Brandiandwe

Omg, I was thinking about putting on the etiquette page not to bring animals other than dogs to dog parks as I'd heard of it happening but I thought surely it can't come up that often! I can't believe people are really that dumb! How scary for the poor possum and guinea pig Reminds me of the greyhound adoption event I went to which had the greyhounds set up just beside the rabbit show-jumping exhibition. Not sure what the organisers of the larger host event were thinking of, but it made for an interesting few hours.

If you own a dog who needs to be muzzled, don't take them into a place where they are the only ones who are muzzled. (Talking particularly about greyhounds). My rule for mine is one muzzled, all muzzled. No exceptions. And think about breed characteristics. I don't run my greys with non greys, apart from prey drive issues. My completely bomb proof guy is not allowed to run with others either because, as a successful racer who still has an impressive speed when he warts to and who weighs 40 kg, basic physics suggests that him at full speed stepping on or bumping into a smaller slower dog is going to result in something going 'squish'. Think about play styles. Sigh. Too many idiots.

Four retired greyhounds. There's a lot of whining, whinging, rooing and huffing here. The whining at the toilet door has, thankfully, slowed down with Paige consenting herself by pressing against the door and listening to make sure I hadn't left by the secret portal we have in there and which I have never yet used, instead of her whining frantically and clawing the door open. Sadly, the over three years of training it took to get to that point was undone when DH came home when we were out on a walk and so emerged from the bathroom without being seen to go in, thus confirming the existence of the secret portal. The whining has returned.

They're not my type of dog at all, but those pictured and described do seem to be closer to the original breed and less exaggerated to my very untrained eye. But yes, an interesting policy, but one which would help people make more educated choices.

Went to the ABBA site. Was interesred that they publicly list banned breeders and the reasons for the bans.

This thread has reminded me of taking Brandi to the Redfern Markets. We'd been doing some therapy dog training and she'd learned how to position herself beside a wheelchair for pats and rewards. DH had her, and got jerked sideways about ten metres because she'd seen an elderly lady in a wheelchair. She knew her job, and was going to do it, crowds and leash or not. By the time I'd caught up, Brandi was standing proudly beside the chair getting lots of pats from a clearly delighted dog-loving person, while a red-faced DH made profuse apologies to the lady and her daughter. Apparently the lady had had dogs, but couldn't any more, and found it difficult to interact with them because many either had to be picked up and held on a lap to be petted, or were a little shy of approaching the chair. So Brandi rocking up with such enthusiasm really made her day. I like markets. Must try yo take the boys out sometime. I'm sure Benny would adore it.

This year, get Brandi and Paige passed through their junior lure courser titles sound and injury free. Next year, start working our way up.

Always fed in the same order in the same places. Benny's bowl goes down first just outside the kitchen because he eats slowest. Hermon is second in the laundry because he doesn't do others near his food. Back to kitchen, escorted by Brandi. Paige next yo Benny then Brandi who is aggressive with food last by the door. Everyone knows the order and their location. No one panics or stresses. Benny finishes, heads out for a pee. Paige finishes, checks Benny's bowl, then out for a pee. Brandi finishes and checks everyone's bowls. Hermon done, out for a pee. Then Brandi outside.

Would it be worth contacting the breeder? The birth dates seem to line up....

I'm not sure that's a valid excuse!!!! Keep your eyes peeled though. Hoping to have a fundraiser up and going in the next few days.

Brandiandwe I think I just figured out who you are! You may recognise this screaming Whippet. Waves! Counting down the weeks to the first trial now. How's your little man doing?

Cassiel definitely sounds like a better bet! I didn't want to be a downer. It's just when we started, we really went in blind and Paige ended up at the vet as a result. I blame myself completely, and would hate to not say anything and have something go wrong.

We've just started lure coursing in Sydney. My two female greys are having a wonderful time. However, lure coursing is actually more difficult and more intense than racing. For starters, the courses are generally longer than most races, with some tight cornering. If you're trialling, then the dogs will run twice in one day. Greys also don't switch off, so they will tend to run until they drop. So, if you're going to do this, I'd strongly suggest that you have your dogs free running flat out several times a week and walking long distances the other days. Get them vet checked. A heart murmur in one of my dogs would mean that I wouldn't risk it. I'd also check for issues with joints and any old breaks. Arthritis would also mean a no. The two I course never raced, and so are both completely sound. One still managed to tear a tricep her first day out and won't go back for another six weeks. She's been off for two months because she simply won't be fit or strong enough for her body to manage the excitement or intensity without injury of killing herself. If your greys are middle aged, not race fit or approaching it, and carrying any old injuries, I would proceed only with extreme caution. If they love it, they'll LOVE it, but they'll run themselves into the ground if you let them. And vet bills are expensive!

I filled in the survey, and I work in social research. It was really badly designed. And it really did reveal a lack of knowledge and understanding on the part of the researchers about the industry itself. Which contributed to the poor design. I'd be interested in hearing about the response rates from those actually in the industry. The chat I've heard around the traps has been that people start to answer it but are being put off by the very poorly designed questions which are being asked from a position which, as I said above, is from no in-depth understanding of the industry. So they won't bother, which is a shame because many people in the industry are desperate for change and help and support to ensure the best outcomes for their dogs. And it means that the results will be partial at best.

I'm watching this with interest. Advantix really is the only thing that seems to work for fleas and ticks here, but all of the topical ones seem to upset Paige's skin. Anything that avoided that would be worth considering.

Brandi and Paige came through the NSW GAP prison programme. I had the opportunity to go inside and take Brandi back for a visit to update everyone on how they were getting along. Very inspiring to see , not only the short term gains in terms of the real pride and care taken in the dogs, but also the confidence of these women, the changes in the relationships between staff and inmates, and also the long term benefits of training and education, so people are going out with qualifications and experience of handling dogs so they can get a job, or at least the shot at a job.

Photos, I can't post them from photobucket - none of the extension work. Am I missing something?

I'll also let you know that there will be a few of us meeting up on Monday at 3 at Parramatta Park, the Boer War Memorial for a wander with our greys if anyone would like to bring their greys or other sighthounds along.

On June 1st 2014, we drove down to Bringelly to get our Benny. It was a team effort, and we didn't know if we'd get there in time. I'll never forget how terrified he was, unable to stand because of collapsing back legs, shaking the examination table at the vets, panting and whale eyed. He's transformed into a cheeky 10 year old who enjoys lying in my lap on the couch, joining me in bed, walking with the others, chasing magpies, and getting cuddles at every opportunity. He still has his corns but they don't slow him down. He's a blessing. Thank you to the DOL community for helping us bring him home. May he be with us for many more years. Photos will follow. I'm struggling in the iPad!

Yay Winky! And welcome to the cult ahem club!

The Adaptil collar helped Brandi quite a bit but it will only calm a dog to the point that it's able to learn. I dont't believe that it's an end in itself.

On the nipple thing, one of the best stories from a vet (female) was an male owner who brought his male dog in with a mysterious lump. The vet told him it was a nipple, only to be informed that only females have nipples, so she was wrong. She then invited the owner to take of his shirt, look at his chest and tell her what he saw. The owner left quietly.

And there is something magnificent about watching a dog, any dog, do exactly what it is designed and bred to do. I don't like the industry, but racing does allow these dogs to run in a relatively safe environment. And they are glorious when they do.

As for the adopted ones being 'not fast enough', of mine, two are failures. One failed for speed. The other failed because of temperament: incredibly athletic dog, but didn't have the drive, so wouldn't compete with the others. She'd be very happy on a farm chasing rabbits. The other two includes our retired racer, Hermon, who had over 60 starts. While he's older than the others, and really isn't interested in running anymore, preferring to really focus on retirement, when he goes, he can still show the others a clean pair of heels. I think the right greyhound might work, but the right one might be more of the 'I'll just stay here and mind the sofa or the car while you go off and trona around in all that wet/ dry dirty grass. See you when you get back." Which isn't necessarily what is wanted.

2 people arrested? Let's see what happens next.