Kate McCullagh

I am in dog rescue. I have a lot of experience with dogs, and I know there are a lot of reasons for desexing female that lessen vet visits, such as pyometra, ovarian or uterine cancer, even some breast cancers. I also know that whilst your dog may be exceptonal, breeding a litter of pups from it, does not guarantee anything.

I asked this because I have read a few threads here where people are asking for small dog breeds to act as livestock guardians, because they can't afford to feed a large dog. I guess that means vet care needed means a bullet? Also, throughout, people discussing getting a dog, for a reason, and then saying they intend to breed from it for extra money.

I had to stop reading, and I wondered if this was a view held by the majority, as if so, I'd prefer to leave. I don't find the Korea 'joke' even in the same continent as funny, on a personal level. Thanks, Scott for lifting my spirits just a little.

I'd be interested to know what MIXED breeds are not suitable as companions. I think that remark is based on a lack of experience with dogs. To start with, every mixed breed can have a HUGE variance, even in a litter. secondly, every individual owner has a different wants list from their companion, so the sweeping statement that MIXED breeds may not be suitable as companions seems to have a logic plucked out of the air.

If not, why?

For comfort, I have a bucket, set up under a disability lavatory seat, and I either empty it as is, or add about 5 X water. Citrus trees love wee. I also add it to compost. I'm not wasting water on unnecessary flushes. If you have visitors that day, maybe put some sand in the bucket, then put in compost? Or tip sheep manure in, enough to soak up the urine, then tip out and rinse at the end of the day, for the night ahead. Maybe get a bucket with a lid, to empty, with visitors and ask them to fetch something, when you want to pour out. If you bury a pipe, 3 to 6 " wide, 4' down, every time you plant a tree, you can pour wee down the hole, to feed the tree. BUT please put an empty tin can over pipe, at top, to ensure nothing goes/falls down and also, to prevent evaporation. If you do a 6 to 12 inch pipe, you can put kitchen scraps, dog poo, etc down the hole, and if you watch it over months, you will know how often you can put more in, to be eaten by worms. I usually put about a foot of fill in, and a bucket of water, to help the worms. I try to remember to pour a bucket down the compost pipes, once a week. If I could, it would be every 2nd day. Use an old bucket, with a crack, or with broken handle, to put over the top.

I can't help thinking that tipping dry sheep poo, and maybe sawdust, and leaves, would soak up wee, but even so, you have to mix it and get air into it, or it will be really rank. I think just sitting in a bin, you'd be better off emptying it atleast once a week.

You can enquire at local rescues, send overseas, find locals who could use them, on facebook, etc

I lay sheets of corrogated iron over weeds, and places I want clear of long grass, along paths. Or fence lines, or around sheds. Leave for 1. 2. 3 months. DO lift carefully, tho, remembering there may be a rare snake sheltering. I find they are as gobsmacked as me. I apologise and gently replace what I've lifted, and leave it However, that hasn't happened with sheet tin, but when I went to move an old unused kennel. If need be, put rocks on top of tin, to flatten. I have about 20. Every month or two, I move one, to flatten opposite side, or cover other weeds. I always check for little lizards, and I always try to rescue worms, because I love them so, anything exciting, but there are always slaters, etc and the magpies and chooks have learnt to come over when I call.

I think it is a form of crinum. One looked pretty close, but sadly, wasn't identified as any particular crinum. Big Thank you.

https://yourclimatechange.org/

Thanks. Will do when I finish here. (wrote on leg with texta, so I don't forget).

Other thing to keep in mind, which I do, and discovered JF does as well, my equivalent of a Papal Blessing, is throw yummy fruit of all kinds, seeds, after eating, into nice soil, in a quiet place, and let them come up, and then plant out. INCLUDING, if you are establishing a new garden, tossing them in an area where you would welcome the tree, if it grows. Tip a bucket of mixed sand and manure over it, and cross your fingers. (I have to do this, or the possoms eat it). Some produce disappointing fruit, some produce jewels, but there is NEVER waste in a natural garden. If you are doing things right, there will always be native birds and mammals happy to take anything you don't want. Often, the seeds you are desperate to germinate, don't, but sometimes you get mysterious occurrances, as one off fruits, and it can be very exciting.

As well, with fruit that are floury, etc, whilst they are still a great feed for natives, you can always graft branches of loved fruit to the lower branches. Usually those seeds that flourish are great rootstock, that are coping with your conditions.

Unless a serious weed effecting local natives, NO tree that struggles to life should die, if you have space, and if you don't, give to someone else.