Mrs B

Here's a freebie sign - doesn't cover everything, but perhaps it would be a start ...... ?

Ah. Must admit that those who know me will understand that I'm not too good with remember to include command words. Although I tend to train by not actually using the cue word/action until I know that my dogs understand what they need to do in response to that word. Thinking that Jazz would hate me if I helped her teach Ruby to use her sharp teeth every time she said the word "give" (followed by "ow"!)

Try having a pack of good treats, (sausage, liver, something special). Let Ruby have the toy, then offer her a piece of the food in exchange for the toy. Once she has taken the food, immediately let her have the toy back so that she knows that you're not just giving her the food so that you can steal the toy. Repeat, lots! If Ruby still isn't letting go of the toy, let us know what she is/isn't doing - there may be other things to try.

I need a yawny smilie. I think I am behind already, but, glad your personal-visa-person did such a good job for you HLGS. Looking forward to hearing more down under tales. Did I miss Nige's goss? for Jazz Hope Beau is feeling OK. Glad to come on here and find there are others with mixed feelings about Bin Laden. On the one hand he was, in my opinion, an evil person. On the other, I wonder whether we are right to decide another's fate in such a personal way - yet what other options could work in this situation - and who will now step into the vacuum? But I don't want to end up putting RMF into Contro this month! Changing the subject and very RMF. I really ought not to do on-line banking late on Sunday evening which is actually Monday evening - I think I've made more mistakes than paid bills - not to mention everyone else having the same idea and causing my banking site to crash three times!

I asked the same question a year or so ago - and ended up buying the Miele Cat and Dog (or something like that) based on what people said. The only comment I would make is that the hairs end up fastened around the brush thing, and I always have to have a session at the end of hair removal - but I am actually generally pleased with it. Controversially, maybe, I have discovered that, as I don't have particularly good carpets, a brisk sweep around with a clean stiff brush does wonders for aiding the whole process - probably 'cause I don't do the vacuuming bit as often as I should to start with!

I have received some very useful advice on MSE, but find the whole thing so huge and it moves so fast that I find it too daunting and impossible to negotiate. In addition, I find some people on there are just out to make rude and unhelpful remarks, and can be quite vitriolic in the comments they make about people .......... some of whom may not have done the most sensible things, but glasshouses and stones come to mind. As for the pets area ............ sometimes I have felt moved to comment, but sometimes it has to be "just walk away Mrs B, do not let your fingers touch the keyboard Mrs B" In a way the horribleness is a shame, because there are some truly lovely people there. Trying to work out whether I am actually hungry and want any dinner - which is worrying - I always want dinner!

Do you mean this oh Owly one?

Glad to hear Mungo's now "been". Great things we talk about on here! Zico's Mum, "gulping" is quite normal - especially if they think their food might be stolen before they finish it! But again, their digestive system is designed to cope with very large chunks, or, to regurgitate and re-eat chunks. Do hope no-one is eating dinner and RMF-ing at the same time!

Not specific experience, but ....... as mine are fed raw, I know that they could eat "the lot" when it comes to rabbit, including fur, and come to no harm - you might notice some nice firm rear end deposits - lovely and easy to pick up. So in essence, it's fine - and as you say, just feed less at the next meal, or nothing to give the tummy a chance to properly digest what's gone down - oh, and I would call a halt to any running and chasing after he's eaten something like that - the stomach needs to digest what's gone in there, and that needs rest not action. And the "sudden" change of diet could cause him not to have toileted. My only other concern would be if the rabbit's been left for a while - even then, dog's eat what we would sniff and throw - but as he's not been sick, that suggests it was fresh enough. I'd keep a general eye on Mungo, and as long as he seems himself and does go to the loo before long I should put the whole thing down to experience.

Yep, sorry to disappoint Murtle, but Merledogs is right - lawyers in private practice have to deal with nobs, especially when they are being nobs 'cause the client is paying the lawyer to do whatever nobby thing they have decided on. And accountants in private practice potentially have to deal with SME people who have no idea what they're doing, or bigger business who think they know more than their accountants. Naturally there are exceptions, but ........... In business, accountants and lawyers have to deal with lots of people, all day every time -and some of them are nitwits like me. I deal lots with accountants and lawyers at work. Says Mrs B, still with a headache and mainly typing rubbish, except about nobs!

Morning, it's Monday and I've had a headache all weekend and keep doing slightly bizarre things - bodes well for work today then. Keep reading and thinking I've posted - but am coming to the conclusion that I'm imagining the postings. So sorry to hear about Rhum and Millie. Erm. Forgotten everything else.

Merledogs Unfortunately there appear to be parallels between your working life and mine just now. Although I have not had (yet) the excitement of counting vans into a car park! Murtle - extremely pleased all the Fugee thoughts did the trick - must have been the fault of my missing ones that two documents disappeared. HLGS - good to 'see' you back - brilliant news about more work AND having visitors to come see you down under. I need to get a wriggle on. House is untidied, washing up not done, 'cause I'm sitting here. Off out in 15 minutes taking over-rolled, under-jammed and over-cooked Jam Cake (whoops - it's years since I've made it!), and a couple of other things to my discussion group - "Lives of our Grandmothers". I shall be wearing the flattest shoes I can find to walk there - I have spent the whole day in heels for work walking from street parking to work 'cause I couldn't get in the company car park (at 7.30 am), walking to one of our other sites, and walking up and down Steep Hill.

Well done Sam How many new Down Under DogStar Followers have you signed up? I am soooooo not looking forward to work this week. I fear my even disposition is not feeling very even towards work right now. Tigger was a tyke yesterday and spent the whole day barking - well, not the whole day, obviously, as I spent the whole day going to get him from wherever he was and dissuading him from barking. It seemed to be a great many things that were alarming him, and as the "things to be barked at" were visible from the bedroom window, living room window, out in the garden, and the landing window (bit of a new one that), I reckon I shifted a pound or two in my efforts not to upset the neighbours. Now Tigger's tired as he missed his handsome sleeps yesterday!

Hi Ingipops. Could do with a few more chatterers around here some days ........

Morning. Wish I wasn't here, but my sleep patterns show no sign of settling down into anything sensible. The only sensible thing I did do was make an appointment with my favourite GP when I had my dizzy turn .......... which means I now only have to wait until a week tomorrow, and can use it for whatever bit of me is bugging me most at the time.

Safneo - may have slightly led you astray as we actually went to Wansford. Glen, you're gorgeous.

Well done Michelle. Safneo - sounds very exciting. Been to an NWR meeting down near Peterborough today - for the first time ever I felt I needed to ask people if they would share fuel costs with me - and the folks I took were lovely and really made me feel OK for asking. Daisy is always so lovely when I come home - she completely forgets herself, forgets that she hates to be touched or handled and throws herself and her kisses all over me, and wriggles and bounds all around me. Such a shame that she eventually remembers that anyone touching her must be an axe murderer!

Merledogs, I too have someone I would like to explain the facts of life too - also known as how to actually do my job in the real work rather than the academic bubble in which they appear to think it is possible for me to operate. Not. The only redeeming feature is that it is currently a question of who will pop first, me, my colleagues, or my boss - and my boss' tolerance threshold is lower than me so I am hoping she will do my dirty work for me! Sending me an e-mail regarding a carefully considered contractual arrangement which is done, dusted and signed some years ago, with 9 points "for consideration" is hardly helping me shift work off my desk! On a far more positive note ................ Daisy now has her own fred.

I have been reprimanded in RMF for not giving Daisy her own thread for her Gotcha Day, which was yesterday, but I managed to ‘break’ the Refuge when I tried to post her pictures last night. Daisy’s Gotcha day always catches me unawares – she was the little girlie who needed to go somewhere away from a home that was struggling to understand her, and was already in her 4th home at the age of just 10 months, and, with a place in Rescue some time off, we agreed to take her in temporarily. And the rest of the story, as you won’t be surprised to learn, is that by the time, some months later, there was a place available in Rescue, Daisy had her paws under the table, and wrapped around Tigger and we made the decision that she could have a home with us for life. Daisy’s main reaction to a camera is to go the other side of it, or behind a convenient object, so I find there are not as many good photos of my girlie as there should be – although there are several of her tail as she whisks herself off to a hiding place – but here’s one or two to celebrate her five years with us. The first time we met. I'm on holiday, I’m only ickle, but I don’t like to miss out on anything I am persistent and shrink to fit wherever I want to be! Snow White? Enjoying the view ………… or waiting for something to move out of place to round up! When Daisy met a Fugee ………….. and forgot herself! And, probably my favourite photo of Daisy Happy 5th Gotcha Day Daisy. May you have many more with us.

Did a whole new fred for Daisy last night - then either upset the Refuge or Photobucket was stuck and lost the lot. Will try again tonight for my little girlie.

No, but she'd willingly help you dig the holes! Off to check Photobucket.

Daisy would like to point out that she is the most unphotogenic dog ever - and this shot was a complete and utter fluke by her Mummy. However, bowing to popular demand, and, just so that you can repeat your posts all over again elsewhere, I will be raiding Photobucket later to show off my little girlie. By the way Trallwm Farm, I think Daisy and you may have one or two things in common ............

Good to meet you again Sandra - and Tigger says you can definitely join his harem of lady friends. Did you meet any ghosties last night?

I need to know which programme Trallwn Farm was on this time. I obviously missed the build up somewhere in the RMFs! Jazz, that is one cute puppy who has her paws seriously under the table - or on the sofa! Tis Daisy's gotcha day today - she always misses out on these a bit 'cause she arrived but was only passing through ........... five years ago.

It is only in Fugeeland that you could suggest to a fellow Fugee that you take them for a long drive to a mucky barn, causing them to miss ther dinner ............ and be met with an enthusiastic response.