tdierikx

5/52 - Jalur doing his best "Blue Steel"... 02-02-2014-symbio 524 by tdierikx, on Flickr T.

When Pickles broke her leg, she was given strong pain relief even though she has little feeling in her legs... her eyes stayed open for hours and she looked very zoned... but she was quiet, and that's what mattered most... T.

WOOHOO!!! 4 live babies!! Well done Reba and SLF! SLF - give Reba a cuddle from me when she feels up to it... she's done an amazing job! Ice cream may be in order now - what do you think? For Reba AND you... lol! T.

Pickles tries so hard to catch them... but is a little too uncoordinated to get it just right... lol! The other dogs aren't bothered by them at all, they just duck under the onslaught and keep on doing whatever they are doing - which is usually going potty - my yard is seriously only ever used as a toilet, then they come back inside and drape themselves over the furniture... lazy buggers! T.

Oh jeebus Kirislin! All the best healing vibes from me and mine are being sent to sweet Feather... There is nothing like the complete adrenaline rush of sheer panic when one of our "babies" is in an emergency situation, and it's up to us to get our arse into gear fast, is there? How are YOU hanging in there? I'd definitely be looking for chest and spine x-rays tomorrow - and maybe a couple of her jaw for good measure - it sounds like she may have cracked something when she fell. No dog screams in pain for no good reason - especially ones as usually stoic as your lot... and there's the bruising to consider as well - dogs don't bruise as easily as us (even whippets)... Do you have any form of doggy painkillers there at all? Even some Meloxicam, or some carprofen types (Noracarp, etc) might help a little if she gets restless overnight. At risk of being screamed at by others, even some ibuprofen or panadol as advised by a vet for dosage might hold her over until tomorrow when you can get some proper doggy pain relief for her. T.

Are you rural or suburban? If rural, an air rifle (an air pistol would be even better) is a wonderful investment... The Indian Mynahs here are terrible for bombing everything smaller than a Great Dane - and their fights with each other on my front lawn are epic... I actually have to go out and chase them off, they get that bloody noisy! T.

1/28 - Guinea Fowl at Featherdale Wildlife Park - a head only a mother could love... lol! 01-02-2014-featherdale 681 by tdierikx, on Flickr T.

I shouldn't have spent the money on mine either Kirislin... but it was so worth going without some other things for me... FF - I just called her name and chuffed a little, and the next thing she was tearing over to the fence to chuff and chat back at me. It's not been a one off thing either... she comes to me most times I call to her now. I so want to pat her it hurts! I have to be good and not climb over the small barrier fence to get to the big chain link fence - because I could easily do that if I really wanted to (as I keep reminding the zoo owner)... *grin* I think I found my heart tiger... T.

It took me 2 lots of Comfortis 2 weeks apart AND Advantage spot on to finally kick the fleas here this year. The local vet reckons that the only thing that's working at the moment is the Comfortis, and was most surprised when I advised him that mine took 2 lots plus the spot on. I'm in the camp that only treats for fleas when I see one on my dogs... I hate dosing them with stuff if I can help it. T.

My neighbour's bunny attacks her - and she still can't see the sense in desexing him... he's fine with me though, so I am the lucky soul that feeds him when they go away... *sigh* Maybe I'll get him done next time they are away... *evil grin*... dirty little bugger sprays on everything and everyone that comes near. T.

Thanks raineth... do you think I'm doing an OK job of convincing Kirislin that she wants one of these lenses? *grin* A couple more? This was through double mesh and in dappled lighting conditions... 19-01-2014-taronga 599 by tdierikx, on Flickr 05-01-2014-taronga 251 by tdierikx, on Flickr Through glass with glare... 28-12-2013-symbio 159 by tdierikx, on Flickr Through glass and water - and shot from what can only be described as a cave like environment... 26-12-2013-taronga 1590 by tdierikx, on Flickr Dixie again... in flight over the crowd... 22-12-2013-taronga 1442 by tdierikx, on Flickr Through grotty glass and into a shaded environment... 22-12-2013-taronga 565 by tdierikx, on Flickr Through chainlink fencing and suffering from shock that she was actually coming when I called to her... 14-12-2013-symbio 053 by tdierikx, on Flickr Convinced yet Kirislin? You NEED one of these lenses!!! T.

Prices are from retail... not grey market. Then again, it's the best $1837 I've spent ever! T.

How about this photo then? It was one of the series I got the other pic in... nowhere near as perfect... lol! 27-10-2013-taronga 833-dixie1 by tdierikx, on Flickr ... or this one... taken through inch thick glass at an angle on full zoom... not quite as crisp as I'd like, but works anyways, yes? 26-01-2014-symbio 087 by tdierikx, on Flickr ... or this one... one of those photos where getting closer to the action is NO option... lol! 12-01-2014-symbio 252 by tdierikx, on Flickr T.

They are retailing at around $1835 new - but I've seen them at $1720 new in some stores. I'd say if it were in good condition, you'd be looking at around $1500... but it's oh so worth it! It will take some getting used to - as it's a push/pull zoom mechanism - and it's heavy (1.3kg)... but you do get used to it very quickly... honest! You want to see the photo of Dixie the Whistling Kite doing around 60kph again... just to help you make up your mind? 27-10-2013-taronga 858-dixie2 by tdierikx, on Flickr ... and that was taken hand-held on a Canon 60D using AF and the Sports mode preset... AND shot purely in JPG! Just think what your photographic skillset will do with one of those lenses in your arsenal! T.

I'm sorry... even if it were my heart dog... if it freaking attacked me for any reason, it wouldn't be alive. What about the time she'll be out in public and the dog decides that someone else should be a target for it's aggressive tendencies? We'll hear the "he's never done that before" bullshit story... *slaps forehead at the stupidity of some people* T.

I've seen a lot of dogs in pounds, in rescue, and in the community in general... never seen one that actually looks anything like that 3D model. The closest I've seen would be the generic "staffy crosses" - the ones that look quite Staffy, but have longer legs... no purebred blood in any of them... T.

Shame on the local vet for not even looking at a payment plan option to treat the cat for something so serious... That is one well loved cat I'd say... trekking through Alaska and traversing 2 avalanches to get it the help it needed... well done to the young owners! T.

... and we HAVE been naughty on occasion, right HW? I know I've come VERY close for sure a few times... lol! T.

Hang in there Astro... the hardest part is nearly over little man... T.

Any photo of one of your gorgeous Rotties is awesome... and this one looks like she's being very delicate... T.

I think you have a great talent Kirislin... and a great eye... T.

I've yet to receive ANY warnings Anne... you must have been REALLY naughty to get yours... lol! T.

No words... just mega healing vibes from me and mine to you and yours... and some extra huge cyber hugs for good measure... I'm currently living the aftermath of a litter of parvo infected rescue pups... I feel your horror and fear. T.

Tip for anyone going to Taronga Zoo - if you have a camera around your neck with a big white Canon lens on it, this seems to be the indicator for all happy snappers to hand you their own cameras (or even worse - their iPhones!) and want you to take photos of them with Sydney Harbour in the background... *sigh* T.

Seriously - not every dog needs to be or may want to be a social butterfly. If it doesn't fancy the rough and tumble free-for-all at the dog park, don't take it there... simples... My Lab is perfectly fine at dog parks - plays happily with others of all sizes and breeds, doesn't get upset if a small yappy decides to annoy her, etc... but after I've seen what she is truly capable of if her buttons are pressed just so, I simply don't want to chance that ever happening with someone else's dog. T.