Beth.

Thanks for the help everyone The more I think about it the more I think i'll get it - it's in my range with a couple lenses, so come on 2 weeks!!!!!

Thanks BB - They are gorgeous photos... I think I might stick with the 550D..... And a lot has to do with the lenses anyway right?? So I can just keep upgrading to better lenses as I go??

I'm sooooo excited (although then i'll have to stop myself from overrunning the photo thread with my photos - I do get a little carried away )

I know this has been done sooo many times, but i've researched, and researched some more - read old posts and I think i'm even wore confused!!! So, as a birthday/christmas/end of uni for the year (passing a really hard year), my parents, and brother/sister are putting in for a DSLR (I'm a little excited - hopefully within the next 2 weeks!!!!!!). So - the big question - what camera to get - I'm focused on getting a Canon - i've been to the shops and played around with a few brands, and canon seems to feel the best!! I have around the $1000-$1200 to spend... I'm leaning towards the Canon 550D. The think i'm most curious about is, I hear of alot of people upgrading, but I won't have the money to for at least 2 years - would the Canon 550D be suitable for someone who is pretty much starting out (although i'm pretty cluey with technology so should be okay). It'll mainly be photos of Lottie and other dogs, so I'd like a good camera for action shots... Ok, well I think thats all, if anyone has any recommendations/suggestions or if you think the canon 550D would suit i'd love to hear!!!!!!! Thanks!!!

I've said it before and i'll say it again - you take such amazing photos - I could look at them all day!!!!! Can I ask what camera you have?? :D

Yes! I suppose that for some of the more remote locations, the Maccas is like a landmark or something. The van was on time but we seemed to be waiting forever ...! We felt like goofy, expectant parents standing in the carpark of the Vet hospital like that The driver didn't seem to want to say goodbye to Hoover, kept patting him and cuddling him Oh I was the same - I got there about an hour early , went and bought so toys and a clam shell... and was ridicously exited, hehehe!!!!

They were great! Very organised. What is hilarious is that for Kempsey, the pick-up point is late one evening in the parking lot of the Kempsey McDonalds!!! Then in Canberra, the drop-off point was at the parking lot of Canberra Veterinary Hospital. We felt like we were there for a drug drop until the guy held up our little red and tan monster Good luck with the transport! :p :p :p - that was the same with us!!! Drop off at a Maccas and pick up infront of a big sports shop in the parking lot - I tell you what, that half an hour waiting for the van to arrive was the longest half an hour EVER!!!!!

Yes - I think I'd be more comfortable with road transport than air. Not a bad price either really. I used dogmovers when I got Lottie as well - very very happy with the service!!! Regular stops, lovely guy and Lottie was sound asleep streched out (in the very nice and cool aircon) when I picked her up, wasn't stressed and was very happy when I got her!!!!! And very easy on the $$ too!!!! Recommend them highly

Lottie has lots of little quirks One is - if she's bored, or wants my attention, or is playing she'll roll on her back and 'grumble' and 'talk' to herself!!! A little snap of her doing just that tonight... Also, if she's doing something she's not suppose to - like I was resting today and she was out with the other dogs, but my flatmate left the door open - I see her pop her head around my door and she shimmyied her way in The bum wiggling was so intense she was literally shimmying to me!!!!! She does these banana bends with really really fast stumpy tail movements - it's the cutest thing ever!!!! Oh and one more - when she's wet - been swimming - she will do anything she possible can to rub against anyones legs who are around - and she knows that when she comes up to do it, people tell her to go away, so she's mastered the 'bumflick' and gets you with just her bum :D Ah dogs - you gotta love them!!!!!

I had a HORRIBLE, STUCK UP woman at the beach when Lottie was about 12weeks old say - 'Oh, what a horrible thing for a dog to have no tail - I don't know if it's going to attack me or not!' - UMMMM HELLO!!! It was a 12 week old PUPPY!!!!!!! wiggling her little butt off . It was something that really really upset me!!! It made me think 'what have I done with getting a dog with no tail'. ANYWAY... just yesterday made up for it - I was walking her around the lake, and I heard two ladies say 'look at that stunning dog' - so I stopped and introduced myself and Lottie, informed them about the breed and had a lovely chat - and the complements they were saying about her really made my day :D And... they said having no tail gave her more personality!!! hehe!! Now I LOVE her stumpy bum, and I think me next aussie will be a stumpy bum as well :D

I am so sorry to hear the loss of Harry - He was a special boy, and was so lucky to have an amazing family love him!! Run free Harry and see you at the other end!!! *Big Hugs* during this hard time!! And big hugs to little Lola - I hope she is coping ok!

LOVING all the photos everyone.. Hmmm... now to pick a couple favourites - I have WAY to many of Lottie... I really love this photo... Lotties birthday party - doing tricks for some cake ;) Lottie with my sisters dogs - they all just love each other (which makes babysitting by either of us easy!!) As a puppy.. OK!!! Photo overload sorry!!!! :D :D

Damn I read that reply tooooo late!!!! Well she's back with her real mum now, and I really really miss all her little antics and her generally just being around, but oh well, it makes me even more excited about having another one... one day... Hopefully in the next 3 or 4 years I will!!!!!!

LOVE THEM!!! (as usual!! ) They just look like the best of mates as well - you take beautiful photos!!!

Well... It's come the time when Ella is going back home :D She's been so much fun, and i've loved having her!!! But her breeder is home on Friday, so she's going back... so a quick little snap from today - I just love this photo And I couldn't not put one in of my gorgeous girl...Lottie

I missed this post the other day - good on you for taking on these little guys, and giving the mum a comfortable and safe place to raise her babies . Hehe - you jinxed yourself by saying she would have them while you were away , but they are adorable and look healthy and happy Can't wait to get updated photos as they grow!!!!

She is sooo beautiful - and getting sooo big!!!!! Look at those long legs - she looks like she has a bit more growing to do yet!!!!!

Hehe, I have Lottie trained pretty well - I like my sleep ins, so if she wakes me up/is noisey she gets put outside, but she's just started sitting at my bed looking at me doing this groaning thing - like a deep, long aarrrgggg - it's soooo cute, and I always laugh at it - which is why I'm sure she does it, but usually she likes to sleep in with me - sometimes even until 9/10!! It's very nice!!! TLC - that video was soooooo cute

They look like they're enjoying them!!!!! I always think about getting Lottie turkey legs - she LOVES turkey necks, and she often has a few a week, maybe next time i'm in woolies i'll get some!!!

I can't make the 7th either - well i'm pretty much out until the December meet - need to get through this exam block and need all the time I can get, hehehe. But we'll be keen for the December meet

Pretty much, without fail, Lottie does a number 2 on her walks - I don't think it's a big deal at all, I just take bags with me, clean up and put it in the rubbish - I'm out in the country as well, so not many people around and no paths to walk on, it's usually just out in the paddocks - and yep, I still pick up after her!!! I've done the 'ah' noise and drag her to a more appropriate spot as well though , but I would never stop her from going if she needs too!!

I would be keen to join in on some DOL get togethers!! Sunday is probably better for me, as I work every 2nd Saturday - and I also don't mind what weekend of the month either!!! It's a shame we don't have a facility like they do with the monthly Kepela (sp?) meet - it looks so gorgeous and perfect for something like this Oh well.... Nudgee is always nice, except there's usually alot of people out there on the weekends... Not sure of anywhere else...

This happened in the town I live in!!!!!!!!!! (well 5 mins out of) - scary stuff!!!!!

What great photos - and Evolving, your photos are just improving soooo much - they are amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so jealous!! The park you go to looks so nice, I think Brisbane definately needs a monthly meet!!!

I'd love a ferret as well, but they're illegal in QLD - I will make it my goal to at least SEE a ferret one day!!!