D_mentias

Today I had a visit from a very angry farmer, who came into my yard asking me where my dogs were...to his surprise they were all here. My assistance dog had been in with me and my Murray and Flattie were in the yard...they didn't take kindly to the intrusion. On the back of his ute he had two dead lambs and two dogs he had just shot in broad daylight feasting on the poor lambs. He also had a little red kelpie who was shaking and distressed. One of the dead dogs actually had a council tag and flea collar...obviously a pet but one out of control of its owner. I do my best at all times to keep my dogs on my property and get really cranky if anyone leaves a gate open. But then at Full moon the assistance girl does like to go out and roll in dung...she won't be this month. I am distressed having seen this and understand that my dogs must be sound around stock. My assistance girl however has not left my side all day..somehow she knew. Please if you live in a rural area keep your dogs safe.....

Great Barko, Uncle Alberts or Coprice.

I like Great Barko, Uncle Alberts and Coprice. Check out any working dog formula...genrally has a higher protien and fat content like the expensive dry foods. The foods I mentioned are all Austalian made.

I heard a scratch at the door...normally this is Maggie.It was Aggiemy Murray rescue.I thought she was getting clever. Almost immediately she was rubbing her muzzle, I thought she had something in her mouth but it was swelling and FAST. Quickly got offline rang the vets loaded the pups in the car and I reckon I covered the 54ks in under 30 minutes.... By time I got to Maryborough Aggie was starting to choke and her head was enourmous. She was given IV cortisone and IM anti-histamine and the swelling very slowly abated. I am not sure what happened, I suspect she was stung by a wasp. She is still very swollen, I just have to keep her quiet. At the moment she looks more like a King Charles spaniel or Cav that a Murray Curly! AS there is nothing blooming and I have seen no bees I assume it is a wasp sting. At 15 months she is stil a very curious puppy. I was lucky a vet was available but I worry when the nearest available vet care is generally 40 minutes.

I get roo at Aldi...$4 a kg in packs Also at coles for not much more plus they have 2kg packs.

great BArko is the prefered one here.

Some very lucky dogs out there. My 3 get fed whatever is on special at the stock food place. I dislike paying more than a dollar a kilo for dog food. They get some bones and scraps. The pup got bonnie puppy for 6 months until she showed a preference for the big boys food. My lot are generally healthy although the old boy needs some extra now due to weight loss. But suspect that is some sort of digestive disorder not the food.

You missed the option of chaining to the clothesline then hose. Not all of us have dogs that will stand there meekly!

I sort of felt out on a limb explaining my dog bathing methods but see I wasn't the only one. Just not practical to get a large dog in a small shower or lift it into the bath(to say nothing of what the claws do to the enamel). It is good if you can join hot water into a hose but if yo can..just wait for a hot day. Not all of us live near dog bathing services or could afford them. With dams having been dry last year it was difficult. At least we can still use a hose to wash our dogs not like our cares!

I have always had larger dogs and they have never see an inside bath. Some are easier to bathe than other but basically:- 1.Choose a warm to hot day 2. Catch the dog(easiest the 1st time), use treats if nec, chain to the clothesline. 3. Wet the dog down thouroughly 4.Apply suitable shampoo 5.Rinse properly with garden hose 6.Apply any necessary rinses (eg flea wash) 7. Towel dry 8. Unchain dog and play a game of chase to help dry. My pups don't get this treatment very often, more likely when they need a flea rinse. I try to get them to swim @ once a month and that helps. If you make bathtime fun and a game they are more likely to be compliant.