tianakaesha

I knew a man who had blindness and guide dogs and he always trained his own dogs. They were trained, then at 12 months or 18 months were sent to the Guide Dog Association for assessment and follow up and certification. While it is not the conventional way it works, sometimes for people who have had guide dogs their whole life, they are very suitable for training their own dogs - even if they are blind

Poodlefan - Poodles have come up a few times in conversation. Can you give a quick run down between the three sizes and temperament differences? As much as Saluki might be the favourite, being so prey driven i am guessing that they would not be cat friendly, and my Aunt says that she would prefer/need a cat friendly dog as she stays with friends with cats...

I'm not sure how much off lead running the other whippet gets, but they'd certainly have a chance to run together. This is the dog it would most likely spend time with.

My Aunt is looking for a dog in the next few months. We are trying to look at different breeds that would be suitable. I thought the collective dog wisdom would be able to help with suggestions, or give practical pros and cons for breeds. My Aunt is a very gentle and calm person. She could not handle a very physical dog. She's is not in 100% physical ability. She needs a dog that is happy to go for long walks though. She can't run after a dog however. She does not want an overly nervy dog. She does want a gentle dog. Boisterous big dogs are not an option. She wants a dog that will be part of her house, and bonded to her. She does not want a dog that is going to jump all over any one it meets down the street though. A couch potato during the day, but suitable for 1 or 2 very long walks morning and evening (over time, understands a pup can't walk this distance!) Short Coat or low shedding or non-shedding coat. Grooming is not an issue as she has a friend who is a groomer. As long as it doesn't require heavy daily brushing. She is home all day, a dog would go with her wherever she goes, and if she needs to go away where a dog cannot go, then she would be interested in sending dog away to Farm Stay type kennel where her friend's whippet goes. Or possibly staying with friends. Her favourite breeds so far are Greyhounds, Whippets and Salukis. So, the sight hounds. She likes the long legs, lean body, short coats. She currently looks after a whippet a fair bit. He is a very gentle dog who is not overly affectionate, but they share a space. She does find him a bit nervy, but generally he is laid back, not very active and easy to walk. I'm worried that he too quiet compared to most of the whippets I have met though and are giving her a bit of a false sense of the breed? She absolutely adores the Salukis. The concern with a Saluki would be offlead running, however, she is dedicated to finding offlead time to a Saluki. A lot of the qualities we read about the Salukis have been what she is interested in (Bonding to a main person, aloofness with strangers, lounging around during the day, long walks morning and evening, ease of grooming, catlike in behaviour being some of the things she liked). Greyhounds also fit this as well. I think she would prefer a puppy, but is interested in adoption as well and could be swayed to greyhound adoption. She is interested in the smaller size greys than the big ones. Questions: Do Salukis need to be Muzzled like Greys? What's the key differences between Greys and Salukis temperament wise? What's the key difference between Whippets and Greys? Iggies were considered, but the concern is them getting underfoot or being too frail. It is possible the dog would have a chance to run around with a Boxer and a couple of Kelpies, and so it needs to be able to hold its own when with this sized dog.

Jed, how did you go with the computer? did you need some help working out what to get? Let me know if you still need help!

Just think, in winter she'd be like a rubbery hot waterbottle that wriggles against your skin And if she is that small, she's not a dog, she's a fashion accessory You'd just need a bag to put her in *ducks*

Nekhbet - I think you *need* her

I had great success with Optimum and liked that it was easily available in the supermarket. Supercoat was horrible for my dogs, but Optimum was really well received.

So many kittens... so little time... http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2212790547

Your website does not work here. I get the front page, but when I click on the photos there is a a background image/header and the heading of the page... nothing more...

Kamuzz, Ryde. Tara has been clinging to me and bursting out in tears today. She won't say what's wrong, just that she's sad and then she searches her body to find a "sore" to blame it on. Apparently she had a bad day at preschool today, arguing and crying lots which she never does - her carers were shocked (but I had explained what had happened) She asked to pat my friend's dog today, who was a well behaved (mostly!) dalmatian. She was ok with it for a bit, then moved away and had had enough. *sobs* I had worked so hard to have her have a great relationship with dogs, and this one bloody dog undoes so much confidence for both of us in one go.... *sigh*

I want one of these, but with a bit more flair if possible. Black Malteese Terriors are soooo outdated now, and I need something to go with my new Guess Bag and my Billabong Flip Flops...

I would like to think it was just guarding its yard. I don't know the reason. The fact CW EW saw a GSD 2.5 blocks roaming on the weekend makes me think it is not the first time. Tara had a freak-out this morning at preschool about being still scared of "the big doggie".... so going to have to work on it with her. Thank you all for your love and support, will keep you updated.

Thanks all. I don't care what happens with the dog - as long as it never gets out again. I don't particularly want it put to sleep, but it's up to Council if they find it. I was stuck in the middle of a road, no fence behind us, just road with a dog pacing and circling us. At first I thought he was just sniffing, until it growled. Any movement made it move more. I believe it was herding us in a way, as that's the behaviour it kind of exhibited. Ducking head, side to side movements, pinning us in our place. I would have been happier with a fence, but at least had my bag between me and it's teeth. I think I might have to find a GSD soon to go and pat. More for me than for T. I feel very traumatised by it. She was a bit more oblivious. Though she did crawl into my bed crying last night. *sigh* I need some rescue remedy I think. Rottiegirl -

I actually called the school before I reported it to council. It was 3pm and school kids were about to get out. It occurred 100m from the front gate of the school. I had a sleep on the couch and T came running in yelling at me crying. I woke up in that dreamy state thinking she'd been bitten.. She was just upset she'd lost her sticker. I explained to her that not all dogs are like that (and she knows), and she's been around dog shows and lots of dogs before.. but I will definitely find some big dogs next time we go out to erskine park and see if we can get her used to them. she was bowled over by a Bull Mastiff Cross recently (OMG, it was Bull Mastiff x Horse I reckon hahaha!) and she was fine after that.. she just took some time. I'll just have to tread carfully with her. I have been very careful to teach her good dog manners and we have spoken of standing still with dogs, so she knew what to do. Though, can someone tell me, in the case of it ever happening again, when a dog charges, what is your best move? I just want to make sure I do it right, and teach T right too..

Poodlefan, the dog appeared to have tags on the collar (address?) Not sure about council tags though. Definitely collared though. The last dog I reported was not registered, but it was easy to locate the owner. I have a headache now... I just want to sleep... or have a bath..

But there were two deliberate mistakes in it hehe... UMPOSSIBLE and TYPIFYING I must admit, I laughed like a loon when I read typifying.

Oh, glad your neighbour reported it too! I haven't see many GSDs in the area, so it may be the same one. The council are searching for all GSDs registered in the area, especially on the road where the incident happened. CW EW - this was near the school, so just watch out walking that area..

Oh... council went straight out looking for the dog, but could not find it. I gave a better description to the Ranger when I spoke to her. She is coming around Monday to take my statement. I just kept crying on the phone.

Miss T is almost 5.

I'm feeling quite fragile right now. I want to just cry cry cry. The Divine Miss T and I were charged by what felt like the worlds biggest German Shepherd. I heard it bark before looking over and seeing the dog running towards us. There was no wagging tail. No lopping gallop. It was at a steady pace with its head low, barking and grumbling while looking at Miss T. He aimed straight for her. I threw her behind me and told her to stand still. I had my bag in front of me, T behind me, and I just moving to keep the barrier of myself between. He barked and growled and would not let us move. We were stuck in the middle of the road. If I moved, it snapped at the Bag/Coat I had in my hand. I started yelling for help. Just hoping someone would see us. Help us. Almost hyperventilating. The dog would not move, we were pinned in place. Eventually a delivery man heard me and started walking towards us. The dog ran back to his house, the guy said "he's gone" and jumped into his car... and I quickly got Miss T into the car (30m away). I turned around and saw the dog running after a car. He turned and looked at me. I got T buckled in the car and ran to the drivers seat and just drove away. I have reported it, recounted it, and every time I remember I start crying. I've dealt with dogs before. Dog fights, even my own dog attacking me - but this, this really really really scared me. Miss T just keeps asking "where's the doggy... is he gone?" grasping my leg... *sigh*

All drugs have side effects with long term use. Votaren does not give you an 86% chance of having a stroke. You are at 86% higher risk if you are already in a risk group (smoke, history of stroke, heart issues, DVT etc etc)...

ppssssst... sheridan.... I think they were deliberate typos

Mika died at 5 years of age of a massive heart attack that could not be eased with medication. It is believed her heart was compromised after having pneumonia as a puppy. I don't know if it was MVD, or not. She was not in my care when she died. I am not 100% certain her breeder had heart tested dogs, even though they are registered breeders. I don't believe the bitch was, but I could be wrong. I was colour blind for a Tri bitch so perhaps did not push the issue as much as I should have