Yonjuro

I agree that it is a very good park - just a very bad session. :)

I keep Chrystal Red Shrimp in one tank and Show grade Ranchu and Oranda in another.

Thanks for your comments and yeah it is the bane of my life :D CO2 to Carbonic acid for the flora, O2 for the fauna, throw in KH/GH and TDS into the mix and ya get one hell of a water parameter roller- coaster! I have even bought RO/DI water, tested it at the shop, get home in summer and the ph has spiked :D Yeah it's a tricky thing. You can boost it with home ingredients like bicarb but I don't think it would be healthy for your fish! Alot of manufacturers for pet products add triethanolamine (smells like bleach) which horrifies me. Anyway I think i'm starting to go off topic! LOL, yep it is a 20+ page topic on a dedicated fish forum :laugh:

Now, THAT's dog food :D :laugh: I know... my wife just rolled her eyes when I came home from the fish monger! I must say though that I picked up the fresh NZ mussels for $4.95KG and the Whiting for $11kg so it wasn't too bad. I would say that I average around $9 kg for human grade food.

I think they work pretty well, we definitely change the filters far later than what they recommend - usually every 2 months or so and have not noticed any deterioration in the taste and we would fill the 2 litres up at least once a day. I would certainly recommend them over buying bottled water. The filters are easy to replace, I recommend the biggest jug that your mum can comfortably lift. Keep at eye out at kmart as they often have them on sale. Thanks tons!!! You are most welcome :)

Thanks for your comments and yeah it is the bane of my life :D CO2 to Carbonic acid for the flora, O2 for the fauna, throw in KH/GH and TDS into the mix and ya get one hell of a water parameter roller- coaster! I have even bought RO/DI water, tested it at the shop, get home in summer and the ph has spiked :D

Thanks for your well wishes for Ronin and comments. I was talking about this with our trainer today and she was also flabbergasted about what occurred, she was also very proud of Ronin and his behaviour. Ronin is really good and non reactive, but he really is entering into his early teenage phase with hormones jumping around. Being a husky and very strong willed especially during this phase, I can not rely 100% on recall every time. We decided that I should give the early evening sessions there a miss for a little while. Basically due to the fact that the evening sessions are much more hyped than day. Many of the dogs have been home alone all day and they then go to the park for some fun before dinner. So the arousal level is understandably pretty high. We have been lucky to so far, but I think we should 'cash in our chips' and give it a rest for a bit. Ronin is 25kg a pure power and I would hate for him pick up an attitude from others around him. I know who would get the blame if he did become involved - it would be the biggish one who looks like a wolf There are few rescue ex racing greyhounds that go during the day on weekends so I will probably hook up with them again for play sessions. They get on well :)

I think they work pretty well, we definitely change the filters far later than what they recommend - usually every 2 months or so and have not noticed any deterioration in the taste and we would fill the 2 litres up at least once a day. I would certainly recommend them over buying bottled water. The filters are easy to replace, I recommend the biggest jug that your mum can comfortably lift. Keep at eye out at kmart as they often have them on sale.

What a wonderful outcome! Well done Snippy, it is so great for all involved!

Hmmm, not sure about that. PH in distilled water should be neutral at 7 sometimes 6.8. My tap water is 7.6 - RO/DI water should also be 7. I regularly test my water as I keep a highly sensitive (and expensive) species of fresh water shrimp. I test manual and electronic. All of the aquaria science geeks don't use their RO/DI units for drinking water as it depletes your body of minerals and strangely enough it is unpleasant to drink. Either way I don't think it is suitable for drinking unless the minerals you need are replaced. You can get RO units that will take out certain chemicals and minerals that are undesirable while leaving it good to drink. Filter jugs like Brita remove some of the heavy metals and chlorine and keep the fluoride (which is a good think in my opinion) Maybe the pH of distilled water is different depending on the supplier and intended use. Our supplier only deals with commercial businesses (manufacturers, vets, surgeries) and we use litmus and electronic to measure and the pH is always right on 5. I don't doubt you especially with your background. I simply don't understand why they would produce water that is acidic and not neutral. What water would you then use to calibrate the electronic devices? Edit - typo again Deionized! water is 7 both at the labs at uni and at work. Water should be neutral, but things like oxygen change it. Yep, I pump in CO2 to lower the PH in aquaria for the species I keep and keep the plants healthy. I also add minerals into the RO/DI appropriate to the species. If I use tap water (dechlorinated) then I have to use much more CO2 to get the PH to 6 (required for the shrimp). O2 to raise the PH. I was just surprised to read the comment above about distilled water being PH 5 - this is quite acidic to my limited knowledge and would certainly kill most fish Its all a bit off topic but in my opinion as someone who is constantly monitoring water for a whole host of parameters for KH/GH to TDS, copper and PH, I have no problems in using tap water to drink for the family. However we do use a Brita filter in a jug just because we prefer the taste and it doesn't remove fluoride which I am all for, for teeth health.

Most people at our park are really good, but it only takes one knucklehead to create a problem.

I don't mind if it is someone I know and I know their dogs offering the occasional treat if they ask first. But a situation like today was just crazy with the way it was done and I think a few people will think twice about it in future. Thanks again to all those that wished my Ronin well, there was no problem with us. We are not perfect though, Ronin can be a boof-head at times and he can be a bit frightening to those not familiar with 9 month old husky play which can be quite vocal. He certainly thinks that all of the dogs are playmates even when they may not want to play- but I try to be mindful of others. What was rather comical was that when the commotion happened someone dropped their phone and a big friendly lab picked it up and ran away with it. They were still trying to get it back when I was loading Ronin into the car! Talk about one crazy and chaotic evening - I am sure there was no full moon though :) It will be some story to tell our trainer when I see her tomorrow.

Yeah that is sick Snippy Even in a normal scenario I don't think it is cool at all to offer a treat to a dog that is not your own, without asking the owner first. I actually don't take treats to this particular park as I don't really use it as a training environment. I believe that there are many parks in the US that have a no treat rule - possibly due to similar situations that I experienced this arvo.

Thanks SG, I agree the best thing is to take your own dog away for the immediate vicinity. Our job is protect ours first.

Oh, my boy was fine thanks to those who commented, he just doesn't seem to care when other dogs snap at him or around him. He is very agile and can spring out of reach in a split second.

This was the sentiment I was trying to get across. Nothing to do with the staffy, just a moronic action by the owner that could have fatal consequences.

... so, I have just come back from an unpleasant time at the off lead dog park. We have a wonderful fenced in dog park where I go a lot, it has always been excellent and a rare place for dogs like huskies and beagles to run around in the safety of a fenced in park. so, a chap comes in with a small staffy and it was all good for a while. There were around 12 dogs ranging in size, with my Ronin, a lovely Rotti and a doberman being the biggies. For some strange reason the staffy chap brings out a bag of schmakos and decides to give some dogs a treat! So a bunch crowd around so he scatters a bunch at his feet! Hmm well a bunch of off lead dogs scrambling for a treat and it went ballistic. The staffy and a larger mix just went off, chaos ensued and I got my dog the hell out of there. I was glad my boy was pretty okay and didn't react but, the two dogs involved had to be separated quickly, I didn't see any blood but it was pretty savage. The non staffy guy got his dog under control quickly and it stayed in sit with him. Another guy came in with a lab and the staffy started another fight in quite a savage way. Finally he put the dog on lead and left. I am not pointing this to the breed at all as this could happened with any dog and my boy can be a boof head husky and play pretty rough with the bigger dogs but he never bites. It was just the most dumb thing I have ever seen to scatter treats on the ground I decided enough was enough and left for the evening. Edit - auto correct is driving me nuts :)

Hmmm, not sure about that. PH in distilled water should be neutral at 7 sometimes 6.8. My tap water is 7.6 - RO/DI water should also be 7. I regularly test my water as I keep a highly sensitive (and expensive) species of fresh water shrimp. I test manual and electronic. All of the aquaria science geeks don't use their RO/DI units for drinking water as it depletes your body of minerals and strangely enough it is unpleasant to drink. Either way I don't think it is suitable for drinking unless the minerals you need are replaced. You can get RO units that will take out certain chemicals and minerals that are undesirable while leaving it good to drink. Filter jugs like Brita remove some of the heavy metals and chlorine and keep the fluoride (which is a good think in my opinion) Maybe the pH of distilled water is different depending on the supplier and intended use. Our supplier only deals with commercial businesses (manufacturers, vets, surgeries) and we use litmus and electronic to measure and the pH is always right on 5. I don't doubt you especially with your background. I simply don't understand why they would produce water that is acidic and not neutral. What water would you then use to calibrate the electronic devices? Edit - typo again

Hmmm, not sure about that. PH in distilled water should be neutral at 7 sometimes 6.8. My tap water is 7.6 - RO/DI water should also be 7. I regularly test my water as I keep a highly sensitive (and expensive) species of fresh water shrimp. I test manual and electronic. All of the aquaria science geeks don't use their RO/DI units for drinking water as it depletes your body of minerals and strangely enough it is unpleasant to drink. Either way I don't think it is suitable for drinking unless the minerals you need are replaced. You can get RO units that will take out certain chemicals and minerals that are undesirable while leaving it good to drink. Filter jugs like Brita remove some of the heavy metals and chlorine and keep the fluoride (which is a good thing in my opinion) edit - typo, bloody auto correct

For what it's worth, what you are saying makes perfect and logical sense to me.

Dinner tonight 2 fresh NZ green lipped mussels, bit of kidney, a lamb tongue and a whole sand whiting :D

Regardless of whether you use a collar or harness - neither should be used to "control" direction. Ideally they are only used for just for safety and the dog should be walking loosely by your side. Our trainer had us holding the lead against my lower stomach and never to move the lead to direct the dog. I know this is easier said than done :D I know harnesses are polarising but I just think people should use the tool that works best for them and their dog.

thanks :) Love the portrait - mud & all :) Thanks :) Oh and I use the K9 Pro premium leather lead - absolutely brilliant leads. Its a whole topic in itself but for me; Yes I use it all the time now for regular walks around the block and at the park. Yes, I trained loose leash first. No, he didn't start pulling on the Julius harness. :)

My Husky plays...well like a husky. Meaning he plays rough and tumble with the bigger dogs. This includes running side-by side at great pace with both dogs mouthing. He has great jousts with a Rotti that is frightening to some who are not used to this type of play. It is always give and take and we pick and choose who he can play full pelt with. I am also very mindful of others wishes at this park. So, more on topic - Ronin wears the Julius K9 harness with a handle. Never has it been caught up or snagged by another dog. I like the handle as I can remove him easily when I believe the arousal level is getting too high or I want him to chill for a bit. I have seen some dogs with ill fitting harnesses or with straps loose all over the place. There is possibly a risk there but I am yet to see it.

Thanks SG, My vet and the breeder don't feel that the nut will drop now, and he is definitely on the large side of the breed standard. So we will probably stick with the vets advice for 9 months.. well I only have 2 more weeks before that anyway Thanks again for sharing your experience :)