MelodysMum

My vet recently sent out a reminder to say that Brianna's annual vaccination is due (she is 16 months old). Are the new vaccination protocols outlined anywhere on the net so that I can show the vet and discuss them with him? I don't want to vaccinate her unnecessarily. Does anyone know a good site that explains it all? I am sure if I just go and talk to him he will ask me where I am getting it from and I don't have anything to back it up.

A friend of mine sent her labrador puppy away for a week to one of the places that does dog training. Before he went he was a happy, friendly puppy. When he came back he had turned into a fearful puppy who would not go near anyone but the family who owns him. He is about three years old now, and is still scared of people. He will not come to anyone. They have tried everything. It is very sad to see this once happy boy like that. He is so scared of people he backs away and shakes. He will hide behind his owners and bark. He does it with males and females, but is worse with males. It makes you wonder what happened to him when he was away.

Oh Melree, I am so sorry to hear of your loss of Cricket. I understand your pain, there is something so special about little ponies. They steal your heart. They are smart and cheeky, full of mischief and just gorgeous! We have Bella, a miniature pony, and if we had to part with our horses, out of two full-sized horses and Bella, if we had to choose, Bella would be the one we could never part with. Be comforted with the wonderful, happy life you gave Cricket. You will never forget her and she will always be grateful to you.

No, I didn't buy any food today. I bought some Epi-Soothe oatmeal conditioner because I wanted to give Brianna a bath and I only had the shampoo left. I had my 17 yo daughter with me, and we also bought a ball for a 5 week old kitten that we rescued and rehomed last weekend after it and its littermate were dumped. We went to visit the little cutie in his new home on the way home from Penrith. That is, after we fed my daughter's horses that are agisted at Cranebrook!!

Hi Knobbles! I only have one dog - Brianna, she is a 12 month old golden cocker spaniel and she LOVES other dogs. We are always looking for other dogs for her to play with. I shop in Woolworths too (you can tell you're from Vic - Safeway ). I am the other one looking for the reduced meat! :D I went to Petbarn today. I was there about 11am - 11.30am. :D We will have to get together. I would love Brianna to have some doggy friends to play with and I'd love to meet Tess (and you of course!).

Hi Knobbles! You are my neighbour too! I live in St Clair! I go to Petbarn all the time. The meat there is excellent! We'll have to get together sometime! :D And you too Griff!

What a beautiful tribute Tybrax! We lost our boys a day apart! I know exactly how you feel! Lots of hugs, Wendy

I am absolutely thrilled for you all RnB! That's wonderful news! I hope George continues to improve!

In happier times ........................

At 6.30pm tonight it was exactly one year ago that I said goodbye to my beautiful Clowny. I still miss you Puppy-boy. You were Mummy's baby. I will never forget your sweet, gentle nature. There will never be another boy like you. A new little girl dog lives with us now, and she is very precious. I know that you and Brianna would have loved each other. She is sweet and loving, just as you were. As I write this I have tears streaming down my face just as I did this time last year when I cuddled you for the last time. You are still in my heart and I will always love you Clowny. Mummy Our last moment together................

RnB, I think you are doing the right thing getting a second opinion. About five months ago friends of ours who have a 14 year old cocker that we bred told us that it looked like it was finally time to have Jessie put to sleep. She has been blind for about three years, and almost deaf, but had still been a very happy dog up until this point. Overnight she had become disorientated, wobbly on her feet, and was having to be carried out to the toilet. The vet had diagnosed a stroke and said it would be kinder for Jessie if she was PTS. They took her home to make their decision. They were finding it really hard to let her go, and I could understand their agony. She is a lovely old girl, the last of her litter to survive. They decided to take her back to the vet and ask some more questions. It was a different vet on duty, and after looking at Jessie he said he did not believe she had had a stroke, but thought she had a chronic ear infection which had become severe. This was treated with antibiotics, and within 24 hours Jessie was much improved and able to walk again by herself. They still have her 5 months later and she is doing very well! :rolleyes: Fourteen is old for a cocker spaniel, but whilst ever she is happy and eating well then she will have a very special place in their home, and they won't have to make that painful and final goodbye. I hope you get similar happy news about your old boy George!

Dear Lynne, Your beautiful girl is still with you in spirit and she still lives in your heart. Let go of any regrets and just remember the special love you shared. She was a stunning girl. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Wendy

I'm not sure where I saw it, and it sounds terrible to do it, but fill a plastic bag (maybe a garbage bag) with water and peg it to the line. If the dog bites it to pull it off they get water all over them and the shock is supposed to stop them doing it again. It doesn't hurt them, but gives them a shock! Maybe it's worth trying on a hot day. Of course you never know with a Lab - they might like it!

I haven't tried a coat king. I've heard of them, but I don't have one. Brianna's coat is not too difficult to manage at the moment. I just have to keep pulling!!

Toohey, I am hand-stripping Brianna's coat. It's going quite well, but her top-knot is slow. Every time I put my fingers on the hair on her head to pull some out she looks up as if to say, "Mum, what are you doing?" She's doing pretty well with her grooming. She loves being brushed. As soon as I pick up her brush she comes over and rolls onto her back so that I will brush her tummy. She loves being tickled! We are planning to show Brianna at some stage, so I would prefer to hand-strip as much as I can. She is a beautiful girl, we are very proud of her. Thanks for your comments. I'm not sure if the sand is helping, but she sure loves playing in it! It's certainly not doing our polished timber floors any good, but at least Brianna's having fun! Shelly, it is unbelievable how much Brianna has grown isn't it? When you think the first photos I posted of her she looked like this.

Thanks Shelly! Brianna needs it! Look at her top-knot!!

Where is John Edwards? Does he handstrip? I would love someone who knows what they're doing to have a look at Brianna's coat! I am sick of trying to get rid of puppy fur! Her top-knot is so bad!

I put Brianna on Sentinel Spectrum when she had her second vaccination at 12 weeks old. The vet told me to buy the packet for 11-22 kg dogs and give her half a tablet until she reached 11 kg. She said she would need the full tablet before we finished the smaller packet and it would be a waste of money. I cut the tablets in half with a pair of kitchen scissors and we never had any problems. She is now taking a full one. The only problems I have is getting her to take it! So much for them being chewable - she won't eat them, so I break it up into small pieces and hide them in pieces of meat, then they go down no problem.

My vet uses the nasal spray vaccine and Brianna had no problems with it. So far no sign of kennel cough and she is now 10 months old. The vet told me that the kennel cough virus lives in the mucous membranes and that the spray goes directly into the membranes so it is more effective. I think the cost was comparable to the injection.

I read it all too LP. It made me cry. I have only had a little bit to do with rats and I didn't know they could be like this either. Bryce sounds like he was an absolutely wonderful boy and I am really feeling for you. I hope Bryce's sons help to ease the pain and give you special memories of your beautiful boy. Wendy

Check out this Dog Age test - http://www.dogage.com/Index.aspx It takes a few minutes to do, but if you answer it honestly it gives you some really worthwhile information on how to keep your dog healthy.

So where are the up to date photos Grandmas? Five week old JRTs and 2 week old cockers and no photos in sight!! We want to see puppy pics!!

Thank you for sharing your story with us and for giving Sallie such a wonderful six years. It was probably more than she could ever have dreamed of and she left this world knowing she was loved and treasured.

Dear Redwing, I am so very sorry for this terrible loss. It must be devastating for you. It must be very hard for Anjelica's owner who allowed this to happen as well, but I wouldn't be letting her have another dog either. Forgiving is one thing (and it is important for your own sake that you do this), but the woman must still accept the consequences of her actions. Turning the other cheek is all right, but not when it is the life of an innocent and precious dog we are talking about. I hope you will be feeling better soon. Wendy

Hi Holly! It's nice to hear that someone understands, thank you. Owning a cocker (or being owned by one) is a very special experience. Clowny was a very special dog and I miss him every day. Our new little girl Brianna has helped to ease the pain and we love her to bits, but she will never take Clowny's place. They are all special. I know Clowny would have loved Brianna, and guess where she sits when she goes outside? Right where Clowny is buried!