Starkehre

Hi anniebc, I have responded to your email. All sound advice above. And to that I would also add that marine or motor trimmers and caravan repairers can also do replacement zippers, provided they have zipper on a roll. From previous experience I have found that the prices that my customers have been quoted for such repairs tends to be a bit high. I think this may be owing to the machinist not really wanting to do the job or perhaps they have been busy. The machinist I use (also my embroiderers) charge much less than all other repairs I have heard about, and we do not put a mark up on these. However, getting me to arrange repairs involves postage and there also may possibly a bit more time, so it comes down to a case of working out what is best for you. Replacement skins are all due back in stock in approx 2 weeks.

Just thinkin' of you Jed.

I chose PIA (Pets Insurance Australia) as it did not have the same restrictions as some of the other regarding injuries to certain larger breeds or age cut off dates. this suited me as I have a large breed. I pay my premium yearly $355.20, which provides my dog with accident and illness cover up to $15000.00 per year. The cover is for 100%, and for each claim I would pay a $250.00 excess. I also have the option within that policy of paying $100.00 excess, and my policy price would lift to $439.20 I am actually thinking of altering my excess option at next renewal, but for dogs over 5 year of age, they must have the $250.00 excess cover. I have put in a couple of fairly minor claims and have found them to be very easy to deal with.

Morning Jed. I know it must have been so emotionally difficult to write your beautiful tributes. I hope you feel at least a small sense of relief of some of the emotional burden after putting your thoughts and feelings onto paper... so to speak. The whole in your heart will be incredible. I wish I could mend it for you. Time will help with this. Today is a new day. The birds are chirping away here. It is light outside now, and I believe we are going to have a sunny day. I hope you get an opportunity to spend some time in the sun today Jed. The vitamin D will do you the world of good. ;) And a HI to your carer.

Well, we all knew Magnus' tribute was coming soon. Jed, thank you for allowing to share a small part of yours and Maggies' times together. I actually feel like I know the little man with your colorful and vivid story telling. He was so very special. Magnus, fly free sweet, cheeky lad. Jed, I am glad to hear you are improving and feeling less pain.

Just to add to my earlier post, the lovely lady that sat for me was a good friend, and all our dogs knew each other very well, and had often visited each others' houses. It was still a disaster. The friend is still a good friend, but I just will not do it again.

Hi Jed, hope your pain is less today, and the bandages are staying up Have a restful evening Jed. I might have a glass of that cheap plonk on offer Thanks Boronia.

....sorry the cheese farts are my fault. I gave Jag some cheese during training today. Yeh, he stinks doesn't he?!

Hi GSD fan, though I can totally sympathise with your predicament, I am terribly sorry to say, but I would not have a house sitter with their own pets either. I am sure your GSD is just beautiful, and nothing against your dog, but last time I had a house sitter with their own dogs, the dogs peed in my house. There was pee that the sitter obviously did not find, but I certainly found it. I could smell it as soon as I walked inside. Now I am not saying whether it was her dogs or my dogs, and it really doesn't matter. The whole dynamics is altered when other animals enter the home, and then coupled with the home owners not being there, just not my idea of ideal, that's all. I also know that the sitter I had insisted on minding her dogs in the manner that she would normally do (which is fair enough) but as it clashed with my methods, she refused to use my methods and my dogs ended up on her routine... so I came home to disaster. Never again. Look I am not overly fond of having someone stay in my home anyway, but would consider it as a means of having my dogs taken care of. But to add more animals, even one more dog, just not for me, that's all. I hope you do manage to find people more flexible than myself. No doubt there will be people out there. Good luck with your house/pet sitting.

They can curl themselves up into tiny spaces My 2 are pretty tiny - Patch is 27.5 kgs and Lilly is only 22.5kgs. Aside from a 5pm zoomie they spend all day on a couch or bed. Yep, that's right. They fold away to almost nothing as they are all legs. Greyhounds are the most gorgeous, gentle, appreciative, sweet and loving natured animals. I absolutely adore them. Very easy to fall in love with. Super easy to live with, and are easily kept happy. Let's face it, anything is better than a cold kennel in a GHs eyes. I know I will definitely be having another Grey one day. Just love 'em

Not at all Jed. Blind Freddie could see that you were soldiering on bravely, and that you were managing to keep all that emotion under control for the interview (or like you say, for what they showed). The people that do not know you... well who cares what they think. The people that do know you, know what you have been through, know how you choose to handle yourself in public, and know how much you adore your animals. They know how much you really care. But at the end of the day, the only person that you need really care about what they think is yourself. You know you are a good person and your heart is in the right place. You can hold your head high and know that you are a worth human being, of the highest calibre. Hope you have a brighter day today Jed. Love to you.

Sorry you had a rough night last night and a mad bad day today Jed. But glad to see your sense of humour has not failed you

Jed, your situation being kicked out of hospital and staying with your full time caring friend must feel awful to you right now. I certainly sympathise. You do not want to be a burden, you are such a strong and independant woman, and handing over your care to a friend probably feels really crappy right now. Big hugs from me. But you know what, I am sure your friend is more than happy to help, and she knows you would do exactly the same for her if the tables were turned. I bet she feels privileged to be given the opportunity to repay you for all the years of your wonderful friendship. If you are feeling insecure, vulnerable, stressed and overwhelmed at the moment, I totally get it. This will pass. Hang in there. Once you have been settled in with your friend for a while, I am sure things will seem much better. And like Harmonee says, you will heal quicker as well. Glad your typing is easier and things are on the mend. I am sure we are all happy to move our waiting room to your friend's house if she will have us

;) Hi to you too Jed. Take it easy sweet lady.

Have called you Steve. :D

A cool and very windy day today down here in Melbourne Jed. We have had gail forced winds in some areas... though not overly blowly over here in Mornington. Our dogs have been swimming today in a beautifully heated pool, and loved every minute of it. Jag nearly dragged me in when we first arrived, as he really LOVES his swimming. They are now curled up by the heater... hard life for some I hope your day has been good Jed. I hope each day you are feeling stronger and are coping better. It has been a breath of fresh air seeing your posts gradually popping up in different threads

Laneka, I apologise, I only just spotted this thread. Silly of me, I should have thought to check. Laneka, I too am sorry Ash did not make his 11th birthday. But what a boy. What a proud lad. He oozed pride and enthusiasm. This man will never be forgotten. I have never come across a dog that more people speak so highly of. The work you did with him is certainly much to be proud of. Ash loved you with all his heart. The 2 of you made such an amazing team. Ashke will always be remembered. I know you must miss him everyday.

oooooooohh Jed so good to see you back in the threads OT I know sorry but I am sure noone will mind!! I would do the balloons streamers and fireworks, But this old duck here doesnt know how to do them so just have to settle for Ballons Streamers Fireworks woohoo! Will these do instead of streamers? (back) Yeah, my attempt kind of sucks, but good to see Jed back. Yippeeeee, from me too. Nice to see your in put Jed.

Jed, a very fitting tribute for a very special girl. She will always be with you, obediently at your side. Meg fly free. Hugs to you Jed.

I was thinking along similar lines to Megan. Get the 2nd dog if you wish. Personally I would not whilst the current dog is exhibitng this neediness. There is also a strong likelihood if the existing dog is not comfortable and confident being on his own, that it may necessarily be just you he feels he needs to be with. this could very easily trabsfer onto the next dog. This will create a entire new miriad of issues. On the very top of my list of importance when introducing any new addition to my family is to ensure that as soon as possible I train the new dog to be confident and comfortable in it's own company. This requires a lot of extra time to achieve than when you have one dog alone at home, much easier to teach in that situation. There is a reasonably strong likelihood that your first dog will bond so strongly with the 2nd dog that you may have difficulties separating them for walks, trips to the vet and all the other important things. If you have not had the skills or experience to train your dog out of his neediness for you, are you going to be able to prevent it being needy of the new dog? And are you prepared to start this training from day one, because if you wait until you find out if the dog is becoming too clingy, then the training is going to me that much harder? If this is not a priority to you, then that is fine, but I would look very seriously as to why it is not. Dogs that need each other can and do end up running your life equally as much as when they need you. I am not saying do not get the 2nd dog. but just take the time to look at all these angles. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Morning Jed. Rise and shine Sun is up, birds are singing, another day has dawned. I hope you have a nice day. How are you coping with the hospital food?

Night Jed. Hope your dreams are sweet and sorrow free.

+1 And I don't know how you managed to remain so controlled during the interview. Typical Jed manner, calm and sensible, no nonsense. You are one heck of an amazing woman Jed.

Morning Jed. Hope you had a restful night, and were not disturbed by all those hospital generators. A most beautiful poem, thank you for sharing. It is so nice to have you back with us. Still sending you well wishes, hope and love. And you are absolutely most welcome.

Just gorgeous Kaffy..... so, does he get him??? I love it when OH shows some interest in being a bit more hands on with the dog "stuff" Thanks for sharing.