PET'S CORNER

[LizG]

It's OK when nothing happens but there are some very anti social dogs. I was terrified by the dog next door harrassing my little dog. I picked her up and we went home. About 3 weeks later he killed a dog up the street and then another week later killed the dog in the house on the other side. He was put down the next day. It doesn't matter how nice your dog is everyone is entitled to feel safe in the street.

[hartley353]

Liz is of course right, I could cite many cases similar to hers. About a month ago Marys friend received a number of injuries whilst picking up her dog to protect it from one off the lead. Even my own dog Lucy can be selective about which dogs she likes, so cannot be introduced to other dogs without total control over her. The most common remark I hear from other owners when their dog is off the lead is " He or She is only playing " Sorry I won't take their word for it.

[Cathy]

My daughter has a large dog ( a rescue dog) that wears a collar with the word Nervous on it. It alerts all dog owners to keep an eye on the interactions that are happening. Her dog is loving and fun loving and socialised but isn't totally confident like other dogs that haven't been ill treated. Lots of other named collars available. Good idea.

[hartley353]

Great idea Cathy, are the collars different colours so you can tell from a distance. One of the hardest descisions I have to make is when a parent enquires if their children can meet the dogs. They have never showed a sign of being aggressive to humans of any size, but I will always grip their collars when small children pet them. Dogs should never be trusted to be safe, my friends son lost a piece of his nose to the family springer spaniel, what caused the incident was his mother offering a box of chocolates around the son just leaned in to take one and the dog struck. The dog was euthenised next day.

[Stanley]

Ah well, there you are, I and the two ladies I was talking to in Valley Gardens (a recognised exercise area) whose dogs were also off the lead and socialising with each other must all be crackpots.... Nowhere near any traffic and anyone who trusts their dog lets them loose there.

[LizG]

Not crackpots; just very confident in your pets and the fact that you can control them. It's the owners that can't control them that cause the problems.

[Stanley]

Thanks Liz, that's the point isn't it. If you walk to the same routine you soon find out which dogs you are safe with and which are best avoided. Jack is frightened of some dogs as well, he's been attacked several times but he lets me know and we get out of the way. Here's another crackpot idea, the happy dogs that play with each other always have happy owners you are happy to chat to....

[Cathy]

This site might interest a few... friendlydogcollars.com.au

[hartley353]

Having seen national champions in all types of competition completely make fools of their owners, by not following instructions. Should be proof enough that any one who thinks their dog is trustworthy should have another think. Standing around chewing the fat while your dogs run loose, is not having control. Keep them on the lead as you say simples. Many of the parks around Manchester have had to implement rules on dog walking because of irresponsible owners. My own local council has bylaws about dog walking, and the lamp posts have metal plaques stating the bylaw "dogs must be kept on leads". Guidance from above is a anathema to me, and always comes about by antisocial people.

[Stanley]

More anti-social behaviour encouraged by crackpot owners. Cass the Ridgeback/Mastiff cross enjoying her early morning paddle. She decided to do it in the old mill race this morning instead of the beck. She came out and teased Jack (though spayed she still has attractive episodes!). She's a big soft dog and loves people, a happy dog with a happy owner.

[LizG]

We're heartbroken today. Our little dog of almost 16 years died yesterday. RIP Mollie.

[Wendyf]

So sorry to hear that Liz. She reached a grand old age.

[Stanley]

I've been there Liz and it's horrible. What non-pet owners don't realise is that it is a bereavement on a par with losing any other member of the family. I always pointed out to people that my relationship with Eigg the Jack Russell lasted longer than my marriage. Losing her after 19 years was made worse by the fact that I had to take her to the vets for the fatal injection. It's hard and I sympathise with you.

[Cathy]

Sorry for your bereavement Liz. RIP Mollie

[LizG]

Thank you all. You're right Stanley; we had to take her to the vet in the end. It wasn't fair to see her loosing her dignity. It was all very quick.

[Stanley]

As Mrs Marsh said to me when I took Big Jack to her. I had given a badly damaged dog over four good years. Mind you, she was crying as well!



Maz took this pic of Jack when she visited in 2005.

[Stanley]

Black Jack is six years old and he is starting to follow the Patterdale trait of going grey. My old Patterdale Jess was jet black as a pup. Here she is at 13 years old...

[Stanley]

Happiness is a black dog who has found a patch of sunlight.....

[Cathy]

And a black cat Stanley. My cat is an indoor cat and she follows the sunspots coming thru the windows. We have had a few overcast days of late and she calls me to the window and talks to me (asking me where the sun has gone...). When the sun comes out and she is happily soaking it up, I tell her that the sun has come out 'just for her'... Awww!

[Stanley]

The lodger cat in the back yard is expert at finding the sheltered corners where the sun is shining Cathy. In winter when the sun is low it even gets onto the upstairs window cill next door via the roof of the kitchen. A smart cat!

[Stanley]

It shows how mild our November has been when I realised that the cat refuge under the bench in the back yard hasn't been used for months. The cats are about but have no need for it.
I'm happy to report that Jack has now got over the trauma of the fireworks. Normally at about 21:00 I let him out at the front door and he goes for his late night pee on the grass about 100 yards away on the path above Bank Street. Since the fireworks arrived I have had to take him out on the lead but he volunteered for the first time on Thursday night and again last night. I think he is back to normal. It demonstrates how traumatic the fireworks can be.

[Stanley]

My lodger cat who shelters under the bech in the backyard hasn't visited a lot lately, due to the clement weather no doubt. I see it is back in residence today with a vengeance, fighting off rival cats and spitting at Jack when he goes to say hello! I think she must have heard the weather forecast.....

[Ringo]

A couple of some of the more exotic pets than can be found in town.....

[Stanley]

Lovely to see a post from you Rick!! Not sure how Jack would react to those two....

[Stanley]

Something I have noted about Jack is the fact that most of the time he is completely aware of what I am doing. He knows that if I am reading his place is on the office chair taking his ease but keeping an eye open for strangers through the window. He knows that when I finish reading something concerning him is imminent. As soon as I reach for my bookmarker he is off his chair and waiting expectantly at my feet. A smart dog!