Doug Tait

Having fostered for behavioural, socialisation or medical reasons, maybe 18 'problem' dogs over the years, some for weeks and some for years/to the end of their life, it surprised me how many are wrongly labeled a problem. As David says, there are lots that just aren't suited to live in kennels, they are trained though and don't have the classic behavioral issues. The problem is, if the Rescue Centre assessment says they can't be handled by staff in the kennels for whatever reason then they're automatically deemed a problem dog, and they're not able to rehome a problem dog or have the resources to work with them. Of all the dogs that have passed through my pack, every one was successfully rehomed (apart from the 3 I fell for completely so much I adopted them myself!). Santi was a foster dog that I kept. Real problem dog apparently, by around 5 yr old he'd been given up by his owners as they had children and he'd gone to 4 different families through the Centre and they all dumped him back there unable to cope such were the extent of his behavioural problems. To me, he's the perfect dog and I did no training with him, only building trust and his confidence in me. Never need a lead, good with stock, travels anywhere on bus, train, ferry, truck or tractor. His only issue is howling when he's alone, and that is a result of his experience with previous owners. This is him not long after he arrived, with 2 other dogs I had fostered at the time, Ted the Collie (a real head turner, and Ginty the mongrel, but neither had a problem in my opinion. Ted was a mess having lived in an angry, emotional setting and just needed to trust again. Ginty was 3x too heavy and had never left his garden before owner went to a care home. Absolutely fantastic dogs, tear in my eye now thinking of what they gave me. It's not the dogs that have issues, it's the people.

That's what I woke up thinking too Ratman. I've fostered problem dogs for a local rescue charity and there's a lot of dogs looking for a home that may be suitable for your Dad to look after and be great company for you both. I've currently got a holidaymaker in my pack. A former athlete that belongs to an 80yr old who manages the dog fine. He's great company, very chilled and wouldn't need much effort from your Dad

It's not a conspiracy. Everyone seems to agree that if you stop throwing knives at the tree it'll be fine, and you have already done that (I've been reading). It looks like the tree will be fine, you're doing everything that you can.

Does feel strange when there are none around you. Agree though, it's too long to leave them alone for, especially with a "new" dog

Love that, you know they're content with things when they're dream hunting.

One more question Steve, what's an SEO expert?

It is a bit wordy, and why are the phone numbers 5555555555 or 9999999999?

I did think moving chicken huts is a bit beneath her, but it's great she's still doing work at her age.

Tarps here too, roll the tarp up when finished like a sausage roll, makes for a quicker tidy up

@roboted @HuntingHicap I have some connections with the farm that Wendy currently resides on and have made enquiries. She's a 1955 AEC Militant, six-wheel drive former military with a 40 tonne winch. Some more of her recovering a combine here... PICTURE STORY: Military winch makes light work of combine recovery - Farmers Weekly WWW.FWI.CO.UK When a combine gets this stuck, how are you going to get it out...

I have no idea, but I'd think some members here will know. I didn't get to ask many questions and only just persuaded them about taking a pic. If anyone knows anything about Wendy though, do tell.

Dropped a winch off at the engineers today and met a very special lady, the understated yet strong and capable type. She works mainly moving chicken sheds around but has a sideline in tractor/combine harvester recovery. I wasn't meant to be in the workshop really so I stole a quick couple of pics and said au revoir. Meet Wendy And a lovely backside!

Does moisturising help?

On the news they said the neighbour had enough of the bird noise from the tree.

A nice little job it was. 50% reduction, short drag to the chipper, just half hour work on the way home. That'll show those pesky birds for sitting in it singing!

Thanks for that eggs, your Aries has served me well

There's been a theme of hanging up the long distance walking boots recently. Working near the Border Hotel at the Scots end of the Pennine Way. Had lunch (not a pub lunch, was sat in my 'staff room' known as the farmi chipper hopper) opposite this old plough where folk hang their boots after completing the final leg Then at a different job the owner had been a big walker. The driveway was lined each side with walking boots planted with sedum, and a nice chainsaw sculpture present from his kids

I'll need to check my birth certificate now, always thought I was Sagittarius but it seems not...

The few bigger guys I've seen climb seem to manage, not so light at branch tips but have a better time using bigger saws on spikes. I think technique has more influence than weight, and big impressive muscles gained in the gym look the part but may be more of a hinderance.

Cheers Gary, if that does the trick I might just make it back in the good books!

Bin there, done that: Scotland fans clean up litter in central London | Scotland | The Guardian WWW.THEGUARDIAN.COM Kilt-wearing fans helped tidy up Leicester Square, where many... The Tartan army doing more litter picking than trouble making, their parents will be proud.

I've got one foot on the naughty step today. Had the dogs through a wood and then hunting at a wood pile. As you can see much fun was had, but Wee Poppes got muddy and worse still, her paws are caked in sap. Anyone have a suggestion for removing sap? I vaguely remember reading here somewhere that mayonnaise works, or was it butter, or tomato sauce, or maybe it was red wine...

And I'm not surprised at all that you did it with a chainsaw, that's exactly how it looks!

Didn't mean to dis your baby mower shed Tippin, looks good. Just wondering though, could you not have pushed the handle down an inch to fit it in?

For some reason the check taken out of the frame to allow the mower handle to actually fit in really amuses me, laughing enough now the dog's giving me strange looks