FranVT

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...sid=p2759.l1259 is the address of the sale Description is encouraging: Nikon D5000 Digital SLR Camera + 4 Lenses This camera Body is a Factory Demo and has been reconditioned by Nikon Inc to Nikon factory standards. It is as Brand New Condition and has never been owned by a consumer. The Lens and all accessories are Brand new and never opened. WE DO NOT IMPORT ANY ITEM FROM HONG KONG INCLUDES Nikon D5000 Digital SLR Camera Kit Nikon 18-55mm VR Lens 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX Lens Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6ED-IF AF-S DX VR Lens 2x Telephoto Conversion Add-on Lens .45 Wide Angle Conversion Add-on Lens EN-EL9a Rechargeable Li-ion Battery MH-23 Battery Charger DK-5 Eyepiece Shield DK-24 Rubber Eyecup UC-E6 USB Cable EG-CP14 A/V Cable AN-DC3 Camera Strap BS-1 Hot-Shoe Cover Body Cap Software Suite CD-ROM (incl. ViewNX) Thoughts?

I am confused. Is it just me or does it look like DWI is not listing the D5000 with twin VR lens kit? http://www.dwidigitalcameras.com.au/store/...=20&brand=4 Yes I have decided to buy grey ... So cheap!

I did too

I'm not paying for day care at the moment, I'm just dropping her off to people who have dog/s so she can have another dog to play with all day while I'm at work. I am not sure if she's an anxious mess when I get home, she is very excited to see me and barks/whines excitedly (and has a little wee) but she settles fairly quickly and then we go out for a walk That's a good idea, I am going to try that with a pig's ear (her favourite).

Yep my plan is definitely to get another dog, I love having two dogs and I know Luuka will love the company. But this will happen when both Luuka and I are settled and ready I think the doggy daycare will be able to be phased out when the yard is set up all nicely for her. The plan at the moment is to make a run that goes from the lovely cool cement garage to our neighbours big enclosed backyard. I did a super quick paint diagram of what we're thinking of doing. This will give her the best of both worlds - somewhere nice and cool to lie where we'll keep her water and food and a yard for her to run around and play in. The curvy middle part is where we're going to have to make the run.

Thanks Erny! That's really helpful I actually don't feel that she has 'learnt to learn' yet, but we're working on it! First night of beginner's obedience tomorrow night and as long as they don't make me use a check chain I'm looking forward to it.

Definitely, and who can blame her? I'm trying to keep her routine as much as possible. The same food at the same time, lots of exercise and of course the same amount of love as usual. You're right, it is good socialisation, I will take up the offers at least on the long days

So Luuka has moved with me into my dad's place, we are planning on getting a nice sized area of his yard fenced off at this stage so she's not stuck on the (admittedly large) veranda all day. In the meantime, I've been offered 2 "doggy daycare" places, one is my mum's place (place that I've been staying up til a couple of weeks ago) and my ex-MIL's house (whom I love, we hang out all the time). Luuka is struggling a bit with the change and with being lonely, she's never been by herself before, always had other dogs and people around or at least one of the two. I pulled into the driveway yesterday and could hear her crying when I got out of the car and when I get home she loses it completely and wees everywhere, I have to make sure I greet her calmly and outside! I have ordered (only have pet-selling petshops up here so ordered online) lots of boredom busters but my question is this: do I take the dogsitters up on their offers so that she gets at least a couple of days (0645 - 1730 on my long days x 2 per week) a week or do I keep her here so she starts getting used to being alone throughout the day? Should add: she hasn't been at all destructive so far, I think she's just lonely and sad!

I got mine from crazysales.com.au. Just go on there and do a search, it'll come up quickly It was $17.99.

I am crying with you too, what a beautiful tribute, I'm so sorry for your loss but so happy that you had 9 amazing years with this spectacular dog. Shed your broken down shell Bastian and run free beautiful boy :D

How can you rehome a dog that's been with you for 12+ years? I actually do not understand how you can physically do that, I would never be able to do it in a million years A dog that's been loyal to you and your family for so long - it's just not fair.

I wondered that too iffykharma, I know my ex would have been pretty p**sed off if he'd toddled off to the car to grab his phone and turned around to see me being assaulted, whether verbally or physically. Doesn't appear to be a large part of this story though. Also doesn't excuse what he did, those steering locks are really heavy that would have hurt so much! Imagine doing that over a puppy eating some bread if that's all it was... gosh

There is one more thing you should know... they all sleep like this:

It should It does!

Glad you've been convinced that they're not an aggressive breed Any dog can become aggressive - it's all in the upbringing and socialisation and you are going to get so much help here you'll have the most socialised dog in existence! I did a search on Deniliquin obedience / training and couldn't find anything but the best bet would be your local vet. I found a number for the Deniliquin Kennel Club Show Secretary - not sure of the name but he/she might be able to help as well - 02 60412609. Hope this helps!

Guys this is all brilliant! I have ordered her some new toys, a bubble machine with bacon flavoured bubble stuff, an everlasting treat ball and a new treat ball. The rest of the stuff is DIY and I will grab some cool ice trays this weekend! I am loving all these ideas!

She was really good! She lost it completely when I got home, poor bugger, was yelping and crying and had a little wee which her tail then flicked all over the place! That is all so good I sense my bank account is about to get a workout! At least now I don't have mum's awful dogs stealing and hiding her toys, I bought a treat ball and a Cuz online and after a day they were never to be seen again Gosh she loves her fruit! I'm going to buy a fruit selection this afternoon and see what she likes Kongs are fab, I've got to buy her another one because of above theft issue! She loves soft toys but I think they do bore her. She's not (at this stage) destructive with her soft toys, though she did disembowel a pillow the other day, looked like it'd been snowing in the front yard!

Omg a bubble machine! That is the best idea ever! This is so great guys keep it coming!

Cooool VJB! Does that mean you put the stuff in the ice tray and freeze it or just shove it in there? I have frozen bits of sardines inside ice cubes for her when it was really hot, that did keep her occupied! That was a DOL idea!

Hey guys! What are your dogs' favourite anti-boredom devices? I wanna know! Cheap or not, DIY or not, I would love some recommendations! I left Luuka alone in part of the house yesterday for the first time in her life (with no dogs or people) and she was actually really really good! I had a pile of cardboard boxes on the veranda that she had access to and she didn't even touch them. Only thing she did was chew a wooden coathanger and, I realised as I went to bed, did a wee on my bed! She's never done that before, she is really good with her toilet training. It is my fault though, she is not sure where to go when she doesn't have access to a yard so I need to reinforce the (newspapered) area of the veranda as her toilet spot. Anyway, I feel sorry for the poor little tyke left on her lonesome all day, like Shelle said I reckon she probably does sleep a lot but I'd love for her to have fun things to do. I'm thinking of filling the clam pool with sand and putting that on the veranda for her and burying her toys. I left toys for her yesterday and she did definitely use some of them but they're not very 'fun' toys really just squeakies. Today she's having a playdate with my ex MIL and her dog, Presley, they live right near my work and have offered to have her on the days that I work long hours which is just lovely :D I'd love to hear other DOLers brilliant ideas as I am constantly amazed by the ingenuity of members on here to enrich their dogs lives. Thanks!

You sound like you really have the best attitude and this forum is the most awesome place for advice and support. I wish I'd known about this forum BEFORE we got Atlas Even though we did find his breeder on dogzonline pages. I hadn't done any training either, if you have a good obedience club nearby they'll be able to help you. Puppy preschool is a must for bullies because they get to socialise and learn to play nicely with other puppies I'm sure your staffy boy will teach your new puppy the ropes too! I have started doing the Triangle of Temptation with my lappie and she is picking it up and it has improved our relationship already. I really think this would be a massively beneficial thing for any bull terrier puppy owner to use as it teaches that all good things come from you! Here's the link: http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=64101 The guy who posted this is a great dog trainer west of Sydney, not sure where Deniliquin is but maybe he is someone you could keep in mind for any future training issues / tips?

I'm in the market for one of these as well, and I found this: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...atchlink:top:en The price is certainly right! I like that it is machine washable and has a zip down the middle from the front seat part meaning you could put a passenger in the back if you wanted to. Also you can use a car harness with it (somehow).

Hasn't upset me - it's absolutely true - bull terriers do require the appropriate work, socialisation, training and caution if untested in situations. They are powerful dogs and can inflict damage. This is true not only for BTs but for a lot of other breeds as well. Pele is a great example of how early socialisation, positive training and ongoing work can result in a very very well-adjusted, clever and sociable bull terrier (and a great credit to the work that Bully has done with her) but this rarely just occurs without all this work happening. My BTs are all sooks however, i take appropriate steps to ensure that there is never a situation where something bad could happen. All the other comments i totally agree with but with owning any dog you need to be realistic and aware of the great part that early training and socialisation play. Doing some research on the breed and asking questions and taking advice prior to determining if a BT is for you is vital IMHO. Agree with both posts above. rabbitohs, my exboyfriend and I bought a white bull terrier puppy in February 2008. His name is also Atlas He is the most amazing dog, but he really did give us a run for our money training and socialisation wise. We learnt a lot with him, mostly that we had to be extremely firm leaders at all times, and we learnt the hard way. But he is the most loyal, funny, friendly, snuggly, licky, affectionate, enthusiastic, happy go lucky little dude ever. It breaks my heart every day that I had to leave him with my ex and if I thought he would sell/give him to me I'd take him in a heartbeat. I'm grateful I still get to see him because my ex and I are friends. Here he is: Atlas was not very keen on male, entire dogs that are bigger than him but with all other dogs he was good. He was also great with kids and displayed infinite patience even in the face of having his ears and tail pulled. When I bought my beautiful Finnish Lapphund puppy he was so good with her, she made his life a living nightmare and he tolerated every bit of it with good grace and love. Even when she was chewing on his ears, paws and tail while he was trying to sleep. A few months ago he, potentially literally, saved my life from someone trying to threaten me with a glass bottle in my own home when I was home alone. I honestly don't know what would have happened if he hadn't been there. He did not touch the man, but he sure as hell wasn't letting him come any closer to me. I really do recommend the breed but with all the caution and advice above from far more experienced BT owners than I. I will DEFINITELY be getting another one (a miniature probably) when I'm ready and they're a breed I hope to be associated with for my entire life. Hope that helps

My guess is many of those warning you away have rarely, if ever darkened a ring themselves Fran or have their own agendas to push. Yep, there are arseholes but most folk I know are lovely. You avoid the arseholes at shows just like you do in every day life. They tend to start emerging from the woodwork when you beat them. If you want crazy, come down here! ;) I still need to get my "show Olympics" off the ground for lunchtime entertainment. I think you're right! I remember once someone was going "those people are mad, their whole lives revolve around their dogs, they spend ages grooming them before the shows and then trot them around the ring like prize pigs" and I'm thinking ".... sounds normal to me!" I think it's just non-dog people who don't get it.

I went to my first show ever last weekend and stood around looking very lost looking for the woman who was supposed to be meeting me (turns out she hadn't arrived yet) with a soft crate in carry bag, cool-bag full of ice and drinks for Luuka and I, handbag, bag with show clothes / grooming stuff and camping chair! It took about 30 seconds before a lovely man asked what he could carry and led me back to his gazebo where his wife and daughter were sitting with their Pomeranians and German Spitz I ended up staying with them and they did not even get sick of my constant silly questions. Every single person I came across was lovely and inviting although it was a small country show so that probably helped. I was warned away from showing because of all the 'crazies' but I have not come across a single crazy yet - early days though! Just wanted to toss that in as a good first-timer experience. Though I was told that because I am 100% open to constructive criticism, advice and correction it makes me not such a pain in the ar*e as some first timers.