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Merlin

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Everything posted by Merlin

  1. Would it help if I offered to pay to have him 'seen to' - could he then be ferreted away like the lovely girl?
  2. Oh how marvelous - well done Rowan and blessings to you.  She's gorgeous! 
  3. Five months ago we rescued a little old one eyed Podenco from Levriers en Danger who had been horribly treated all her life (losing the eye to her master's stick poor little thing).  she was found wandering with her two pups on the road to Saville having escaped her prison.  She has settled well now but it has taken five months for her to begin to feel safe and accept that she is no longer going to be beaten - however - at the slightest sudden noise like a door slamming or a book falling on the floor, she springs to her feet and runs to hide and then sits there swallowing hard at speed!  It's so sad to watch I can't tell you and you can't comprehend what she must have been through for the past nine years of her life!  She is the most wonderful little dog imaginable with the sweetest temperament and we love her to bits and so do our other rescue dogs (3) she has won our hearts to such an extent that we can't imagine life without her!  When dogs have been subjected to repeated abuse of whatever kind they have odd ways of dealing with it and I think that your doggie will just need loads and loads of patience and understanding till he finally feels safe.  It's obvious that he already sees you as his protectors in seeking to follow you and come to you when whatever it is gets the better of him - I would most definitely see this habit of snapping at flies as being a reaction to a sudden feeling of being insecure and remembered fear.  Time and a constant gentle routine is working for our little treasure and whilst she may never be 100% free of anxiety, I know we'll get most of the way there as she has come so far already in five months bless her.  It's hard for them to take in sometimes and to properly understand that they are free of their previous existence that contained everyday tortures of one sort or another.  If I pick up the broom to sweep the floor the reaction from my little Podenco makes me want to cry!
  4. Merlin

    Tick

    Never had ticks bother my poultry even though I spotted one in one of the nesting boxes this year already.  Hens will normally eat anything that's running around and guinea fowl are famous for ridding the pasture of ticks!  They say if you keep guinea fowl you will never have ticks in the garden - trouble is they noisy monkeys which don't make you popular with the neighbours,  and like to roost in trees so will fly off if given the chance and it's a shame to keep them caged.  They produce lovely eggs and are good to eat however.  I dust my hens with Diatomaceus Earth and also put in their food as it's a complete parasite treatment and nothing escapes it!  The dogs and cats get the same treatment and it's amazing for bugs in the veggie patch - just wonderful stuff.  Sadly it's hard to get hold of over here and very expensive so I have to get it from the UK - but it's well worth it.  Non chemical, highly efficient, good for so many things and nothing can become immune to it as with Frontline and others.  Goodbye ticks!
  5. Lisa that's really good to hear - looks like Michael will be sorted one way or the other for definate which will be a relief for Jo.  I am going to call her either this evening or tomorrow and see if she's back from the UK and what the latest news is.  He know he is a dear little soul and really deserves to finish his days peacefully and safely which between us I am sure we can manage.
  6. He's on page 2!  He had a thoroughly miserable life till he found Jo - he arrived on her doorstep one day from his hell home 2km away and just kept coming back every day and sitting on her front step till she eventually took him in permanently (after telling the owner who didn't give a toss)  and is just the sweetest thing according to Jo's daughter.
  7. Lisa hi and thanks for replying - fingers crossed about a cat and also, Michael (if I should not be able to take him) lives with three small terriers (all castrated males) and is not at all dominant but very easy going, independant little boy who just loves being fussed and having somewhere comfy and warm to sleep close to mates and family.  I will let you know further about Michael when I hear from Jo how he is doing, hopefully this week.  Did you see the picture of him on here?
  8. Merlin

    Tick

    Don't use matches!!!  Just not necessary and so very dangerous.  The plastic tick removers you can buy in the pharmacies or pet shops are easy, safe and quick to use - follow the instructions - very little else will persuade the little so-and-sos to release their jaws and be pulled away in tact.  I have tried other ways and the tire tics work by far the best.  After you get the blighter off it is useful to dab the area with some tea tree oil as it disinfects and soothes and also can act as a repellant without harming the cat even if it licks the fur.
  9. Update on above - Claude is no longer available.
  10. Here is a run down of Jo' cats 7 cats Bertie and Gloria (siblings) a ginger tom and a dark tabby sweet and gentle Tim a pure white (deaf) tom. He is a real honey. He has recently had his jaw and his tounge rebuilt (following a accident) and has no teeth.He is a stay at home softie. Annie and Lizzy (sisters) one a grey and ginger and one a tortishell, Lizzy is really beautiful and sweet, Annie a bit skitty! Teddy Edward a ginger tom and the sweetess boy ever very affectionate and a bit dribbly and Claude a tabby and white tom, independant but a home lover has a slight limp following a fractured hip.
  11. Lisa - all the cats at Jo's are neutered as I thought - please go and look at the original post on here to read more about them.  Jo is in England for a week at the moment welcoming her new grandson into the world - a little ray of sunshine for her in her still bleak circumstances.  Would you be interested in taking Michael if he wasn't neutered?  He might have a small heart problem they have discovered and it could mean the snip wouldn't be too clever an idea for him, which in turn would mean I couldn't take him.......  I will know more when Jo gets back in the coming week.  Please let me know if your daughter might be interested in any of the cats.  Thanks.
  12. Oh I have a curly one just like him but in brown and she's an old girl......... very sweet nature!  The Carcassonne thread is making me very very sad at the moment and giving me an over whelming feeling of helplessness.  Poor Rowan and Flow it must be so awful being there watching as time ebbs away for these lovely dogs.  Lisa, you sound like another comrade and friend of the unwanted - welcome to the fold and the many lovely people on here I have recently come to discover.  I will find out if the cats are neutered for you but I imagine they are from what I have learned about Jo - Michael is the only exception I think. If you have room for one more oldie then I think Christine/Rowan/Flo should be your first port of call.  Jo and her cats are in a little village a few kilometers south of a place called Rieupeyroux.
  13. Hi Lisa At the moment Michael is still with his owner Jo.  She is very depressed about her situation but has managed to home all the other dogs bar the ones she is going to manage to keep she hopes (three small terriers).  I have offered Michael a home if he can be safely neutered (it's comlicated but I have a female who cannot be spayed for medical reasons), but failing that he will need a home but I have offered to pay his vet bills as he needs chipping and vaccinating also.  I am giving Jo some space at the moment as Michael is safe with her for the time being and there isn't a deadline as yet for her returning to the UK - the loss of so many of her pets has been proving quite hard for her and so having her few doggies around her is helping some.  The cats however a going to be a problem I fear and she is worried about those........... they sound lovely characters.  I already have 5 here so I can't help on that score.  I will let you know what happens with Michael - he is 14 and has cataracts by the way.  If you have a home to offer, have you been following the thread previous to this about the lovely GSH who is on death row?  He would make a lovely addition to any family and had I not had Michael in the pipeline (who will bring my tribe to 5 dogs!) I would have taken him like a shot.
  14. Rowan, I have sent your posts, the U tube video and the pictures you posted for the German Shepherd to some friends of mine.  I am not holding out too much hope as they already have two rescues but I know that the husband has a soft spot for this breed as he used to train them in the British Army and loves them.  It's the best I can do to help at this point.  I feel your pain for these dogs and understand completely.  It was me who posted on here and recently found a lovely lady through this forum who took on a Great Dane called Connie (which you might have seen last month) who is now in a lovely home.  It's so very hard and I take my hat off to you for the work you do at the Spa as I know that I could not do it without becoming distraught seeing the dogs every day and not being able to take them all home with me!  I have rescued dogs all my life since leaving home forty years ago and I'm still doing it.  I have four at the moment (two young ones and two oldies from intolerable circumstances) and another in the pipeline!  I am hoping to be able to foster dogs in a year or so when we have our home more organised and able to accommodate more in the house as I would never want to keep them in pens.  It is my desire to give old and sick ones some last peaceful years in warmth and comfort, they are so thankful and so easy to care for.  I think it is inevitable that so many dogs are put down and that people are forced to accept it - none of them should be regardless of their age or supposed temperament and it gets to me horribly each time I am faced with it though we know it goes on all the time even as we speak and in some countries it's a lot worse than here!  I try to think that I do what I can by taking in the ones I can but of course it's only a drop in the ocean.  I try not to make myself unpopular but on another forum that often gets posting from people who are breeding and offering puppies for sale, I'm afraid I find it hard to keep my temper.  Just because people are prepared to fork out considerable sums for pedigree puppies doesn't mean they will necessarily look after them and keep them forever.  I was appalled to see our local Magazin Vert in Rodez advertising a puppy sale for the Easter Week-end - what can you do?  How do you begin to persuade people to neuter their animals?  PDSA in the UK had the right idea and it would save a lot of the sorrows of unwanted and cast out dogs and cats - the bulging refuges and the poor creatures who didn't deserve their miserable fate.  I can honestly say it keeps we awake sometimes, when I look at my grateful and loving rescues sleeping peacefully by my fire and at the foot of my bed in warm baskets and my mind thinks of all the unlucky ones!  My husband is a very kind man fortunately but he has his limits and so do funds that mean we can keep the dogs well fed and proper veterinary attention...........  I want to foster but I'm not sure how many would ever leave me...!!  What you are doing is wonderful for the dogs but very hard on you - I admire you and wish you strength and much support.  This doesn't help your lovely GSH I know, but hang in there for you bring the dogs something to look forward to each time they see you.
  15. We have two rescued German Shepherd/Beauceron X sisters - they are WONDERFUL gentle, obedient and loyal dogs.  They are amazing companions despite having eachother to play with they are very close to us and the other two dogs.  I could not recommend them more!  This chap deserves to have the home he would make special.
  16. Oh wow - I have just seen the picture above and read the news from Anne............. she's gorgeous Anne!
  17. I am hoping Anne and Connie are coping, but I heard from Jo yesterday and she is in tatters..........!!! One of her other dogs, Flo, is desperately searching all over for Connie also.  But then Jo's is not a happy household right now - the poor lady is just about at the end of her tether by her own admission.  She is still desperate about the cats and I am really hoping that others on here might be able to help out please... her cats sound gorgeous!  The so and so husband who has left her (after 29 years of seemingly happy wedlock) is now also making her life a misery and I'm not sure how much more she can take!  She is trying to sell the house in the midst of all this - her pet donkeys and goats go today and I know how hard that is going to hit her also.  Imagine, all you animal lovers out there, what it must be like for her right now......... just unimaginable actually, having to part with all your beloved pets because you can no longer support and feed them through no fault of your own!  It's all such a sad mess and I know that Jo is finding each day harder and harder as she runs out of hope (and money) for the remaining animals. I am not sure how Jo will ever recover from this little lot.  I know that Connie is safe and will eventually be very happy with Anne once the poor dog has been able to settle and move on - Anne knows about Danes and she has been wonderful to take Connie on - the first week or so is never easy when re-homing as I know with the several rescues I have.  I'm sure we'll hear soon and she has promised some pics also when she's sorted.
  18. Hope things are a bit better?  You could try putting a little bandage on the paw(s) she is scratching the eye with to see if that helps - maybe give her something else to think about and save a little of the destruction she is doing to the possible good work of the bathing and drops.  See how it goes - the vet might be your final option but I know what a struggle it can be to find the pennies sometimes - don't feel bad.
  19. Just realised that my original posting regarding Connie and Michael was on another thread - likewise the picture of Michael.  Please see my posting "Please can anyone help this poor lady" - just a few postings back.  Thank you.
  20. Good luck to Connie and Megan tomorrow - it's just great news for them but of course, very sad for poor Jo!  Please refer back to my original post all you lovely people out there...... little Michael is still looking for a home and Jo is nearly out of her mind with stress of all this poor lady.  I posted a picture of Michael so let's see if we can end his story happily like Connie?  Megan you have my email wishing you well for tomorrow - take great care all of you!  Let's have a picture when you're settled back home. Now it's Michael's turn.......???  Please.
  21. Boil some water - add good measure of salt to dissolve and then let it cool and pour into a jug - cover and keep in the fridge.  Take a small bowl full and with fresh cotton wool (or face cleansing pads) soak, but not dripping, and gently swab the eye with one stroke only away from the nose across the eye.  Repeat this with clean pads each time until the area is clean and free of any goo!  Do it all again every couple of hours or as and when you see it looking messy.  See if this eases things.  If however the eye is very swollen to the point of being closed then you will need a vet to have a look I think.  Do you think it is an infection from a skirmish of some sort or perhaps there is something in the eye.  Bathing with the salt water will not do any harm at all and should calm and clean things at any event.  If the cat is scratching the eye be very diligent.
  22. Merlin

    Tick

    Unbelievably we had our first tick last week and I was shocked given that we have had temperatures of -9C up until 10 days ago.  I just hate them and because I refuse to treat any of our dogs with chemical deterents for reasons which I won't get on my soap box about again here - we do a twice daily tick check.  We have GSH cross sisters and their fur is so dense and dark it can be a real problem - but they just love being checked anyway so no worries there!  I have recently read about the wonders (and complete efficiency and safety!) of a product called Diatomaceous Earth I am going to get some!  I WILL get the better of these horrid bugs.  I also know that Guinea Fowl will eat acres of them and keep your fields free of them but of course that hardly helps when out walking in the woods and long grass and for those who have them in their gardens etc.  We use the yellow plastic tick removers and they work a treat - I pulled one off one day without and the dog in question was left with quite a septic lump (which can happen anyway we find even if you get the head out completely). Ticks are just the worst and as previous posts have mentioned, always dab the area well with an antiseptic even though the blighter's choppers have already delivered the poison!  So far we have been fortunate with our pets - but it is something to ver vigilant about. 
  23. Hello everyone - this is the story about little Michael - picture on previous page, from an email sent by Jo's daughter who is out of her mind with worry for her Mum and all the animals: "I dont know if mum has had a chance to email you..as you can imagine she is up to her eyeballs in jobs now its just her to do them! We know very little about Michael but what I do know I will tell you: Hes quite an old boy we think...so very pretty. Hes black and tan with really short legs and a beautiful coat. He has the sweetest face and he certainly loves a cuddle. In fact for a dog who I knew nothing about when I first met him I have had no worries in cuddling up with him in from of the fire. He potters about the garden and there have been no problems with him and the cats/chickens and he loves the other dogs! Infact the way Michael became adopted by mum is such a lovely story. He belonged to a farmer who lives about 2km away from mums, but unfortunately lived ouside in a kennel, wasnt looked after very well, fed scraps and generally wasnt loved the way we think animals should be! When mum moved into the house in France with all the animals , he must have caught scent on the wind or something because he kept turning up on the doorstep to see them all...mum repeatedly took him back to his owner his owner was never really bothered nor even noticed he had gone most of the time) and Michael (originaly called Bubbles...mum called him Buble when she was practising her French..hence the name Michael was born!) used to run back the 2km every day just to sit on the doorstep...it wasnt long before mum relented and began feeding him, then letting him in as it was wet and cold and then she agreed with the old owner that she may aswell just keep him!! (he doesnt want him back) I dont think he is up to date with bits and pieces, as hes an old vagabond who just wanted to end his days with a good meal and a bit of company...and a warm fire to curl up next to in the winter. He is such a sweet little dog.....i really warmed to him when i first met him, and if i could Id have him...infact Id have them all if i didnt live in a flat with a baby due in a month!! As Ive said, I have some pics....so please let me know. Thanks again for your support xx THE CATS WOULD STILL LOVE HOMES......THEY ARE ALL GORGEOUS AND I HAVE PICS OF THEM TOO...EVEN IF YOU JUST WANT SOME MOGGIES TO KEEP THE RATS AT BAY!!" Can someone please give him a nice peaceful few twilight years do you think??? ยท Reply...
  24. I hope this works out for Connie as she's not an easy one to home being so large etc., and Danes do need experienced homes I feel.  Now let's not forget poor little Michael...... he deserves a loving little corner somewhere too, n'est pas?  It's his turn now!
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