IS there always these many questions about housebreaking issues? :eek:
And is it just me or is there a lot of people who would rather ask online then take their dog to a vet in regards to blood in the stool or urine?
To me that seems like a major issue... :confused:

It'snot just you - there are a LOT of people who have dogs with very serious issues (such as blood in their stool for the past week) who have plenty of time to get on line and ask a question but no time to call a Vet.

That also leads me to believe that money is an issue - in which case I question whether they are otherwise taking care of their pet - OR they simply don't have any understanding of health issues.

So, no, it's not you!

I said it once, I'll say it again...
If you don't have the money for a pet then maybe you shouldn't own one...
I would love to have a Cadillac, can I afford one? NO! Can I afford the insurance? NO! Could I afford the upkeep it takes to keep it running smoothly? Probably not! There for I do not own a cadillac! :P

It's not you... visit the HUMAN health boards! I wish I made a nickel for every person who thinks they can get a diagnosis over the internet. I wouldn't have to work night shift!

LOL. You shoud open an online doctor's office :P

LOL. You shoud open an online doctor's office :P

If I were a doctor... hey, that's a thought :D.. nah, I'm too old to go back to medical school. :p

You're never too old!

You're never too old!

Yeah, I'm too old... 45 and in medical school just doesn't work.

45 is the new 25. And you are now in the prime of your life!

Eck... no it's not just you, I get rather tired of the blantantly obvious 'take it to the vet' questions.

Some days I do feel a bit guilty because I type out a harsh response, but after seeing countless posts on the same thing I tend to lose my cool a bit!
Like the post where someone's dog had just had a puppy... yeah sure I could have sat here for an hour and typed out what she needed to do but I knew of a great site so I just cut and pasted the link.
There was a simple solution to that problem, and I know I say spay spay spay neuter neuter neuter but it's the truth.

It's not you....visit the HUMAN health boards!! I wish I made a nickle for every person who thinks they can get a diagnosis over the internet. I wouldn't have to work night shift!


And then there's the whole category of people who post on the human board that their dog has blood in its poop - ?

OMG I know, I was like wow I can't believe how stuned that question was! I hated it! I couldn't believe how well you kept your cool. I really wanted to flick her forehead!

On another note, there is a client in the office right now, talking about how he just spent $900 on a LABRADOODLE!!

Labradoodles are worth around $100-$200 depending on the shelter ;)

I said something along that line. I said oh they have cross breeds like that all the time at the S.P.C.A, the price for an adult dog is only $100! And they come spayed/neutered, vet checked etc etc. He just looked at me. Oh well, maybe he will think about that later.
I wonder what funky name they would come up with for a staffy boxer mix?
I like Stoxer, sounds.. rich...

Stoxer... sounds like a posh alcoholic drink :D

Boffy, that's what I'd call it. :)

I wonder what funky name they would come up with for a staffy boxer mix?
I like Stoxer, sounds.. rich...

Bullboxer sounds like a prize fighter. :)

Bullboxer Staffy Bull Information and Pictures, Bullboxer Staffy Bullys, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Boxer Hybrid (http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/b/bullboxerstaffybull.htm)

Hehe I like them all.
Boffy sounds like something you would call a white mini poodle :)

Hehe I like them all.
Boffy sounds like something you would call a white mini poodle :)

That would be "Bitsy". ;)

Sometimes small towns don't have a vet, so they have no choice but to at least seek help online.,. Some people have to travel three hours to the nearest vet... why do you care anyway. Its not you or your animals, so why even let it bother you?

sometimes small towns dont have a vet, so they have no choice but to atleast seek help online.,. some people have to travel three hours to the nearest vet.... why do you care anyways. its not you or your animals, so why even let it bother you?

Because we're the ones that deal with the questions and know that the only solution is to go to a vet.

I would travel three hours to ensure the health of my pet. I'd travel further then that.

When you adopt an animal, you make a commitment to that animal. It's a living, breathing, feeling being. To deny your animal the care it needs is abuse. Would you deny a child medical care? Of course not!

If you can't afford a vet, don't get a pet!

I care because it emotionally drains me when I see stupid questions, that regardless if I lived 3 hours away from a local vet (hard to beleive), I would make that trip. I treat my animals like my kids. If your child/loved one was bleeding from it's anus, would you seek medical help or Google it to guess at the best answer?
I care because people who live 3 hours away from a vet should understand that there may come a time when their animal needs emergency medical treatment, not even emergency, but just plain medical treatment.
I care because I have a heart, and it worries me to think of the way these animals are treated.
I care because every week when I go to the local shelter to volunteer my time, I ALWAYS see new additions, and they almost always have some sad pathetic excuse pined to the leash their "owners" used to tie them to the doors, saying how, "oh poor muffy, best dog we ever owned, my son has allergies, I can't afford to take him to the vet, he has been bleeding from the bum for months now, and now he wont use the potty out side, and we just had our carpets cleaned, or he got too big, we wanted a small lap dog we could carry around, and now she doesnt fit out life styles".
I care because ignorance is no excuse, and maybe, just maybe if these people live that far away from a vet, they should get a fish!
Seeking guidance in issues like training, opinions, fine, but would you seek medical advice online for an issue you had?

Because we're the ones that deal with the questions and know that the only solution is to go to a vet.

I would travel three hours to ensure the health of my pet. I'd travel further then that.

When you adopt an animal, you make a commitment to that animal. It's a living, breathing, feeling being. To deny your animal the care it needs is abuse. Would you deny a child medical care? Of course not!

If you can't afford a vet, don't get a pet!



Yea, I feel the same. I'm not disagreeing with you...

sometimes small towns dont have a vet, so they have no choice but to atleast seek help online.,. some people have to travel three hours to the nearest vet.... why do you care anyways. its not you or your animals, so why even let it bother you?



Let's see - I've answered questions over 19,000 times. You've answered 10. I have probably answered questions about critically ill animals in excess of 250 times. You?

I care because I care if any animal suffers, whether it's mine or someone else's. That's what compassion is all about. I also was very active in animal rescue at one time. I saw things I still don't even want to think about.

Suffering should bother everybody or else the World (in the mess it's in), as we know it, is doomed.

You have posted that you have "dreams" of killing animals (dogs, from what I read) by kicking them down the stairs and/or breaking their necks. https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/medical-conditions-diseases/killing-animals-bad-dreams-437861.html#post2188580. In that post you have no aggression toward animals; then you come here and post that you don't know why anyone cares about suffering.

You have problems which this site cannot solve and you need to consult with a medical professional. I also think whether your "dreams" have ever been reality should be checked by your local Police Department/Animal Rescue Society.

Unfortunately there are a lot of owners who just don't care enough about their dogs to take them to the vet. I still think that vet costs are too expensive.. I don't think it should matter what your household income is to own a pet... This is the same issue I'm sure with kids...

I think if you are proactively trying to get help for your dog and asking questions, then you have the right to own a dog... If you let it die in the backyard due to a common disease such as parvo, or Canine Influenza.. then no, don't own a dog..

I will never tell someone they're not good enough to own a dog. There are too many circumstances that none of us will ever understand on why certain people didn't take their dogs to the vet...

I wonder what funky name they would come up with for a staffy boxer mix?


American Pitt Bull Terrier. If you breed enough of them, you can get it recognized. Thank you Michael Vick (et al.)

No one is saying that anyone is not good enugh, but come on!
People need to start taking responsibilities for their actions. I am SO tired of these bleeding heart librels saying "don't judge me, I made a mistake, I am too ignorant to know any better" It's a sad excuse, and only the poor defensless animals are the ones to suffer.

Ah Catsmine, always on the ball, didn't think of that one. Touché.

Lucky, vet bills are expensive, but what is complaining about them going to do? I agree that vets are expensive, but I care about my pets enough to pay that expense and no, I'm not rich, far from it. We live pay check to pay check but we have the money for the important things and my pets are important.

When people come here asking health questions about their pet, what do they expect? What if it is parvo and we can diagnose it? They'll still need to go to the vet for treatment, or watch the dog die. They can obviously afford internet access, but not a vet? They need to get their priorities straight.

Bottom line, if you can't afford a vet, don't get a pet! If you cannot afford a doctor, don't have kids. If you cannot afford a Porsche, buy a Ford.

It's not brain surgery. It's common sense.

Unfortunately there are a lot of owners who just dont care enough about their dogs to take them to the vet. I still think that vet costs are too expensive.. I dont think it should matter what your household income is to own a pet... This is the same issue I'm sure with kids...

I think if you are proactively trying to get help for your dog and asking questions, then you have the right to own a dog... If you let it die in the backyard due to a common disease such as parvo, or Canine Influenza.. then no, dont own a dog..

I will never tell someone they're not good enough to own a dog. There are too many circumstances that none of us will ever understand on why certain people didnt take their dogs to the vet...


I don't care about the reasons - I really don't. If you don't have the money to take care of a child or a pet, then you have no business having/owning one.

Suffering is suffering and the economic reason makes no difference.

I cannot believe your total indifference to suffering. And you work in rescue?

I have to spread the rep Judy.

Lucky, you said in another post that you weren't put on this earth to help in the destruction of animals. That's what you said to me when I told you that I had volunteered at the shelter on D day and helped in the euthanasia room.

Do you not realize that making excuses for people not seeking vet care for their pets is the same thing as advoacting the destruction of animals?

Personally I'd rather have an animal get a needle and peacefully fall asleep then to watch an animal suffer through a horrible disease because the person that adopted him/her won't take the poor animal to the vet.

Putting an animal out of it's misery is by far more humane then sitting idley by watching him suffer.
It's understandable to not want to TAKE part in the process, but to be true to the animal you must be part of the process. Meaning knowing what's right and wrong.

Putting an animal out of it's misery is by far more humane then sitting idley by watching him suffer.
It's understandable to not want to TAKE part in the process, but to be true to the animal you must be part of the process. Meaning knowing what's right and wrong.

Exactly!

If you really love animals then you have to accept that sometimes you'll be forced to do something you may not want to do. Just because it's hard doesn't mean it's not necessary. I couldn't handle it, but I really respect the volunteers that do handle it every day. They offer a service to those animals that no one will ever understand, until they decide to do it. Holding an animal while it's dying, petting that animal, talking to that animal, trying to make the last few minutes ones of peace, calm and love, it takes a lot of strength and compassion to do it.

You also have to accept that really taking care of your animal involves spending money for vet care. There is no other option. Yes it's expensive, but anyone that does their research before adopting an animal will know the costs. If they decide to adopt knowing they can't afford vet care, or aren't willing to spend that kind of money, then they aren't responsible pet owners and in my opinion they shouldn't have an animal.

What gets me are the kids who ask for help because their parents don't want to take the animal to the vet.

It is one thing to ask for help as you are trying to get the animal to the vet or the animal is being treated (at the vet or back home) and you want clarification/reassurance. It is another to do nothing more than post a question on a website where you may not get an answer in time to save the animal's life.

I understand there are parts of the world where vets are few and far between (or at least ones that can treat your type of animal-I had a goat break his leg. Two hour trip to a vet that handled large animals and was open on a Sunday.) However, an emergency is an emergency. How many times could that two/three hour trip have been made in the two weeks that the animal was bleeding?

When we first moved to Canada we started going camping at this site near Athabasca. The town of Athabasca is small and the camp site was around 1 hour drive from there. They have one vet and he's only in occasionally.

The owner of the camp site always had dogs. When we first started going he had two German Shepherds (mother and son) and a little sheltie. The dogs were very good about having campers come and go, nevertheless there was an accident one day. The Sheltie got hit by a truck.

She was badly injured, bleeding everywhere, parts of her skin torn off her body. Just moving her made her yelp in pain. The campsite owner was beside himself. My father was asked to help him decide. My dad (who grew up with animals) took one look at the dog and said "even if you get her to the vet I don't think she'll make it, she'll probably bleed to death before you even get into town. She's suffering".

So the campsite owner (who later became a very good friend of ours and is to this day) took the sheltie into the woods and shot her. He did what he had to do so she wouldn't suffer. I didn't understand it then, in fact I was very upset and wouldn't talk to him for years afterwards, until I finally understood why he did it and my father finally told me that Jim (the campsite owner) had gone directly to his house afterwards because he was crying.

Jim buried the little Sheltie in the woods and, until the day that he sold the campsite, there were always flowers on the grave and a beautiful hand carved cross with her name on it.

Yup I feel for those kids, who are trying to get help for their beloved pet. I could never deny my kids their happiness.
Sad story:
When I was a kid, I always wanted to be a Vet. I lived in this small town where the boys would make home made sling shots and shoot pebbles at the birds.
I would be out there, picking up these poor bleeding dying birds and running home with them, putting them on my mother kitchen table sobbing, choking, thinking my heart was literally breaking. My mom would be right there beside me with kleenex, tweezers and her rubber gloves on seeing if there was something we could do. Most times, the birds had died of either a heart attack or from bleeding out. But let me tell you there was more then a few times that my father had to do the "right thing". I would bawl for hours.
My parents would never deny me these simple things. They knew it was heart breaking for me to see these poor birds die, but they always tried their best to help.
At one time in out garage we had 6 pigeons, 2 sparrows, and a crow.
And one of those pigeons never learned to fly, the vet said (yes he went to vet more then once) that the bird would have never survived in the wild. And to me as a kid, hearing that was amazing. It made up for all those birds that I couldn't save. The pigeon lived for 4 years in a rabbit run in the basement.

IM NOT MAKING EXCUSES!! There is NO EXCUSE to watch an animal suffer... I think in the real world.. NOT EVERYONE IS GOING TO DO THE RIGHT THING!! Instead of badgering those people and putting them down and making them feel like a horrible person, EDUCATE...

I understand that dogs that are stuck in a no kill shelter for years on end should be put down.. I understand that its more humane that way... I understand that making an animal live a miserable life is no life at all.. I understand that the dog should rather be dead then stuck on the end of a chain for its entire life getting food MAYBE once a week.

What Im saying... is what about those people who AT THE TIME had the money to spend on the dog... All of a sudden they lost their jobs... Should they give up their one and only friend?

Maybe people on here are just asking questions about what is wrong with their dogs. Maybe they want to know what's wrong with their dog before they go to the vet... and have something to talk to the vet about instead of "My dog is crapping blood".

EVERYTHING is circumstantial. No matter what the situation... ANd yes, I am very aware of the dumb dog owners (pardon my language) out there who probably don't deserve a single thing they have.. But guess what.. Despite what anyone on this website has to say, those people still own dogs... and they will continue to own dogs and will continue to do the wrong thing until the people who take upon themselves stand up and EDUCATE that person in a NICE, MATURE way...

And quite honestly, I would rather adopt a dog to a poor person who is going to give their everything to that dog, then a rich person who is gone 10 hrs a day...

I have more compassion for dogs than you realize... I'm sorry if my compassion doesn't come out on words on a forum.

And another story, Lucky you may think this one is bad.

The hardest thing I have ever done in my life, was to have my dog Slash put down, at the young age of 9 months.
From a puppy slash was aggressive. We had him obeidience classes, Bark Busters, we even spent a ton of money on an animal behaviourst, who in turn told us to get him put down due to his aggresion issues.
I could not bare to think of this. One day when we were at out camp Slash bit my good friend on the arm, drew blood, and then LUNGED for a 4 year old boy, bearing teeth.These people were no strangers to him, and they had been around from the day I brought Slash home. Slash was part shepard part Bull mastif. I have a 2 year old daughter at home.
The decision had to be made. THis dog weighed almost 100lbs at 7 months. By this point we had spent $300 on the neuter, $400 on bark Busters $180 on obeidience classes, and $265 on the behaviourst.
The decision was made to put Slash down. I went in there and honestly I say this with out conviction, I knew I had done the right thing. I think about him almost every day. I feel terrible about his outcome. Could I risk the death of a child due to my gross negelct? Neglectful in the ways that I knew he was aggressive, and had displayed aggression towards adults and kids. No I couldn't.
It was the worst day of my life, but I do not regret my decision.

IM NOT MAKING EXCUSES!!! There is NO EXCUSE to watch an animal suffer... I think in the real world.. NOT EVERYONE IS GOING TO DO THE RIGHT THING!!! Instead of badgering those people and putting them down and making them feel like a horrible person, EDUCATE...

I understand that dogs that are stuck in a no kill shelter for years on end should be put down.. I understand that its more humane that way... I understand that making an animal live a miserable life is no life at all.. I understand that the dog should rather be dead then stuck on the end of a chain for its entire life getting food MAYBE once a week.

What Im saying... is what about those people who AT THE TIME had the money to spend on the dog... All of a sudden they lost their jobs... Should they give up their one and only friend??

Maybe people on here are just asking questions about what is wrong with their dogs. Maybe they want to know whats wrong with their dog before they go to the vet... and have something to talk to the vet about instead of "My dog is crapping blood".

EVERYTHING is circumstantial. No matter what the situation... ANd yes, I am very aware of the dumb dog owners (pardon my language) out there who probably dont deserve a single thing they have.. But guess what.. Despite what anyone on this website has to say, those people still own dogs... and they will continue to own dogs and will continue to do the wrong thing until the people who take upon themselves stand up and EDUCATE that person in a NICE, MATURE way....

And quite honestly, I would rather adopt a dog to a poor person who is going to give their everything to that dog, then a rich person who is gone 10 hrs a day....

I have more compassion for dogs than you realize....I'm sorry if my compassion doesnt come out on words on a forum.



And that is exactly what people on this forum are doing. Educating.
THis is not a subject to be candy coated.
The people I have seen always get their advice, as to what may be wrong. But along with the advice comes the hard ugly truth.
When you have animal, expenses come along with that. Plain plump and simple.
It doesn't matter what the situation is. People need to understand the truth. Whether it comes across as "nice and mature" or hard up, straight up facts. Sometimes that's what hits home for people.

Lucky, we do educate. Sadly there are only so many times that you can tell someone not to breed their pet, get yelled at by that person, and then move on to the next. Sooner or later it starts to get to you and you are no longer nice about it.

Ignorance is bliss. If people would educate themselves then we wouldn't have to. I never adopt a pet without knowing everything about that pet, how to care for it, the cost of food, bedding, toys, accessories, vet care, spay/neuter costs etc. etc. etc. I've never impulse bought a pet, even Cotton, the pet store bunny, was planned months before we actually got a rabbit. His cage was already set up at home with all the accessories, all the toys and food and water dishes. You name it. The only impulse was to get him from the pet store instead of going to the shelter, but I had a weak moment, I couldn't leave that poor little 4 week old bunny there. Yes, 4 weeks old!

He's by far the most expensive bunny I have, not only the cost of purchasing him ($60) but also the cost of having him neutered ($300). The shelter bunnies were already fixed when we adopted them and we paid $25/each.

Bottom line, why can't people do their research? Why do they hide their heads in the sand and pretend that they're not part of the problem when they breed or when they don't get vet care for the pets in their care?

I know that it's not realistic to think we'll get through to everyone, but if we can educate just one person, get just one person to understand, well, I'm okay with that. One person at a time. :)

Lol then maybe you should go smoke another PIE EYES 420.

this forum computers are dumb


I have always found computers to be smart. It's the people using them who are dumb.

And apparently under age.

I will say that this is one of the more intelligent things that he/she has posted!

Moderators - how much of this can Pieyes post ("Comments on this post
pie_eyes420 disagrees: pardon MY langauge... but your just a in stuck up hard headed... lol:) ) before she's suspended?

Ohh maybe my bad, I thought he was calling the users dumb, as in me. Lol
Is that what you were saying PIE EYE?

this forum computers are dumb

What does that mean, please?

I'm finding it hard to understand because of the way that you've worded your response.

Thanks!

When pieeyes explains that one, maybe he/she can explain this one: "pie_eyes420 disagrees: pardon MY langauge...... but ur just a in stuck up hard headed ..... lol"

When pieeyes explains that one, maybe he/she can explain this one: "pie_eyes420 disagrees: pardon MY langauge...... but ur just a in stuck up hard headed ..... lol"

Holy cow! It makes no sense, Judy!

Haha I had a good chuckle at that one. That would be a great explanation!

Wait!! That means... I just got my first reddie!! :(

Holy cow! It makes no sense, Judy!


Good - I thought it was just me.

Wait!!! That means.... I just got my first reddie!!! :(

Now you're officially a member of AMHD. ;)

Welcome to the wonderful world of reddies given by people that aren't as smart as my goldfish. ;)

Hehe, well I am honored! I liked the part where it didn't make any sense.

Hehe, well I am honored! I liked the part where it didn't make any sence.

You'll get a lot of those.

My favorites are the "You may be right but I don't want to hear that!" and revenge reddies.

Green and red are pretty together, so don't sweat it. ;)

Ok this is WAY off topic, but today must be my day! I won $100 on a scratch ticket my father bought me, I won a laptop at work today! And now my avatar thingy says I am a full member! LOL Awesome.

And you got your first reddie. Don't forget that. ;)

No, that Alty, was the icing on the cake. The day was just mediocre until that happened! :P

Ok this is WAY off topic, but today must be my day! I won $100 on a scratch ticket my father bought me, I won a laptop at work today! And now my avatar thingy says I am a full member! LOL Awesome.

Congratulations. Full member and a reddie. You'll go far here.

No, that Alty, was the icing on the cake. The day was just mediocre until that happend! :P

Great attitude to have. I hope you feel the same when you get your second one. ;)

Time for me to go for a bit. Hubby is home early, the kids are still in school. Need I say more. ;)

Great attitude to have. I hope you feel the same when you get your second one. ;)

Time for me to go for a bit. Hubby is home early, the kids are still in school. Need I say more. ;)

Hubba hubba!

Wait... that makes me old that I know that one, doesn't it?:(

this forum computers are dumb

Please be mindful of what you post. You are being monitored here by a number of people now...

Thanks!

Hehe, well I am honored! I liked the part where it didn't make any sence.


I hate to say a discouraging word (:)) but "Pieeyes" has reddied everyone.

Sorry but it's not as flattering as it would appear.

Well, keep up the good work and someone else who is more credible will reddie you!

I hate to say a discouraging word (:)) but "Pieeyes" has reddied everyone.

Sorry but it's not as flattering as it would appear.

Well, keep up the good work and someone else who is more credible will reddie you!

The problem with that idea, Judy, is that means she would have to actually post something wrong. I've not seen any signs of that (well, no more than I show) yet.

The problem with that idea, Judy, is that means she would have to actually post something wrong. I've not seen any signs of that (well, no more than I show) yet.


Well, agreed, she never has. That's why I told her to keep up the good work.

I find a LOT of reddies are given based on absolutely nothing so continuing to give right on answers, will guarantee a reddie.

Trust me -

Trust me -

Harry Morgan moment - I do, implicitly. (Flight of Dragons)

Getting back on topic ( :P ) Yes, I find it irritating.
I do understand that people don't want to go to the vet and pay the exam fee to find out nothing is wrong.
But when your dog is limping or is throwing up for x amount of days, come on. It's common flipping sense.

Similar at work when someone calls us at 4:55pm on a Friday night because their dog hasn't eaten and has been vomitting since Monday and NOW its an emergency suddenly.

Maybe vet costs wouldn't be so high if people would pay attention to their pets and get them the care they need, instead of making us technicians stay late to pay our outrageous salaries (/sarcasm)

Can't afford the vet? Don't get the pet. Worried about job loss? That's what pet insurance is for. And if you don't have it - ask your vet for a payment plan. If you have a good relationship with your vet (ie pay regular bills, keep animals up to date etc) like you SHOULD, they will more than likely do it for you.

I'm glad someone agrees. It's not like we wouldn't love to give payment plans to everyone, it hurts us a tonne when we have to deny someone because they can't afford it and are shady with outstanding balances at other local clinics. It sucks, it really does.. but we have bills to pay too, and it's flipping expensive to run an animal hospital..

At our vet there is a sign on the counter that say "All accounts must be payed on the day due to increasing bankruptcies - we are sorry for the inconvenience"

Our vet is situated on the 'bad' side of the river. There are a lot of housing commission places (houses funded by the government) and generally a lot of bad eggs living here.
The suburb I live in is considered 'ok' but there are still a lot of deadbeats.
These people have taken a toll on our vets by not paying for treatment.

I personally can easily get a bill sent to me and pay it off because I have always done the right thing (that and my mom has been a client for 20 years)
So basically if you do take your dog to the vet regularly and always pay your bills then when something bad and expensive happens they look more kindly on you.

Exactly, I do understand that vet bills can get pretty costly, fast, depending on what the issue is. But that's the thing, people need to be prepared to pay the cost of having an animal. I think Altenweg said it best, if you can't afford a porche, buy a ford.
And it's been said before, they have internet access, but can't afford a vet bill? I think it's sad that people can't "afford" to take care of their pets, but they can "afford" to stay home and look online for diagnoses.
People want the best service for poor Muffy who has been bleeding all week, but they don't want to pay for it?
My vet used to take personal cheques, even if they were dated a week or two in advance, they did this for as long as I have used them. Last week I went in there and (my obeidience classes are in the basement), a sign was hanging, stating that regretably they could no longer take personal cheques. It's sad, because I know I have post dated a cheque for a week in advance. But I know they would be willing to make up a payment plan for me if need be.

Thanks Judy and Catsmine :)