My westie is a rescue dog and I am really conscious that he has never had anything in his previous life, no basket kept outdoors no toys and fed human scraps. Its his first christmas actually being inside a house never mind being treated properly.
I really want him to have everything he missed out on. He has collitis and this is now settled he is on Naturediet Lite and loves it. He also adores squeeky toys and I want to get him one that will last does anyone know which type I could get that would last for ages. Everytime I mention to anyone that I'm getting my dog a few presents they laugh and say I'm sad but I really want him to have things that he has never had before, what other things do people think he would like?
I've tried to give him experiences that he has never had, lots of walks, meeting people, mixing with other dogs(he gets on really well with my Mums Westie), we've even taken him camping in Scotland he loved it it was almost like he was home, and onto a beach again he loved it, he loves going in the car he even has his own seat belt. I just feel that I should make up for what he has missed out on he is a lovely little dog with a very sad past.

Sounds like your doing a lovely job of making up for the bad start your westie had.
MERRY CHRISTMAS 2 U BOTH...
:-)

You have already made up for your Westie's sad past!  He's healthy, happy and loved.  What more could he want?   Apart from a new squeaky toy.  :-)  My Cairn loves squeeky toys, she does not chew them so they last a long time.   I buy mine at Pets at Home, dog shows .. anywhere I see one that I know she will like. 

I'm not getting Abby anything for Christmas.  Her life is like Christmas every day, she's spoiled rotten.   New toys every day except Sunday, which is the only day the postman does not bring her letters to rip up.  :-O 

Grandkids will bring Abby a present though, so she will not be forgotten.   Although I expect she will be more intersted in the wrapping paper than the present itself.

Stacey

You sound like your doing enough for your dog!! :D

But mines got a Burberry collar for xmas!!!! Only the best for my dog (plus my husband says i'm stupid with money) :)

Why not make a donation to Westie rescue on his behalf :)

Lucy
xx

Im not sure what Bradley wants he had a quick look through argos tore some pages out and ate them.
He did see a very beautiful year old boxer that he thought he should take home  and have for xmas (not under my roof).
Bradley thinks everything is his anyway.

Not knowing what to buy my elderly mother, I decided upon a fleecy dog blanket for her lab who she takes everywhere.  She uses an old curtain at present when she takes him in peoples cars and to their houses, etc.  Ideal present for them both.

I picked a lovely one from M & S but when I went to wrap it last night there were two there wrapped inside each other.  Sshhhh, having checked my receipt I only paid for one!  I don't usually do presents for our dogs but they are getting a blanket this year!!

I hate to be a stick in the mud but paying for only one item when you have two is theft! :(

Well I have to agree that you could argue from that point, but ..... I bought the item having paid for it in good faith. I thought there was only one, the cashier obviously did too.   It was a genuine mistake.

I am sure you will feel much better when you take it back and explain...........................

OK, if it makes you feel better too I will phone them and explain.  I have to travel about 30 miles to the store so I don't pass that often.  I can put a cheque in the post tho can't I?

I strongly suspect that you will not be asked for it, but hey, you have demonstrated your honesty and you KNOW you will feel much better when you look at yourself in the mirror in the morning :D

Theft and loss is what drives up prices in the retail sector...............

Ask for the customer service desk;

ah keep it, u didn't intentionally take it :)

Hmmm, I wonder how you would feel if for example you discovered that your treasured antique ring given to you my a beloved family member had gone missing from where you left it because it had fallen into someone's handbag who, on discovering it, decided to keep it?

I expect you would feel aggrieved and upset which is to be expected.

Just because it appears more impersonal when it is an item of merchandise purchased from a large national retailer does not alter the fact that it is still theft. 

Many people complain about rising insurance premia, prices etc; one of the reasons behind these hikes is fraud and theft.

The attitude that many people have differs depending upon what side you are on.

For example when one is driving above the speed limit one tends to justify it by saying " I am late, there is nobody about, I am a careful driver, I can stop in time, etc etc". You are not speeding are you?

However when we are crossing the road with our children do we have the same outlook with regard to the car that almost ran us over?  I think not.

Just a thought.

It is not theft. She didn't knowingly take it !:)

Insurance premiums do not go up because of Petty theft as the excess for most business are very high :)

Lets look at the Profit margin alot of retailers make ! That could be construed as theft in some peoples eyes ;) :)

Would that ethics and morals worked on the other side as well.  When a store sells faulty goods or overprices an item - do people complain?   Most of the time not.   When you are served a substandard meal in a restaurant - do you complain and ask for your money back on another meal.   Most likely not.   Do you tip, even when the service is poor -- probably.  

When the picture on the box of prepared M&S meals looks good enough to be framed and the meal inside full of the higher-priced ingredients (like meat) -- do you take the meal back to the store when you find out that there are three little bits of meat, not enough for a Yorkie snack, floating in a sea of some kind of sauce.   Probably not on that to - although you can argue there is an ingredient list of the package, from a moral point of view it is deception. 

It's tough for my heart to bleed for the retail industry, especially in the UK.   Service is substandard and prices are outrageous.  If you want a comparison - take a trip to NYC and look at the prices in the retail shops for the same goods sold here.  And the same for the supermarkets.  

When  a dog toy that you buy for Christmas breaks on New Years day - will you take it back.  (Just trying to keep on topic - LOL)

Stacey

Whether one choosed to complain or not is up to the individual, if you don't then you only have yourself to blame for reinforcing the behaviour of the stores and, in the case of the restaurant, not giving them the opportunity to improve; if people are not informed about what is wrong they cannot correct it.  I do not tip when service is poor in fact I do not tip at all, I do not get tipped in my job! :D

I am sure in the USA everything is, as you say, so much better than the UK :D  However unfortunately I am British and choose to live here despite all its faults Stacey :)

I don't actually buy my dogs anything for Xmas as a) they don't know it is Christmas, and b) Christmas means more to me than the exchanging of gifts;

I always take things back if they do not fit the Sale of Goods act and I try to extend the same courtesies, morals, ethics and honesty to others that I would expect for myself.

If others choose not to that is, again, their choice.  But make no mistake, however you "excuse it, wrap it up with if, buts and and" it does not alter the fact that if you do not pay for what you come away with it is theft, pure and simple.

tohme,

My point is that there is no moral high ground, I'm not saying that from a legal standpoint you are not correct.

Legally, the act of theft is to take something with the intent of depriving the lawful owner of it permanently.  There was no intent when the item was removed from the store without purchasing it. That was not theft.  If the item is now kept, you are correct that legally it then becomes theft.   M&S should be contacted and told if they want their item back they should have someone come and pick it up at their own expense.  It was an error on the part of M&S staff, who apparently did not tag the item with an anti-theft device either, otherwise the alarm would have sounded when exiting the store. 

I did not say everything is better in the US, I said that retailers are better off in the UK - their profit margin is significantly higher.  UK consumers are less likely to complain, they have less choice and the prices are higher for the same items.  A chain like the GAP, who probably sources most goods outside of W Europe or NA, charges the same in £ as they do in dollars - meaning the same item is a minimum of 50% higher in the UK.   

The only unfortunate thing is that the breadth of choice and consumer activism isn't as "advanced" in the UK as it is in the USA.  When I go back to the US I cram my suitcase full of edible dog bones.  Corn starch bones, countless varieties of edible Nylonebones, and others. For the few types I can buy here, the GAP equation works the same - at least 50% cheaper in the US.   It guarantees me that my bag is always pulled out for special inspection!   I guess 20 or 30 bones look very odd going through the X-ray machine. 

Sometime if you want to have a discussion about what's good/bad about the UK versus the USA I'd be happy to have one.   I have a British husband, have lived in the UK for 7+ years and believe me .. I've discovered a long list of faults in my home country that I did not know even existed before I switched sides of the Atlantic pond.  

Stacey

Actually Stacey, legally it IS theft; it something I do know a teeny weeny thing about.............. :)  and M & S don't tag their stock with anti theft devices anyway!  It is not the responsibility of the owner of the stock (in this case M &S ) to collect their merchandise but the person who has got it to return it. 

Tohme,

I believe I agreed with you re whether or not it is theft at this point.  Once the item that was not purchased was discovered, and no attempt was made to inform or return it to its owner (M&S), then at that point it is theft.  Prior to that, it is not theft because there was no intent to steal.   The item was presented to the M&S employee charged with collecting payment - a fact which neither shopper nor M&S till person were apparently aware, since neither knew the item even existed.  I hardly think someone would be convicted of theft when clearly there was no intent.  In this case, the M&S employee could equally be considered a thief, since apparently they were presented with an item which they deposited for free with the paid goods.  A rather common way in which retail stores lose stock - friends stealing for friends.

Stacey

I applaud your honesty Tohme, but wouldn't want to sit next to you at a party.  :D :)

Jackie,
Keep it! M & S should train their staff better, lol take it as a 2 for 1 gift. If you had found it wrapped in a bag that had obviously belonged to someone else who'd lost it, then take it back. I'm sure it won't break the bank for M & S. Just pretend you didn't notice.

Morse is getting a very long walk as he loves running and hunting rabbits best, and he may be allowed upstairs into the living room if hes good.

Jackie keep it!! It wasn't your fault!!

Tohme did you know that the biggest % of theft is carried out by staff? Not by your simple everyday shopper...

tohme Im really not trying to stir but the she didn't know about the second blanket. Surely it is the shops fault for packaging 2 up instead of 1? you cannot compare getting 2 blankets to speeding or steeling! Im sure a lot of people would just keep it so you keep it jackyjat ! (i would!)  We shall call it ''Christmas luck''!

Sounds to me like they were packaged incorrectly and, therefore, M&S would only have been charged for one. Bit like getting 2 toys in your cereal or 18 ciggies in a box... sometimes you're up others your down :)

get a life , genuine mistake .she should keep it   happy xmas

Hi, I worked in Customer Service for a Mail order team for 7 years, when a customer rang us to say our despatch department had made a mistake with their order i.e put in two of something or even duplicated the whole order, we said keep it it's our mistake!  As far as I can see it's M&S's mistake or that of the supplier to M&S so keep it with a clear consience and enjoy your christmas.  Some people were amazed at our genorosity and we always kept them as customers, which percentage indeed phoned to inform us of our mistake when giving too much the others just kept quite!

Hi my Westie Buddy (21months) is getting a doggy fleece blanket. Also bought one for brothers dog Daisy (Scottish Terrier). Also a tug of war rope cause he loves to play tug games. A larger than normal tennis ball (which he's already playing with cause he got his nose into the carrier bag and the rest is history- but he's enjoying himself chasing it around the place), and lastly - well maybe not as there's still 3 weeks to Xmas a large marrow chew biscuit thing as a special edible treat which may give him the squits on Boxing day but  why should he be any different to the rest of the family.
You sound like your giving your Westie the best Christmas ever. I'm not surprised he's a happy bunny, well done you.
Budmag.

I am sure you will give your Westie a wonderful christmas!  Merry christmas to both of you:).  We do the whole Christmas present thing here.  Have a big Christmassy bag, and each dog gets at least 1 toy (so OK, Junior and Puglet get a couple extra, but they nare special!) depending on their own preferences cuddly/chewy/squeeky.  Got some great ones in Batleys, such as cuddly queaky parcels, balls with robins and snowment, etc.  Then they all get a whole lot of schmackos and other treats (to be dished out over a period of time).   This year I had to make some Christmas Bow ties for our Rescue fund raising, so all the Pugs and Junior will each have a smart bow tie to wear for the day.
bye
Gwen

I'm glad you rescued a westie and am sure it has landed very lucky. Well my collie puppy is having a duster because she keeps running away with mine & my 9 year old westie is having a tea towel becuse she thinks she is in second childhood since getting puppy. Only joking they will both get toys & chews & for xmas dinner tukey will be on the menu with kilted sausages

Jean

i am pleased to read your westie has found a loving home with you and you will be spoiling him at christmas they have some very good squeaky toys around,i saw one in our pet shop squeaky  mobile phone of course not a real one ,and squeaky false teeth maybe you could take him to the pet  shop and let him choose wich one he wants .
i am getting my one s some hand knitted jumpers with a snowman on from the usa , having 4 dogs i cannot let them play with toys indoors it starts a fight everyone wants the same one but when i take them out they all have there own little ball it seems to work out.
sadly some dogs will become homeless this time of year at christmas .

JEEEZ!!!!! is Tohme serious ???????,for heavens sake whilst not condoning theft in any shape or form,Jackyjat  DIDNT steal the blanket !! ,just had a bit of good luck ..i hope the dogs have many a warm and cozy snooze in BOTH blankets  Bye Sue & Lola xx P.S. and who says dogs dont know its Christmas ? we have a rescue Westie cross and this is her first christmas ,and as we have put up our tree etc already (we are earlier than usual due to having family visiting this weekend) she has taken to sleeping under the tree and pinching bits off it .......she knows that that 7ft tree with lights and sparkling bits and yummy sweeties is something different and she is loving every moment of it !!and she will have her fair share of surprises to open  christmas morning.have a guilt free Christmas Jackyjat,xx

Phew!  I was beginning to wish I hadn't said anything then, and I was having such a good day!

Thanks for your support guys.

Jacky

Merry Christmas All!

Jacky,

Hope the dogs enjoy the blanket, have a nice Xmas

Karen

I'm sorry but if it was serious, well!!!!  Keep it girl!  I don't condone theft but this wasn't theft.  I wonder where tohme works as a process control manager??

My dogs will have me for 3 whole days, then back in work for 1 day, off for another 2, back in for 2 and then off another 2, then in for 1 and then off again for 2.  What more could they ask for?

I bought my dog the M&S blanket too, with black paw prints all over it. Theres a gorgeous cream one as well but I resisted that as Dylan would get it filthy straight away lol. Hmm shame I didnt get the buy one get one free deal lol. Dylans being really spoilt hes getting a soft butterfly thing from Pets at home, they were new in last week I hadnt seen them before & couldnt resist it lol. The poor cat is only getting a little ball thing, shes more interested in a turkey dinner at Christmas lol

Hi Daisychain, glad you mentioned the cat - I totally forgot Leo, my cat.  He is keeping up the tradition established by Tippy, my previous cat of over 20 years.  So a quarter of prawns and small carton of cream will be Leos prezzis.  Fortunately he is not keen on toys, becasue cat toys would not last a minute with all the  mutts around here:)
bye
Gwen

I settled for a couple of furry sqeeky toys in Pets at Home, and a new toy thats called a wiggly giggly I'm sure he will love them he adores any toys I suppose because he's never had any before. I may give him a slice of turkey on Christmas day I have to be carefull because of his collitis but since he has been settled for the last few months I'm sure it will be fine. I hate the fact that people can be so cruel to animals and how anyone could have treated my Westie in this way. He definitely knows its Christmas he was so excited when the tree went up. I am determined that this Christmas will make up for all those he has missed out on. I am going to make a donation to Westie rescue as well. As for the blanket lighten up guys it was not theft she didn't intentionally take it!!!