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'Hello everyone, I'm Toby and this is my 'Agony Uncle' column.
If you're a K9 and are have difficulties with your human companions - this is the place to air your problems. I'll do my very best to offer reasonable advice, otherwise, ask your companions to seek professional advice on your behalf. I would ask everyone to understand that I see problems from the doggy viewpoint.' See disclaimer.
Toby says: ‘I’ve received numerous complaints from fellow canines, relating to their ‘gift’ status.’ Lulu from Parramatta says she’s been travelling all around the city with her human companion, Jan, looking at Christmas trees, decorations and packaged gifts. While Lulu is looking forward to a big family Christmas at home, with the expectation of a few naughty treats, she feels upset to think of the dogs who are actually given as gifts to people who’ve neither requester their company or even met them. Dogs are family members. Few people have expectations of finding future spouses or life-long companions under the Christmas tree. It is therefore not reasonable to think the rules would be different for canine companions. Grandma’s family didn’t understand why she seemed so quiet at Christmas dinner and the children were disappointed at her lack of gratitude. Three days later the distressed little puppy was SURRENDERED to the pound by a neighbour in the mistaken belief that the pound would find another home for her. She was left there with the other thousands of SURRENDERED dogs eligible for immediate extermination. The little puppy never did get to celebrate New Year.
More on the subject of SURRENDERED dogs. My conversation with ‘Lana’, a Maltese girl I met while caravanning with the folks -
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'Yes, Lana?’
‘What is meant by ‘Surrendering’?’
‘Giving up, submit, admit defeat...’
‘But I mean, when it applies to people surrendering their family member to the pound.'
‘That is what I meant. You see Lana, when people decide they can’t be bothered looking after a canine family member or something else happens, the easiest way out is to hand him or her to the local pound.’
‘But canines still have 7 days to find homes if they’re not microchipped and 14 days if they are, don’t they?’
‘No! They don’t. You are confusing lost and found canines with surrendered canines. A surrendered canine can be killed immediately. This is something many people just don’t understand. Dog Pounds house lost dogs in order to re-unite them with their human family, if this fails; most are offered up for adoption. But SURRENDERED dogs do not fall into that category, and they may be taken out the back and killed immediately – as their owners are driving out the gates of the pound in some case.’
‘So, some people think they are doing the right thing and that the pounds will find new homes for their canine?’
‘That is what some people think.’
‘That is very, very scary Toby.’
‘Try being the surrendered canine.’
‘Is there any attempt to help them?
‘Some of the pounds will list them on their website as ‘Surrendered’ and inform the public that these canines are in urgent need or adoption or rescue.’
‘What happens then?’
‘The ‘No Kill’ Rescue Shelters have to act immediately and try and rescue them at very short notice.’
‘This must be very stressful!’
‘Not only stressful, but it means other dogs they intended taking may miss out on being rescued.’
‘Not much of a society we canine beings live in, is it Toby.’
‘We will leave that for others to answer...or answer for.’
Continues Toby – In another Christmas incident, Grandma Smith woke early on Christmas morning to the sound of whimpering. In her lounge was a small Chihuahua puppy crouching in the corner with a bell tired around her neck and a card saying, ‘Merry Christmas Nana, love from your Grandkids’. The little dog was hungry and thirsty, but Grandma, who hadn’t enjoyed a canine companion for nearly twenty year, didn’t have any suitable food to feed the little dog. Although lonely, Grandma was also frail and unwell and taking care of herself was a challenge.
Toby recommends you find out more from your local council about laws relating to SURRENDERED dogs.
Toby: 'That's a shame. Although many K9s get along very well with any new family members after a day or two, there are a few who don't. Perhaps people should think about taking their K9s with them to meet the intended dog first.
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Bobby. I've just been chatting to Bobby from Perth who wants me to alert everyone about raisin poisoning. 'Bobby sat staring at Jordan, who'd just returned home from school and was eating lunchbox leftovers. When Jordan eventually relented and gave Bobby a few raisins, he felt fine until about an hour later, when he started to vomit.'Bobby was lucky he had such vigilant family who had the foresight to grab a stick and search his vomit until they found the problem. In the vomit, they found three whole raisins and a few more semi-digested ones. His family immediately rang the vet., bundled Bobby into the car and arrived there ten minutes later. By this time Bobby really wasn’t feeling the best and made good use of the patch of lawn outside the vet’s surgery – both ends. Bobby received very prompt attention – a nurse held him while the vet. administered the antidote. He was then admitted to hospital to watch for renal failure. This all happened last week. Bobby is now feeling better and has survived – but only due to the very prompt action of this family and the vet. clinic.
Toby suggests: Avoid like poison, raisins and grapes – in our species they can cause rental failure and death! I will tell you about my own encounter with dark chocolate a little latter!
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Lucy. Lucy from Melbourne rang last night, concerned that her family had forgotten about her vaccinations. 'My new family found my name on a notice board in the shopping centre and decided they wanted me. Or at least, it seemed like a good idea at the time I think. But although they feed me well enough and I have a comfortable bed, after about the second week they started paying me less attention. This would worry a lot of dogs and cause problems, be me, I like my own company and then there is also the cat to play with. I heard the family talk about vaccinating me, but so far nothing's happened. I feel very worried about all the dangerous diseases such as Parvo and Hepatitis floating around- I don't feel I would survive if I caught one. Can you help me please Toby?
Toby: Lucy, I feel very concerned for you. Because without at least C3 vaccination protection you are prone to some very serious and life threatening illnesses. If you do catch one of these diabolical diseases, then the cost of treatment is very high indeed, and to honest, you many not pull through. It is a problem when your health and welfare is compromised by irresponsible owners. Because of the merry-go-round of transmitted diseases in the dog community - C3 vaccinations should be made mandatory. Had you been adopted out by one of the Rescue Shelters listed with Dogs Across Australia or from Renbury Pound - you would have been vaccinated. I just hope your family reads this information.
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Chantelle: This Pekingese girl is from North Queensland. She has a problem shared by many other 'pop eyed' dogs. 'You've probably heard this one before, Toby, but my eyes are killing me. Not only is this the time of year when grass seeds are everywhere, but my new people don't know anything about my breed. Here I am, walking around the neighbourhood with grass seeds at eye height and the people seem not to notice. When I get home, the seeds are all through my coat, because I have long hair and worst of all, my eye weep for the rest of the day. The Peke. from two doors down lost an eye due to a grass seed lodging in her eye and becoming infected. Don't people notice these things?'
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Toby. Many people adopt us without understanding our particular needs. 'Chantelle, if your people took you to the beach or to a play park where the grass is kept mowed, this might resolve your problem in the future. Right now, your people need to comb all the grass seeds from your coat, wash you using a good quality Dog Shampoo, dry you off and then brush your hair again. Your eyes may need daily cleaning. To do this, the people should moisten a cotton ball with luke warm water and wipe it across your eye lids until the tears and waste matter are removed. You might also be having an allergic reaction to the grass or seeds. They should take you to the vet. for a check up. That way, if there is a seed lodged in your eye, it can be removed before it causes further harm. You may also be given a course of antihistamines to take during certain times of the year. Good luck.
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Toby ‘I was speaking to Kelly the Kelpie recently, and he looking a little smug. When I asked if he had eaten the cat’s dinner, he confided in me that he’d just managed to wheedle a couple of squares of milk chocolate from the ‘Boss’ again. I thought I really liked chocolate too and even managed to sneak a few squares of dark chocolate last Easter. It tasted great! Then Mum came into the room and caught me. All of sudden I was at vets. being injected with some substance. And then it started...I spewed my heart out and boy did I feel as sick as a...well, a dog.
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‘You see, a dog’s liver can’t process chocolate, it’s a human food. They don’t gnaw raw bones and we can’t eat chocolate. Dark chocolate is particularly poisonous for us. Eat enough of it in one hit and kills in a short period of time. What Kelly’s folks don’t realize is that regular (milk) chocolate-eating dogs, consuming only small amounts, are also being slowly poisoned. The toxins build up in the liver and that it. Toby advises: Give chocolate a big miss!
Mick the Mini Pin dropped in for a chat last week. I thought what he had to say was interesting. ‘Toby, there is a new dog on the block, just across from where I live and he’s in trouble already. He screams his head off when his people go to work each morning and keeps it up till they get home in the evening. I’m concerned the council is going pay him a visit.’
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Toby. ‘His people should be concerned about the council dropping in, because that means he’s been reported. Unfortunately, people adopt dogs without being prepared. Most dogs get pretty lonely when they’re left alone all day. If his people took him for a quick walk in the morning before going out, or a long one in the evening, that would spend some of his energy. Many dogs really love the company of another dog or even, yes even, a cat. Given that there are so many dogs available for adoption from the dog pounds, it’s a wonder they don’t take the opportunity of finding a friend for him. Two dogs are often easier than one to manage, simply because they are happier. Giving doggie chews in the morning and toys to play with are also a great idea. If possible, employ a dog walker a couple of times a week to take you canine friend for an outing.’ Company = Contentment.
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More to come...
