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aussielover

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Everything posted by aussielover

  1. There is a new product available called Comfortis. It kills all stages of development and adult fleas as well It is a once a month tablet and it has been found to be quite effective. Most of our clients are happy with it. It is recommended to give the tablet with food though as some dogs have vomited if food is not given at the same time. There is also capstar which kills adult fleas- it only lasts for 24hrs though and doesn't kill any of the larvae. Some people have found frontline to be ineffective, this is possibly due to fleas becoming resistant. I wouldn't use it for this reason. You will probably need to flea bomb your house to kill any larvae living in carpets, bedding etc. you can get these from the supermarket, pet store or vet. You also need to treat ALL pets, blame the dogs for the fleas, when it is actually the cats that are the reservoir. Don't use anything with permethrin on cats though (advantix, proban, permoxin washes etc) as it can kill them. I personally used to use Sentinel (as it does intestinal worms and heartworm as well) however it takes 3-4 applications (so 3-4months) to become effective for fleas. Revolution (also does mites)and advantage are quite good too. Fleas are very frustrating and it can unfortunately often take a few months to be rid of the problem. I would try the comfortis though, lots of people have had a positive experience using that. I hope this is helpful
  2. These tests are usually done to make sure the vaccinations are effective. Although it is now accepted that 3 yearly vaccines (C3) are ok, if you're worried you could vaccinate yearly.
  3. Ideally I would like a purebred from a registered breeder (I look at the puppy listings on DOL) AND a few rescue dogs.
  4. AT our puppy school we have a Bernese mountian dog puppy too! sooo cute! We also have a Golden Retriever, Australian shepherd, Mini Dachshund, Whippet, Kelpie, CKCS, a cavalier x poodle and a cocker x poodle. BTW, Is a golden Labrador a golden reteriever x lab or just a yellow lab?
  5. My dog passed away recently, so I am dogless at the moment. I am considering getting two dogs in the future. I just wanted to know from other people who have two whether it is A LOT more work than just having one. Also, is it best to get 2 puppies at the same time, from the same litter or is it better to wait until the first dog is older and then introduce a puppy? Our dog trainer at work says it is best to wait until the first dog is at least 2 yrs old before getting another puppy but I just wanted to get some other opinions. I am thinking of getting another aussie shepherd and another breed (which I haven't decided upon yet) or a rescue dog.
  6. Ohy my god, the rivergum website is terrible! (http://www.rivergumdesignerpuppies.com.au/) The mothers look so sad and some of the puppies look quite unhealthy. Isn't it obvious that they are a puppy farm? No good, ethical breeder would have over 10 litters of puppies at the one time! as if they would even have more than one or two. There were SO MANY puppies for sale! I don't know if it was just me but I thought the mums all had a really hopeless look in their eyes, the poor things, it is heartbreaking! I am depressed now.
  7. My Australian Shepherd lived with me in a townhouse with a small courtyard only,a house with a tennis court and large garden, and a farm. She beahved the same in all three. Even when she did have a larger area, if we were out she would sit by the door waiting for us, so she didn't really make much use of the space. I have also known a very well adjusted and happy Great Dane who lived in an apartment. It is company and exercise that makes dogs happy, not the size of the yard.
  8. Is it harder to get the red colouring?
  9. I have seen some very white looking goldens- is that acceptable in the breed standard? They are very beuatiful looking dogs!
  10. RIP Clover 1997-2010 I love you I miss you so much You have been the best dog ever.
  11. Last night our lovely aussie shepherd Clover had to be put to sleep aged 12.9 years. She has had a history of severe arthritis and a degenerative/neoplastic neurological condition (the vets don't know what was casuing her neuro signs). Yesterday she started having seizures and at around midnight last night she suffered from a "stroke". We rushed her to the emergency vets but her prognosis was poor. We decided to put her to sleep as there was no hope of her regaining brain function and she was already suffering with her painful arrthritis and other neurological problems. She will be sorely missed. This is one of the wrost things that has happened to me and it is so horrible without her. We are going to scatter her ashes at her favorite park. Here is copy of the letter I wrote to her last night. I will keep it in the wooden box her ashes come in, along with her collar and favorite things. Dear Clover, My sweet baby girl, I love you so much and I will never forget you. You are the most beautiful angel in the whole world. I am so lucky to have had the pleasure of your company for 12 years and 9 months. I wish you could have lived longer but I know you have had a good, full life with us. We have been through so many things together and you have always been there for me to hug you, to cry on you and to love me. We have grown up together you will always be THE family dog. I remember the first day we met you at Mandy’s place with your sister daisy. You had both been bathed and were in a pen together. Mandy let you out and you ran around like crazy. You stole the brush out of my pocket. Mandy was kind enough to let you come and live with us. On your first day you felt carsick but since then you have grown to love the car. I was scared about letting you off the lead but we went down to Reid Park and you were perfect and followed us around never even trying to run off. You used to sleep in my room which I loved. You were always perfect in the townhouse; you didn’t bark at all. You loved your walks and you loved to chase balls. You would bring them back and put them within meters of my reach but never quite at my feet. You liked swimming at Sirius and you liked swimming round to our secret spot. We used to walk up past the zoo and then back home! You loved coming on holidays with us to kangaroo valley, Barrington tops and other weekends away. When we moved to Melbourne, dad and I drove down with you and you were perfect for the whole 13hrs. You liked having a big garden to wander around in and we did jumps between the house and the fence! Most of all, you liked being with us and even with the whole big garden, you would sit at the door and wait for us. You used to sit in the purple beanbag and watch TV with us. You even managed to make a friend in Melbourne, Ralph. When we came back to Sydney you adapted back very quickly. We went for many long walks together and you comforted me through the HSC and other stressful times. Walking you was so relaxing. You came to England with us, which was a very special time. I was so scared for you on the plane- I could not relax even though mum and I were in business class. But you arrived safely in your travel crate and you were so happy to see us. I remember you getting out at 3 chimneys and being so happy to see us, we were of course thrilled at seeing you too. We had long walks in the forest together which you liked. We did long walks in the country together but you had started to get older and a bit of arthritis. I remember when we went for a walk and it was snowing- you were almost buried in the snow and so excited by it. You liked chasing balls in the garden of the clockhouse and barking at the other dogs and the horses. When we came back to Sydney, you had slowed down a little but still liked going on reasonably long walks and swimming. You enjoyed walking with Sandy and going on holidays to Mollymook. I had to go to wagga for a year and I missed you so much while I was away. I decided to stay in Sydney the next year because I wanted to be with you. You have been my inspiration while going through vet. Every time I would look at you, I would remember why I wanted to be a vet. You were a good sport during all the practicals and the poking and prodding. Your arthritis became very bad so you had a stem cell transplant which helped a bit but then you got wobbly legs and we knew every moment with you was precious. You liked sitting at the park in the nice cool grass watching other dogs. You liked lying on the cool tiles and eating fresh charcoal chicken. You always retained your beauty and dignity, even into old age. My little sweetpea, you are a one in a million dog and you have been so perfect for us. I am going to miss you so much, life will not be the same without you. I wish I had been able to spend more time with you but there are already so many happy memories of you that I will treasure for as long as I live. I am going to miss looking at your beautiful face and stroking your soft head whilst sitting under a tree on some nice soft grass together. You have brought so much joy and happiness into my life and it has been a privilege to have had your company for so long. Whenever I am feeling sad I will try to remember all the happy times we had together. I know my memories of you and our time together will inspire and encourage me through the hard times in life. I don’t know if there is a heaven but if there is, I hope you are there with some charcoal chicken, someone to throw the ball for you and no more pain. I will always remember you as my sweet baby angel. Thankyou for bringing so much into my life Love you forever You will always be remembered as a great family dog and a great companion RIP CLOVER (Cloverhill, Hillydog, Baby Angel, Sweet pea- our crazy names for gorgeous baby girl) May 1997-23.02.10
  12. When i was living in the Uk, i saw lots of gorgeous labs! Most them seemed to have longer legs than the ones you see in Australia and generally be a bit less stocky. I was wondering if it is possible to get Labs in Aus that have longer legs are are slimmer? Would working/Hunting dogs fit this description better? Thanks
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