Talien

I've known I was getting arty since jurist before he was born, so far I have: Food bowl Water bowl Small bag of dog food for traveling Large bag of dog food for home Collar Lead Back-up lead Rope throwing stick Rope ball 3 tennis balls Nylabone Training treats Training walking bag Puppy poop bags Bitter bite repellant Soft toy raccoon - puppy safe called Ratick :D Collar pendant - harlequin coloured Rope rubber teething toy Electronic wiggle ball Treat ball Oatmeal shampoo and conditioner Slicker brush Travel water bottle Bed I don't have a crate, but I don't plan on using one, i think I'm good with what I've got and he arrives on Thursday! :D

Oh wow, it's so rare to see them here, they are such beautiful dogs. Congratulations M4G!

I had to pay a $500 premium on top of the bond for the house that I am living so I could have my pets, I don't think it is unreasonable, I see the damage that is caused by pets but I know that as a pet owner who could never ever surrender an animal (I've worked at the RSPCA) and how much I love my babies it's completely worth it. It does make it hard to get a place, very hard, but if you have good rental history and are willing to go the extra mile you can usually find a place. Some people just don't care enough about their pets to find a way around it

Awww ruby he's so cuteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!! I just wanna scoop him up! Ed: Urgh I am so tired already, I'm hypertense at the moment and it's taking all my energy to try to de-tense. Hopefully this weekend I can unwind and sleep a bit, with all thats been happening, on here, with Odin, the excitement of getting Arty, I can't sleep even with my elephant tranqs!

I had this problem with a lab. She would nip so hard I would bleed! If you can handle a few teeth marks this is what I did and in an hour I had her being able to take it from my fingers and only feel the little whiskers... and a bit of drool. Hold treat in enclosed fist. Allow dog to try to get at it, Elysia used paws, tongue and teeth trying to get into my hand, and she worked hard! When they realise they can't get to it, give treat saying "gentle". If dog bites, pull back treat (if not too late). Repeat. The dog will realise that the less they bite and nip the faster they get the treat. Not a great explanation but hope it helps even just as another idea in a pool of ideas

Lol Flower, I am the same, big pretty picture of Arty on my phone and on my PC at work. Makes me smile every time I see it ^.^ 7 Sleeps!!!!!

So many people waiting on puppies, it's fantastic, grats to the guys who have gotten confirmation and good luck to those awaiting! The lappie is gorgeous and Dyson is stunning!!! He looks tuckered out did you wear him out or did he manage to do that on his own? tehehehe Wooooo!

I don't have my puppy yet, but growing up with the family dogs and the cats that I currently have, knowing your dog well enough, and being able to "talk" to your dog is indispensible. As long as they heed you when you say now it shouldnt matter to anyone else but you. I know when Draco wants out for the loo. I know when Odin is meowing for cuddles or if it is for food, as with Draco I know when Draco is just "chatting" to me. The family dogs being able to "talk" to us was VERY important. It helped us to know that something was terribly wrong with Zeuss before he stopped eating. He would come up and put a paw on my mums lap and look at her sadly. So she took him to the vet because of the strange behaviour for a check up to find out why he was not quite himself. It was just this though. Little looks and a paw on the knee. That is all. He was terminal, his liver was failing, though the vet didn't figure that out till it was too late, he did last a lot longer and got a lot more cuddles before he was finally pts, as well as some relief from the pain he was in. Wow, memory lane. Anyway I don't say this to make people go "nyaw poor puppy" but more to indicate that our companionship with our dogs led to good things, and the ability to communicate with your animals, effective or not, is all important in a good relationship with them. Or so I believe anyway.

I know this is really sad, but I have only seen my puppy once, last saturday. I was smitten the moment I saw him but the momment he gave me kisses all over my face I lost my heart.

I do love him and can't wait to pick him up on the thursday :D I dont think you will have a problem with your cocker Manda, they are eager to please and love unconditionally. It might take a bit longer to bond than a puppy, but love and affection are returned three-fold and cockers are no exceptions

Ok, So here is my baby! I pick him up on the 8th :D This last one is my fave He's camera shy :p :thumbsup:

Oh so cute!!!!

I saw Arty for the first time today. Big news too. Lots of pics will post them either tomorrow or Monday when I can access a computer! He's so adorableeeee!!!

Wow. Thankyou. I had no idea. Arty will be sticking strictly to his own food!!!

I don't understand it, how can grapes damage a dog? What other things can damage a dog?

Some religions also claim that they don't have souls. I might anthropomorphise my animals, but they like being treated as equals, they tell me so

ahh okies

I was suggested a goat, and a pony. My cat is trying, but he just can't keep up with it all.

I live in Ballarat it rains like every second day here >.< so I definitely feel your pain!

Arty comes home in 2 weeks and I am thinking seriously about getting Pet Plan Insurance, but i am not sure how it works, do I have to pay first and then claim the money back from Pet Plan or will Pet Plan pay the Vet directly in the event that something goes wrong?

Hehehe I did mine yesterday. Gosh I know I purposefully got a big backyard so arty could play but it takes me almost two hours to mow it @_@ The front's not so bad because there is at least some shade... Looking forward to it though then he and I can picnic out the back :D

OMG! Photo's more photo's tara! :D :D

Congrats on your incoming puppy Jordan! I go to see Arty tomorrow! I go to Sisteam to choose him I can't wait, I could hardly sleep last night for all the excitement!

Turns out I won't be able to pick arty up till the 8th! I got my dates wrong, a for an older dog I do have one or two that he can play with but the main one isn't trained very well so I'll have to make sure he doesn't pick up any bad habits from her.

Omg they are so cute!!! I got more pics from my breeder last night, I will post them as soon as I can but I've just moved and the Internet isn't going to be connected until Thursday :D as soon as I can I will post them they are getting so big!