Vehs

Which area? I mind dogs on the southside of Canberra. and as for walking them where, sometimes owners give me maps of regular routes or I just take off and see what's around the area (and if it doesn't look like it's getting closer to their house after 20min I turn around )

I walk dogs as part of a pet minding through a business (they handle all the insurance stuff ) dontfretpet.com.au - Kathleen (Syd based) might be interested in your services I just walk one family at a time, and I've only ever had to walk more than 2 dogs at once. I never let them off lead and would never take them to a dog park and make sure I keep them away from other dogs by crossing the road etc - it's just not worth the risk I do it for play money - you'd be walking most of the day to to make a living out of it! But you'd be hard pressed to find a job where the clients were SO happy to see you :D

I used to nanny for a family with a shihtzu who had dry eye - I don't think that was the medication she was on, but even if it was it certainly wasn't that expensive (I was the one taking it to the vet) It was years ago and I know I posted about it in DOL but can't find the post now.

Dieter used to have a bath and fragrance collection to rival my own, but we really culled it back last year and now he's using human QV stuff to get his 'itchies' under control.... but I actually think the 'itchies' he has were stress related/attention seeking = he hasn't itched ONCE since having his friend here I have a laundry cupboard full of his and my professional grooming gear along with assorted training tools - and he also has the bottom section of the pantry for all his treats and bowls. But unlike my human stuff he actually uses his all the time, but don't get me started on his toys!

that's better!

oh I was interested in this, but after reading the page it seems it's cooked food? http://www.barkingfresh.com.au/faq.html

LOL after eating dinner the fiance's dog will hump a particular toy and I have noticed in the last year that D will want to play around after dinner, but I don't encourage it because of bloat

Dieter is the fun police - if dogs are having fun and he is not involved he will go and stop the fun He is also very sensitive to me, and if a dog is doing something that I don't like he will tell it off (dogs playing up when being groomed, dogs barking etc) He also has favourite toys and I designated one of his toys *my* favourite, so he knows if he picks that toy up, regardless of what I'm doing I have to get down on the ground and prance around him with and try to get it off him - so he'll go and grab that toy if he's feeling neglected (or so I project...) As far as rituals - we have a very clear going to bed routine and if I don't stick to it Dieter will just go and do it by himself. So he often puts himself to bed on weekends. He also has a run and grab his favourite toy when a guest comes over and taunt them with it dance.

as a 'single parent' to the D - I know I can't get a second dog. I used to want one, but I know I'll just end up feeling permanently guitly. I have looked after a few other dogs for a couple of weeks, and while I know D enjoys the extra company when I'm at work, he does like my attention to only be on him when I get home. Walking and feeding with other dogs around isn't an issue, it's the sharing of cuddles and the one on one that I feel isn't fair for him so I couldn't do it permanently. Maybe if he had a 'sibling' earlier in his life (aside from two cats) we might be able to do something differently, but this works for us. When my fiance and his dog live with us full time there isn't an issue because we just stick with our own dogs - D doesn't seek affection from him and neither does his dog from me.

D is getting a giant stegosaurus and some treats - he will probably get edible stuff from family/friends as well, he has SO many toys Taz will just get something edible

Owning a station wagon atm - I would say the running costs (esp petrol) would put me off getting another. I only move the D around 3/7 days as week, and even then he could fit in a smaller car quite easily. I am keeping the wagon because everyone else in the family has a small car and it has been handy for moving large items. what are the prices of the wagons compared to the smaller cars that can tow a trailer?

I would choose a slicker type, but interested to see what cairn owners say

Not colorful, but cute!

omg i love that bed shot - all his fluffy hair!

maybe as a reward for sitting still and letting you apply it to his nose you give him a treat/breakfast so that way he's distracted for a little while and may forget about it? This is what I do when I put fly repellent on my boys ears/nose

sheena - dinner of course that is so cute! We saw a animal actors show that had a pig - he was such a star

LOL don't worry FlickMac I was prepared for that response I could just see this couple were drama queens with more money than sense (because emergency vet fees are not reasonable) anyway he pulled through, thank god so I'm less angry about it now

gsdog2 - that is so awful to hear I remember when I took my GSD into the emergency vet some yuppie couple was there with their guinea pig who hadn't eaten for two days and they were seen to before my dog actually I am still surprised at how slow the vet staff were

When my dog was bloating - on the way to the emergency vet he was letting out a bit of gas, I don't think I've ever been so excited to see a fart He still had to have emergency surgery though

oh wow, at 6 this is really unexpected...

I took D for a swim at Point Hut last weekend, the dogs area is on the other side of the bridge. DOLers have also swum at Uriarra Crossing, that's a bit more central

Hrm, this is an OLD thread... KtB Both BJ and I work for Don't Fret Pet we are getting pretty busy with Christmas coming up so if anyone is looking a minder, better get in fast

We were members of CDC despite the hike from Tuggeranong - it was a great club for the D and the facilities are nicer than Tuggeranong if are you are bringing a tag along human. That said my fiance was a member of the Tuggeranong club and I attended a few training sessions and they seemed very similar to CDC. I don't think you can go wrong picking from those two.