gapvic

Hi guys, I was lucky enough to get the Sigma 50-500mm for my birthday and had a first go with it today. Other than the fact that my left arm no longer works due to holding the weight of the lens for several hours (need a monopod!!) I absolutely love the lens. Still have to learn how to use it but I'm fairly pleased with these first goes :) Photos taken with it at the Andalusian Nationals today:

Thanks guys re the Bigma :D . I'm anxiously watching the FedEx site as I'm off to a horse show tomorrow and want to take it along to use.

Slightly off topic, but I just wanted to share as I'm super excited - my OH has bought me the Sigma 50 - 500mm for my birthday and it should arrive tomorrow - woo hoo!!

Thanks Snook, she's a dear little thing

Hi all, We've just got back from the specialist. He was very pleased that she is showing no neurological signs of the disorder as yet. He did an ultrasound to try to confirm diagnosis but was unable to do so as the little hole that pups have in their skulls when born has already closed over. Next step was to do an MRI but at $1000, he didn't recommend it. He advised against doing the shunt surgery as it is super expensive (about $5000) and has a failure rate of about 50%. He said that as she was bright, happy, and relatively normal, at this stage we should just sit tight and see how she progresses. He gave us a US paper to read on it and it was heartening to read that in some cases, it does resolve itself. It has given us a little hope. Our plan is to just take each day as it comes and as soon as she starts to suffer, we'll let her go. To the people who pm'd me, thank you so much

Hi all, We've just got back from the specialist. He was very pleased that she is showing no neurological signs of the disorder as yet. He did an ultrasound to try to confirm diagnosis but was unable to do so as the little hole that pups have in their skulls when born has already closed over. Next step was to do an MRI but at $1000, he didn't recommend it. He advised against doing the shunt surgery as it is super expensive (about $5000) and has a failure rate of about 50%. He said that as she was bright, happy, and relatively normal, at this stage we should just sit tight and see how she progresses. He gave us a US paper to read on it and it was heartening to read that in some cases, it does resolve itself. It has given us a little hope. Our plan is to just take each day as it comes and as soon as she starts to suffer, we'll let her go. To the people who pm'd me, thank you so much

Thanks Alyosha, not expecting a positive outcome but quietly hoping she's not a lost cause

Thanks guys. They can put a shunt from the brain to the stomach to drain away the fluid. She doesn't actually seem in pain - she plays, she barks, she eats, she is just thinner, smaller and less active than the others and obviously not right. We've got an appointment with a neuro specialist on Thursday and will make a decision then - if he advises the kindest thing to do is pts, we'll let her go :-(.

I don't know Kirislin but wondered the same. When I spoke with the neuro specialist he said they don't seem to really suffer with the disorder... She seems much happier now we've taken her away from her siblings as they were starting to bully her. Appointment with the specialist is on Thursday so I guess we'll know more then. The shunt procedure is expensive but if it will keep her comfortable, we'll go ahead. If she is going to suffer, we'll let her go :-(.

Oh dear . So far this pup is eating ok although she is far smaller than the others and thinner. While she does not appear to be blind, her eyesight is affected. She is quieter than the others and although she will have a little play and potter around, she seems to tire quickly. Her balance (so far) is ok and does not seem affected at this point. I've never seen it before and to be honest, just thought she was a little deformed. I spoke with my manager today about her (who is a vet) and she said it sounded like hydrocephalus but it was quite unusual in a greyhound. I've made an appointment with my vet for Tuesday and am also waiting to hear back from another vet I use who is a neuro specialist. Poor little Chi

Posted this in breeders forum but suggestion was made that this forum might be better: Hi all, I have a five week old greyhound puppy with what appears to be hydrocephalus. Her head looks like that of a chihuahua. She eats, drinks etc ok but is much quieter than the other pups. It also appears her vision is affected although she isn't blind. The pups are due at the vet next week for their vaccination so we'll have her thoroughly checked then and diagnosis confirmed. Has anyone had a pup with hydrocephalus? What was the outcome? I'm quite prepared to keep her myself as a pet as long as her quality of life is ok. She's a dear little thing. Larissa

Thanks Kirislin will do

Hi all, I have a five week old greyhound puppy with what appears to be hydrocephalus. Her head looks like that of a chihuahua. She eats, drinks etc ok but is much quieter than the other pups. It also appears her vision is affected although she isn't blind. The pups are due at the vet next week for their vaccination so we'll have her thoroughly checked then and diagnosis confirmed. Has anyone had a pup with hydrocephalus? What was the outcome? I'm quite prepared to keep her myself as a pet as long as her quality of life is ok. She's a dear little thing. Larissa

I'm so sorry all, I'm having to miss this fortnight. My grandfather became suddenly ill last Monday and we have spent the last week with him at the hospital. Sadly we lost him on Saturday night. I'm just not up to doing photos at present. Larissa

:laugh:

That's funny snook - while I was driving to work I was thinking about what else I could have done for feathered and came up with the same concept as you - 50s style with duster. Snap! :laugh:

It could be that I may have pushed the brief a bit too far Snook, but I just thought angels could be wild. Later, I thought I'd love to have dome some burlesque girls doing the fan dance - again they could be either wild or domestic (probably wild) :laugh: I think you can put your photos up any time today you like. They all seem to appear at different times throughout the day.

LOL snook - I figured angels were probably wild. Who knows what they are :laugh: . I did take some bird photos too just in case people thought I was too far out of brief

Oh great, I love portraits

That's a great pic MnDM! Could someone please remind me the date the feathered pics need to be posted? Thanking you!

Wild or domestic could really mean anything? I'm not doing birds

I had a lovely time out with my camera this weekend! A friend came to stay so I finally had someone else to photograph :D .

Thank you Snook ! It was Lorella (I think) who inspired me with the story theme with her raspberry pics :). Like you I'm using this project to really push me into thinking outside the square and learning new skills. Have come up with an odd idea for the bird theme but not sure I can pull it off - might test my very basic photoshop skills :laugh: You're so very generous with your praise but I think they're still a long way off of brilliant. What is brilliant though is your Red Riding Hood set!! Just amazing and I love that together they tell a story. You've inspired me to try and tell a story with my theme three photos. Feathered is such a tough one. Just for something new and different (where's the rolly eyed man when you need him!) I couldn't sleep last night so I spent a huge amount of time thinking about what I could do. I think I've got something that could work but I need to rope a friend in to help me so it will depend on whether I can organise that or not. Okay, off to go and comment on everyone's fantastic photos!

Here are some more examples of the black greyhounds with white spots - I think they look striking! http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?showpic=1114574&time=1312714648 http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?showpic=1167946&time=1312717167 http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?showpic=1501938&time=1226842600 - LOVE this guy! http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?showpic=1677413&time=1312714147 http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?showpic=1726654&time=1312715587 http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?showpic=1670987&time=1312718784