FranVT

Agree. I think if one phoned a breeder and said "I'm not ready to buy right now, I'm just doing my research at the moment to make sure this is the breed for me and how much upkeep/money/grooming/exercise I'm up for and who better to ask than a breeder?" then that is actually a really good thing and surely any breeder would see that too? Someone who actually gives a cr*p about their ability to look after a dog is better than someone who goes 'OMG LOOK AT DAT KOOT PUPPY KWIK GET ON DA FONE I WANT 1 NOW!' etc. Especially if that person then goes on to not buy anyway, or worse yet, RETURN the puppy because it doesn't suit their lifestyle. Not that I think any ethical breeder would ever get as far as knowingly giving a puppy to someone when it didn't suit their lifestyle. A good, knowledgeable, friendly, approachable breeder has been such a blessing to me in both my purebred dog experiences (as an adult) in fact I talk to Luuka's breeder still every week or so and send her pics all the time.

I read the first bit of your post and went "oops!" in my brain until I read the second sentence, I always say "Rott-vyler"! Good to know I'm actually right and not making an idiot out of myself. Beautiful dogs! Yay! ;) ;) You get a gold star Hooray :p :D I think it's because I work with 3 German anaesthetic consultants, they're always using 'w' for 'v' and vice versa, so when I hear/see a German word with a 'w' I always use a 'v' (I even sometimes say 'wodka' though most people think I have had a brain malfunction). One of them always says "awailable" no matter how many times I try to correct him, bless him, and another cannot get his tongue around the difference between "eligible" and "illegible". Poor guy I don't blame him one bit! Sorry

That is exactly how I feel I want to hold it in my hands and look at the menu and all that stuff for my first dSLR. I'll probably buy my lenses from DWI though in the future, great prices!

Do what I did when Atlas kept reducing my wine glass collection constantly - buy stemless glasses! They're super trendy, look great and very practical! I got mine from my local kitchen shop.

I'm at the point where I cringe every time I answer the "what type of dog is that" question because there's a really predictable conversation that follows - I'm sure you know all about it by now Nik! I don't mind though it's kind of fun to educate people. It's so true... But I don't mind. I expect them to say "... a what????!" when I tell them, too. So I usually just start on my spiel about reindeer herders. It's when someone asks, "is that a Lapphund?" when I do a double-take and die from shock! Same! It's only happened to me once, at a show in Gladstone, by a lovely older man who breeds both Lappies and Keeshonden! I usually get "a finished what!?" ;) I read the first bit of your post and went "oops!" in my brain until I read the second sentence, I always say "Rott-vyler"! Good to know I'm actually right and not making an idiot out of myself. Beautiful dogs! I didn't know that! I love being educated on pronunciations! Again! Wow! I have been saying "dacks-hund" :rofl:

Awesome thank you ;) I'll be buying it in Brisbane next weekend, probably in Chermside.

Where did you find the lowest price? And what did you end up paying for it - if you don't mind me asking

Good advice FionaC I'll definitely be trying both and hopefully talking the D90 price down to under my budget.

I'll be buying in Brisbane. Definitely going to get a better bargain there than here in Rocky! I will check out photography forums but I really do want to buy from a store, at least the camera body anyway.

Sigh. I think I'm still going to buy at a store.. I know you'll all think I'm silly but this is my first dSLR I like to buy 'first' big ticket things from a knowledgeable salesperson. If I have to pay a bit more so be it but I will still be looking for a great bargain.

Hmmmmm! And DWI delivery seems really quick too.

Such bedroom eyes she has!

Interesting! I thought grey imports were a big nono but what you're saying does make sense!

Okay so I think the penny is starting to drop! I had mince today, one of her favourites, and was treating her with bits of that and at first she was still sitting but then I had her heel beside me then we walked a few steps, I said 'stand' and she sort of started to sit and I said 'stand!' a bit firmer and she slowly stood back up ;) So I treated straight away and made a big happy fuss of her. I got her to stand a few more times, only had to physically correct once, then I quit while we were ahead and before she stopped having fun

I live in Central Queensland so I know all about heat! 35 is a pretty average summer temperature for us and I got Luuka in mid-late December so she has experienced its full force. I went overboard with wanting to keep her cool at the beginning and she thought I was a bit mental probably but all she wanted was a cool bit of cement in the shade and maybe a clam pool if you don't mind K? Hehe. She also likes such expensive cooling devices as the "Soft Drink Bottle Full of Water & Frozen" and "Ice Blocks with Bits of Sardines Inside". She does like the cool air conditioned tiles in my room at night but she could take or leave the air con. I can't really comment on adult coats because Luuka is still a puppy. lappiemum / armahani / TerraNik etc would definitely be able to answer that better EDIT: Remember that they are double coated, so they're "insulated" against the cold and the heat. Oh also I hadn't met a lappie before I picked Luuka up either

Okay so next weekend (theoretically *grumble about car dealers*) I'm heading to Brisbane to pick up my new car. I am taking Luuka with me because we are going to visit her breeder for some hangs and show training plus I'd love for her to meet some DOLers if any are available. On the way back we'll be taking it easy, stopping off at heaps of cool parks and other fun looking locations So the Qantas site states the following for a "medium" dog: - Medium (equivalent to two units of baggage) - Made of polypropylene material with absorbent mat and suitable for dogs up to cocker spaniel size. - Size: 66cm in length / 40cm wide / 52cm in height - Maximum weight (including pet) : 20 kg Luuka weighs around 13kg at the moment so initially I thought this would be the way to go. But the crate I want to use is a metal crate that I borrowed from Luuka's breeder when I picked her up and I'm hoping to return it this trip. It's not made of polypropylene, and is probably a bit bigger than that even though she's a "medium" sized dog at the moment. So large states: -For larger pets you must supply an approved crate, which meets the following criteria: - Wire mesh - minimum of 8 standard wire gauge - Escape proof hinges and latches - Bottom covered with a leak proof galvanised tray with corners and edges soldered and rolled up to 9cm - Tray bottom to be covered with absorbent material to avoid leakage - Show crates must be adequately locked. It somehow seems wrong that I should have to put her on the flight as a "large" dog But should I just suck it up and choose the large size? Ummm. Maybe I should just ring them

I'm at the point where I cringe every time I answer the "what type of dog is that" question because there's a really predictable conversation that follows - I'm sure you know all about it by now Nik! I don't mind though it's kind of fun to educate people.

$5K in my Antilles bank account and two litters back - and she's yours. Thank you replying my message. I am actually overseas, so I sending you a Western Union money transfer and will ask my buying agent to contacts with you. My agent will need cash moneys to send the item to me, so I will be transferring $15,000 to you and would appreciate it if you could then forward $8,000 to buying agent cover the cost of send item me overseas. I am like you keep the extra moneys to thank madam for cooperation in helpings me and buying agent. I know you trustworthy person, I know you with help me make transaction. I am so excited, as soon as I see the item picture I am love it, I know this is item for me and it love me too! PS Please give me your phone number so I can ring and make sure no trouble with send money buying agent. A+, major lols, would read again

I would also tend to think that a devoted breeder of the dog would probably know better than a Finnish person pronouncing a non-Finnish word No offence in any way shape or form EtH! Have you picked a breeder yet? Also wanted to add my bit about the noise, Luuka doesn't woowoo either, she has little puppy barks and whines when she's excited but no woowooing so far

:rofl:

Cool thanks SchnauzerBoy! I actually thought Teds were reasonable Silly me. One thing I will say is that I do want to buy the camera in a store. I don't want to buy it online. That is just me. Although, through ShopBot, the D5000 with twin VR is $847 that's pretty bloody good! And the D90 with the twin VR lens kit (happy to start here, the 50mm 1.8D sounds good though for a purchase!) from DWI is only $1220! How did I not know about shopbot? It's awesome! I wonder if any physical locations would match the price? Very important: do you know if DWI are Australian Nikon warranties or grey imports?

I just cleared out the vet clinic - Walked in and a few of the people in the waiting room told the reception they will go and wait outside While Atlas walked in, jumped on the chair next to me and fell asleep~ Oh yes that happened to me a few times too, that and people moving way off the path to give you a wide berth on walks I loved it when my normally quite standoffish vet would come out of the office and squeal "ATLAS!!! WHERE'S MY ATTIE-WATTIE BOY!? WHERE IS HE?! DERE HE IS CMERE YOU BIG SQUISHY BOOTIFUL BOY" and then get on the floor while he climbed in her lap and licked her face, tail wagging madly etc while the entire waiting room watched in astonishment

Oh don't even get me started on bull terrier misconceptions!

That is incredibly helpful macka! Thanks so much! I think the D5000 is the way to go for the low light stuff. I would be taking photos in pubs (sometimes quite dingy ones, lol) so a good low light capability on the body itself is probably an advantage. Thanks again! By the way, anyone had personal experience with one or both of these cameras?

LOL - I have had people ask me if i've shaved Sophie! Because she's not fluffy enough to be a German Sheperd? Or asked me what she's crossed with to not be blacker. Sigh. SHES A PEDIGREE GERMAN SHEPERD! And no, Chase's blue eye does not make him a Husky. Lol. WTF!?