bilby

OMG .. I missed the collar .. I was too busy looking at the leggy toys. What a bling princess ! I would like to get one for Axle .. just so it's really clear that he does belong to someone. Website ? We've now fenced the back home yard to 1200mm .. still not high enough to keep the litt;e tacker in. Any ideas for collar attachments that will help me see / hear him in the dark ? His tags rattle .. but I'm wondering if there is anything luminous out there ? He only weighs 4 kilos so attching a cowbell (or brick as Richard has suggested) seems a little cruel.

I know what you mean, fido . .. I haven't any good pics of Bouf for Christmas either; But we're going to training on Sunday & I'm going to take my camera & hopefully get someone to take some shots ... Malleer, I know exactly why you'd be wary of going to training. I find it really hard in some doggy situations ... eg at the vet .. with a large dog. Specially one that looks as macho as Bouf does. ( Looks being the word .. he's the absolute opposite of macho in temperament) Somehow all the SWF's & small snappies can challenge & challenge & fly at your dog .. & that seems acceptable to their owners .. & almost chuckled at by surrounding people "what a game little tacker !" Never mind that your big sook is actually very frightened by that behaviour, & is also physically a bit delicate. I really hope you can find a group like mine .. it's so supportive & Bouf & I have dispensation to do things "Our Way" . Just got an image of Frank Sinatra singing " I did it the CL wayyyyyyyyy" & that photo of Mallee coming out the surf teared me up I NEVER tear up & your baby photos of Chloe, Kelly so sweet & she's doing so great. OMG .. am I getting too atttached to you all ? is this what Channel 7 means by inappropriate Net connections ?

OHHHHHHHHHH ... if only they could understand why we shriek & turn pale! ( Don't think that this sign is actually meant to mean what I know you & I & other CL veterans will interpret it as .. ) Bouf & I returned to training after 7 months' absence last Sunday. I have done nothing with him in that time & am just going back for safe socialisation more than anything else. I know the dogs & the owners & Jacquie, the trainer, came with me to Murdoch to hold my hand on our first diagnosis visit. I know he can mix with dogs off lead & every-one will understand why I stop "rough play" between my huge bloke & a delightful agile Rottie when they are obviously having so much fun together. The class Iwent back to is the Advanced ( I wanted to go back to "Novice" but Jacquie scoffed ) & everyone else is aiming for Competitition Obedience .. which we're obviously never going to achieve in the ring .. though we do meet all the behaviour standards. Jacquie had sent me the notes for the previous class which said that in Competition Obedience at the Sit the dog's paws must be in line with the owners feet. When we first lined up, I looked down & realised that because of Bouf's CL sprawling sit, all 4 of his paws were in line with my feet .. whereas all the other dogs only had their 2 front paws lined up. I pointed this out to Jacquie with a deadpan face .. she rolled her eyes & said " always one smarta** " in every class" .. but told me later that one of the newer members who didn't know Bouf's history had asked her afterwards if she was meant to be getting her shepherd to present all 4 paws in line. Poor woman .. she also thought I'd just joined out the blue & was really discouraged .. lucky she did ask so Jacquie could explain that Bouf & I had been to training for 2 years solid before the op. Bouf was (sorry BRAG BRAG ) so brilliant. The newish member in the class was at the other end of the line so Jacquie told me to lead off with the "Recall"" .. I had to ask her to remind me what I had to do. Bouf remembered .. Bouf sat .. he waited .. I walked off the length of the arena & turned round .. he was still sitting .. called him & he lolloped straight to me & sat (as upright as he can) straight in front .. & still sat whilst I walked round him .. Jacquie gave a great holler when we finished .. 1st time she's seen him move since the op. He heeled, he downed with none of the reluctance , he had so much fun & was so much more alert. We're just going to mosey along each fortnight .. I get such a buzz out of the bond holding strong even amongst the distractions. And when he just climbs calmly & pain-free into the car at the end of training I could just bust with happiness !

Can't wait to see them Kelly ! Flat tack at work .. what a surprise ! Nothing like working in a resort for keeping you busy at Christmas/New Year .. Bouf & I are re-starting training next Sunday. He is so so happy & bouncy. He & Axle wrestle & play for hours & hours & hours. His tail now sweeps the picnic table clear .. & I thought he must have grown EVEN more ( eekkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk ) .. but as my sister pointed out, it's probably just that he's standing straight now that both hind legs are muscled up & he has no pain. He does seem a lot taller .. but I'm just so happy he's so happy

Awwwwwwwwwwwww .. you girls are so mushy Congratulations Kel .. I can see it means so much to you & I'm happy you're so happy. Richard & I have been married for 24 years .. & I still don't have a ring .. but we only got married because my temporary visa was running out in 2 weeks. I'd intended to just negotiate my way to permanent residency through the usual Immigration Department channels .. but hadn't reckoned on the exhaustion I'd have after giving birth to Luke who was a 24/7 screaming baby for the 1st few weeks. Got married .. end of problem. Still .. it seems to have lasted ..

Wow ... Mallee & Chloe are both such such brave trooper dogs Antointte, I can just imagine how glorious it was to see Mallee being so doggy & running around ... but I don't think you call yourselves stupid for being so protective before. It maybe WAS required at that stage .. we can all only make little steps one stage at a time .. & :D is that girl accident-prone or what ??? Bouf says she can come outback with him if she wants As for Chloe .. what a star ! Go li'l girl, go ! You must be so proud, Kelly Now he's standing at a weird angle in this photo .. but just had to show off Bouf's new haunch muscles xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx to you all

This reminds me so much of going to a seminar on "Toddler Taming" by Christopher Green, where I just couldn't believe how many parents were fixated on how to get their toddlers to eat. .. how many different foods they'd offered .. etc etc. We were on the bones of our bum at the time .. on a student grant which back then was less than the dole .. no question of any alternative to the very basic food that was on the table .. & no nibbles or luxuries in between meals. Dr Green's answer (from memory) was - it takes a child 62 days to die of starvation. - offer the food, take it away if not wanted - Do not offer alternatives - Contact him if child still hadn't eaten by Day 61. I know it seems mean .. but it is the best long term

Hullo all OK .. still haven't got the new pics .. coming soon .... Bouf is doing so well .. hasn't shown any imbalance or limping for over 7 weeks now. We are cleared by Murdoch & don't need to go back again unless there's some emergency. I'd assumed that I had to have his other leg but Tom the surgeon was appalled at the idea of getting it done "just in case" which was great news for me. If I keep his hamstrings strong with daily walks, I can avoid it all together apparently. It was suggested that I could have 6 monthly x-rays done to check the joint if I was wanted to, & I think I'll do that. Part of the reason fpr Bouf's great recovery is that his cartilage/meninscus was intact which is apparently quite unusual with a cruciate ligament rupture, so I want to make sure that I take action before there is any significant deterioration in the other leg, & the regular X-rays will enable us to do that. I think I'm being way over pro-active .. but hey ! better than last time. I can see such a huge difference in the muscle on his haunches. And he just climbs into the back seat of my ditsy Daewoo with no problem or hesitation at all. So much I wish I'd known before that I'm still berating myself for. I thought he didn't like car travel & spent ages doing the tempting treats in car stuff .. whereas now it's SO SO obvious that it was that climbing in was so painful. He just looks so strong & so comfortable these days. I would recognise all those little signs now, but he was my 1st big big dog .. also my 1st real sook .. & I just thought they all sat that way, were scared of everything etc etc. Good to hear everyone else is also doing well. I just bought Sashas Blend for the 1st time this week but am giving it to them all. Gem is one of those dogs that can detect the tiniest pill in a mound of food & eat everything but that little pill, but she loves the fishy smell too & slurps it up. I've changed local vets to the practise that came & helped me euthanise the sheep, & I have a gorgeous new vet, Rob, who is so enthusiastic & interested. So far he's - detected an ancient grass seed in Bouf's ear ( grrrrrrrr .. I had him to the other vets for that problem 6 weeks ago ), & sedated & removed grass seed in 3 hours for only $77 !!! - removed grass seed from Fergie the ferrert's eye - $22 - sedated & X-rayed Feral the ferret because she seemed to fall over some times. It's just arthritis .. I hadn't realised she's over 5 years old, but his interest & care was so sweet - given Gem a geriatric check & recommended really good management methods. ( I had a pretty good idea what she needs but let him tell me to see if he oversold .. which he didn't at all) The practise is really a farming practise - I never seen a German Shepherd described as "Small Animal Consult" before , but I am really happy with them. How unreasonable of work, Kelly .. I'm actually the meanie at our place that gets grumpy when I check out how much Net usage is personal .. but only if it is excessive & totally irrelevant .. DOL's wouldn't count ! pics soon of my new wonder dog ...

Hullo Runter .. my (Bouf's) story's on the link given earlier .. but I just wish so much I'd got a 3rd opinion much earlier for Bouf. He had intermittent lameness from 5 months .. & I went to & fro & to & fro to 2 vets for 2 years ... till I was referred to Murdoch Uni .. He's had the full osteotomy, is just at week 13 of recovery .. & is so sound & so happy .. but my head's pretty sore from thumping myself on the forehead for not getting a 3rd opinion sooner when my poor dog was telling me how sore he was .. even though those 1st 2 vets said he wasn't.

I've always used the same commands & same whistles for all the dogs & never found it a problem .. but the dog's name is the key to who is to respond. I train the pup "alongside" the older dog to start with & "What Did she say ?" ... Bouf at 10 months then start to use names when the pup has the command down fast. "OK I got it " I've found it so much easier training a 2nd dog when #1 is there to demonstrate ..

WE'RE BACK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 5 bloody weeks ! but we're back on the net ...I have missed you guys so much !! Bizarre last couple of months ... but am now putting it all firmly behind me. Thanks for all the care & sympathy about my sheep. It was shocking .. but I was overwhelmed with the reaction from the ranger, the neighbours, passers-by, Michael ( who buried them all for me) & the vet. Everyone was just so very kind. Michael, my foster-goats' owner has just been given 6 chocolate coloured 18 month ewes .. we're picking them on the weekend .. & they're coming here of course. Bouf is looking stunning .. so so sound .. waiting to hear from Murdoch about the next (final!) appointment. Be back with pics soon .. just need to catch up with everything so forgive me if I've missed stuff I should have answered to .. I'll get there soon

Miranda, you put it so well. Best guide for any food is Would this be part of a canine's natural diet ? How would he eat it in the wild ? There are lots of introduced foods that wouldn't normally be part of the wild diet, but which are very beneficial in compensating for the changes we have brought to the domestic dog... Eggs are part of their natural scavenging diet.

I'm here .. home PC is STILL non-functional .. posted my huge sheep story & then got cut off again ..getting a bit worried about signing up for 2 year contract with dodo now .. I'm snatching work moments to keep up & will be back in full voice as soon as I can. (Not now - even I don't work this late, but Richard needs the phone & we only have dial-up in the interim. My father in law rolled their campervan north of Carnarvon on a dirt track last week which is another whole Days of Our Lives saga. Bouf seems good .. very very bouncy ! Catch you soon !

Hullo all .. my internet provider went belly-up 10 days ago .. will be back as soon as new provider is connected ,,

Jordan is very gorgeous, berly .. if only Gem was a few years younger ! Glad to hear he's doing so well & that the scent games were of some use. I keep thinking of how much harder the rehab confinement must be for people with smart & active dogs. NOT that I mean to put Sleepy Sook down too much, but ... Bouf is doing really well - completely sound again, & I'm so looking forward to starting our rehab walks this week. It's got a lot warmer here the last couple of days & I notice the difference. Temperature had a big impact on his comfort too (which is why he is the only one to be allowed to run his heater during the night, no matter what the human males say. They can just get more blankets.) Oh, those scarey slips & slides, Kelly ! I don't think I'll ever be able to see a dog take a corner fast again without freaking ! Gem is so much active since Bouf's op ( an unexpected bonus) because she has to play with Axle all day now that his main toy is locked away, & she actually seems to enjoy it now. She skidded on our wooden floors the other day .. & I was just "Eek" "Eek" "Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek". But she seems fine. As for the work question, berly .. I only post at home & since my car has been garage bound, I've been unable to get to work so have had a lot of time to play on the PC. There are a zillion other things I SHOULD be doing rather than Googling images (I did try really hard to find merle images for Duncan, fido.. alas ) .. but my PC is in Bouf's confinement room .. so I justify it as "keeping Bouf company". He also seems to have an ear problem. Not constant , but every now & again he goes through a bout of shaking his head violently. I wish I'd asked Murdoch to check whilst he was under GA last week .. but of course he only started it again the next day. I'll have take him back once my car's fixed.

SSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Corine ! Well that's really blown Duncan's undercover role.... obviously I couldn't put his details on a website ... & he was working so hard at his disguises ! <---spot Duncan <--- pretending to be tourist type collie <--- ready for North Pole missions <---- blending into open country <---- blending into suburbia So I've had to reassign him to Airborne Communications relaying Jordan's instructions to the ground team So please tell him not to pout

Well, that is great news ! All we need now to let the SAS know that we're available to join their canine team squads, which I'll do as soon as we hear from berly Jordan is obviously in charge of planning as (a) he's a GSD so is the smartest (b) still in recovery Chloe is in charge of sniffing out the victim Mallee to locate the exact position of the victim ( Eekkk ,, was that a curtain I just heard ?) & Bouf will be on stand-by waiting for instructions from Jordan ie if it gets dark, you may well need him to show you the way back. He loves his new kit.

I've been meaning to suggest this since reading Both Brock and i could not be happier with Mallee Mozzlebum if she continues on as she is, if she can give us say another 3-5 years like this we will be over the moon. The only nagging little thing is what to actually do with her - its kind of hard to explain & Jordan's bordom just prompted me to actually get round to doing it. ( Also helped by the fact that my car's engine has blown up .. & alas (fake tears) I can't get to work today.. or for a while I suspect.) There is a lot of scent games / tracking training that can be done without much physical exercise involved at all. The main problem in training tracking is that doing the rudimentary basic exercises sometimes seems a lot less exciting to beginners than plunging off into the bush with a dog in full harness .. but they are the key to success in the long run. Not that I imagine that the day will come when Bouf, Mallee, Chloe & Jordan become Search & Rescue dogs .. but what a great team that would be ! But the exercises are really interesting for the dog & they get a lot of fun out of it. Even Bouf got the hang of finding the right container & bringing it back quite quickly .. Now we just need to work on the correct grip on the container so that it doen't flip up over one's muzzle & blind you .. I was laughing so hard .. he was so sweet .. just kept carefully blundering back towards the sound of my laughter. (This was pre-op .. but it can be done just about from standing position) This site has some ideas .. if you're interested, I can post a load more. http://flyingdogpress.com/scntgame.html

Woooo Hoooooooooooooooo Go Chloe Go !

Australdi .. just saw your post

Fantastic Dog Hug pic, Dave ..... My OH isn't so bad really .. he just goes through the motions of requesting future dogs live outside (he does all the housework) & I agree fervently .. but then .. to my utter surprise & astonishment (on Day 1 of the New Regime) .. & to his resigned smile ... - it gets too cold - it gets too hot - it rains - the wind is very blustery & quite scary - the chooks (his chooks) are out & I haven't completed livestock training - I'm worried the dogs will be stolen by someone with periscope vision who can see up our bush drive & round the house - I'm worried that our neighbours (coo-eeee .. they are out there .. just not too near) might be bothered by barking. & it has been very cold here so a few eiderdowns & blankets seemed only kind .. Hey .. at least no-one's on the couch !

Hullo all Good to hear that Mallee is recovering .. poor baby .. she sounds just like Bouf. Such a scaredy cat sensitive type. Maybe I should start a Weight-watchers group with Jordan & Chloe as my mentors .. I'm piling it on even more but they sound as though they're doing great. Bouf is back to full movement / weight bearing etc , though he's still on those pain-killers for 2 more days so I guess the true test will be next week. He looks pretty good to me though :rolleyes: :D I'm over last week's melt-down .. I think ! Spring has sprung here & it's hard to stay down when everywhere's in full blossom & the dogs are happy & son is being a total sweetie & trying to as much as he can one-handed to help ... I don't have any very exciting photos .. confinement just doesn't do a lot for great action shots. Yes Kelly, that was Axle trying to take Bouf's ball in the prev pic. As he's pointing out here .. what do I expect him to do all day if he's not allowed to play with Bouf ?

Oh Antoinette .. what can I say ? It must just seem to be layer after layer of worry .. & that is so so wearying. There must be a silver lining (or several) coming your way eventually. Bouf severed a tendon at his "wrist" on his front leg when he was maybe 3 months ( not diagnosed properly till 8 months despite multiple vet visits) , and his paw on that leg is like an otter paw ..ie flat & splayed .. which maybe has a lot to do with his cruciate wearing down as I suppose he's been "unbalanced" since then. But other than that (& I'm only guessing that that had any influence), it has never made any other difference. So I think a toe tendon should be OK ? Axle was limping a bit last week so I took him up the vet. ( Nathan still being laid up with his broken collar bone). "Oh good, not too bad .. we shouldn't need to amputate the toe, it should just heal up" he said. Amputate the toe ???? Anyway the reason I mention it is that he seemed to think the odd toe or so was fairly dispensable :D Great news for Jordan , berly ! & thanks for the apple cider tip as well .. I've just got the glucoasamine in powder form &it does get left at the bottom of Gem's bowl & I'm really keen to keep up her supplements. She's a 9 yr old GSD too & is bounding around these days, so want to keep up her joint health. Thanks & heaps of really sloppy hugs to all of you & your dogs for your support .. I really don't know how I would be going now without "youse guys"

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww beautiful horse, kymbo! I don't want you to think that Bouf is really really dumb .. but this is a pic of him completing a "Send-Away" training exercise where he picks up the bowl with the treat & brings it back. .. but preferably without placing it over your own face & obscuring all vision. He is such a good boy .. he just blindly wobbled back towards my voice... probably thought it was a bit of a bizarre exercise, but trusts me so much, even though I was just cracking up laughing at him. Perhaps I should have thought a bit more about whether the type of container that worked for BC's & GSD's was the right size & shape for him.