Kirty

If it keeps happening in the same spot, it could be an extra eyelash (distichia) or an ectopic cilia. These are eyelashes that are growing in the wrong spot, and can rub on the cornea. I did a little google and found that SV can be affected by distichias. I would be heading to a specialist to get to the root of the problem (pardon the pun). It could also be that the ulcer has never healed properly and just needs different medication. http://www.swedishvallhund.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/NewsletterUpdate2007.pdf

mac'ella, feeding rodents cement is incredibly cruel. Pest or not, that is just horrific.

Snout girl, Cosmolo provides a course for dog owners who are having a baby (I think its called when Fido meets Freddy or something like that). Google 'underdog training' and its on her website.

I think she is saying that the breeder didn't even bother to wean the puppy properly, and it was obviously still feeding off mum quite a bit if they said it still needs formula. There is nothing wrong with weaning a 6 week old puppy, but taking it straight off the mum and sending it to a new home is not weaning...

Its such a personal decision, and you shouldn't feel rushed. Try and step back from the situation and imagine if it was a strangers dog - what would you think? We often see dogs at work where we think 'that doggy really needs to go' but the owners are totally oblivious - not because they are cruel, but because they love their dog and don't even want to contemplate losing them. We recently had our young Dane put to sleep and it was awful. She had behavioural problems and very severe hip dysplasia. We made the decision to manage her until she became painful, and then we'd let her go. We managed her for a while with joint supplements and pain relief, but as the weather got colder, it was apparent that she was no longer comfortable. It was extra hard because we kept thinking maybe we should get surgery done - but how do you recover a dog who freaks out when she's confined? What about her behavioural issues - can we guarantee she will never get access to our other dog? Could we rehome her - but how do you rehome a dog who is terrified of pretty much everything? I know deep down it was the right decision, but that doesn't make it any easier. Sending you hugs and thinking of you.

I have a fun police dog here. Nobody is allowed to get too silly or she puffs out her chest and bumps them. LOL! Poor Leonard (my simple deaf foster kitten) has an even greater barrier because he can't hear the dogs. When I feed the dogs inside, he tries to eat out of their bowl. The dogs aren't usually allowed to do anything even remotely aggressive to the cats, but I had to laugh the other day when Maisie was eating and Leonard was happily sharing the meal while Maisie growled loudly at him! Poor Leonard was completely oblivious!

Sheltie x Pom gets my vote too.

RIP little dog. I saw a gorgeous Am Staff dead on the side of the road a few days ago. It was really early in the morning, so I suspect it escaped overnight, and I felt so sad for its owners who were going to wake up and find it.

My dogs are bed shredders too so I nail a piece of carpet onto the floor of the kennel, then I buy some super cheap old blankets from the Op Shop and chuck them in. The dogs do tend to drag them out sometimes, but they don't destroy them like they do with beds. Usually, the blankets stay in the kennel and the dogs make nice warm nests with them.

I'm pretty sure we used human insulin for our cat. Can't remember how much it was though, sorry.

I'm not sure if the rescue group will be happy for her to go interstate though, so we should probably wait for their response.

Road transport would probably be around $120 but I think in her state, a flight would be quicker and easier on her. Flying would probably be about $200+

What about a Viszla? The Wirehair babies are sooooo squeee!! The smooth Viszlas are gorgeous too though. ETA: The ones I have met have been smaller than a GSP and they always seem like lovely, calm dogs. Breed info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vizsla Here are some photos of Wireys: http://www.google.com.au/search?q=hungarian+wirehaired+vizsla&hl=en&prmd=ivns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=rp7XTb-nDYKovQPSxsWsBw&ved=0CDMQsAQ&biw=1024&bih=630

Chirnside Park Vets are also open on Sunday, and I think Boronia Vet Clinic as well.

Sometimes the vaccs can make them feel a bit unwell, so she may have just been in a grumpy mood because she felt crappy. If it was the vacc, you would expect the behaviour to disappear in the coming days. Otherwise, how old is she? Is she desexed?

I wouldn't worry. Lots of the dogs we do surgery on have heart murmurs (some even have fairly severe ones) and they all seem to cope fine. A grade 1 is very mild and it may just be due to her illness.

I bought some great coats for my dogs, they were similar to weatherbeetas but cheaper. They have a polyester lining, instead of fluff, so they are good for longer haired dogs. They are called Caribu. http://www.caribuhorsewear.com.au/bellaru-alpine-200gr-lined-dog-coat-pr-16251.html

haven, did you see the suggestion of a Ridgeback? I like that idea. Every one of them I have met has been really nice dogs. If you like Aussies, I know one breeder I'd recommend. She is lovely and health tests all of her dogs. Kate from Rozate here in Vic.

So its OK if the products contain rabbit or raccoon, but not dog? How about just not using ANY fur at all? The whole trade is so cruel. You can get lovely faux fur now, I don't see why people must use real fur.

Most of my dogs I have bonded with straight away. It was love at first sight with Pia and I just love everything about her. Maisie was a gorgeous little bundle of fur who needed so much love and assistance that I bonded with her very strongly from the start as well. But I was living at home then so my mum did a lot of the work with her as well. Definitely makes it easier! Champa is 9yo and I still haven't really bonded with him. I love him but I don't like him. He is a stubborn, selfish dog who really has no desire to be with us unless he wants something (food). In hindsight, I should have rehomed him years ago but he has health problems, he can be DA with some dogs and he is a fence jumper, so rehoming was never really an option.

That is so sad. RIP Atlas.

I'm so sorry Teebs. RIP gorgeous Tip. I'm so glad you knew love, even if it was only for a few days. Sending you big hugs Teebs.

I haven't washed my dogs for years. Not since my MIL sold her grooming trailer LOL! Poor Pia has never been bathed! They all smell clean and lovely though and have shiney coats.

I'm so sorry. RIP Alex.

I saw lots of Frenchies, BTs and Bulldogs. I also saw two Leonbergers, a GORGEOUS Afghan, a Griffon Bruxellois, a Lagotto, two of the biggest Danes I've ever seen and lots of gorgeous Greyhounds. I have to admit though that I found it very ironic that the vast majority of dogs at an event to wipe out puppy farms were crossbreeds and mostly oodles.