KathyM

OK I think it's become clear the finder has ulterior motives to not posting these dogs anywhere sadly. I suspect she'll be back to get free breeding dogs after a week, so if someone could keep their ear to the ground on Doglost (she refuses to post them there and won't give me info to post them) it would be of massive help.

Unfortunately the finder will not go further with the advice I gave (her prerogative) and refuses to share any details on them. I suppose it's understandable she be cautious considering she doesn't know me but it's a shame she won't accept any help (bit of a glory hunter from what I've read, lol). I have emailed Akita rescues. I hope this story isn't a windup. Or do I hope it is?

Someone on another forum is reporting having handed in two stray akitas, male and female to the dog warden today. Doesn't say which pound (although she is in the Manchester area) and she's not being very enlightening as to whether she's contacted any local vets as she has it stuck in her head that they're not from a good home as they're dirty strays, so there's no point. Female looks to either be in season or recently had pups. I've advised her to contact local vets and to post on Doglost although I doubt she will, so can someone keep their ear to the ground? Thanks.

A rat spay cost me £150! I nearly died! Glad Piglet's okay

Signs of imminent labour - decreased appetite, restlessness, nesting, disappearing into nest lol. If she's still doing that thing where she lies up the side of the tank, it could be that she is just trying to get comfy - I've had unpregnant rats do it in the summer heat for example. I've also had rats stretch themselves up the side of a cage like that if they've got a respiratory infection, but if you haven't seen signs of that I wouldn't worry. One thing I would advise is that if you notice she is in labour, to leave her well alone, don't even go in the tank. Checking on her regularly might seem the safest thing to do, but does rarely have problems birthing and the risk seems much bigger for does that are interrupted repeatedly during labour. You can keep an eye on her from a distance, or keep an eye on the time scale to check she's not in any trouble. Bean is due to have her babies tonight, tomorrow night or the night after, so I know how you feel! I checked on her this morning and she was laid on her back washing her gigantic meringue belly. I wonder if she'll be able to get up.

Did you have any luck at the school? Maybe the lone lad could be company for Mikey with very careful intros over some time?

Ally - what happened to the other lone male, the one that lived with the does? Can she be persuaded to part with him? It's an awfully cruel life for them, living alone.

Can I just add a plea anyone considering taking these lads on - please only apply to home them if you are committed to staying in touch throughout their lives. I know its not too much to ask from you lot.

Well, the offer stands, I am here if you need me in any way.

I haven't had a message on Facebook sorry, but your best bet would be to take on two baby boys as company for him. However, if you'd rather I fostered trhe pregnant does I can do that and you could keep two boys out of those litters? Two litters at once is a lot to cope with when you've not done it before. Please don't let him play with the female, it takes roughly a second for them to have their way and you could easily miss it. I'm assuming your daughter's female has female company?

Yes, I've just read on sproggie's thread, I'm very sorry about Benny - without meaning to cause more upset it would've been nice (? you know what I mean) to have been informed. All the rescues that pass through here are just like our own to us. Anyway, that's water over the bridge, maybe you could keep two boy babies from your litters to keep Mikey company - although if he's been alone that long it may be necessary to have him neutered. If you're considering introducing him to a group it would be safer to pick young babies or neuter him and put him in with girls - adult intros can be long-term and tricky, and these boys here would need to remain just as a group of 4. If you struggle to get him companions just yell, it's imperative we get him sorted with company ASAP. ETA: I am also able to foster pregnant does if necessary.

Forgot to add, it would be lovely to have an update and some pics of the lads you adopted off me if you get a chance too

I have four male rats here who came to me just before Christmas after being kept outside at their previous home due to a legal wrangle. All 4 are friendly chaps who will become lovely squishes with some time. 2 are silver fawn hooded, 2 are agouti hooded. They are approximately 5 months old, so still young lads. They are looking for a home where they will remain as their own little group. While they will need a home with some experience of gaining trust (the silver fawn boys are slightly wriggly at being picked up, maybe due to sight issues as all red eyed rats have poorer sight), they are seriously lovely rats that are handleable and haven't shown any aggression at all. Clyde Frank (he's so quiet and sweet this one - spends most of his time looking after the others) Willie Noel Clyde again. Noel again. I shall be at the Bradford Excel Small Animal Show on 24th January (it's in Harrogate, strangely lol), and at YRC Leeds the week after. Otherwise, new owner would have to arrange rat train - I am able to get to Leeds and Bradford to start the journey off. Please email me for more information/enquiries.

If I can be of any use, let me know. I don't go on Fancy Rats any more (it's the rat version of DPs so I steer clear lol), so hadn't seen your post. I currently have some boy fosters here too, must get them up on here!

No you're reet, I'll pass on that. Does that mean I by default get a cavvie/border terrier/midget dog? ETA: I actually tried the baby trick on Baz. The "ooo maybe I'm broody and we should have a baby instead" one lmao. It didn't wash, he knows I'm about as maternal as Myra Hindley.

Baz asked me what I am writing to Santa for. I said a cavvie/border terrier/midget dog and Robert Downey Junior. Looks like I'll be disappointed this Xmas.

Seth had the CND one. I threw it away the night he died (in shock I think) and I wish I hadn't.

I'm sorry he's not doing well Wish I could fix him (and Dharma) when they're like this. Dharma has improved a lot - she hasn't needed pain relief in 48 hours now and hasn't knuckled the foot since Friday. We got up yesterday to her roaching like an idiot, and she's found her bounce (which obviously we're trying to contain a bit lol). She has definitely recovered some use of her foot and is even moving her toes, so that's improved massively. She's been happy to shake her head, lift it, etc. She's still unsteady on that leg when perching for a poo which has put her off pooing somewhat. Because of the massive improvement, we've held off x-rays in favour of a bit more rest, and are hoping that the vet's best diagnosis is the case - that it's just jarred. We'll see I spose! She's feeling better enough to say no when I tell her to rest on her bed. She's got her norty back.

Morning folks, and thanks ever so much for the messages. Ange - thanks for reminding me of them, I was considering getting one for her a while back and I think that would be the best approach now. I've emailed them to ask about whether they can do the XL with a neck clasp as I think that's the only stumbling block (and might be got around anyway). Griff - thank you ever so much, I shall measure her up! Right, now for the update. Dharma had a particularly good day yesterday, so much so she's using the leg a LOT more, and even had a gentle trot around the garden when she saw the next door neighbour (who is petrified of her lol). I seriously think rest is the answer for her now, she's much happier and more up and about. She's lifting her head a lot more and hasn't knuckled her foot since Friday, which is ace. Must be all that reiki!

Oh no, hope Sully's ok? Yeah, this is where I saw the boots - no idea how good they are, but they are quite expensive (works out about £40-odd a pair). http://www.dogbootsactive.com/dogpag/dragpaw.htm I've been thinking about other things that will have to change. Normally she's walked on a harness, or harness and head halter, now she can't have either. I don't want her walking on a collar alone (she pulls like a horse which will be bad for her and me) either though so I'm wondering what to use (maybe we could fix some sort of push handle to her back end lmao). I know she's not even at the point of being allowed a walk yet, so maybe I'm just being daft. Just the Walkezee made her scream the other day (first use too, so that was a waste lol), I can't see the Canac one being much different, and the head halters will be dangerous for her if she has a neck issue now.

I remember them starting us off at a tenner a month for Dharma, at the first renewal they wanted £30. There's a Catherine Tate phrase I like to use for M&S Insurance......the dirty......robbing........$%^&^s

Well done Max for holding up so well, and well done Alex for not falling completely to pieces

Thanks both of you blackmagic - she sounds like she was a very special girl. Dharma is still slow tonight, hasn't been up much. I suppose they did say she had to rest, so that's good, but I can't help feeling that if she was feeling better she'd be attempting to leap about again. S'pose only time will tell!

I found that for dogs that don't chew wings, it generally means they need bigger. Dharma and Seth were having full chicken carcasses from the butchers (cheap too!). I haven't got them for a while since Seth passed away, but this post has reminded me to get some more in!

Thanks all of you! blackmagic - my biggest concern is that they weren't wrong is saying she can't ever go back to her normal exercise. I'm hoping they were exaggerating as it would be no life for Dharma if she had to live it restricted - short term fine if it's to get her back to 100%, long term no way. celeste - thanks ever so much, I'll look at them for if this continues - they look really good. Baz hasn't managed to find any in the pet shops or at Jollye's, so I'm also looking online now for some cheapy ones for short term until we have a better idea of how long term this problem will be.