~*Shell*~

Chinese crested (when i'm still mobile), french bulldog and then greyhound :D Plus an elderly sibe or two thrown in!

I can't believe you got that photo - I was at spring fair with DNM, Armahani and Mel when we saw it on FB. Couldn't stop giggling!

Yay!!!!

Gorgeous Ruth :D

Exactly - as I said, the 7D is a lot of camera so that's what i would buy now if I was given the chance. Looking back, I should have bought the 40D or 50D when i got my first camera (the 450d). i outgrew it in a year (it got to the point that i was trying to take photos and knew that the camera couldn't handle them without me having to crank up the ISO, making the photo overly noisy) and then couldn't afford to upgrade but I threw myself into it and learned as much as i could as fast as i could. If it's just a hobby, the 7D is probably too much camera but that being said, I have a couple of friends who learnt on a 7D and neither of them have problems working with it. I find that they rely a lot on high ISO though which i didn't have the luxury of on my first camera. If you think it's going to become something you'll spend a lot of time doing, you could even go for a 60D - another friend is learning on one at the moment and loves it. He got the kit lenses with it when he bought it at christmas and is now wanting to upgrade them because he hates them. He's just bought a sigma 24-70mm 2.8 and his next purchase will be the 70-200mm 2.8.

If i had $1400 to spend? One of these: http://www.dwidigitalcameras.com.au/store/product.asp?idProduct=2364 and one of these: http://www.dwidigitalcameras.com.au/store/product.asp?idProduct=63 But that's a lot of camera without any zoom.

I don't consider my current two birds to be "rescues" - both of them are from pet shops (the same one!). I had a friend who worked there and she was told to take them out the back and let them go because they couldn't sell them and were both over a year old. They have all the problems associated with having had their wings clipped and being out on those horrible perches in store where they get poked and prodded by children but a lot of work with them has helped. Still, don't consider them rescues. If they had gone to a rescue organisation before me, then yeah, sure. But in this case, they were given to me. I do consider my old bird a rescue though - she was found in our driveway, we advertised on flyers and in the newspapers, door knocked the neighbours, alerted the local council (and pound who don't take birds apparently), all the vets in the area and told the RSPCA we had her and noone came forward to collect her. She had pulled all of her feathers out from the chest down and needed a lot of time, money and effort put into her to get her back on track. The vet suspects she was probably let go because of her lack of feathers but she was pretty close to death when we found her from dehydration and because she couldn't fly properly poor little thing. She lived with us for 5 years and got absolutely loved to bits Zero is definitely a rescue! He's straight from the pound and boy did I have no idea what I was in for with him!

My saving for the 7D has started lol.

Afghan Hound: Sir Walter, Faxon, Lochie, Bluey, Miffy, Airedale Terrier: Abbey Akita: Kyojin, Kuma Alaskan Malamute: Indiana, Kira American Staffordshire Terrier: Tua, Max, Juno Australian Cattle Dog: Elvis, Matilda, Katie Australian Cattle Dog X : Frosty Australian Shepherd: Banjo, Archie, Lottie, Millie, Alice, Hannah, Hudson Australian terrier: Bailey, Brandy, Jasper Australian Kelpie: Revan, Abby, Bluey, Cahill, Franky, Izzy, Safire, Milky, Kinta, Banjo, Rosie, Skye, Emerald, Gem, Meg Australian Kelpie X:Toby, Cooper Basset Hound : Gemma Bearded Collie: Charlie, Bonnie, Bailie Belgian Shepherd (Groenendael): Fleming, Ivy Bichon Frise: Jag Bichon Frise X: Harper Bloodhound: Earl Border Collie: Roy, Molly, Kirra, Rory, Rumor, Diesel, Kobie, Emma, Kenzie, Maggie, Ella, Shelby, Jayde, Ashli, Mia, 'Bubba' Border Collie x: Anna Border collie x kelpie: Jasmine Borzoi: Oberon, Boris, Sonya, Kurgan, Ursula, Apollo, Atlas, Adonis, Argus, Alektos, Arinyes, Athena, Aphrodite, Aidos, Andromeda, Ares, Alexander Boxer: Bruno, Nelsson Brittany: Zora Bull Terrier: Bonnerville, Atlas Bull Terrier (Miniature) Lainie Cane Corso: Ali Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: Bree, Ingrid, Jersey, Lacey, Fern, Floyd, Indy, Arnie, Joey, Renae, Bailey, Murphy, Maggie Chihuahua: Chelsea and Pansy, Heidi, Bertie, Moose, Archi,Pepe, Squirt, Limpet, Jasper, Bella, Dobby Chinese Crested: Louis, Daisy Chinese Crested Powder Puff x Tibetan Terrier: Dee, Carrie, Benita, Jenna Cocker Spaniel : Maggie,Jesie, Bonnie, Chelsea Dalmatian: Appollo, Cleo Doberman: Opal Dogue De Bordeaux: Moose, Chevy, Bella, Molly, Digby, Dexter English Cocker Spaniels: Jesie,Bonnie, Chelsea English Setter: Spartan, James English Springer Spaniel: Buddy Finnish Lapphund:Halo, Vienna, Jaana,Magnus,Aurora-Rose,Niina,Paddington,Maximus, Ahsoka, Fable, Demi,Varda, Asha, Boots, Echo, Alera, Annika, Ella Flatcoat Retriever: Moraig French Bulldog: Lola, FeeBee, Alexis, Claire, Lilly German Coolie: FlashBazil, Latte German Shepherd: Java, Odin, Tlaloc, Rebus, Indi, UnoBuffy, Bronx, Sabre, Kynan, Jack, Santha, Molly German Shorthaired Pointer: Pip, Coco, Polo German Spitz (Mittel)- Amber Golden Retriever: Onslow, Matilda-Rose, Chester, Genie, Ella, Rosie, Bruce, Chloe, Chaos, Ruby, Sasha Great Dane: Sparkles, Whitney Greyhound: Harry, Kiff, Sally, Clyde, Ryan, Amethyst, Stan, Maddie, Skye Griffon Bruxellois: Mocha Hungarian Vizsla: Flynn, Rogan, Kobi Irish Terrier: Kate, Duke Irish Wolfhound: Zac Italian Greyhound: Bella, Tari, Blaze Jack Russell Terrier: Ringo, Nandi, Chief, Louis, Matilda Jack Russell terrier X: Thomas Japanese Spitz: Emmy, Angelo Keeshond: Jedi Labrador Retriever: Lestat, Bailey, Tia, Mieka, James, Harry, Lily Rose, Leonberger: Singe Maltese: Luna Miniature Fox Terrier: Cleopatra Miniature Long Haired Dachshund: Mini, Rover Miniature Pinscher: Mischa, Cleo Newfoundland dogs: Annabelle, Katy, Lukey Norwegian Elkhound: Odin Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriver: Nova, Darcy, Jovi Papillon: Blaze, Minka, Portia, Tyson, Coco, Tonka Pointer : Kite Audrey Poppin konrad, Badger Poodle (Toy): Chilli Poodle (Minature): Caroline Poodle (Standard) Merry & Pippin, Poppy & babies. Pomeranian: Daisy, Comet, Jester, Pug: LotusFlynn, Elyse, Ted, Misty, Elly, Poppy, Sally landers,Archie, Beau, Haidee, Millies, Ivee, Jack Pyrenean Mountain Dog: Sasquatch Rhodesian Ridgeback: Meisha, Bakari, Boss, Sierra, Kei Rottweiler: Roxy, Feonix, Radar, Neo, Abby, Dyzney, Fame, Jag, Nellie Rose, Baylee, Dee, Zephyr, Mini, Diesel, Fire, Flint Saluki: Bella, Arella, Moss, Lucy, Jadir, Mab, Floyd Samoyed: Mistral, Alchemy, Yngvie, Dante, Bundy, Kamikaze, Fergus, Kato Schipperke: Taz Schnauzer (Miniature): Maximus, Coconut,Betty,Jigga, Riva, Amy, Indy, Amber, Grace, Guy, Blue, Connie Schnauzer (Giant): Tara, Darcy Shar Pei: Askari, Acheron, Asante sana, Sirius, Chippy, Christina, Diezel, Cassie, Orsana, Cimba Shih Tzu : Gizmo Siberian Husky: Akira, Tikaani,Romeo,Baby.Riddick,Indie, Esky, Blacky, Zuess, Zero Siberian Husky x: Luki Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: Shaemus, Nellie, Ciara Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Kiara, Zola, Diesel, Kaos, Brutus, Monty, Chaos, Bean SWF: Zoe Tibetan Terrier: Prue, Mindy, Holly, Tara Tenterfield Terrier: Cinder, Zoom Rescue Bitsa: Keely, Fred & Ginger, Ozzie, Tess, Maverick, Bosco, Kyah, Charlie, Astrid, Mala, Bella, Tiny Tim, Jen Jen, Lilly, Judy, Mini, Pixie, Ozzie, Dozer, Alaska, Logan, Buddy, Leela, Rusty, Pip, Brembo Welsh Corgi (Cardigan): Shandy White German Shepherd: Casper White Swiss Shepherd: Rakim, Whippet: Herbie, Buzz, Lewis, Rommi, Daphne, Elliot, Mindy, Whiz, Arizona aka Zassy , Griff , Weimaraner: Ariane, Lulu, Louie West Highland White Terrier: Penny, Mac, Daisy, Mac, Sarah, Andy

Sorry Dxenion, email was deleted a long time ago. I'll see if I can find what it said. They referenced an amendment and sent me the link.

I emailed the RTA about it about 6 months ago - the ruling used to be no dog on the lap of the driver, but now it is no unrestrained dog. The dog has to be tethered to the car somehow or contained in a crate or at least that's what i was told.

Very proud of Mr Z - he wouldn't have passed but he did well under the conditions. There were kids sitting right next to the ring with their puppy (Z LOVES kids and puppies - they're like obedience kryptonite for him) and then there were dogs tethered right next to the ring that went off their nut when he went past (3 stations worth!) but he bounced back both times and gave me some really nice work so I'm happy. At least now I know what to work on with him. He performed all of the stations (lots of dogs didn't today for some reason) and the ones that were in the middle of the ring were lovely There are some photos so I'll get terranik to post them in here when they're done.

I can't say that I have ever had someone else try and discipline my dog aside from maybe Terranik but even then, just a verbal correction is enough. I've done the same to her dogs at some point i'm sure. That being said, we have quite similar styles. Neither of us would hit each other's dog.

Glad to be a guinea pig Z and i have a mock trial on this weekend. I hope he's not a nightmare!!

Or could it be that house block sizes are getting smaller, people have less time and with all the advances in health testing breeders are now expected do, breeding a litter is becoming more financially straining?

Hmm - good point - I hadn't even considered that. Not all registered dogs are "show" quality or have the right amount of working drive for main register - limited registration is a provision for that. It also stops dogs with faults being bred from and those puppies being registered. You might have 2 dogs out of a litter of 8 that are considered of high enough quality to be put on the main register, you might not have any or you might have 8. So no, i don't think limited registration is a provision for the pet market, i think it's a way of bettering the breed. I would be interested in the ANKC's interpretation of "pet market" but personally I don't consider a breeder who is breeding solely so people can have pets ethical. The breeders I know breed for themselves because they want a puppy out of a litter. The show quality puppies are then sold into show/performance homes where those homes are available and the rest are pet homed on the limited register with desexing agreements. Yes some of those puppies go into pet homes but it's not what i would consider to be the "pet market".

He's very very cute PA. Those ears are just to die for!

I love your action shots kirislin! The dogs always look like they have so much fun!

I just read the open brief - so excited! I have no idea how I'm going to shoot what i want to shoot for it but I'm sure i'll find a way!

No. Puppy farmers and BYBs will breed regardless of whether or not they can be registered with the ANKC. IMO anyone who breeds without the goal of bettering the breed shouldn't be breeding. Yes, there is a large difference of opinion in some people about what betters the breed - take a look at show line vs working line - they sometimes work in 2 different ways but both generally believe that they are bettering the breed. Breeding to give yourself even a basic standard of living is breeding for profit and totally unethical. If a breeder has too many bitches/dogs to try and match to a suitable stud dog/bitch they cannot be trying to better the breed. Once it gets to the point where it becomes about money and not for the love of the breed, IMO you are a puppy farmer. The vast majority of ethical registered breeders I know actually lose money on breeding a litter - one litter may make some money but it can be easily lost on the next and ethical registered breeders are prepared for this. How can you profit enough for even the lowest standard of living if you're providing the highest standard of care to the mother and puppies? You would have to be constantly breeding and be incredibly lucky to actually make money. Breeding a litter should never be about the amount of money that you will get from it, even if you will make some. I don't think there is a certain number of dogs or litters that a breeder must have to decide if someone is unethical - as espinay said, there are some larger scale breeders who constantly show up in the "better" pedigrees. Obviously in that case, they are very very knowledgable when it comes to their breed and know what they will get from a litter however, in a lot of breeds, it's not as common to see it.

Whoot - I entered all 5 last year so my box will be arriving mid-september :D Hope we have more time this year. Last year I felt like it was so rushed. Most of mine were done at the last minute but I was happy with a lot of them.

OMG!! SOOOOOOO CUTE!!!

Don't let it stop you - I say the issue is the delivery company they use in NSW (Allied Express) and you're in another state. I had the same problem with allied express - they delivered it to the wrong house! I mean really, it's not like our house is difficult to find! There's artemis maximal grain free :D That's what I feed Z. He does very well on it.

I have. And every limb I could fit it over too. On my neck, I didn't even get a red mark. I got a mark on the top of my arm but that's because it was too loose and slid over my skin as I pulled it around (hard) so the prongs were on the soft part of my arm. Once I took some links out and fitted it properly to myself, that stopped. The check chain i put on my arm caused a bruise, and while admittedly, I do bruise easily, i will now never put one on my dog.

If it is again the people using the tool who are at fault, rather than the tool itself, why not ban head collars? I have seen many dogs suffering injuries on them. I have seen dogs suffer injuries on flat collars, harnesses and martingales. Why not ban them too. Instead of a ban, why not support regulation?