The Ark

What a horrendous experience for that poor dog to have endured. Hopefully the rest of his life will be much nicer.

Sorry I must have misread your initial post - you have already made phone contact before sending this list? If so, I don't see that there is a problem at all - the breeder is free to answer the ones they wish to and leave the ones they feel are too invasive (for some reason or other).

I'd include that information

Good on you for putting so much thought into it. I'd answer your questions, but then that's just me I would probably roll my eyes at the list to start with, but would remind myself that breeders have been trying to steer people away from BYBs etc by telling potential puppy buyers to ask lots of questions. It seems, from a few such threads, that collectively (responsible breeders, rescue, etc) we encourage people to put thought into buying a pup but then berate or ignore them because they ask a few too many questions, or what we consider to be the wrong ones. It's a bit of a balancing act. I agree that many of these questions could be asked and answered in later phone contact, however it also wouldn't be that hard for the breeder to state that in a brief reply to said email. I would suggest, like others have, that you include a bit more information about yourself and what you are hoping to do with a pup - that way the breeder has a bit of insight into you before they proceed to tell their own life story. ;)

LP I bought a kit sandpit from Bunnings. It took about 10 minutes to put together and I then gave it a couple of coats of paint to seal it and make it easy to clean. It cost about $100 and we've now had 3 litters in it. It is 1m x 1.5m. The only downfall is that this litter of pups was able to climb out at about 2weeks as the sides are only about 15cm high. I have a small heating pad set up in one corner for the first couple of weeks so the pups can seek it out if they are a bit cold, and that has worked well for us as puppies are inside our house anyway. I have the bed set up on a show mat doubled over, covered with thick layers of newspaper, and then vet bed or some other bedding on top of that at one end.

eventingpony I use snake chains on my Aussies without any problems. I usually use them on a thin, white show lead. With a merle you probably don't want anything too flashy.

OOh thank you White Shepherd Mum I will check those out as well. We're off to the neurologist tomorrow, so I'm hoping we'll have a bit better idea what we need after that.

I do think they have a bit of a nerve asking for donations to help cover the cost of his "expensive" diet food when they have obviously been quite happy to squander their money on feeding him crap before.

Oops sorry I missed your post, Danois. I did see an old post from someone when I did a search - it sounded like she might even be Jo that BD mentioned? I'll have another look. Karly - thank you. I would like one where we have the option of letting her feet touch the ground as she can still walk - at least until she falls over

Thanks BD - Jo is the one person I have spoken with and she seems very nice and willing to help. It's nice to hear from someone who knows her

Thanks Smooch. That was one thing I was a bit worried about - the fact that they can't lay down with it on. But still, if it increases mobility maybe she will then be content to lay still at other times.

Hi, I am just starting to look into some form of mobility aid for my miniature pinscher who is having trouble with her rear legs. We have an appointment with a neurologist on Tuesday to see what she thinks can be done (and hopefully she can consult some of her colleagues in other disciplines also), but would like to know a bit more about wheelchairs/carts in the meantime. Has anyone bought one, or had one made for a small dog? Are there any features that we should definitely have, or any we should definitely avoid? Any information would be greatly appreciated. I have already spoken with one manufacturer, but would like to know some real-life experiences. Thank you.

Awesome, KTB! And Betsy - I agree, Ziggy is a pretty boy

We visited the new pet supplies store at Glendale today - PETQuarters. It has recently opened, and doesn't sell live animals (except a few fish) but does have visits from rescue kittens (not sure about pups at this stage) which are offered for adoption via a rescue organisation (and which still live with their foster carer). The kittens there today were very relaxed and content, and the staff were never far away if anyone was near their cage so there wasn't really the opportunity for anyone to annoy the kitties. If there is any interest in adoption, customers must go through the rescue organisation so there are no impulse buys with anyone walking out of the shop with a cute kitten under their arm. During our visit I eavesdropped on the staff talking with customers, and was impressed by all I heard. People were encouraged to seek out rescue animals (including small animals such as ferrets & bunnies) and there were brochures/flyers placed around the store for rescue/desexing services. Thumbs up from me.

From what I have come across (in my limited experience), pellets seem to be preferred - but we have recently had a litter of healthy pups from straws, so I'm happy with that outcome too.

Thank you so much BMP and Lowenhart! You have eased my mind. Have a great Easter!

Can anyone point me to a map of the ring layout at Erskine Park? I've tried searching, but to no avail. I have to attend two specialties on two consecutive days and would love to have some idea of where I am going. Thank you.

Thanks Aziah - I got a pretty red one! Now to find something to wear it with........

We have Aussies and mini pinschers (along with a few other ring-ins) and they get along extremely well - BUT I don't leave any of the Aussies, even the pups, to run free with the min pins as they can too easily accidentally hurt them. A little slip-up by a big dog could mean agony for little bones & joints. I do allow supervised play - but not roaring around the paddock together as it's too easy for accidents to happen. I also have two rescued greyhounds - and they do live with the min pins. If there is potential for running around I only leave the adult min pins with them, but they share inside space well with my baby min pin (no room for zoomies in here!). So a greyhound might be nice?

So sorry Kirty Take a breath, hug one of your other loves and remember your lovely girl. RIP Phoebe.

Quazaa, We imported from 3 dogs in Sweden early last year, and it was all organised/collected/shipped by Dr Catharina Linde-Forsberg in Stockholm. She was fantastic to deal with, and AI is her specialty. We did get straws as that was the only option, however we now have 5 puppies on the ground from our first litter so we were happy with the results. I'll PM you our costs (in Swedish krona as I haven't got time to convert, sorry).

Note to self: start training puppies from birth in drive, plenty of toys etc.....

I hadn't entered into this again because I find all of this appalling, however to insinuate that I have nothing better to do than have a "sly little dig" is pathetic. What sad little people you are. And greytmate you are happy to say "most people" wouldn't euthanise but that is not ALL. I personally know some that would do so, and have done so, in the blink of an eye. And "many" (as per my one, oft-quoted remark) is not ALL either. Talk about me taking it off topic, FFS.

Little Bear is now 10 weeks old! She is still adorable and plucky, and going amazingly well. She has had a visit to the chiro, and will have more in the future. Here is a video of the little miss, taken yesterday: The whinging in the background is her brother, Buzz, who thought it was very unfair that he had to stay in the back room.

I agree. It is a tap, and there is nothing in that whole stupid video doing the rounds that shows me a dog who looks/acts like it's been hurt. If I had the choice between a tap on the butt or the green dream (which is the other alternative for some of the dogs shown on his program) I know which one I'd be asking for! I think the "dancing" description is a great one. His body language is amazing.