Thursday 30 October 2008

Videos - only the best

Check out our new video channel on this blog. We'll show you only the best pet videos available - and a few special non-pet ones as well. Members are welcome to submit YOUR videos to be published. We know you all secretly (or not so) take pictures of your dogs and cats often!

We start off with the story of a woman whose full life with her children and grandchildren took an unexpected turn in her 70's - and no surprises here, it's because of the love of a dog.

Following is a touching reminder of our shared humanity shot entirely on a mobile phone in New York and Sydney - A Tropfest winner.

Tuesday 28 October 2008

Ponder on these imponderables

Sent in from a member of Barking Mad - obviously thinking the way we do!

  1. If people from Poland are called Poles, why aren't people from Holland called Holes?
  2. If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?
  3. If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?
  4. Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?
  5. Why is a person who plays the piano called a pianist but a person who drives a racing car not called a racist?
  6. Why are a wise man and a wise guy opposites?
  7. Why do overlook and oversee mean opposite things?
  8. 'I am' is reportedly the shortest sentence in the English language. Is 'I do' the longest?
  9. If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn't it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys deranged, models deposed, tree surgeons debarked, and dry cleaners depressed?
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  10. What hair colour do they put on the driver's licences of bald men?
  11. Why isn't the number 11 pronounced onety one?
  12. Why do they put pictures of criminals up in the Post Office? What are we supposed to do, write to them? Why don't they just put their pictures on the postage stamps so the posties can look for them while they deliver the mail?
  13. You never really learn to swear until you learn to drive.
  14. No one ever says, 'It's only a game' when their team is winning.
  15. Ever wonder about those people who spend $4 on a little bottles of Evian water? Try spelling Evian backwards: NAIVE.
  16. Isn't making a smoking section in a restaurant like making a peeing section in a swimming pool?
  17. Why if you send something by road it is called a shipment, but when you send it by sea it is called cargo?

Monday 27 October 2008

National Disability Strategy

Have your say about the National Disability Strategy Submissions must be received by Monday 1 December 2008.Dogs, and pets in general, are extremely useful in dealing with the majority of disabilities. Remember that one in five Australians has a disability, and that 88% of these are invisible!

We have an appalling legal situation in regards to Assistance Animals. Although we have excellent Federal legislation, and court cases to support self-trained assistance animals, we have State Laws that DO NOT acknowledge these animals. For example, in NSW a dog trained to assist a person with an invisible disability (such as diabetes, epilepsy, phobia etc) simply CAN NOT be registered as an assistance animal. Help us help dogs help people. You can make your own submission, or send your views to Barking Mad and I will include them in our submission.

Thursday 23 October 2008

Snorkeller dies between flags and your BBQ

A man has died while snorkelling between the flags in shallow water at a patrolled beach near Cairns. "He was swimming between the flags on the public beach on Green Island, which is a well-populated patrolled area with a lifeguard on duty." No less than four tourists have died in the waters off the island in the past three years.

Barking Mad asks, why not ban swimming - it can kill. We ban dogs, also accused of killing.

Swimming and dogs provide an undisputed benefit to our society.
Why then, does one death from a dog (prov0ked by the victim) result in a virtual ban on hunting dogs that protect the pastures required so we can have our steaks, BBQ snags and lamb roasts?
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Barking Mad: While I grieve for the family and try to comprehend their loss (I lost a sister to cancer at age 30 and several friends to 'early' deaths), the fact that this story has received virtually NO media coverage and NO legislative changes bothers me. PLEASE read this with a view to the bigger picture and not the individual suffering to those immediately involved. Sudden and unexpected death is becoming socially unacceptable in our medical-miracle society despite the fact that death is the only certainly in our lives.

  • In NSW, we had one 'tragic' death of a child that could be blamed on DOGS (not DocS), and it was. Even though in the subsequent inquiry it was found that 20, YES TWENTY risk of harm reports were received at the DoCS helpline concerning domestic violence, alcohol and drug use in the family of the child involved in the incident blamed on DOGS.
Before the facts were determined, legislation was brought in so that any dog that caused a person to feel afraid could be declared 'dangerous'; guilty before proven. It was a haven for dog-haters; don't like your neighbours dog - call your local council and say you felt fear - your identity would be protected and the dog would be guilty before proven. The proof may come out a year and $30,000 later, but in the interim pooch (if not put down) would be living on a 10M x 10M concrete slab with 2M high fences.
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YOUR BBQ & YOUR LAMB ROAST: How eating beef and pork contributes to animal cruelty.
  1. The coroner has recommended enforcement of the dangerous dog provisions for hunting dogs.
  2. Cattle and sheep are grazing animals for the majority of their life.
  3. Feral pigs "are a problem in NSW, QLD and NT. Impacts include pasture damage, water fouling, disease spread and the huge costs of control. Lamb losses of 15% to pigs is common, and can be up to 38%." Factsheet.
  4. On the ground hunting with pig dogs is an effective control method.
  5. But hunting dogs must now be de-sexed, muzzled and kept in an enclosure with a concrete floor.
  6. Just like any other working dog, you want to breed from your best. But if they have to be de-sexed before they even start working - how will this work?

Sunday 19 October 2008

Swim Between the Flags

As Sydney swelters in 30 degree summer weather, and residents with dogs spend time 'illegally' at beaches, up here on the Central Coast - our flagged area was in the DOG BEACH. What joy! At last though, we have an elected Council in Warringah willing to consider dog owing rate payers' needs.

Monday 13 October 2008

Dogs on! Sydney Northern Beaches - 2nd post




You can download our briefing document to Warringah here and one page summary here. You are welcome to attend the meeting. Wear red. Need more info? Call, don't email and see previous post. Thanks.

Saturday 11 October 2008

Dogs on! Sydney Northern Beaches

OUR ELECTION LOBBYING IS PAYING OFF:
COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY, 14th October. Notice of Motion No 5/2008

Equitable Access to Community Space for Unleashed Dog Walking and to Beaches for Swimming, Submitted by: Cr Vincent De Luca OAM

That this Council resolves to:

  • Note that 42% of Warringah’s residents own a dog.
  • Note that currently there are no swimming areas available for dogs in the Warringah Council area.
  • That Council officers conduct public consultation with Barking Mad Australia and members of the community as to options for unleashed dog walking and access to beaches for dog swimming and furnish a report to Council within three months regarding results of public consultation and options available.
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT: (Must include full name and address to count).

CLICK TO SEND your support to Barking Mad
CLICK TO SEND an email to The Mayor

Barking Mad is ready with a consultation plan and questions, the beach areas we want and the case-law to take away any doubt that Warringah Council has the legislative instrument & imperative to make this happen without the approval of 13 other State agencies.

BARKING MAD is funded by responsible pet owners and carers. If you support what we do for you, please MAKE A DONATION.

Wednesday 1 October 2008

Sydney Harbour Picnic: Salty Dogs Day Out

Doggie Play Picnic & Info Day

Harbourside - Under the Suspension Bridge

Sunday, 23rd November 2008
11am – 2pm All invited.

Information about Barking Mad will be available.

RSVP to Kate, (requested but not required).

Mortlock Reserve Tunks Park, Cammeray
For you, your family, friends & pets

How would you feel if you planned a day out with the kids at the park and decide to take the dog too; then you get there to only find a NO DOGS ALLOWED sign?

Come along and show your support for a fair share of public spaces including transport, beaches, parks and accommodation. Gold coin donation for a hot dog & drink.

Our event is in Dog Friendly North Sydney Council. Dogs may be exercised off-leash in all North Sydney Council parks and public reserves, with a few exceptions.

Many thanks to Alan of Walk Syndey Streets fame for this image of the Cammeray Suspension Bridge