tdierikx

Your vet will give you the post op care instructions... and DD is right, your old girl will probably take it in her stride, and you will be the one who worries about it more. She will take a little time to adjust to her new way of viewing the world, and you might want to be mindful not to approach her suddenly from the left, as she won't see you and my get startled. If approaching her from the left, make some noise so she can have time to turn her head to see you. T.

I don't see any harm in it... T.

The chip kits themselves aren't all that expensive... I've bought them for under $5 each... but you need to have an implanter ID number in order to buy them (in NSW anyways). Usually when you have a vet do the implantation, you also get a health check and whatnot, so their time is going to factor into the costs there. The cheapest I've had a vet do a litter of pups was $30 per pup. Individual implanters tend to charge less than that, but most I know charge around $20 per pup and maybe a little less each if you are doing an entire litter. Having held MANY rescue pups while they were implanted, I can say that there is definitely an art to insertion of that enormous needle - you don't want to be getting it wrong and making them bleed profusely, or worse have the thing pop through the skin into your own finger! I can give a vaccination, but not game to do the chip implanter course... T.

How excitement... Taronga have messaged me asking to use one of my photos on their website, and in a publication called Peninsula Living... full naming of me as the photographer. It's a good start, yes? T.

7/2 - Hyacinth Macaw at Featherdale Wildlife Park... 01-02-2014-featherdale 1011 by tdierikx, on Flickr T.

Adult dogs with enough immunity to stave off a full blown Parvo infection can still contract it and shed it via their faeces... vaccination doesn't necessarily mean that an animal won't GET the disease, it just means they are a lot less likely to develop the full blown symptoms of same... T.

They look really good SLF... you and Reba are doing really well, OK? In a few weeks time this shaky start will be a memory only, and the pups will be driving you to distraction with their naughty puppy antics... *grin* T.

Way to go Astro, you little fighter you! T.

Hip, back, and patella issues of such severity that the foster carer's husband the VET didn't notice in all the time they looked after the pups and mum? Something isn't adding up... the career was initially told the pups were euthed on ground of temperament. T.

6/2 Jalur - do you think he knows how handsome he is? 02-02-2014-symbio 524 by tdierikx, on Flickr T.

I'm already fully ambulant and driving the nurses batty. Should be fine to pet expo party on Saturday... all I needed was someone to hitch a ride from as im not supposed to drive myself for a few days... Thanks heaps MadWoofter! T.

There has been a fair few (read LOTS) cases in NSW since June - more than usual due to the warmer weather patterns... *sigh* T.

See... now here's the rub... I have a Canon 60D - so it's a 1.6 crop sensor... which means I'm getting around 640mm already at the far end of the 100-400 L. If I had a full frame camera, I'd probably seriously consider the new Tamron 150-600... but not on a crop... Then again... the crop will get me around 960mm out of the Tamron... aarrgghh! T.

Hang in there Astro! T.

The lions at Taronga have a nasty habit of sleeping all day, and the keepers need to trim all the bloody rampant bushes that are blocking any decent view... grrr! There are quite a few lion pics from my various Taronga visits though... if you check out the Taronga sets, I'm sure you'll get enough ey-candy to satisfy... *grin* http://www.flickr.com/photos/tdierikx/sets/ T.

It's having mixed reviews from those who already have one... T.

Ummm - Pet Expo is on at Rosehill that day too... T.

I think they may be starting to rally... they are feeding at least. T.

5/2 - Kelly the Koala showing off her sleeping "style"... 02-02-2014-symbio 600 by tdierikx, on Flickr T.

Love it Canetoad! T.

Parvac is the most used one I know of kelpiecuddles... T.

Hahaha! I get you there... T.

KC vaccine is sort of like the human flu shots - only give protection against the strains they are vaccinated for... doesn't stop them getting one of the myriad other strains out there... *sigh* There may be anecdotal evidence out there that the KC vaccs may minimise the reaction to getting one of the other strains... but no absolute proof one way or the other. T.

I like the first one of the second lot too... check out the smile... lol! Photographing black dogs is an art... not the easiest subjects at all. I find they take the best photos with the light aiming towards them - so you can see them better. I'm thinking you had an overcast day there, yes? So that means you've done exceptionally well to get the quality photos you have got there. I've only taken photos at 2 weddings... and both were as a guest. Both lots of photos turned out pretty darned well, because I was getting the unposed shots - people get pretty stiff when they know the official photographer is pointing the camera at them, don't they huga? I'd be behind the official photographer and get my pics AFTER he'd done his - as the people were relaxing... *grin* (all done with the official photographers' permission of course) My advice is to keep practicing, keep snapping away, and keep enjoying what you are doing... it will certainly translate to your photos. T.

So the answer is that people should only own pedigreed dogs as pets WIW? What about those of us who actually prefer our mixed breed dogs for their "individuality" in looks? As long as said mixed breeds are of sound temperament, then it shouldn't matter that they may be made up of dog knows what breed background, no? T.