Ian

I took Carolines comment as just more of her idiocy & gorilla as implying, big, rough, related to her comments on hygiene etc rather than intended to have any racial implications. I'm not sure she really understood what may be being suggested by BB or what she was apologising for, it's just part of her sniveling character to pretend to be contrite at the first sign of challenge I think. As to the roundabout & sweets, for goodness sake, how much more "custard and ham" scenes / drama queens can we be expected to watch? I was surprised when Luke S didn't give in to temptation but I don't think they'd have needed to up the anti much more for him to have done it though

I agree Ashleigh is "okayish" but not that bright, inclined to be fickle about Luke - genuinely or just using this "relationship" for the cameras / publicity ? I wonder. Liked the fish guts task last night - though Sarah didn't look happy about it (perhaps justifiably given that she had been honest), wasn't surprised when Lauren didn't give into temptation, bless her though I was a bit more unsure about Luke & thought he would give in in the end - not because he's any less nice I just thought he would miss his wife too much to be able to resist picking up. Not sure whether any more are to come on tonights show but you could pretty much guarantee the likes of Luke S, Lydia, Aaron, Ashleigh, Deanna, Scott and Caroline giving in to temptation quite quickly I think

Just had a quick google to see whether it was indeed the same for dogs as in humans & it does appear so - if you google there are examples of anything from minor problems to diabetes to tumour, milk thistle also being recommended there to. I hope the vet is able to put your mind at rest that it isn't anything too serious.

I think blood tests can occasionally show something out / high without there proving to be anything serious long term to worry about - eg a touch of infection.

I can live with watching Deana - she's a bit whiny, I don't see her as a winner but I attribute her nature to her up bringing rather than that she's as two faced as Lydia but they both play to cameras I think. Not sure whether there was any religious grounds for worry about meat but how can eating ham, beef (or whatever it actually was) or custard be that hard for goodness sake? Scott is a bit full of himself & perhaps fake for my tastes but he's at least easier to watch than some of the others. I can also put up with Luke S, not sure who I think may be a winner yet, Luke A seems more genuine than a lot of them to me, maybe Lauren & though she hasn't really done that much yet I quite like Sara I think. I think maybe we need to see Lauren or Deanna to use their karate skills &have a laugh at the expense of these supposedly "alphas" to liven things up a bit

I've kept expecting to see someone start a Big Brother thread or am I the only one watching this series? I hope Lydia goes this week - seems very two faced to me & possibly even deluded about her own behaviour / justifications for it. There are a few others I am not overly keen on too - eg Shivonne, Becky, Caroline, Aaron - & Connor did himself no favours on yesterdays show either, idiot! Some of those already out must feel hard done by looking at that crew. Still think Davina was far better than Brian Dowling, but I do like Emma Willis on the spin off show.

Thankyou all, it is indeed more losses than I would have liked, particularly in such a short space of time, but such is life & we can only "get on with it" I guess! Knowing I'd lost Tara a neighbour had earlier asked whether I'd be interested in a pup - someone he works with having had an accidental litter. They look like little labs but are lab x lurcher. I decided to go and at least meet them a few days ago, sweet little things & it would be nice to think I wouldn't lose another dog too soon, and yet I know I'll also want to help an older or struggling dog again. I would have expected to prefer a lab to a lurcher somehow, though I've only had Gsd before other than Thor who was a lab x Gsd and yet, in spite of them being undeniably cute & sweet the most affectionate and perhaps appealing dog with / for me that was there was probably Dad - the 5 year old lurcher (Mum is 2.5) who isn't for homing. It may be that it's just too soon for me whatever the age or breed at the moment, I don't know, and yet the house seems empty without a dog.

Thankyou all, time does help of course but I don't forget them. I've always particularly liked this http://www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html Thunder & lightning held off just long enough for me to bury my boy today to the sounds of bridge over troubled water, hopelessly devoted to you, endless love and you're my best friend. I now just have the remaining 10% or so of soil, plants and their own little "rainbow bridge" to replace. Somehow I usually find it better when they've had a proper burial though on this occasion I also found that when I walked back into the house - the first time since Nov 2001 that there hasn't been at least one dog there the house seemed even more empty than it usually does after a loss. Since Jo in November 2006 it seems like, even without considering other woes, it's been one illness / loss after another - Joyce Oct 2008, my Dad Nov 2008, my Uncle July 2011 and now Tara 1st April, Thor 14th June. Whilst I have family it's my dogs that I spend most time with and who have kept me going & (arguably) sane really so I'm really going to miss them & whatever else may happen I certainly wont ever forget them

Just over 2 months after losing Tara, just short of her twelth birthday, who I had almost as long as Jo, Joyce & Thor together and who slipped away quietly overnight 31st March / 1st April after fighting problems with her hips and possibly CDRM I've now today had to let my old lad Thor go and join her, Jo and Joyce at the bridge. Thor had a lump start growing on the outside of his face / lower lip this year but as expected it was his weakening legs that have finished him off. I'd been trying to nurse him through the last couple of weeks as he became more picky about what he would eat and from where (chicken & my fingers were fine until the last couple of days), the lump began to bleed if knocked and his legs were struggling - initially to get up unaided and finally being all over the place even if helped up. When he arrived in May 2008 I believed I was just going to help an old lad stay out of kennels, not expecting him to stay but he soon made himself comfortable and was such a lovely old lad that when Joyce left us he ended up staying. I'm so glad that he did and am really going to miss him. Thor in happier times with Tara (right) and Joyce (left) and Jo below

I'm glad you found it helpful. No wild flowers but oddly enough I've found myself wandering areas & thinking of earlier & happier times there with Jo, Joyce, Tara & Thor myself. I'm sure that both Jumble and Cecil have always known that you loved them and done your very best for them

I'm so sorry to read of Cecils problems and your loss. Sadly, though for slightly different reasons, I was recognising and empathising with some of your post as I read as I think my old lad, Thor is rapidly heading the same way & its only just over two months since I lost Tara too. My sympathies are with you at this sad time. RIP Cecil http://www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html

It will have to be a BT (or similarly based) line - I'm pretty sure that means not Virgin to get Plusnet I'm afraid - though I don't think Plusnet were charging as much as BT to connect one

I hadn't realised she was only 17 when they first appeared so they've done really well to develop & succeed from a young age. Pity that somebody has already started advertising "Pudsey look a likes" on a classified site but I'd hope that as their career grows they might be encouraged to do something for dog welfare / rescue too. Apparently The Sun has already roped them into a competition to find the UKs cleverest dogs

I just loved watching this dog & his owner, without a doubt the best dog act they've had on BGT for me as though I believe they are into agility they just looked like a happy & loving couple just out to have fun together rather than a heavily trained act. There's also no nonsense about the motives with this pair. He was adorable, could be a tough final but I hope they do well http://talent.itv.com/2012/auditions/video/watch_yabadabadoo-its-ashleigh-and-pudseys-paw-some-audition_item_200654.htm

Haven't tried them yet but which recommended them recently & if you look at Plusnets site there's a host of other internet & comparison site awards listed.

I've watched most of it & thought there were some fair singers on there, particularly in the early rounds. Not sure why but some of those same singers have impressed me less in the head to head "battles". I think the boxing analogy was a bit ott & why Judges had to worry what each other were doing so much escaped me. Overall I still prefer X factor

Can't remember that one now but was it the same blonde, Katie I think, who was fired this week? Although she did make some mistakes and had escaped 2 or 3 times before so was on borrowed time I thought she was a little hard done by this week. Most of the guys on her team could have gone just as easily. I'd probably have fired Stephen but Adam wasn't far behind for me

Lots of patience needed I'd guess but hopefully it will prove trewarding for you both. Try this handicapped pets specific forum for some ideas http://handicappedpet.net/helppets/viewforum.php?f=20 Good luck

I wish them luck but would be surprised if "the system" were to suddenly admit they had got this one wrong now I'm afraid.

I always enjoy the Apprentice. I think 4 rooms is also back on C4 at 8 on Wednesday for anyone who enjoys dealing / "auction type" programmes.

Have a happy birthday

I'd say bones too but if you don't like that idea you can buy plaque off, petzlife oral or leba iii products that claim to naturally help clean teeth. Dogs Trust have an on line video on teeth cleaning if that's any help to you

According to the Sun article 1 million horses went to war only 65,000 came home (from Britian. It was estimated half a million were "lost" many that didn't return were sold or retired there. It's believed upto 8 million horses and 213,000 mules were used by all sides, thougfh there appears to be dispute as to how many died). More tonnes of animal feed were shipped by the British army than ammunition Andrew Robertshaw, historian & Director of the Royal Logistics Corps Museum in Surrey said "Tonne for tonne there was more horse fodder delivered in WW1 than ammunition" however despite claiming the horses to be generally well cared for he also said "Also, if a man steps on a personnel mine he loses a leg and goes home. If a horse steps on it he gets another horse" There are apparently only 250 horses in the household cavalry today

Didn't expect that result at all, Frankie still isn't a celebratory as far as I'm concerned but I think it will probably mean more to Denise than it would have to most (if not all) of the others. It seems surprsing that someone so well known appears to need so much approval from others but she does seem to. Does anyone know when "in the summer" the next series is?

I think the comment on Bit on the side is more like it myself - if there had been 30k on the table............. Objecting to Denise actions would have been one thing but the drama & I'll sue nonsense was something else altogether in my eyes. I think the twins are a nasty pair I don't think Denise or Frankie will win it - I think it will be Romeo & possibly Gareth second - but I don't think either Denise or Frankie will go tonight now. Only a few hours & we'll know for certain I guess.