Sagittarian

Paratek is widely available. We sell ours per tablet (a couple of dollars per 10kg dose by memory), which makes it an inexpensive way to cover tapeworm. Comes in bottles of 100 but unless you had lots of dogs to dose, would end up being a waste in that volume. Sags :)

We've stocked the range since it came to Australia quite a while ago and have found it to be well accepted by a range of dogs (and cats now) and becoming one of our more popular brands. Sags :)

Try taking a BED from a dog! We have a grooming client who simply loves a particular type of sherpa bed, and managed to pick one up on her way out one day. Staff and owner were laughing so hard that she nearly got away with it, but as it was almost as big as she is (lab size), she struggled to get past a display. We've just learnt to put those beds out of her reach when she comes in every three weeks. As far as toys... they are like candy to a kid in a supermarket. We have no issue as long as the dog hasn't damaged it, we simply take it away and clean it if required. If it was unintentional, but not saleable, I think we'd just put it down to the hazards of encouraging dogs into the store. We don't claim things like that on insurance though. Insurance is for important things, not a doggie simply doing what comes naturally. Sags :)

PAWS by Blackmores have a great range of joint supplements, starting at under $40. Google, or else feel free to pm me if you have questions. Sags

Hi brains trust! Have a customer touring with their dogs at the moment who are staying away longer than expected and may run out of their stock of Earthborn Holistic. Does anyone know if it is available at any retailer close to either Toowoomba or Canberra (or presumably in between)? Otherwise, they are happy with Canidae or Artemis as alternatives. Thanks in advance. Sags

Going to be one big rotating banner if it was up to me!!! Looking for pics that create an emotional response. Particularly if we can make people smile, or reflect upon their own loved pet. Dogs being dogs. Beautiful backdrops. Don't want much, do I? :D

Thank you. :-) I have to say, I am a little overwhelmed by some of the beautiful pics that I've been sent or directed to. Some just make me smile but one or two bring a tear to the eye. Sags :)

Not asking for free photos. :) Anyone who is interested is welcome to contact me privately. I've already had two emails since posting on here, one asking for more specifics and one loaded with gorgeous pics. Looking forward to more. Sags :)

Hi all, We have a family run business (Pet Supplies) and after many years of just having a splash page, are finally working on a real website. :D We are trying to make our home page really special and are looking for photographs of pets that will fit us and look stunning. We have a couple of options. Our header is long and fairly narrow with our logo to one side. What we are thinking is this: 1. Have one photograph that goes right across the header and will include the logo. 2. Have three photographs, one for caring, one for playing, one for feeding, and then our logo to the side. What I'm looking for are photographs that we can use. Over the years I've seen some awesome photos on dogzonline, so I'm hoping maybe this is the best place to look. Happy to have them sent to me direct: [email protected] or posted here or a link posted for me to check out. We won't use anything without permission, and it is just a concept right now, but would love to see what is around, or get any suggestions. Thanks in advance, Sags :)

As a suggestion, look for Big Dog Barf Patties as they come in a 3kg box (12 x 250gm patties) and retail at $19.95 (rrp) for most flavours. They also have a reward program where they send you a $40 vouchers after you spend x amount, which helps as well. The Big Dog website would have local suppliers listed. But, as stated earlier, feed what your dogs do best on: enjoyment, overall health, weight and output. Sags

Might also be worth investigating PAWS Osteochews. Made by Blackmores, these are so easy to give and according to a lot of our customers have given visible results within 3 weeks. PAWS also have a capsule which is a stronger mix than the Osteochew and provides pain relief. The capsule can either be opened onto food or given as is and provides the correct dose without air getting to the product until it is opened. Having had big dogs for a long time, and having tried almost everything on the market over the years, I just wish PAWS had been around for my oldies (or Glyde, which I know little about, but sounds excellent). Sags :)

Our experience as retailers is that roo is widely well received by a cross section of the canine (and feline) community and is an excellent choice for the majority of our customers' dogs, not the minority. We see a huge amount of itchy dogs, and the short and long term difference in those animals whose owners are prepared to critically look at diet, and follow our suggestions, is really wonderful to see. Roo is often part of the equation, and there have been only a few dogs who do not respond well to it. Some do find it rich, compared to previous meats, and some don't like the taste/smell, but it certainly has proved to be a useful tool in helping relieve skin conditions in those dogs who enjoy it. There are plenty of other meats that can be trialled if roo doesn't suit the individual or is an ethical issue, along with alternative protein sources. We have a number of vegan customers using the Vets All Natural Complete Mix with various vegetable proteins as the "meat" source, and that is working quite well. Always enjoy nutrition discussions. Phillipa

I'm not familiar with L-Trytophan... maybe jump on the PAWS website and see if the product is close to that? Sags

Thanks everyone. I'm going to get the dog in to evaluate and to discuss follow up visits. Fortunately, we now have a groomer who likes doing this, so he is quite keen. Not something I personally want to do! Sags

For a Cairn Terrier, how long would you allocate on average and what would you charge? Dog is only touched once a year. Oh, and he bites. :D Thanks in advance, Sags

PAWS (Blackmores) multi with tryptophan should be back in stock across the country at the end of the year or early next year. We've had incredibly positive feedback from customers who used it a few months ago - from car sickness to fear biters and a lot in between. Not horribly priced either and given as a chew treat. Sags

Just a question to those concerned about the protein levels in grain free foods. If you are adding raw meat/offal/bones to your dog's diet, do you know how much protein a day you are feeding? Dogs actually need protein. It isn't the baddie that some people say it is. Personally, I'd only be cautious with protein levels if a health condition dictated. Puppies do not grow faster/get bigger on higher protein. That is the result of high calories. With grain free foods, one tends to offer less than a grain based diet, so the percentage of protein isn't nearly as high per serve as you may think. Just my two cents worth. Sags

From memory, the Lamb and Rice actually has the lowest fat content of the Candidae range, with the exception of Platinum. Pav Lova: while we haven't raised a litter on the ALS, we have a number of customers who have done so and been very pleased with the results. Generally, we find that Canidae is well tolerated by most dogs and that even the grain free varieties are quite easy on most stomachs. I fed the Platinum and the Chicken & Rice to Evie while she was still with us and she looked great, felt great and maintained the weight I wanted on her. Evie was an older St Bernard. Sags

Um, no. Canidae doesn't. Earthborn Holistic doesn't. Fairly sure some of the Natura brands don't. Plus the odd variety here and there of some mainstream brands. Sags

Huge congratulations Sam, Karen, Paul and other connections and of course CJ!! She looks happy and why not? She is living proof that good overcomes evil and has a whole new beautiful family to love as much as she already loves her humans and Chevy. Well done and our best wishes for their future. Phillipa & the 4Paws team.

I just had a big cuddle with CJ and Chevy. What gorgeous girls they are and so clearly relieved to be with Sam and Karen again. I just hope that whoever did this is stopped before they put more people and dogs through this ordeal. Phillipa

We are so very pleased to hear this! Big hugs to both girls... there will be a treat pack for each of them at the Gisborne store whenever they (or their relieved humans) would like to drop in. Phillipa & Ian 4Paws & More Pet Supplies

Thank you Phillipa, I was advised that you were notified via Facebook. My mistake, any and all help is appreciated and also could you please post it in your Keilor store. Thank you, Sam. It is no trouble at all. Flaves popped some info on one of the facebook pages (we have one for each store and one for the salon) but I hadn't realised there were flyers, nor that the girls were possibly stolen until reading this thread this afternoon. Our manager in Gisborne lives in Bullengarook and will certainly be able to help with her own great network. I'll get flyers up at Gisborne, Keilor Park and over at the IGA noticeboard tomorrow. I can only imagine how you guys feel. If there is anything else we can, don't hesitate to ask. Phillipa & Ian

If someone can either drop in a flyer or email one to our Gisborne store, then I'll put it in the window in the morning, should CJ and Chevvy not be home by then. I actually just drove to the store to see if there was a flyer already up (I judged yesterday so haven't been into work since Friday morning) and was surprised there isn't one there. Given how busy we are, and that we have customers both for the shop and salon that come from Bacchus and further, it would be worth putting one up. We'll also put one in Keilor Park. I can also let our facebook customers know. Contact for the shop is below. My heart goes out to all parties concerned, particularly the missing girls. Phillipa 4Paws & More Pet Supplies Shop 2, 33 Hamilton Street Gisborne 54284422 email: [email protected]

Just for the record, I didn't say the below... a mix up with quotes I imagine. What I did say was that Natura is now owned by Proctor & Gamble. Compared to just a few years ago, Australia now enjoys a really good selection of dry food options. There is no doubt that the range will continue to grow, as long as the manufacturers of some of the "intuitive" brands can meet the AQIS regulations. Sags I think the 'regulations' you are referring to are quarantine regs set by AQIS. They seem to pose a significant barrier to importing pet foods into Aus as there are significant hoops to jump through regarding how the dog food is made, sources of ingredients etc. You can see more at: http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/import/biological/checklist/animal-feed On the upside, these regs also help keep Australia pest/disease free! I emailed 3 top American brands recently and was told that Taste of the Wild food is currently going through the process to import their food to Australia, which is great to hear. No idea on time frames though. The other 3 brands I emailed (Addiction, Wysong and Timberwolf) said they do not currently supply to Australia and did not mention any plans to change that. Hope that helps. Good luck on your search - I feed Advance but after lots of research lately I am going to change to Canidae, Earthborn or Artemis when I finish my current bag.