GSDs

tlc, for what my opinion is worth, I kind of agree with your vet and think the issue here could be a bit of jeleously eg: more about who/where the food is coming from and not so much about the food itself. Would you believe Early childhood philosophy - regarding behaviour - is based on research done on dogs and so their managment can be quite similar in certain instances. Also, dogs will generally continue to test their 'place' in the family throughout their lives and sometimes adjustments need to be made eg new addition to family, death of a member in family etc, so the dog may gain or lose rank. Hope that makes sense to you. Theresa

Well I got a nice surprise in the mail yesterday. Dogs Vic sent me a commemorative badge in recognition of my longstanding membership (of 25 years or more). That was unexpected :D Musical shepherds is right. We've always had multiple dogs so it pays to know what sort of temperaments you're dealing with to prevent unnecessary disputes and injuries. We've never had anything too serious. ;) Well I can see the similarities between a GSD and Poodle! NOT The name is actually German SHEPHERD Dog - as in a 'canine' shepherd. They were originally used for tending sheep and cattle etc, as well as guard the crops from the sheep. I had a look at your album. Those are such cute dogs...don't think me rude, but what are they? :D Happy 'belated' birthday Tez! I don't know you Lisa, but well done to both you and Dezzy Theresa

;) Yep, I could have had the root canal on mine, but when they told me it might not work anyway, I thought why bother? I did try a filling at the suggestion of the dentist, but within a week I was crying with pain so badly that I begged her to pull it out No, I don't have pics with them altogether as they don't all get along with each other. I can run Vegas and her mum together with one of the boys. I can run any of the girls with one of the boys, but I can't run all the girls together or the boys together - although in the past I could run certain boys together. Also, because we have the chooks and sheep, only the trusted ones are allowed near them. Some of the others would probably just like to taste them ;) No, I haven't seen your family album. In fact I haven't been to many other sections on the forum. I'm not really a great one for forums full stop, but I'll be sure to go and take a look. Theresa

I'd love to know which dog you saw. My youngest girls are almost 7 years. I have a couple of almost 9 year olds and the rest are almost 12 years old. tlc - hope your smile is back to normal real soon. I'm still deciding on a bridge or implant for a tooth I lost a while ago. I'm very self-conscious of it. I'm leaning more towards the bridge, but still not 100% sure Jerojath....hope the creepy crawlies are all safe until the sparky gets there. How are you keeping them warm without heating etc? Not in your bed I hope Theresa

Yes that's the one. It was pulled up at the showgrounds a couple of days ago and they had a shepherd out. They must have thought I was an idiot, rubber-neckin' the way I was, but it's a bloody nice trailer and a very nice GSD! Next time I see you GSD's I'll stop and say Hi! Tenties I saw a bloke on a ride-on at your place the other day.... thought you'd had a feller move in! ;) Thanks Jerojath. I didn't see you rubber-neckin... too busy toileting dogs! If you see us next time, be sure to say G'day! We had the trailer custom made in 1999 for our trip to Q'land because we didn't want to leave any fur kids at home. It's done some miles over the years, but is one of the best investments we've ever made. Tenties....isn't it nice to have such thoughtful landlords. Sounds like they're worth their weight in gold. Do they by any chance own a browny coloured dog? There was a lady walking one up that service road near your place when we drove past and I thought it might have been your landlady? Theresa

We enjoyed our trip on Thursday Janet, even though most of it was spent up at the hospital due to dad's illness, but todays trip was a disaster (Did you hear us toot Tenties?) ;) The day started out O.K., got to the hospital to see Dad but on the way to the entry we noticed a girl in the bus stop on a mobile phone crying but didn't think too much of it. As we walked by the girl we heard her say 'hey you' and we turned around to find it was our neice. We thought she must have been there to see her grandfather (my dad), but it turned out that my eldest sister (her mum) had been rushed to hospital that morning with a brain bleed and the hospital was waiting on the choppa to take her to Melb!! Now if that wasn't bad enough, on the way home tonight through Colac, we noticed a little jack russel type dog running in and out of quite heavy traffic (I don't know how it made it so far through Colac in the middle of the road ) and I made my other half turn the car and trailer around (which is no mean feat on its own) to see if we could lure it over to us before it got hit, but the more we tried, the more it just ran and because the traffic was so heavy (and cars and semi trailers were only JUST missing it) the dog was in panic mode...... then the inevitable happened - first one car with a trailer hit the poor little bugger (who stopped to apologise profusely because he didn't see it), followed by two more cars that just kept going!!!! ;) I ran to the middle of the road in tears expecting that he'd be dead, but when I picked him up he was still (but barely) alive. I asked the guy with the trailer if he knew where there was a vet surgery that I could take him to, but he said he was local and could get him there quicker as he knew exactly where the vet surgery was and took off like a rocket. When we got a chance to turn around again (the traffic was bumper to bumper by now), we looked for any sign of a vet surgery and eventualy found the guys car and trailer parked out front, but the surgery was closed and the guy was on the phone trying to get someone to come. Terry went over to see what was happening and checked the little dog, but sadly it had already passed away. The poor guy that hit it was shaking and was visibly upset, and very, very apologetic. Pity about the other two arseholes that hit it and just kept driving!! The twist to the story is....the same little dog had been found wondering the streets earlier in the day and someone had somehow managed to get hold of it and take it to the very same vet surgery. The vet explained that when the guy let the dog out of his car, it had apparently bolted (don't ask me why he didn't just carry the dog in??) :p and they'd been looking for it ever since. Unfortunatley, she'd been searching the back streets instead of the main highway ;) So that was our trip to W'bool today!! I'm off to bed with a sleeping pill. I'm still crying for the little dog. Poor little bugger. RIP Theresa

I was thinking of putting an entry in 'just in case', but we've had NO practice whatsoever. Terry and I have also been running back and forward to W'bool at the moment because of Dad, so its hard to find the time and energy to practice. I might still go for a look-see anyway if that week-end is free. Theresa

Hey Tenties, we're going to W'bool tomorrow (Thursday) to see mum and dad, but we won't call in on the way this time as I'm a bit worried about getting the big trailer out of your driveway after last time - scary :cool: . We'll give you a toot on the way past in the morning!! When I come down on my own next, I'll drop in for a cuppa (bring my own tea bag and maybe even morning tea :p ) but will be sure to let you know before I come. Congratulations on your pass Jess....don't say I don't give you anything. The vibes from Winchelsea obviously did their job? Theresa

Yeah, I know what you mean about the vacuum! Reckon I'd be more like a cork!!! If I could strip search everyone before they got on th plane and do a luggage search etc - I'd feel a bit more comfortable. Seriously, I'd probably think about it if I didn'thave all the oldies, but for now it's just not an option. Who knows what will happen down the line? JJ - not really into creepy crawlies, but I'm a great believer that everything has a purpose. Glad someone loves 'em like you do! Happy Birthday Boof! Theresa

Jess....I like your idea on flying!!! Just knock me out....Maybe LOTS of valium would do it - like a whole bottle???? Sorry to hear no pass in OB this time. Better luck at Melton. I'll be sending good vibes your way from Winchelsea!! Tenties....but you're a much braver woman than I. ;) With all that refreshment and my bladder, I'd spend all my time in the loo!! Puglvr (Jane) went overseas a few months back and suggested i meet up with her in England for Crufts - As much as I would have loved to, it didn't happen 'cause I'm such a chicken :D tlc, I've not done Rally- O either, so I'm no help. Sounds like great fun though! Sue has put the following times up on the sheep dog website....she said there is over 200 dogs entered in the Open class!!! 2010 Supreme Australian Sheep Dog Championship & Trans Tasman Test Series (Australia vs New Zealand) Gardens Oval, Port Fairy Tuesday 5th October to Sunday 10th October, 2010 Program Daily 8am – 6pm and Thursday & Friday 7pm-10pm Interstate Challenge Saturday 7pm – 9pm Australia vs New Zealand (Test 1) Sunday 10am-12pm Australia vs New Zealand (Test 2) Sunday 1.30pm Championship Finals Theresa

It is a wonderful achievement! Especially only being in it for such a short amount of time in comparison to some of the "lifers". Yes please let me know - especially if it goes a bit later each afternoon maybe I can duck off early from work and head over to have a look for a few hours. Re: flying - hey if I can go to NZ twice by plane then you can too. I hate flying, I get travel sickness and I hate the confinement and the fact that I'm not in control (I'm a bad passenger!!). Beautiful place though - it's worth it. :D A big congrats on the Delta assessment tlc We're trialling tomorrow in Ballarat so no walks here. Brrrrrr!!!! Considering they laughed at her when she first started they might have changed their minds by now! :D I'll be sure to let you know times as soon as I have them. Maybe they're on the web site? http://www.vwsda.org I'm a terrible flyer too, but if I could, I would fly to Germany for the Sieger show. Valium might help Good luck at Ballarat...hoping to hear good things next time you post Theresa

From memory, VISPAT stands for Visiting Pets as therapy or somesuch. It would be interesting to know the difference (if any) between the two:confused: As for the difference between GSD and Alsatian? Funny you should ask!! I'm a bit of a breed historian and that's one of the articles I'm just finishing off (a coupe of things to confirm through a friend overseas). There is so much misinformation surrounding the name change in Britain (Yes, it was changed several times) that some of the stories make my mind boggle. It was first changed in France around 1915, and early English imports became known as Alsatian wolf dogs. Here are some snippets ... The name misnomer in England can be accredited to Lord Brabazon of Tara. The first imports were known as ‘French Police Dogs’ and then 'foreign sheep dogs', but to cut a long story short, Lord Brabazon came up with the name ‘Alsatian wolf dog’ and the first club devoted to the breed was 'The Alsatian wolf dog club' - established in 1919. Prior to the First World War, the French had correctly translated the breeds name ‘Deutscher Schaeferhund’ to ‘Chien de Berger Allemand’, and breeders there registered their kennel names and their dogs in the German Stud book (Zuchtbuch). The French strongly contended that the breed originated in Alsace-Lorraine, a province belonging to France before the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-7, and which belonged to it once again after the war, and so the name was changed to ‘Berger d’alsace’ which also helped dog dealers with their sales as the word 'German' was not in favour at the time. Many servicemen first saw Alsatians during the war under the belief they were French. Of course there's a great deal more to the story, but its too long to print here. Its a subject I've really enjoyed researching though. Theresa

Well I guess I shouldn't comment on the pink pom-poms until I know you better jerojath. Will be sure to post times when I have them. tlc, that's a great acheivement! Congratulations! I used to visit our local old folks home and hospital at the invitation of their co-ordinator before she retired. The dogs were great although some of the residents weren't partial to GSDs. One lady became a bit hysterical when Peppi and 2 of his puppies ('Red' who we just lost and his brother 'Mac') visited. She demanded that I take the ALSATIANS away!! When Lisa (coordinator) asked her why, she said 'because they're savage - they'll eat you! :D Of course, they weren't 'official' VISPAT' dogs (is that what they are called?),but one of Peppi's kids was certified and I am very proud of him. Can I ask what the difference is between Delta and Vispat? Theresa

It really is an achievement, isn't it. She would hate me bragging for her, but it really is something to be proud of! I can ask her what time it starts and finishes each day if you like. I plan on going down on the week-end if she gets through the week O.K. I'd love to be there if she makes it through all the tests... although I'm not sure I can pluck up the courage to fly to NZ (I'm not good on domestic flights let alone NZ or beyond) if she wins a place in the Trans Tasman challenge! Theresa

I thought some of you might be interested to know that a very good friend of mine is representing Victoria in the Supreme Australian Sheep dog Championships hosted by the Victorian Working & Sheep Dog Association at Port Fairy (Victoria) on the 5th -10th October 2010. An article appeared in a local newspaper about the event - but what's so special is; Sue is the very FIRST woman to ever represent her state -EVER!! This is a great achievement for her as she only started training 7 years ago. She was also a founding member of ADAC agility (where we first met) which became NADAC (Aust Division) and she won top agility dog of the year with her dog Bazza (retired). Sue, as the winner of the State trials, along with her mentor John (who came second to Sue) will be competing against the best Border Collies and their handlers from Australia and New Zealand. It also inlcudes the Trans Tasman Challenge where the four top workers from Australia and New Zealand compete for their countries sheep dog honour. The Australian working Border Collie vs the New Zealand Heading dog. I'm so proud of her. I hope she goes all the way! Theresa

Thanks for your kind thoughts everyone. It never gets any easier losing good friends no matter how long you've been in dogs. Some are simply special and I've been really blessed to have known and owned some of the best. Tenties, that was us tooting on the way home. ;) I remembered the eggs when I got to mums!! As for some new chooks...we've been thinking about it since we lost the old girls, but the rooster is a real shit- head and tends to exclude new girls and chases them away for some reason. He never really accepted the brown chooks we got a few years ago, just tolerates them now, but at least he lets them in the chook house at night. Terry and I raised him and 3 girls after a kinder project. They were the left overs that didn't get a home. If Terry ever gets their run in order, I'd like to take you up on the offer, but for now I'd be worried the rooster wouldn't let them in their kennel at night and a fox would get them - which is what happened in the past. Great pics Jess. That's one thing I miss since moving here...the beach! When we lived in Geelong we were always down the beach with the dogs. Now we have to settle for rain puddles! That is a beautiful cat tlc! Theresa

Hi Tenties, I must have just missed you (according to mum) 'cause I got home about the time you left. I had to get a prog test done for Vegas at Highton and then drop it off to Pathology in town (Geelong), so it took me a bit longer than normal. I take it you didn't have any luck with finding a car? We hope to get down to W'bool on Saturday (tomorrow) to see how dad is. Only problem is we have to take the big dog trailer with all the oldies on board, so I best get out and wash all the dust and dirt off it from NO USE for a few years and make sure there are no big hairy ipsies inside. We'll try to call in for a cuppa either on the way up or on the way back...depending on time. Will you be home? I can bring my own teabag!! Did mum tell you we lost our best mate Peppi on the 14th Aug and then his son Red two weeks later? Pep was a month short of turning 14 and Red was almost 12. I haven't felt much like socializing lately, can't stop missing them. ;) ;) Hope all is going well with you and the dogs etc Theresa

I know I'm a bit late tlc, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Glad you had a nice day. Theresa

What a fantastic day for you and Darcy!! Me thinks you should have won something a little bit stronger than a soccer ball though - especially with your two girls I bet it's life was short and sweet? Sorry I didn't get to say goodbye to anyone. After I took Oki and Veg to the toilet I went for a wander over to the Open ring and got chatting about agility equipment to a friend and I didn't realize how late it was. I looked for you on the way back to the car but I think you might have gone into the ring for the stays. Maybe I'll get to catch up with you in the OPEN ring one of these days before I get my zimmer frame.... :D Give the girls a big pat from me. Theresa

That was a lovely but sad story Jerojath. Poor Red - poor Rachel! Was Rachel ill or old? Your Rachel sounds like she was so much like our Bart. I don't think for one minute sheep are dumb....just very, very trusting. My friends down here (farmers etc) think we're a bit daft because we have a pet sheep, but we've never been ones for worrying about what other people think! Bart is such a character with his antics. I have bruises on my legs where he paws at us when he wants something. He also tries to mount the dogs when the chance arises - but he can't catch Vegas! We dare not kneel down or bend over when he's around because he's on your back in a flash Lately SOMEONE has been breaking into the feed shed and helping themselves to the luscern bales......I snuck out the side gate behind the shed and banged on the tin as hard as I could - Well I've never seen anything run so fast in my life as a sprung Bart! So the other day we bought him a hay net for his kennel so he can graze on it throughout the day without it getting wet, and the chooks can't poo on it etc! He really needs to go on a diet!!! We've also had cats that have had very strong bonds with certain dogs over the years. Our eldest cat 'Munchkin' was never the same when his best friend and the love of his life 'Emma' died. He lived to almost 20ish, but throughout that time he never bonded with another dog like he did with his 'Em'. It's funny, but just before one of the oldies (dogs) became ill (rainbow bridge ill), Munchkin would suddenly be with them 24/7 and their constant comfort/companion throughout their final days (almost like he knew but we didn't)....he was a fantastic cat with so many stories of his own.I still miss him and Gremlin even today. Tez, so sorry to hear about brooke the chook. It's lovely that you took her to the vets. We take ours to the vet as well. Pandii - hope all is well with your young one. There is nothing worse or more worrying than sick children and sick animals. Theresa

Thanks tlc. Yes I do have a photobucket account that I haven't used in ages. I'll try to find my account details and do it that way Barty thinks he is a GSD. When the dogs bark so does he but I'm sure he must wonder why he sounds a little bit different to everyone else He fits in real well on this funny farm :D Theresa

Jess, is it Deb H - that crazy woman with the goldens? If it is, say G'day from me too! O.k. Let's see if this works.... Pep, Charm & BART the sheep. Theresa PS...any photo tips would be appreciated

Well if that's the case....am I the second eldest? Theresa

tlc....I'm with you on this. We have 6 cats (rescues/strays that have adopted us) and we love them to bits. Most of the dogs accept them as part of the family and one or two even sleep with the house dogs on their beds at night. I can't imagine life without them. Theresa