Archie Goes to His New Home

Mark and his sister arrived Saturday 15th November before lunch to pick up Archie and take him home. Stacey didn't come, she stayed home with a new baby for who the trip from Glengarry to Cranbourne West would have been too much.

I had already taken Archie and Ace to see Meredith (their vet) for a check up. You see Archie and Ace had advance skills in digging and spent a far great deal of time relocating dirt around the back yard which of course lead to more muck in their ears which lead to a mild infection for which they had drops. This meant I was not going to let them go to their new homes until they got the ALL clear they were perfectly healthy.

I got that on the morning of 15th November 2008.

Sadly in all the fussing to make sure I told Mark everything about the pack I had prepared for Archie I forgot to take a picture of him with Archie and so I can not share it here with you but you can see lots of picture of Archie on his web album located here.

Buzz AKA Buffer Goes Home

Britfeld Above N Beyond "Buzz" was my pick of the boys and the last to be left for sale. I had made the decision if the right home did not come along Buzz would stay. He was just too gorgeous and so sweet.

I had so many calls for a puppy and yet not one made me feel comfortable inside. You know you can listen to people and meet people and you keep having 'that' feeling something is just not adding up and then Dianne called on 27th November 2008.

We talked for a while on the phone and I decided I'd like to meet this couple.

Dianne and Charles are English and a more mature couple then I expected but wonderful. They have had dogs before, large breeds and wanted a medium size breed because of grandchildren and Weimaraners fitted their life style wonderfully. They were great with the dogs and Buzz of course inched his way under their skin very quickly.

I was reassured, unequivocally, through watching them and listening to them that this couple were perfect for Buzz and so he went to his new home.

It was so hard to let him go but I knew deep down that as he got older it would be more difficult to have him here because of Zeta coming into season.

He was re-named to Buffer as a result of Charles being in the army. He was kind to explain what it meant but sadly I have forgotten though it was important enough for Buzz now to carry the name of Buffer.

Zephyr Goes Home

Wednesday 10th December 2008 Natasha and James arrived to pick up Zephyr for his flight home to Tsmania.

Zephyr was one of three puppies to stay with me longer and it kind of gets a little harder to see him go.

It was a bit of a rush for Natasha and James because they had to get to Tullamarine much earlier then they would have because Zephyr had to be checked in and then there was the traffic to endure on Monash Freeway (now due to road works the max., speed is 80kms) so I only managed to get three pictures of Zephyr with Natasha and James to share with you.

How funny though, Natasha had maintained Zephyr would have his bed and would sleep in it next to hers and James' bed but guess what happened . . .

. . . you don't need three guesses do you, LOL.

Zephyr has settled in really well despite the delayed flight.

You can see more picture of Zephyr on his web album located here.

Dylan's First Holiday

I got a lovely email from Dylan about his first holiday together with some gorgeous pictures of Dylan.

I wanted to share the holiday news with you all:

Hello Sally,
I had my first holiday this weekend. George and Val took me to the Yarra valley, and we found a lovely cottage on a farmstead in Badger's Creek where it was okay for me to come along and stay.
We went up on Friday afternoon, and it was very exciting. I met lots of cows for the first time, as well as a goat that came on a walk with us (she didn't like me too much though), and some pigs and chooks.
George and Val left me for the evening on Saturday night to go to a concert, but I wasn't frightened because we'd already been there for a night, and I had my bed and toys, so I was a really good boy and they were very pleased and happy to see me when they got back.
We had lots of walks on Sunday, and I ate cow pats and got into trouble from Val. But mostly I was good. As a special treat I got a big marrow bone to chew on.
Val has attached some pictures of our first holiday. The pig had piglets on Sunday morning and there are some pictures of them too.
We are going back to the cottage next month for another holiday, but I will see you before then, because I'd like to come and stay with you over Valentine's weekend while George takes his Mum to Sydney.....is that ok?
Love Dylan
PS I am getting to be a very big boy now.

For more pictures of Dylan, visit his photo ablum on Picasa Web Albums located here.

Rest In Peace My Dearest Swizzle

Australian Champion Britfeld Quake N Shake A.I.

"Swizzle"

19th October 1994 ~ 3rd November 2008

It's always the phone call no one wants to get . . .

Tom called on the evening of 3rd November 2008 to say Swizzle had gone to Rainbow Bridge that morning.

Swizzle was one of 3 very precious puppies from the only successful artificial insemination using frozen semen from American Champion Wismar's Jack Daniels B.R.O.M. (USA).

She gained her conformation title with ease, gaining In Group awards and numerous Best of Breed awards.

During the time of my separation from my ex-husband Swizzle spent time with Michael and Helen Eames and became Dale's best friend. It was not unusual to find Dale and Swizzle in the sand pit or making like a duck in the kiddy pool. Where ever Dale went, Swizzle followed. She was kind of his guardian angel not just his best friend.

Swizzle had spent quite a good part of her life at the Eames home during a very difficult time in my own life and although Michael and Helen said it did not matter how long it took to sort out my life, Swizzle could come home to me when I asked for her. This was so generous however I felt it would not be right and certainly very selfish of me to take her back after so much time had gone by and she had become so attached to Dale and Dale to her, so I made the decision that Swizzle could stay with the Eames family.

I had a trip to Albury for a show and stayed with Michael, Helen, Dale and Kaylie and of course Swizzle. As much as I tried not to cry I couldn't hold back my tears. By week end end Michael and Helen insisted Swizzle could come back to me. I had already been living in my own home for some time so there was absolutely no reason that she couldn't.

Ziggy and Dotty took no time at all to get back to the way things were when Swizzle was with them years ago and so it was for three dogs sleeping on my bed with me. Seems D0tty was the only one who knew how to share a double bed with two other dogs and one human.

Swizzle succeeded in pushing me out of bed, while I was fast a sleep from which I awkened very quickly once I landed on the floor next to the bed.

Ziggy successfully fell out of bed, rolled towards the window and broke it.

Dotty continued to sleep peacefully, though I am sure she was sniggering under her breath!

Everything was going great guns until the council came around to do random checks on pet registrations . . .

I was home from work, Dotty, Ziggy and Swizzle were in the house with me, a knock at the door and all three rushed to the door and barked, only two were registered, Swizzle was not, she was registered in Albury still.

Directive from council;

- one dog must go plus a fine.

How things work out . . .

Tom and June lost their Shari (Dotty's litter sister) and were now ready for another dog. June called wanting to know if I had puppies. I did but I suggested they consider Swizzle.

They came over, in record time, all the way from Phillip Island to Cranbourne West and fell in love instantly.

Swizzle went home with Tom and June who also had their son David living with them. One guess who became best friends immediately ??? Yep David and Swizzle.

Swizzle came for the odd holiday when the Lording's went away on holiday and for a visit when they came for a lunch or dinner. It was wonderful to see her. Of course I went to visit her also :o) She had settled really well but never forgot me. She would just about jump out of her skin when she saw me.

I have started to upload images of Swizzle on Picasa Web, you can see her album here.

Rest In Peace my darling Swizzle.

I love you heaps.

Vaccine Non Responder Dogs

As those who have come to know me will know, I am just a tad passionate about the subject of vaccinations; more so about the over vaccinating of our beloved dogs. In my puppy packs I include copious amounts of information about the subject, when the subject comes up in conversation it's near impossible to shut me up, I subscribe to a number of lists to get as much information as I can, and so it goes.

The following is a piece of interesting information on the subject of non responder dogs to vaccinations and re-vaccination that I wanted to share with you all.

VACCINE NON-RESPONDER

W. Jean Dodds, DVM
Hemopet
938 Stanford Street
Santa Monica, CA 90403
310-828-4804; Fax 310-828-8251

www.hemopet.org
hemopet@hotmail.com


The well respected vaccinologist , Dr. Ron Schultz, says that low titer or non-responder dogs should be given one more booster only, then re-titered a month later. IF titers are still low, then there's absolutely no point in going further. To keep re-vaccinating a non-responder, you run the risk of causing adverse reactions. Also, non-responder status is genetically determined and so other relatives can be the same.

Basically, I think the best way to explain the non-responder is as follows: There are three main branches to the immune system that convey resistance to disease -- the circulating immunity in the blood which is measured by vaccine and other titers; the immunity in body secretions which provides a mechanical layer of antibodies to protect surfaces from attack by organisms; and the immunity from cells in the body called lymphocytes and tissues like lymph nodes. In some cases, the person or animal doesn't produce measurable immunity in the circulating blood and these individuals are called vaccine titer "non-responders" -- a genetically determined situation. However, these same non-responders remain clinically healthy because their other 2 immune systems are protecting them adequately.

Top 10 Peeves of a Dog

How funny . . .


'1'
Blaming your farts on me.....
not funny... not funny at all !!!








'2'
Yelling at me for barking.
I'M A FRIGGIN' DOG








'3'
Taking me for a walk, then
not letting me check stuff out.
Exactly whose walk is this anyway?








'4'
Any trick that involves balancing
food on my nose. Stop it!








'5'
Any haircut that involves bows or ribbons.
Now you know why we chew your stuff
up when you're not home.










'6'
The sleight of hand, fake fetch throw.
You fooled a dog! Whoooo Hoooooooo what
a proud moment for the top of the food chain.







'7'
Taking me to the vet for "the big snip",
then acting surprised when I freak
out every time we go back!






'8'
Getting upset when I sniff the crotches of your guests.
Sorry, but I haven't quite mastered that handshake thing yet.







'9'
Dog sweaters. Hello ???
Haven't you noticed the fur?



'10'
How you act disgusted when I lick myself.
Look, we both know the truth. You're just jealous.







Now lay off me on some of these things.

We both know who's boss here!

You don't see me picking up your poop do you?

Anya Is Home Safely

It is not often a breeder is fortunate to meet new owners when a puppy is going overseas and fortunate I was to meet Audrey, Anya's new owner in Singapore:o)

Audrey came to visit shortly after Milly had all her puppies.

The next time Audrey saw Anya was when she arrived into Audrey's loving and comforting arms. From all accounts, Anya's clearance was not exactly smooth. It was a late arrival and those on duty at the air port didn't have a clue how to process all the paper work so that Anya could come out of the crate she so desperately wanted to come out from. The whole process was delayed to a point where Audrey was getting just as distressed as Anya and thank God I wasn't there or it would have been total melt down!

This is all old news now of course because Anya left my home December 4th 2008 to join Audrey and family . . . that is how far behind I am in posting updates!

Here is a gorgeous image of Anya on that rare occasion when she is 'still', LOL.

More images of Anya can be seen on Picasa.

P.S. I woke Audrey up also to check on Anya's arrival . . . I seriously have to check international time before calling, LOL.

The Meaty Bites Diet

I've got 2 dogs.

I bought a large bag of Meaty Bites at Big W and was standing in line at the check-out.

A woman behind me asked if I had a dog.

On impulse, I told  her that no, I was starting The Meaty Bites Diet  again, although I probably shouldn't because I'd ended up in the hospital last time, but that I'd lost 25 kgs before I woke in an intensive care ward with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IV's in both arms.

I told her that it was essentially a perfect diet and that the way that it works is to load your pants pockets with Meaty Bites and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry & that the food is nutritionally complete so I was going to try it again.

I have to mention here that practically everyone in the line was by now enthralled with my story, particularly a guy who was behind her.

Horrified, she asked if I'd ended up in the hospital in that condition because I had been poisoned by the food. I told her no, it was because I'd been sitting in the middle of the road licking my dick and a car hit me.

I thought one guy was going to have a heart attack he was laughing so hard as he staggered out the door.

What was she thinking . . . why else would I buy dog food. 

p.s. the above was the funniest e-mail I've received in a long time, just had to share it with you.