gsdog2

This is the ball I was talking about (not quite the same, but similar and cheaper) Magnetic ball I have contacted dogsportgear and to give an idea on postage it's $48 whether you purchase one or five balls. The video on this page will give an idea on how it works

Thanks Bec - he was handsome on the outside and and extra special on the inside

pumpitdog I made the decision earlier today that I would make a slideshow of photo's and ask my son (who plays the guitar and writes some beautiful songs) to add the music. I'm doing this because I'm struggling with the idea that he's never coming back and I'm hoping that in some way this will help keep his memory clear and close. Allerzeit thank you and returning the to you too

Thanks everyone for your kind words - it's nice to know I'm not on my own. My OH was very upset at the time but he seems to have been able to move on and I think he would be surprised to know I'm still crying over Silas as it usually happens when I'm on my own. Today it was a sad song, yesterday I came home from work with my other shepherd (who adored Silas) and she jumped out of the car and ran to the gate where he always used to wait for us. With her so obviously missing him adds to my sadness. Silas was my heart dog, there were times he would look at me and I felt he was looking straight into my soul, we had such a close connection. Often he knew what I wanted from him before I asked, and when we competed in the obedience trial ring judges commented on how beautifully he worked. I don't think he even liked the trial ring,but he did it for me because he loved me so much. Allerzeit you're right, one minute I can talk about him without any problems, and yet other times I cry. I know it upsets my family when I tear-up because they blame themselves for talking about him to me, but other times I'm fine. Never have I felt the loss of one of my dogs so much. Persephone I find myself going back to that day wondering what I could have done differently to have prevented what happened. I think that's what's making his loss so hard - at 7.30 pm he was perfectly fine and within 5 hours he was gone. I have never cried so much in my life as I did the night we lost him :D

Five weeks today I lost my beautiful shepherd Silas to gastric torsion and I'm still finding myself crying - when does it stop? I miss him so much and I'm finding it so hard to accept he's never coming back, I've lost dogs before but the heartbreak this time is unbearable :D

This is getting serious!! I went and I have to say overall I enjoyed the weekend. Mia was easy to understand and ready to answer any questions, she was a real trooper spending all of Sunday out in the hot sun while the rest of us sat in the shade. I discovered this fantastic thing called a "magnetic ball" which I think will be great for Indi's training although Mia had limited numbers and wanted $95 which I can't justify spending atm. She was happy to show how to use food, tug and ball drive and also how to use a prong collar. I went to Steve Courtneys seminar a couple of weeks ago and personally I preferred his - then again I could take Indi along to that one and I was only an observer at Mia's seminar. And as already said no photo's or video's were allowed ;)

- great news!!!

ludwig09 this is an awful time for you - I know what it's like to wait at night for a call from your vet. Sending huge positive vibes for your girl, I hope she makes a speedy recovery

Indi Indi comes to work every day and it's interesting how most customers are attracted to her, however I used to bring my big male (20 kgs heavier than Indi) and most people assumed because he came to work he was a guard dog and were scared of him - I don't know whether it's because Indi's a very feminine shepherd and her longcoat makes her seem softer. My last female longcoat was very dark and I found people assumed she wasn't friendly because she was so dark. I really feel size and colour makes a difference with some people.

Yeah, thanks Erny - we barely felt it up here. I've heard from most my mates down there & they're are all safe, pity not everyone in Chch was as lucky. Do we have any Chch DOLers? Glad you're ok Staranais Thoughts are with those DOLers in Chch and hoping they're all ok

I've taken my dogs to Imparra - I can't complain, my dogs were safe, clean and fed. The last two times they came home with kennel cough, but as already mentioned you can't vaccinate for all types. I have no complaints, but I'm not as happy with them as when I first started using them years ago. The owners were more involved in the business then, however they seem to have stepped back and leave the day-to-day running of the business to their staff, so not as personal. The last time I picked my dogs up I asked how they were and was told "good" - that's all. When I got home one of my dogs had obviously been stressing as his nails were worn to the quick - obviously from pacing. So if you have booked your dogs at Imparra they will be safe, clean and fed - if you want extra you can, but you have to pay for it, eg. personal playtime.

x 2

And Steve with Lottie And another with Quinn

Thought I'd add a few pic's too Jarrah having sooooo much fun! Steve had Quinn's undivided attention Nic with Mack - he's such a clever boy

;) ;) Thank you, thank you, thank you. Problem fixed !!!!

PHOTOS To attach an photo to your post, just browse to the image on your pc. The area to attach an image is just above the 'Post new Topic' or 'Add Reply' button ;) I have posted photo's before, but now I can't seem to find the button to browse images? What am I doing wrong ?

What a fantastic weekend - so good to finally meet so many DOLers You people have such awesome dogs, especially the "dancing" dogs - you certainly take training to a whole new level. Steve's knowledge is amazing and watching him working with the dogs on the weekend has really inspired me to get back into training with Indi. Mrs D I'm so glad Jarrah's ok - he was certainly a stand-out performer on the weekend, you couldn't help but fall in love with him especially when he let Steve know that he wasn't finished playing with the tug And thanks to Ann at Camp Tailwaggers - this was a first time for me, but definitely not the last, with great food (even saving dinner for us on Friday night), great accomodation and making us feel so welcome (including OH who wasn't attending the seminar). We'll definitely be back

:D Indi comes to work every day (great socialising for her). The customers love her and she seems to pick the right ones for a cuddle :D

Looking at this you can understand the vet requiring a deposit - if the dog doesn't make it some owners feel they don't have to pay - this is why the vet asks for a deposit. Slightly off topic, I lost my shepherd 2 weeks ago to gastric torsion. This was emergency a/hrs surgery which was to cost around $7000, my vet didn't ask for a deposit before he started surgery (unfortunately my beautiful boy didn't make it ). I have known this vet for a long time so maybe that's why I wasn't asked to pay a deposit upfront.

Oh no - poor Miss Daisy! All fingers and toes crossed :p

Thanks Mrs D - it's been a week now and so far I haven't managed to get through the day without a tear or two :D ......... but I'm looking forward to next weekend and getting Indi and my mind off Silas for a couple of days. I have to wait for OH to finish work on friday but now we have an added insentive to get there as soon as we can - what time did you say you're doing your routine

Yep, so stupid- you could see she was one of those "now darling don't do that" types. I was thinking the same thing about sedation and my OH and I thought it was a good idea the dog was readmitted as the owner was not really up to his post op care. My OH said the same thing. I'm glad they were separated - I was almost yelling at the tv "get her away from that dog!!" It certainly worked a lot better with her sitting with him in the back of the car (not legal though).

The last couple of days have been the worst - I've trialled Silas as far as Open and we developed such a close bond during that time Indi is missing him so much so I'm thinking next weekend will be a big help for her - she is looking for attention all the time at the moment and if she doesn't get it she will yap at whoever isn't taking notice of her - something I've never seen her do before

I'm not sure how to say this, but I need to let you guys know before I meet you all next weekend that I've lost my beautiful 9yr old shepherd to gastric torsion on Saturday and I'm really struggling to cope at the moment Indi and I are missing him so much - hopefully this weekend will be just what we need

I haven't worked in a vet hospital for a VERY long time, but I will never forget my first day. I noticed an old lady sitting in the waiting room with an equally old maltese sitting on her lap and the lady was crying - she'd brought her dog in to be PTS. I cried that day, not only for the lovely old maltese, but for the lady who was never going to own another dog. The sight of that lady sitting in the waiting room has stayed with me - I will never forget her I worked in that vet hospital for a number of years and I have to say I loved it, I couldn't think of a better job - the "up" days definately outshine the "down" days