Ever wondered what it’s like to live with an Airedale, Persian, Rag Doll or Zuchon? How about a shelter or stray cat? A special needs or designer dog? Ever wondered if you could survive a crisis with your pet — or what to watch for to prevent one? Miss T gives you the word from the trenches with the world’s best cat and dog column: “Four Paws and Me”.

Never thought of dogsonline.com.au as an internet relationship site? Well, four years ago it brought Oska, the firey West Highland Terrier and Alex Ross together at last. They’ve been head over heels ever since - and together they survived a terrible run-in with rat poison!

What do you get up to in your life?
Looking after this one! (chuckles and nods to Oska sitting at her feet). I run the Ginger Bar in Brunswick St and enjoy a great social life. I hop on my bike and head out to the bars. It’s great because I can claim that I’m just doing my homework!

When and where did you first meet Oska?
When I first took my flat mate out to meet Oska at her breeders, she was just six weeks old. It was love at first sight. It was another two weeks before I could take her home with me. It was the longest two weeks of my life!

It was amazing actually. When I went back to pick her up, she sat really quietly on my lap, facing me. And then she very gently put her nose on my mouth and just pushed it. It was as if she was saying, “Hey, it’s cool. I like you!” Dogs are great aren’t they? (smiles) Interestingly, the last dog we had before Oska did a very similar thing when we first met. People seem to have this instinct, don’t they, on how to pick their dog?

And why did you pick Oska out of the litter?
There were two other little girls there and, to be honest, Oska was the prettiest! She had the most beautiful coat. She’d had a hernia, which meant she couldn’t be used for breeding and I said to the breeder, “I can’t promise to be the best dog owner ever, but I can promise I’ll be her best friend.” And then the breeder called me and said, “I’ve thought about you guys, and I think you’re supposed to be together.”

Why did you decide that it was time to have a pet in your life? Was there a catalyst?
I’ve always loved dogs and three months before I got Oska, our Schnauzer Ludi, who was living with mum, died. Although she lived with mum, I’d have her for one night a week. Then, suddenly at 13, she just died. Schnauzers tend to go very quickly. It’s like they’re a puppy one week and a very old dog the next.

I don’t make many decisions lightly, so I thought hard about what kind of dog would suit and because I’m so busy, I actually did a lot of my research on the internet with www.dogzonline.com.au. It helped me fast track a lot of the research and it was dead easy to use.

Since then I’ve been looking for a little brother or sister for Oska and I’ve visited the site again.

Why choose a West Highland Terrier?
Well, normally I’m a large dog breed person, but because of my house and my lifestyle, I figured that it would be best if I had a small dog. Initially I was considering a Cairn terrier and not long after, I met this little Westie called Max. I fell in love. I never wanted a white fluffy dog but she’s not really a white fluffy. She’s got a bit of spark, you know? She’s independent, willful and very intelligent! But I’m going to get a Cairn terrier this time around. A black one so that I can have one white dog and one black dog!

When do you think you’ll get the second one?
Probably around October. I’ve been advised that it’s best to get a boy dog with a girl. Apparently two gals living together can be trouble. It’ll be strange to have a boy around; I’ve always had girl dogs in my life.

What’s been the most difficult time you’ve had to go through with Oska?
It was like she was suicidal for the first four months! Honestly. First up we were at a friend’s place on the first floor and the window was open. I turned around and saw her standing very close to the window ledge. I looked at her and said, “You stay there!” And she looked at me as if to say, “Ok mum. Sure thing.” The next thing, I turn back and she’s standing on the ledge! I couldn’t believe it! I went up to her very, very carefully and then grabbed her by the skin on her neck. I got to her just in time.

Then, a few weeks later, I was upstairs in my office. Because I work in the food industry, we have lots of health controls, one of them being rat baits. Anyway, of course I puppy proofed my office within an inch of its life; put up all kinds of barriers surrounding the areas where the rat baits were. But someone had come up and moved one of the barriers when I wasn’t there right? So I’m working at my desk and the next thing I know, Oska’s dropped an empty rat bait on my foot and is standing there looking at me, pleased as punch. I ran down as fast as I could and told the staff I had to get the vet’s straight away. They induced vomit after vomit until she didn’t want to vomit anymore. Then they gave her this kind of drop to put in her eye and it induced more vomiting. Oh, it was awful! We had to give her Vitamin K for weeks after and the vets said that I had to be doubly careful around her and rat baits now that she’d gotten a taste for them. I guess if it’s attractive to rats it’s also going to be attractive to dogs. God, it scared me so much and still does. It really makes me think how frightening it must be for parents and their kids.

What do you most love about Oska?

Boy, that’s a hard one! Just everything! It sounds corny but I fall in love with her more and more and more everyday. I get all gooey around her. I love the fact she’s so feisty. She’s a big dog in a small body. She’s not afraid of anyone or anything. She’s happy to try and do anything. I love that.

How would you describe Oska’s personality?
Wilful, feisty, independent and yet sooo loving! Of course, all those traits have their pros and cons, but I hate berating her. I hate people seeing her as a white fluffy toy dog. Other people might think that I spoil her, but given the fact that I work late and work long hours, there are a lot of times when she has to sit at the office while I work and get cuddles on the couch in front of the tele rather than having a big run.

From your own personal experience, what advice would you give to anyone with a pet like yours?
Establish yourself as the alpha in the pack straight away. Once they know you’re boss, they won’t try to push it. My housemates think that she can be a real little miss, but that’s because they don’t use the tools I give them to keep her in line. She automatically assumes that she’s the top dog with them.

She’s never gone to puppy school, but when we get the new dog, I figure that they can go together.

What’s her favourite activity?
Going to the park, beach, river. Anywhere with grass where she can roll about happily.

What’s been your “best find” for you and your pet?
Oska’s allergic to red meat, she gets itchy on her legs, and I was giving her kangaroo because I thought it was really good for her with all of the iron and protein in it. But it was having a bad effect on her. Smelly farts too! So now I give her something I found at the local pet shop which is called Eagle Pack Dog Food She has chicken or turkey and it’s a dry food.

I also LOVE her oatmeal shampoo, It’s so good for her

Alex Ross opened one of Melbourne’s first cocktail bars with her mum six years ago. Last year, Ginger Bar was voted as one of the best bars in the world by Bartender Magazine Australia. It’s a passion, a love and something that they’re hugely proud of.

A Bit About Rat Poisoning
Dave and I went to the movies to watch Rataoullie last night. Never having been comfortable with the idea of rat poison before the movie, I’m even less flexible now.

Cute little rats with shiny pink noses, who can cook — let ‘em live to achieve their personal best I say!

Seriously though,

What is Rat Poison?

Rat poison is an anticoagulant that attacks the blood, not the stomach. The poison thins the blood and destroys its clotting ability. The animals drown in their own sticky red stuff. Not nice, even for rats.

How will I know if my pets been poisoned?Not every dog or cat owner is lucky enough to have a rat bait dropped at their feet by the animal that ate it. Lucky because it can actually take several days after the poison has been eaten for symptoms to show. Generally, a poisoned pet will look weak and pale with bleeding not always appearing externally.

If bleeding does appear, you might see bleeding from the gums, nose, or bum. Coughing is another sign something is wrong and what seems like a mild cough can be life-threatening in just over 24 hours.

Sometimes bloody urine or poo is evident or the pet might suffer a nosebleed.

Because certain bait pellets used in the mouse/rat poisons are neon or blue green, they can turn a dog’s poo to be the same bright green.

Increased Resistance

Because rodents are becoming increasingly poison resistant, pest control companies are using more and more potent poisons to counteract it. And to be sure they entice the pests into the traps, the poison is hidden inside attractants like molasses, brown sugar and peanut butter. These attractants certainly have the power to attract pets as well.

Secondary Poisoning

Since the poisons are so potent, another danger to our pets is that if they eat a dead animal that has been killed from rat poison, then they will also be poisoned. A real threat to our native wildlife too (owls hunt mice as prey).

Act Quick

There is some good news for pets in all of this. If the poisoning is caught in its tracks, the survival rate is high if they get immediate treatment. A blood test is available that accurately detects exposure to rat poison and there is an antidote that can be given in the form of an injection. The dog can be saved and make a full recovery quite quickly.

Ongoing Treatment

Treatment involves an injection of vitamin K (Konakion) to help clot the blood – with a follow up treatment of antidote pills twice a day for around three weeks.

Prevention is better than a cure

• Never transfer toxic products into jars or bowls from which pets can drink.
• Some mouse and insect killing products use peanut butter as an attractant. The peanut butter is also attractive to dogs. If you have to use these rat poisons, place them in areas that are inaccessible to your companion animals.
• If you are uncertain about the proper usage of any product, contact the manufacturer and/or your veterinarian for instructions.
• Have the phone number of your veterinarian and the emergency vet numberIf you think that your pet may have ingested poison of any type, immediately contact your local poison control center for help. Keep your pet warm and quiet, and try to determine what the poison was, when it was ingested, and the amount ingested. Have the label with you when you call the poison centre or visit your veterinarian.