I know this is an old post but have been thinking about going back to riding recently.  Used to do cross country but fractured my spine years ago (18 years actually... :oops: ).  Started again about 3 years ago and came off again and ended up with a rotated pelvis which still rotates.  I'm a qualfied Pilates instructor so can generally sort it out myself.

Thinking about starting riding again but not sure if I should just accept I'm obviously not very good at it!  Bit nervous about coming off again!

I had a cat who was agrophobic and refused point blank to go outside (he was a rescue so it may have been something to do with that).  

What breed are your cats?  I have two Siamese who go out - a lot of people tend to keep Siamese inside but mine would go absolutely mad!  It's fairly rural where I live so they're pretty safe.

A lot of breeders have outdoor enclosures for their cats which works well.  Is there any reason why you wouldn't consider letting them free to come and go as they please?

Hi, I don't have one either but a friend did.  South African breed I believe that doesn't bark - sort of chortles?  Nice, friendly doggies.

I would still arrange a dog walker if you could as I don't think it's fair to leave a dog alone all day.   Puppies also sleep more when they're younger and as your dog grows up, she will be awake for longer and therefore likely to get bored and possibly destructive.  

I put another post on about dog walkers.  I have two dogs and my dog walker, who has become more of a friend to be honest, has walked them twice a day for over 4 years now.  When I go on holiday she also house-sits for me so I don't have to kennel them (one is nearly 12 and a bit of an old lady!).

When I first had her, she walked them for half an hour twice a day as I couldn't afford 2 hours, but there are loads of people that do dog walking now for extra money and it's much better and healther for your dog.

Have you thought about getting a dog walker if you're out at work all day?  I have two dogs and work fulltime and have a brilliant dog walker who has walked them for over 4 years now.  I run them morning and evening and she takes them out twice during the day to play with their friends!

I also have a dog flap into the garden so they can have a 'refreshment break' if they need to.  Also, try filling the large kongs up with dog biscuits, cheese, whatever as it takes them ages to get all the goodies out!  Try leaving a radio on as well.

You don't say how old your children are - are they used to dogs?  Could they be annoying him and not giving him enough space.  It's early days for him to settle into a strange environment and he may not be used to children.  Has he got his own area he can go to if he wants to be on his own where he won't be disturbed?

I have two dogs - one adores children, the other really isn't keen and although she doesn't bite, she doesn't want anything to do with small children.  Fine with babies but doesn't like them over the age of about 2!

As you have a rescue dog I think it's important to give him some space to settle in, make sure your children give him some space as it would be awful for him to be rehomed again.

He's beautiful!  I have a Staffie/Rottie X - definitely has the Staff 'look'!

If your dog already has them, you can try removing them (turn anti clockwise but ensure you get the head out) - cutting off their air supply by covering them in vaseline (petroleum jelly) or a trip to the vet!

Or, prevention is better than cure - Frontline or Stronghold which I think prevents against ticks as well as fleas.

I had a call at 6.30am on Sunday as my friend's greyhound had had a 2nd stroke in 6 days.  He was unable to stand or walk, had urinated everywhere, couldn't hold his head straight and was extremely distressed.  We took him to the vet and I couldn't believe the advice she suggested - force feeding him, pumping him full of drugs and keeping him there.  Jack was 15 years old, had problems walking anyway and was EXTREMELY aggressive towards vets.

The vet made my friend feel dreadful as she wanted him PTS - she felt that a 2nd stroke in 6 days was a message telling her it was his time to go and she was made to feel very guilty as she didn't want to put him through any more pain or stress.  I actually had to ask the vet about this option as there is no way I'd put one of my dogs through that treatment, at that age and I couldn't believe that she suggested the treatment above!!!

Has anyone else found this with a vet where they didn't offer euthanasia as an option?  It was very, very sad but both of us felt that we owed Jack a dignified and painfree end.

My 3 year old Parsons JRT, Berry, was bought as a companion for my Staffie/Rottie 11 year old.  Tess gets a bit annoyed sometimes, she is an old lady after all, but puts up with her pretty well most of the time.  I've found Staffies to be very easy going dogs generally.  I think you'll probably find it's temperment of an individual dog, rather than its breed.  Berry really doesn't like small dogs very much but is absolutely fine with larger breeds.

OK, we've all admitted to numerous silly names for our dogs - how many of you have a 'special song' for your dog?  Tess has the Monsterarmers in Pyjamas song and Berry has the Button Loon song.......surely I can't be the only one....can I?!

Tess: Monsty, Monsty Pong, Pong, MP, Testicles, Baby Girl,

Berry (Burberry): Button Loon, Loony Tune, Loooooney, Furface, Pikey dog

"Look at that puppy, isn't she playful" - said of Tess, 11 years old

"I used to show dogs, she's definitely show quality" - Berry, farm bred Parsons Russell Terrier

"Your puppy is illegal" (said about Tess, 11 years old Staffie/Rottie cross)!

Congratulations - definitely photos!  Does he look like a little gremlin?!

I had a chocolate tabby point - now have Luka (I think you read of his recent escape from an ASBT!) who is an Apricot Siamese and Griffin, a Lilac Point.

Luka & Berry http://lotty.mypetpages.net/artists/584/0/berry_luka.jpg

Luka http://lotty.mypetpages.net/artists/584/0/luka.jpg