I'm a dog owner too.
Our second to last dog, Lily, was a big Labrador/Staffie cross. Lily's job
in life, apart from being the watchdog and entertainment for every kid on
the block, was to mother to any and everything.
There were the twin Bush Stone-curlews that someone brought us. Lily took
them under her big paws and began to wash them, gently.
We discovered a new way of raising nestlings when a nestling Blue-faced
Honeyeater leapt upon our sleeping dog and proceeded to deflea and detick
her from nose to tail. An injured pardalote did the same. Lily never budged
an inch. As, everytime we had birds in the house, we ceased using flea
powder and tick lotion, the birds came to no harm. Indeed, both they and
Lily seemed to get a lot out of the experience.
So we hit upon a new, environmentally sensitive way of keeping Lily and our
new dog Sarah free of unwanted pests. We trained my son's chicken
Henrietta, to do the job. Every Sunday dogs and hen would commune upstairs.
Sarah took over when she came of age and Lily died. She wasn't anywhere
near as gentle as Lily when it came to cleaning Bush Stone-curlew chicks,
but she learned fast.
Like Lily, Sarah, does not chase birds, no matter where we might be, in the
bush or a park (we live in Palmerston, NT). Cats are a different matter,
but I'm convinced that to Sarah, birds are just a different sort of dog.
Denise
on 1/2/08 9:47 AM, Cheryl Ridge at wrote:
> Hi all
>
> As a responsible dog owner nothing bothers me more
> than seeing people letting their dogs run around off
> lead in areas they shouldn't. I can think
> of atleast three areas in recent months (Parks Vic
> managed) that are clearly sign-posted (big signs, even
> kids would understand) as dogs not being allowed. Two
> areas were fenced/gated/signposted CONSERVATION areas.
>
> I get frustrated and normally say something to the
> offending dog walker. Usual response is "its ok we do
> this all the time" or "its ok he/she is on lead now"
> or "I didn't see any signs".
>
> When I enquired to Parks they basically said if they
> SEE someone in the act they will talk to them (talk to
> them? That all?) So I really truly don't know what
> Park's stance is.
>
> I was at a place where some young kids (no idea where
> their parents and guardians were) running amok with a
> dog at one of these places. I stood at the 'gate' and
> pointed at the 'dogs not allowed' sign. Boy did they
> grizzle and give me some lip but I stood firmly.
>
> They wandered off but not far so I figured they were
> up to no good. I headed off on my walk and it wasn't
> long before I spied the kids back inside the area with
> their dog. I lifted my camera and long lens up and
> aimed it towards them pretending to take a picture of
> them. They all squealed and ran for their lives!!!!
> Bad nasty woman I was! ;-)
>
> While this was going on my dog was quietly sleeping in
> the car with my other half, patiently awaiting my
> return.
>
> Unfortunately I think one of the problems is that
> there are less and less places where one can take
> their dog these days. It is really discouraging. I
> certainly find it a challenge to have an enjoyable day
> out with my dog and do a bit of birding too. My Collie
> is quiet as a mouse with little to no prey drive. Yet
> she would be seen as the enemy by some of you folk
> simply because she is a dog!
>
> Personally I'd have thought noisy kids, balls, crowds
> and litter a greater concern. Those things bother me
> more.
>
> Not all dogs and dog owners are bad!
>
> regards
>
> Cheryl
>
>
>
>
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