Erny

What an excellent MDBA Choice Awards Event, yet again!! . It was so good to see and catch up with so many of you there, plus some :D. Congratulations must go to Julie and her team - Lesley, Marshall, Jay and Anne - for all the great work they put in to organise an annual event such as this. Not an easy task and always last minute stresses that serve as mini challenges that need to be overcome. I know the biggest worry is that we enjoy the night, but I don't think there has been one MDBA Awards Event that has not been enjoyable, so guys .... ya gotta be doing something right :) . As has been mentioned, I was very humbled but so grateful to receive the MDBA Community Quilt that was contributed towards and put together by MDBA and DOL Members and I must say, as I did on the evening, how touched and moved I was at the thoughts and generosity that went into creating such a fine piece. When I found out (after a certain someone leaked that I was headed for surgery, *cough* Julie??, lol) how many of you all thought of me and contributed with posts, PM's and emails to wish me well, I felt very special indeed, and very lucky. But to then find out that those thoughts escalated to the production of such a wonderful item, put together with love and with a lot of time ...... well,it was more than I could imagine. I arrived home last night and after greeting my dog (who was brought back home to me by a good friend .... thanks Jo ), I wanted to spread that quilt out and admire it. I spread it over the guest Master Bedroom as my room is currently a ..... *cough* ummmmm, bit of a mess, lol and seeing as I wanted to take photos of it to share with you all here, thought this to be the current safest option :laugh: . So, follows is just a few photos of it. The detail in the squares; the patterns/pictures in the materials - there are so many and I can appreciate the thought and feeling that went in to the selection by the individuals of every piece. I couldn't take a photo of every square (well, I could, but this thread would become over picture-heavy) but I've included just a few. I'd like everyone to know that I love every piece though, and I frequently stop into that bedroom to have yet another squiz and spot yet another surprise detail and/or picture. I also spotted the few little metal 'tags' with the message "made with love" stamped into them. How beautiful every little but different detail goes into making up the whole. Thanks, everyone :). I did a speech on the night of the MDBA Awards, after having been presented with the gift of the Quilt. It was not a planned speech - adlibbed and came straight from my heart. I hope I made sense and and I hope that to all there that my message of thanks and appreciation was well heard and received. For those who might not have been at the awards night, from the depth of my heart I thank you all for your well wishes and for your contribution to the Quilt and for your gift of it, to me. And I reiterate my thanks to DOGZ ON LINE and MASTER DOG BREEDERS ASSOCIATION as without both or either, I would have had much less opportunity to meet (either personally or via cyberspace) such a wonderful bunch of people and to have been blessed with the presentation of the Quilt, which is representative of the warmth that I felt when so many people sent their well wishes for the success and quick recovery from the surgery I had back in June of last year. MDBA - as usual, you're there and ready to conjure something that does good, that is helpful and that is pro-active. I hope I can "pass-it-forward" by donating a random act of kindness to someone else, just as you do for others. Gosh .... here I feel as though I've taken over from the purpose of this thread. I have not meant to - I've meant to contribute with thoughts, thanks and feelings of what the MDBA Awards night is about, although perhaps it would have been more appropriate to have posted in a thread by itself ?? I will seek its removal and shift if that would be preferred. But in the meanwhile ..... some photos of the wonderful Quilt. Those who created it, please take a bow as it is something of which to be proud, as much as I am proud to be the receiver of it : (Note : Sorry the pictures are not larger, although you can click on them to enlarge. I don't know how others do it, although I think the smaller pictures might be less cumbersome for some computers, but they don't do the Quilt the justice it deserves. Hope it gives you at least a taste of how beautiful it is, though.)

No - I looked into getting a tooth scaler but got put off because I lost confidence as to whether I was getting a good quality tool and not one that would cause damage. Wish I could pop into a pet store to get one ..... I'm so old fashioned - I like to touch/feel :D . A bit more to it than that. But you're right - it is probably what I need to do and I'll put my mind back into getting what I need to get for the job.

I'm still feeding Mandela his each day - 3 spoonsful. It has reduced the plaque/tartar in that it is not as densely coated as it was, but there is still a fair amount there. More than I would have thought by now. I've been administering this over a period of 3 months now - 2 months on the full dose. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can look forward to more improvement than what I'm seeing so far.

In my ignorance about drugs back when my (avatar) girl Kal (bhcs) was still with me, I used to religiously apply Revolution spot on, even though we never had a flea problem. She used to run away when she saw me getting one out of the packet. Back then, I thought she was just being silly .................

My general rule of thumb : Ligament trauma : 8 weeks for recovery Muscle trauma : 6 weeks for recovery Tendon trauma : 6 weeks for recovery Bone trauma : 4 weeks for recovery If you look closely you'll recognise that the number of weeks estimated recovery reflects the number of letters in the body part that is damaged - an easy way of remembering. Of course, much does depend on how bad the damage is, but I prefer to err on the side of caution and I'd give a longer rest than might be necessary. Rest, or at least avoiding the fast turns that usually come with chasing balls and such like. Just my opinion. I'm not a Vet. And the above is not intended to be advice in lieu of Veterinary attention if it proves necessary.

Seems to me there's dogs out there trying to tell us something.

Dr Jean Dodds signs off for 3 years from a titre test, for those interested. Cost of titre (parvo and distemper) is $45.00 US. FedEx courier $84.00 (there's been a price rise). Add in the cost of your own Vet's fee for the consult/drawing of blood and spin down. This is on the basis of one dog. If you could group a few and share the courier cost, the expense could become considerably cheaper. Take into consideration parcel weight though before you organise a group of 50 or more, as the FedEx expense rises with weight.

Not dumb at all Erny. They do engorge but they don't fall off.Although I have had times when a dog will scratch them off very occasionally. Usually they just get full & bury deeper, inbeded if you like into the skin the longer they are left on your dog. Thank you, BC Crazy. Does/can a tick ever bury itself into the skin completely, or is the tick's body always visible?

I have a very dumb question to ask about ticks ..... do they engorge and then fall off, or do they stay to digest and then have another (and another and another) feed?

Glad I'm in good company, Ness :), :laugh: .

I spoke with our Vet today. He said not to put much store in the T3 level. He explained the T3 was very subject to change depending on environmental conditions (eg. getting a fright could cause a temporary drop). I think I must frustrate people ..... I'm such a "but why?" person :rolleyes: :laugh:

Going by the test results, the general range is 30-70. Mandela is 23. If I'm reading things correctly, last year he was 47 (although there might have been some margin adjustments since then, as last year the 'norm' was 35-70). But regardless, going from 47 down to 23 looks like a big drop to me. Never mind - it'll be made clearer when I speak with his Vet.

Must admit - that fits Mandela as well, as far as diet is concerned. I primarily feed meat and some vegies. Some of the meat is the VAN Allerblend, so comes with vegies. He does have access to Canin Royal dry and Black Hawke kibble and eats that but not all the time. What's a good (the best) carb to feed? ETA: His "wellness" bloods came back good, save that his white cell blood count came in a bit high. This might be attributed to the gum ulcers I'm presently dealing with. Is it possible that the higher than normal white cell blood count could somehow tie in with a slightly low T3? Or in this respect, would the two be completely unrelated? Of course, I'll get all of this from his Vet, but as I said - .... I'm not one for waiting when stuff is on my mind, lol. ETA: Beet Pulp? Legumes? Pre-biotics? (from stuff I've read). Also from stuff I've read - dogs don't need any carbohydrates. Hhhhhmmmm :rolleyes: :laugh:

Had Mandela's thyroid level checked last week. This was the summary comment that came back with the test results : I have to speak with our Vet this coming week, but being that little bit impatient and curious thought I'd visit here and ask, what does being a bit low in the T3 department indicate? Anyone know?

Slippery Elm Bark powder as a food supplement is often used by people and/or their dogs in cases of irritable bowel. I have found Coconut Oil (UNrefined, virgin, cold pressed, organic) has also been helpful. This latter one simply something I've added into my own dog's diet and whether it is a coincidence or not, I have over time noticed an improvement. There have been times when my dog was off his food (he has digestive issues) yet a short(ish) time after eating Coconut Oil, would return to a meal and consume it. I don't think these are "homeopathic" remedies, but are "natural" remedies. I'm not a Vet. I'm not a Canine Nutritionist. ETA: I'm a bit frustrated at the diagnosis of "Irritable Bowel". It's a bit like "Chronic Fatigue". IE A set of symptoms but don't know why. Not blaming the Vets, but there has to be a cause, surely?

Funny you mention that, Trifecta. I am hypothyroidic as well. Mind you ..... so is my Mum and my sister, so in my instance I presume it is one of genetics. But I do agree with the thoughts that relate to health links with our treated drinking water.

Sounds sound, reasonable and objective to me too. Going by that, it has nothing to do with the breed standard - it has to do about the health and wellness of the dog. Seems fair enough, although I'd can imagine how it would be hard to accept by those who were marked with a 'x'. But that's the name of the 'game' isn't it? Or should be.

This is exactly what I do. My boy has proven negative for worms/intestinal parasites since I have had him. The only worming treatment he had was the puppy worming routine that I was recommended by his breeder. After that - nada to any worming treatments. He's now nearly 4yo. As Jumabaar has said - no point in applying chemicals to kill off something that isn't there.

Australian Cobbadog - just so as to not introduce confusion.

Glad things seem to be on the improve :). Georgia looks a lovely Shelty girl, Michelleva :D

That was my thought too, Mr.Mister. Better to come under the auspice and Code of Ethics of an organisation rather than being left out in the cold to do what they want to do with no guidance and no obligations or responsibilities?

What I don't like about this idea is that (A) you've structured a lure to represent a prey animal in movement, looks (to a degree) and texture (ie fur) and (B) you've made that lure something that is remote from the owner/trainer - not something that is in the control of the owner/trainer where the dog's respect for owner has anything to do with gaining the lure. If this is to be an idea for all people who own and/or breed that specific dog 'style', some specialised training needs to be added (IMO) to ensure that this training does not create a dog who thinks anything that is furry and runs like prey is prey to be had. ETA: Reference to "you've" doesn't mean "you" personally, Kavik. I mean it to mean "in the context in which this has been written".

A good thought, Trifecta, even though the possibility needs a bit more investigation and thought. But it is very unlikey to be hyperthyroidic. However, just because the dog is manic active, doesn't mean it can't be hypOthyroidic. Early onset hypothyroidism can present itself as nervous, pacey, over active and dog difficult to put weight on (in amongst a stack of other possible symptoms). It is later in the disease when this reverses and (for example) the dog has inexplicable weight gain, lethargy. At this point, the thyroid tissue is destroyed by about 70% and this is when those typical clinical signs begin to appear. Because our Aussie tests tend not to reveal hypothyroid issues until a bit later, I send my dog's bloods to Dr Jean Dodds in the USA for testing - she runs a full blood panel test, something that our pathology depts don't have the facilities to do, and her analysis is not based on just "small, medium, large" dog .... breed and age are also taken into account.

A "wine or two" .... is that ALL??? :laugh: Me too :D

Sorry - yes, you've told me that, and I'd forgotten. I still think of you as the "Goats' milk" person :D. Lol.