SezzNJunebug

Thanks Puppy sniffer :D I haven't posted enough to be allowed in the off topic section so I better get typing and get me some jim jams! I had a look at some more pj's online and I think I might start by making her a coat out of some polar fleece but will def look at the pjs in kmart and big w, I think they'll be great for her when winter really kicks in! She doesn't have mobility issues but I'm not sure if she'd be impressed with both legs SHe's been grey for many many years but this is the first year I've really noticed her acting her age, the old girl can still pull out the odd zoomie though!

Ridiculously cute dog hoodie http://www.urbanthreads.com/pages?id=192 I'm no where near good enough to make this but hopefully one day :D Pattern for full dog suit incl legs. Is listed as a raincoat but have read someone used polar fleece with this pattern to make pyjamas http://www.saunalahti.fi/glottis/raincoat.htm

Our little girl Zola turned 11 this year and seems to be feeling the cold a lot more so this morning I decided she needs some jamas! I was looking at some online but they don't look like they'd be that hard to make so I was wondering if any one has a good pattern or knows where I can get one? I googled it but as I'm not the most experienced sewer I wasn't really sure what to look for in a pattern Cheers

Do it!! I think it would be a lot fun but I don't think i can do it this year. I've signed up to the mailing list though and will definitely keeping an eye on what they're up to and maybe another year! I love dressing up, getting creative and all things bully so I can't wait to see what the entrants come up with! It's a shame the circus theme was last year, a lot easier than furgotten heros which is still a good theme that depicts the pitties well! The first thing that popped into my head was a boogie woogie bugle boy theme shoot, I like the look of the uniform pin up costumes! My only other thought was adapting a real pittie hero story into a photo some how. Are you still considering entering with the hero theme? (OT!:Which part of the GV were you in? My OH and I have just moved back after living in the city for a few years. We love having space again and more doggy friends!)

I am so so sorry to hear about your loss. Absolutely heartbreaking The night I got home from work and found our 6yrold x breed had attacked our 10yrold sbt was the most horrific/heartbreaking/hysterical night of my life. They had been best friends for a few years I just didn't understand what happened and blamed myself for a long long time. I barely told anyone what had happened because I didn't want people judging her. She now lives with my OH sister and we get to have playdates. Big hugs for all your family. My thoughts are with you all RIP Odie and Jazz run free little ones

Thanks for the update, I was wondering how these 2 little ladies were going! Awesome work Jay Too Good luck on the trial girls!

Looking at this years and years past entries there is a lot of variation in their beautiful bully models. I say give it a crack It would be awesome to see an Aussie entrant. You're also allowed to include other dogs in the pic as long as there is at least one pitbull type/bully breed dog in the pic if any of your others want to get in on the lime light! Tails:Thanks for posting!!

Both me and OH spend lot's of time with the dogs but I definitely spend more money on them than him. But then he spends more money on the cars then he spends on me and the dogs combined so whats the problem Everyone has some type of guilty pleasure they priorotise spending money on.

Sorry off topic but poor girl, I can imagine she'd be a very frustrated unhappy dog I hope Steve can help her with her owners You are definitely making the right decision. A meeting would be bad for both dogs.

Sounds like she's living through her dogs. Doesn't sound like 'the best life possible' for a dog to me but more like some little girls fantasy.

Wow what a beautiful thread and such a handsome boy! Congratulations Cathy on a great rescue! I absolutely love the pack photos, You can see Mack and Wal have a special bond Wishing all the best for you, Mack and the rest of your beautiful pack

Both little ladies have such sweet grey faces! I hope they find their forever home where they can be spoilt rotten like every senior should be. So sad that this happened when they should be enjoying their twilight years. Amazing work getting them back together

Thanks for Sharing Just bought a copy of The Lost Dogs on fishpond for $26, free delivery if anyone else is interested in buying it. http://www.fishpond.com.au/Books/Home_Gard...s=the+lost+dogs

The other day we were out for a walk and a neighbour we ran into said 'she would of been a good looking dog when she was young' I bit my tongue I'm a sucker for a little grey face. I find the grey just makes Zola's eyes look bigger and darker and harder to say no to! I would so have said "Shame I can't say the same about you." I love the oldies so much. :laugh: Just the comeback I needed!

Happy belated birthday Maxi! Hope you had a good one! Our SBT girl Zola is 11 this year in May. She has been going grey since she was young but it is the only obvious sign of her age. Except for laying down on the nature strip on a walk last week! ;) The other day we were out for a walk and a neighbour we ran into said 'she would of been a good looking dog when she was young' I bit my tongue I'm a sucker for a little grey face. I find the grey just makes Zola's eyes look bigger and darker and harder to say no to!

Hi Aussie Mick, This is Stella she is about 6-7. My OH adopted her off a friend when she was 1 1/2 years old because she wasn't getting the love and attention she needed and that all dogs deserve. She had parvo as a pup so is a lot smaller than the other AB on here, about half the size I think! She was a byb pup and OH didn't buy her so I have no idea what lines she is. She is gorgeous girl who is happy to chill and lounge about but if you take her out she just goes and goes! She has shocked quite a few people at the dog park when they find out her age, most think she is still a pup because of her endless energy!

3 weeks down now, 3 to go until her next appointment and most likely next round of surgery! Week 3 brought quite a few changes I wasn't expecting to see. I didn't think we'd see physical benefits of the surgery until we were into the healing stages of surgery 2. Juno can now roll on her back! As a pup she didn;t ever sleep on her back, roll for a tummy rub and we could not get her to learn roll over in puppy preschool. I get the biggest smile on my face whenever I see my little girl sleeping on her back or rolling over in her sleep. She used to strech by lying on her tum and stretching from toe to toe but she can know do a proper lean back into the hips dog strech. I thought she had energy back week 2 but because she's been feeling so much better she thinks she can act like a maniac! I have to keep an even closer eye on her now! SHe know has a good level of focus to be able to start doing training thank goodness! We started with the clicker last week. She was doing very well with targeting but then my clicker broker. Don't know why but we should receive a new one in the mail soon. I've been running her through commands she already knows while we wait shake hands, high five, down etc. I haven't seen her so focused before! I think the boredom has her keen to do anything with her brain! Mokhahouse: Thanks for the reccommendation of the Nylabone. She loves it. I have on had to put peanut butter on it a few times. She has also been enjoying a bit of banana in her Kong. I will have to try freezing her some treats this week because she's been eyeing me off whenever I have an icepole! The surgeon said we can now do 5 min walks when she gets really bored but I've just been walking her around the back yard at the moment to avoid too much excitement. She's happy with that though. She just loves going out and having a good sniff of everything. A Bare bummed Juno enjoying the shade of her favourite bush.

Hi every one! Hope you all had a great Christmas! We went down to Melbourne today to have the stitches out and a post op check. The vet is very happy with her I was a bit worried she may have walked on it too much because she has been so hard to keep still! The vet said now she's past the first 2 weeks to just use our common sense when it comes to how much activity she's allowed. He said we can take her for a 5 min walk outside now when she gets really bored I didn't think we'd be able to for awhile! He also told me she lept out of the crate the morning after her surgery!The staff didn't tell me that when I asked if she was a good girl! What a maniac. She's a lot sturdier than last week and has all of her energy and strength back. She has no trouble sitting,lying down and standing so that makes life a lot easier now we can ask her sit, down etc. This week I've sat with her in the backyard a few times to give her a change of scenery. We had a nice sit under a leafy bush yesterday. She gets a big smile on her face when we go outside. She hasn't shown much interest in food at all so it's been insane keeping her still and quiet when she's not sleepy! She's taken too burying everything I give her in the blanket at the back of her crate instead of eating it. It does keep her distracted for awhile though! The first time we saw he doing it it looked like she was trying to get the wrinkles out of her blanket with her nose! :D Hi Poochiemama! We did a bit of targeting when we were going to puppy school a couple of months ago but I haven't tried it with the clicker. We were just bridging it wih a 'yes.' I have had a bit of trouble getting started with the clicker training because she hasn't been showing much interest in food. Targeting might make it a little easier because it's something we've done a bit of before, I'm going to try it with her dinner tonight!! The crating is going a lot better now. She still gets the sooks a little when she's bored but has learnt I'm not going to even give her eye contact if she's screaming the house down. (She's an amstaff so quite vocal!) Peanut butter is a godsend! SHe has only bothered with a couple of the bones she's been given but peanut butter in a kong never fails!! Good to hear Charlie's physio is going well. Our vet hasn't mentioned anything yet, I think he's waiting until after op 2. I will definitely look into underwater treadmills for when she's ready. They have one at the Melbourne vet we are going to but we've just moved to country Victoria. I do't mind travelling for the ops but hopefullly there I'll be able to find something a little closer for physio. Thanks for the link! I'm glad that's been posted in here to so future DOLers should be able to find it! I hope someone does find this thread useful, I was so nervous about the recovery period because I had no idea what to expect! I'll try burying some treats, she'll probably find them and bury them again! I guess at least I won't have to worry about her putting on weight! It so strange having a dog that isn't very food oriented. Our 10 yr old stafford is absolutely food obsessed! Hi Mokhahouse! Juno's Nylabone finally arrived today but she's sleeping so I haven't been able to try it out yet. I actually rubbed honey on one of her other chew toys to get her interest! It seems peanut butter and honey are the easiest ways to keep a dog interested in something! SNOWDOGS! That is too cute! Your Mokha is a special boy indeed! My sisters cat likes to watch the news I was a bit worried at first of Juno putting on weight due to the confinement but it seems she's put herself on a diet! She is eating a small breakfast most days then won't really eat again until dinner. I really wish she'd show more interest in bones though!

Hey Poochiemama! Glad you found the thread! Ever since she was diagnosed I've wanted to hear someone elses experience of the recovery to get an idea of what was ahead. Juno wasn't crate trained either, I wish I knew about it when we got her as a bub. How long did it take Charlie to get used to the crate? Sometimes she'll go in by herself, others she'll get the sooks when she knows she's going back in. I'l look into some of those antlers, they sound good! She hasn't been showing much interest in bones while in her crate and pigs ears just seem to go to quick to be much of a distraction! Are there any toys you'd reccommend for getting through the crate period? What types of games worked well while he was in the crate? Did he have both sides done in one op? Juno has only had her left hip done at the moment. We go back in 10 days for a post op check up then back in 5 weeks to check if she's strong enough to have her right side done. At the moment I'm counting down to the check ups because the end of her 2nd op recovery period is just too far away to count! There are a couple of steps at the back of the house so we are carrying her out but that's the only help she needs. She tries to tell me she needs to go out more than she does though so I have to keep my eye on the time and call her bluffs. It must be a relief to be out of the strict confinement period! How is his movement now he's up to the physio stage of his recovery? Thanks for your reply and I'll let you know if I have any questions! All the best for you and Charlie! I'd love to hear how he goes with the rest of his recovery.

6 days since surgery and the girl is doing well. Glad to say we had a pretty good day today The first few days were a challenge keeping her entertained,quiet and comfortable. She didn't show any interest in bones, chewy treats or toys. She had a very small appetite and wasn't very interested in the things she usually eats that require a bit of chewing.(Except for the first day home, she loved her chicken necks then!) She was having a bit of trouble getting up and done. There was one late night screaming session because she couldn't get down after standing up suddenly and it all hurt so much ;) Quite a few rounds of mum why do I feel funny whines and whimpers. I was a bit concerned because sometimes she was fine on her legs, other times her left would be tucked right up under her and she would lean on whatever was nearest for balance(me,crate wall, table leg). I spoke with her surgeon yesterday just to make sure she was on track. He said we should be seeing improvements. Today was a big relief, she started eating normally again(Just a bit smaller portions obviously!) Had a little play with a couple of her toys, had all 4 feet on the ground and is standing,sitting and lying down a lot easier with no where near as many cries! I'm now also a pro at giving her all her medicine! Starainis: My OH bought us a clicker on Sunday but due to her lack of focus and because she wasn't interested in food I haven't been able to do much yet. My first book on clicker training arrived today. I love it when you start reading a book and it just makes so much sense! It already has the cogs turning! I'm really look forward to getting started. I'll make my way over to the training thread tonight or tomorrow. I'll ask about the injections when we hav her post op check up next week. Mokhahouse: I was very surprised at how much she wanted to move around even the first few days!(we didn't let her of course!) When I've gotten pets back from surgery before the've been very out of it the first few days. Not her! She was out of it but still wanting to move. And just to think she's only going to get more active as she feels better! If only I could get her to watch dvds like your boy! Excellent! Looks like I've already added most of those to her diet. I just need to ask about injections! I'll keep you updated on her progress. Sorry to hear that you had to make the hard decision of which surgery he would have. I imagine that wouldn't have been an easy one. I ordered a Nylabone for her christmas stocking Are there any other toys you would reccommend?

Mokhaouse-Thanks for sharing your boys story. Glad to hear he's doing well after surgery and his HD isn't keeping him down. Juno is a little water baby so I'll definitly be working swimming into her routine when she's ready for exercise again. The surgeon reccommended we add Glyde to her diet. What supplements have you found work best? How handy that he likes to watch TV! My OH and I were just saying it would be easier if she was entertained by tv! There will definitely be a Nylabone in her stocking ths year! I was trying to think of something to keep her entertained without feeding her too much. She's already annihilated a pigs ear and a few kongs with banana today! We have a 10 yr old Stafford as well, it is going to be hard telling them they can't play. They love to wrestle so it's been hard enough supervising them the past few weeks making sure they don't play rough! Aziah- Thanks for your well wishes I will pass them along to the little one Staranais- It really quite amazing the procedures they can do to help our four legged friends! I had no idea they could regrow cartildge! Unfortunately it will be strict confinemet for Juno for the whole 6 weeks! (and then another 6 after her right side is done!) I am allowed to take her out for the toilet but that is it. I've let her have a couple of sits on the grass when we've gone out just to give her a break from inside. I will speak to the specialist about physio but I think I may need to wait a few weeks before I can do anything with her. Juno came home with the cone of shame on! Her stiches are under gauze and she hasn't been paying attention to them so I gave her her freedom without any trouble. She loves to prop her chin up while sleeping so she was able to sleep soundly once released from her cone shaped prison! I think the clicker training and having her use her brain to get food is a brilliant idea. It will be essential to her sanity! Is it something I should wait a bit to start or would it be ok to start over the next week? She is already showing signs of boredom and we are only 1 day in! She seems confused as to why we can't leave the room we're in. Great to hear that the surgery, recovery and physio paid off an her limp is almost non-existant. I wish her all the best and hope she continues to improve. Hopefully in a few months I'll be able to share our happy ending! :D On supplements I have started adding Glyde to her dinner. I think it contains green mussel and glucosamine? I will check when we get home tomorrow(We're spending the night in the city and driving back to the country tomorrow) Is there any others you would reccommend to help her recovery? Where do you buy vitamin E from? I read a bit of a thread the other day about balancing fish oils with Vitamin E but when I asked our vet they said they weren't sure where to get it. I will definitely make my way over to the training thread over the next week to learn more about clicker training Thank you so much everyone for your stories, well wishes and advice. I was feeling very alone this morning when she first got out but I am now more confident to tackle the road ahead!

She's been sleeping soundly the past few hours Snoring her little head off and farting away like I've never heard from her before! How is your girl doing now? What was her recovery period like? It seems so unfair for youngens' to go through something so big but at least they can do certain procedures which they can't on more mature dogs. I have heard of clicker training but I haven't done any with her. I would love to give it a try though! Before she was diagnosed I felt like we were really making some progress with her training and I really miss the quality time it gives you. Is there a specific book or website etc that you reccommend to learn about clicker training?

Picked up my little girl this morning. I got a call from them at 8am saying she'd done well during the night and was eating and walking on her lead to go out to the toilet.. walking, 12 hours after surgery The surgeon did tell me most dogs would be able to walk the next day but I certainly wasn't expecting the call so early in the morning! She's very very very sooky. She doesn't want to let me out of her sight at the moment. I left her with my OH for 15 mins earlier and she just sooked and became really restless. Poor little girl is sore, confused and still a little out of it It's hard to see her that way but we have a long road ahead of us! She will be a bit over 9 months before it's complete. She now needs 6 weeks of rest then we will be going back for xrays to make sure the left side has healed well before having the other hip operated on. I'd love to hear from anyone who has had a dog with hip dysplasia or one that has gone through major surgery. It would just be nice to hear from someone who has been through something similar. Has anyone else had a pup diagnosed with hd so young?

It also means less crate rest for the pup, so that might also have factored into his thinking. It can be hard to keep them crated & quiet after a big surgery (hard for you, and hard for them!) I hope it goes well! Less crate rest will definitely be better for the sake of both our sanity! cheers

Thanks Fordogs, I'll post how she goes when I hear from the surgeon. It's awful that it has happended so young but the vet said because she is young and there isn't any signs of degeneration of the joints she is an excellent candidate for the surgery. I think January was a bit soon but the vet said 3 weeks in between sides than 6 weeks strict rest after the 2nd op. I think he wants to have the surgery completed sooner rather than later before the joints start to show wear and tear due to the HD. I will definitely bring this up with him before booking her 2nd Op though! I think crating will be the only way to keep her quiet! I know she'll be bored and miss our stafford but you're right it would be awful to undo the work. The HD didn't slow her down so if not in a crate I highly doubt the surgery would either! cheers If anyone isn 't sure what TPO is it is explained here: http://www.advancedvetcare.com.au/all-abou...elvic-osteotomy Amazing what they can do these days!