Sagittarian

It's owned by Masterfoods and sits alongside their Advance brand. It is certainly made here and I am in no way suggesting it isn't an excellent food - only time will tell. Sags

It's not the same, Miranda. Sags

Yup. I think we posted at the same time.

Push the grey button in hard and hold it, then pull the blade back toward you. The blade will bring the mechanism that it sits on. Slide the blade upwards off it. Now for the important bit! Keep the mechanism (a plastic rectangle) in that position. If you push it back in it is a pain to get back out, but if that does happen, slide something under it and flip it back out. To replace the blade, simply put onto the mechanism and clip forward so that it rests in the proper position again. I hope that helps - I'm sure there are proper terms for all those things. If all else fails, take it in to where you purchased and get them to run through it. Sags

Astonnolan... did you know that Royal Canin now has released Boxer Junior in Australia? If you are intending to change to the adult version, it might be worth getting a sample of the puppy formula. Sags

No, it's now being made in Australia. I have only seen two of the lines and the formula appears slightly different, but not in any way that would negatively impact the results. However, the proof will be in the eating. And pooing.

Nutro is set for relaunch in a matter of days. Sags

Sorry, Cassie - but if Evie (Saint aged 9) had to work out how to hold the bones, then she would starve. Not the brightest star in the universe, and just like her gran Christie, who in spite of many attempts would never eat raw. Sags

Meeka, the wholesaler is Aquatopia who are in Brisbane. Give them a call for another supplier close to you. If you have trouble with finding their number, give me a call at work tomorrow on 03 9331 7869 and I'll look it up there for you. We put Pro Pac in just after Nutro came off the market and a lot of our Nutro customers switched to it with success. Worth a try but not widely available. However, ask your local store if they deal with Aquatopia or Bay Fish and if so, they can order it. Phillipa

Have to agree they are awesome!!!! Go Judith and John - not only great service, but people with HEART and MORALS. As far as Artemis, personally we couldn't be happier. Evie moved to it after Orijen left the shelves, and she is doing just beautifully. Don't have a cat, but our cat Artemis customers are thrilled to bits. Sags

It is the hardest thing we ever do for them... but the most necessary. I am so sorry - I know and understand. Hold her in your heart and mind and know you've done the best you could. As she would have for you. Sags

Inspector Rex's friend works for Pet Goods Direct if I remember correctly? A company that is part of the Global group (Pets Paradise etc). If you have some way of persuading the parent company of Evo, Cal Nat and Innova to make the food available to any other importer, then we would be delighted. Certainly our efforts, along with those of a number of other retailers, have fallen on deaf ears. Sags

Can I ask if you are using the Drontal chewable or just the tabs? There are a number of generic options that are allwormers such as Wormex - $2.95 for 10kg. Interesting thread. Sags

So sorry to hear about this. May I ask what her diet is (please believe me, I have a reason to ask). Sags

PORTWAY - I & P Clark, St Bernards Old prefix - DMOWBRAY - St Bernards Heaps more if you want them.

I agree with Midol. We should be able to look at a product and determine whether it is treated in any way - from genetic modification to irradiation. That gives us, the consumer, the ability to make decisions that are based upon having more information. Sags

Not the organic chicken - remember that in Australia we only have that and their super premium range. Sags

The DVP Organic that is the most available in Oz is chicken based. Sags

Ask whoever you buy the Ziwipeak from to order 1kg and you'll get it. We always stock it as the bigger bags suit those who have already "tested" it on their dogs. Any retailer that stocks Prestige products can order and of the Ziwipeak range. Artemis can easily be purchaed via the main website there is a list of retailers as well. Someone asked about grain free: Artemis Maximal is grain free and single protein source. Ziwipeak is grain free but not a "kibble", it is air dried. Barf Patties are grain free. Evo is grain free (available only from Pets Paradise and its subsidiaries which includes Pet Goods Direct). Hope this helps. Sags

Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to feeding. Even raw diets run their risks, as we see from time. Any food - and I do mean ANY food may be recalled in the future. A visit to any supermarket is a reminder of the regularity this happens within human consumption products. Sags

It is more likely that the bag containing the food is affected. As K9Katz said, this is incorrect information you've been given, Cavandra. Not every petfood is irradiated. I for one would like to see irradiation stickers on any product that has been subject to the process, whether for human or pet consumption. I would also like to get a lot more information about this, before excluding products based upon their origin or any processes they undergo. Sags

There are a number of great quality foods stocked around and about - however, if you want to stock any Innova product, then you would need to belong to the PP chain - either a Pets Paradise store or a Pets Good Direct. They are the sole importers and have an arrangement with Innova that excludes other Australian importers. And it is a pity as they are in the better quality range. IR - great to hear that Gracie is on the improve, must have been a big scare for you. Sags

Our deepest sympathy and loving thoughts from us all. Spice was always a welcome visitor and we took much joy from watching her gain weight and grow coat and come into her own, thanks to the love and care shown to her. Ian and Phillipa & team @ 4 Paws & More

It's very easy to get caught up in protein levels as a means of choosing a food. So often I hear that such and such a food is too high, too low or just right for a pup. Having raised giant breed pups on protein levels from around 20% through to around 40%, my experience is that protein levels alone are not a "bad guy", nor an indicator of the quality of a food. Calories, calcium and climbing are my 3 things - monitoring calories to provide steady growth, correct calcium to phosphorus levels for a large breed, and avoiding stressing growing joints by permitting excess activity, particularly jumping and climbing. What a lot of people forget is that a well designed puppy food contains a level of calcium designed for a growing body. That, to me, is not marketing. It is about giving the average puppy owner a relatively simple way of raising a pup without too many mistakes. Of course there are those of us who choose to feed adult food to pups, or choose to add additional meat or bones, and so on - but the ones who do it successfully generally have a lot more experience than the average pet owner. JMO Sags

Thanks everyone, the kind words and thoughts do help a lot. Penny and Evie (her niece) slept in our converted garage, and after she'd gone, I took the beds and the houndhouses out and cleaned everything. Evie knows something is very wrong and keeps going to the last place that Penny was. Ian brought home a new houndhouse, which has delighted Evie, as she adores them. I've just let Evie out and fed her and she is still looking for Penny, but seems okay at the moment. I let her sit in the family room last night for a while - she's not big on being inside but seemed to appreciate the contact with me and the kids. We're going to start taking her to work with us and will get a bed arranged today that she can go to when we have other dogs in. It's weird. One Saint left. After all these years, and having so many beautiful dogs, it has come down to the little girl who is the ideal one I bred for. Your thoughts mean a lot to us. Phillipa