Nienke

can they???

a lot of tales that they can. and widely believed by the thais that they can.

Nice question, but hard to answer.

With both my rottweiler and GSD I sometimes think they do see ghosts, especially when they keep on barking while I can't see anything or anybody around.

But then, the rottie is 11 and both his eye-sight and hearing have gone worse over the last months and the GSD is 10. So, it might be just old age

Nienke

And last but certainly not least: Staffies are certainly nice dogs (got one in boarding last month, a real lovely and sweet animal), but they are nothing compared to the boxer

SUPER, SUPER SUPER, I MELT!!!

I wonder what a bite / dog ratio for each breed would look like?

Breeds I've mentioned higher ratio than the rottie or pitbull. Most probable reason is that people think because it's known as a family dog it often gets less proper eduction than the other mentioned breeds and/or owners are quicker in believing that these kind of breeds never will bite.

Where I saw those figures? Man, i need to search, can't remember.

Hi,

Came across an Url and thought why not add to this huge list you've gotten already Here you can find many words or names that you might want to use.

http://lowchensaustralia.com/names/orientnames.htm

Nienke

Just read a very interesting article in Scientific American Mind magazine, about so called "Smart" drugs. Apparently many are in advanced clinical trials (in the USA), awaiting FDA approval.

The author states that "smart bars have popped up along the West Coast to sell these items". I for one could use Aricept (the brand name for donepezil) to help improve my flagging memory. We use caffeine and other common chemicals to enhance our mood or abilities, so why not a pill to make one smarter?

But is taking a pill to make you smarter or improve your memory wrong?

Is it not better first to find out what causes the problems with the memory, before eating all these pills?

I, for example, notice a huge difference when I'm just tired and/or when I don't eat properly.

It can be that due to aging or circumstances the body asks for a bit more of certain nutrients. When given one feels much better together with a memory improvement.

Well, just my two simple cents,

Nienke

MsFigure - Why would you call a "dangerous dogs list" stupid?

Is it because you stupidly own dangerous dogs?

Or a dangerously stupid dog?

Or maybe you've never had the pleasure of being attacked by one of these "stupid" dangerous dogs!

Your ignorance is overwhelming!

Wow, that's a bit harsh and personal, isn't it?!

Most dogbites happen by the family dog or a dog familiar to the victim. Statistics in The States and Europe show most bites are done by breeds such as the Golden retriever, the labrador retriever and also the small terriers. (there's a lot of dominance aggression under the goldens and Jack Russel Terrier, especially the males, for example). I do believe that most bites in Thailand are caused by Thai dogs defending their territory.

It is that bites from guard dog breeds and fighting dog breeds are often much more severe, and therefore, reported and in the news. These breeds have a very strong and hard bite and tend to hold, while retrievers have a much softer bite and many bite and loose, often resulting in less damage to the victim.

Also most dog bites happen due to the ignorance by or neglect on the part of the owner.

Not everybody is capable of authorizing a dog, let alone a dog with a strong character of which most guard and fighting dogs consist. And many owners do not or do not sufficiently educate their dog/s (which includes basic obedience AND proper socialization).

Most of the time when I hear, here in Thailand, about a dog that has bitten a child, I understand that 1) the dog has not been properly socialized, 2) not properly trained, and 3) the child was allowed or capable to be with the dog unsupervised.

Anyway, putting certain breeds on a dangerous dog list will NOT solve the problem. There always will be smart asses who will breed another fierce breed, because there is a market for that. Unfortunately.

And as long as people are not properly taking care of their dog, i.e. understanding their behavior (development) and their language, the bite accidents will continue.

And last but certainly not least: Staffies are certainly nice dogs (got one in boarding last month, a real lovely and sweet animal), but they are nothing compared to the boxer

Nienke

A short little earthquake? Maybe 5-10 seconds. Weak, maybe 5.0ish ?

Yes, i did. Looked behind my chair if it was my dog, only to see there was no dog.

Also my maid felt it.

Brrrr, I'm not such a hero in these kind of things.

Nienke

Way to tired to something else than playing a bit on the computer, i came across the following link:

http://www.bionational.com/xcart/catalog/c...dYDwU5w#anchor3

It might be of interest to you and maybe discuss with the cataract specialist.

Nienke

Nienke,

Kind words indeed there.I sincerely wish there were more people in the world like you.

Steve,

Wish you and the pup all the best,theres not many things worse than seeing an animal in pain IMO.

Thank you, Skyline, that's really kind of you to say

Nienke

hi all

well this morning my little boy 2 and a half month old lab puppy got hit by a car we took him to the docs and got cleaned up and x-rayed and the doc give him something for the pain.Got the all clear with regard to broken bones and hips, but now back home hes sleeping but also yelping is there anything i can do to make him feel better hes not due to get his tablets till his evening meal as instructed by the doc.

what should/can i do ?

cheers

steve

Sorry to read this, poor little guy and poor you, because you must have had the fright of your life!

You write that he's yelping in his sleep. His experience has been quite traumatic and it might be he's dealing at the moment with this in his sleep. It's also possible he's still feeling some pain, despite the pain killers.

In both cases, what I would do is just sit with the dog. With my butt flat on the ground and the dog next to me, or if it's a small dog on my lap. I don't do much, don't pay too much attention, just read a book or so, and when the dog yelps i put a hand down, hold it gently on his head or side or gently strike him with long slow soft strikes over his entire body, head to tail.

If you pay too much attention at the moment the dog yelps, it can learn that with the yelping it gets this desired attention. And that's something you (I assume) don't want your dog to learn.

I don't know how the behavior of your puppy is after the accident, but in case he acts very scared it is better to distract him with a delicious treat or with playing (if he can) and act as if nothing happened in stead of paying special attention to his distress. Because the dog will not perceive this as to what happened in the past, but to what he's doing right at that very moment.

I wish you good luck and the puppy a fast recovery,

Nienke

Is her father gave her loads of money to buy houses for the guy's family, I'm sure they could pay enough to someone to have him vanish, for good. If she wants out, she has to be brave enough to leave or deal with him, on the other hand, if she is too stupid to do anything about the situation and continues letting him treat her this way, she only has her self to blame

It is always so easy to judge, isn't it?

hmm that will be difficult- she is starting to see herself that there is a problem but she really tries to keep up the facade of a perfect marriage and insisting she can handle it. as nienke said it might have to get worse before it gets better. i feel really bad for her.

P.S. can anyone refer me to those links to abuse help organizations in thailand?

Hi girlx,

I was referring to the following thread:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=112667

There is a list with women organisations.

At least there is some hope as she starts seeing herself that this situation isn't normal.

Wish you good luck again. It's really horrible to see a friend stuck like this.

Nienke

Another double standard because if a Farang were to beat his Thai wife he would be locked up.

And if a Farang woman beats back her Thai bf/hubby? Does she ends up in jail as well?

IMO only a coward would hit a woman, ...

Although, I certainly don't want to talk this good, but sometimes you don't know what drives a person to do something like that. It can very well be that such a man has had an abusing past as well, and walks aound with psychological problems.

It does happen when both partners go for consultation, things can talked over and through, and with help they can solve their problems (including that the beatings stop).

The power game, as described in the OP, has only become this bad, because the woman doesn't fight back. She excepts everything the man does, and in no way puts up boundaries. If she would start putting up boundaries now, the chance is high that the abuse first becomes worse (as the man had always succes before). When she keeps up those boundaries, it might be that after a while the abuse lessens untill the point it stops, or until she leaves.

I can understand girlx's fustration and fear about what is going to happen to this woman and her child. But, if the woman herself is not prepared or ready to stand up for herself, I'm afraid there is not much you can do.

You could talk yourself to one of the organisations against women abuse (see one of the other threads on this forum). And ask them what the possibilities are.

Wish you good luck,

Nienke

Heavens, you have put me on the spot here. I have previously only taken difficult dogs who's owners could not cope and, after retraining, have found homes for many of them elsewhere. I fear that my wife would have a flying blue fit if I accepted a dog from another rescue organisation, where it was being looked after well. I shall, however, have words with her and see what can be done.

Just give Roshan a call first if Bossy is still there. Then, bring your wife to Bossy .... and she will fall like a bloc for her.

It's nice to have an easy-going giant, so once in a while, you know?!

We currently have five dogs, down from nine a year or so ago. All are rescue dogs. The latest two to join us are Fila Braziliero, the Brazilian Mastiff, purchased by the previous owner for something like 150,000 for the pair as puppies. They got too big and the owners couldn't cope. They were going to shoot them until I stepped in and gave them a home.

We had a Husky, now rehoused, as were two Rottweillers. I only take large to Giant breeds, but could give homes to one or two more, (only large,) dogs in an emergency.(I do not take small "rescue" dogs because the giant breeds are invariably difficult to look after and not many people can cope. It is best to specialise.)

Well, Khun p1p ... THAT's a veeeeeeerrrryyyyyy dangerous remark you made here, with people like Allyt and me on the list

If I knew that before, i had once an English Mastiff dumped on my doorstep. Luckily I found a new loving home for him.

But now there is this most lovely available St. Bernard bitch (at least I think she is still looking for a good home). Her name is Bossy. She's about 5 years old. And she has a most wonderful dogganality. Extremely friendly with people, always in for lots of cuddles (and a treat), and pretty good with other dogs.

She is not without health problems, though.

She was brought to me, by her former owners, carried on a blanket as she couldn't walk and completely shaved, almost bold. That's how weak she was. They thought she might be paralized. I thought, she might be so anemic due to the tick disease (for which she received treatment), that she just did not had the strenght to get up. 'Luckily' I was right. I made a deal with Bossy, that within a week she could walk again. Well, she didn't. But she DID try after a week. It took about 10 days to two weeks before she really could do a small round and within a month she could walk fairly normal again.

She has been enormous fat (according to the former owners), and that has made her back weak. So, I kept her on a diet (no treats!), keeping her slender. She also has elbow displasia and a growth on her hind leg, that turned out to be benign (but, said the vet, keep an eye on it as it might start growing again).

She stayed three months, till the owners told me that there was no possibility for them to take care of her anymore (and from what they told me I sympatize with (for???) them).

As I could not keep her as my own pet, Lanna Dog rescue has taken her. So, in case you are interested and would like to see her, please call Mrs. Roshan 053 212 810.

Here some pic's of her from the time she was with me. Although, it looks like she is a smooth-haired on the pic's, she is not. She is a long-haired one.

After seeing these pic's, your heart melts, right?!

Nienke

We often get Expats who, for one reason or another, need to return home or move longterm away from Chiang Mai, calling us for help. Our intitial questions are similar to those posted above, take them with you if you love them enough or find a friend to adopt them. But many just turn the dogs out on the street without a thought. Take a read of my blog www.allycfd.blogspot.com to see some of the experiences I am talking about. For example, a 30,000 baht Bull Terrier dumped in Doi Saket or a Golden Retriever dumped at the temple on Suthep, let alone 9 pups abandoned at Mr Chan's.

I respectfully suggest the OPtry all options availabe for the sake of your best friends and think how easy it would be to spend a little money on the transportation back to the UK along with appropriate paperwork & vaccinations for an happy & healthier future for these 2 guys with the family they love & trust.

warm regards

Ally

Good post Ally.

Just this morning I saw an add for a full breed adult Husky for sale. I know the dog. Have been training it together with the family. They loved their dog so much . Later I heard they got a female as well (for breeding), and now the dog can go .

This is only one story from the sooooo many, that are (going to be) dumped.

Of course, there can be circumstances owners just really can't help, but usually these people are really very distressed and do there utter best to find a new good home. Or the dog stays with me, untill they have found a solution. They will NEVER say something like in the OP <They don't deserve a street life> (this is actually the reason why I did not react in the first place, as I do not (want to) understand a remark like that, and I also do not know the person and the circumstances why s/he wrote something like that ).

As for quarantine: I have on regular basis dogs in boarding long term. To my experience, most dogs are doing quite fine, as long as they have sufficient time and space to run and play on a daily basis. So far as I've been told first hand, quarantine in Singapore isn't bad at all (I've heard dogs going to Australia have to stay in quarantine in Singapore for 6 to 7 months. Please, correct me if I'm wrong in this). The dog has space for exercise and receive good care.

And quarantine in England isn't that bad either, and so far I've understood well, most of these institutions have dog behaviorists who can and will deal with mentally distressed dogs.

It is usually the costs that dog owners aren't willing or capable to pay: costs of the quarantine period, costs of the travel and costs for the rabies titer (which also can be sky-rocketing high if one has to send the blood by agency to the country where the dog is going to stay).

And, of course, there's the issue of where the owner is going to stay where s/he can keep dogs.

But, IMO, owners need to think about this BEFORE they get a dog.

Nienke

Are we the only line of help? Is there a organization in Thailand that deals with lost, sick or injured animals. I have 2 cats and a litter of 5 new Persian long hairs. Happy family all with shots and well fed. No problems in our world until a sick or internally bleeding cat stumbles in our yard seeking safe haven. Her eyes have discharge, it appears she is bleeding from the nose and mouth or there are signs of dried blood. She wont eat but drinks alot of water. Our cats are flipping out and want her gone and we pity this animal but cant take in another cat as 7 seems to be our limit.

Hi, Was playing around a bit on this forum and came across this thread.

Maybe you know already, or maybe not, but there are dog and cat rescue organisations in Chiang Mai.

1. Care for Dogs. Has a shelter as well. They are located in Samoeng. Tel.: 081 907 3260, 081 603 6065 (Karin), 085 712 5422 (Ally) Website: www.carefordogs.org

2. Lanna Dog Rescue. No shelter. Tel: 053 212 810 (Roshan) Website: www.lannadog.net

3. Thai Animal Guadians Association (ThaiAGA). Has a shelter in Sansai. Tel.: 081 764 3584 (Khun Wit), 081 531 8022 (Khun Dip)

Nienke

With the way of 'breeding' they do here I fear with big fears it IS hereditary.

Just an after thought from my previous question, but one of the reasons we bought a pedigreed golden is to ensure we knew that there wasn't inbreeding. Our dog's papers (registered with the Thai Kennel Club) clearly show no inbreeding going back many years (most are from the US and half have Am.Ch. designations). From this, I would think that it isn't hereditary. Do you agree or am I missing something?

That a dog is regitered with the Thai kennel Club, doesn't tell me that it is healthy and free of disease, and even that it is a dog of which the structure is according the breed standards. I've seen many pedigreed dogs, where I really wonder how on earth they can have a pedigree.

Then, hereditary defects are not only a result of inbreeding. It depends if in a line there are occurences of a defect or not. If there is the animal should be excluded from breeding. And that is often not the case.

So, I've seen once a rottweiler becoming Thai Champ. This dog had clearly hip displasia in one of his hips. For sure, it will give this disease to its off-spring.

My rottweiler has an, oh so cute, undershot and a pedigree, and my GSD bitch has two missing pre-molars and a pedigree. Both defects are no-no's in shows and in breeding, but people would still breed with these kind of dogs.

Nienke

Thanks Nienke.

I guess whether it is hereditary or not is kind of water under the bridge, as we are where we are. It is our intent to do whatever we can. The vet gave her a full exam this week (and caught the eye problem). Blood tests were done and the vet said she is fine otherwise. No sure if there has to be done special tests for diabetes. You've got to verify this with your vet.

We are feeding the dog Eukanuba and haven't changed this diet since we got her at 2 months (she is two years old now). That's almost two years everyday exactly the same nutrients. My logical way of thinking is that this is not a various diet, and then, 'Yes' it's possible the dog can develop some sort of lack in nutrients.

I think what you are saying (but not sure) is that a change of diet may cure the cataract so that it never forms. Is this correct? Can a potential cataract condition be reversed? I'm not a vet, but from what i've read and heard, IF the problem is diet related and not advanced, it can be reversed.

The vet said there wasn't anything that could be done and to wait for the cataract to develop (it takes several years) and then decide whether to operate, but she wasn't optimistic saying that the results of cataract operations on dogs were not favorable. Is this true? Again, I think it depends on the underlaying cause of the problem. I do know that homeopathy can cure many health problems in people and animals, that have been diagnosed as untreatable by the allopathic curative methods. However, the history taking (a huge questionnaire that goes into every aspect of your animal: metal and physical, diet, vaccine and medical history etc. etc) and diagnose is lenghty and treatment can take a while. On the other hand, succes rates are very high and often long-lasting/life time. Although, I do have a certificate in homeopathy for small pet animals, I do not feel knowledgeable enough (yet) to take a case as yours. But if you are interested, I'm very willing to give you contact numbers/email addresses of highly skilled homeopaths in The States. But be prepared, they are very good, but their fees are American prices and that's not cheap AT ALL. Please, pm me if you would like their details. One thing I'm very sure of, ALL of them will tell you to change your dog's diet to a raw fed one.

Nienke

My vet says my 2 year old golden retriever is developing a cataract. The vet says to wait 3 or 4 years until the cataract is fully developed and cross that bridge when we get there. Is it really better to wait? Are there specialists in this sort of thing in Bangkok I can take my golden to?

Thanks

I'm so sorry to read this OMR. That must be a huge shock to you and your family.

Cataracts can be hereditary and non-hereditary. "Hereditary cataracts are most commonly found in Poodles, Cockers, Boston terriers, Wire Fox terriers, Siberian Huskys, Golden Retrievers, Labrador retrievers and Old English Sheepdogs." This is a sentence from my 'Dog owner's Home veterinary handbook, written by two Americans. With the way of 'breeding' they do here I fear with big fears it IS hereditary.

However, cataract can also develop as a result of diabetes, or due to a lack of vitamin B-2, certain amino acids and/or vitamin C.

So, before saying this problem it's hereditary, you need to check with the vet if your dog isn't diabetes and you have to have a good look at what kind of diet your dog is eating. If the diet consist of any kind of kibble bought in a supermarket, than I strongly recommend to change it to a high quality diet.

Well ... to be perfectly honest I strongly recommend you to change to a raw diet.

Then, supplement:

* everyday a 1 tablet of Vitamin C (and not the cheap ones, but the sodium ascorbate ones. Brandname is HI-Cee and you can buy it in any pharmacy; 1 tab is 500 mg).

*for two weeks give daily 400 I.U. Vitamin E , then go back to a maintenance dose of 200 I.U. a day.

* daily vitamin B pill with B2 in it.

* daily in the eyes you can put olive oil or cod liver oil (one drop each, once a day). There has been great success in treating early stage cataract, when putting 1 drop of Eucalyptus honey in each eye daily. However, I have no clue where you can get that in Thailand. You might have to import it.

There are also homeopathic remedies that can be used with cataract in young dogs. However, this treatment takes a long times, several months, and good results can only be expected when treatment has started in the early stage of the disease.

But first of all, most important you need to check whether your dog is diabetic or not. I assume a good place to go is Kasetsart University in Bangkok.

Hope this can be of some help to your dog,

Nienke

Cheers guys, we recieved a call from some neighbours who knew a bloke that had found him, picked him up nearly 3km's away, he looks like he hasn't eaten, but all's well...

thanks again for the advice...

Absolute fabulous news, Globeliner! Really happy for you, your wife and your dog

Be carefull not to stuff him full with all sorts of food, now

Nienke

P.S. So you see, always good to have good relationships with your neighborhood

Hi,

I'm completely with Bina on this.

I've heard of many problems with monkeys as pets. They seem to be cute till approx 1 year of age, after that they become downright dangerous. However, they can become pretty old. So, what are you going to do and how do you ensure its well-being after s/he has reach this age?

An wonderful organisation that can give you quite some info on this is:

The Wild Animal Rescue Foundation of Thailand (WAR)

65/1 3rd Floor

Sukhumvit 55

Klongton, Wattana

Bangkok 10110 Thailand

Tel: (66+2) 712-9515, 712-9715

Fax: (66+2) 712-9778

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.warthai.org/

You might even volunteer for them in stead of keeping a pet monkey ...

Nienke

Well, dogs are NOT capable of distinguishing locals from non-locals. They are capable of knowing strangers from people they know and strange behavior from that what THEY conceive as normal or familiar behavior.

Nienke

I beg to differ, my dog barks only at foreigners but not Thais. Doesn't matter if he knows the Thai or not, he doesnt bark but does bark at all foreigners, including Malaysians and other Asians. And he has had contact with foreigners his entire life (including myself, who he doesn't usually bark at) so he is used to their behavior as well.

Anyway, not the subject, so I'd like to get back to the veggie issue. Some veggies are bad for dogs, such as onions, I believe. I've managed to get my dogs to eat carrots, cauliflower and green beans well enough, and the chinese kale if its chopped up small enough. cabbage may be too bitter and that's why they eat around it.

That's interesting a Nationalistic dog!

The other interesting part is that your dog sees familiar things in Thais, that aren't there or are different in foreigners. But what that exactly is (language, movement, smell ????) you've got to ask your dog ...

As for the veggies, I've read that even chopping doesn't break all the cell walls inside the ingredients; blending or slightly cooking does. Therefore, for a good digestion is best to do one of those. Also, if you blend the whole thing together, the dog isn't able to leave those veggies s/he doesn't like.

Cabbage in small amounts is good, but in large amounts not so good. Why exactly, I need to look that up again.

Nienke

can only second that nienke, one of my goldens was only fed on kibble all his life till i got him at an age of about 4 yrs. after being fed on meaty bones for only three weeks his teeth became shiny white - and without any teethbrushing or teethcleaning was actually very surprised myself because the teeth looked so ugly in the beginning, thick grey plaque everywhere

it took him a month or so though to get to like the raw foods!

here he is, this is bogart with shiny teeth

Another smiling and happy dog

I am afraid I have to disagree with you: He knows who is local and who is not, he is far from bored he is doing the job I trained him to do protect our property from intruders, he barks at the cows to keep them moving past our front gate this the wife wants as well, he barks at people who come to the gate (No good having a dog and barking yourself):

He has good quality food and looks well on it and also has play time during he day a very loving and protective dog.

Well, dogs are NOT capable of distinguishing locals from non-locals. They are capable of knowing strangers from people they know and strange behavior from that what THEY conceive as normal or familiar behavior.

As as far as the guarding and protecting behavior concerns: dogs live in packs with a leader at the top of the hierarchy. It is the task of the leader to protect the pack when there is danger. The rest will make alarm (guard the territory) and then the leader will come to check out whether there is real danger and one need to act or not (protects the teritory and the pack).

Normal dog behavior would then be, that they will bark alarm, and then WAIT till you come out to check it out. In case you decide to act, they may or may not help you in the fight, depending on the dog whether that's a guard dog breed or not.

Most dogs will not full blown attack and stand their case when an intruder comes in. Such a thing is not in their nature. After all, when taking a challenge there is also the chance of getting hurt. And by getting hurt they are not only risking their own health but the health of the whole pack, therefore, most dogs will choose to run to safety if really challenged.

A dog that does not wait for its owner and acts independent says something about the way s/he views her position within the pack.

Many 'well'-trained police dogs will act out of fear, and not out of confidence. You can notice this by their body language (ears down, looking away, etc) and their bite.

A confident dog will bite full, out of him- or herself, ears to the front and looking at the 'bad' guy. A fear biter will bite with the front teeth, often showing the (pre) molars, ears down and looks away.

A good police dog (with sufficient physical and mental exercise) does not bark your head of. I would assume that that would make the handler (and his/her family) screaming mad after a while.

The best guard dogs that I have encountered are those that let the intruder in (quietly), stays in the neighborhood of this person, but won't let him/her out till the owner comes back and takes over. Doesn't do much, though, only growls a low growl or barks a low bark as a warning when the intruder dares to move towards the way out.

And as far as the Makro's savepack concerns: if you want to keep on believing that, believe it. My experience is much different. And I've seen many dogs in the last years.

Nienke