General Chat

I was going to call mine Gene - one of the girls on here suggested it! But hubby said, people will think he is a girl (???!!) so it was down to Jonas (favourite ancestor of mine) and then the name Ralph just shot into my head for some reason, no idea why. So I sent an email to the breeder and said, what do you reckon out of these three. He sent one back saying he def looks like a Ralph to me. So thats that. I guess we can always change it.

Morning Mandy, Well Done!, hope you have loads of fun with Alfie, the photo's all look gorgeous, you'll all be in for some fun now! :))

Mandy, I am so envious. I have really missed my dog but have not been in the right situation to have another. Yesterday the next door neighbour who already has an 8 year old Springer spaniel, brought home a new Springer pup who is 8 weeks old and gorgeous - he has called him Murphy but I keep calling him Spud!! It got me so envious that I had a look on epupz and found a gorgeous little chocolate labrador pup. She looks adorable but my current situation is still not suitable for a puppy so will have to wait. Boohoo. Then I come on here and everyone is talking puppies. I have printed her picture out so I can pin it up and it can be my inspiration to clear out all my junk and get my house fixed up ready for pets again. Wish me luck. Have lots of fun with little Alfie, and TC with your Ralph. Don't we go to a lot of trouble finding names for our pets? My brother had a wolfhound called Brian, then when Brian died, there was another called Harry. and now he has Humphrey!

Ooh Mandy, that's lovely - I'm excited for you, believe it or not! Anyway, I owe you an email, so will 'e-post' one soon! G x

Im going to try to train this one (God willing I get him in 6 weeks) from the beginning. Its all very well being laid back about them, but it really is best for the family and the dog to know whats what. No more laying on my bed every night! No more tit bits. And teeth brushed every day. Im going to book puppy socialisation classes - the vet should know of a local one. It will be for the best that he knows where he stands from the start, will make life much easier for going on hols with them and leaving them for a couple of hours and so on. Did you see my little Lucy? It took a while for me to realise you can look at more than one photo!

Hi TC Your little Ralph is adorable! Sorry I didn't get back sooner to help with putting up photos. *Thank you so much for mentioning Pet Play Pads - in case anyone else is interested, they have 20% off the Vari Kennel carriers at the moment!* Mandy :)

Mandy have managed to put the photos on!

he looks cute Mandy, very cuddly. Ann Glos

Ive tried to add a photo but keeping getting 'control failed to install' any ideas how to fix this anyone please?

Mandy the one I looked up was Pets Play Pads and I think the medium (same size as you need) plus the vet mat plus postage came to about £53.

Hi TC We bring Alfie home next Sunday, when he's 8 weeks! I just googled the Vari Kennel and there's a company (oopsy, forgot which one) that sends them via free 48-hour delivery. For a Bichon, we needed size 2 which was £44.99. Going to get this one, as we travel fairly short distances regularly to our holiday home (where dogs are allowed, yippee!). Now, as for putting photos on lol! Go to http://groups.msn(.)com/gcphotospage (remove the brackets, and there's no www at the beginning). You need an MSN passport (this is their term for registering as a member). Can't remember that far back, but I'm sure there are instructions on how to do it if you click on 'Sign In' at the top right hand corner of the homepage. If you have any problems, come back and let us know and someone will help out. Looking forward to seeing pics of Ralph! Mandy :)

I was going to call my new pup Alfie. But now we have decided on Ralph! When can you bring him home? The breeder told me that the Vari kennel deluxe is the Rolls Royce of dog carriers - for your size and mine, they even have a handle on the top. Get a vet mat with it but not the rubber mat as they chew it apparently. My chap said you can train them to sleep in them at home too. And how do you put pics on the photo page?

lovely photos, Mandy. :-) Joy

Hello Mandy i have a cross Bichon / Chinese Crested and she is just beautiful so cuddley, you will not regrete it. I bet it is just a ball of fluff. Good luck Val

Just looked at the photos!...Aaaaaw - I want one! Don't think the cat would be any too pleased though. We expect 'family' photos at every opportunity! Magsxx

ALFIE IS ON THE PHOTOS PAGE lol! Thank you all for your kind messages and useful tips (TC, will write down the name of that travel cage, and Maz, good tip about feeding). They are absolutely gorgeous and everything you've all said is true. CB, you're right - the grooming is a small price to pay for such friendly little dogs, and they are great for anyone with allergies because they don't moult (hence the grooming). The breeder and his mother were lovely people, and we saw the pups' mum, dad and auntie! Mum and Dad are having one of the litter too, so Alfie and Goldie can play together, and if they find looking after a dog difficult as they get older, then Goldie will come to me and live with his brother! We pick them up next Sunday afternoon so I'm afraid there will be a very hyper Mandy on the boards that evening lol! Mandy :))

Hi Mandy, Are you home yet? was wondering how you got on with choosing a puppy. Good Luck. R.B. x

Mandy, if my little boy comes home in 6 weeks I expect you to tell me how to manage a baby. I havent had a pup for 16 years.

Wow! Must be the week for it Mandy. A good friend of ours has two Brichon, and they go everywhere together. We on the other hand go for something slightly bigger, and on Monday evening took delivery of our second Golden. Tia, She's a beauty, cappuchino colored in contsrast to the pure white of Angelus Monsterus Stinkarumus, we thought we would have problems introducing her to the big fella, but he (at 17 months) has been the essence of patience. We've spent the whole day laughing at them today as they are playing with a 'stolen' sock and dragging each other round the house. She's the best gift I've ever had from students. Enjoy, and look forward to the photos Enjoy your puppy , Magi x

Hi Mandy Ohhh a puppy!! I want another one !! LOL!! This advice goes to all breed of dogs.. Always train them, preferably through a proper trainer.. I have always had BIG dogs, so training is important, I mean can you imagine a 10 stone bullmastiff jumping up to greet some one! LOL!! One of the most important tips I learned when Duke was a puppy, was to add a small amount of food to his bowl, whilst he was eating, that way, if anyone ever goes near his food bowl when he is eating, he will not mind as he will think of it as getting extra..!! It has always worked for mine, and I have no problems with Duke at meal times, or any other time in fact! Good training is essential! I am sure you will have many HAPPY years with your new Puppy, have you thought of any names yet? Maz x ;o)