Shelby

Cowanbree, if you do a google search for Dr Jean Dodd(s) from USA, am sure she would answer your question in relation to whether medication should be started or not. I do have papers here somewhere from her seminar that I attended and she was a very lovely, approachable lady with a great knowledge on thyroid. If I find the papers I will forward them to you.

I would be giving your dog a good line brushing first to loosen the coat and then going through it with the comb. Be careful about bathing before the old coat is removed - you may find it even hard to get out if it twists or matts during the bath. Try spraying the coat with a water spray to dampen the hair as you line brush.

So sorry for your loss. Rest easy beautiful girl - happy journey to Rainbow Bridge.

It is with a very heavy heart that I had to say goodbye to my girl, Gypsy today. She had not been well for some weeks and I had to make the hard decision this morning to say farewell. She was my beautiful shadow, always knowing what was going on even before I did. She was the ulitmate "show princess" who enjoyed every show she went to and always gave 110% to her handler, Craig. She was my first sheltie and will always live on in my heart. Farewell baby girl, win every show and don't get those feet wet. Jackie Knight Weownah Shelties

i will be attending and a friend is coming down from Port Macquarie to attend as well. Am looking forward to it.

I lost a baby last year due to this type of fitting but think it could also have been caused by infection. Bitch had to have a caesarian and he was the only live whelp. The other whelps had been dead for a couple of weeks. He was born a strong good size puppy but within 48 hours, he started fitting. Nursed him all through the night only to have one more fit & not come around. It is so heart breaking to watch, have had a couple of other pups do it too but they were a week early and only 4oz. Could be a quite a few causes but maybe it is nature taking those who would not normally survive?

So sorry to hear about Pepsi.

My thoughts & prayers go out to Page & her family at this time. May she now be free from all pain & suffering. Another angel has returned to Heaven.

Frank, Seeing that you and your family only live at Penrith, why don't you go out to Erskine Park tomorrow and have a look at the Australia Day show that is being held? There are sure to be quite a few labrador and golden retriever breeders there who you can talk to and see their dogs. You will also be able to see pups from 3mths old & up to see how these dogs grow. Just remember to ask before patting any of the dogs and make sure that the owners are not getting ready to go in the ring. We all love talking about our respective breeds. Am sure both breed clubs have puppy listings & will be able to tell you if there are any puppies available. Good luck and glad that you have made the choice NOT to buy a pet shop puppy. As everyone has said, there is no need to shave a leg to give a puppy vaccination. Would hate for your kids to go through the trauma of watching their new pup get ill.

So sorry to hear about Pyro. Deepest sympathies to you all. He was & always will be such a handsome boy.

Oh Hedds, so sorry that you have had to part with your beautiful Jemma. The good ones never die. She will always be with you in spirit and am sure she will watch over you till you meet again.

Can you take him back to his breeder and get them to show you the proper way to brush his coat? Would think it is the same as a sheltie (double coat) and you need to brush the coat backwards to get down to the skin. Brushing the way the coat grows only brushes the outside coat and matts can form underneath. You might also need to use a spray bottle with some water in it to dampen the coat and to prevent the coat from breaking. A grooming table is a must. Saves your back no end and dog gets to understand that while on the table, it is going to be groomed. Good luck, Samoyedman.

Dear Anne & David, So sorry to hear about Mo. May he now be at peace and be forever young at Rainbow Bridge. It is never easy to loose any of our sheltie kids.

Oh good. You two go off & learn some doggy dancing and then you can show us all at the National on Sunday during the lunch break what you have learnt. No, only joking. Sounds like fun - hope you all enjoy yourselves

Stella, So very sorry to read about your baby. Hugs to you and your family. So devastating to loose our shelties no matter what age but when they are little, it is much worse. He will not be alone at Rainbows Bridge. I am sure there were shelties waiting to help him cross over.

So what time does everyone arrive at the Meet? Or are people coming & going all day? Thought I might bring Connor up for a social visit. Not sure about the "off lead" as he has a slight hearing problem when he becomes busy

Dear Jacq & Sean So sorry to read that you lost your Shelby girl ;) I am sure she will have a barking good time at Rainbows Bridge with all her sheltie friends & family that are there. Try not to be too sad - she has just gained her wings and will also be there to look after you both. You both gave her a beautiful home with lots of love to live out her life. Hugs for you both.

What a great idea Sorry I couldn't make the last one but Ripley & her mum were at my house to take home one of my older girls. Zara now lives with Sandra & Gail & has two lovely new mums. Thanks Ripley - I couldn't ask for a better forever home for her. Won't be able to make the one on 3rd June - have a bitch due to whelp that day but will look forward to the one in July. Connor will love seeing all those other dogs and having a play.

Might not have been chewing gum but bluetack. But Corine is right, you have to be careful that you are not making the muscle work to lift the tip. I use either the sump oil & cement powder or the glycerine & powder. To get the oil & cement out, gently comb out with a fine tooth comb and then pat some fullers earth into where the oil was. Wait a few minutes & then comb again. The fullers earth takes out the oily residue.

Maybe she has seen some problems from people overdosing their dogs?? ie giving them daily heartworm but then also using a monthly 2 in 1 or a 3 in 1 product without thinking? Would never take the chance with my shelties using a monthly & especially those yearly ones. Seems too many dogs develope auto immune problems after being on these. Just too much to put into their systems.

All over baths are probably six to eight weeks. But if showing, they get a bath before the show & then I will just do their whites with a hot towell rubbed over the rest of the coat. Depends on the time of year & if they are blowing coat too. Just remember to make sure that you rinse all shampoos from the coat & make sure that the coat is fully dry especially during the hot months. If you leave any moisture near the skin, it can then develope into hot spots.

Glad to hear he is sounding better OBS but could be a number of things. From a gastric bug to eating something he shouldn't have. Just glad that your friends got him to the vet straight away. Little puppies can go down hill very quickly without vet care. Suggest they also do a thorough search of the yard to make sure he hasn't been eating or drinking something he shouldn't. Puppies are like children, they can get into so many things around the place. Hope he recovers quickly.

I also only use Mason & Pearson for the shelties. Am at the moment as I have lost a "special" one. My older boy won it at the Sheltie National in 1995 going reserve challenge. Will hunt around at home but think someone has walked off with it at a show. It had my kennel prefix engraved on the back as well. Peters of Kensington have them at a good price & I also asked at David Jones. They said if I bought in the printed price from Peters, they would match it. Funny, isn't it? How we don't worry about paying out that kind of a money for a brush for our dogs but think twice before buying one for ourselves?? Crazy dog people.

I agree with Cowanbree - contact your breeder & get them to show you how to pluck out with tweezers. You may find that once removed, they may not come back. Have had this happen. Easier & cheaper to see what happens with the tweezers first than getting an operation especially when it is only one or two eyelashes. Then if it is a problem, suggest you ask your breeder to recommend either a vet or eye specialist to do the operation.

Dear Michelle, Greg & Family, I was hoping & praying that we would find her. I am so sorry - I know how much you all loved Tasha. I am sure Sonny was waiting to show her the way over rainbow bridge & that my Nelson would have been waiting to play tag with her. Run free Tasha. We will never forget you.