The Dog Diary

Very Sad News on our Stella.

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Here is an email from Stella's Mum Marie which explains everything beautifully.

"Last night Stella had a seizure whilst having her favourite chicken necks for dinner.

At the vets blood was taken for diagnosis and this morning it is confirmed that

she has a malignant tumour, not the benign one we had earlier hoped she had.

She will continue to have seizures as the tumour grows.

At present Kae and I have decided for her not to have any further surgery for the

removal of the remaining mammary tumours. We will also not put her through any further testing

We are devastated and it is hard to accept because she has been doing so

well in every way. She is not in pain, she runs, sometimes instead of walking and the motto now is ' why walk when I can run', and 'I have places to be, things to do' etc. Her little arthritic legs go in all directions as her ears flap in the wind. You can see how happy and free she is now the dreadful, chronic arthritis she has had is responding to the miracle drug, Cartrophen.

She loves food, every smell she checks out. If the oven door opens, the nose and the head goes up she is off to the kitchen to check things out.

One day we took her to a restaurant for lunch, we sat outside, the waitress brought her a little plate of chopped up sausages but she was a bit bored so I let the leash go so she could explore but instead she bolted through the restaurant doors, heading directly towards the kitchen, with no feeling of fear or reserve!. Everybody just laughed at her determination to get into the kitchen!!

She is always so happy. She loves nothing better than to wreck Soxy's bed. Don't know why but she loves to throw the cushions into the air then pounce on them when they come down, its sort of an after meal thing that doesn't change, even when poor Sox is watching her.

But best of all is that she knows she is loved by all of us and you can see this beautiful little lady is content and free. The time will come when she will tell us she wants to go, like they all do, the passing of Miss Dolly was a good example of that, and until that happens she will have everything she needs and every experience she wants.I don't know if it will be a long time or short time and that is hard, but caring for her is all I want to do. For as long as she jumps up on her arthritic legs demanding to be picked up, eats heaps of food, bosses visiting dogs and tells them she is the boss of the house, sleeps right in the middle of the bed snuggling under my arm, and runs because she can, then we will deal with whatever comes and she will not be alone.

Kae had to give me the news of the diagnosis and apologised for giving her to me as a foster.....I had to tell her it is the most important thing for me to do for Stella, and all the other dogs I have had, and like all the foster carers who have been in this situation, and we all have been down this road before, we go on doing exactly the same thing, we try to take away the pain of neglect and abuse these innocents have seen, and help them heal and grow, and when that isn't going to happen for long like with Stella, we love them and give them the best goodbye possible and we take in the next one who needs their pain and abuse taken away as much as we can possibly do.

Sometimes I ask myself why do I put myself through this trauma constantly, even just placing a dog in a great new home can be painful, but we all do it over and over again because there are plenty more dogs like Stella out there, and for as long as there evil, stupid and selfish people and organisations operating, with no care or consideration of the value of these innocent lives, the problem just keeps on growing and growing and will do so until our politicions act and our legal system is changed.

Stella tells me she will be hanging around for a while to come [ like Alice ] and I hope many of you will meet her and see some of her fighting spirit and joy of life. She gives us more joy than we could ever give her."

Stella the magnificent.

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:56:00 -0500

Stella our lovely older gal is doing beautifully. She will be ready to have her other mammary tumours off soon, hopefully next week, and then we will just manage her Cushings, which is going along just fine.

Stella, (why walk when you can run!) has a social life, a happy life and is currently wowing everyone her meets her. She goes to restaurants, cafe's, and generally is feeling so fantastic, all she wants to do is enjoy life. Bravo Stella! Thankyou again to Mum Marie, (I think these girls are joined at the hip!) who has done the most beautiful job with Stella, after her shocking neglect, I know we will see Super Stell around for quite some time...

Here she is with blind Theo (Left) and doing her very best smile for you all....

I can see clearly now.......

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:39:00 -0500

Theo, our blind 6 month old puppy we collected from a family who left him in a back yard, allowed his siblings to pick on him and then were about to take him to the pound was operated on for his sight on Tuesday.

Here are some gorgeous photos of the all seeing Theo. Yes it was all a complete success. We would like to thank Simon Hurn his specialist and his foster Mum Marie who have done the most amazing amount of work to help Theo's life be so much better than it ever could have been.

Theo will stay with us for a while yet, he needs drops etc many many times a day, and when he is ready will be up for adoption as a happy, normal puppy.

This is from Marie yesterday.....

Theo's surgery yesterday was to remove cataracts from both eyes and the

insertion of lenses, even though he is so young. Simon, his eye specialist,

believed it will give him more of an advantage in life to do it now. Pre surgery procedures went very well because Theo's is such a co operative little boy, and there were no problems with the actual surgery.

Last night he was still very dopey but you could tell he could see some things, but

probably a bit hazy.

Today is definitely different. He probably has full vision and there is a lot of things for him to take in. At home he is exploring all over again but beyond here it is a totally different world and he is terrified and very clingy, and will be for a long time. That's OK, we have the time for whatever he needs.He has had 10 months of blindness to make up!

Its hard to imagine what it is like going from almost no sight, he had a very tiny

bit in one eye, then suddenly full vision over night.

He will be frightened of lots of things in the days to come so he will need a lot of reassurance, training and TLC. I know he has the courage already!

Post operative care is protecting his eyes from any damage and 4 different eye drops and medication to be given throughout the day. He needs to wear the dreaded Elizabethan collar and playtime will have to be severely restricted because he and the girls play often, and play rough, so there are too many risks in that. Simon Hurn believes Theo has a good prognosis but will need monitoring for some time in the future. Sutures will be removed 10-14 days time.

I would just like to thank all the people, some we know, others we don't, for all

the support and kindness you have shown him. I hope you all will one day meet him and will know that he is worth every effort that has been made. He is truly a beautifully natured boy, he is loving and only wants to make his brothers and sisters happy,and the people in his life too.

Whoever adopts him will truly be very lucky.

Theo, with Dr. Simon Hurn, prior to surgery.

Surgery....

And the image of Theo's eye

Theo recovering..........

Thankyou to everyone for your kindest wishes and encouragement. While Theo's vet costs total well into the thousands, we feel he is absolutely worth it. Go Theo, the world is waiting for you now.......

Sunday, can you help?

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:54:00 -0500

Are you free this Sunday? if you are and would like to help us do a good samaritan deed, please email rescued1@bigpond.net.au

Hugo's, who was adopted by Dianne recently is in need. Dianne is now terminally ill and while her family are looking after Hugo beautifully, and he is providing a loving and loyal constant companion to Dianne while she battles brain cancer, Hugo likes to take a walk around the neighborhood.

We are having a load of bricks delivered to Dianne's house and will need some physcial help to get these in place around her backyard, so Hugo will remain safe and give Dianne and her family the loving comfort they so desperately require at this time.

Are you able to spare a few hours with us?

If you can please let us know. email rescued1@bigpond.net.au

we thank you for your kindess and compassion at such a difficult time. Meet Dianne and one and only Hugo!

I tort I taw a puddy tat! I did! I did!

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:23:00 -0500

Yes you did! Our lovely vet clinic who helps us enormously as you all know has two of the most beautiful kitty cats that desperately need a home. Three months old now Tik and Tok are desexed, vaccinated (complete course C3) microchipped, flea and worm treated and are available at a fantastic $180 each.

If you think you can help find a home for these babies, please pass on the details of the Diamond Creek Vet on 9438 1183 or email us at rescued1@bigpond.net.au and we will get in contact.

Here are the gorgeous Tik and Tok with vet Ange, who has her hands full by the look of things!

The Cocktail Party

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:38:00 -0500

Our Cocktail party is fast approaching and it is two weeks to the RSVP date of 2 April.

If you are coming, and we hope you are, please contact Jane at rescuedcoordinator@bigpond.com and book your tickets.

This year we will have a fantastic range of goods at our Silent Auction including French Perfume, jewellery from Tiffany & Co, beautiful pashminas, even a Greg Norman Golf Bag for the boys just to name a few.

Come and have a glass of champagne, nibble on some divine food, listen to some gorgeous gentle jazz, and enjoy a night out with us. We would love to see you!

Please see the front page or our Invitations and Functions page for all details.

LDH posts record number of adoptions in February 2010

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:55:00 -0500

The Lost Dogs Home have entirely missed the point again.

Boasting to the public they have had a record number of adoptions in February 2010 in comparision to 2009. You can click on the link and watch a Youtube video of all the dogs finding new homes.

What is so astounding is this.

Why has there been a jump of 84% in adoptions for that month? And the month prior?

The LDH seem to think this is something they should be proud of. Indeed it is not. It does nothing more than highlight the poor sheltering techniques that have been employed, by the same people, sadly for more than two decades. Why do you think these adoption rates have suddenly after 20 years jumped so significantly?

Would it be because the public are speaking out? The negative publicity they have been receiving more the last few months? Or is it a genuine attempt to rehome more dogs?

Hardly. There is no reason to think that without the public speaking out, and their own staff, that they would actually change what they have been doing for so many years. It is definitely the criticism they are receiving for their poor efforts.

The RSPCA ACT's youtube Stateline Program just highlights even more how ineffective and backward the Lost Dog Home is.

No doubt there will be token changes coming over the next few months. The Pet Licence. A new website. A few more dogs up for adoption. Gee, what next an inhouse foster care program and volunteers pictured patting the dogs on their website?

Whatever small changes are coming the effects are bandaid only. The mindset has not changed. The reaction is merely kneejerk as there is no belief from Management that a pound should be run in any other way other than impound, reclaim, adopt a few to keep the public sweet and kill the rest.

They have had 20 years or more to declare they will go towards No Kill and haven't. It won't be happening with this management in place, of that we are assured.

Pookie has arrived.

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:10:00 -0500

Little teeny Pookie has arrived. Collected by foster mum Linda yesterday, she is alot better than expected thanks to the very kind staff at Latrobe Pound and the vet staff who cared for her while she did her mandatory 8 days as a stray.

Her leg has healed beautifully and through the antibiotics, she seems to be doing extremely well, so much so that she actually was playing with Angel, an ex RWL girl late yesterday afternoon. This little sweetie is so tiny, about the same as Birdie, and 'walks straight through' the baby gate bars!!! She is between 1 and 2 kilos.

Pooks is quite thin, and will no doubt have that remedied by Mum Linda, and will then be up for a home soon. At around 2 years of age (first we were told 7!!) she will be up and about and playing like there is no tomorrow soon.

How do you save lives in Shelters? Easy. Stop the killing...

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:04:00 -0500

On March 5, Stateline has had a program on the RSPCA ACT and their bid to 'save lives' not merely store and then kill. It is truly remarkable.

For all who are wondering why there is such a high criticism of The Lost Dogs Home in Melbourne the largest pound in Australia, and their massive convenience killing, this link to the youtube video of the Stateline program will show you exactly how it can be done, and how it is not even considered at the LDH with 6 million cash sitting in the bank account.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOREG1nsTqU

Having met Michael Linke, CEO and spoken with him numerous times, and heard him speak, one realizes that there is no excuse. All shelters should be running this way.

It is an uplifting program, informative and shows the basic changes that were made and how they are surviving constantly on donations for doing what they were meant to do in the first place. Care and save animals lives.

Two new makeovers.....

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 03:18:00 -0500

Meet Dash, or Dashie Doo who was adopted by James and Fiona from RWL a few months back. Dash was rescued from living under a house and the owners no longer wanted her. Well if only they could see her now!

And another little boy, unwanted by his owners, locked in the back yard (while the wife's dog was allowed inside!!) and ignored by the children, is Bobby, who came into care with us this week. We hope to get him a very special home, like we do with all of our bubs, he is just a delight...