smirnoff

I don't understand either. I wouldn't consider moving anywhere without my animals any more than I'd have left my kids behind when they were small. But I know my partner wouldn't think twice before upping sticks and moving abroad - he reckons his kids would come and see him every year and that's enough. I can't imagine where dogs would fit in to his plan. It leaves me speechless. But then I know of people who took their two gorgeous Newfoundlands to Portugal when they moved and one caught heartworm which is quite common there and they were bringing him back to the UK because the veterinary care isn't as good there but he didn't make the journey. And then the other one died shortly afterwards - broken heart maybe. Hope this lovely little cocker gets a new mummy soon and gets to be as happy as he used to be. Diane

Welcome to the Refuge. I'm sure you'll fit right in. Diane

I know it's awful to see you children ill. But try not to fret too much - they can work wonders nowadays. And the three months for you 10 year old will be over in no time and things will be back to normal. This may even bring you all closer (and make you appreciate them even more). Enjoy the closeness and try not to look on the black side. Healing thoughts being sent for all of your family (because this will effect everyone) including Ice. Diane

Now that made me laugh! I sympathise with every one. I love "find X"! I think the mark on describing the graph is for spelling, grammar and presentation. That side of it is pretty much perfect. Just the content which lets it down as an answer (not that I could do any better). Diane

Welcome to the refuge, EMW. Lovely to see you here. I know that EMW will benefit from the support of all the animal lovers on this forum. I've just read the post on Atom. How lovely to see the improvement you've made in him. Just emphasises how much good can be done when people pull together. Just a shame it's putting right the damage other people do. Diane

I've added my signature. I only wish I could do more. This is happening far too often and hurting dogs who need help and the people who give up so much of their lives to run these rescues. I really can't believe that a rescue could cause that much trouble to the locality and can only assume that someone has an axe to grind or a financial benefit to make. Councils should be going out of their way to support animal rescues and other voluntary organisations, not stop them from doing their wonderful work which few of us are dedicated enough to take on. Diane

good luck, Zina. Hope the pills work. Diane

Oh No! Not another rescue having trouble with a council. What is it with these guys!!!! Rescuers are giving up everything to help animals into the right home and seldom cause much bother to their neighbours and yet councils seem to be doing their level best to stop them by using red tape. Words fail me. Diane

HI My Springer does something like this too. He makes sort of coughing noises and retches really loudly and sometimes vomits just saliva. Sometimes there's grass in it too. Sometimes something yellowy/greeny. He goes through phases of doing it and then stops for a while. It does sound like he's trying to get something out of his throat. He never brings food back - he's far too greedy to part with any of it. But he's absolutely fine all the time apart from this theatrical yakking (which has been happening for months now, but only occasionally) so I don't think it's anything serious. Diane

Depends on the people. If there was a good reason why she'd got lost and they'd been looking for her then I'd want to meet up with them (do a kind of homecheck) and see how the dog reacted to them. Ultimately it would depend on whether the dog wanted to be with them. I have a Springer I adopted when he was 10 and the daughter of his previous owner (who was distraught that he had to be rehomed but couldn't take him on herself) used to come and see him every Christmas. It was always tearful for everyone and the dog was clearly ecstatic to see her again. For a week or so after the visit he ran to where she'd parked her car every time he left the house. She didn't come this year but she did send us a letter. I think it was too traumatic for her. We have always said that, if things change and she ever wants him back, we'd be happy to see him go back home. He's very happy with us but when I saw them together I always had the feeling he'd be even happier back with them. Our other dog was adopted aged 10 from a young man who had been offered a job overseas for a trial period of 6 months. When we took her on we made it clear that he could have her back if the job didn't work out. That was over a year ago so we're assuming that she's ours for keeps now. But if he came back and asked for her and Casey seemed to want to go, again I would let her. It would break our hearts to lose either dog but I think it would be the right thing to do. But then our case is a bit different because with both of them we knew the owners and saw their distress at having to part with their dogs. At the end of the day, I'd just want the dog to be where it's happiest. But I'd probably insist on them spending holidays with us from time to time. Diane

OK. So this is going to be a bit of a bodge, but if you get desperate I may be able to help. Firstly, is Pooch cat friendly. I currently have 5 so that's a must. They're all very used to dogs. I have my daughter's 2 dogs in the week - both normally fine with other dogs in the house. One of my cats is currently insisting on peeing in the house so I'm used to cleaning up after them. I guess I can cope with a Westie doing it too for a week. I live near Ashbourne so it's not too far from you. And I've actually agreed to go over to Wilmslow at some point to meet up with someone so we may be able to arrange transport somehow. The problem is the timing. I guess you're going away on 3 March for a week. Most of that's fine but I'm going away for the night on 6 March. Going to see Joan Baez for my partner's Christmas present and she's only doing 2 gigs so I can't really miss it. But I could either take her over to my daughter's house on Tuesday afternoon for the night (she has a kitchen and utility room so maybe she could sleep there so puddles wouldn't matter too much - have to check that with her). She works but comes home at lunch time to check her own dogs. I'll be back Wednesday afternoon. Or I could ask my daughter to come over to my place to look after the animals overnight and ask a neighbour to pop in during Wednesday to check on them. Not ideal, I know, but keep me in reserve. Diane

I had a collie cross who didn't like toys or games. She used to fetch the dumbell I used for obedience, but as you say, only because she wanted to please me, not because she wanted to play. If I threw sticks she got quite excited but when I actually threw it, she looked over her shoulder, shrugged and went off to do whatever she wanted. I could almost hear her say "you threw it - you go get it". I got her mother a couple of years after and she was the same. Hiding food seems to be a good idea though. Dis used to search in cushions for chews and things. And she used to play hide and seek with me (made me realise I needed to get a life when I realised I was doing it). So Dis didn't really play much, but I adored her anyway. We did our bonding while we cuddled. She was excellent at knowing when I was upset. Diane

Welcome to you and the yorkies. Diane

Some of our local freecycle sites won't allow animals to be advertised because the idea is that it's to keep things out of landfill. However, the largest one does allow it but gives detailed guidelines on how to vet the new owners etc. The moderator actually has a very happy freecycle dog herself so can't really ban them. And it is a good point that at least they're trying to find the animal a good home and not just abandoning them. Maybe if we all e-mail advice on rescues when we see one of these it would help. And I have also seen an advert for someone with loads of land offering to take on pets in any condition to become part of their family to people who were struggling with their animals. And they insisted that the owner came along to meet them and see their premises before agreeing to hand over their pet. So I guess freecycle has it's good points. Diane

I did part of Annie's transport today. She's an absolute sweetie. Stood on my knee eagerly looking out of the front window the whole way. She was very interested in everything and at the services she and my partner waited outside while I got coffees and she was interested in everyone who passed by. I could definitely detect border terrier but as for the remaining bit I can't be sure. Lovely temperament though. She'll be safe in her rescue by now and will make someone a lovely pet. Diane

Isn't it a shame that we can't do innocent activities without looking like we're up to no good nowadays. Glad you weren't thrown into cells for the night. Diane

Hiya Other people with more experience than me will come up with ideas to help you and your lovely dog when you've given them a bit more information. I can see that she's driving you nuts but please don't give up on her. You obviously love her or you wouldn't be asking how to get her behaviour acceptable. I think I may be a bit softer on my animals than you are on yours because they are allowed to do pretty much whatever they want in the house (which doesn't mean you're wrong - dogs have to fit in to their individual family's needs). I'm sure that kennels would only make things worse so don't even think about it. I don't know whereabouts you are, but I often look after people's dogs in my own home when they're away so if you're in the Midlands and you need to go away, please feel free to get in touch and I'll help out if I can. Good luck with her. Time and patience can work wonders. Diane Me again! Forgot to say that there's a very good book called "understanding your rescue dog" (and there are others in the series) by Carol Price. Amazon have it. Helped me to understand a mad border collie I had. Diane

Hi Irons. Nice to see you at the Refuge. Diane

Hi Karen and welcome to the Refuge. There are lots of other Wiccs people on here so I'm sure you'll feel right at home. Diane

'I thought wanking was a provice in China till I drank Smirnoff' How very dare you! Smirnoff

He's had some healing from a friend of mine and lots of prayer. I looked at laetrile and found very mixed reports. He's taking a product called Salvestrol which is made from fruit and we're hoping that will have an effect. I would be interested in anything else you have information on, but he won't take any more pills - he feels he's taking enough already. It's just dreadful to see him this ill. He's still very positive but I can't tell you how painful it is to see your child ill (even if he is 6ft 4 and all grown up - he's still my baby) Diane

I've only just discovered this thread but if anyone can send out positive thoughts for my son, Anthony Drake, I'd be really grateful. He's suffering from a rare form of cancer and is feeling very poorly just now. I know he's not an animal, but he's very precious to me. Diane

that's quite revolting, probably sacreligious and very funny! Diane