VJB

Beautiful photo's. I love the one of them sitting together. Lottie looks to be enjoying the company of a young one. Very cute.

YES, I can picture these beautiful photos in a nice white frame up on a wall.

Lovely loving photos of you and Maggie. I think they would also look awesome in black and white.

Why is the springer better? I've been having a great time with Heidi so far, and she has taken to the whole experience very easily. I have a ezydog harness which fits perfectly, and we have had no rubbing. Exercising her this last week has been easy on the bike, because I at least have a helmet on which help keep me from freaking out when I get swooped by Magpies. Hubby has also had a few rides with her. She gets excited when she notices us getting the bikes out. Happy to put harness on, and even sides herself up against the bike...... so I presume she is enjoying herself. I was worried that she would get too puffed out.... but this has not been the case. She is not puffing at all. Maybe we could go faster, as I keep it at a walk or trot pace. I've not had her is a full gallop as such yet.. .. not on the roads anyway... I might be a bit more game at the local oval to give this a try. We have been going out for anything from 10 to 30 minutes. I have the kids on school hol's and they have been coming with me. This always means a pit-stop at the ice cream shop half way around. So she is rested at various places along the way. I prefer to get off at some point and give her a sniff around (as all dogs enjoy the sniff experience), and/or toilet or have a drink. She has not needed a drink so far.... I don't think I'm going fast enough, or far enough. It's early days, so I've just been getting used to it so far. Either that, or Heidi is far fitter than I thought, and now I'm going to make her fitter!

Lovely pic's... funny Loch Ness... here's Heidi in Loch Ness mode.

Gorgeous little man. Hope he makes a speedy recovery. Lots of healing vibes sent his way.

I clap my hands when my dog does it, and redirect her attention to something else.

I think he's considering going for a dip in the water, and checking where his owner is first. Then owner say's 'no swimming' or something..... and he waddles back towards the owner. Nice dog....very "Daddy-like".What's hanging from his mouth in photo 2?...fishing line, or slobber?

Yes, my dog does exactly as you described. I can always tell when her cuz has been rolled over a poo, as she does a big sideways leap to the side when she goes to pick it up.....and then barks at it. I have to wash the cuz before she'll play with it again.

Thanks guys. Yes, I would also tend to go to areas where it is less busy, and I don't have the distraction of 'dog up ahead'. I do have bush tracks around here (but I'm a wimp and I'm scared to go in there by myself) Plus I need to get my 'bike fitness level' up, so flat ovals etc may be the best option to start with. The whole family have bikes, and would enjoy our bike outings more if we could have the advantage of bringing Heidi with us.

After reading up on past topics about the Walky Dog bike attachment here, I was having visions and fantasies about me trying to bike ride with Heidi. I am wondering what is preferred.... usual collar, or, would I be better of investing in a harness of some sort....like this one or could anyone suggest a suitable harness which does not rub? There are lots of hills around my home, so I would probably drive and look for flat surfaces and/or ovals, rather than on footpaths at first. Plus to gain some confidence in the whole process. Which brings me to my next question about legality... there were mixed responses in past threads. Anyone know if it is legal or illegal? I am in Sydney.

I think for peace of mind, a vet visit may be necessary. Puppies can go down hill very quickly with diarrhoea, even though she is playing well at the moment. It may be as simple as stress because of the change of environment, which is common. Maybe you could have a phone call with the vet and see what they suggest. Agree with Poodlefan re withholding food. Keep up with water though.

If it were me, I'd wait a little longer, or get an older pup/dog. A lot of attention and energy is spent training a dog to have acceptable levels of excitement etc... plus exercising needs have to be met, or you are in for a destructive and upsetting time for all. Not always the case, but the breed you are interested in requires you and your family to be able to provide these needs on a daily basis. A whippet on the other hand......... Oh, I'm in love with whippets.... will definitely have one of these one day.. Not as intense I believe as a Lab. (or GSP)

It's worse when they find their way into the leg of your jeans while on the clothes horse outside..... and then you put these jeans on. I made a huge fool of myself walking down my driveway once,,, all because of one of these things were in the leg of my pants. aaarrrrhhhhgggg

Heidi loves it when the kids have their bath. Its almost a ritual, the way she goes in, wags her tail gently, and starts making little noises with her mouth. Then the girls kiss her, and Heidi goes from one kid to the other, getting these same smoochy kisses from them. It's one of the most gentle times of her daily adventures. Funny to watch.

Poor Yogi, its horrible to hear them scream, let alone see him injured like that. Glad he has made it through, and healing vibes sent his way.

Beautiful tribute to your well loved kitties. Lovely photo's. DOL is such a good place for 'therapy'... thank you for sharing.

RIP Cloud. Running free over the bridge. Hugs to you.

Im too horrified to comment at the moment, feel a mix of many emotions. Poor puppies. I'd like to say so much more, but would probably get myself a warning thingo. Sick excuse for a human.

Very cute. Such a sweet face.

I get them from the same ebayer as FionaC does. If she has none in stock, I buy sheeps ears instead. They are smaller, but Heidi's not complaining.

Heidi has many many zoomie pic's. Here are a few, showing her many styles of zoom! whats happened to my pics..!! whats going on with Flickr....??

Orbie looks fabulous.... yay

Thanks for the reassuring replies. I'm happy to report that there were no ill effects from eating them. I can sigh in relief now. Stormie, that is revolting. ! Ewwww....

Thank you. They had been opened for about a week I guess. No ill effects so far..... I just got worried... things always go wrong for me in the middle of the night,,, when I have to tend to emergencies.