Quite Touching

[Guest RedLineGTR]

oh *sniff*

[Lozzle]

Ugh any vet bills.. especially horse bills unfortunately I had to sell mine about 2 years ago but still miss him so much. I can't fnd him anymore either, he and teh owner seem to have disappeared :*(

We had to put down our old dog Bessie, she was an Alsatian x Bluey. Again, unfortunately no-one could bear to be with her when she went so I was the only person from my family to hold her when she went. Pretty much on the top of the Worst-Days-Ever list.

I do have a 2 year old Bluey now called Ty.... or Dennis (the menace) if your my parents *shrug*

hes a champ

[R31 Chick]

Oh, that is what it would have been like if I had to put Tudor down. Worse Day Ever List for sure. Well, Tudor is going in Thursday next week and I am going to ask the vet if I can be there when he comes around cuz he will be all scared like. Poor Tudies. Blueys are good, ours that lived to 16 was a Blue Heeler as well.

[rev210]

My pet peave is people who run their dogs off thier leash in public areas. It's a form of cruelty too because their is often more danger to the animal than people understand.

One example was a couple of girls walking their golden labradore(without its leash) on a path in a section of reserved bushland. I was walking towards them with a very large german shepard on a leash, I called out to them to put thier dog on it's leash several times and got the response " It's ok he's a very friendly dog" and "he's very well trained he won't bite". I again yelled at them in a course manner to restain their dog which they ignored. I pulled the leash up as short as I could and tried to walk away but, the poor old labradore bounded staright for us. The end result was a rather nasty bite on the neck which crushed the spine and resulted in the labradores later death, it was all over in seconds.

These sorts of things occur because people are lazy and selfish,as much as they want their animal to enjoy freedom they neglect to think about the responsibillity they have to protect their animal and other people.

The other thing I think sucks is the overuse of people 'mercy killing' animals. I've seen many a pet recover from injuries that vets have said 'you should end its' pain now'. Basically the 'real' suffering is the owner watching the pet slowly die, no animal on the face of the earth except some humans wants to give up the struggle for life no matter how seemingly futile or painfull. The worst part is the decision to opt for the cheaper 'neadle' rather than life saving surgury even if it's just an outside chance.

[R31 Chick]

Yep, I know EXACTLY what you mean. My options with Tudor is leave him the way he is (coughing ALL the time, can't eat, move or sleep without coughing) as he has a ulcer formed due to his epiglotus not closing properly. Options, $1000 surgery (booked in for that next week) or or put him down. Most would say, he is a 15yo stallion that is not worth that sought of money but even if I only had him for another year and he died, it would have been well worth it.

[rev210]

R31 Chick,

thats the way everyone should approach the issue. I am sure that Tudor would love to kick on with you for another year or so if given the chance. People will no doubt say you are cruel but, in reality a horse that doesn't think life is worth living anymore will die almost overnight all by itself, this goes for most animals.

[R31 Chick]

Tudor will be 100% fine after the op. He will be rideable and never have any repercutions.

If an animal (particularily the horse) doesn't want to live, it does die. Horses just roll over, twist there bowel, stomach splits and thats the end, that is why colic is so serious.

[ix9]

Originally posted by rev210

The end result was a rather nasty bite on the neck which crushed the spine and resulted in the labradores later death, it was all over in seconds.

well then, maybe your dog is a vicious wild animal that should be put down too ?

what kind of dog attacks another dog just cos it comes up and says hello.

I have a golden retriever (15yo now, old bastard) and even to this day when he sees another dog he always wants to sniff.

So many times he's been bitten and come home with teethmarks in his neck, it's not funny.

These are by the SCUM dogs such as Staffy's, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Pig Dogs and the like. They are evil killing machines, and I feel sorry for the owner that they require a dog like that to boost thier own ego with the attitude of "my dog can kick the sh*t outta your dog"

My 2.2c.

[docile]

WTF how can u call a staffy an "evil killing machine". I know a lot of people with Staffy's and not one is unfriendly....... The only time i've ever seen an unfriendly staffy was at the dog beach when my girlfriends dog (a staffy too) went up and had a sniff.... Thats one out of at least 30 staffys i "know".

Its like saying all commodore drivers are bogans.. In reality most are family people driving around in VT's and such.

[R31 Chick]

I agree with Docile. It has nothing to do with the breed and more to do with how the dog is raised. I have seen many Staffys to and all the one's I have seen have been the world's biggest sooks. My Rotti is funny with other dogs but we got her when she was 1 1/2 as a beaten up skinny dog that had obviusly had no exposure to other dogs as a pup. I love big dogs and it has NOTHING to do with how tough they are. I find that the little poodles etc are normally the most nasty of all. Any dog can be a nice dog so long as it is raised properly and had exposure to other dogs at a young age. In Dave's case, he wasn't doing anything wrong, he had it on a lead and was exercising it. It obviously didn't like the other dog. Things happen but if the Labrador had responsible people that had it on a lead then this sort of thing would never happen. Whole top and bottom of it is that it is common senxe on the owners behalf.

[rev210]

Originally posted by Strich9ine

well then, maybe your dog is a vicious wild animal that should be put down too ?

what kind of dog attacks another dog just cos it comes up and says hello.

My 2.2c.

The answer to what kind of dog attacks another dog in that situation is 'all kinds of dog', it is part of their nature, if you don't assume that to begin with until the other owner has reassured you (and provided you beleive them) you place your pet at careless risk.

I've seen two'friendly' labradores go at it till they both required vet attention. Breed is but a small part. Dogs even well trained ones are not safe without vigilant owners. They are very much like toddlers with bullet speed and sharper teeth, you must keep them on the leash unless you are absolutely sure there is no risk to them.

The german sheppard was very well tempered but, other dogs often made it afraid and nervous. I was trying to go the other way with him but, I slowed him down to the point where the labradore caught us up and it freaked him out so he lashed out at it. I was very sorry for the owners and even more sorry for the dog.

[Lozzle]

It has EVERYTHING to do with breeding. And training, of course.

Staffys, Pitbulls, those types... you name it, they were bred for a reason - as aggressive dogs whether for fighting, protections, etc.

As breeders, ppl tend to try and weed out the more aggressive traits a breed may have, but you will always have throwbacks, and furthermore, you will always have irresponsible owners who do not try to curb a dogs temperament.

Dogs SHOULD come with a handbook - like a car. But we'll never be so lucky unfortunately. Ppl will buy a certain breed - lets say a 'pretty, good looknig husky' or malamute or eskimo dog, whatever... simply because they like the look of the dog, without knowing theyre all capable of bulk pack behaviour and can be snappy aggressive bastards at times.

Im well aware that as an owner of a 'herding' working type dog (bluey) that he has it in him to deliver a pretty nasty bite or nip even though he is a very friendly, happy dog.

So bascially yeah, breeding, instinct and all that has plenty to do with it but also the lack of training/handling and knowledge on owner's parts too, all impact on the type/temperament a dog ends up like when it is grown...

*lecture off* heheheh

[Lozzle]

Ok i just read rev210's last post hehe and wanna make a comment...

*ready's fingers*

I used to have a bluey x alsation. Our parents didnt allow us to take her to puppy preschool, training, the dog beach, anything as we were 'too young' at the time. Also the first walk she ever went on, she was attacked by a labrador.

She grew up to be very loyal and protective of our family, but as soon as another dog came within her sights she'd get very peeved and try to get at it, fight, see it off, anything she could do.

We didnt know what her dad was like (the alsation) but her mum the bluey, was an ok dog, if a little snappy.

But as time went on and we all got older I started taking her to the beach, helping her meet other dogs (and people!) without scaring them off from dog's themselves... but it was difficult as i'd have her on the leash and other dogs would run up to her adn the owners wouldnt call them away - very frustrating!!

It puts you in a difficult spot, because while i was trying to teach her that other dogs can be mates with her, theyd run up to her and she would try to do and get rid of them - what she thought she had to do - but was restricted by me and the leash so i was stopping her from doing what she thought was right, and tellnig her off for it.. while preferrnig to take the gentle approach and let her go to the dogs on good terms. Confused?

She was a pretty intelligent animal, but I guess that first ever walk and lack of socialisation thereafter really hit home adn stayed with her til the end.. where she tried to bite the vet with the needle I was proud of her though. True to the end!

[rev210]

the german shepperd in my story was one of many animals I have looked after in a professional capacity, Some 26 during one year. It had come from an abusive household as a puppy and the new owners had not trained it out of it's fear. It was absolutely great around people once it was introduced (as any dog can be).

It sadens me that people think dogs can 'socialise' without risk of major incident in public places without any form of control, true to say most outings to the dog beach will be fun filled but, the fact remains that thousands of dogs and people are injured every year because of blissfull ignorance.

Sure all dogs should come with a manual but, I reckon owners should have to pass a licence test before they are allowed to own them.

[Sneeza]

Bayley - that is such a sad story. My dog is from one of those homes. She had knife cuts on her face and legs and she shakes uncontrollably when she sees a male or a child. Then she snarls and goes beserk.... I hate to think what she went through. She has a good life now (well I like to think she does) and I hope one day she can be nice to kids. I am forever paranoid that she will bite one and she will get put down.

[33Spec2]

thats a sad story:(

rev210 i totally agree with you people shouldnt just assume your dog is friendly i was always taught as a child to neva pet someone elses dog without permission but i also think maybe you should hav had a muzzle or sumthin to prevent stuff like that - i have a german sheppie who bites people so we hav a muzzle on him and walk him away from crowded areas we had a golden retriever which was attacked by huskies that were off the leash at our local park which pissed me off coz the fact that they let the dogs run free when the owner knew the dogs would attack!

BTW golden retievers and malamutes rule!

[drifta]

Originally posted by Strich9ine

well then, maybe your dog is a vicious wild animal that should be put down too ?

what kind of dog attacks another dog just cos it comes up and says hello.

I have a golden retriever (15yo now, old bastard) and even to this day when he sees another dog he always wants to sniff.

So many times he's been bitten and come home with teethmarks in his neck, it's not funny.

These are by the SCUM dogs such as Staffy's, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Pig Dogs and the like. They are evil killing machines, and I feel sorry for the owner that they require a dog like that to boost thier own ego with the attitude of "my dog can kick the sh*t outta your dog"

My 2.2c.

:shake: dogs are what their owners make them out to be sh*t if some wanted their 15yr old golden retriever to attack it would its all up to the owner and the way they train the dog my STAFFYS HEVE NEVER ATTACKED ANYONE most dogs react when they are on a lead and they think they are protecting you when you pull them away and stop them from sniffing

[ix9]

What I was trying to say drifta, was that certain breeds have this instinct to attack/bite/protect. Unless properly trained this trait will remain in the dog's personality.

A golden retriever is bred to "retrieve" a hunter's prey/catch while shooting.

Pig dogs/staffys/ridgebacks are bred for fighting/protection purposes. Thus it is in thier instinct.

These dogs are scum if not trained well, whereas a golden retriever, left without training will always be playful/docile and not have a biting/protection instinct.

[Lozzle]

Strich9ine *nods*

All in the instinct and upbringing. Any dog has the potential to bite though. Dependant on the situation.

You can never train the trait out of an animal. It'll always be present but you can teach the dog right and wrong. If your training is correct and the animal respects you as it's 'boss' (alpha of the pack ) then you will have more control over it. However, anything is possible. Its up to the owner to know the pet well enough to make the right decisions...

And I agree rev210 - having to pass a testwould be great.

[ix9]

S13_Angel *also nods*

I reckon people that are buying a dog, and have no interest in training it should buy a dog that has a docile temperament to begin with.

If you wanna buy a pig dog, be prepared to train it, and not let instinct take over