Mim

We've got 5 here at the moment and everything's going swimmingly. It is harder at meal times to juggle all five on my own but somebody is always there to help me. Currently two of the dogs are elderly fosters so I imagine 5 young active dogs would be very different but I still think it'd be fine. I like owning 4 dogs at once, I think that's a good number and I wouldn't mind having a foster or two on top of that.

Does she have swimmers ear? No, so don't use the drops. They may make the situation worse and give her sore ears. I made the mistake of using swimers ear ear drops when I had sore ears (but not swimmers ear) and it aggravated whatever was wrong ;) ouch. Just wait until the vet appointment or if you are really concerned get an early appointment at another clinic. Another DOLer may know of something you can put in her ears but I wouldn't be touching them other than very gently wiping them out with a bit of warm saline solution on a cotton ball.

She is a persian X so has a terrible coat prone to matting to begin with but on a recent stay with my brother she went missing and has come back with lots of matting. We've cut out the ones that were making her uncomfortable but we really need to start over with the coat.

Well done Willow!

Can anyone recommend a groomer NOR who is willing to shave cats?

I absolutely love this photo LL!

Subiaco vet is great. They do have resident cats though so if you have a dog that doesn't like cats, that's the only reason I'd not recommend them.

My dogs love the happy paws treats! My old girl stole the packet when thankfully there were only a few left I found the pack shredded into very tiny pieces, covered in slobber, all over the back yard.

I want Chester :D Lola looks like a sweetie.

Ooh, GR, which suburb?

The owner is an idiot, we all agree, but who ever was supervising the kid is to blame as well. What fool lets their child approach a strange dog? I don't understand why people think that's okay Poor dog, poor kid. Maybe this can be used to educate people. Educate owners about why leaving their dogs unattended isn't a good idea; what can go wrong and the consequences. Educate kids and parents about the dangers of approaching strange dogs.

I have met a few that didn't fit that description! Ah, ok. Maybe I met some unique tollers

Someone with more knowledge (Ptolomy?) could really say but all the tollers I have met (two! ) have been lovely calm, easy going dogs and I would certainly describe them as 'happy go lucky'.

Are you in a bad tick area? A short GSP coat is much easier to check for ticks than a GSD coat. Just something to consider.

Priceless Pets is great This is also a cheap site http://petproductsontheweb.com.au/

I would've suggested a pembroke or cardigan welsh corgi but maybe they are too small for you? They do really well in dog sports and I'd possibly lean more towards a cardigan than a pembroke for you as they are more aloof so less likely to be clingy which you don't want. Not that pembs are clingy, they just want to be where the action is which is where their master is

We don't have any stairs which I think is great. If I were building, I'd have a dog kitchen.

That reminds me of one more question Can lenses of other brands be used on a Canon? For example could I use Nikon or Samsung lens?

That is a great picture rubiton, beautiful horse. I am still leaning toward a 2 lens kit at the moment as a starting point. I may get the cheapie from officeworks, it's the 1000D I think, no IS, and then the left over money can get me a lens when I know what I want. Although the 500D has better reviews...I think I have to go to a camera place that will let me have a play with them and decide from there. Why can't choosing a camera be easy! So many choices

I'm open to any camera and/or lens suggestions people have for within my budget. Also any macro lens recommendations (but that's not in the budget, that's something I'll save up for later).

Thanks rubiton that's one of the main things I wanted to know ;)

Linda K I did a search before posting but got myself more confused. Sorry if I'm repeating things. HugL - I don't need video, already have a video camera Kirislin - I will look into those lenses, thanks. Should IS be something I make sure my lens has? Or it won't make much difference? My budget it up to about $1300.

We've been going to Subiaco Vet since forever. They are very nice and the vets always listen to our requests/concerns/questions.

Fetch?

He swims all day everyday and most of the time its when I am not here, I try covering the pool but he gets the cover off !! I'd guess this is causing the hot spots, especially with the recent humid weather. Maybe he needs to be shut away from the pool while his spots can heal or you could invest in a doggy dryer to thoroughly dry him after swimming. I have to painstakingly dry Sarge with a hair dryer after a bath or swim which takes an hour or so because if I don't you can bet he'll get a hot spot. I am checking out dog dryers to buy. A coat king might just cut the guard hairs and not actually thin the coat. I have some shedding combs and they are really good at getting undercoat out I use them on my neighbours lab, much to his delight.