BittyMooPeeb

As I said in my first post, there's a difference between not having feelings and not being able to deal with them. Showing can be stressful and, at times, down right depressing. It is not a nice place when people turn those feelings outwards, complaining about everything and suggesting that people done them wrong. A positive mental attitude makes you better company. I tend to stay well clear of those who live under little dark rain clouds of their own making, regardless of their experience in the ring. A sense of humour is a fine thing to possess. I find how people lose in the ring far more revealing than how they win. Isn't this the same in many aspects of life though? We compete for jobs and compete in sports. Anyone who has bought a lotto ticket knows that not everyone can win. It seems to me that the more badly behaved people are in a certain area, the more claims there are that you have to be 'tough' to belong in that group. I have an aversion to this theory because it is used to exclude people from roles. We often hear, for example, that women are not suited to Parliament and to CEO type roles because they are not 'tough enough'. I'm certainly not tough, and I don't want to have to be tough to show dogs and do other things I enjoy doing. I feel that I can be realistic, competitive and well behaved without being tough. I think there is a difference too in coping with the normal competitive nature of showing, which will result in perceived criticism of your dog (unless you win all of the time), and coping with the 'extras' that currently come with showing such as rude comments by other exhibitors. I don't think you have to be tough to cope with the former, and I don't want to have to be tough to cope with the latter - I would prefer that it didn't happen

Can you post a pic?

In this thread you've told me to do a number of things I've already done. It's not apparent that you understand who your audience is, which is why you sound to me like you're reeling off a set piece. I haven't bothered with a resume but it's sufficient to say you have leaped in without checking first on this one. If you were looking for approbation and commiseration only, and not advice, maybe you should have stated that in your post? And maybe if you want the audience to understand who you are, and respond in what you consider an appropriate manner, you could post that information or your resume at the beginning of all threads? I think you are both missing SSM's point - this thread is about actions, not feelings. Someone can feel disappointed/angry/devastated etc but still act courteously. I am sure SSM would have been polite and well behaved to the judge who declared that her dog was too small, regardless of how she felt. Personally, I feel the attitude "toughen up or you wont survive" is overused in the dog showing world, and particularly so on this forum . Why should it be the courteous and sensitive that have to change, rather than the rude and vengeful?

Congrats LMWS!!!! Which show was your class in group from?

I'm interested in this topic too . Angelsophie and I both have coated breeds, so I am curious as to whether people would keep showing as much after obtaining a Ch or Gr Ch with a high maintenance coated breed? If, say, an exhibitor only had time to maintain two coated show dogs at one time, they may need to retire titled dogs to spend their time on the youngsters. And another thing I have been wondering, since the new Gr Ch rules came in, is how people decide whether to try for this title with each particular dog. How do you decide if a particular dog is a potential BIG or BIS winner? (hope this isnt too OT AS )

Does anyone know how internal wire doors on a trailer can be modified to be lockable?

Thanks Gals AS, the Mrs Glo one is less 'blue' and when I used it (borrowed!) it worked really well, was gentle on the coat and didnt leave an obvious brightened patch. But for all I know they might be identical LOL it's just about what you *think* works better hehe. If I cant get any beforehand, I'd love for you to get some for me and post :-) Gail

Does anyone know if Mrs Glo grooming products can be purchased via phone/online/email? I have wanted some of her rinseless shampoo for ages, but have not been at a show where her products are being sold for months.

Hi Rottylover I was wondering about you saying that the fence is within your property. If this is the case, what happened to the original fence, or wasn't there one? I guess I'd be concerned if you had removed the existing boundary fence to build your fence, as your neighbours could argue that their pup was injured because you removed and didnt replace the boundary fence (regardless of how good the new fence within your property is!). If there was no existing boundary fence, then the pup's owners probably wouldnt have a case in saying that you were negligent, as they were making use of your enclosure, instead of creating one of their own. A bit OT I know - I am just interested in the fence not-on-the boundary thing, as I have considered teh same thing and wondered about the legal implications.

Cool. You know what I think ;) If someone is a good sport and a decent human being I will offer congratulations even if the winning dog isn't my thing. I have noticed that while others do this too, there is also a good proportion of people who won't or who will voice their disapproval. I always congratulate when I am able - sometimes I am too busy concentrating on my dog, or dont see the first place being awarded etc. I admit to getting slack when one of the big winners is awarded - sometimes I wonder if the owner of the big winner will be offended if I say 'congratulations' when (a) they win a lot, and (b) they probably expect to win. I have been pondering for a while what the line is between being a good sport, and contributing to education in the breed. If you are your average exhibitor and you criticise your competition, are you supporting the maintenance of standards or are you contributing to an unsportsmanlike environment? Comments on dogs - not given unless asked, or unless the owner is a friend. Even when asked I don't necessarily say anything negative. I feel it is up to a mentor or the breeder to critique a dog. Anyone else doing this is likely to make enemies! If you have influence (ie, are a judge or top winner) and you critique a competitor's dog to others with influence (particularly judges outside the breed) are you educating or advancing your own interests? I'll let you know in 20 years when I (might) have some influence . I have of course heard plenty of people telling others that their type of dog is the 'right' one - it's a problem having so much ambiguity in standards. If a newer person makes a comment about what a judge is looking for or an aspect of the standard that you think is incorrect, do you say something or not? If it is a friend in my own breed, I am happy to (and enjoy) discussing interpretations of the standard. If it is not my breed, or not a friend, I wouldn't say anything. Generally I go with "never miss an opportunity to shut up" but that isn't always appropriate - particularly not with congratulations. Ditto - except in congratulating, and I sometimes cant resist making a comment to a newbie on handling if I think there is something that could be showing off the dog better. All the above only concerns situations when I am speaking to the dogs owner or handler. As an armchair judge sitting with friends, I can criticize the judges decision with the best of them

Have a look on the Dogs NSW site for accomodation near to Erskine Park. I dont think there is anything close to the showgrounds.

Glad to hear you have the problem sorted Wolfsong. Did a google, and found that, yes, there are recognised phobias to do with fear of kitchens! Mageirocophobia - fear of cooking fear of foreign kitchens - kitchenobiaitos du le foreignia

Hi Didles, you seem to be on a bit of a roller coaster ride at the moment . I have read the pupppy thread you posted in, and saw that you said you cant afford the surgeries he would need, but now you are saying that money is no object. Even with your refund of the purchase price, you may still be required to spend thousands more, possibly without a good outcome. You also said that you have several flights of stairs in your house which would not be good for him (I agree) but now you have decided to keep him . I agree with others that a specialist opinion is needed before you make any further decisions. If the news is not good, I urge you to seriously think about whether keeping Winston is the best thing for him. If you give him up, he may be able to go to a stair-free home, without kids, with grippy floors, and be in less pain than if he stays with you. I gather from your other posts that you were in a hurry to get another dog as the kids were disappointed about the first one falling through, but I really think you should wait until a pup comes up that is right for you rather than taking on Winston because he is available now. Best of luck Gail

Congratulations Sammy_ballerina! What a way to get your Pug's first challenge. The classes in group must have been icing on the cake

Baby in show - lab Puppy in show - long haired daccy Junior - British bulldog (bratrice snap shot - I think) Inter in show - Belgian shepherd - ch a-te-ell's monsieu;r zantana (imp swe) Aust bred in show - bearded collie - ch stylewise paparazzi Open - as for BIS

This is old - I wonder why they are reporting on something that happened in 2007. This water baby is pictured on a site about water babies: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/whelpingwaterpuppies.htm

If you're in Queanbeyan, Hamish Cameron at West Queanbeyan is terrific. Yep - Best vet in the area IMO :D (and by 'area', I mean Canberra and Queanbeyan ) You are not far from the ACT companion dog club. If you are a member you can use the clubs off-leash areas which are fenced. Their web site is here: http://www.actcdc.org.au/. The club also has obedience, agility and flyball training

OK, I just spoke to Trish from Petcetera. Her advice is to: - add boiling water to the 'crystals' and wait till it mixes in - add shampoo and mix to a managable paste - apply to dog and leave for from 15 mins to several hours depending on breed - rinse off - shampoo as normal - condition well with something like LL protein conditions. So, CnR gets the prize for having worked out the best method of using it

Yeah - but the mixture hardly has any liquid in it (like damp sand as Ive said) and extra mixing didnt help. Off to ring Laser lites I think ...

Australian Silky Terrier: BOB & Dog CC: 1 J Boyce CH NANTIKI JACK FROST RegNo 2100142943 DofB: 3 Jul 2002 Sire: Ch Rosadoone Aristocrat Dam: Ch Nantiki Happy Talk LINK RUBOB & Bitch CC: J Boyce CH NANTIKI POLLYANNA RegNo 2100257284 DofB: 20 Aug 2007 Sire: Ch Nantiki Pocket Bandit Dam: Ch Nantiki Sweetie Pie LINK

The crystals are powder to start with, but seem to swell up after the water is added.

Wow - what a great trip! We will require photos when you return of course ;) . Particularly of the Havanese

I had the same problem, with undisssolved particles on the bottom, or like using liquid sand, you forgot to mention the smoky haze that rises up when hot water is added. I spoke to LL who sent a new tub, and after a couple of uses it went the same way. Gave up on it, but might try the other suggestion. I was using on bitches pants or skirts (depending on which breed you have) to help get rid of wee stains. I didn't want to scare anyone else off ;) So, with your second batch, did it dissolve properly at first? (ie maybe the problem is the age of the 'crystals')

I'm using it on muzzle and paws. I mixed it with boiling water, but still didn't get dissolving happening! (it looked sort of dissolved, but when it cooled it was like damp sand) So will try the microwave. Is it supposed to be green and smell of .... sewage?