I couldn't have said this better myself.

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 1:37 pm

A Letter from a Shelter Manager

I think our society needs a huge "Wake-up" call. As a shelter manager, I am going to share a little insight with you all...a view from the inside if you will.

First off, all of you breeders/sellers should be made to work in the "back" of an animal shelter for just one day. Maybe if you saw the life drain from a few sad, lost, confused eyes, you would change your mind about breeding and selling to people you don't even know.

That puppy you just sold will most likely end up in my shelter when it's not a cute little puppy anymore. So how would you feel if you knew that there's about a 90% chance that dog will never walk out of the shelter it is going to be dumped at? Purebred or not! About 50% of all of the dogs that are "owner surrenders" or "strays", that come into my shelter are purebred dogs.

The most common excuses I hear are; "We are moving and we can't take our dog (or cat)." Really? Where are you moving too that doesn't allow pets? Or they say "The dog got bigger than we thought it would". How big did you think a German Shepherd would get? "We don't have time for her". Really? I work a 10-12 hour day and still have time for my 6 dogs! "She's tearing up our yard". How about making her a part of your family? They always tell me "We just don't want to have to stress about finding a place for her we know she'll get adopted, she's a good dog".

Odds are your pet won't get adopted & how stressful do you think being in a shelter is? Well, let me tell you, your pet has 72 hours to find a new family from the moment you drop it off. Sometimes a little longer if the shelter isn't full and your dog manages to stay completely healthy. If it sniffles, it dies. Your pet will be confined to a small run/kennel in a room with about 25 other barking or crying animals. It will have to relieve itself where it eats and sleeps. It will be depressed and it will cry constantly for the family that abandoned it. If your pet is lucky, I will have enough volunteers in that day to take him/her for a walk. If I don't, your pet won't get any attention besides having a bowl of food slid under the kennel door and the waste sprayed out of its pen with a high-powered hose. If your dog is big, black or any of the "Bully" breeds (pit bull, rottie, mastiff, etc) it was pretty much dead when you walked it through the front door.

Those dogs just don't get adopted. It doesn't matter how 'sweet' or 'well behaved' they are.

If your dog doesn't get adopted within its 72 hours and the shelter is full, it will be destroyed. If the shelter isn't full and your dog is good enough, and of a desirable enough breed it may get a stay of execution, but not for long . Most dogs get very kennel protective after about a week and are destroyed for showing aggression. Even the sweetest dogs will turn in this environment. If your pet makes it over all of those hurdles chances are it will get kennel cough or an upper respiratory infection and will be destroyed because shelters just don't have the funds to pay for even a $100 treatment.

Here's a little euthanasia 101 for those of you that have never witnessed a perfectly healthy, scared animal being "put-down".

First, your pet will be taken from its kennel on a leash. They always look like they think they are going for a walk happy, wagging their tails. Until they get to "The Room", every one of them freaks out and puts on the brakes when we get to the door. It must smell like death or they can feel the sad souls that are left in there, it's strange, but it happens with every one of them. Your dog or cat will be restrained, held down by 1 or 2 vet techs depending on the size and how freaked out they are. Then a euthanasia tech or a vet will start the process. They will find a vein in the front leg and inject a lethal dose of the "pink stuff". Hopefully your pet doesn't panic from being restrained and jerk. I've seen the needles tear out of a leg and been covered with the resulting blood and been deafened by the yelps and screams. They all don't just "go to sleep", sometimes they spasm for a while, gasp for air and defecate on themselves.

When it all ends, your pets corpse will be stacked like firewood in a large freezer in the back with all of the other animals that were killed waiting to be picked up like garbage. What happens next? Cremated? Taken to the dump? Rendered into pet food? You'll never know and it probably won't even cross your mind. It was just an animal and you can always buy another one, right?

I hope that those of you that have read this are bawling your eyes out and can't get the pictures out of your head I deal with everyday on the way home from work.

I hate my job, I hate that it exists & I hate that it will always be there unless you people make some changes and realize that the lives you are affecting go much farther than the pets you dump at a shelter.

Between 9 and 11 MILLION animals die every year in shelters and only you can stop it. I do my best to save every life I can but rescues are always full, and there are more animals coming in everyday than there are homes.

My point to all of this DON'T BREED OR BUY WHILE SHELTER PETS DIE!

Hate me if you want to. The truth hurts and reality is what it is. I just hope I maybe changed one persons mind about breeding their dog, taking their loving pet to a shelter, or buying a dog. I hope that someone will walk into my shelter and say "I saw this and it made me want to adopt". THAT WOULD MAKE IT WORTH IT

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 1:45 pm

There's the truth of it.

Mind you, it's a step up from putting them in a sack and throwing them in a river.

Post by **spot** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 1:53 pm

RedGlitter;1160562 wrote: I just hope I maybe changed one persons mind about breeding their dog, taking their loving pet to a shelter, or buying a dog. I hope that someone will walk into my shelter and say "I saw this and it made me want to adopt". THAT WOULD MAKE IT WORTH IT

Everything's fine until this. It's completely illogical. It's the reverse of reality. The real answer isn't "go buy from a shelter", it's "don't buy from anyone, just don't keep a pet". The more people take that route, the fewer animals will end up in shelters. Nothing else will work.

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 1:56 pm

spot;1160581 wrote: Everything's fine until this. It's completely illogical. It's the reverse of reality. The real answer isn't "go buy from a shelter", it's "don't buy from anyone, just don't keep a pet". The more people take that route, the fewer animals will end up in shelters. Nothing else will work.

No way!!

I love my dog and he enriches mine and my families life. Just cos you dont want a pet doesnt mean no one else can have one...Jeeeesh:rolleyes:

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 1:58 pm

Chezzie;1160584 wrote: No way!!

I love my dog and he enriches mine and my families life. Just cos you dont want a pet doesnt mean no one else can have one...Jeeeesh:rolleyes:

I don't think Spot meant it quite like that.:rolleyes:

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 2:00 pm

if you take any animal that you have to our city shelters......3 days later they are put down.

Toronto Humane Society on the other hand takes all animals in and finds them suitable homes via adoption process with references.

Other shelters are in human with their animals and cross breeding now is something that has caught on in the past 5 years.......never buy from these places.

We have adopted 3 stray cats that were left for dead.

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 2:00 pm

OpenMind;1160588 wrote: I don't think Spot meant it quite like that.:rolleyes:

He has said this before OM, He does mean it like that:wah:

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 2:04 pm

spot;1160581 wrote: Everything's fine until this. It's completely illogical. It's the reverse of reality. The real answer isn't "go buy from a shelter", it's "don't buy from anyone, just don't keep a pet". The more people take that route, the fewer animals will end up in shelters. Nothing else will work.

just because you don't want a pet doesn't mean no one else does.

then again, some people don't deserved to own a pet.

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 2:07 pm

Chezzie;1160591 wrote: He has said this before OM, He does mean it like that:wah:

Ok, I'll have to take your word for it.

Still, I do know that a lot of people buy pets for the wrong reasons and without any real knowledge about the animals. Plus, breeders get good money for them so they'll keep breeding while people keep buying.

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 2:08 pm

There was just a story on the local news. A dog was dragged behind a truck. They now have the dog, but not the driver. It needs a lot of medical treatment. :-1

This is one time I wish the owner had taken it to the pound.

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 2:16 pm

spot;1160581 wrote: Everything's fine until this. It's completely illogical. It's the reverse of reality. The real answer isn't "go buy from a shelter", it's "don't buy from anyone, just don't keep a pet". The more people take that route, the fewer animals will end up in shelters. Nothing else will work.
I find it ironic that a person named Spot said this.

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 2:20 pm

OpenMind;1160600 wrote: Ok, I'll have to take your word for it.

Still, I do know that a lot of people buy pets for the wrong reasons and without any real knowledge about the animals. Plus, breeders get good money for them so they'll keep breeding while people keep buying.

Absolutely OM, their are people who should not be able to have pets. Id prefer everyone to have to have a pet licence and get it renewed every year and it gets revoked and their not allowed to own a pet again if the animal isn't well looked after ect. Some people can hardly look after themselves never mind a pet.

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 2:23 pm

Chezzie;1160611 wrote: Absolutely OM, their are people who should not be able to have pets. Id prefer everyone to have to have a pet licence and get it renewed every year and it gets revoked and their not allowed to own a pet again if the animal isn't well looked after ect. Some people can hardly look after themselves never mind a pet.

I can't remember when dog licences were stopped in this country. They were required for dogs at least. 5/- they used to cost.

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 2:27 pm

Chezzie;1160611 wrote: Absolutely OM, their are people who should not be able to have pets. Id prefer everyone to have to have a pet licence and get it renewed every year and it gets revoked and their not allowed to own a pet again if the animal isn't well looked after ect. Some people can hardly look after themselves never mind a pet.

This forum shows that others would like to see licensing brought back in.

Your Dog - Re:How much does a dog license cost? - Your Dog

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 2:32 pm

Chezzie;1160611 wrote: Absolutely OM, their are people who should not be able to have pets. Id prefer everyone to have to have a pet licence and get it renewed every year and it gets revoked and their not allowed to own a pet again if the animal isn't well looked after ect. Some people can hardly look after themselves never mind a pet.

Dog licences ended in 1986. That sounds about right. Some simple advice here too.

Responsible Dog Ownership

Dogs are an investment and an investment not to be taken lightly. There are other costs to take into consideration other than food bills such as vets' fees as one example.

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 2:35 pm

OpenMind;1160614 wrote: I can't remember when dog licences were stopped in this country. They were required for dogs at least. 5/- they used to cost.

We don't even check up on people getting their animals inoculated regularly. We really should be.

I think a yearly licence that includes, worming, flea ing and jabs could look attractive however if the Government reintroduced the licence only responsible dog owners would be likely to pay the tax, while others would flagrantly ignore it.:rolleyes:

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 2:41 pm

Chezzie;1160618 wrote: We don't even check up on people getting their animals inoculated regularly. We really should be.

I think a yearly licence that includes, worming, flea ing and jabs could look attractive however if the Government reintroduced the licence only responsible dog owners would be likely to pay the tax, while others would flagrantly ignore it.:rolleyes:

With the introduction of a licence, perhaps paid annually, the RSPCA would be quite capable of policing it. Microchipping seems to be a good way to go here. I don't doubt it would take time to get it fully under control, but I can't see why this wouldn't work in the long run.

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 2:45 pm

OpenMind;1160619 wrote: With the introduction of a licence, perhaps paid annually, the RSPCA would be quite capable of policing it. Microchipping seems to be a good way to go here. I don't doubt it would take time to get it fully under control, but I can't see why this wouldn't work in the long run.

My doggie is Microchipped:-4

Post by **spot** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 2:46 pm

Keeping any animal as a pet demeans it and wreaks havoc on local wildlife. What's the cost of keeping cats as pets? Around a quarter of all wild birds in England are killed by them just for starters, before you even look at wild mammals?

As for the pollution of the local parks by dogs I think perhaps I'd best stay silent. It's unutterably disgusting that humans share access to the same grass afterwards.

mrsK · Post by **mrsK** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 2:47 pm

We have to have our pets microchipped & registered.

When you take your pet to the vet & it isn't microchipped they do it straight away.

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 2:47 pm

Chezzie;1160620 wrote: My doggie is Microchipped:-4

Well, quite an unusual name, even for a doggie.:rolleyes:

minks · Post by **minks** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 2:48 pm

Hello Glitter just the other day I was wondering about you and was going to post about your whereabouts on the Missing In Action thread. Lovely to see you back I hope it's for a long while.

Hun what you do in your job has to be incredibly taxing. I admire your strength to go in every day and face those many many sad pairs of animal eyes. It would break my heart.

Pets have so many reasons to live. I agree with whomever posted the "adopt from shelters" post.

I have 2 dogs, and work full time. I got the second as a companion to the first and they are great company for each other during the work day when I come home I love to play with them and my kids and grand kids love them. They are not untrainable. My eskie we were told would always be an anti social cranky arse. Well he took about 6 months of being under our eagle eye to learn how accept my grandson and now it's most endearing to watch my grandson hug an old dog who used to curl his lip at everybody. I love my pets.

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 2:50 pm

spot;1160622 wrote: Keeping any animal as a pet demeans it and wreaks havoc on local wildlife. What's the cost of keeping cats as pets? Around a quarter of all wild birds in England are killed by them just for starters, before you even look at wild mammals?

As for the pollution of the local parks by dogs I think perhaps I'd best stay silent. It's unutterably disgusting that humans share access to the same grass afterwards.

I could say the same for my dog, he ate human crap 3 weeks ago that a pleasant person decided to dump under a tree:rolleyes: Hyperdermic needles, broken glass, chewing gum, litter the list is endless. I know some owners don't pick up the poop but I do, every time and so i'm entitled to have my pets. Yes maybe you should stay silent.

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 2:54 pm

OpenMind;1160624 wrote: Well, quite an unusual name, even for a doggie.:rolleyes:

heh heh, silly boy..His name is Scrappy and I love him with all my heart, we all do. I have had a lovely day with him today, sun was shining so I took him on two big dog walks, one on my own and one with the girls after tea.

Here he is :-4

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 2:58 pm

spot;1160622 wrote: Keeping any animal as a pet demeans it and wreaks havoc on local wildlife.

I don't see your basis for this statement, Spot. Except in cases where animals are mistreated or not kept properly as per their species and breed, their lives are usually enhanced by their interaction with human beings.

What's the cost of keeping cats as pets? Around a quarter of all wild birds in England are killed by them just for starters, before you even look at wild mammals?

It is known that cats are generally untrainable. Even without people keeping cats as pets, they will still go ahead and play with their prey as is their nature to do. Let alone the caterwauling during the mating season. Cats are a freak of the animal world and this will not be changed if they are not kept as pets.

As for the pollution of the local parks by dogs I think perhaps I'd best stay silent. It's unutterably disgusting that humans share access to the same grass afterwards.

This is covered by the article at the end of my link about responsible dog ownership.:rolleyes:

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:03 pm

Chezzie;1160629 wrote: heh heh, silly boy..His name is Scrappy and I love him with all my heart, we all do. I have had a lovely day with him today, sun was shining so I took him on two big dog walks, one on my own and one with the girls after tea.

Here he is :-4

Heheh. He looks adorable. Bet he's a lively one.:-6

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:06 pm

OpenMind;1160636 wrote: Heheh. He looks adorable. Bet he's a lively one.:-6

He is Mr Bossy but as long as he has had 2 -3 good walks a day he is fine and happy and content and his girlfriend came round earlier so he is all loved up..(My mum and dad came round and brought their west highland terrier Sasha):yh_rotfl

Post by **spot** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:09 pm

Chezzie;1160627 wrote: I could say the same for my dog, he ate human crap 3 weeks ago that a pleasant person decided to dump under a tree:rolleyes: Hyperdermic needles, broken glass, chewing gum, litter the list is endless. I know some owners don't pick up the poop but I do, every time and so i'm entitled to have my pets. Yes maybe you should stay silent.

Your dog doesn't urinate on assorted objects of interest in public places? How unusual.

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:10 pm

Chezzie;1160640 wrote: He is Mr Bossy but as long as he has had 2 -3 good walks a day he is fine and happy and content and his girlfriend came round earlier so he is all loved up..(My mum and dad came round and brought their west highland terrier Sasha):yh_rotfl

Arf arf arf hufhufhufhuf!!!

:yh_rotfl

Post by **spot** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:12 pm

OpenMind;1160633 wrote: I don't see your basis for this statement, Spot. Except in cases where animals are mistreated or not kept properly as per their species and breed, their lives are usually enhanced by their interaction with human beings.

It is known that cats are generally untrainable. Even without people keeping cats as pets, they will still go ahead and play with their prey as is their nature to do. Let alone the caterwauling during the mating season. Cats are a freak of the animal world and this will not be changed if they are not kept as pets.

This is covered by the article at the end of my link about responsible dog ownership.:rolleyes:

Well no, the stink of dogpiss along the street fails to get a look in, I did check.

There would be far less carnage among England's wildlife if cats were treated as vermin instead of fed and housed.

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:19 pm

spot;1160644 wrote: Your dog doesn't urinate on assorted objects of interest in public places? How unusual.

I didnt say he didnt, I said I picked up his poop, many humans also urinate on assorted objects, mainly bus shelters but once their full of loopy juice, anywhere will do, same as their projectile vomit after a few lagers and a curry.

Spot most dogs I know are more hygienic that some humans so your argument doesnt cut the mustard with me.:rolleyes:

Post by **spot** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:23 pm

Chezzie;1160656 wrote: I didnt say he didnt, I said I picked up his poop, many humans also urinate on assorted objects, mainly bus shelters but once their full of loopy juice, anywhere will do, same as their projectile vomit after a few lagers and a curry.

Spot most dogs I know are more hygienic that some humans so your argument doesnt cut the mustard with me.:rolleyes:

But it ought to. I find it very difficult to present Felicity with any area of public grass on which she can sit and play safely. The fact that you picked it up doesn't mean the ground's disinfected.

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:24 pm

spot;1160649 wrote: Well no, the stink of dogpiss along the street fails to get a look in, I did check.

There would be far less carnage among England's wildlife if cats were treated as vermin instead of fed and housed.

Best you keep your head down for a bit.

We have a visitor in our garden. Mr Jingles pops out from out of a hole in a step, for the odd peanut and currant. We've kept our secret from our neighbours, as they are more of a threat than Dylan, the local moggy.

There's little worse in this world than the smell of cats **** except maybe Jasmine, which smells of cats ****

Boogalette · Post by **Boogalette** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:25 pm

I'm a huge supporter of people getting their pets from the pound, and of having their pets spayed or neutered. If the animals were fixed, theoretically the populations in the shelters should decrease.

I have 2 cats from the shelter and they are wonderful pets and family members. I am also currently fostering a stray, and (after I figure out if it's a he or she) I'll be getting it fixed and have it's needles. I need to find it a home. (It's with us as our winters are brutally cold and it was living in a hole in the ground. I couldn't have that.)

I also realize that cats are hunters. Do they have an impact on the wild bird population? Probably. Would they hunt more birds if we stopped feeding them at home? Yep.

But we'd also have more mice and other rodent vermin without our feline friends.

Post by **spot** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:28 pm

Snowfire;1160662 wrote: There's little worse in this world than the smell of cats **** except maybe Jasmine, which smells of cats ****

And, strangely, Xylene. One of those chemicals with alternative names, the other being Catspiss Naphtha.

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:28 pm

spot;1160660 wrote: But it ought to. I find it very difficult to present Felicity with any area of public grass on which she can sit and play safely. The fact that you picked it up doesn't mean the ground's disinfected.

It doesnt. I dont agree with you, I love my doggie end of:D

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:29 pm

spot;1160649 wrote: Well no, the stink of dogpiss along the street fails to get a look in, I did check.

There would be far less carnage among England's wildlife if cats were treated as vermin instead of fed and housed.

I can't say that I notice the smell of canine urine. Neither am I likely to step in it. I certainly know it when I can smell human urine.

As for the effect of our cats on the wildlife, it may be a part of the ecosystem. It could be more damaging to the environment if we prevented cats from doing what comes natural to them, as much as we find their methods distasteful.

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:29 pm

Snowfire;1160662 wrote: Best you keep your head down for a bit.

We have a visitor in our garden. Mr Jingles pops out from out of a hole in a step, for the odd peanut and currant. We've kept our secret from our neighbours, as they are more of a threat than Dylan, the local moggy.

There's little worse in this world than the smell of cats **** except maybe Jasmine, which smells of cats ****

Fox **** is the pits and its poop...ewwwwwwwwww

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:32 pm

Chezzie;1160671 wrote: Fox **** is the pits and its poop...ewwwwwwwwww

Your right. Why do dogs insist on eating it ?? :-3.

As if there werent enough reasons not to let your dog lick your face.

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:36 pm

Snowfire;1160674 wrote: Your right. Why do dogs insist on eating it ?? :-3.

As if there werent enough reasons not to let your dog lick your face.

My dog doesnt eat that he just rubs his body all over it which then results in bath time, he adores a shower or bath so I reckon he does it on purpose and not for scenting heh heh:yh_rotfl

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 4:31 pm

spot;1160660 wrote: But it ought to. I find it very difficult to present Felicity with any area of public grass on which she can sit and play safely. The fact that you picked it up doesn't mean the ground's disinfected.

and the ground is?

oh silly me, I forgot, humans don't pollute!:yh_pig:yh_pig

Post by **spot** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 10:23 pm

Odie;1160708 wrote: and the ground is?

oh silly me, I forgot, humans don't pollute!:yh_pig:yh_pig

I don't quite see the point of the question.

The Downs (Bristol) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

England's full of places like that. How can anyone play on it when a thousand dog owners deliberately parade their disease-ridden mutts over it every day for the primary purpose of shitting on the grass? If they have to defecate in open view what's wrong with street gutters?

My word for that behaviour is antisocial.

This, for those interested, is Felicity.

G#Gill · Post by **G#Gill** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 3:39 am

Spot, you should be very proud of that little girl. She has the looks of a very enquiring mind, looking at those eyes, the set of that determined mouth! I bet she runs you ragged :yh_rotfl :yh_rotfl :yh_rotfl

As regards pets - I have reservations about cats as, contrary to popular belief, they do not all bury their defecations ! We're fed up with finding their litter in our flower beds and on our grass.

We do not allow our German Shepherd to deposit in the garden and let it lie ! We clear it up and dispose of it, then wash everything down thoroughly. Flies love the stuff if it is left !!! Then they fly into your kitchen and ............................. lovely !!!!!! When our dog is walked, we always take plenty of 'poo' bags to clear up after him, and put it in the proper 'dog bin', when we come across one, or bring it home to deposit it in our own bin.

As a matter of interest - our dog was rescued at the RSPCA kennel at the age of 8 years. He is now 12 and has turned out to be a wonderful animal, with giving him a lot of TLC. At the time we adopted him, we doubted that a German Shepherd aged 8 years with unknown baggage, would ever be adopted. Consequently he would probably be 'put down'. I'm so glad we found him, and he found us !!!

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 3:58 am

Chezzie;1160640 wrote: He is Mr Bossy but as long as he has had 2 -3 good walks a day he is fine and happy and content and his girlfriend came round earlier so he is all loved up..(My mum and dad came round and brought their west highland terrier Sasha):yh_rotfl

Its amazing how many people dont relaise how important it is to walk your dogs,,, even some small dogs need walks, its so good for them in so many ways,,, and even if you have a masive back garden,, or yard,,, they still need walks!!!:-5:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl

Spot,, i suppose there are a lot of things that defacate the ground we walk on/sit on

maybe we should get rid of birds, rats, foxes, moles,

I wouldnt be offended or annoyed if parks had areas where dogs were not allowed on the grass etc. but just to be sure, why dont you take a blanket and put that down to sit on:)

you know, when i think of it ,, years ago when i was little dogs used to run around all over the place,,, they were just let out to roam around wherever,, theres not so much of that now. also the amount of germs i should have picked up with the places we used to go, climb. lie, sit, etc.,, i have always been pretty healthy

I think some people can go overboard trying to keep germs away and therefore weaken their immune system:-3

Post by **spot** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 4:08 am

kazalala;1160811 wrote: :I think some people can go overboard trying to keep germs away and therefore weaken their immune system:-3Many responsible pet owners are unaware of the health hazards imposed on human by animal roundworm infections. Once the soil has become contaminated, infective eggs persist indefinitely.

Visceral and Ocular Larva Migrans

Children get the eggs stuck to their fingers from contaminated grass in parks and transfer them easily to their eyes. Unilateral visual disturbances, strabismus, and eye pain are the most common presenting symptoms. Each year more than 700 people infected with Toxocara experience permanent partial loss of vision in the US - I can't find an equivalent figure for the UK.

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 4:11 am

spot;1160815 wrote: Many responsible pet owners are unaware of the health hazards imposed on human by animal roundworm infections. Once the soil has become contaminated, infective eggs persist indefinitely.

Visceral and Ocular Larva Migrans

Children get the eggs stuck to their fingers from contaminated grass in parks and transfer them easily to their eyes. Unilateral visual disturbances, strabismus, and eye pain are the most common presenting symptoms. Each year more than 700 people infected with Toxocara experience permanent partial loss of vision in the US - I can't find an equivalent figure for the UK.

Yes i have heard of that.

Post by **spot** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 4:13 am

kazalala;1160816 wrote: Yes i have heard of that.

It's why I wrote "I find it very difficult to present Felicity with any area of public grass on which she can sit and play safely".

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 4:22 am

spot;1160817 wrote: It's why I wrote "I find it very difficult to present Felicity with any area of public grass on which she can sit and play safely".

fair enough.. i wandered off in to the general area of germs when you are thinking of a specific. Wouldnt a picnic blanket type of thing be ok for her to sit on? (cute pic of her by the way).

G#Gill · Post by **G#Gill** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 4:43 am

kazalala;1160820 wrote: fair enough.. i wandered off in to the general area of germs when you are thinking of a specific. Wouldnt a picnic blanket type of thing be ok for her to sit on? (cute pic of her by the way).

Possibly, better still, a rubberised or polythene groundsheet that can be hosed down and disinfected back at home, just to make sure there has been nothing picked up. I quite understand Spots anxiety, we used to be the same when Andy was a toddler.

A lot of parks now have fenced off dog-walking areas to minimise problems. It all boils down to responsible dog-owners, in the end. There are and always will be people who just don't care and can't be bothered.