mum24dog

Blow the fiction - Ben Goldacre's "Bad Science" ought to be compulsory reading. Pam

Here will probably be nearest for you if you want a referral - http://www.kentdalevets.co.uk Pam

Good point made. The requirements of a smallholder are not going to be the same as someone raising sheep on a larger scale as far as a dog's working ability is concerned. There are many "failed" sheepdogs in rescue that may not be top notch workers but still be capable of working at a less demanding level. And plenty are in rescue because they come from working stock and don't fit into a domestic environment. We got our BC from the RSPCA who had a specialist collie section run by a farmer who did home suitable dogs to working farms. We had the choice of the one we took or a dual registered ISDS/KC dog.

IME the people who get jobs are often those who show initiative. Just an example from my own family - my sister-in-law was a solicitor before she had a family. When she was wanting to get back into work she recognised that she would need to update her knowledge and skills if she were ever to be considered for one of the very few jobs around at the time and so she volunteered to work in the legal dept of the local authority for nothing. She did it for well over a year but it paid off because she was taken on permanently. Being made to do unpaid work is not volunteering. Twisting arms and threatening loss of benefits does not lead to volunteers. Some people will give willingly of their time if the opportunity or need arises - they are the volunteers. Some people just haven't been brought up in a culture where volunteering in one way or another is the norm and wouldn't think of doing owt for nowt. Maybe they need a bit of a prod. Pam

Two of mine went with me this time. I always try to multitask where possible so voting and talking them for a walk seemed sensible. Pam

The Buster cube is the only one Charlie never demolished. I think his record was 3 mins for one og the others. Pam

So many people live in a sanitised bubble and never come into contact with the realities of life that I'm not surprised it came as a shock to some of them. I live in a semi rural environment and farming is part of the community. When my children were at primary school they used to walk past the parish priest's garden on the way into school where he raised a couple of lambs each year. They got to know them but accepted it as inevitable that one day they would be gone to be slaughtered and returned for the priest's freezer. Pam

Not cynical - realistic. Whatever Labour promises the question must always be asked -"Well why didn't you do it before then? You've had 13 years." The Conservatives are an unknown quantity who will undoubtedly use the traditional excuse of "OMG Labour have made an even bigger mess of it than we thought" if they get in. Sorry, we can't do all that we planned after all." The Lib Dems can promise the earth in the knowledge that they will never be called upon to act on it. For most of us the rest are also rans in a General Election. I enjoy people watching in election campaigns and am interested in the PR twists and turns. If I had to summarise the faces of the parties on today's TV - Gordon Brown - stodgy and dull. Peter Mandelson - creepy and well suited to a pantomime villain role. David Cameron - at least he speaks fluently and with animation. Nick Clegg - worthy but boring. I shall vote Conservative as I always have - not because I necessarily believe they will do a better job, but because the underlying philosophy of standing on your own feet and taking personal responsibility is what sits best with me. Ironically, my lifelong Labour voting working class mother brought me up that way. Pam

All sorts of CSJ varieties. Pam

No - not good. Appearing with him will be seen as endorsement of all he stands for and allow him to hide the damage he does behind the veil of being seen to support a public service. He's the one who will benefit most. He's the one doing the using. Pam

TBH I'm surprised that an organisation like PAT would have anything to do with the odious little creep. Appearing on his show is giving him support. This site is worth a read - just look at the number of organisations ranked against him and his like. Are they all "jealous"? http://www.dogwelfarecampaign.org/press-statement.php Pam

And I'd be right there cheering you on. Pam

I've already mentioned FRR to the committee but we're looking for something more local, ideally. However, you've given me some ammunition in saying they've taken RDR dogs. Pam

It's links to the racing industry I want to avoid. Pam

Each year our training club chooses one or two charities to support and significant amounts of money are raised. This year we are going to donate to a Rottie rescue and a Greyhound rescue in memory of two of our elderly members whom we have sadly lost during the past year - the question is, which ones? We are in North Lancashire and ideally would like to support reputable independent rescues specialising in those breeds as near as we can to here. (Or at least I would like that to be the case.) I could look at a list of rescues but that wouldn't necessarily tell me what I want to know. What better place to ask for suggestions, please? They don't have to be on the doorstep, but preferably in the north rather than the south. (I've posted this on DP too so if you go on both one reply will do.) Pam

Yes - me. I have been known to have a go at a woman whose dog did a poo right under my nose on the well used canal towpath. I offered her a bag but she had no intention of picking it up. She was told in no uncertain terms that people like her give responsible dog owners a bad name. That's not to say that I've always been able to find the deposits mine have left and the amount of time I spend looking is in proportion to the likelihood of anyone stepping in it. Pam

The truth either hurts or is funny - in this case Pam

I'm told that I did the same as child in the early 50s. To be fair, I probably hadn't seen a black person before where we lived in the Peak District. My eldest was a bit more polite and just commented that one of her friends was "all browny". Pam

The only problem I can find is that the blue dilution gene can cause bald patches. Blues are genetically black and white, not merle. However, if you don't know the colour of both the parents it is possible to be a phantom or hidden merle which only shows merling in a very tiny area. Have a close look. Unlikely though and I guess irrelevant since I assume you aren't intending to breed. Merles with only one merle parent have no more health problems than any other colour. If yours was a double merle it would be obvious. That's where the health problems arise. If someone has referred to your dog as grey, it suggests to me that they may not know much about collies. Pam

Quite right. He's not trying to take over the world - he just enjoys contact with you. Sometimes it really is as simple as that, despite what some self-proclaimed "experts" would have us all believe. Pam

Because we don't enjoy watching dogs being bullied and abused and subjected to the use of choke chains, prong and shock collars (you won't necessarily spot these if you don't know what you're looking for), nor do we appreciate the misinformation about dog behaviour that he spouts. Don't want to go OT either so you might have a read of this - http://4pawsu.com/dogpsychology.htm Pam

I assume that if you think your dog is likely to need a poo whil it is wearing it you wouldn't zip up the rear part and would tuck the flaps away until after it had done. None of my dogs needs a coat so I have only second hand revcommendations for the coat itself to go on (all good). Pam

I was going to suggest one of these - http://www.backontrack-uk.co.uk/dog-products3.htm People who have used them on their dogs swear by them for aches and pains and I can confirm from personal experience that my injured knee ligaments improved dramatically and quickly when I used a knee brace made from the same fabric. Expensive but someone has said she got her vet to prescribe a dog rug and the insurance company paid. Pam

I don't think you need worry. Jean Dodds is an acknowleded expert on the subject. However, Wilf's behaviour doesn't sound that abnormal to me for a Jack Russell (and I have one myself). Pam

For 5 years I have had to keep 2 of mine apart and it isn't fair on any of the dogs not being able to come and go as they want. After the last fight (entirely my fault) I decided one would have to be rehomed and eventually he found a lovely new home. Peace reigned and everyone, human and canine alike, breathed a sigh of relief. No feeling of failure or betrayal because I knew it was for the best for the dog that had gone too. Unfortunately he is back after 5 weeks because he got hysterical when left alone as he never had been before. I don't think I'll try it again as the result would probably be the same so we'll just have to carry on managing the situation. I'd spread the word amongst your doggy friends (you've probably done that already) and sit back and wait. Prepare a detailed info sheet with everything you think a prospective owner would need to know (warts and all). Don't rush into anything and see what comes up. People lose older dogs all the time and don't always want little pups tp replace them. Pam