Hedds

Hi Katey, Her name is Jemma, she's a firey little red ACD (well, not so firey at all these days, but she's still with me and I'm thankful for every day I have left with her) Here she is in March, on prob her last trip to her beloved beach - her dad had to carry her back to the car coz the sand was too much for her. ETA: Pic

Ooooooooh no. RIP beautiful devine one....... Hugs to you dogbesotted. I am lost for words......... :rolleyes:

Aw what a bummer goldielover, to go out of your way and not find it. :p So sorry, I should have looked up the correct address for you the other day. It is: Porkys Pet Supplies Factory 2, 10 Arundel Street St Cranbourne 03 5996 7110 Freeway Ford is on your left just as you come into Cranbourne, from Dandy. Cross over the railway line and get into the service lane. Look at all the nice shiney new Fords , then turn left at the corner. The used car part of Ford will be on your left then. There is a driveway going into 2 factories on your left, right after the car yard. It is the right hand factory, in that set of 2. I hope this helps......... let me know how you go. (There is a big sign high up, above the factory doors saying Porkys)

Porkys Pet Supplies? Might be called Porky's greyhound supplies or something like that. 2 factories down, right round the corner from Freeway Ford. They also have great hessian covered foam mats for $6 and $8 at the moment. The $8 are really big, and the foam is quite thin and firm. Great for outside or in the kennel with a blankie on top... (and no, I dont work there)

The purple one. Natural formula? I only know the colors, sorry.

Hi taintz, I get mine in Cranbourne. Is that too far for you? Brought a 15kg bag on Friday, for $72.00. (its on special at the moment)

:D

Yeah Ironbark, I wrote it just before, watching her sit in the sunshine. I guess I'm just trying to get my head around the fact that we wont be together for another 14 years. I knew one day we'd get to this, but the last month it's come on quickly. I hope it was ok to post it here.

My best friend is sitting in the winter sun, as it streams in through the window.... Her tired old eyes are content. She is warm. She realises how much harder its been to get around this winter. She glances across the room, to look at me as I type, then lays her head on her paws, like she is asleep, but her eyes are open, and they are far away. She is young, running for miles beside the horse. In the bush, and across the mountains. On warm sunny days, laughing in delight just because we are there, her tongue hanging out the side of her mouth as she sucks in enough air to keep up. Walking at snails pace, caught above the snowline, her feet packed with ice, head bent as we ride into the sleet, never moving from her spot at the horses heels, knowing he will lead her to camp, where her mistress will need her to watch over her. Long days on the beach. Watching from the waters edge as her mistress swims when she has had enough. Never taking her eyes off her, and not moving until she is safely back on land. Even before then, younger still. Squirming with delight as she goes down the front of the bike jacket, with her puppy face hanging over the zip, for her first taste of the motorbike. Already knowing how she would love it, and remembering how she would run to the bike first before the car, every time she went out the front door. So many things for an old dog to remember. Skip over the many tears and heartaches shared with you by your mistress's sorrow, think about family lunches, walking beside toddlers while they balance themselves by grabbing great handfuls of your coat. Being oh so careful of their little steps, and watching they came to no harm. Dont remember the long days waiting for 'her' to come home from work, remember your delight, and hers, when she did and how good is was to be together, even if it was just sitting in front of the fire, watching the flames. Its a struggle now to get up the steep drive, so the old dog waits at the bottom. She watches the young dog rush up to greet her mistress, like she used to, but she shivers in excitement and quietly waits her turn. Like she waits beside the bed each night to be lifted up onto it. Her jumping days are spent. The grey hairs over her muzzle are matched by the tiredness of her body. But not her soul. Inside, she is the same dog that tore along in front of the horse, and chased every rabbit that crossed her path. Yeah, this winter is tough, and it's not over. Cold days and stiff old legs make for the odd tumble on the tiles, but she struggles to her feet and keeps going. There are still good days, when getting around is easier. She is loved, and in no pain. Her mistress is typing now, but it wont be long before she comes over to the sunny spot where her mat is, to look into her brown eyes that are as deep as the ocean, and that hold all the memories of the years they have spent together. Not yet, her beautiful old eyes say. Not quite yet...................

Hydro. I have a lovely guy who comes and does mine every 2nd Saturday. Jem used to have the cold hose in the backyard routine, but now her old bones enjoy a warm shampoozie and a blow dry. Rule at my house: if you sleep on my bed, you wash at least once a fortnight. (OH is as bad as the dogs re avoiding this one) ;) As Mr doggy wash is already coming for Jem, Banjo gets hydro'd too, but the big baby thinks he's going to die in there, so we haven't worked up to the blower machine as yet. He is getting better though and managed to jump up onto the ute tray himself last time. (for a treat - shhhh) I cant believe Patrick was so good K. I've been blaming the Mudgee drought on Banjo's lack of enthusiasum at bathtime. Hmmm, considering he's now quite happy to wade out into smelly dam water, methinks I may be being had! ;)

Do you have Rotti's haven? Only asking coz Murray's waiting room often seems full of them? He used to be my horses vet in the old days when he did Equine. Coming out in the pouring rain, to check a sick horse, no probs. Sitting with you for an hour after pts a horse in its 30's coz you're upset, same. He's a super bloke as well as a good vet IMHO. I've been lucky I guess, I can usually get in to see him if I need to, but I take time off work, after hours might be different. Good luck with your search, and thanks for this thread. I've written down a couple of suggestions for vets over this way, though I hope I never have to use any of them.

I'm the opposite to you haven I go to Murray Clarke, at Kilsyth Vets, on Liverpool Road. He's been my vet for a very long time, and I've always been very happy with him. Nothing is too much trouble for him - though you ALWAYS have to wait, as he's usually running late, but thats coz he spends extra time with each person. I now live on the mornington pen, and still drive the 50 mins to get to Murray. Have done for years now. I really must find someone local to me down here for emergencies, just in case.

Interesting read..... I've always thought my ACD ate any poo going (except dogs) because God made her one of his portable garbage disposal units. (along with nearly every other ACD I've met) The other dogs she has lived with over the years, who have been on the same diet as her have sometimes learnt her yukky traits, sometimes not, but I've watched them watch her repeatedly then maybe try it, not actually seek it out themselves. She manages to sit and wait (just) while the poor cats are 'going', rushes out every morning to see whats been left under the possum tree and please, horse or cowpoo? Must, must, MUST eat it, roll in it, lick it then stand in it so she can lick her paws later....... then of course offer kisses all round. What a charmer.

Mine get a raw chicken carcass at least twice a week. One for little miss fatso, 2 for Banjo boy. They love em. If he wont eat chicken necks though Goldy, you might be wasting your time buying whole carcasses. Is he overweight? Is he keen and happy to see his dinner? Would you describe him as fussy?

RIP beautiful Gizmo What a terrible loss Roz We are all thinking of you during this terrible time

;) Aww Roz........

Spending the afternoon of Friday the 13th organising clicker colors sounds pretty scary to me! :rolleyes: Put me last on the list, any color will do, thank you.

Some great ideas here IMHO. My boy had no clue about chasing anything, until he started playing in a group. For quite a while he just ran along with the dog that was running after the ball or toy, and didn't really look at the ball itself. After a while, he started showing some interest, but like your girl, would sniff and walk away. Just lately he's been having a go at picking things up himself and a couple of times I've even seen him throw them into the air and pounce on them (yey). I've only had him about 2 months, and for the first month couldn't get him to look at a toy..... then all of a sudden, it happened. He's very collie like in his nature and gentleness, and will never be a flyball champion A playgroup is a great idea Bindo. :D

Ok, blonde moment (must book in for more tips) :D Isn't coprice a horse feed? (says she who's dogs eat most of the horse feed that drops on the ground)

What a terrible couple of weeks for you Roz To lose such a magnificant, and magestic piece of your heart in such a tragic way......... *sigh* Please remember though. He still is waiting at the gate for you to come home. Just a different gate than the one you're used to him waiting at, that's all. Hugs and tears here for you both.