trifecta

I am not in Sydney, but this recent thread may give you some suggestions http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/251568-dog-boarding-kennel-recommendations/ Another option is http://www.dontfretpet.com.au/, admittedly expensive, but maybe it is worth it for peace of mind?

Yes, Jelly, when the time is right for you, please drop in & say hello - you don't need to have a dog to be part of the DOL community :) Thinking of you.....

Sorry Staffyluv, just saw this after driving back from Uni Equine Hospital at Camden to Bungendore

I have not been on Cat World for a long time - always had more help with the kitties on DOL. Have listed them in general rescue & have had a lot of help over the years from those who frequent the cat foum in Off Topic

I haven't seen catzatsea on here for a long time, but you could try e-mailing. She was always very knowledgeable about the breed :)

I haven't seen catzatsea on here for a long time, but you could try e-mailing. She was always very knowledgeable about the breed :)

I think this falls into the category of breed rescue. :) We have an ex-breeder of Scottish Deerhounds in our town, so I will ask if she can give any assistance tomorrow BTW If this was a Belgian, I would be very grateful if I was alerted to his predicament & I know everything would be done to help him.

Yes, I know! My comment was directed at the blackbirds not the pesky starlings :D

Perfectly put. perfectly put indeed. it takes a huge heart packed full of unselfish love to put in the effort you have to help sweet Roo overcome her problems and to have a chance for a happy and anxiety free life and recognise that the miracle is not just around the next corner. blessings to you and Roo..may these days together be extra special... love Helen Words of truth & wisdom here which I just couldn't find when I first read your news yesterday evening, jelly. May both of you find the peace & freedom of which you are both so deserving

Coming from the UK where blackbirds are held in high esteem for their insect eating capabilities & their beautiful song (it still heralds Spring for me at this time of year) I have often wondered why they are considered such a pest here? I know they are said to compete with smaller native birds, but in our garden the latter are more at risk from the currawongs who no longer go bush in summer but just seem to hang around opportunistically all the time

I subscribe to Dogs Naturally Magazine - I don't agree with all their articles, but I found this one helpful :) Raw Diets for Dogs - getting enough vitamins & minerals

I agree with cassie, your pup is at the stage where she needs to do some serious training & be mentally stimulated - this requires a lot of time & effort. If you return her to her breeder, she will bond very quickly to a new owner, & you will have no pressure to get your life straightened out within a time limit. Who knows what will happen economically with this new government? You may not be in a position to take her back in 12 months...... then what? EFS!

This is typical of all the Belgian Shepherd varieties. Our Groenendael loves her family, she is affectionate & loving & likes nothing better than to be with us. With strangers she will be stand offish on her territory until she gets to know them, while in public places she is friendly, happy to accept pats but not pushy. I also find she will favour some people more than others - Belgians are very intuitive :) She is my ideal dog, she is confident, not needy but self-contained, does not seek out the company of other dogs when out with us..... very different to our Kelpie who turns himself inside out to say hello to all & sundry & finds self control a very difficult exercise :laugh:

Where do I get Faxseed oil from? I looked today in Coles, but couldn't find it. I buy it online at natural pet store or vetnpet direct. You wont find it in a supermarket :) You can buy flaxseed oil at health food stores - you will find the cold pressed version in the fridge. Melrose is a well priced brand, it doesn't have to be a pet version. It is also worth taking a look at Udo's oil while you are there, it is a balanced blend of Omega 3,6 & 9. However, don't forget that diet is not the only contributor to a glossy coat - exercise is of prime importance in maintaining vitality. Our red & white kelpie looks as if he has been oiled; ironically enough he cannot tolerate any oils in his diet except for the occasional dollop of coconut oil, but he gets plenty of free running, & a good raw diet with VAN.

Dogmad, I will know more early next week. I am at the end of a long chain of communication, but a colleague of one of our client's has a daughter who is taking an overseas posting in the New Year. Apparently she has a Bearded Collie, a little older than you specified, I believe, but the dog may be looking for a new home. Will let you know more when I know more :)

That is a very generous offer, Nekhbet I will pass on your details to Sally Rogers, rescue officer for the Belgian Shepherd Club of NSW. Sally has taken dogs from all over the country, not just NSW, & it would be wonderful to have a resource such as yourself in Victoria.

I am not in the area, but a few years ago I helped find a home for two long term residents of Meadowmist that had been abandoned by their owner. I think the two little dogs had been resident without payment for over two years at the kennels. The proprietors & staff at Meadowmist were wonderful & very solicitous in choosing a suitable new home for the little dogs who were sent off all primped & preened with a very happy new owner :D I think this says a lot about the caring attitude of Meadowmist

Dogmad, have these people found a suitable dog yet? Just an outside chance I may have stumbled on a candidate!

Can't help directly trifecta. But a couple of thoughts. Have a look at the tongue label on some trainers here .. most have US and European sizes on them. Having said that, I find that sizes vary with make. And also, given that shipping from CR is very expensive (hence we get so excited about free shipping :D ) I would think it would be more cost effective to buy here - there are some great Goretex shoes available in different brands - from hiking and camping places like Mountain Designs, Snowgum, etc. etc. Try Wiggle.com.au for shoes - good prices and if you spend over $75 I think it is, free shipping I may or may not have just placed my 3rd Wiggle order in a year It's becoming my own Clean Run for human goodies! Thanks, we will have a look. Snowgum, Mountain Designs, Paddy Pallin et al have all proved to be unsuitable for various reasons!

Footwear is not on free shipping, but OH is interested in a pair of waterproof shoes. Does anyone know how US corresponds to either Aussie or continental sizing? He is about a size 7 - 7.5

You may be interested in this article about Quercetin I haven't tried it myself, it has been some years since I had an allergy prone dog, but I would be interested in hearing results from anybody who has tried taking quercetin, either themselves or administering it to their dog.

If you missed David Darcy on The Observer Effect last night on SBS then you might like to have a look at SBS On Demand, or look at David's work on his website http://mongrel.com.au/ :D An amazing photographer & an amazing man with a heart as big as those of his subjects. He told some tear jerking stories about characters & dogs he has met on his travels, & he recalled his sorrow at the passing of his faithful companion, who, too old to accompany him on a trip through the outback, died during David's absence. This has to be one of my favourite photos taken by David Darcy

If you are neither comfortable with leaving dogs in kennels nor comfortable with a stranger dog sitting in your home, then another alternative is Don't Fret Pet. I have never used the service, but do know someone who was a minder for a while. She was a lovely lady & highly competent so it would seem (& one would expect) minders are thoroughly scrutinised. To my mind the service is horrendously expensive, but I am fortunate to have a lovely lady who comes to my property 3x per day & charges me less per day than boarding costs for two dogs. However, I guess it depends how much you are prepared to pay for peace of mind? Worrying about the dogs can negate the purpose of a holiday!

I second a poster :)

They are an information network not a rescue group who provide care.