LizT

Do we know at what stage of pregnancy absorption takes place most commonly? I'd hate to loose this one too. I've heard of natural delivery singletons too. I think the x-ray is a good idea. I will insist on one if the vet wants to do a C-section.

Just came back from the Vets after having my girl scanned at 28-31 days. The Vet could only find one single foetus but has asked me to bring her back next week for the senior Vet to check when he returns. Gee I hope there is another one hiding there somewhere? I guess now the concern is if this babe gets too large for a normal birth and also if there are going to be enough hormones for labour to be efficient. This is her first litter.

Sorry, but since when is a copperhead black with a cream belly? Copperheads are often very dark, almost black and the side scales can be cream or red and anything between. They vary in colouration hugely. That's the one, although I think 'ours' seemed to have a smaller head. Is that a sex (ie. differs in male and female) thing? Also OH has cleaned up the woodpile LOL. He put on some Kevlar motor bike pants (he doesn't even have a bike!) some steelcap gumboots and cleaned up the whole area. I'm going around the property saying "That looks a bit snakey" "over there looks a bit snakey too". The place has never looked so tidy. :D He maintains if it has to be here he wants to see it coming. I told him about territory and snakes knowing the comings and goings of theirs and if he kills it more will move in and that's dangerous so he figures O'kay at least if it clear no one will be bitten by mistake!

No one even knows if the breeder was actually contacted or it was just a bullsh!t story told by the owners. I have cats, I would not take back one of mine if they were not cat safe. And that's fair enough too. Not everyone is lucky enough to have room to isolate an adult dog in their home from their other animals.

Indeed Gretal we are lucky there. Some breeds just don't get along and are difficult to rehome. Not knowing the circumstances of the breeder in question (don't really know if they are even regisered, was it mentioned?) I'm not going to judge. Just hope these dogs find new stable homes soon.

Ooooooh, you found one!!!

I agree with Steve on this. Actually it goes a long way as to why there are so many dogs in shelters etc. The people get the dog then as soon as circumstances change (As they do in everyones life) simply offload the dog. I once sold a pup to some people that lived nearby. A few months later I saw a pup of one of my breeds advertised as a purebreed in a local garage sale.It was the one that I bred. The reason for selling it -"it gets out of the yard through a hole in the fence" so rather than fix the hole it was easier to get rid of the dog. These people have since gotten another dog anyway. I really think that within modern society there are many that don't seem to understand the meaning of responsibility. I work on the theory that when you get a dog you are responsibile for it for life- not just until it becomes too difficult. To the extent that I have refused a transfer and promotion at work simply because I wouldn't be able to relocate with all my dogs- I could only take a few and I would have been over the council limit by two dogs within the council area I was to move too. Because of those extra two dogs I didn't take the promo. I decision I have not once regretted. Although there are many breeders that will take a pup back or assist with rehoming there is no obligation. Breeders have lives too and are not here to clean up after everyone elses situations and whims. Its the dog owners that have changed circumstance not the breeders, therefore its the owners problem not the breeders. The owners circumstances changed its up to them to make the arrangements. Flame me if you like but as far as I'm concerned its about time some people grew up and were accountable for their actions. I agree with what you say. Everyone should be held accountable for their responsiblities. However that said, as a Cavalier Breeder myself it would have been nice if the breeder of these dogs had a least directed the owner who needed to surrender her dogs to "Cavalier Rescue" via the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of Victoria. That's not going to be too much of an ask is it?

I've been getting a GR for years...she was going to be called Clover...then when I was in a position to buy I found my pup, and forgot all about Clover and decided on the name Koda.....but I kept looking at her photo, and Koda didn't fit, so Lexi she became LOL I bred a Cavalier puppy that I kept and had all sorts of wonderful names thought up for her before she was even conceived but she got nicknamed "Clover" as when born her markings looked like a cloverleaf. And the name stuck so Clover she is.

I don't use it on the feathering on the Cavs but it certainly polishes the coat and brings up a shine on both the black and white (tri) and red and white dogs. And that is a good description of "putting each hair where it belongs".

Yep. I LOVE this brush! It makes the topcoat gleam like nothing else, and magically seems to get each hair into its rightful place. Love it. Worth every one of the billion dollars it cost This is the boar and brass brush? They are only $49.50 from Pet Network. Yes. Same price I paid from vendor at Showgrounds.

So I've been told but the amount I see with tails these days does imply that the majority were docked. Not even docked really which is shortening but totally removed.

Yeah, I worried about that after reading some breed reviews. However, after talking to breeders, it seems that's not true at all. Mine certainly never leaves my side. It was the owner/ breeder/ show person who told us this! Mine started obedience as a puppy and I guess she wasn't let off lead in any area she might endanger herself. When out camping, etc. she always was around and did as she was told. Not yappy either.

I totally agree. I had one in the mid 1980's and did obedience with her. She was amazing sitting out there amongst the rotties, Dobes and GSD's. They all loved her. She was very obedient and could be taken anywhere off lead by the time she was 3. We went on a Gypsy caravan holiday and she spent three days either walking behind the Van, along side it or sitting up beside me. She loved our horses and looked sooo tiny next to the Clydesdales. I decided to show her and she obtained her Champion title. The only reason I didn't breed her was I had been lead to believe she was born without a tail and when I realised that the poor babes would have to have them removed at the base I decided I couldn't do this. Quiet a different situation these days. Maybe someday I'll get another. :D

Good on you for doing all you can. I can understand your frustration. Young working dogs are very challenging. Don't make the mistake of thinking that having a baby wont affect this dogs life. It will radically affect yours and it's a flow on situation. Not saying anyone will suffer but you will be tired and even exhausted at times. Look after yourself and your family (two and four footed) as best you can as you will soon have some major changes in your energy levels.

No, but a dead snake leaves the 'territory' open for younger equally venoumous snakes to come in a try to claim the area. Who wants that? Clear enough of them out and there won't be that problem. I don't have any snake tolerating neighbours either. Yes, you are quite right there. Pour out enough concrete, ashphalt, gravel and destroy any type of habitat and that will end any snake problem. And any that have the ordasity to surive that will of course be exterminated.

I don't think there is a "suppose" to in a snakes agenda. Just freespirits who go wherever the heck they want to. Hmmmmm......a bit like cats after all.

I also bought one recently (at the Melb Royal) and as I've borrowed one before from a friend I have to say I too am very impressed with this brush. Also clearly it does benefit quiet different coat types as you have Pugs and I have Cavaliers.

or are you in a "flood prone sea side area???

No, but a dead snake leaves the 'territory' open for younger equally venoumous snakes to come in a try to claim the area. Who wants that?

And what about you and your other dogs carrying the scent of your bitch in season that you left at home???? May as well have brought her.

I believe we dog owners have a new inbuilt radar that picks up on every dog attack report we hear these days too. I know I am more "in tune" to it these days. But hey, if it means more dog people will get an 'in' at kindergartens and schools to help with 'education on childrens behaviour around dogs' then at least one good thing can come of it.

I never have but I can imagine it would be quiet a destressing sight.

I think the idea is to create a safe inpenetrable barrier around the dogs yard that the snake can neigher go through or over. Shade cloth securely attached to fencing would be both safe and also afford some extra shaded areas for the dogs on hot sunny days. If your intention was to catch the snake and "dispose" of it with the bird netting, it would only clear the territory for other snakes to come into and sadly you would not be 'rid' of your problem. You would be surprised at how many times you have walked past a snake suning itself quietly and not noticed it as it is keeping very still and quiet until you pass, as to it, you (we) are a dangerous creature to be feared and avoided.

You thought right...doesn't mean people don't do it though.

My vet also told me it was fine to cut them up. If you think about anything that is produced in large numbers they will be mixed 'en mass' and poured into moulds or cut into size from a large roll so clearly they must have all the necesary ingredients in the mix ready to be divided for convenience/marketing sake.