He suffered both physical and mental abuse until he was old enough to hit back. I think sometimes when the cycle is so firmly ingrained that without professional help it is hard to unforge those chains and return to some sense of "normality".

The hormones should be out of your system and you are IMHO experiencing too many symptoms not to be pregnant. I've had a miscarriage and the hormones were gone within 3 or 4 days and although I did feel weepy due to what had happened, I'd say the nausea points to you being past the 8 week stage. I hope you find out as soon as possible

I know I just wanted to make it clear to anyone else who may have not read the whole thread.

Lottie is most certainly not a puppy farm dog. But I do agree about speaking out about puppy farming. As for other posts about why post if you knew it was going to cause conflict - yes I could have kept quiet, not told anyone (although a few already knew so it would have got out eventually) but supposed we bumped into each other at Bowood or on a Fugee walk, what do you think I was going to do, leave her at home and deprive her in case it caused tension? Or bring her along, wait for someone to comment and say "Iggy, what Iggy? Nope, can't see one"? And that is predominantly the reason that I told you all - if I had been using RMF I admit I possibly would have mentioned it there instead of opening a thread but to go to an event in say 18 months time, bump into someone from the Refuge and not have mentioned her, don't you think that would have been even worse???

Actually, what I said was it was a closed shop regarding actually buying an iggy, whether it be a pup, adult or one returned due to circumstances. I don't feel guilty, I do feel mad that a couple of people choose to imply that I feel guilty, it was discussed several times as a family unit and getting another rescue was brought up because getting one from rescue was attempted. I'm certainly not going to sit and slate Lottie's breeder, who has always been the other end of a phone call away and in fact has rung regularly to make sure all is ok, I met Lottie's parents and grandparents and an Iggy boy they used to board for someone who could no longer keep him so they took him on. So yes, I could see exactly how she treated her "stock" as you call them. (Funny another refuge member mentioned a breeder sleeping on the sofa for 5 weeks, so did Lottie's breeder).

Funny that, because it's put me off Attitudes HAVE changed on here since I joined, I have logged on recently but rarely commented. I certainly haven't RMF'ed since July last year because I have been upset by things that have been said. Before that I was a regular poster. But it doesn't matter. I understand there is freedom of speech, however I have rarely stood in judgement of anyone on here, except the MR thread, as I felt it unfair to slate someone whos heart was so obviously in the right place. If I have had an issue with people's comments I have kept it to myself or been as tactful as possible because I was brought up to treat people as I would like to be treated, there is a way of saying things though. I understand and respect the fact that other people may/will have opinions different to mine, sometimes strongly so. However I would never attempt to put somebody on a bloody huge guilt trip, so much so that every time they look at a particular pet they are reminded that they are a wicked, selfish person for taking on that pet. My first thought after I posted the original thread that caused this topic was "I knew I shouldn't have told people" but I am an honest person and it took a lot of guts for me to come out and say it. Some of your posts echoed my feelings, some were downright upsetting, some outlandish and a few were written with a lot of thought before commenting and were said with honesty but without malice and I respect that. However, it has made me think twice about using the internet. One more thing I would like to say is that there are people on here that have bought a specific breed of horse, from a breeder. Does that mean it's okay to buy a horse when there are so many racehorses that could be rehomed, we have places like HAPPA, Redwings, we have Trallwm farm etc. Does that make someone who buys, say an Andalusian or an Icelandic or a Knabstrupper horse selfish because they overlooked the 6 year old TB ex racer or the 16 year old ex riding school horse in a rescue somewhere? In fact, I would say the majority have bought their horses, is that classed as double standards?

Having read up on this, although obviously they are more susceptible due to their build and size and the fact they can still muster the same speeds as a whippet, it is now thought that there are more factors involved, namely diet, exercise and breeding. In America they don't breed from any dog or bitch that has had a leg break because a common concensus over there is that a lot of it is in the genes, ie, a dog or bitch mated that has had one or more leg breaks is more likely to produce a litter that will be susceptible to breaks. Some breeders advocate crating pups for most of their puppyhood to safeguard against them jumping, climbing etc. However, there is more evidence to support the fact that constant crating means the muscles surrounding the legs do not have chance to strengthen properly, which then would exacerbate the problem. A few morons have been known to limit the amount of food given to attempt to keep the size down, again this is more an American thing but obviously lack of nutrients would mean possibly less bone density. Lottie's breeder advocated some crate training but it was more so she has her own space, more importantly she has at least one room that is Iggyproof, ie, no chandeliers to swing off or wardrobes to jump from wearing a superman costume - okay I'm joking but the back room has been turned into a no climb area so she is safe. Also the stair thing, dog guards at each end and taken up on a lead and made to use ALL of the steps, as if they get into jumping from the last but one step on the way down then eventually it will become the second from last, third, etc. Luckily Mark doesn't work now and hasn't since Christmas so Lottie and Will are never left unless he goes to tescos when I'm working, if he goes to the Co-op he takes both dogs via the park Never thought I'd see the day Mr. Macho man would be seen out with a hairy whuppitt in commando gear and a dainty ginger iggy with hot pink harness and lead

I've also been doing these mugs for work recently. This is the boss's

No clues or guesses needed as for where they both sleep at night Yes she also does the frog dog thing

Too funny

Way to go Emily

She's a stunner glad she's found her forever home - well done

She's gorgeous Welcome home Mika

Yes, she is an Italian Greyhound. I know a few people would be surprised and quite probably disappointed in me for going down this route but I must stress that the decision wasn't taken lightly, I did try to investigate the breed rescue option. The breeder regularly emails or rings for updates on Lottie's progress and has said she's only a phonecall away from me if I need her. I think she vetted me just as much as I "vetted" her and as I already said, she did as much to educate me as possible, from explaining what ailments they were more prone to (leg breaks, cataracts, liver shunts) to describing how to teach her to go up and down the stairs, as pups have no perception of distance until 6 months and will think nothing of jumping from the top of the stairs to the bottom. Once again, I am sorry if I have offended people on here, but I didn't want to look back one day and think "I wish I'd got one when I had the chance". Will loves his little sister very much Edited to add, I was told by more than one breeder that there are only about a hundred pups born every year in the U.K as litter sizes are small (typically 1-3 pups) , a lot of those get "run on" for showing and the majority of bitches stay with the breeders, so even if you did get some going in to rescue, it would be a rare occurrence.

This is very difficult for me to admit and I've ummed and ahhed over the past six weeks as to whether to tell the truth or to just plod on regardless without saying. A few of you know that we were looking for a sister for Willow, infact, just over a year ago I was due to adopt a 10 month old whippet bitch puppy. After HLGS chatted for over an hour to the woman putting her up for adoption and me constantly ringing poor Sam it fell through on the day I was due to collect her. The woman decided she no longer wanted to part from her. (the woman breeds pedigree whippets but takes on and fosters rescue whippets) It was very upsetting at the time as we had emailed each other the night before and first thing that morning so I was pretty stunned/upset/gutted to receive a text saying she couldn't let me have her and to check my emails. When I did there was an email waiting telling me she had become part of the family. Although it put me off I still thought eventually we would get another dog. For years I had wanted a particular breed (yes ok maybe that's selfish and I should have been looking at a rescue dog). I honestly never thought I would be in a position to have one, until recently. Mark and I discussed it on a weekly basis almost, and Mark sais he was happy as long as it didn't grow any bigger than Willow (Damn, that ruled out a Wolfhound I'm definitely kidding now BTW) So, I did my research. Then I talked to breeders. And discussed getting a rescue (apparently the chances of one coming into rescue are slim to non existent, as most breeders insist the dog returns to them in the event of a change in circumstances. It was hard work as I felt pretty much like it was a closed shop, I could chat all I liked to them about what best to feed them, exercise, illnesses and ailments the breed were susceptible to but as soon as I enquired whether there were any older pups or adults that had been run on for showing and hadn't been deemed good enough for breeding or showing and were looking for a pet only home, the breeders clammed up completely. It was like talking to a brick wall. I then tried the Kennel Club and managed to get the numbers of three breeders. After discussion with one in particular over a week I agreed to go up to Chesterfield to look at a bitch puppy she was originally keeping back but had decided to find a home for. I fell in love the moment I saw her. Mark, surprisingly was smitten within 24 hours as well. She sleeps on his lap round his neck, is allowed to wash his ears (and anyone who knows Mark will know what a huge milestone that is), before we got her he had never taken Willow out on a lead, it was always me and Will. Now he and Ellie take both dogs and he walks Will and she walks the pup. Don't get me wrong, Mark was never anti-Will, he just was never brought up with pets and had never learnt to interact with them. He would always put food down for Will, let him out in the garden etc but would never make a fuss of him. Now he makes a fuss of them both I know a lot of you will say "Oh my God, it's not a rescue" but if I could have got one from rescue I would have and I know a lot of you will view me differently as a result of what I've done but I'm glad I've done it and I've tried to turn Mark into an out and out dog lover for years and she did it in 24 hours and to me that's worth more than anything. In case you were wondering, here's a pic of Lottie Pickle (This is a picture the breeder sent me, hence no Willow, I will get round to uploading all the others later as there are lots of both of them snuggling ) Just in case you got the wrong end of the stick, she's NOT a whippet There, I've said it.

Umm.. where are the pics for the manky bodyparts thread? Secondly, from personal experience when an abscess bursts it actually relieves the pain, you can go from absolute agony -*pop*- to painfree. Gross but true

Cotton traders and joules (I buy in the sales!)

My heart goes out to you Karen, and all of your family I have lurked and read and hoped and prayed that things would come right and I'm so very very sorry Caffery went to The Bridge in peace, without pain knowing how much you loved and cared for him

Ellie used to say Doingy Babber, she meant drawing paper... I am always surprised how many people say "pacific" when they mean specific # My ex's Dad used to come out with some beauties, i remember him going on about his wife's dysterectomy (hysterectomy), then there was the gatoooox (gateau/x) Mark says pacific, he also says ja-lapeenos instead of correctly pronnouncing ha-la-paynios My sister Kirstie when a lot younger humiliated my Mum at a Christmas play by singing at the top of her voice "Away in a manger, no crisps or no bread" followed by instead of "sing hosanna", "Who's a W**ker". Desert Orchid (kirsties favourite horse) was Desi Turkey, biscuits were bisquicks or bissicks. Chocolate buttons were choccy butt butts, and then there were jam swamwiches

I've just done a ceramic dog bowl with Will's pawprints round it

So sorry for your losses, Purrpuss Run free at the Bridge, Berry where Patch is waiting for you

Blimey, you lot have really given me some ideas!!! Right I think the best thing is for me to get some stock together first, and I need to source decent suppliers for my stones having already had problems with firing some. Then I can get going on some really nice one off stuff and hopefully we will get an auction by then and I can test the waters with one of those horses, a cross, a pair of earrings, maybe some fingerprint cufflinks or earrings. In fact, it should be fairly easy to take an impression of a animal's paw and turn it into a pendant. The other thing I am working on is dog/cat bowls with paw prints on. I have been painting mugs with various slogans on at work (Mrs Ook had the dubious pleasure of drinking out of the "Professional B*llsh*tter" mug last week, whilst I opted for the "Sh*tstirrer of the week" mug) and I'm sure I could manage something similar with the rescue name on one side and a slogan or name on the other. So far we've got at work "Queen of Tarts, Biffo, Trigger, Professional Pain in The *rse, Grumpy G*t, Big Bad Dom, Speed Freak, Master Bates, Bad Girl, Know It All and Maxi's mug in varying colours. Also, plates with "team fone a car breakfast club sponsored by" followed by a list of well known eateries And last but not least, a plate with "Who ate all the pies?" on it

And these, if anyone's interested in bidding on one