flatchat

Her cuddles are pretty special!! It would be wonderful if she was home by Saturday. Fingers, and paws still crossed here!!

Ellz I just did what a friend would do!! I am so sad we haven't got her back yet and we will leave no stone unturned until we do!!!

Thank you so much for posting the photos!! In the midst of all this horror, it is great to know that you are all there working to support those in need. This dreadful event has made us rethink our own fire plans. Dog leads are now in front of crates at bedtime. Torches all have new batteries and this afternoon I am off to Tas Fire Service to buy some fire extinguishers for the house, garage and cars. Out of the midst of such a tragic event, others might be saved through advance preparation. None of these things might have altered what happened at Jed's as I don't know the circumastances but what happened there may prevent someone else from having to go through the same dreadful tragedy. RIP all the much loved animals who died and speedy healing to Jed and her remaining dogs.

Donation made this afternoon....EFT Wanting to help in any way I can.

Is there somewhere we can send cards and good wishes??

Only just caught up with this!! Words aren't enough at times like this. When a topic got heated Jed's post were always the ones I looked for...always calm good sense!!! Thinking of you and your babies Jed. Hope you get well real soon!!! Those of you up there dealing with the practicalities are just amazing. I will go into town and donate tomorrow!!

One of the tricky aspects is that to get a licence you first have to advertise your intention in the local papers and anyone living within 200 metres can lodge an objection. The other complication is that even if you buy a place with an existing kennel licence, it doesn't transfer to you. you have to reapply. I think if you intend buying out of town you will find it easier to get a licence than in towns. Central Highlands is a long way from anywhere, very snake-y in summer and damn freezing and snowy in winter. Parts of NW coast are ok to get a licence. We live in Latrobe municipality and they are pretty good as long as you aren't living in town.

It was a great weekend. Highlights for me were cuddles from Flame and Woger and my new Heartstings leads especially made by Ellz!! Seen soon on a flatcoat near you! Thank you to Olivia for execising Disco before he went in the ring. Much appreciated!! Firebush Billie Piper is learning to free stand and I am really happy with how she is looking. The early finish on the Sunday was a super bonus...I had three hours to drive home and was turning in the drive at 5.45pm. Wish more committees would organize nice early finishes. Edited cos my fingers went faster than my brain!!

Jed what a lovely description of some of the special puppy moments. Thank you for sharing it!!

So sorry to hear your sad news!!! In time you will remember all the good things but for now it hurts like hell!!

Can't help you with Hobart vets but Dr Margaret at NW Animal Hospital is brilliant with reproductive stuff. I know a lot of Launceston people travel to her.

There are some hyperactive ones but it is not what is looked for in the breed standard. A hyperactive one is just as wrong as a timid or aggressive one. They are just friendly and exuberant, sometimes too exuberant. The pros are they will be up for whatever you are doing and they love people. They have a great sense of humour and often a quirky fun personality. They laugh with you not at you. The cons are that they can be quite demanding and noisy (barking). Mine get lots of exercise which reduces the demanding but not always the noise (luckily we live in the country). Mine bark whenever a car goes down the road or whenever we get home...can be a bit wearing. Some lines are also more prone to cancer than other breeds. Be warned, they are highly addictive and you may find it hard to stop at one.

Marilyn over in Perth has a beautiful liver flat coat called Rebel imported from England. She does obedience and tracking with him as well as showing. If you are after a puppy then you could start with the secretary of the Flatcoated Retriever Association of Vic. They can let you know who has puppies. You can also check out the dogzonline breed pages to find out who else is breeding and get links to their web pages or just look at the dogs . We started in goldens 35 years ago but have had flatcoats for the last 22 years. They are not a breed for everyone but I love them!!

Have you talked to your pup's breeder about the problems you are having? Most flatcoat breeders would want to know if you are having any hassles. I have six flatcoats and one golden retriever. All puppies can be destructive and I agree with the previous posts about having a space for your pup to go when you are not there. All our dogs go into locked runs when we are out, for their safety as much as protecting the garden. I know if they are in their run, that they cannot get out, the lock stops them being let out and they are safe until we get home. If you aren't able to have a run to put him in then you must puppy proof the garden as lots of stuff that we might think harmless can be deadly to puppies like some bulbs and some plant leaves. All our dogs get basic obedience training as puppies for socialization as well as learning good manners. You do not want a full grown flatcoat jumping up at people because he hasn't learnt not to. We enrol all our dogs into obedience classes as puppies. Flatcoats need mental stimulation so I would definitely be looking at some obedience and/or retrieving work. Flatcoats are very people oriented dogs so one puppy home alone will possibly be an anxious puppy. Our dogs all have another dog for company in their run except for our very elderly golden who mainly spends his days sleeping. Please let us know how you get on.