Nik

Loose Lead Pets in west footscray are great, as is the puppy school run out of Yarraville Village animal hospital (they work in conjunction with Hairy Hounds) for puppy school. I live in Newport and go to Northern obedience. As with all volunteer clubs some instructors are better than others but stick it out and you'll have fun! Might see you there!

At my park I met a man who told me his amstaff sized 12 month old pup was a DDB x Neo. The dog was brindled. I'm not sure that those two breeds would have a brindled offspring, but I wished him luck with his dog anyway- she seemed a nice natured dog, if a little headstrong.

I grew up the the Camberwell area of Melbourne and we were told by our vet at the time that it was a part of Melbourne where heart worm was prevalent so we have always used a heartworm treatment. Now I live bayside in the western suburbs and we have mozzies all year round!

Thought I might share a quick photo of our litter

Pups arrived right on cue! Ended up with four plus one born sleeping. Three black tri bitches (one nbt) and a red merle dog (nbt) which was a lovely surprise. I suspected the sire carried red but wasn't sure if my girl did.

Well, we are on watch :) Annie has had a temperature drop to 37.5 and it's been that way since just after midday. Every other day when I had taken her temp it was 38.2. She also has the runs (I remember having that before I had my skin kids!) so definitely something is happening. No nesting behaviour yet though, she's just very quiet and a bit withdrawn. I think she's waiting for the house to be nice and quiet.

Great movie wasn't it- two of my skin kids were in the opening fire scene :)

Hi, we are expecting our first litter of Australian Shepherds on the 9th March. Just has it confirmed by ultrasound, with the vet counting 5 with possibly two more.

Our old BC x kelpie used to love watching tv. She used to chase the football/tennis, jump up at other animals (like on that old RSPCA ad where they all walked across the screen), horse racing was a favourite and she loved the show Totally Wild. Was funny when she met horses in real life for the first time. They were fairly far away so went running towards them then realized how big they actually were and came racing back to us! I now have Aussie shepherds. One of them couldn't care less, but our younger one will sometimes sit and watch the tv, especially if animals are on.

Lots of oodles where I live, but also heaps of border collies and golden retrievers and beagles. At the dog park when I walk in the morning there are about 10 Goldies, my two Aussies and a couple of Heinz 57. That said, my breed is starting to take over my neighborhood. There used to be three of us (my two and another) then in the last two years about 10 other people have added an Aussie to their family- after meeting ours! All from reputable breeders too which is awesome :)

When I was in year 9 at school, we spent a term away from home. When I got home after 9-10 weeks away, my Aussie terrier looked at me and pointedly went and sat next to my mum. I swear it took him several weeks to become "my" dog again. My current dogs give me a huge welcome when I come home- whether I've been to the letterbox out the front or been gone for a week! Wriggles and whimpers and funny little squeals! Half jumping around me (as they aren't allowed to jump, and kind of half remember that in their excitement!) and just gamboling around the place.

I trim my dogs nails when I hear them clicking on the wooden floor, usually once or twice a month- it's like a reminder. Thankfully my Aussies don't have their dewclaws- our old girl, even though we used to trim hers, had one that splintered and caught on everything, to the point where she ripped it out one time. I look after my FIL's Labrador and his nails need clipping every time he visits. I'm amazed how quickly they grow! I swear I clip a full centimetre off every two weeks. My sister-in-law has three lab type dogs. One of them stresses so hard that they have to have him anesthetized to clip his nails. Now he's nearly 15 they have just let it go and it break my heart to watch him hobbling on their wooden floors, but he will attack anyone who goes near his feet.

Gidget. That's what you call a young female surfer!

When you say you will come across - they aren't dirt bikes in full fledge are they? Given the numbers of dogs we walk with (15-20 usually!) we like to choose the quiet secluded areas so the dogs can have a good burn and our arms can have a break :). Where is the You Yangs?? Do you have specific directions Nik? I'd like to try one of these next weekend :D The You Yangs are halfway between Melbourne and Geelong. Just take the Geelong highway and there will be signs to the You Yangs. They're out the back of a town called Little River. Hanging rock is near Mt Macedon, on the highway to Bendigo. And by mountain bikes I mean push bikes. Rarely encounter dirt/motorbikes. I have walked by dogs off leash behind Fairhaven but I'm not 100% sure you're allowed to. Most of the time when I've walked there I've been the only person which is lovely. Just be aware that school holidays start next weekend, so some of the coastal areas may be busier than usual- although it is winter so probably not as many people as in summertime.

Nice walks to be had at Hanging Rock. Good BBQ facilities too. No off leash area though. The You Yangs have some pretty nice walks too, and the tracks in the bush behind Anglesea to Fairhaven/Moggs Creek are nice and quiet. Both of these places you will come across mountain bike riders and the occasional horse.

I have only received my PM number, and it arrived today. A friend of mine received both sets of numbers on Monday!

I have definitely entered, as I have the confirmation email from Ozentries, but didn't get that email. Guess I will just turn up mega early!

I haven't received an email. Does that mean mine will be sent?? Hmmmm.

This article was in the Herald Sun a few weeks back. http://m.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/the-secret-life-of-corporal-horrie/story-e6frfhqf-1226623739187 Horrie the "Wog Dog" was the mascot for my grandfathers battalion, and was named after him (Col. Horace Plummer) He had a book written about him and the hassles that happened at the end of the war, when Horrie was ordered to be destroyed rather than given a life in Australia. Popular theory is that a similar looking dog was sprung from the pound and given the fate assigned to Horrie, and the war mascot lives his life to the natural end in the country somewhere.

Another great vet puppy school is Yarraville Village Animal Hospital. The preschool is run by actual dog trainers, not a vet nurse, and they really concentrate on getting the relationship between pup and owner working really well. Rhonda the vet there is really lovely too. It's a small practice, and she is usually the only vet working (unless she's taking a well earned break!)

$20, and I'm actually pretty sure it starts at 7pm!!

I take my show lead, treats and keep water in the car. Sometimes the class is busy, sometimes it's quiet- you don't have to book in each week, just show up.

Yes they do- I'll be there tonight with my Aussie (providing my OH is home I time from work to take over kid duties)

If you end up in Newport/Willy I might see you down the dog parks/beaches! It's a great area to be a dog owner. The council will only let you have two dogs, but getting a permit for more is not too tricky. My dogs and I frequent a few of the local cafes, and they are all very welcoming to dogs, providing water and even sometimes saving the leftover bacon. One cafe even makes dog treats to give out to customers with pets. If you do end up here, send me a PM and I'm happy to meet you at the parks. My dogs love labradors!

I know quite a few people in my area who rent with dogs. I'm in Melbourne's inner west (Williamstown/Newport/Spotswood area)