ozjen

Depends on the reasoning behind you discouraging him. Approximaitly 2 weeks after I married my first dog was born a heeler/kelpie X, he came to live with us at 5 weeks (whole other story there)after me spending each day visiting with the litter from 2 days old. I lived in a caravan(for 4 of those years) and because of my partners work we moved around on an annual basis around country towns not considered an ideal situation for having a dog let alone a working breed or breeds. Everyone in my family said it would end badly or the dog would end up having to be rehomed within 6 months. We shared many wonderful times for thirteen and a half years and I was devastated when he had to be given his wings because of failing health. He had outlasted my marriage and acted as support for my kids learning to walk, been a protector and a confidant, I couldn't have asked for better, but if I had listened to everyone else and also I suppose my own inner logic(which I chose to ignore) I would have missed out on those wonderful years with a truely wonderful dog. Looking back at the dogs in my life, the ones that have proved to be the most right were always the ones where I ignored the voice of logic and I'm sure they all led happy lives as did I in their company. So who knows, just maybe this dog is not a bad choice.

Me and Toby will be there A warning for anybody going to K9 - the scrub next to the sheds has been cleared and council guys were gobsmacked at the number of BIG snakes so be very aware Oh and they will all be angry at loosing their cover. Think I might avoid the grounds for abit, I'm a real chicken when it comes to snakes, just the thought of them is enough to freak me.

Nothing wrong with that Rach, make the most of life, it all passes rather quickly so enjoy while you can.

Didn't it come about after a person was killed by a pack of dogs in one of the indiginous communities, now they are trying to control the numbers of dogs at the camps? Not sure if this is correct so just asking to see if anyone knows. ;)

I would be if I can't get to the one on the 25th June. I can't do the September one as have a major horse show Aren't the current two in the Southern Suburbs? Maybe taking one North (or closer to the centre) would be good? Yep, unless they have changed the venue the current ones are run out Jandakot way.

And the way to do that is to distinguish yourself from them by your words and actions. Not by flashy websites, by knowledge, care for your breed, knowledge of your breed, consideration and duty of care to any prospective buyers, and ongoing service and consideration. There are thousands of breeders who do that, and do it well. Whatever organisation they belonged to, they would behave in exactly the same way. ;) And thank dog for every single one of them, we are so lucky to have them. Well said as always Jed. ;) Remember too, if you are a member of the law society, you are probably not happy with some of the other members. A vet I know is just itching to report a dodgy vet she knows to the Veterinary Registration Board .. every time you collect a class of people, you collect the saints, the average, the ordinary and the dodgy. Car dealers? Oh, yes, they are really dodgy. I needed a new (used) car. From another state, sight unseen, I bought a car from a motor dealer I know. I have bought and paid for it, I haven't seen it, but when I go home, I know that car will do what I want. I have bought half a dozen cars from the same person .... that's why people who want another dog go back to the same breeder, or ask that breeder to recommend someone. And that's why I get heaps of PMs asking me to recommend a breeder.

I dont mind watching a bit of obedience or agility but I dont enjoy watching dog shows - think its different if your dog is involved but I would take great offense if someone did not like my dogs physique I think it depends on the company you're in, too. I had a great night NYE with Ptolomy and RallyValley, and catching up with mirawee and ozjen. If I had to sit by myself and then get told my dog is crap well I wouldn't like that either But if you're with others (and your dog is still crap) well you've had a great night! ;) Nay, we still don't like people thinking our dogs are crap. But yes good company can lessen the blow.

I didn't go clubbing until I was in my 30's ;) . Curfew didn't allow for late night outings so when I became a divorcee I let my hair down and partied, whenever I had a babysitter at least. Miss those days, of music, dance and good times but use to laugh at the scantaly dressed young ones walking around Northbridge freezing their butts off.

ozjen, I can vouch for that also. Sorry to hear about your nasty experience. My bitch Dyzney (whom empties on command and did so prior to the test and during at least one of the breaks) did decide she also needed to go "NOW" whilst we were in mid leg. Anyway, where she suddenly wanted to relieve herself with absolutely no warning whatsoever, was on a stretch where there is a bit of a dip off to the side of the path (this was at Altona)... and well you can imagine, she literally dragged me off the bike sideways. I crashed and the seat of my bike poked right into the bandage in my leg that was nursing 6 stitches where I had fallen on a star picket a few days prior to the test. (There was no way I was going to cancel the ET cause of a few silly stitches, after all the training involved in getting a Rottweiler ET fit). I nearly passed out, but I soldiered on, a little feeling like vomitting from the pain for a few moments, but came good again. Of course as we rode past the spectators, officials and vetting station, they were all wondering why there was blood leaking out of my bandage :D Wow, Dyzney, you are much braver than me, my blood ran cold just reading about it, would have been painful enough peddling without the crash and poke. Have to love our dogs timing, my girl also goes on command but still manages to hold something back for the bike ride, I'm sure she thinks that mum loves her poo because she is always collecting it up so she doesn't want to disappoint me.

A word of warning to those starting to train their dogs to bikes. Dogs are inclined to want to relieve themselves, after a good trot (even when you think they have emptied out at home) and will often stop abruptly without any warning to do so, causing injury to the biker. How do I know this, experience, pain and one dead bike. Still a little nervous biking with the dog after the last accident, but I replaced the bike with a much smaller one so hopefully I don't get so hurt (just have to peddle more to make up for the small tyres on my kiddie bike).

RallyValley, I would keep the tracking harness strictly for tracking as its used as a marker for the dog to get ready to track, so much so that it is not put on the dog until it is close to the start line, we don't even put it on them to walk from the car to the startline. Also the idea of the harness in tracking is that the dog leans into it as they track, which is the opposite of what you want in the endurance as the dog must mantain a loose lead in endurance. Unless there is a reason for wearing a harness I would stick to your collar, less likelyhood of chaffing over distance.

I haven't ridden a bike in a very long time :D I will need to go and buy one as I want to do the ET with Banjo this year We should all try and get to the same trial :D Any maybe meet up for a couple of cycle sessions to get the dogs used to other bikes around :D WA Endurance Tests are on the 18th June and 3&4th September :D Still have that too big bike here Mirrawee, forgot to advertise it in Quokka for Xmas. The dogs are all spaced out with the endurance test the closest they are is when they do the obedience side of things. You often don't see the other riders while your riding unless your stopping at the checkpoint for a designated break. What is of more concern is when a Bandicoot shoots out across your pathway and the dog wants to follow it. On the plus side if the dog is getting borded and starting to lag they become more animaited if they think there might be more Bandicoots, that's if they haven't already caused their handler to crash and burn.

Yes! And you can wear other shorts or track pants on top if you don't like the "lycra lout look" : )) Your bike should be fine. Just get a service on it from your bike shop. Michael Getting a bicycle serviced is so foreign to me... My girls have never ridden next to a bike, I think I'd have a lot of work to do! And lycra look, no thanks I think I'd scare the other competitors away! ETA: No underwear?! ummmmm, don't think I could get used to this one And now I'll be looking at everyone wondering if they're wearing underwear or not :D :D Eeewww! Definaitly would wear the underwear. Gave me a good laugh though imagining you checking everyones underwear status.

You could always have someone do it in relays with you, rules don't stipulate that it all has to be done by one person, just the one dog. When my sister did it (biked) I did a few laps to give her a break.

That will be fine Rubystar, but I recommend as much padding as you can get, I had a gel seatcover and that was not nearly enough although it probablay didn't help that the bike was too big for me(anything bigger than a 20in wheel is too big for me ).

They are in Wanaroo, if you don't want to wait on the post.

Pudding is lovely I am puppy clucky again now though Lots of multidog families as lots of us on here compete with our puppies as we don't have a "real" life Although saying that I split my time between the horses and dogs :D Hey, come on Mirrawee, playing with our puppydogs is the ONLY "real life" and when some of us are too useless at playing with our puppies (in the ring) we get you to do it. Welcome BonJosie, your little Pudding is so sweet, I love beagle pups, they are the cutest.

I find giving my animals Apple Cider Vinegar in their food or water helps, haven't had fleas for years so there must be something in it they don't like. I also spray them with a mix of ACV and water which seems to deter flies as well. You will have to treat their enviroment though to get things under control, even if you can't do the full two acres I would look at doing the areas they most frequent and hope that the ACV treatment gets the others to move on to better tasting dogs.

A little Vasaline on the ears, makes them less interesting to the flies and will also assist in healing if already bitten. I also use Apple Cider Vinegar mixed with water in a spray bottle on my dogs to stop any biting insects including fleas as well as giving them some ACV internally which must help make them less tasty too as I never have any issues with flies or fleas with them. If you have a lot of flies around it may also pay to set fly traps to reduce the numbers, unfortunately our weird weather will no doubt increase fly numbers.

I think everyone agrees that the SES do an excellent job as do the other emergency services involved, we would be lost without all these wonderful people that give their time and energy as well as risk their lives at times. People are just voicing their feelings and their fears of ever being in this situation regarding their pets, if they were faced with the situation so many are currently facing, which hopefully means that we all give it some extra though and it helps us to be prepared if we are ever in a similar situation. I agree people have to come first, although I wouldn't leave my animals I would not want them to take the place of another human if rescue options were limited. I am sure that people who have had to leave pets behind don't want to any more than the rest of us but have to take into consideration other things in their decision to leave. Hopefully they will all be reunited safely.

Picnics will be great once the little guy gets his immunisation up to speed. I'll PM Trudiann and ask her opinion thanks! Trudiann isn't a member I have emailed her. Will answer your PM when I am on my computer rather than my phone lol No problem at all! Thank you for being so welcoming! Woohoo! another Lappie. Welcome Lobostar, don't forget to post lots of pics of your new furkid, Mirrawee got me kinda addicted to Lappies, especially Lappie babies. What area are you in? A lot of breeders around Canning Vale/Armadale region use Deepwood over in Kelmscott or Applecross vet. Have only used Deepwood myself for puppy innoculations and bitch ultrasound of a friends dog(ultrasound I read better than the tec, she said 4 pups I said 5 after she showed me how pups showed up on it, but maybe she couldn't count or I was just lucky) By the way all the Lappie people here in WA that I have meet are very nice and very helpful so definaitly make time for the get together if you can.

Poor Trixie, hope she is OK, sending her hugs and healing thoughts. Don't stress too much about the heart murmer, I'm sure given her energy levels its not worring her much and as you know Gizmo manages fine with heart issues.

So sorry you are in this situation Gallamph, glad you and your furkids are okay. *HUGS*

I manage to keep Gizmo quiet comfortable on Fish oil tablets and Glucosomine, only goes on it when he shows signs of being sore or stiff but it starts to work fairly quickly. Have been doing it for a number of years and I believe he still has plenty of life in him although I have had the occassional scare. If I couldn't control his discomfort I would consider the green dream but while I can he's sticking around. Like you Emery I would be hopping mad if anyone suggested I just put him down and replace him. You may be able to get another dog but you can NEVER replace them, they are all unique and special.

Some of my favorites have come listening to Joe Public at the Royal: Those poor dogs don't get fed, they are so underweight they must be starved (Cavaleirs going round the ring). Your dog looks just like the Finnish Lapphund we just saw, must have the same breeding. (Black tri Australian Shepherd) Thats a Dingo X or thats a Fox X (Shiba Inu). We got rid of our dog because it mated with the dog up the road and is no longer pure bred. I have a purebred ........oodle at home. On telling someone to be careful with their kids rushing up to benched showdogs, "It's ok their showdogs they don't bite". Mmm I know a few judeges that could tell them differently. "SHOW DOGS GET DIRTY!!!" What do they think we do with our dogs inbetween shows, put them away in a cupboard to keep them clean and stop them being a dog. You can't trust a light eyed dog, they will turn on you first chance they get. When you tell someone your dog is an Australian Shepherd, they give you a look of pity and tell you you have a Border Collie X and you have been dubed. So enjoy telling them that is why she is an Australian Champion and procede to educate them about the breed. And one from another showie waiting in a group lineup, on an Australian Shepherd with a tail and in the process of growing coat back, "Oh look, they even have a cut line marked where the tail should be docked."