Gayle.

Some of the breeds mentioned here would be a bit thin on the ground. Tollers being one and PWDs too. If you're wanting one of them, you might have a lengthy wait.

Yesterday I went to a dog show at KCC Park.......my method of coping with this and honouring his memory is to get out and do stuff with the other dogs......and was overwhelmed with the support I was shown. Hugs, tears, stories, words........to those who did, thank you from the bottom of my heart. That is not an easy thing to do, death is an uncomfortable subject, even the death of a pet and I appreciated the abundance of friendship yesterday more than you can imagine. It's comforting to know that my boys passing has touched so many people. He was one very special dog.

All of my Aussies have an off switch, in fact Dusty doesn't seem to have much of an on switch. She seems to have missed out on the part that said active and intelligent. She's more snuggly and a bit dopey but totally gorgeous. More your supermodel type. The others though, are just awesomely good at knowing when to turn it on and when to turn it off. Easy care coats too, despite the length. They don't mat, a good brush once a week keeps them looking nice and a bath every few weeks keeps them smelling sweet. Since losing Benson, I've looked at other breeds. Went for a wander at a dog show yesterday specifically to see if any other breed appealed, but they don't. The Aussies have set the bar for me, and nothing else measures up.

So sorry to hear about Quest, I hadn't known until now. My husband, who Benson absolutely adored, said to me this evening "This is going to take me ages to get over." He says he wants another dog eventually, another Aussie, but he is clearly not ready yet. Neither am I. This is a whole different deal to losing an oldie.

My previous dogs who've died have come to the end of their natural life.....Gemma, my Maltese, died at age 13 and Kassy, my Lhasa Apso died early this year aged 17. I didn't have any problems getting a new dog pretty much straight away. In fact, Gemma's death led me to get Benson. But Benson was only 4, I expected to have him for another 8-10 years at least.

You shoud get an Aussie, Jules. They are the best ;) I sat near a very placid Border Collie today, gee she was gorgeous. And behind me was a very yappy Sheltie. Actually, the ones I was looking at weren't group 5, they were Tibetan Terriers.....I could only find one and saw that from a distance, I'd have to get closer and speak with an owner to get a better idea. And a Petit Basset, they are cute but not really for me. A bit more low slung and scruffy than I'd like. Also a Lagotto, I have met one before but there were none at the show today.....the lack of shedding hair appeals, but I'm not sure they're for me either. I came to the conclusion after my wander that if I'm going to get a different breed, it would have to be a group 5 dog, I like their intelligence, their (mostly) lack of extremes and their versatility. And if I get a group 5 dog, I may as well get another Aussie! But also rough collies hold a certain appeal. Do any rough collies do herding?

I will be interested to see what your future holds, Sue. I really feel for you........losing your only dog is just awful, just truly awful and you've been in my thoughts a lot this week. Both you and Pretty Miss Emma, as well as JulesP. But when your life, your interests and hobbies revolve around your only dog and that dog has gone......wow, I can't even imagine it. I really hope that hole in your life is filled by a special little being as soon as you feel up to it.

I went to a dog show today and after the breed judging, I went for a wander around the rings to look at the different breeds. I'd been pondering that a different breed might be fun to play with, and not a replacement for my boy. I'd thought of this breed and that breed, and a few others.....so went to look at them close up and......well........they just weren't as good as the Aussies. Not for me anyway. But I think I might revisit that in a few months. Today was about spending a great day with my youngest dog, catching up with friends, shedding a few tears with friends and exchanging hugs. Very good therapy all round.

Dbl post.

Yeah it was a crap week for dog lovers. I got Shae earlier this year because I found 3 dogs a difficult number to manage and 4 was definitely better, but now we're back to 3. I just want Benson back. If I got another dog now it would be a knee jerk reaction to losing him and not fair on the dog. For now I'll just sit tight and see what life has in store for us. Sometmes fate leads you to the right solution.

It's where we live.....Mainstreet. Don't have any plans to use it yet though.

I always think the same thing. I've got 16 lovely ladies who are totally useless at anything chook-ish....I get one egg a day between the lot of them if I'm lucky, so maybe a dog and poultry show is their thing. Cos laying eggs certainly isn't.

Just three days ago, my previously very healthy and robust 4yo Australian Shepherd was put to sleep because of renal failure. He'd been treated for a gastric infection about 2 months ago, and he'd been fine ever since. He woke up vomiting on Wednesday morning, my husband took him straight to the vet, he was operated on that afternoon and he didn't come home. Until the vomiting started, there'd been very little sign that he was ill, he certainly wasn't off his food, he was maybe a little quiet but I'd put that down to the cold weather as the other dogs were quieter too. It's so, so hard to let them go, it was the worst thing I have ever had to do. I sympathise with you, I know exactly how you feel.

Thanks guys. Life goes on but I can't believe he is no longer part of it. He was such a special dog.

Thanks-bet there is no mud or wet grass that she has to drop in now! Her hovering drops in damp grass cost me at least 2 passes. But you would remember that day too. She was the light of my life. As my DH said "You are in a state of deep heartfelt grief" I did the last poo patrol today. Couldn't bear to do it before this. Sometimes i can explore getting a new dog and at times I can't. Don't think I can bear to be without though! Thanks again for your kind thoughts. Was she your only dog? You poor thing, it's just so awful but it must be even worse if you now have no dogs. At least I have the other 3, and I have been out today with one of them at herding practise. It's the best therapy ever, doing dog stuff with dog loving people. And I think the best way to honour the memory of the one who's gone is to enjoy activities with other dogs.

I did the exam bit first. I did not see the point of applying for a prefix without having passed the exam. I got my first choice of prefix, I think I was lucky as my first choice was a Finnish work which made it just that little bit harder that it was already in use. Has anyone ever failed the exam? It's a bit of a no-brainer, they send the answers along with the exam paper. I wish I had got my first choice, which was Darktown, after my first Aussie (Hevnsent Darktown Strutter ET) who died this week. It would have been nice to have his name perpetuated in a prefix. But I like the one I got anyway, but don't plan on using it any time soon, if ever.

I had the sad task this week of emailing the breeder I bought my first Australian Shepherd from to let her know our beloved boy had gone to the bridge, at the young age of 4. She replied immediately, in shock and to thank me for giving him such a fantastic home. She said she was crying too. I hope never to have to write an email like that again.

Beth, you need to apply for the prefix with Dogs Victoria, supply a list of prefixes you want (you can't have one that someone else has), and they send you an exam, along with the reading matter you need to answer the questions.

That's strange that they deemed a word "too common". My prefix was approved earlier this year, it's Mainstreet. Every small town in the western world has a Main St, I'm actually surprised it wasn't taken and doubly surprised that it was approved. And we do live on Main St.

So sorry- I am so sorry for both of you. Two precious Angels for Rainbow bridge And Benson. The beautiful ladies needed a tall, dark and handsome escort to the bridge. They will be waiting for us,

Thank you all for your thoughts and kind words. I've been overwhelmed with support from doggie friends on DOL, Facebook and on the phone since yesterday. Benson was such a huge personality, life will be so different without him. He was a dog who lived life to the fullest....he enjoyed absolutely everything, he had an enthusiasm that can't be beat and he had the most outgoing and friendly personality that gathered him friends wherever he went. He was an unusual colour for his breed being so dark, and many times I was asked if he was a mis-mark (or a cross-bred). No he wasn't, he was actually an extremely good example of the breed.......he just had different markings to the show-ring dogs. He was a truly beautiful dog, he's left a gaping great hole in our household and I will miss him til the end of time. The last words he heard whispered in his ear as he slipped away were "I love you, I love you". Benno, you were one of a kind. It was a privilege and an honour, mate.

So sorry for you. I know how shattered you're feeling, I will cry with you. RIP Cindy.

It's been a crap day today, hasn't it? I know just how you feel, I am crying with you, it's the best I can do. Benson and Emma can go to the bridge together and wait with all the other good dogs til we get there.

My first Australian Shepherd, my most beautiful man. We did so much together......obedience, ET, we had a crack at herding, we tried out agility, you were a jack of all trades but master of my heart. Gone too young, my heart is broken into a million pieces. I will never forget you, my gorgeous boy. I will miss you every moment of every day for the rest of my life. Benson was laid to rest today after a sudden illness. He had kidney problems that were insurmountable, and not compatible with life. He was 4 years of age. If I could only have him for that long, I would rather that than never have him. He was the best dog ever. So this is where we part, my friend, And you'll run on around the bend, Gone from sight but not from mind, New pleasures there you'll surely find. I will go on, I'll find the strength, Life measures quality, not its length. One long embrace before you leave, Share one last look, before I grieve. There are others, that much is true, But they be they and they aren't you. And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought Will remember well all you've taught. Your place I'll hold, you will be missed, The fur I stroked, the nose I kissed. And as you go to your final rest, Take with you this -- I loved you best. (Author unknown).

My poor little girl couldn't run to me this afternoon. Shae was chasing a tennis ball, Dusty was chasing a frisbee and hurtled full pelt into Shae, who was bowled over and yelped and yelped in agony. She got up and stood there yelping with her paw raised. Dusty gently licked her and checked her over, I panicked thinking she'd broken her leg, and Isaak jumped and bounced around her like an idiot. I felt her leg and it wasn't swelling and was about to carry her inside. To get rid of Isaak I threw the tennis ball I was holding and he bolted after it. So did Shae. All four paws working perfectly. Mum not required.