chezzyr

But what a lovely touch with the butterflies!

So so sorry to hear this My condolences to the family and close friends

Amber, I had no idea this was going on - only just found the thread. You are going through some trials lately! for Page and family. I will say a prayer too.

Hi Darren I won't be going but I received your emails, thanks. But I think theres another way I can help the RRCV out. Will be in touch again. regards Cheryl

I rarely visit the Rainbow Bridge forum and I now know why - it just breaks one's heart. I am SO sorry to hear about your girl going. That was a beautiful poem/story. ;)

Rosie (my Collie) seems to really thrive on praise, not sure if its worth even trying to use food as the last time I used food (chicken) she seemed so distracted and the shrewd girl had remembered where I put it so kept going to that spot rather than do her tricks. Tonight when I picked up the tennis ball she got very excited doing circles around me and running this way and that way("where is it, where is it"). I bounced the ball and all she did was watch it til it stopped bouncing, went and poked it, then walked back to me without the ball!! (she is usually terrific at fetching it). She also seems to be 'offering' me all kinds of tricks I have taught her.....except the ones I actually want her to do :D ;) ETA: Haven, yes whenever she brings me something Ive requested I make a BIG fuss.

thanks Jules I will give it a try, might take a while though. Might have to try it with raw chicken when she is REALLY hungry. She isnt 'mouthy' and is ever so gentle when she takes food out of my hand too. So grabbing/snapping at something is going to be a HUGE step.

Any tips on teaching a dog to be more "mouthy" and catch a bouncing ball or ball in mid air? My Collie is gentle and such a GIRL, no aggro ball catching around here. She knows how to fetch (brings me toys, balls etc etc) but she doesnt seem to understand the concept of grabbing a ball thats in the air (she doesnt catch treats either). She did a ball catch today by sheer coincidence, a small bounce off the ground and I made SUCH a fuss (she thrives on praise, not food) but tonight she waits until the ball stops bouncing and is on the ground and then brings it to me She is smart, easy to teach her stuff, I just need some guidance on 'how to' with this exercise. Thanks!

The flyball is actually part of the Australia Day Picnic and Historic Vehicle Display at King's Domain which is situated off St Kilda Rd (shares common border with the Royal Botanic Gardens). Looking at the map that was in Friday's Herald Sun, it looks like the flyball is in the section called Tom's Block and off Linlithgow Ave. Here is a bit more info I found: http://www.australiaday.vic.gov.au/events_melb.asp?view=199

The Basenji - was that Rosie's "Smitty"? Love the African/Egyptian breeds.

PossumCorner has HEAPS of photos from the Lure Coursing http://sherbrookephotography.smugmug.com/gallery/1128375 Go check em out

You won't see me there, I am having a wonderfully lazy weekend (might do some bird photos today though ). PossumCorner (and no doubt her partner) will be there hopefully taking lots of fabby piccies - they do some great action shots!

sounds like it starts later than other times. Jen, I think it was $1 to $2 a go and there wont be any other cost to you if you bring your VCA card Not sure if we would go. Madam doesnt have prey drive - and is a bit of a princess LOL. Also I think the Wonthaggi show is on the Sat so if we go will be buggered from that.

Sorry to hear this Corine. He was a part of your family for a long time then! I have had budgies in the past and you get rather attached to them. RIP PIP

What a lovely boy and so sad to hear I am glad you posted a pic Corine, I was going to ask if anyone had one actually.

I take it this product doesnt include any of the mectin family? I have been using daily heart worm tablets. It can be a pain to remember and fiddly to chop the tablets up but I figured it would be the safest product as it doesnt contain mectin. I looked up Priceless Pets but couldnt find product info (ingredients)

#@$%^&*^ snobbery I reckon. Can not get away from it. Would have NEVER thought it would occur in something like herding. But anyway I can pretty much promise that I don't want to get into 'mainstream' herding now. I may however go check out one of Dave's herding days, or even have a private lesson because I like what I have heard. Dave: I will make contact with you. I just didn't get in touch recently because my Smooth Collie was on heat (and only just recently finished).

I hardly get pm's from anyone, I must have scared everyone away LOL Hey Eridor, didn't your pocket pup try herding recently? and showed a fair bit of potential?

OK, spill people. I go out chrissy shopping and come back to see half the posts deleted. Must have got nice and colourful

FWIW, shouldn't people be applauding and encouraging people to be having good clean fun with their dogs in a controlled atmosphere? I am sure the people that run these workshops know what they are doing and I have only ever read good feedback. I haven't been to one of these workshops myself but I know some of the people who have - sensible people who are enjoying their dogs! (although yeah there may be some rednecks with rabid dogs that I don't know about!) I DO have a herding breed. Now I don't know if she has any natural instinct there but if I wanted to find out I would attend one of these days because (shame on me) I am a suburbanite who doesn't have land or stock or access to either and so my opportunities would probably be very limited. Sometimes it really gets me when rules/associations/protocols/sanctions try to get in the way of people having some enjoyment in life!

If I buy up chicken portions or bulk necks etc I always wash them in fresh water before bagging and freezing. I just like to get rid of any lingering or smelly blood/juices especially if the meat is closer to use by dates.

I like to give my dog a bit of variety. She gets alot of chicken bones (wings,necks,drumsticks), occasional red meat bones, dry food made palatable with sardines mashed in, rice and vegies, macaroni and vegies, puppy roll, tuna/rice/cheese mornay, steamed vegie leftovers etc etc. I don't follow any recipes, just go with the flow.

Hi Ann I am not experienced with Huskies and I am learning all over again how to be a dog owner (things have changed alot since I had my Sheltie in the 1980s). Rosie went through a patch a couple months back where she refused to eat anything I gave her (at that time she was getting fed in the laundry) and yes she would even refuse a couple days in a row, although she might pick at some dry food overnight if I just left it in her bowl. One day I got so frustrated I got her food and catapulted it into the backyard (breeder had told me to stay strong LOL). Anyway I think the "outburst" made Rosie pay attention. She ran after the food and gobbled it all up! And she has been eating great ever since. I dont think she has skipped a meal and its been weeks. Of course I am not saying you have to stand on your head or have an outburst but I think it was interesting. Do you try mixing something smelly (sardines etc) with their dry occasionally? Dry can be pretty boring to some dogs

Yes I have heard of the throw rug/quilt thing also. And I vaguely remember someone framing theirs in a large frame with photographs etc!

I dont consider Rosie to have a high prey drive, but when we first got her she found (amongst all my clutter) an old purse made out of rabbit fur and carried it around the house like a prize. Last weekend I visited a garage sale a couple of doors down and came back with a Dream Catcher (made from leather, fur, feathers etc). Rosie grabbed the furry dangly bits as soon as I walked in the gate with it, so now its not in mint condition LOL Cant imagine what she would do with a fur jacket! (and yes I am on here early as Rosie snuck in and hogged the bed, forcing me out!)