Ian

A lovely story to read and another great example of The Ark & Oldies Club coming together to help an older dog - not for the first time in recent months - well done to all involved in her re-homing.

Bless, there are some really nice photos here - I can see why you love him so. The last is cute but for me the 1st, the penultimate, the one with Snatch haring across the grass & Snatch with Az are even nicer (probably in that order). For me the one with him running would also make a good card - shows anyone who may doubt it that oldies can still be fun & active companions for them. I really hope the next week brings some relief & improvement for you & all the family. Ian

That's great to hear. For those who've wished him well but haven't met Snatch perhaps you could post a photo? Good luck for a continued improvement in the coming week.

Tara has always followed me all over, waited outside the bathroom door, lays by my side if I lay in front of the tv etc. Jo used to be a bit more laid back but would often pop up stairs to say hello whilst I was on PC. She was more heavy footed than Tara & I'd always know which one of them was coming. When I lost Jo this was one of the things I really missed. If she'd not already been & Jo came then Tara just had to follow & make sure she wasn't missing out. She'd also eat her dinner and then go to bed - after the first day or two that was every night for 5 years - except her last when she chose to lay down & stay with us. Tara on the other hand always stayed with me until I went to bed. There were always plenty of waggy tails from each & when Jo had chosen to stay sat in her chair I could walk back into the room ask are you alright Jo? & off it would go. Now Joyce is here. For the first week or so she largely stayed in her chair and her tail didn't do much wagging but now she's settled she usually tends to immediately follow me upstairs but sits just outside of the door at the top of the stairs - she's there now, not sure if its a vantage point thing or what but if I go down stairs for a minute she'll always follow. Tara still pops up as she feels like. For a long time after they first arrived Jo & especially Tara who was younger would leap for joy each time I walked in the door after a day at work. Later they just fussed around me. I never did discourage it - despite how some feel - I loved the fact they were so pleased to see me rather than worried about clothes. I just wish Jo & Joyce could have met each other - I think they'd have got on so well together as they share various similarities in personality. Sometimes our dogs do get under our feet admittedly - Tara always wants to eat my hoover & despite nearing 7 is in some ways still like a big puppy (I'm thankful for it as I hope it means she'll live many years yet & I'd be devastated if anything happened to her too, to lose one so soon was more than enough) but I think despite it all if my dogs stopped following me around or wagging their tails so much I'd be very disappointed / think I was doing something wrong.

Having quite recently lost Jo to lung cancer - on 21st November 2006 - I can well imagine how worried & upset you are probably feeling right now but do stay strong fro him. At the moment he's fighting & improving so whilst we all have out time hopefully it's not this one for Snatch. Keep fighting Snatch - there are many people here willing you to pull through.

Hi Tracey, Had been playing about trying to work this out myself. If you choose the my controls link towards the top of the page you'll then see down the left side the profile & signature / avatar options. If you choose the signature you can add text & a link if you wish (cant remember what url stands for but basically it's where you'd enter a web address - maybe like a gallery or photo bucket address where your dogs are pictured) If you click the avatar setting you can add a small picture to your posts where your name appears. Regards Ian

Although in Joyce's case it was probably mal treatment rather than old age a decent diet (chicken & mixer) and a spoonful of cod liver oil each night made a big improvement in her mobility very quickly. As for heat rubs etc I havent needed to try it but the following article might be of interest http://www.pion-tc.co.uk/pet_care_emu_oil.html Alternatively, whilst again I havent tried it & it's not stated to be for pets so you may need to ask but there's a natural based muscle rub & various pet elixirs here http://www.naturalunity.com/product/asp/Pr...432/af/page.htm

Not sure whether there are any other ways but you can just visit the site you want to link to, copy the address bar & then paste it in here like so http://www.teigansrottierescue.co.uk: Whilst looking for that also found that there is said to be one in Blackpool - unfortunately there was no other info. than the link below which wasnt working a few minutes ago - anyone have an update or phone no.? http://www.nwrottierescue.co.uk/

It says girl admittedly but has been there a couple of weeks now without apparently finding one so is it worth trying this person? - looking for an adult goldie "over 2" - doesnt state any age limit - & with experience of the breed http://www.rykat.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=21834

Well done - The Oldies Club is a fantastic idea & I hope will go from strength to strength. I would think this should make fundraising easier though unfortunately it will probably also add to the paper work.

Whilst I realise it does happen if it can be described as "common" by anyone then there is something seriously wrong with the law in this country - personally I'd have these people flogged & then subjected to the same kind of tretament - if they were lucky!

Dont lose hope - he's still battling & hopefully that's a positive sign. Best wishes for a speedy recovery

Though I appreciate the need to keep the child safe for me I'd have to try - and the above proves that it can be done. If you feel that you can't do that then I know it's not easy but surely you must at least try and find him a good home or failing that a rescue space before just putting him to sleep.

If a dog had attacked like this there would have been immediate calls for him to be put to sleep - time we revised human punishments perhaps?

If only there had been a camera!! .......... captions anybody? (sorry Fee, couldn't resisit it)

About 90 miles away I'm afraid but Rosedene Rescue, where Joyce came from, have 3 rotties and 2 rottie x (one shows more Shephered than rottie) in - see them all at http://rosedenerescue.mysite.orange.co.uk/ Though further away still The Ark have Stella the rottie, age 3 and Misty, 11 months - her vac certificate says she is a rottie x newfoundland - though this is the funniest looking newfoundland I've ever seen (looks like a lovely rottie) http://beehive.thisishull.co.uk/default.as...mp;PageID=76000

Tara & Joyce both largely get on with it though Tara sometimes likes to have a good scrat at the soil afterwards. Jo though sadly no longer with us would for some reason more often than not tend to wander around whilst doing it let alon before hand. Bless her

Whilst it doesn't replace a good diet you could also give him a cod liver oil tablet once a day - provides vitamins a, d & e & will help maintain coat / skin / bones etc. When I rescued Joyce this combined with a chicken & mixer diet, a fire & comfy chair to sit in produced a very visible improvement within 10 days (personally I wouldnt constantly feed any dry food alone - would you eat dry food every day?).

http://www.rykat.org/forums/index.php?show...c=20447&hl=

I'd have said the RSPCA but would probably go for a belt & braces job myself - ie put it in writing stating that you weren't sure who to report it to and so are sending to both the RSPCA and local police -possibly with a copy to the press to make sure that they actually do something about it promptly.

I've nothing against Tony Blair but thought this was hilarious!

hungry

At least we've all heard of Take That - and yes first time around I did like several of their songs! half of the others mentioned I've never heard of ....... am I getting old or what? Cd's in my car at present are James Blunt, Bryan Adams, Lionel Ritchie, and of course the immortal Queen. Also like Elton John, Simply Red, Shania Twain, The Drifters to name a few

Bridge over Troubled waters - Simon & Garfunkel Three times a lady - Lionel Ritchie You're my best friend - Queen The songs I played as I buried my dear Jo, sadly lost to lung cancer 21/11/06

holidays!