Culcha

I finally got to see the Tasmanian Swan Lake ballet in Burnie last week.   I really appreciate the effort that goes into this sort of dancing, but I think the costumes fascinate me just as much:

Doggie Updates

Willy

When I got to the Dog's Home this morning, Shandy was being test driven by a couple, so let's hope they like her enough to take her home.  And Tibby was still there, plodding along on her tiny short legs.  At 12 years old, I hope someone takes her home.  She gets a bit puffed going up hills. And Deena was still there, affectionate as ever and very happy to go for a walk.  But the good news is that Montali, long term resident of the Home, who was transferred to Hobart, is being fostered out with a view to adoption.  Let's hope they have good high fences because Montali is a jumper.  But after the years she's been at the home, I hope she gets adopted and it works out for her.  I haven't blogged about Willy, the foxhound before, but he's found a new home.  Willy would have to be the strongest dog ever.  He knocked me onto my backside once, which was quite funny.  Wolfie was a wolfhound cross who seemed to get more erratic every time I walked him, but after being transferred to Hobart, he's found a new home.  Being locked up for a good part of the day wasn't doing him much good at all.

Dog of The Week

Shandy the bitser is only a year old and is a cute little thing.  What I liked the most is her soft little face and her cute little short legs.  She has an unfussy nature and would make a lovely quiet pet for someone.  Fingers crossed.

Cute

It was nice to read this morning that the Victorian government is finally getting tough on illegal puppy farms.  Next on the hit list should be pet shops and backyard breeders.  All those dogs at shelters and homes must come from somewhere, and why should they be born, only to be euthanased at a young age because nobody wants them.  As far as I know, as a humble volunteer, the Dog's Homes of Tasmania do not put down healthy dogs. 

Fun Photo

pinterest

Who needs a blanket when you have a dog like this?  It actually hailed in Devonport today.  I was walking Wolfie from the dog's home and tiny hailstones were bouncing off his back.

I Like This Too

pinterest

A Bit Of Gorgeousness

How lovely is this chair, found here.  Mind you, I wouldn't sit on it because it would get grubby just walking past it.

My Kimmie is Famous!

Second chance for trio

BY CAITLIN HEATHCOTE

11 Oct, 2011 11:41 AM

TWO dogs from the Devonport dogs' home are out to show you can teach an old dog new tricks.  Dogs Kimmy and Peewee have been selected to become hearing aid dogs and have been whisked away to the Adelaide Hills for an intensive training program.  The program will help teach them to recognise sounds and alert them to their deaf or hearing-impaired owner.  Luiza Ziembicki, head trainer of Lions Hearing Dogs, said Kimmy and Peewee were making great progress with their training.  "They have both passed the first stages of their training so far," she said.  Ms Ziembicki said there were three stages of training the dogs had to pass to be able to be recognised as qualified hearing aid dogs.  "We like to think they go through their learners, then their probationary licences before they can be pronounced fully qualified," Ms Ziembicki said.  Training a hearing aid dog takes between six and eight months.  "Generally they have a couple of months in our kennels," Ms Ziembicki said.  "We assess them for any health problems and take them through different scenarios to help them adjust to different situations.  "Hearing aid dogs have the same rights as guide dogs, which means they are allowed in public places like shops and on public transport.  Ms Ziembicki said she liked sourcing dogs from the Dogs Home of Tasmania because they seemed to have the smaller breeds best suited to hearing aid dog training.  "We are looking for dogs about beagle or cocker-spaniel-sized," Ms Ziembicki said.  "You (Tasmania) seem to have more of the smaller breeds in your dogs' homes.  "You just can't find them much here."

My old foster dog Kimmie (here, here and here) was in The Advocate today.  I stole the same online article above from the Devonport Times.  It looks like little Kimmie is doing really well, darling little thing.  Love the photo (that's Kimmie on the left).

Dogs of the Week

It was a gorgeous day in Devonport today and perfect for walking dogs.  There were 2 puppies together in an outside cage and I couldn't stay away from them they were so adorable, so they will be my dogs of the week.  Jasmine and Violet are only 10 weeks old and they're  very friendly  and play well together.  They look cute as buttons asleep on their bed curled up together and they pop their little heads up when you walk past.  Jasmine has very nice colouring and Violet is an unusual grey colour.

Jasmine and Violet

Tiby was still there, playing in the yard with some small friends, and so was Deena, who was VERY excited to go for a walk.  I found out that long term resident Montali and Bluey have been transferred to the Hobart pound, so here's hoping the perfect owners finds them there.   Roy found a new home on the mainland, so he was flown out.  It really is nice to get good news before I leave.

Bluey, Deena, Montali, Roy and Tiby

Cute Stuff

Because sometimes I need some cuteness to look at:

Dog of the Week

Tibby is a lovely little dog, despite being a tad bossy.  She's 12 and reminds me of a guinea pig with her round body and short legs.  She's easy on a lead and loves a scratch round the ears. 

The Arboretum

I hadn't been out to the Arboretum for many years, but yesterday I finally visited it again, and it was beautiful.  The weather was just perfect, there were lovely walks to take, and they even allow dogs on leads.  The volunteers out there do a really good job:

Easiest Thing Ever

I've been using an ugly mouse pad for so long I didn't notice it any more.  So I re-covered it with a piece of fabric by vliesofixing it down with an iron.  It took 5 minutes and I kind of like the feel of the fabric.  Done!

Be Kind To Animals Week

http://www.animalsaustralia.org/events/

It's a bit like preaching to the converted with this one (bloggers already being lovely kind people anyway), but hey.  

Sewing

Not a lot of sewing going on around here, but did manage a couple of toy bags with windows as a gift.  BTW, it's a gorgeous day in Devonport today.  Lord knows why I'm inside on the puter!