Nik

We have some friends that are emigrating to the US in June, and taking their boxer with them, so I'm reading this with interest. Not sure how long they're going for at this stage (she is from LA and would love to stay for at least 5 years, he's from Melbourne and is thinking 2 - 3 ) It's costing them more to ship Ruby across than all their household stuff and themselves. I think they were staggered at the price. We all told them to hold off a year and get the dog when they were over there, as they knew they were going, but they couldn't wait. Any advice? She's not terribly well trained..... I suppose they should at least crate train her before they go, so she is used to the confinement.

A little OT but this is not a moth, but a type of butterfly known as a dart, probably a yellow-banded dart. Did a research project a few years ago on grassland butterflies and ever since then I can't get enough of them!

We went there a few years ago and were stunned by the open cut mining that just goes on either side of the highway! And also the speed limit for that goat track! I loved the way it said, for example, 40 through a certain area, then the next sign was a 40 with a line through it, as in not 40 anymore, pick your own speed! Did you just go to the main island or did you go to Ile de pines or any of the others. Also was one of your photos as Heingiene (spelling????)

Annie is being a little voyeuristic on the three friends!

Great photos! I hope everyone had a good time - I know Annie certainly did! She slept the whole way home in the car (very unusual for her) but was ready to go as soon as we got home as her favourite labrador dropped in for a visit. She is now conked out under my bed. I forgot my camera this time silly me! But the ones up so far are great!

My FIL has a gorgeous black lab, but sadly became rather obese as he couldn't look after him for a year and ended up staying with his mother, who is in a walking frame, so needless to say didn't get enough exercise. I was able to walk him twice a week (they lived a little too far for more than that unfortunately) which helped a little, but he just got massive. I took him to the vet to have him weighed and he was 55.4 kg!!!!! I had a stern talking to my OH's grandma, and his tidbits (marrowbones!) were dramatically reduced. She was feeding him the bones as well as his regular diet. He then went back to living with my FIL, with walks several times a day, and plenty of swimming, and actually now has a waist! Such a nice sight to see. I don't think he'll ever be as lovely and slim as those posted on here though - he is much bigger than them structurally. This is him with our 10 week old Aussie Shep pup

I take my kids to the dog park. Usually the dogs are too wrapped up in each other to bother the kids (I have 4 aged 9, 6, 4 and 2). But I don't let the kids wander off by themselves as they are more than likely to get knocked over by a wayward dog. I keep the youngest in the pram most of the time (much safer, and I can watch him and the odd inquisitive dog easier) and the other kids know to stay near a grown up for protection. It's amazing how the dogs have the full run of the park yet do their zoomies around and through the group of owners!

Hi all I just received this message from the training school I took Annie to as a young pup. I thought it was rather timely, and I should post it on here to remind all on here of the dangers of chocolate with dogs. Apologies if it's been done before THE DANGERS OF CHOCOLATE Got kids at home? Plan on having an Easter egg hunt this year? Don’t forget your 4-legged member of the family is inquisitive and may find the eggs before the kids do. Remind the family to keep all chocolate and lollies high up and out of dogs reach. Here’s why… What is chocolate poisoning? Chocolate poisoning is caused by excessive intake of the methylxanthine alkaloids in chocolate, coffee, tea, and some over-the-counter stimulants. The poisoning affects many organ systems, and animals of all ages are susceptible. Poisoning is common in dogs because of their habit of rapid consumption, particularly puppies and young dogs as they may be more likely to ingest large amounts of unusual foods. Since chocolate is often available and tasty, access to chocolate goodies is a problem. Although dogs are the most susceptible, the toxin has been known to affect or kill cats, birds, rodents and reptiles as well. What are the signs of chocolate poisoning? Vomiting and diarrhea occur 2 to 4 hours after intake, and chocolate in the vomit may be obvious. Nervous system stimulation leads to hyperactivity, tremors, and seizures. The heart rate becomes increasingly rapid and irregular. Excessive urination may result from the diuretic (water clearing) action of the chocolate. Advanced signs include stiffness, excitement, seizures, and extreme response to noise, light, and touch. Heart failure, weakness, coma, and death can occur 12 to 36 hours after intake. How is chocolate poisoning treated? If your dog is having a seizure, do not attempt to cause vomiting; take him or her to your veterinarian without delay. If the chocolate has just been consumed ring your vet for advice immediately. There is no antidote for chocolate poisoning. Your veterinarian may use drugs to induce vomiting if the chocolate was consumed within the previous 2 - 4 hours or a stomach tube and fluids to clear the stomach of chocolate, followed by activated charcoal treatment to prevent any drug remaining from being absorbed. In dogs with advanced signs, specialized medications are needed to control the seizures and to correct the rapid and weak heartbeat in order to prevent heart failure. What is the prognosis for chocolate poisoning? The expected course of chocolate poisoning is 12 to 36 hours depending on the dosage and effectiveness of treatment. Prognosis is good if the chocolate is removed within 2 to 4 hours of ingestion. Prognosis is guarded in animals with advanced signs such as seizures and serious heart dysfunction. www.petalia.com

The training school I took Annie to as a little puppy used 4 legs. She loved it BUT it gave her terrible gas! I also found a sharp cooked chicken bone in one of my bits (the pack was supposed to be beef) . Just lucky that I was using it as training treats and therefore crumbling it in my hand, and not feeding it directly from packet to bowl!

There's people toilet I think at the entrance to the no dog section of the lakes, next to the plant nursery. I'm going up there in a minute to take Annie for a walk, and will have a look to confirm. Also, Sammy's bakery across the road from the Routleys does excellent lebanese style food . I'm addicted to their sweet bagels.

I love it! My kids wanted to teach Annie this trick, but now I'm thinking it might be a bad idea. Admittedly some of the places she has found them I would never ever have thought to look and she has saved my bacon more than once when I've had work to get to. Your kids might like to check out my girls videos on Youtube under PAWFX for some trick ideas, also leopuppy04 has some great Aussie trick videos too. Will do - she hasn't been taught a new trick in a while... need to pull our fingers out.

I love it! My kids wanted to teach Annie this trick, but now I'm thinking it might be a bad idea.

and a few more edited as one was too blurry

Here's the photos I took

Are you serious Bonnie????? Our Aussie is shedding like crazy at the moment - every piece of my clothing is covered with gray/white fur. Our last girl (a border x kelpie) shed about a quarter of the amount, and I remember finding that a little annoying at times. I think if someone was to get an Aussie believing they were low shedding, the moment they "blow coat" would have them panicking! Thank goodness it doesn't matter for us

If you want an Aussie fix in the meantime, we should get our girls together for a play again soon.

Our little Aussie has fit into our family just perfectly (apart from a little mishap today - too much excitement directed at a chookie ) She's always been quite calm, and plays wonderfully with almost any dog at the park (except staffies for some reason, although one of her besties is the Amstaff next door). Highly recommend them to anyone wanting a dog with moderate exercise requirements. Annie is just as happy with a quick walk at the park or a throw of the ball in the backyard as she is with an hour long walk. She's taking to obedience training much faster than I am!

LP, when we came to look at your pups, I wasn't worried about the fact that mum wasn't in with the pups. To be honest, I was happy to see what she looked like (stunning of course ) but my main interest was the puppies! It would have been crazy with your pups, mummy dog, you, me, my husband and our four boys in with the pups (it was crazy enough as it was!!) The pup we ended up getting didn't mind us in with her pups - only she wanted all the attention for herself. But she was always independent from the pups according to her breeder... she wanted to do the school run to pick up her kids the afternoon of the pups birth!

I'm thinking of the mats we use at my personal training.... they would be perfect! I'll ask my trainer when I see her this afternoon where she gets them. They're covered with a vinyl and are about a metre by about 700mm, dark green in colour. Maybe a gym supply shop would have them.

Look like a Border Collie that my Aussie Shep plays with at our local park.

Yep, Aussies come in Bi-colours as well as tricolours and merles. I have a blue merle Aussie with copper points and white where a border collies does. There is a red merle border collie at my park that looks just like a tailed Aussie too. Oh, and Aussies can have tails, anywhere from full length to just a little stub. It gets a bit confusing! Generally an Aussie is a little taller and heavier set than a BC

My girl goes nuts for pancakes. Even her usual treats don't cut it when she can smell them cooking! The other morning she was asleep on the kitchen floor when I started to make pancakes. She woke up drooling.

Just having one of those days!! . Did a boys look.

I can't find the survey??? Am I not looking correctly

I'm in the western suburbs, and although it's not completely fenced, the dog park at Newport Lakes is great. There are no busy roads nearby, and the open side is heavily treed/shrubbery, which stops my dog from going there. I'd be a little careful there at the moment though, as there are known to be a few snakes about.