Erny

Ok - there goes my "desexing" theory.

Good for you for recognising your dog is overweight! I work with many dogs, a reasonable percentage of which are overweight. Try telling this ("suggesting", to be diplomatic) to their owners! A comment that I've heard more than once is "no, he's just got a lot of muscle" . And yet these same people expect their dogs to sit, drop, heel etc. promptly and with energetic glee. They don't realise dogs are supposed to have a waste line and they don't recognise the affects of excess weight is having on their dog's joints and heart, until the obvious signs appear, by which stage, damage has already occured. So again, good for you for your honest observations.

Going a tad outside my "field" on this one, so I set this down as a "thought" only, too. What age was Lana when she was desexed? I believe that bones keep growing more than they otherwise would if a dog was to remain intact. I have no idea how many inches the standards declare a female Sheltie should be ... so it might be too far fetched to think it could relate to desexing? I would also guess that there's the tall and short in most things. I guess knowing Lana's ancestory (not just the immediate parentage) might give a hint as to whether there was some "tall" thrown into the genetics somewhere along the way?

;) Another for "emergency Vet". Now ...... if you haven't already gone there. Good luck. Let us know how things go.

Did he leave the tin foil behind? I'm informed that this can cause damage, even if the dog is not sensitive to the chocolate. Keep an eye on him and watch for changes.

Your "analogy" might well hold strong merit, Nat, if it were the case that "entry" cost a person money without being offered insight "before they buy". At ADT, as I am sure is similarly the case for other obedience schools, people come to a "First Timer's" session at the grounds (during training time) so they can see and also have someone explain what ADT are about. So, even if I purposely didn't 'fess up to being a trainer for ADT, and the person came down to look and listen, what would be lost? Wouldn't they do that anyway, regardless of whether the recommendation had come from a member only, or a member/trainer?

We could do this, although I'm also a trainer and behaviourist in my own right, and, whilst I'm proud to be able to lay claim to the fact that I train for ADT, I also like to maintain my individualism, which is the basis on which I joined DOL, and which is the basis on which I post. ;)

Nat, I don't have any problems with saying I train for ADT. Must admit that I'm puzzled that my opinion shouldn't count for it being given on a personal basis. But, at least by now the OP is fully aware that both Haven and I train for ADT. If the OP hasn't been discouraged by the "banter" between us folks in these last few posts, I hope I get the chance to meet her and her young dog ...... whether that be at ADT or anywhere else she might chose to go. Moreover, I hope you enjoy your training with your dog, Goldy. That's the main thing. ;)

Just so we can follow the trend of your posts, Tess: Here you acknowledge that those that train at ADT (because their training is quality) and therefore support them, are not "self-serving". This has already been refuted - it's been explained that we train for ADT because we like what they do, and not the other way around. And here, in one sentence, you've gone from "we have a vested interest" to "a strong vested interest. It appears that you're now blowing this out of proportion, albeit unintentionally? I trained my dog at ADT. Why can I not post simply on that basis? What is irrelevant, I think, is that I liked them so much, I agreed to train for them. Although I never intended to give any a false impression (I've already explained this), I post as "me" and give "my" opinions, not as who I might happen to work for or because of where I might work. Training is our hobby, and any payment is simply that .... "hobby money".

borrowed this from another thread. Also called Nutripet. Nutrigel is sold at Vets and the Nutripet from pet store outlets. It would be mild in the stomach as it is for unwell dogs. Thank you, Abs. Nothing wrong with Kal's appetite though - she'd eat everything I could put in front of her (which is limited in variation, given the digestive problems she's had). The "source of calories ... " part is interesting, though. Will google it. Ta. You are of immense help, Abs. Makes me feel like having a "group hug" :D :D

Hi Oztra .... this is what makes it even MORE special. That I don't know most of you guys, and yet you offer help, information, support etc. Thank you very much. :D

In that case, I think I'll be washing their dishes for them! Depending on the weather, how Kal is etc. etc., may just do that (ie pop on down to KCC). Will look out for you. :D

Hey IR :D .... maybe I'll just have to take a drive down there for one of your yummy cheese and tomato rolls. Or feel free to visit the busy suburbs and pop on over for a cuppa! (But bring the bread .... it's nice ). Love your new Avatar, by the way! Beautiful photo of your girl. That is who I think it is, isn't it? Hi Karen ... I missed responding to this before. Yes, that's Kal in the Avatar. About 9 months ago approximately. She was not well then, either, but not as frail as she is at the moment. She is as kind and as honest as she looks in that photo. Thanks for your comments and thoughts.

Thinking of you and Ollie (come on, come on .... ). Still sending you wishes for good health. Have a great Easter. Cheers

Hello everyone Feeling better today. Think it was simply a 'downer' day yesterday. :D Abs, Sasha and Falgall .... thank you all for posting. Abs - the Vet is a bit puzzled regarding the "uncontrollable urge to pee" too ... he doesn't see it as connected to the adrenal tumour. I guess that might be a "suck and see" (:D not literally, thank goodness!). When I get to talk to the specialist surgeon, hopefully things will become clearer (at least as far as what we do and when, is concerned). I don't know what "nutrigel" is I do have to be careful about whatever I give Kal, given that she has this history of IBS. As an aside, I'm quietly pondering whether Kal really ever did have IBS ... maybe the abdominal pain I and the Vets detected related to the tumour? I know that when Kal has had the camera down her stomach, the stomach lining and anything else we could see was a nice healthy colour .... go figure? I have purchased 7 chicken fillets from the supermarket today. I am planning to give her one each day (in addition to her usual meals). With the above paragraph in mind, I'm wondering if it was coincidental that she showed pain etc. etc. when I tried chicken (and other things, over time) in her diet. Thought I'd give it another shot. The main reason is because I need to feed her something that will help her gain weight, especially before the surgery. But I don't want to go overboard, and I want to keep things as simple as possible, at this stage, so if she does react, I know exactly to what (maybe???). Yes .... Pituitary function/levels and thyroid was all previously checked out. I think the Vet is on the right track. My doubts have mostly been from previous bad experiences with Vets, so I'm now only beginning to trust this one. Poor guy .... I've given him a run for my money. :D Thanks everyone for your concern. And Abs, I am looking after myself .... although lacking appetite at the moment (for whatever reason), made myself eat a good quantity of vegies last night. Was thinking to myself at the time that I'm almost eating as well as Kal does! . Cheers everyone. I will post back when I know more about what's going on. (Another "aside" .... You know, there's threads and posts about DOLers flaming people and how it's not necessary and that we should be nice etc. etc. Not suggesting they're wrong, but I think those people should come take a look in here. They will see so many people - even the ones who do "debate" strongly - of which I am guilty - who are so caring and supportive. If they cared to look, they'd recognise that people gather around to support when any of us most need it. Thank you, again. )

Yayyyyyy!!! At last!!!! Lablover - I bet you are just so over the moon. The piccy is not working, but I have seen pictures of him that Lablover showed me a month ago. He is lovely! I'm sure there will be pictures coming here soon, though, for all of us to enjoy ..... if Lablover comes down from cloud 9 Congratulations Lablover. And thanks for posting Sardog. :D

Hey there, Pampa. No. Somehow, I don't expect he'll call me until following the Easter break. If I haven't heard by Tues/Weds, I'll call him. In a way, I don't mind this little wait. It's giving me time to get my head around it, read up on it and increase my girl's food intake again to try to add some weight if possible. She has none to spare, and I'm concerned of the weight loss I'm sure will occur following the ordeal. I want to give her the best chance possible. I'm a bit 'flat' today ..... ok, but just zero'd out. I think reality is beginning to sink in and I'm a step behind the "scared of what I'm doing" stage. ;) But hey - I believe there's a good chance for her. In that, I'm lucky. ;)

This is where, at least in my case, we would differ in opinion. I would not train for ADT unless I could believe in what they did and the good work they do, even cases where other schools have given up. But, as I said, I didn't purposely omit to say I trained there. I often (wrongly) assume people "know" this because of many earlier postings in earlier threads, which can be found by searching on DOL. ;) So, to the OP .... sorry if the fact that I train for ADT now sheds a different light on my posts to you. ;)

;) Not a problem, Tess32. It was an omission by error, not by intent. Probably because the way I view it is that I train for ADT because they are good at what they do, so of course, I would promote them. I don't gain anything by promoting them, though .... I'm just one of the lacky trainers there - I am not part of "management" or on their business side of things, so there's no reason other than I know and believe in their concepts and their abilities as to the reason I post in support. Hope that placates any concerns you might have had. ;)

Thank you ...... thank you everyone. Your support is invaluable. Pampa - it's sad that so many candles are needed, but Kal and I are grateful for it. I too think of Ollie and Lucinda and your girl. I hope they all end up being able to live the lives they have, to the fullest. DBS - you're not negative by any stretch. I appreciate the information you give and have given. Heaven knows I've learnt heaps from it. And there's little use going in to these things 'blind'. I need to know what to expect, so I can best help Kal and identify early if things go wrong. Although there is a lot of hope and positive expectation, "realist" is a vital ingredient too. Tramissa and Tassie - thank you. That I have done all I am capable of is to a large degree, my "comfort". In all of this, there's one thing that niggles in the back of my mind. Yesterday, the Vet, who spoke to me in brief after the ultrasound (my appointment wasn't with him, so he didn't have a lot of time), said that "this has been going on for months, not years" and that he suspects there are "age related things going on". I'm pondering on what, exactly, are the outward symptoms I'm seeing that will be cured/improved by the removal of the tumour. But, that's a question I will reserve for Guy Yates, when he rings me.

Staff'n'Toller I read this to mean the OP is open to training weekdays, but not specifically excluding weekends. ;) ADT have 8 centres, 2 of which are "during the week" training centres. Admittedly, those 2 centres are not in the Berwick district.

Thank you, DBS. Yet again I can rely on you to provide me with great information! I will look into the links you gave during the week. I think, right now, it is enough for me to know she needs an op of this nature. (By that, I mean, I'm not thinking as straight as I might prefer.) I am aware of the serious risk involved. I have thought on this for some time now (ie even before it being confirmed). With some of the things I see in Kal, and the way she is, there have been numerous times where I doubt she'll see out the next 6 months. I see the operation this way: A risk that I will shorten her life span 6 months more than would otherwise be necessary (assuming my "guess" is correct). Assuming she makes it through the op, perhaps making no difference to her life span/life quality at all. Assuming she makes it through the op, possibly returning to her some additional time and quality of life. The Vet I spoke to today (after the ultrasound) said they'd need to keep Kal in hospital for a number of days. IF she does well, then they MIGHT release her after 48 hours. She will spend the first 24 hours in ICU. He has also informed me that recovery/convalesence period will be approximately 12 weeks. I know that when we go in, I must be prepared that could well be my "goodbye" and that she might not return to me. But I will go with strong heart and faith that she will make it .... because that's what she needs from me. I'm a "bit removed" from the reality, just yet ..... it will hit me, I think, once surgery is scheduled. I will ask Guy re success/failure rates he has encountered. I recall that Russell told me he had achieved many successes. My mind was a bit too numb to ask for "numbers" ... but this I will do once he calls me. Aside from her age, Russell seems to feel that as much as possible is in our favour. Going by the ultrasound, the tumour is quite encapsulated and has not invaded the nearby blood vessels (as far as we can tell). Earlier in the piece (when we were investigating and didn't really know "what gives", but were guessing at things such as Cushing's), Russell talked of doing nothing and allowing her to live the life she has left until quality is too deficiant. Now he's talking surgery .... so I get the feeling he believes it should be done and that it is worthwhile trying. I hope so. Thank you for your prayers for Kal. I have no doubt that along with my strong thoughts and feelings for her, they will help her through.

Hi Eza .... congrats on your decision to enter the world of training dog trainers. Just one thing, if you haven't already considered it .... have you thought of doing the NDTF distance learning course which, if it hasn't begun, is due to shortly? National Dog Trainers Federation It's great that you have a club through which you can learn and then help others, but remember that all dogs are different and if only one method of training principal is taught, or if the club's method/s are limited, there will be some dogs that you come across where you will find it tough, if not impossible, to achieve the desired goal. If you have a deeper knowledge and understanding of dog training, this will broaden your scope and enable you to better help others with problems, where perhaps you otherwise might not be able. Just food for thought - maybe you don't want or need to get into this field at the deeper level that I refer to. ;) Either way, I wish you all the best for your ventures.

Thank you, Antoinette. And I note from posts in your thread that Mallee's improving too ... hope that is continuing to be the case. As for Guy being busy .... I'd rather a Vet who was busy because he/she put the time and effort into the dog, rather than one who focussed on phone calls (although both is nice ). And I'd probably wonder about a Vet who isn't busy at all .... I'd be needing to know why. ;)

Australian Dog Training Comprises professional instructors all of whom are accredited trainers. You will also receive the services of an "on-site" behaviourist (ie at the training grounds) for free, should your dog have or develop any behavoural issues. They also have a formal "socialisation program" which is not only good for "on the day", but from which you can learn the principals of socialisation (ie how to introduce your dog to new and novel situations and/or how to desensitise your dog to situations where fear/uncertainty already exists) when you are out and about with your dog at other times.