SmoothieGirl

My uncle was a frontbencher. When we were little kids he took us in to Parliament house to watch a rather lively debate. When we walked out I asked him what it was all about. His answer - make enough noise and the public wont see the bigger issues. Smoke and mirrors, darling. Scream loud enough and they wont see the train wreck approaching. I've always remembered that. Bingo Raz! I work in a major corporate, and if I behaved in any way shape or form like those bozo's in parliament I would be collared and walked out the door on behavioural grounds. It disgusts me that they waste so much time and money pissing on each other rather than getting down to running the country. Yeah, they may be in different parties, but I was pretty sure we are all part of the same community and they should be doing the best for the community, not opposing each other for the sport of it. Btw, I have kept my head down around this whole live export debate because I can see both sides of the story and don't want to get involved in heated debate about it, also I'm not qualified to really argue either side. But I've got a question...I thought the calls for the live export ban was to ban live 'meat' export, not a blanket ban for all livestock. Can anyone shed any light on this? I'm not talking about what the animal libbers are talking about, but the slightly more organised groups? And if it is for the 'meat' industry, doesn't this nullify any concerns people may have for the export of dogs and animals for other reason?

Oh god, has the caffeine hit set in yet? Get your camera ready, I reckon there are going to be lots of Whippy zoomies today

Not sure its an appropriate comment for a boy doggy, but he's really really pretty. I'm crossing my fingers for you that he won't be a foster for very long and gets promoted to part of the family. Name - what about Bren, its the name of a gun (so may suit a male) and similar to Bruno. The Bren Ten was the gun that the character Sonny used in Miami Vice. Btw I was obsessed with Miami Vice and Don Johnson as a kid, I'm not some kind of gun totting nut bag

Such a grand old age :D , Happy Birthday Ollie.

Bronte is named after the Bronte sisters - I'm a book nut. Ren's name is from the main character in Footloose, but interestingly I found out months after I chose it that its also the Japanese word for love, romance and lotus. Given his registered name is First Romance, it was meant to be.

What a good Collie girl Gracie is Thank goodness she heard him and good on you for springing into action.

Haven't read whole thread because I'm tired, but I don't really have any breed prejudices as such. Suffice to say I have many prejudices against stoopid owners. Unfortunately said owners often seem to own similar breeds, not the dogs fault though.

This discussion has me split right down the middle and arguing with myself. So rather than go a little mad, I'll share my thoughts... Showing is by far not my first dog discipline of choice, however luckily I have met some very lovely people in the scene. Ren is being shown in the hope of getting his title as he may be used as a stud dog and to me it makes sense because it 'hopefully' demonstrates appropriatenss of his conformation as an example of the breed. Flip side... However now, when I personally do any research on a breed or line, I have little interest on whether the dog has a Aust Ch. in front of its name or not. The dogs I'm interested in generally have working or sports titles, to me they provide more evidence of fit for purpose (or meeting the all round aspects of a standard I guess.) I particularly like to see it when a breeder shows AND is 'actively' involved in another discipline. A standard may state that the dogs overall outlook should demonstrate its willingness to work or that it hasgreat stamina or has an ability to perform a particular task or role, just to name a few, but there is little ability to test this out in a show ring. Much of that is down to tractablilty, trainability and their desire to work, which can only be tested via other means than a show ring. I know very little about it, but I think that there are some systems overseas and possibly here in Aust (GSDs???) that tests the dog from a much more holistic point of view. To the OP, if it seems unfair to you to be forced into the show ring and you really don't want to go there, then perhaps as others have already stated, you would be better to title your dog in agility before you start to contact breeders in earnest. There are more sides to the dog world than the show ring and if you are able to make a name for yourself in agility, you may just find a connection to the right breeder through that network.

Ohh, squeee, lovely new puppy photos, I love them all. D&R, I have the funniest mental picture of Rumour having a good old chirp to herself as she scampers round and round an empty bath

My lifestyle changed. I had less room and worked longer hours. I decided another Doberman was not going to suit me as a result and so I started to look around at other breeds. At the same time I looked for traits in a new breed that counter balanced the things about Dobes that I could improve. I say improve because my Dobe was a sensational dog and I there was nothing about her that I would have changed very much. Oh yeah, I was also interested in a breed that didn't drive people to constantly cross the road to avoid me. I often say that Bronte is my Sasha reincarnated. They are very different is some ways, but Bronte does have some personality habits that are just identical to my old girl. I'm blessed I guess. One day I'll branch out from Collie Smooths too, high of the list of next breeds to try are ACD's, Cardigan Corgis, Std Poodles, Whippets, Greyhounds and Border Terriers, but its likely the ACD will win out as I'm a herding junkie. But there will always be one or two Smooths in the household for sure, they are just divine.

PM SpikesPuppy, she has three Borders and I'm sure would love to talk to you about them. Great little dogs, whenever we catch up I ensure I get Border loves or cuddles. Actually, SP just told me to direct you to her website - www.straitupborders.webs.com She also has a FB page if you go looking for it.

I'm with the vet and the ortho here. After having a pup fracture a growth plate I'm so glad I had it vetted and x-rayed first. Going anywhere near a chiro would have caused her a hell of a lot of pain, they would have been completely in the dark with her injury. She needed surgery and the plate realigned and pinned. Limping puppy = vet and diagnosis from my point of view. Only after skeletal damage has been ruled out would I go anywhere near anyone else. That being said, if it is muscular or skeletal misalignment, then I'd definitely be seeking a chiro, or whatever other type of treatment is required. Btw - A fracture of a growth plate can be a big deal depending on how bad, where it is and how old the pup is. Don't be lulled into a false sense of security that fracturing a growth plate is a better outcome.

I had the no pets on furniture rule too with my dog years ago - she was clearly very obliging, as this lot seem to have their own view of that rule. Luckily there is another couch for me. Krisilin your new couch is almost exactly what I want for my new place next year. I'm desperate to change everything over to 'cleanable' leather, but I'm waiting til I move.

Anna, I like Heikki and Riku. I'm pretty sure that Mikka Hachinen (no idea how to spell his surname) is anything but girly, he's a F1 driver. Ambrosia, spoilt for choice with your names, like them all. I used to work with a Danika, she's lovely girl and very pretty too. I've got a soft spot for Zara too, but with my cat being call Lara, that's not going to be a name I can use for quite a while.

Usually both. Quick one in the morning for us all to stretch our legs, often some obed training thrown in. Then a bigger walk or a free run in the evening. Sometimes I'll skip the morning walk, but not often.

Hi Sunnyflower, sorry for the situation with Oscar, its a really tough time for you. Just a question, would you be considering clipping a GR or a Flat Coated? Their shedding isn't associated with the length of the coat and feathering. If you are inclined to clip out these breeds, would you instead consider another breed which simply has a lower shed factor? Its something that I really don't understand, clipping dogs whose natural coats are there for a purpose. I don't mean to offend, but it would seem a shame to have one of those two breeds that have the most beautiful flowing coats and then to clip them. Mind you I could have the wrong end of the stick here and misinterpreted your post. Put me in my place if I have.

Good question! As you can see by my dogs, I clearly am, all of my pets apart from one horse and my first pet a budgie have/had human names. But some people really don't like that approach. Just to confuse the issue my budgie was called Snoopy

Ah right, the last thing you want to do is name him something that reminds you of a horror dog. Makes perfect sense. I love the name Sutton itself. Are you definitely going to give him a pet name as such, don't want to stick with Sutton?

What about Sooty as a name for Sutton. Sort of similar and reflective of his coat colour. I used to LOVE the Sooty ans Sweep show as a kid.

Depending upon the size and weight of the kibble its around (ish) two cups. If puppy is putting on weight, reduce each meal by about a quarter, sit on it for a 5-7 days and see how puppies weight adjusts. Like one of the other posters I don't follow the recommended feeding amounts I actually gauge based on my dogs weight and I reassess weekly in a growing pup. I've upped my pup's intake three times since bringing him home at 8 weeks and this has been perfect for Ren, mostly recently this week as his growth is rocketing at the moment. My best friend's are my measuring scales and metric cups. Btw the way, despite pups being on premium kibble, don't be surprised if they do appear to be eating a lot. My pup eats about three times what my adult dog does and in a much shorter time span too - he's a machine - just like she was as a pup.

My pup is 5 and half months, both canines have erupted and are about 1/3 to 1/2 way through and he still has his milkys. I'm checking them twice daily, waiting for signs they are changing colour, which means they are dying off and likely to pop out soon. If they don't change soon I'll start to consider options. Personally, if puppies canines aren't showing considerably yet, I wouldn't worry.

I'm not quite sure I've interpreted the direction of how you've asked for your doors open, but I had my station wagon measured up for Puppy Bars last week (two doors with a removable centre divider, like your set up) and he mentioned that the doors would hinge in the centre and open up from the outside to the centre for both of them. Does that make sense, its really hard to explain? I had expected to be able to open the doors with them hingeing towards the outside of the car and with the locks/handles at the centre. Just check what your guy can do. Oh, der, just like superminty's pics.

Thanks for the heads up Pip. I'm not sure I'll be at Kepala in June as I'm minding another dog, but we'll see. I can certainly lend a hand with $ collection and things for those I do attend though. Good luck with the bubby, we'll be looking for pics online!!! See you again when you are an official Mummy.

Very very cool Cassie. I went herding today and one of the regular dogs was there herding as well, he's a big beautiful Bernese too. Good with the sheepies!

Like the Whippies and other low body mass sighthounds, vets really have to know Greys to be able to safely undergo anesthetic. Something we should mention to our not very doggy friends that are considering adopting. Interestingly I was scrolling through the GAP Vic site today at came across Orange Aid's profile, he is listed has having a family waiting for him, gave me a warm fuzzy feeling to know that.