Had the Campbell Town show down here the weekend. They have a Tasmanian Smithfield show every year but this year made it for working dogs only. Thats fair enough. But a comment on FB about ’ good working dogs, not pets’ seemed a bit elitist to me. I’ve got 2, both rescue dogs, no sheep or cattle so they’re both pets. Absolutely brilliant dogs. Got the first one as pup from a rescue centre and no one knew what breed, if any , he was. Scruffy, muttley looking dog to take the place of our loved German Shepherd. After finding out he was a Smithy, wife joins the FB page. Comes across an old girl who’s owner has been put in a home with dementia and his son can’t keep her. No takers and its the needle. We take her, she’s cost us a few bob for various bits of work but she still eats, plays, sleeps and poops. She’s a pet!!
Shame she can’t be the oldest, one eared smithy at any show!!
Are you sure the alpacas won’t bother her ? Sheep farmers often keep a pair of alpacas to protect their flock against marauding dogs.
They haven’t so far, and she’s gotten in there more times than I can easily count. The first time she managed it, she had a bit of fun chasing them around while I tore after her roaring. Since then, she’s not real interested in them, her bigger priority has been to get to the front gate so she can try to follow me wherever I’ve gone.
The alpacas certainly haven’t bothered her. The other way round if anything. I reckon they’d beat up any fox you care to name, but she’s a big girl and might be a bit of a daunting prospect for them.
Have you thought about getting her a friend?
(We may well have had this conversation before - I’ve mentioned it to someone previously?? We had an absolute escape artist also so as a last resort (after trying all sorts of fencing modifications high & low) we got another dog - a puppy. He growled at the new pup initially (which was a little distressing) but after a week they were best friends and he never tried to escape again. Happy ending)
An Australian Working dog. They start 'em young.
The speed at which that 13cm pork rib bone disappeared reminded me of a Tippa chase-down.
Only 15 weeks and he’s due for surgery this morning the poor little fella. Thank god for pet insurance, has just paid itself for the next few years.
Hate seeing them with a cone
Me too but its either that or they fish out his IV with the bone during surgery.
Hope all goes well with the surgery. The pet insurance we got Rocky paid for itself for about 10 years with the surgery’s Rocky had over his first couple of years. So glad we got it.
Everytime I go out without fail Rocky is waiting for me to come home at the front window. Even if I park the car a few houses up the road and sneak up he is still there. He loves sitting there watching the world go by.
Hope it’s all gone well for him. Yep, they can certainly vacuum things down the hatch.
Let us know how he’s going afterwards.
Please keep us informed on how the surgery went and how his progress is going in a few days.
They know the sound of your car.
Thanks for all the well wishes everyone, Pumba is going well and home with me watching the win tonight. Vet said it was the quickest gastroabdominal surgery he’s performed, simple fix and Pumba bounced back incredibly well. The little fella will make a full recovery in a couple of weeks.
Going to be a long couple of weeks with this collar on. Hard to watch.
Good to hear. Rocky had the same sort of surgery when he was around 4 months I think. He made a pretty quick recovery. He’s a handsome looking boy. Hardest part with the cone on the head is Rocky couldn’t get through the doggy door and even trying to walk through doorways was bouncing off them.
Good to hear he made a full recovery! I know what you mean with the doggy door, Pumba has clumsily tried to get out the doggy door with no success a few times. Lucky I WFH.
Ha yeah he’s been a hit with the vet nurses at the clinic. Between this and the eye infection he got from eating the chicken poo they’ve seen far too much of him lately.
Great news @WesternDon . Thanks for letting us know.
A very good looking boy with a beautiful gentle face.
Hopefully that’s the end of your vet visits for a long time.
I posted this in the VFL thread, but will post it here too.
Heard Redman on Grandstand yesterday saying he couldn’t get to the VFL match as his dog had an op and had to pick him from the vets and had to look after him. 
Good man Mason. Hope your dog pulled up OK.