Pets Corner

Harley enjoying last nights snow flurry.

Harley knows how to pose, I am sure my Leo would love a frolic in the snow. Great photo Mick.

After swearing to never have another dog, my late partner talked me into taking on a Belgian Malinois. I've had her since she was 7 months old, she's now about 3 and a half. Another ladies dog, she was affected very badly by my partner's death. However, we've recovered and she's now a happy girl again. Meet Freya...

Don't do dogs, cats, or any other animal. Nevertheless I wouldn't harm one or stand idly by and watch someone be cruel and take no action. I appreciate that they are loved, adored and indulged by their owners. Your choice. What I do object to is owners not respecting the fact that other people (like me) don't care for their pets jumping up at me, slobbering all over me, digging their claws into me and then try telling me that they are just being friendly. I simply don't want them near me. Sadly, I don't get a choice.

SC - for the first time in my life I totally, 100%, agree with someone else's post

I also agree, however, I have a friend who was unable to walk their dog, a Golden Retriever. Once a week I would walk it in the woods so it could have a good run. It started off a bit overweight but soon lost the excess. It was also very excitable, jumping up and barking when it saw its lead. That soon stopped. Not coming when called, no problem, I just hid from him until he realised I was not there, that got him, he would look around and surprisingly go to the last place he had seen me. Three years ago he had a cancer growth on his leg, was told nothing could be done. Three months later it was huge and apparently weighed one kilo. We managed to get a referral to a specialist . First vet, amputation, asked second opinion. Take the mass away and leave the cancer behind. Operation went well and cancer still there but not growing. Last year, hind quarters collapsed. Did not move for three days before vet came out. Offered to put down there and then. Big discussion, agreed to wait a week with very strong pain killers and massage his spine and hind legs. Week later vet was surprised to see him up and walking albeit a bit wobbly. The vet said she had expected to put him down. One year later, Alf, the dog is in better nick than me. He is 14 and still going strong. For me, he does not bark or jump up and if I point my finger to the side of me will come and sit by my side. Lays down by my feet wherever I am, lays down if told to and will not cross the threshold into my room. Yes I agree I do not like dogs because they give me asthma and I do not like the owners of the dogs that do not train them properly. On another note, I seem to have acquired a loyal follower that I can't lose.

I will concede on the point of obedient dogs - scrutiny and I do like watching (from a distance) a well trained dog. End of.

Bohica, My brother-in-law, now a retired dog handler for Leicester police, had a few dogs - spaniel drugs dog, German shepherds and a mallinois. I remember foolishly volunteering to wear the training sleeve, only once A beautiful dog and he could change its temperament in an instant.

Let's put it this way, matchle55, you wouldn't want to mess with her - as a wannabe burglar found out recently. There's no doubt that they're a 'difficult' breed but they can be very rewarding. She's pulled me through a very difficult 12 months. Yet the 'boss' in the house is a small tabby cat about 1/10th of her size. Mind you, they learn bad habits from each other!

SC. That is a bit "petist" (just made that word up!) My dog Harley (there are a couple of pictures of her on here somewhere) does none of those things that you mention. Yes she is loved and adored, but certainly not indulged. She is well trained and unlike a lot of humans, she will certainly not let me down!!

Happy to be a petist, Mick.

I can understand how you feel Mick, but you forgot to mention the dog hairs too. Strangely enough Maltese don't moult so my Leo has nothing to worry about, and he wouldn't hurt a fly, just tries to catch them.

One of Coventry's long established vets closed last year, in Broad Lane. Yet today, I saw one of their vans parked in Radford, fully lettered with Broad Lane Vets. I have no explanation otherwise.

Hi Philip Broad Lane Vets is still open and run by the Pittaway family, they also have surgeries in Radford and Balsall Common.