KismetKat

I think the idea of 'twilight' coursing evenings is an excellent idea. It would be good if you could get some confirmation of numbers beforehand - perhaps some prepaying for registering for runs (or sausages/food) via net bank transfer??? and thanks again from me for oganising last Saturday. The gamble of allowing the 2 events to run concurrently seems to have paid off

I'm sorry to read so many DOLers were there that I didn't meet! I saw Tess32, but after registering with the coursing they told me my dog might not get a run as there were 43 people ahead of me! So they sent me off to the 'racing' section - did any other DOLer's try the lure racing? The organisers were very helpful, even teeing up a race with 'smooth coats' for me as I have concerns about my dog sometimes being reactive to fluffy dogs. Anyway she performed beautifully in her race - tho I am not sure if she was chasing the lure, or just wanting to get to me! She didn't really want to get in that start box tho. And the coursing people were very kind too. As I was down that end of the field waiting to load by dog into the starting box for a race, I asked one of the organisers of the coursing what number they were up to - and mine had been and gone! So they said 'bring her down and as she hasn't had a go yet we'll slot her in" - bit embarrassed tho when I did this that they bumped me ahead of Tess32. I DO trust that was your second run Tess. Then back to the racing and we had one more race (this time against bigger dogs so no start box) before heading home with one happy (and panting) dog. Alas my dog remains a lure coursing feral - there is NO way I can keep her calm anywhere NEAR the coursing field - she just wants that dang plastic bag! So I don't get to watch the other dogs One group I did see from the 'racing' side did make me smile however. 3 dallies and a cav - they were all running very fast. But while the dallies were 'on' the lure, the cav was on the other side of the course chasing goodness knows what!

Well I won't be telling on them... Bring the grys, they'll have a ball! :D Nekbhet - so you eat liver treats??? *blerk* LOL

They may well be too tall for the start box - but I am sure (having spoken with the JRTRC club people previously) if there are other 'taller' dogs they will have some separate taller dog races.

Bloss - your poem says so much. At the risk of sounding a raving loony, when I lost my cat Kismet (who I hand-raised from 10 days old). I swear after I lost her I would still catch glimpses of her our of the corner of my eye. She was there in my house, a very benign ghost. After we moved to Melbourne our house was tenanted, and the woman tenant also used to catch glimpses of a small cat out of the corner of her eye. So perhaps I was not so crazy after all. Kismet was still there! (or, of course, my tenant was as 'loony' as me ). Still, in all seriousness, I think there was something... I lost her well over 10 years ago now, but still think of her often (as you can tell by my nick). Some animals just touch us in an extra special way.

Erny - I know that you were mentally/emotionally prepared for this, but still, empathy, compassion, cups of tea and other comforts being sent to you over the ether. Vale Kal!

Or you have polished floorboards!

Oh Erny it is hearbreaking reading the latest about Kal. I can offer no medical knowledge - and I hope someone comes along soon who can - what appalling timing of your vet! Can only send best wishes to both you and Kal to get thru this as best you both can.

While I think all are agreed about cooked bones - I reckon ask 10 different dog owners about ideal diet and you will get 10 different answers. To the OP - I see no harm in introducing your puppy to foods you would like her to eat later as long as she is also getting a proper 'puppy food' diet from scientists who know better than us. MY opinion is that you don't want to end up with a fussy dog who will ONLY eat (perhaps expensive) pet food "a' and nothing else. Isn't one of a dog's "job's" to eat (appropriate) leftovers???

Mine's about $30 a year too - and that's for a family membership. I get a slight discount as I do some volunteer stuff. There are no fees for training - the fee is a once yearly payment only. You can go as often as you like. They have training Sunday mornings and Weds nights.

Erny - my dog is 2 years 4 months - so really I've been training 2 years. *mental note: must practice heeling more than I do* I pay a family membership (tho the rest of the family gave up going) with an annual fee of around $30. That's it! No fee's for classes. Its a volunteer club and I get a bit of a discount cos I do some volunteer stuff. There is a man who joined only recently (so on his first years membership) and he's already up to "gold" with his dog (he's a very experienced handler tho). Gold is the level you probably start doing encouragment classes at trials. For only $30 it's been good value for him!

Well I started at 4 months after puppy pre-school and still going (dog is over 2). A bit embarressing when a 10 month old pup has just got into the same class level tho - however that handler has trained dogs before. I enjoy it as it gets me out of the house away from hubby and the kids for a while.

If the pic with her sleeping on your partner's neck is any guauge - she's NOT so tiny. My bitza was smaller than that when I got her and she is now a knee high 12 kilo adult dog! Welcome to the world of lying pet shops! I too bought my dog from a pet shop - like you against my better judgement - but I saw this particular dog and just somehow knew she was my dog! There was a connection there. The pet shop reckoned she was a sheltie/JR cross - well all I can say is 'sheltie my arse!' ;) Nekbeht, you've met her, seen any sheltie there??? However she is a beautiful and healthy dog. Perhaps the fact she is a real bitzer rather than a DD helps? (and yes, I've read about the 'hydrid vigour' being a furphy, but maybe a total heinz is different from a first cross???). I also know of (and some of these from 'breeders' *cough* of DD's) rather than pet shops... a maltese/min poodle cross who is much taller than my dog a min schnauzer/min poodle cross who is a GIANT compared with my dog 4 border collies which are LESS like BC's than my dog the list goes on. Don't be surprised if little Electra grows bigger than expected - just still love her to bits. Get yourself signed up with a dog training school and enjoy being the parent of a 'furkid' ETA - the pics in the OP's sigs have now disappeared So what I say about the pic of the puppy will not make sens

I put my hand up for willing to pay $$$ for the dvd. It was SUCH an informative day, with so much to take in! THe dvd would be a handy reference (particularly as i got there a bit late - traffic was alwful - and missed the first bit )

Oh count me in. Just hope my dog remembers what to do! To answer questions - yes there is an age limit re puppies - check the site. Cost is minimal - you need VCA insurance (you can buy on the day for $6.50 and it lasts a whole year) - or you may already be covered thru your own dog club. Then it is (I think) $2 a run. It's for sight hounds - but my mutt got the idea (eventually - on her first run she sniffed around and then did a great big poo! ). The course operator ended up suggesting I get one of the kids to run - worked a treat! You can also run them with another dog to help get the idea. It is SO magic though when they 'geddit" and are off and chasing!

*Meanwhile, somwhere in the depths of the Melbourne suburbs, Kismetkat thinks her dog is going to get fat with all this cabanossi/cabanna. Perhaps I should cut down on dinner????

try your local council's website. Mine has a list of leash-free areas, and so do others I have seen. So perhaps yours does too.

Oh Lablover - sincerest condolances.

ta heaps Erny - have PM'd you back. re those rope balls - my friend with the rotti asked about them and Steve is getting them in. So you will be able to mail order them.

I think so too! Hmm there were a couple of people over there on the (my) left - so hard to place you. Hope your dog gets better soon Erny. Nothing serious I trust. That would be great if no-one is closer. I am happy to come to you at your convenience to collect. I think I left it under the white table that is on the left just after you enter the club rooms. Let me know. Like I said, no drama if it is lost forever, but it WAS a handy size for things - so much appreciate any help in retrieving. Hmm - erny - were you the one in the cap with the clip board asking good questions??????

Erny - if only I had known! I could have regaled you with more tales of "wierd people I meet at the park"!! Mine was the little b&w that K9 did food drive with. Which one was yours? I didn't sign up for the whole weekend - I figured the one day would give me enough to digest for a while. (and it has) Nekbeht - so the foot isn't broken? Just bruised? And THAT drive home, with a painful foot and a migraine... It was bad enough for me without those added issues. Glad you got home safe and sound. Give that gorgeous boofer a hug from me (oh, and a pat for the 'wild thang' as well ) OK - first question to K9 (when he is back in the land of the internet) - I figured I would buy a 2nd collar to be the 'cabanossi collar' when I am out and about. But when I get to being out and about in a leash free park with it, won't the other dogs be TOO interested in her and her collar??? Oh, and I left a little green fridge bag behind - nothing dire, but if anyone is still there, and reading this, and lives SE Melbourne (bayside-ish) and could take it home - would appreciate it. I will also try and remember to give K9 a call in the morning before things start (which is what he asked me to do today when I rang him last night - but I forgot )

Well I wasn't going to say anything... *grins and runs* And while I took everything with me, almost including the kitchen sink, I am kicking myself for not taking a notepad! Steve is not only a super informative lecturer, he's also an entertaining one. Well worth the long drive (though the drive home was a bit of a horror). Lablover's demo was very impressive, as was the S&R one at the end. Lovely to see so many nice looking dogs too. And Erny, were you there? And nekbeht (I hope I have the right nick to the right person) - let us know how your foot is going.

Thank goodness for that Perrys Mum! Isn't it a pisser that so many supposedly 'pet friendly' places arent?

What about contacting local dog clubs?

Bugger! Thought that alpaca farm showed promise. :cool: How I found the motel in Wagga was thru the RACV online accomodation search (am sure NRMA would have similar) - I clicked for 'pet friendly' and a number of places came up. Of course they ALL said "conditions apply" (which I guess would generally mean outside only. But I wrote to all of them. So find ALL the places in Armidale that say they are pet friendly and bung them an email querying their 'conditions'. eg. Dear XXX, I am travelling to Armidale and need xx nights accom on XXX. I am travelling with my medium sized dog (don't mention breed, I am sure a 'working dog' might give them coniptions :lol) and she is very much a 'house dog'. As I am travelling in *month* I am also very concerned about the cold. Are well-behaved house dogs allowed to stay inside? She does not sleep on furniture or beds (she has her own bed) but does need to be close to me as she was rescued from an abusive home and I am all the world to her. So can you please advise what your 'conditions' are. Or something like that.