Sagittarian

Not so. We've stocked the complete Earthborn Holistic range since it came out. Might be a bit far to travel for the OP though. :-) Sags If you have a local Pet Stock, I believe it's sold exclusively by them at the moment?

Oh well, I tried to create an image of you showing age/wisdom/etc so that any doubts about your experience would be dispelled... but you are right (as always), age is not a factor when brilliance is involved. :D

'cos she and me... we're money hungry puppy farmers professional dog breeders with our the best interests of the public at heart. And when you spend so much time and money throwing together any old dog and bitch developing bloodlines, you do get to know someone rather well. And that pic... well, I remember taking it back in around `83 in a remote valley that can only be located on Apple Maps. Sags (waiting for Jed to explain herself).

I leave you to your own devices for a few months and look what happens! I bet that you completely forgot the most important trait: hunting ability. Oh, and you have got to stop misleading folk about you in the mountains with the wombat hybrids. That photo is at least thirty years old, you really need a new one! :p Sags

Not where our dog left the toy, but where the toy hid itself at work. We recently closed our Keilor Park store (pet supplies,) and during the removals, hubbie happened to be in the ceiling space of the upstairs office. Most puzzled to find a brand new Loopies Duck in the roof space! Complete with its tag and in perfect condition. It must have been there for at least a year and was two storeys up! Sags :)

We've recently put a Heiniger Saphir (spelling agh) into our salon and love it. It lasts well and we have a back up battery, which you probably wouldn't need. We also have Wahl KM2's as our original clippers, now great as a backup, but the cordless are fantastic. Not the cheapest though - but if that isn't an issue, have a look at Clipper World or Pupkus. Sags

We have some in stock at the new Sunbury store - give them a ring first to check there are XL and I will check Gisborne this morning. Number is 8746 8310. :-)

Why not give both Bayer (Advocate/Advantage) and Meriel (Frontline Plus) a ring on their helplines and get some professional advice in this unusual situation? I personally wouldn't be using Panoramis and it doesn't seem to be doing its job. Frontline Spray can be very effective as well, so again, give them a call (or pm me and I'll give you the reps numbers for both companies). Sags :)

In our salon we use a happy hoodie whilst grooming the body of anxious dogs - it is like an elasticised snood in a thick material that dulls the sounds around the dog as well as giving some comfort by the mild pressure. It works extremely well in almost all cases. For working around the head and legs, we sometimes use a thundershirt, again for the comforting factor. The key really is regular grooming to keep the matting away, so maybe using grooming sprays such as Plush Puppy's OMG, which greatly reduces tangles and aids with less pulling, might help. We have some dogs that come in every couple of weeks just to do this for the owners, as our groomer is so patient and gentle and doesn't have the emotional connection that can make it harder for owners sometimes. Hope they can find a suitable solution. Sags :)

Hi - just curious as to when you introduced the bone for lunch and whether it coincided with the change in his "output". I'd be inclined to drop Judith from Artemis a quick email and let her know what has happened, given that he was fine on it initially. :)

Just to add that not all grain free dry foods are high protein. The percentage of many available are in the 20's, not 40's. This includes Artemis grain frees and some Canidae grain frees, to mention only two brands. Personally, if I was raising a pup today, I wouldn't hesitate to use a grain free food, even the so called high protein varieties. A pup on a lower quality food needing more cups per day of food may very well be getting more protein than one on a better balanced food. It should always come down to doing proper research and working the formulas out for yourself, and then testing the waters for palatability and condition over time. Sags :)

We carry 15kg Adult and Sensitive Skin as regular lines in both the Keilor Park and Gisborne stores, plus 1kg and 5kg of all other dog varieties. Usually we have a couple on the stand, but we order weekly so it is easy to have stock waiting for anyone wanting several. Our prices are Vet's All Natural recommended retail prices, but bulk buys can be quoted on by request. Feel free to contact me by pm for store details. Phillipa 4Paws & More Pet Supplies

Avoid Comfortis with your guys - pups are too young and it isn't a good product for breeding animals. Frontline Plus or Advantage are flea treatments that work effectively in most areas but they must be used on a regular basis. Can be used in conjunction with Capstar if you have a lot of adults on a dogs, but both start working very rapidly. I'm at the Gisborne store tomorrow if you want to call me or are around and I can run through the options with you and see what is also most cost effective. Phillipa

It's okay... it's not your fault. :laugh: Sags

Always stock of Venison Ears at 4Paws & More Pet Supplies, Unit 2, 60 Keilor Park Drive, Keilor Park. Not too far from North Melbourne and open 7 days. 9331 7869. Sags :)

The minerals in TOTW are all chelated minerals. So it's good. Someone said the VIP 3kg bag is about $14.89. That's very nicely priced! TOTW would be waaaaaaaaaay pricier. Have you considered a plan B? There's a promotion here on Canidae Grain Free. http://www.robbospetbarn.com.au/products/c-362/DOGS/FOOD/SUPER-PREMIUM/CANIDAE/GRAIN-FREE.aspx It works out to be cheaper than TOTW and but still pricier than VIP. Canidae has too high a protein content for my liking - and TOTW is a bit cheaper :) Canidae protein levels vary from 20% in Platinum, to 40% in Sea. In between there are plenty of varieties of Canidae under 30% - this includes Grain Free Land at 25%. What also has to be considered is how much food needs to be consumed from each brand as that can markedly alter the actual protein levels that are eaten by an individual - eg if brand A is 40% protein and the dog eats 100gm a day, then 40 grams of protein. If brand B is 30% protein but the dog eats 150gm a day, then 45 grams are consumed. Sags

I'm sorry for your lost. I didn't know that. http://www.wherearethepetfoodchampions.com I guess the product itself is still good if the extra heating/irradiation process did not occur. I mean, how else it gets top star rating and pet food of the year award in overseas. Anyway, this brand has such a bad name here in Australia, I'm sure no supplier is going to import again. The food itself was wonderful. The product was irradiated at unusually high levels and no warnings or transparency of any kind provided by the importer. Because the food itself is cooked at such a low heat, it had to be irradiated under Aqis regulations of the day. Part of the aftermath of the tragic results to many cats saw a change in the laws surrounding importation of cat and dog food (and treats). Cat food is never irradiated - it is either allowed to be imported or refused. Dog food can be imported and irradiated (as can dog treats such as Wanpy and a lot of rawhide types) but must by law carry a sticker stating that the product is unsuitable for cats. If you see that sticker, you know the product is irradiated. Yes, it is a pity Orijen is not a viable product for Australia, but no, it is not a pity that Aqis take these things so seriously. At least we do enjoy an increasing variety of quality food options. Sags

I've just had time to give this and the Buster link a quick read. As both are US sites, can anyone shed light on whether Australian experts are in agreement that all monthly heartworm treatments - if used at correct dosages - are okay to use with mutant dogs? Unless I am completely reading it wrong! Thanks in advance, Phillipa

I always speak to the exhibitor if I withhold a Challenge or a placing. It is good manners if nothing else as that person has asked my opinion by entering their dog at the show. It isn't hard to be diplomatic even if the exhibit is nowhere near the breed standard. Usually I'll say something along the lines of: "even though your dog/bitch has a correct coat and lovely dark eyes, he/she is not as developed in head properties as the standard calls for". Or whatever the issue is. That said, there are some exhibitors who take it very hard and may get upset or nasty. But giving a reason at least puts it back in the exhibitor's court and most people are very accepting. Sags :)

Probably not an issue with Westies. :) More my big dudes. Sags

This. And for this reason I'm very wary of 100% dry food diets. Historically dogs ate non-processed wet foods. On the rare occasions my guys get dry food it's always floating in a good dose of water. Never on its own. Like us, dogs get a lot of their moisture and hydration from their food - so IMO unless it contains moisture then you are potentially setting yourself up for problems down the track. And before anyone screams, I know others disagree - and you're welcome to. :) I happen to believe that this is THE sleeper issue in dog nutrition and I'd prefer we don't look back with great regret later on. Water doesn't hurt! There is some research suggesting that adding water to dry foods that contain Ascorbic Acid may increase the risk of bloat in some dogs. Whilst nothing around bloat (gastric torsion) is carved in stone, I personally would check the ingredients prior to adding water. Sags

Thanks to you all! Sags

Looking for an easy to understand article or information on this, or just a link to a good place to look. I'd rather get a recommended site from someone with some experience in this area than just google and maybe miss a better source. Thanks! Sags :)

I did ask the rep what the "natural fats and oils" and "natural flavours" were specifically, as well as where it is manufactured, and received no response in spite of promises to get back to me. When we select products to stock, we like straight answers to simple questions lol. Sags

Plus. the handle clicks down into place when not in use with a magnet. Sags