Beth.

Ok thanks for that Lottie's at 18kgs now, and not overweight, I was more interested in when she'd stop/keep growing till!! She wants soooo desperately to go for a run and play!!! She keeps picking up toys and bringing them over to me!!!

Hi Definately keep going camping, as it's soooo great to share that with the dogs!! Your next trip will be better, and hope someone doesn't set up so close I HATE THAT!!!!! We often go to Amamoor state forest near Gympie, and it's great, usually no one there (we usually go during the week), lots of walking tracks, lots of creeks to swim in and cows to bark at . Most times we have 3 dogs with us, who are tied up if there's other campers around, but let off when going walking - again depending how many people are around!! I've just recently taken my pup (well not so much pup anymore) on her first trip and she LOVED it!!!!! Lottie resting in the hammock.... The three girls enjoying on of the creeks My sisters staffyx enjoying my swag!! And just one more.... could go on all day!! Lets just say, I LOVE CAMPING WITH THE DOGS!!!!!

Oh ok!! hehe, I'll let you know how Lottie's coat goes... she doesn't have a big coat to start with, but hers is the same, so soft and silky!!!!! How big is Dusty? Like height/weight wise?? When did she stop growing??

Yep, and with all the wondering entire dogs around here (we've moved to a small town and they must think it's ok that their dogs can jump the fences and come into other peoples yards) I just didn't want to risk it!! Plus it's not only Lottie in our yard, as in there's two other dogs here, so just not worth the risk for their safety either!! She's been a good girl so far though, no cone of shame!! (helps that i've been at home with her the whole time keeping an eye on her, meant to be studying but oh well....) GayleK - I was so iffy/undecided about getting Lottie done now, but after lots of chats with vets and the breeder we decided now was best, and i'm glad I did - I'll have alot less to worry about now

haha, yep I know! Just showing you all photos of my gorgeous girl!! Don't worry, nothing has changed, well except she got 4 new toys today

Hehe, I haven't put anything in the photo, that all her!! Her hair down there is very dark, if thats what you were meaning? sorry i'm a bit slow sometimes....

Hehe, I know, I will!! I think it's going to be hard to keep her quiet for the next few days!!! I took her out for a toilet break ealier on lead, and she found a stick and gave it to me, i felt a little mean by taking it and not throwing it, as she was waiting so patiently for me too!! hehe!!

I have a very sooky, sore little girl here at the moment - she went in for her spay yesterday!!! Lets just say it was a stressful day! It was a day full of lectures at uni, and i'm pretty sure I took NOTHING in!!!! She'll be extra extra spoilt the next week or so today I went to the little cheap shop in town and bought her lots of toys, hehe!!! She was such a good girl!!!!!!! and it was very cute to see a slow little wiggle from her bum when I picked her up She's my baby!!!! And airing her sore little belly there is a fan thats pretty much on her and she just lies there like that with the cool air on her!! It makes me a little sad to see her so quiet (she's usually a very active bouncy girl!!!)

Hi Everyone!!! I am just after some info - I'm currently a member of Metro club at Chermiside (which I LOVE!!!!) but i've had to move to Gatton for uni and it's just a bit too far to be going every week (takes me like an hour and a half with good traffic), so I was wondering if anyone has had an experience with the Toowoomba or Laidley obedience clubs?? Thanks heaps!!!!!

YAY for getting an Aussie!!! I must admit, after getting Lottie (she's my first dog), i'll never not have an Aussie in my life!!! And they definately do fit your criteria... Although Lottie is only just 6 months old(she's a blue merle Aussie) she's quiet in the house, I can leave her during the days alone, or with other dogs, she really doesn't mind, LOVES swimming, loves having play dates and going on little walks, and is just an all round good dog :rolleyes: . Can't wait to hear more about your new little arrival (when it arrives, hehe). And she is also not a bouncy pup, very clever, very laid back about everything, and boy is she a confident little dog, NOTHING phases her!! Ok, enough bragging now..... Good luck with your hunt of finding a breeder/puppy who suits you!!!

Thanks so much for that link Steve!! Some very interesting reading....

Thanks for the lovely comments about my girl, she's the love of my life, hehehe!!!! And thanks everyone for your information, it definately gives me something to have a think about!! I had a chat to the vet about it last time, but she just said to get her done before 6 months (or first season), as thats what they do. Great idea about talking to the breeder..... *off to email my breeder* and see what she recommends as well! Thanks again everyone

Hi Everyone I'm sorry if this has been done a million times (but I just have NO luck when searching through the forums), but I was wanting some opinions on when I should Look at getting Lottie desexed. She's about 2 weeks off 6 months ;) ;) Time flies when you're having fun!!!! Anyway, i'm just trying to decide when I get her desexed, the pros and cons about before and after her first heat. I thought i'd see what other peoples opinions are Thanks heaps!!!!!! Oh and thought i'd show you how my beautiful girl is growing!!!!!!! This one is of her when she was 6 weeks (the photo the breeder sent through) And now at nearly 6 months!!!!!

He was loving whatever you were doing!! I just saw little Lottie in that picture peeking out! She's so cheeky! Hehe, yep he was!!! Gorgeous boy!!!!

Hehe pointeeblab, I was giving him a massage......

One of my mums chi's balls didn't drop, even by the time he was desexed!! Looking at him you would think he was desexed but he wasn't . ETA: They did get him desexed a little early because of this, but it was between 5-6 months....

So SAD!!! Lets just hope she finds a great and loving home who love her!!! Another pet shop story - I walked past one today in our local shopping centre today and the add was... "Staffy/Bull Terrier x Maltese.... Yep you read right " That's literally what the add said, I just had to walk away..... ETA as in they had the smiley face in the add as well.....

Hi, I work at an emergency vet clinic (after hours - just got home from work actually), and just tonight we had two toad cases brought in - 1 not so bad, just frothing at the mouth, lots a saliva, but the other was worse and had led to seizures. The first thing to do with toad toxin is get a wet cloth and wipe over the gums, keep doing this for about 10-15 mins all over the gums, both top and bottom, and yeah, keep doing this!! It's important not to have too much water as you don't want the dog inhaling any of it, but just a damp cloth is great. The toad toxicity is a very 'sticky' toxin, so thats why this wiping the gums is the best. The gums will be very injected (look very bright pink). If you get toad toxicity early enough (usually first 15-30 mins), after wiping the gums you'll see a big improvement. At work if someone rings up, we'll walk them through this, and ask them to call us back in about 10 mins to see how the dog is. If it's been a while, the dog can start to seizure and needs to get to the vets On both the dogs tonight, I sat with them for about 20 mins conitnually wiping their gums removing the 'sticky' toxin. Hope your dog is ok :cheer:

Thank you. He's pretty unique with his dark features, and he's just the best boy ever. He has the nicest temperament of any dog I've ever met, and he's a real character. Yeah his dark features are beautiful!!! I can imagine he would be a character - my little Aussie is now 5 months old ;) and boy what a funny little thing with the HUGEST personality!!!!!! I'm still yet to find ANYTHING to scare her (not like I go out trying, but you know what I mean, like storms, mowers, loud noises etc etc), she's such a confident pup!!!!. I've never really had anything to do with them before I got Lottie, and I think i'm going to find it hard to get a different breed now Sorry to hijack the thread, back to the OT now

I would agree with that. Not so much the show lines, but farm bred and byb border collies feature in large numbers in country pounds. Yep I agree as well.... There always seems to be Border Collie/x's in the pound where I live (country pound). I think it is about education, and that people releasing that these are living animals, who aren't perfect and need love/guidence to become a great family member. And there will be up and down times!!! and... I know what you mean about Pet shop workers not knowing much, sometimes it's sooo annoying!!! I tried to 'correct' a girl on a breed once, and she wouldn't accept it!! A little off topic, but GayleK your Aussie's are GORGEOUS!!!!! Benson is a stunning boy!!!!!!

Yep, I just leave as well and don't say much - sometimes (if i'm going to work and will be a while) i'll say bye to the girls, but if i'm just going down the street I just leave (I swear they don't even know i've gone until I come back!!! ). No fuss, and they just hang out and do their doggy things... I agree with not leaving food as well - just in case!

By any chance, Would you mean 4 Legs? I use that for my puppy too and he loves it. Besides that I use Nature's Gift Beef and Liver as well. I've seen that - it looks interesting as an occasional treat to jazz up Sophie's kibble - i might get her some for an occasional addition. 4Legs works best as Bailey's training treats. He would do absolutely anything for it. It can get a bit messy at times though so we don't use it all the time, but we use it as a 'high value treat'. Yep Thoses are the ones!!!! She LOVES them - and is the same, would do ANYTHING for them!!!! hahaha

When I was at coles the other day, they had those little meat ball things on sale (they're in the cold dog food area, sorry forget the name, but they have different flavours - I got the chicken, rice one maybe??) so I thought i'd try a pack, and Lottie LOVES them - I use them for training treats, I've been breaking them up into little parts and using them, and she LOVES them!!!!! So I divided them into little packets and have been freezing them, and every evening put one in the fridge.... The big girls love the Eukanuba dog treats (Biscuits).

Yep, I'm thinking I should have got insurance when I first got her.... ah hindsight is a wonderful thing....

Thanks again everyone for your replies!!! I'll have a chat to my vet and see if she can print out Lottie's history and go from there I think it sounds like it would be a good idea for me to get some out anyways.... Beth