Kirislin

Not sure if we could fit your girl with a muzzle. If you're worried she might be nippy you can run her alone. Just explain to the starter. You can of course always just come along for a look-see and socialisation, and just see how she reacts. Play it by ear.

this thread's getting off track, it wasn't supposed to be about lure coursing. It is a totally different competition that I started it for. Short sprints, not long courses requiring stamina and agility. Congratulations to Dodger though, I watched his run, so much faster than the other breeds, you could tell purely by the blurred background compared to other runs. This time last week I as at a coursing comp on SA and it was fantastic to watch.

check out Woody, he's even got the double suspension gallop happening! :laugh: 5F6A0813dpptcr by kirislin, on Flickr 5F6A0816dpptcr by kirislin, on Flickr

He might surprise you....then again perhaps not, but we had beagles and a basset in the Fastest Dog in Australia comp and all kept their minds on the lure and didn't stray. We regularly get the basset attending and he's never taken off and gone where he shouldn't.

probably only on private property at this stage. Finding an enormous safe dog proof fenced area is difficult.

No worries. I was replying more to SSM's comment. 100 metres on a straight tells us nothing about the ability of a corgi, or beagle or just about any other breed either. We're getting salukis, borzois, afghans, wolfhounds, deerhounds, greyhounds as well as herding and mixed breeds coming to our fun days quite alot now and the grounds we run on only allow us to run the drag a bit over100mts. They just like to let their dogs have a run. You only have to scroll through our last fun day pics to see the variety of breeds we are getting. It's great!

It's just a fun competition. Dogs of all shapes and sizes, all bred for totally different functions. It's just for fun. OK?

After seeing this I just figured out who you are and hunted down your photos haha! Thank you so much for coming over here and taking photos they are fantastic!! thanks, I had fun, although it was pretty tiring. If we go next year I wont drive home straight after the event like I did this time. Too hard driving into the night. And next year I want to bring Neko too. Maybe just for the straight racing on day 1. I thought your club did really well with the organisation of it all. Not an easy thing to host.

the set up varies from club to club, but all run a 100mt straight course, usually after a drag lure. It would be best to go to some fun days before hand to get her used to chasing the lure. Some people get one person to release their dog and the owner goes up to the end so the dog chases. It's not ideal, we like them to chase the actual lure rather than just be running back to their owner but sometimes it's the only way they can get them to run. It was the first time our club hosted the event, it's only a new competition (been running 2 years) but growing in popularity as you can imagine. :D

Hey! I got some photos of Reggie on the weekend!!

Jonah: Calendar Boy! Hi, my name's Jonah, I like long walks along the beach and rolling in dead star fish.

It's the hardest thing to have to do, and you just have to put her needs before your own. I had 2 girls put down last year and the way I did it was peaceful for them and gave me time to cuddle and love them and say goodbye. I took them to the vet and he gave them a strong sedative and put a line in the front leg, then told me to take them home. I had about 2 hours with them, they were relaxed, in no pain and it was good. Then when he came to my house they weren't afraid and they went peacefully because the line was already in and the injection was easily given. That's the only advice I can give you. Save your tears for when she's gone, then cry till there's no more left.

My idiot Shire says to even breed ONE litter I must be registered as a business because I'm making a profit. How ignorant and ill informed they are. If my breeding bitch has 3 puppies I would be likely to lose hundreds if not thousands for the effort.

pretty sure they use it on mangy wombats too.

I'd never heard of him before this. Sounds like he was much loved by many.

The last 2 dogs I've had to have euthanased I got done here at home. First I took them in to the vet for the final exam, and to make sure it was time. Then my vet gave them a painkiller/sedative and told me to take them home. Both girls seemed to have immediate relief from their pain, which had been pretty intense till then. They came home relaxed but sleepy and I had time to cuddle and love them. Dear little Kibah was so comfortable that when the vet arrived about 2 hours later she even trotted out to greet him. That was hard and made me 2nd guess myself a bit, but I'd seen her xrays and felt her clicking unstable spine and knew it was just the drugs working on her. The vet had already put an IV line in at the clinic so it was just a matter of giving them that final shot. As distressing as it was for me, I feel it was the kindest and most peaceful way to let them go and if I am able it will be the way I let all my dogs go in future, here at home where they're comfortable, and I'll do my best to save my tears for when they're gone and if possible, not before.

I wouldn't but I too know alot of people cant go through with it. I hope you were able to comfort that little old dog.

I'm wearing this stupid hat, now hand over the bloody party pie!

for a long while I didn't do much about their birthdays because every day was pretty special, but now as 3 of them are old and each year I dont know if this birthday will be their last I celebrate it with a roast chicken dinner for them.

is he skinny?

It was an unselfish act to take him on in the first place, knowing what the future held for him. You gave him a very loving happy life for the short time he had. He's not suffering now, but you are left with the heartbreak. I'm so sorry.

Mine aren't aloof with me but they're not the panting in your face waggy tailed type of dog, which is what I was used to before I met a whippet. The first whippets I ever got up close to were very aloof and I was instantly smitten with them, even though I never got to pat them or get close, they would only allow me to look on from a distance and when they occasionally cast a glance my way it seemed to be with complete disdain. :laugh:

the whippets I had before these ones had a natural fear of snakes (and I would assume lizards) and kept well clear of them. It was good because I used to get alot of tree snakes in Qld, I even had a whopping python living in the roof cavity of my house.

This is similar to the video I've seen before. I cant find the original one. They use shock collars.

Maybe sighthounds just don't rock your boat. Maybe you like a more in your face dog??? Not every breed suits everyone. At his age, Mr Whippet would be a cinch to rehome via Whippet rescue. If you don't feel a bond, it is something you could look into. I figure there is no shame whatsoever in rehoming a dog into a family where he WILL be the bees knees. :) Whippets tend to need the "what's in it for me" box ticked. They may like to please but they won't turn themselves inside out to do it like some breeds and some really don't see the point in training. Maybe you should try a Whippet specific sport like lure coursing with him? You've pretty much said everything I was thinking. Whippets aren't the dog for everyone. I love their aloofness but not everyone does. I agree with taking him to lure coursing or racing. You both might enjoy it and if he takes to it you will be mesmerised to see him really RUN. Then you'll watch on in awe and say THAT'S MY DOG! :D