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mum24dog

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  1. Slightly different but the same if you know what I mean. Our rescue was asked for help in finding a new home for a working collie who had lost a leg in an accident (thank goodness for a caring farmer who did not simply shoot him). Shortly after this we were contacted by a gent with a smallholding and just a few sheep - he was thinking along similar lines that a rescue would not want to home to a place where the dog would work as well as being a pet. Result was a 3 legged dog doing the job he loved (and would have gone stir crazy if he could not get out and about like that) working just a few sheep which meant he could do the same work but for considerably reduced hours - then go indoors afterwards to have a lovely time being pampered.

     

     

    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.

  2. 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

  3. An animal was reared at a school and slaughtered for meat and people were upset about it - and what exactly? :huh:

     

    Isn't that pretty normal?

     

    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

  4. in my opinion all of the parties will promise this promise that and then when in power back track like theres no tomorrow (perhaps i am just synical :unsure: )

     

    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

  5. Regardless of how we feel about him (which is pretty clear) IT

    is a great opportunity for P.A.T. and for Rotties to shine, if

    it uses his fame then good

     

    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

  6. Sorry Pingu, the only reason I'd want to be on stage with him is so I could give him a solid kick in the nuts in front of a crowd. I think he's a nasty, slimy little turd who should be prosecuted for cruelty!

     

    And I'd be right there cheering you on.

     

    Pam

  7. Agree with Mrs Mop about FRR ... a small rescue who go the extra mile to help Rotts ... they have taken RDR dogs in the past and I have transported for them.

     

    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

  8. Greyhound Gap, an independant rescue with no links to the racing industry.

    Do an amazing job and rehabilitate and rehome the dogs others give up on

     

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

     

    Pam

  9. 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

  10. Nobody's ever harangued me - do people really do that? :ohmy:

     

    Yes - me. :laugh:

    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

  11. Got on the bus when my eldest daughter was about 3. At the top of her voice asked why the lady was dirty? ohmy.gif Hadn't she had a wash? ohmy.gif The lady was black and one of my best friends. She thought it was really funny. I cringed. The rest of the people on the bus were horrified.

     

    My friend has never let me forget it and she still laughs about it to this day.

     

    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

  12. I have heard that grey collies have issues and health problems..

     

    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

  13. who cares his happy , so were happy.

    Gillian.

     

    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

  14. laugh.gif Really? How come? - Sorry I know I'm taking the post off topic here!

     

    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

  15. Ooer...looks like it covers their bums :unsure: won't it get covered in keek ? :unsure:

     

    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

  16. Wanted to add, I don't know the validity of the article quoted (it is old) I just quoted it to show that young dogs can be affected by thyroid imbalances :flowers:

     

    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

  17. 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

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