jr_inoz

thanks everyone for sharing....

it all reinforces my view that I couldn't do it...

Love the BC story.

my breeder took his 6 week old puppies in for their vaccination on Friday. (Same vet as me). Another interesting night for the vet it appeared - case before was apparently an emergency caesarean but the one that had them talking was the dog owner who came and said his dog was sick, but he couldn't afford the consultation and the medicine. Could he hold his dog up to the window and the vet could them say what was wrong and then give him the medicine?

I didn't find out what the outcome was - am very curious though...

As people have commented - the guy is a bit of an idiot. Also putting his girl at risk for picking up infections whilst she is in season.

Just on the whole 'not showing interest til ready' thing...

A breeder told me the story of how his dogs know that when one of the bitches come into season, they are taken out of the kennel and they can't get to them. He used to be able to wait until the boys started showing interest (sniffing) and then remove the girls as they were just coming in. The boys are quite sneaky now. A bitch can be in full season and if the breeder is around, they won't show any interest in her at all - hoping he won't notice. It only happened once - (and she wasn't mated) but he obviously checks the girls all the time and doesn't wait for the boys to start showing interest in them.

I reckon a nice deep cherry red would look good. I have sable coloured dogs - red looks really good on them. (As does natural coloured leather, tan leather, deep orange and pink - all the warm colours)

I must be a baaad dog owner - I have a black check chain on a black dog.

I love a black on a black dog. Still think it is the best look on the belgian shepherds at shows - black check chain, black lead.

OT...

(the groomer thought poor Mish was a girl - I LOL'ed so hard, but I think it suits him )

The groomer thought your dog was a girl even AFTER grooming him? Did they miss something????

Almost as good as the judge who told a sheltie exhibitor 'this dog isn't entire' - ('she is a bitch, sir').

and then went on and told the next exhibitor in the class the same thing!!

Had to take my girl to the vet today - minor issue and she is fine.

Was super impressed by the vet nurse/receptionist tonight, and by the vet. (small practice, one vet)

The patient before my girl was being picked up by her owners - a gorgeous shitzu, who had had and emergency caesaerean and delivered 3 dead puppies. Very sad for the owners, but they were pleased that their baby was ok after it all. Could have been worse.

The patient right before mine was an old border collie who had come in to be put to sleep. The couple were looked after so very very well, and with such compassion.

I don't know if I could handle an evening vet session like that each night. very sad.

Looks like an interesting weekend coming up in Adelaide...

I tried the thundershirt on my pup yesterday and the change was absolutely amazing she went from super hyperactive to being really calm and it has helped with her fear of men as well

will have to try this.

question - would you leave it on a dog all day while you're at work?

It's too risky, like leaving a collar on--it gets stuck on something, too hot, etc. Of course the velcro helps with it coming off, but I supervise use of the TS. I've used it with a great deal of success on Carl.

thanks for that...

was wondering.

have ordered one - will let you know how it goes

I tried the thundershirt on my pup yesterday and the change was absolutely amazing she went from super hyperactive to being really calm and it has helped with her fear of men as well

will have to try this.

question - would you leave it on a dog all day while you're at work?

Emma wears a Ruffwear life jacket - good fit for her, foam isn't too thick but keeps her quite high in the water, good movement. See pic (she's wearing a Small). Love it!! She is sooo confident in the water now when she wears it (I was worried she was going to sink to the bottom before!!!).

Kenzie has an EziDog backpack (also small size but she could probably wear a medium). Quite good, carries enough without being able to be overloaded. I would say it does sit quite high and is over her shoulders, it might be more comfortable if it sat a little further back but she likes wearing it. When she wears it she generally gets to carry the water. She walks very differently when she wears the backpack (not in a good or bad way just a different way).

Thanks for the detailed review! I think I'll go with the ruffwear when I have a bit more money saved.

was just checking them out myself...

on sale at present

http://www.backcountryk9.com/147/Products.aspx

aloe vera gel also helps (this was also recommended by the vet when we were trying to avoid giving her medication)

I think you'll find that even though our canine authorities don't want their Breeders selling to Petshops, the restriction of trade is actually illegal - I'm pretty sure that is the case for Dogs NSW.

This may be the case - but wouldn't SACA be allowed to suspend your membership and thus your ability to get your puppies registered? (wouldn't stop you from being able to sell to a pet store, just stop you from being able to do any showing etc)

could it be an allergy to kikuyu? It is quite surprising the number of dogs who are sensitive to this grass. My girl is. She is fine on cooch, but not on kikuyu.

How old is the puppy? If it is very young, you wouldn't necessarily want to be giving it stuff.

Having said that - my vet prescribed phenergan for my girl (as the prednisone (sp)isn't good long term). Dosage was 1mg per 1kg of dog weight. She gets half a 10mg tablet, only when required. Doesn't get rid of the allergy, but provides a small amount of relief when things get very bad.

Fiestylady - I am not a Cav breeder, but you may find it helpful to come out to a couple of shows to see some Cav breeders.

We only have two weekends left of shows, before we have a break until March in Adelaide.

There is a show tonight at Karbeethan Reserve at Angle Vale (Gawler) - angle vale road - cant miss it, (starts at 7pm) then next weekend at Heathfield Oval, heathfield (near Stirling) - on Friday and Saturday night starting at 6pm.

Maybe pop along to one of these shows and chat to a few breeders. You'll get to see their dogs too.

the ankc allow registered breeders to sell puppies to pet shops as long as they were PIAA shops.

eta so this puppy could legitimately have dogs nsw papers

wow - code of ethics in SA says that a registered breeder can not sell to pet shops at all. How come it is different in NSW?

i will check out the ankc and sa dogs but i was sure it had something to do with the ankc not being able to restrict trade so the ruke was that registered breeders could only sell to PIAA pet shops

eta do you have a link to the SA code of ethics please?

yep - on the dogssa website - download the rule book - page 41 - code of ethics for all SACA members

http://www.dogssa.com.au/Website/index.php?id=10&level=2

11. I shall not sell any dog to commercial dog wholesalers, retail pet dealers, or directly or indirectly to allow a dog to be given as a prize or donation in a contest or any kind.

the ankc allow registered breeders to sell puppies to pet shops as long as they were PIAA shops.

eta so this puppy could legitimately have dogs nsw papers

wow - code of ethics in SA says that a registered breeder can not sell to pet shops at all. How come it is different in NSW?

I've used harvey norman - quality ok. They do have some nice options for layout. I found the software easy to manage. Delivery was good. 10 days after i ordered, ready to be picked up.

I've been looking at snapfish for my next one. Am also interested in people's experiences

I know what you mean about scary stories though....

Was down the beach one evening and a girl was swimming her dog on a lead.

She explained that her lab loves to swim and swim straight out from shore. He would, literally, keep going and not stop. She reckoned he would swim the gulf to Ardrossan if given the chance. She had to have him rescued (luckily people on hand with boat who could help) so she doesn't let him swim off lead anymore.

I love watching the retrievers down the beach, swimming and playing. My girl won't go near the water. Didn't help that she fell into a pond when she was a puppy. (She only loves the water from the hose).

I think Bernese Mountain Dogs are a bit too big for me. I'm not sure one would even fit in my car :D

Lyndsay I'd love to meet some more Aussies, that would be great

Pick the runt of the litter. My friend's berner girl is way smaller than a standard poodle and smaller than a collie rough. She's a bit bigger than an aussie...

Sounds like you are becoming set on an aussie though - and they are great and I love them. If I had a bigger yard so they could run a bit i would seriously consider one too - but wouldn't have said they are chilled out... all I have met have been pretty exciteable.

Come meet Holly and Maizie the next show, they are on the chilled out end of the scale. There are some pretty full on ones in the ring at the moment though (lovely dogs). ETA: Bree is one of them!

Lyndsay - this is what I mean - there are definitely some pretty full on ones out at the moment. ;) (and I love their 'showy' temperament)

Will have to come and see Holly and Maizie. Will be at the Hills show.

I think Bernese Mountain Dogs are a bit too big for me. I'm not sure one would even fit in my car

Lyndsay I'd love to meet some more Aussies, that would be great

Pick the runt of the litter. My friend's berner girl is way smaller than a standard poodle and smaller than a collie rough. She's a bit bigger than an aussie...

Sounds like you are becoming set on an aussie though - and they are great and I love them. If I had a bigger yard so they could run a bit i would seriously consider one too - but wouldn't have said they are chilled out... all I have met have been pretty exciteable.

thanks for your help guys

I got some good shots of the support cars that went through first - just setting up focus etc...

then - would you believe - memory card failed right before the peloton came through - not a single shot of the cyclists! Go figure. No time obviously to change - very quickly past.

PPPS http://www.adelaidevet.com.au/our-services have a payment plan called "care credit"

Care Credit accounts through GE, are 6 months interest free! Southern animal hospital at Morphett vale does these accounts

I think the vet on Marion Road does the same thing.

didn't know whether to post this here or in photography tips and tricks...

anyway - have found out that the Tour Down Under will be travelling past here tomorrow - thought I'd try and get some photos.

I have virtually no experience taking photos of things moving at speed. I reckon the peloton will be doing about 60 or 70kmh when it goes past. I reckon I can position myself so that I can see them coming toward me and as they go around a sweeping bend. sun shouldn't be a problem.

Was going to use my 18-200 lens. I have a canon eos 400d. Should put it on 'multi frame' shooting? Fully auto, or manual?

Any tips? It will all happen very fast. Haven't been to the race before (just watched it a lot on TV - that and tour de france)...

My friend's Bernese Mountain Dog ticks a lot of your boxes.

She is at the smaller end of the scale for a berner - but still within the standard.

She seems to love all the exercise she gets, but also loves chilling out and doing nothing.

They started training (obedience) with her at a young age and she is pretty good. Obviously not a good breed for agility though.

Same shedding as most double coated breeds (once or twice a year only)

Ever considered one of these?

I had the same issue.

I used the plastic trellis stuff like you did. To attach it to the shed, i drilled small holes in the shed with my smallest drill bit, then used fencing wire to loop through the trellis and into the shed. I had two small holes next to each other in the shed to push the fencing wire through. I then tied it off on the inside. I used about 4 sets of these small holes down the length of the trellis to attach it to the head. Been almost 3 years, dog full grown and she's not managed to get in there yet. I did put a massive big rock at the bottom so she couldn't dig under either. She gets frustrated when a lizard goes behind the shed and she cant get it.

My first 2 (staffy x and ACD x) ate an entire queen size quilt off the washing line, a whole 12 pack of toilet rolls, half a clam shell, the bladder from a queen size water bed and the pedals and seats from 2 bikes over the 12 years we had them - sorry - no photos as this was before digital cameras.

Oh - and the ACD X also ate the crutch out of several pairs of undies and jeans (luckily they were not being worn at the time)

We left an old couch outside and our Staffy x (yes the same one) methodically made his way through the couch cushions with the help of our Kelpie X.

Sorry - but when I read it through the first time, I was wondering "all at the same time?"

...Gus!!

How do you make your owner come home from work on a Friday and dive straight into a bottle of Penfolds Bin 28?

Open the garage door. Oh noes!! Look at the damage from the rains! My garage floor has an enormous puddle of water!! Oh the mess... Oh the destruction... Oh look at that swathe of mud!! MUD!!! How the hell did that get in here?? It must have washed down the driveway... Oh the mess...

But wait, why is this puddle of water and mud in the centre of my garage? Why doesn't it reach from either door? There's no leak in my ceiling. Did it come in - Dog forbid - under one of the walls??

...here, there are worms in this mud! WTF??

Step up for your star prize, Gus, with a special nomination for minimum effort, maximum impact:

He chewed the spigot off the worm farm.

and so very well written....

I got my show trolley second hand, it is one of the really older styles, lightweight and was nice and cheap for a beginner. Would love to know the dog who used to use it before mine. Three of the upright bars have chew marks on them - and when I say marks - I mean one of the bars is almost squished flat at one point. Mine have never even attempted to chew it...

they prefer softer things, like the straps on my bras...