tdierikx

Awesome! When I'm looking for a new pup, you'll be the first person I contact... As tempting as it is right now, it's just not do-able with my current pack... *sigh* T.

My 4 send their very best healing licks for little Neko... get well quick gorgeous! T.

I'd do it in a heartbeat if I didn't already have to play switchy-swapsies with the current 4... *sigh* You are thinking of staying in the breeding "game" for a while yet, yes? I may be looking for a Rotti in a few years time... lol! T.

So tempting... I could possibly be tempted to go for red girl... she could turn out like my heart girl Woosie (10 years next week since she went to the Bridge... *sob*) Anyone want a couple of my mutts so I can justify applying for one of these scrummy bubs? T.

Hmmm... looks like I'll have to wait until you have another litter with a second born boy for me Allerzeit... *grin* I already have 4 bitches here... 5 would probably do my head in... errr! T.

Four for me... seems to be my magic number... any other number just feels wrong here... Although at one stage I had 5 Rotties... you can have any number of them and it feels right I think... lol! T.

I'm hoping he's second born in the litter... he'll be the best dog ever if he was... can't go wrong with second borns (old farmer's tale). Don't want a third born pup... they can be a handful... *grin* (was Nova third born by any chance? hehe!) T.

I still think that if the vets on duty aren't capable of giving a simple sub-cut injection by the time they have their degree, then I wouldn't be too happy about them dispensing advice on anything more than flea control... I also still reckon that it should be made clear to customers the level of actual vet experience on offer as far as I'm concerned. Fair enough the cheap rates are not exactly going to cover an experienced vet's salary - but still... No-frills vet fees should NEVER be to the detriment of the animals they are practicing on... T.

So what number was blue boy born Allerzeit? My girl had all sorts of fun with her second pup (of the litter of 11) - 3 hours and 40 minutes! He was the best dog on the planet from that point on though... my friend adopted him, and I got to be there at both his birth, and at his passing 13 years later... and got to share his love for all the years in between... *grin* I love a big boofy head on a Rottie boy... so tempting to offload some of my current lot... but no-one would want them... lol! T.

We used to turn our phones off on Christmas Eve to avoid the last minute "gift" purchase enquiries/demands... errr! There will always be people who really don't think about the bigger picture when looking for a pet - they want X dog, and they want it now - and if that means calling some poor rescue worker/vollie at all hours in order to secure said dog, then that's what they will do... you can't possibly have anything better to do, and are hanging by the phone waiting for them to take the dog off your hands after all... *sigh* T.

When my lot shuffle of this mortal coil (could be in for a long wait), I'm definitely getting me another Rottie or two... and I think I know 2 breeders I'd like to get them from... *grin* T.

Would the blue collar be a boy by any chance? I likes "him"... I just get the vibe that he could be a laid back doofus... *grin* They all look so shiny and healthy... gorgeous!!! Congrats to Nova on a long but successful delivery - and well done Allerzeit for hanging in for those long hours too... I think you've both earned some nanna nap time... Got me thinking about which of mine I could rehome in order to apply for one of these stunning babies... errr! (only partially joking there too) T.

I think most dogs have an innate sense for working out which humans are worth spending their time on, and those who aren't. T.

We used to find that a lot of people only seemed to be looking at the photos of the dogs, and not actually reading all that much of the stuff written about it - then they'd fire off an email asking for information that was clearly written in the blurb... annoying, but then sometimes people just can't seem to absorb what they read on a computer screen (it's a known issue in all fields, not just in the rescue world). The blurb needs to be short and to the point... lots of flowery prose just won't be read - simple as that. The photos need to show the dog as it actually is - maybe capture some of the personality by using a long lens and shooting from a distance so as the dog is doing what comes naturally. Definitely try for the tilted head portrait shots too if you can - people DO love those, and it can pull them into looking at the other photos of the dog in question. ALWAYS put up more than one photo of the dog also... it will stop the enquiries for more photos to get an idea of what the dog actualy looks like. Sometimes writing the blurb as though you are the dog looking for a forever family can be read better than statistical info that comes across as somewhat boring. We had great success with this approach actually - we found that most enquirers for those dogs had read and absorbed what the "dog" had to say about their situation. Having blanket rules about what constitutes a "good" home can cripple you somewhat - but if that's how you choose to run your rehoming arm, then you may need to suck it up and deal with the people who think they may be able to pursuade you otherwise. Having a slightly more open and individual approach to each dog's (and potential new owner's) needs may see many less so-called "time waster" emails coming your way... Just some food for thought... *grin* T.

As far as I'm aware, you can't open up a vet clinic without being a qualified vet and holding a license to practice so I'd assume not. From something said elsewhere, I believe the vet in question is fresh out of uni. Doesn't mean that the principal isn't a qualified vet - but I'd hazard a guess that at those prices they are using it as practical experience for students rather than having all staff as actually fully qualified vets. It should be made clear to customers the level of actual vet experience on offer as far as I'm concerned - and they certainly shouldn't be doing any diagnostics and prescription of drugs if they are not fully qualified to do so. T.

Is this place staffed by first year vet science students by any chance? T.

Is it me or do those bulldogs on that page look like they are deformed and have way too much skin? I don't find any of them attractive or appealing in the slightest... T.

WOW! Stunning as usual perse... and I love the story that goes with the photos... T.

Pickles' mobility issues mean that she can't scratch itchies on her face or ears very well, so when I see her trying I just ask her if she wants mummy to scratch and she comes over and offers me her itchy spot to scratch... Also, because you can take the girl out of the camp, but can't always take the camp out of the girl, Pickles has a nasty habit of eating things she shouldn't really eat - like bedding and stuffing - so I'm forever helping her get stuff out of her bum... it's even such a regular thing I can't be stuffed to go find gloves or tissue to do it... I DO wash my hands very thoroughly afterwards though... lol! T.

I'm no vet, and I'm needle-phobic... and my first sub-cut only took me 2 attempts... was easy after that first one... T.

She was hiding them to make you think you forgot to feed her and would give her more... yes? T.

Ahhh... Sembe at Taronga has one on her arm from over-grooming... although sometimes it's Sembe doing the plucking herself... Funny thing I realised the other day... Sembe is notorious for having tantrums... and Shabani throws them too, just not as frequently... and Samaki likes to throw his weight around displaying. None of them are overly inclined to be fully part of the troop (for want of a better way of putting it). ... I wonder how little Sudi will fare? I'm hoping that Shiba may allow Sule to help with some babysitting duties with Sudi... dog knows he's done a cracker job with little Fumo - and Sule is probably the most politically savvy young chimp we have... everyone seems to like him. I think that some day Sule may become the alpha male of Taronga's troop... T.

My Rottie girl was happy to eat DURING whelping... errr! T.

I reckon it would be like when I had Sydney Harbour views... you stop looking at it in awe after seeing it all the time... *sigh* T.

Interesting... my girl had 10 teats - the regular 8, plus the 2 immature (supposedly) ones almost in her armpits - blow up with milk for her 11 babies... (so did my Lab) Refusing food... getting exciting now! Can't wait to hear that Nova has delivered you a lovely bunch of fat and healthy babies in record time, not in the middle of the night, and not requiring any intervention... *grin* T.