benshiva

Well you did ask for suggestions. Shade-mesh was suggested as a safer, effective alternative; and the illegality, cruelty and posed danger (to your dogs) of bird netting was highlighted. :clap: Snakecatcher, thank you for your info. The poor snakes get a rough deal and its good to know someone is on their side! Rough deal indeed. Not anywhere near the rough deal my poor dog got when she got in the road of one. How sad she didn't live long enough to apologise for being in her own yard. She only had 2 years on this earth. The only thing I can offer any snake that comes within a mile of this yard is a swift death. At least they won't suffer like my poor dog did. Rough deal indeed Best I not come back into this thread. Too many tears and very sad memories and far too many angry thoughts about snakes

After losing a beloved dog to a rotten snake earlier this year, I can assure you of one thing. ANY snake that EVER tries to make its way into this yard will be killed. I don't give a damn whether it's PC or not, I NEVER want to go through that heartbreak again. We thought we were immune, keep our lawns down, but we are surrounded by huge paddocks with a church and graveyard on one side. While we try everything we can within our fence line, there is nothing we can do outside of it to control them. So whatever it takes to keep them out of our yard, trust me we'll do.

Thinking of you on this sleepless night. Although that's nothing new. You're always in my thoughts

Well it was pretty cold when I was over there, I saw them at an exhibition very very similar to the one in the video. The people were so amazed that Australians were there having a look at their dogs, they presented us with hard cover books on them and we had a billion photos taken with them We felt like rock stars LOL. They truly are an amazing breed and are very very cherished as a breed. The puppies were the cutest things I think I've ever seen. They were the size of my adult Border Collies and they were 4 months old!

I was very lucky to get up close and personal with some TM's when I was in China last year. They are massive and there is absolutely no puffing and hairspray. Totally natural and they have huge manes. One of the most impressive dogs I've ever seen in the flesh.

It is a tremendous loss for us. He was instrumental in detecting the genes and creating the subsequent tests for both CL and TNS in our breed. So very very generous with his time and very giving of his knowledge. Always willing to explain things to anyone. RIP Alan, your loss will be greatly felt around the world. Thank you just doesn't seem enough for the wonderful gift of health you helped to give the breed we adore so much

6 Border Collies 1 Spoilt Whippet and a partridge in a pear treeeeee

Belgian Shepherds do extremely well in the rings in NSW. This includes major shows, the latest being a BIG at the International shows in Hillsborough. Most of the major winners in the rings were present and the Belgian still went on to win BIG. A stunning dog by the way and a very worthy winner.

Advance here. Our dogs thrive on it.

Thank you Lyndsay. He sure was a stunning boy an the most special of dogs. Such a clown. The house is so quiet without his antics

I'm so very sorry for your loss. A feeling I sadly know to well

We certainly are. It's been such a sad sad year.

Could it have been a seizure of some description? It sounds a little similar to one of my girls who suffers epilepsy. She does the same thing when she is having a seizure. Thankfully they don't happen very often

Thank you for your kind words everyone. It's been one week and one day without him. I miss him more than I can say. I long for the day when I can think of him with a smile and not overwhelming sadness.

It's been 5 days since you left us. Right now, I can't see how I'll possibly ever be happy again, but I know one day I will. Things I miss: I miss the race for the empty toilet roll that you and Teek used to do (she isn't so interested in them now you're not here) I mss the songs we used to sing when we'd travel in the car together. We were so good (we tried to practice at home but daddy used to get cranky. He didn't think we were that great) I miss the funny noises you used to make. How you'd roll on your back and groan like it was the best thing in the world. I miss how I knew I was the most important person in the world to you. (Trust me you were the most important dog in the world to me) I miss how you hated to see me cry and you'd whine and paw at me until I stopped (Nobody is here to stop my tears now) I miss how in bed at night, I could put my hand down and there'd you'd be (Teek has taken that spot, I hope you don't mind) I just miss YOU You see, to most others that knew of him, he was "Special". One of those rare show dogs that stop people in their tracks just so they could watch him. Yes he was that, but to me he was so very much more. The world just doesn't seem right without him in it. My TRUE heart dog. Life will never be the same. I hope you've found you mum and sister my darling Dudie and I hope you're free from pain. Until we meet again

2nd this too - we have had ours for years now - wouldn't be without them. 3rd for these... they're great quality, I was very impressed! I have these as well and the crate mats. They keep the dogs so cool. An awesome product!

Catherin of Animal Art House captures the dog's personality in her portraits. I couldn't be happier with the portrait of my Webster. http://www.animalarthouse.com/page19.htm

I don't think a person has to be a judge to be a 'face', to me it is a person who has a reputation of winning. --------------- Yes, I see face judging happening, particularly noticeable when you have judges who will be doing your breed in the next few months hanging around the breed ring to see who is getting put up and what if that person who isn't a judge and wins because they have fantastic dogs?? Seems you can't please anyone. To those that bitch and moan about people winning, breed a better dog! I will not stand by and have things said about someone I am very close to. I happen to know this person's dogs win on their own merits and not because she is a face. How is it that when I show her dogs they still win? They also win consistently under international judges as well. She must get around

I certainly hope you're not talking about a VERY good friend of mine who wears (or used to wear) green suits and wins VERY consistently. You know why she wins, her dogs are freaking FANTASTIC examples of the breed. She is not an all breeds judge, so nobody owes her anything Just putting it out there in case it is my friend that this was aimed at benshiva - I have no idea as this was about 30 years ago - I wasn't given the name of the person. Maybe it was a pure coincidence? It was the only BOB this dog ever got. Maybe it was coincidence. But it does sound very familiar to me and I needed to come out in defence of my friend whom as stated is NOT a judge and owes nobody any favours and wins because her dogs are brilliant. No face judging happening there!

I certainly hope you're not talking about a VERY good friend of mine who wears (or used to wear) green suits and wins VERY consistently. You know why she wins, her dogs are freaking FANTASTIC examples of the breed. She is not an all breeds judge, so nobody owes her anything Just putting it out there in case it is my friend that this was aimed at

I think a Greyhound or Whippet ticks all your boxes as well. I have a VERY spoilt Whippet that rules the roost here. They really are the most wonderful breed. Bark to alert us if someone is around but very quiet and laid back the rest of the time. She buzzes outside for about 15 minutes in the morning and then she's done. Happy to go for long walks but just as happy to laze around. They are the most adaptable breed I've ever lived with. Much better than my Border Collies Go the Whippies!!!

I've sent my email off to her. I can't stand the woman but I was very very polite in my email

How about giving the poor committee a break! It's an enormous show to organise and run. I'm hazzarding a guess that the website being updated is the last thing they're thinking of.

I've seen dogs refused challenges. In fact I saw it on the weekend, in Sydney, in Group 5!!

Jules I hope today has been a little brighter for you