Di*

Thanks for your advice Di

Hi all Not sure if anyone can help with this. The vet detected a heart murmur in my chi x . He's approximately 10 years old. First time this has been detected. The vet suggested doing chest x-rays. Cost about $350 (incl. sedation). I remember fostering a rescue with a severe heart murmur who had an ultrasound rather than chest x-rays. I was wondering whether any of you know whether there any advantages/disadvantages of one procedure over the other? Any cost differences? Any differences in the amount of stress (for the dog!)? My boy is not keen on being poked and prodded and he has knee and hip issues so I would like to minimise how much he is handled. thanks for your expertise! best Di Picture attached for your pleasure. Boomer is the one with the most red.

Many thanks, folks! Di

Hi all Was trying to find the best price for Glyde powder. Found it ranged from over $100 to $74.28 (at Value Vet Products) with the most common price being around $90. I haven't heard of Value Vet Products. Has anyone else used them? Seems such a big difference in price. thanks for your help Di

Same at our place. Pancakes beat just about everything.

Hi Westie I think it's first week of Feb but I've lost the bit of paper from last year and like you can't find any info on the website. Will ring to check. best Di Awesome! Thanks Di. Are you going with any of your littlies? My son has been training our chi x, Charli. She's the most unlikely candidate for agility--tiny little legs but she's so food motivated that she'll do anything. You should see her on the A-frame. V. funny. I've done some work with our biggest (Roxy, the Sheltie Cross) and started our new baby, mini foxy/chi x jack russell (we think). My partner has taken over Roxy's training but she's very naughty and keeps ignoring him and returning to me! My poor old chi x has to stay home and keeps me feeling guilty. I try to take him to obedience. Dogmad is also thinking about starting agility! Might see you there. Di

Hi Westie I think it's first week of Feb but I've lost the bit of paper from last year and like you can't find any info on the website. Will ring to check. best Di

White Ants and GS dogs are different species but I'm sure you realise this. Today's dog breeds (whether you love them or not) are 'arbitrary' classifications which are historically specific, and rigidly maintained and policed. Yesterday's mutt is today's "breed". While I strongly oppose the commercial exploitation of dogs for profit that characterises the so-called designer dogs, I can't help but be amused by the claim that the name labradoodle is any more "stupid" or "ridiculous" than any number of pure dog breed names. The name indicates the breeds that went into creating the dog in question. How's that any more studid than naming a breed after its place of origin, its function or its appearance? Not sure I'd ever be able to say Dandy Dinmont with a straight face. The dog in question was a surrender. Maybe the previous owner could provide proof (even if you disagree with the validity of that proof) of its status as a "pure" labradoodle. Di

I have purchased the large memory foam bed from DD. They are out of stock at the moment, so I have ordered another one as my greyhound loves it, and the whippets will use it while the warm weather is here. As soon as it gets cold they like to snuggle in their Cosy cave bed or the other 'snugglier' beds. It seems to be fairly good quality for the price and the cover has a zip, so it can be removed for washing. Thanks for the feedback on the memory foam. Sounds as though your dogs are as spoilt as mine. Di

We also have multiple beds for our 4 dogs. We have outside beds, crates in our room for bed time and 3 Snooza large pet pouffes--one in lounge, others in computer room/study. Re the old dog question, I was wondering whether that memory foam was any good since one of mine is also getting older. Deals Direct has had some relatively cheap versions. Anyone know? Di

Yes - more than once. They just laughed and mumbled about how "he doesn't like dogs" (ie isn't that hilarious???!!!!) Fair enough. Sounds like a very unprofessionally run vet practice. Forget about the dogs and cats, the staff sound like they're out of control. Hopefully, you've found a practice that is better run so there is no chance of a repeat performance. Wouldn't want them dealing with any of my animals if they have such poor animal and human management skills. Ugh! D

Shoot me for being smug--I'm usually so well behaved on DOL--but aren't we meant to have our dogs under control? A vet's waiting room has the potential for all kinds of novel situtations, distractions, noises etc. What do you all do when you meet a cat when you're walking your dogs? A love the resident cats at the vets.

Current: Charli Roxy Maria (shortened to Mia, Ria, Ri, Ri-Ri--[or Wee Wee and Diarrhoea by my baaaad! son]) Past: Mouse (tiniest whippet) Grunion (a long story behind this name)

Does it matter? Surely an opportunity to stop and show off your breed. I'm always asked if mine are related--four rescue dogs of different ages or whether our slightly larger dog is the mother to the other three. Nice to have a chance to stop, talk dogs. meet the neighbours and promote rescue. Di

And, you know this how? Di

They're great! Nice helpful people and quick service. Dumbbells are individually sized for your dog. Not sure about chewability, though. I know the dogs find them "appealing" but I don't give mine a chance to chew theirs. Di

I have a bag of Eagle Pack holistic **small breed** puppy. The amounts vary according to the age and weight of the pup. The table is quite complex can you give me a clue what info you're after and whether the small breed variety is of any use to you (before I start typing). best Di Current weight 13.5kg, 5 months old, with a adult target weight of approx 20kg which puts him in the medium breed. Sorry I can't help. He doesn't fit on the table! Only goes up to 9 Kg. None of mine will ever hit 9 Kg. Di

I have a bag of Eagle Pack holistic **small breed** puppy. The amounts vary according to the age and weight of the pup. The table is quite complex can you give me a clue what info you're after and whether the small breed variety is of any use to you (before I start typing). best Di

Thanks, if it "works" with a Mt Franklin sized bottle (about 600mls) or even smaller (!), you can add one to my order. Any bigger sized bottles would be too large for my midgets to handle. Di Sure - any preference (pig, sheep or dog?) Not really--all animals are equally tugged at our place but, if there is one that has more small dog sized bits for dragging and tugging--tails, ears, limbs, etc--we'll take that one. thanks Di Edited to add: After looking at the pics, I think the dog has the best ears for tugging.

Thanks, if it "works" with a Mt Franklin sized bottle (about 600mls) or even smaller (!), you can add one to my order. Any bigger sized bottles would be too large for my midgets to handle. Di

:love: :D :D Is that something an Aussie should be admitting on a public forum? :love: The bottle buddies are great - really good idea. Riley's getting one for Christmas (if theres any left!!) A quick question--is the bottle inside a one-litre bottle or smaller (600mls??). Just wondering because I have midgets. Di

If you know that she behaves in this way, and you want 'quiet time', have a place to put her so that you can have quiet time. Given that your method seems to escalate her behaviour, it clearly is not having the effect you desire. Di

Brilliant. Thanks for that, Vickie--I think it's the same principle as for the children--to prevent yourself feeling like a bad parent--each human and animal "child" needs a special activity. I think it will be Parra on Friday nights. Roxy was only promoted last night to Yellow so Blue may be a while off yet! I was going to rotate them--but when Roxy was promoted last night I decided she deserved me to keep going with her classes. She's done better than I expected. We haven't been at it long. She'll never be a champion--she's too calm (Roxy used to do pet therapy) but she seems to be loving the classes. Hope you and your guys are well. Di

Hi all I have recently adopted dog number four and am having fun trying to juggle the needs of four dogs. I like to give each some one-on-one formal training/"quality time". Things were going well until the youngest finished puppy, advanced puppy, and even more advanced puppy (which was on Tuesday nights). She is now 6.5 months. I'd like to start her doing agility training but I already take one of my other dogs to agility at Castle Hill on Thurs nights and I don't want to interrupt her training. Sunday afternoon I take the other two to obedience at Brush Farm. I can't do week days. Any thoughts? Prepared to travel a bit. I live at Epping and work at Penrith. Had a helpful teenager who was doing some training but he's now discovered girls ... sigh! many thanks Di

OK so where do all of the hours of outdoor fun fit into your busy life? Certainly don't fit into mine. Di