Rage Syndrome

This weekend we had the unenviable task of having to euthanase a young dog that had shown considerable aggression to members of the family.
Following this and having just read views on castration at www.dolittler.com it set me thinking about aggression and more specifically rage syndrome.
Does rage syndrome actually exist or is it just a form of dominance agression.
This particular dog was female , showed unpredictable but highly aggressive outbursts and the owner commented that her eyes seemed to change colour, interesting point when you check out the description here http://www.cockerspanielrage.org.uk/index.htm

rescue dogs

There are many unwanted dogs in the UK and many rescue charities trying to make some sort of a dent in those numbers.
To further those aims a new website has been set up. Check it out if you are thinking of giving a home to a rescue dog

www.dogsblog.com

Aaaaagh Toothache

Not that I would think anyone actually likes toothache but boy oh boy do I positively hate toothache . At least the paracetemol is kicking in quite well and it will give me the push to get over my dental phobia.

I often wonder just how much dental pain cats and dogs actually suffer from when their teeth start to decay. It is likely that they do suffer toothache but as per most situations they seem to cope with the pain considerably better than us humans do .. well this human in particular anyway !!

A good place to learn about cat and dog dental problems
http://www.dentalvet.com/Default2.htm

who needs catnip to relax !!

New Year , New Start

Not quite sure where last night went as at 10.00am I still find myself sitting at the computer. Whilst I would now expect to feel half dead ; since as per most people over this new year period I have found myself recovering from a whole myriad of coughs,colds,sore throats etc; my energy levels appear to be finally getting back to normal and I feel fine . Long may that continue as this year at work I think I'm going to need lots of energy.

So with those energy levels high this seemed a good time to get my ramblings up and running.

So for starters . What is it with catnip and cats? I was bought a catnip toy as a present for christmas. Strange you may feel as catnip generally has little effect on people and I really have no desire to start sniffing cat toys. One assumes that the "vet" cat toy was relevant though I personally think I have more hair and can't ever remember wearing pink shoes.
Our cats love it ... rolling over , rubbing against it, kicking it , biting it .. I wonder how it really makes them feel?

Why is it that one of our dogs seems able to sniff out the smallest amount of chocolate in the house . Two years running now my christmas chocolate orange has come to an abrupt end and not to my satisfaction. Both times I have had the worry about the dangers of dogs ingesting amounts of chocolate , whilst she sits there without a care in the world but with a stomach full of chocolate orange.

Yesterday a female owner asked about dog castration but had worries about the surgery as she felt guilty putting the dog through such an op. ( though I have experienced the complete opposite where owners almost delight in getting them chopped off )
Have you ever had to put your pet through an op but felt guily about it ? Tell me why