Steph M

Louis sounds so lovely! Lucky for you, a lot of us are facing lengthy waits! I love yorkies too.

http://www.bookdepository.com/Jaspers-Day-Marjorie-Blain-Parker/9781553377641 this one looks lovely. http://www.bookdepository.com/Up-Heaven-Emma-Chichester-Clark/9781842703335 this too, depending on your religious/spiritual inclinations :)

Kids literature is such a gorgeous thing, doesn't sugarcoat, explains things softly but thoroughly and in the levelheaded way we can't muster at the time. I have half a shelf of kids books myself, and no kids. :D

But how far does that extend? I mean, I understand the general public, but RSPCA, police, other legal entities are excluded I assume?

Hahaha, we're way ahead too. Already have a few books and toys and little things stashed away in a box under the bed, I just buy 'em when I see cool ones. Easier in dribs and drabs than all at once (at least on the ol' bank account....)

That's fair, I suppose with only a few options they can get away with whatever they like, shame you live so far or I'm sure you could find potential play dates, myself included! :D

I think they have their merits though, I mean, how else will puppies learn how to behave with other puppies? Plus tiring them out will be a welcome relief! Haha. I like the idea, as much as for puppy as for myself, I don't have a lot of doggy people as friends, lots of my friends are apartment dwellers or cat people, so this leaves me without anyone to coo and brag to. I like the idea of forming a little network, might meet some nice people through it, so I don't see a harm in it. other than the obvious cost one. Haha.

I think there are so many things science can't explain that it would be borderline foolish to write any possibility off. Personally I think there's a lot of things going on we couldn't even fathom. Plus, if X idea, no matter how coldly scientific/ludicrously far fetched/anywhere inbetween brings someone comfort and they choose to believe that, who are we or anyone to shun that? Live and let live :laugh:

I am one of these people, best to be prepared! I guess in a way it's like school or really any other major investment, you want to nose around and get your stuff right and make the right choice first off the bat! Harder to undo bad work than do good to start :laugh:

I'm in the same boat, ever so quietly optimistic

Oh how gooooooorgeous! Lucky you!

WHAAAAT?! What would make you try that!? The horror!

I think that was me, inadvertently. I genuinely didn't mean to at all, most of the dogs we've ever had have been sweet as pie and dearly loved ex-poundies. I was conveying frustration with a friend who pushed the PETA propaganda had a reactive staffy x from the pound and liked to lord that above anyone who dares have a purebreed. Using that to state the availability of such propaganda, nothing against her or the dog, just that with such rife and easily accessible information, anyone could get swept up and carried away. Again, genuine apologies for any offence :)

I have nothing against her or her dog, I think rescuing is a lovely thing to do, but I resent being made to feel like I am a horrible person for my choices, and that somehow the only right way is way X. Sorry to be so offensive, it was certainly not meant that way, just out of frustration more than anything. I have no doubt your dog is a gem, and a lucky guy at that :)

Yes, we went to these guys with our old Chi x's who have passed now. It's a lovely little vet practice. Do you mind if I ask why you changed over? If I'm not being nosy, was it proximity or facilities etc?

She desexed my cat when we lived in Yarraville, she's seen a heap of our critters come to think of it, I didn't even know there was a puppy school there? I was under the impression they changed hands too! I even pointed the big dog above the door out to my boyfriend and explained that was where Hector lost his manhood, why he didn't like that I'll never know :laugh: Might be him yet, perhaps we can get a bulk discount....

South Melbourne is fine and dandy! I have a bit of a dim sim habit, anything to indulge! I don't really know what I'm looking for, as far as I know some rudimentary obedience and puppy manners, I don't know what I'm after in terms of class sizes etc or does that even matter? So many questions. Might stick to Hobsons Bay, never really heard a bad word, but still happy to keep my options open :)

Such an odd story! How awful, perhaps the owner meant 'when the time came...'?

It's true, and the same for all things. When you most need things you usually get them, and if not, it's always for the best :)

You always have a soft spot for your childhood pooches. Always.

They really do, a clever marketing campaign indeed, albeit a very shortsighted one.

Looking for suggestions of wonderful vets in or around the area (and a heads up on the crummy ones!) Have seen a few old threads and love The Hobsons Bay Vet clinic, where mum's old setter goes, but looking to keep our options open. No idea in terms of puppy pre-schools, would like some help there too! Thanks guys!

You do see a lot of the 'Don't breed or buy while shelter pets die' etc and it's so guilt inducing, we're in conversation with a lovely breeder and have our fingers/various other appendages crossed time and time again that we are granted a puppy, but the propoganda makes me feel awful and it's like I'm doing something shameful! Personally we have our reasons and I know we're more than responsible, but the propaganda makes me feel horrible. I've hidden one friend on Facebook because she posts so much of it, and is very holier than thou with her DA pound rescued Staffy x, which sounds really nasty of me but it's a few a day of the 'your new puppy just killed this puppy' graphic photos. There needs to be a swing to the positive of the fabulous breeders who home puppies appropriately and responsibly and work their bums off in rescue on the side, rather than this shaming that goes on while BYB's get off scot free, take their few hundred dollars per puppy and don't pay much mind to where it may end up. Infuriating, must be worse from an inside POV.

We lived in an apartment up until last week and we were considering a puppy there, I just had a nagging reservation, it would have been a lot more work than being in a house. A huge undertaking, I can see how possible it is and how well it can work, but we decided we didn't want to chance messing it up, the margin for error was giant. I'm sure with more people that makes the job easier, but there's a lot to consider.

I thought the same thing! What a creepy awful looking thing it was, the movements are unrealistic and kids bounce and yell and chatter, which I think would be more what you'd be testing for. Still, would be hard to do with a real child for obvious reasons...