LizT

What a lovely rich colour she is too. If she keeps fluffing up she'll graduate to Miniature!

LOL My elder daughter offered to do that for me! Yes, they are expensive these days. Years ago they used to be made in the Prison Workshop at Pentridge and were relatively cheaper than today.

Thanks Aziah, I did ask and they had nothing. Never mind. Just have to keep plugging away for a Challenge (while they still have those LOL)

Yep, that's the kind I usually see! Cute as.

Neither have I! It really stood out, yet I've never seen it.

Yes, I know ribbons are expensive and I guess if you win alot the novelty wears off for many! I have bags of horse ribbons and having been involved in organising horses shows I know how expensive they are (ridiculously so at times! and they are considerably larger and therefore more costly) I certainly understand seasoned campaigners not bothering about them and leaving them to be reused by the committee, I have no problem with that, it would save them heaps. Nobody puts the year date on Horse Show ribbons any more for that same reason! (except the Supremes and Challenges). I often hold on to momentos only to throw the lot out years later. However, I still have all the ribbons (handed out by Judges and never asked for) and Challenge Certificates and Aust. Championship Title Certificate my little Schipperke Bitch won in the 1980's. Initially I asked for ribbons as My "Show Buddy" is my youngest daughter, who was seven when we started showing together and delights in the affirmation of the day, to quote her "it shows we did okay that day". So together we cherish all our better days.

Big thrill for me today when my young girl won her first ever Reserve Challenge! She's usually places well in her classes and has won many blue ribbons which I cherish and always have to go and ask for (I even ask for the third place ribbons). I found this concept very surprising when I first started showing dogs as with horses the Steward always hand the judge the ribbons and you are given them in the ring. I noticed this at a few shows when I first started showing a couple of years back but thought it quite sad that so many of the winners were just putting them back into the tubs. Personally I thought it looked rude but that's just me. A friend suggested I ask for a Blank Challenge certificate to fill out as a memento of the day but the Secretary said"No", don't have any. Oh well. Oh has taken my word for it LOL. Can't fake that sort of smile So basically, what is the point of a Reserve Challege. I notice that in the UK they give out Reserve Challenge Certificates and Ribbons, as they do at horse Shows. Oh well, both my daughters came along with me to watch today so at least I was able to share the moment. Can't imagine how excited I'd be if I ever get to win a Challenge! :D ;)

Lovely photos ;) Maybe he's been copying the Samoyed LOL :D But they are carrying their tails over their backs..the pugs in the movie ALL had straight tails wagging out behind them??!!

This has happened to me on a number of occassions, particulary if I'm the first one up on the table. Some Judges haven't looked at my dog side on yet but come straight up to her in the front as I'm stacking her. She even jumped up and licked one judge in the face once as she came in and spoke real cutsie to her and being a Cavalier she decided it was necessary to be cutsie back! I think it happens when the Judges have lots of dogs to get through and want to keep things moving along.

I was watching a bit of an old Movie last weekend "The Great Race" with Tony Curtis and Natalie Wood. circa 1960's Anyway in one scene a fellow was surroudned by a group of lovely little pugs (maybe six of them?), all appeared to have trim waists and a good spring of rib and were lovely little dogs. As they filmed the back end of the dogs I noticed they all had happy straight waggy tails. I'm sure I've only seen them with little curled tails.

Such a lovely reflection of what is obviously a very special time for you. There is certainly a lot to be said about "The Extended Family"! How's that saying go again...A whole Village raises a child. Pity that is something we seem to have lost in our human society but lovely to see the strength of the pack in your little community.

I guess it does come down to the individual and the personality of the animal and handler. Whilst I personally like to have a few words with my dog I don't "chatter incesently". I found for the longest time I could only use bait for training to stack and not while I was moving as when my girl was a puppy she jumped up at my hand too much. I do find that even when I don't talk to her I still get that "I love you Mum" look as she looks up at me from time to time. I love that It's like she's saying "Do you love me Mum? Are you happy with me?"

Being relatively new to Showing I enjoy taking on board advice from the more experienced but this one now has me stumped. I was told by experienced and successful exhibitor that when walking my dog around the ring and doing her workout that I should talk to her and get her attention, get her looking at me and to become more animated myself, ie. cutsie noises etc. However, recently I was asked to help out in a challenge line up for another experienced exhibitor who had two dogs in the line up. Dog and lead handed over and last minute advise was, "She's very easy to handle no problems there , only DON"T talk to her as she will only look up at you"! So "Do you talk to your dog in the ring"?

Talk to them. My neighbours left a letter in my letter box and I felt so worried and anxious about any possible repurcussions I went out and bought a bark Control Collar for my GSD as I work night shift and the rest of my family didn't hear him barking at all???? The strange thing is the letter she sent stated that she worked night shift 4 nights a week and couldn't even leave her window open on warm nights when she was home as our dog kept her awake. I understand as a mum I too am a light sleeper. Admittantly I sent her a letter in reply as I thought this an appropriate response and a good form of a record since she had sent me one. These neighbours don't really interact with us at all. I introduced myself to them shortly after we moved in and her response was "We keep to ourselves"?? OKaaaay. Anyway the collar worked immediately and the problem is solved. I often hear the dog on the other side of the road opposite her going nuts at night...hope he isn't keeping her awake.

Im surprised that a vet agreed to do it for behavioural reasons. Desexing a 13yo dog will not achieve anything but cease its ability to reproduce (if that was still functional). I guess many vets do things these days that you wonder about. As you say "for medical reasons" my Lhasa Apso was desexed at 13 because of an anal adoenoma (sp?) he lived to 17. I guess the risks have to be weighed up against the reasons.

Yes, it's awful. People try to give away their greyhounds all the time. Yes, I have a friend with a rescue greyhound. While waiting for their second dog to become available they got a emergency phone call asking if they would consider taking in an 11 (yes eleven ) year old bitch that was the product of a divorce. They said "Yes" of course. Poor ol' girl, you can see she was a very loved family member at some point. Lucky she has a secure home to see her years out now.

"With age comes wisdom"....but not for everyone! I learned this the hard way when I was 16 years old. I had gone for a walk with my dog and two sisters, aged 3 and 11 and as usual we stopped at a park to play. Scenario... dog (Min. poodle) off lead, kids on play equipment, me looking after everyone. First big mistake....can't watch everyone. Now this poodle (who was two years old at the time) was a VERY obedient and smart boy and always was close by my and my sisters side, but that day something got his attention and he took off heading towards a not very busy road in a quiet street. My 3 yo old sister ran after the dog and naturally I called her and ran after her. By the time other sister caught up with us to take little ones hand from me the dog had run across the road and was hit by a car. It only takes one. ALL MY MINE MY STUPID FAULT. Long story short....fortunately for me I was working so had the means to pay for very expensive vet bills, which my father would never have paid for (he would have put the dog down and THAT was the vets recommendation too. But I asked "isn't there ANYTHING you can do for him?" To which the Vet replies "I can try to wire the hip joint but it will involve costly surgery. "DO IT", was my response. So my boss gives me a months advance on my pay (a really nice man). A few months after the surgery the dog wasn't using the leg but carrying it. The muscle was beginning to waste and it looked like an amputation may be necessary. The hip joint had calcified enough to try surgery as the Vet believed it was the wire that was irritating the bone and that he should now remove it. More $$$ bills for minimum wage earner me. But sucess! He started using the leg within 24 hours of surgery and it became strong and healthy again. He lived to 17 years of age. So I learnt....the hard way. Pity, but it seems to often be the only way people do learn.

Don't feel guilty, as a Resposible Dog Owner you have every right to choose the Breed and sex, age, colour etc. of the Dog that you will take responsibility for...for the rest of it's life. Many people will try to tell you that you MUST get a rescue dog, whilst admirable, purchasing a dog from an ethical outlet (ie. registered Breeder) is equally admirable. People who try to make others feel guilty about personal decisions should really rethink what they say.

something to keep an eye on!! He does jump up on me when he gets super exciting..i have to teach him not to do that..he may knock the kids over lol I have definately noticed his personality coming out now..what a cheeky cheeky lil boy!! he tries to get me to wind him up haha...so he runs past me and barks and runs off wagging his tail and does it over and over hehe too cute i think he wants me to chase him :D Definitely trying to 'incite a game" fun loving personalties! I've often seen Cavaliers described in books as "keeping their puppy playfulness their whole lives". I agree with that statement. With regard to "jumping up on people" that can be a tricky issue. None of my dogs jump up on me because I have taught them this from the start, both German Shepherd and Cavaliers. HOWEVER, they will jump up on my kids (all grown up)and the OH. Why? Because THEY LET THEM! :D Grrrr. Despite discussing rules it is a well known fact that teenagers and soft touch husbands will, even after agreeing, break them! LOL :D I've had to really put my foot down on the NO TIDBITS rule. Citing 'health issues' and threatening them with 'extremely annoying dogs when you are trying to eat something' helped with that one! :D

Sounds like some "repeat Offenders" we had here in the Yarra Valley a few years ago. Two Cavs often seen out wandering about Chirnside Park, completely oblivious to traffic , just casually walking across a busy intersection! ;) :D ...AND also known to the local animal aid. Seriously, they must have had "little Cav gardian angels" walking beside them! Hope they sort the fencing out. Problem is once they have had an "adventure" they often go to great extents to find an escape again! Naughtly little munchkins.

Italmum just so you know Cavs can be quite good jumpers (onto furniture, beds, over small fences etc.) much to the possible detriment of their patellars and such. I was amazed when our 2nd girl started to jump out of her puppy pen I had to get a crate to keep her in for the times I needed to make sure she wasn't underfoot (damn open plan home, not even my laundry has doors!!?? ) Yet the first girl didn't but she gets onto beds and the such. Funniest thing ever was when I was walking her along a footpath and she leapt over someones front fence! A very nice clean leap while on the lead thank you very much. Must have spotted their cat?? Cheeky thing. I'm sure Ollie will be full of surprises too.

"Same" Another GSD Fan I see! Gosh I loved that Show. Also the "Lassie" Series. Ol' Yella. sob..sob.. Was a big Fan of all the 60's animal shows really. Dolphins, Horses the lot. Now for this Millenium.....I really loved all the dogs in "Hotel for Dogs", particular the Boston Terrier, Georgia.! The Border Collies (The real ones!) from "Babe". Commissionaire Rex!!!! (I'm Austrian)

Rescues deal in real live dogs. The statistics may be interesting but I don't support the idea of a dog receiving an automatic death sentence because its been irresponsibly bred, impulsively purchased and/or poorly raised. That would appear to be the consequence of any course of action OTHER than rescue. People dump dogs without guilt regardless of what happens to them anyway. Out of sight, out of mind. I totally agree. What I find amazing though (AND this is my own experience) it the attitude of some people when they find out you have bought a Registered Purebred dog from a Breeder rather than go through a "Rescue Group/Pound etc. and 'Save' someone elses rejected dog. Of course some of the dogs are there for a reason, not necessarily any fault of their own, mostly behavoural problem due to bad handling, misinformation, poor fencing, errors in judgment and other "circumstances beyond their control". But am I a 'bad' person because I chose which dog I wanted? Every dog I've ever owned has been with me all their lives. I've had some heartbreaking experiences from adopting 'rescue dogs'. I won't do it again.