Today I'm happy about......

[clapton is god]

But whilst this has become a dog thread... anyone got any pet insurance tips?

What's the worst year of vet bills anyone has ever had?

Our fella broke his leg very shortly after we got him. He was just a pup and it was a bad break. We had him insured from the off so he was covered. In total his treatments and vet visits totalled about five grand. He's also been diagnosed as having possible hip problems and has been to Manchester and Liverpool for tests etc. When renewal time came around the insurers banged our pemium up to over seven hundred pounds a year, so we cancelled it. He still needs injections and medicine etc plus vet visits. . He's only a little chap and was quite expensive to buy. ( Wife's idea in the first place) Dogs aren't cheap and I wouldn't be without him, but I doubt we'd ever have another pedigree animal..... No, make that we definitely wouldn't

We use Castle Street vets in Bolton, by the way. A non-profit organisation, much cheaper than the local highwayman and really terrific caring people. I'd totally recommend them to anyone.

Highwaymen? Those highly trained professionals that spend longer qualifying than doctors do due to the differing amount animals and breeds that they have to deal with? Those highwayman? A bit rich coming from a fecking Handyman, no?
Highwaymen? fecking hell.

Am I allowed to have an opinion on anything without your billy big bollocks size twelves walking all over it? I don't give a flyer about what you think of my opinion so keep yours to yourself. You seem to take some perverse pleasure in piss-taking, bullyboy addressing and telling folk what to do. Since you feel you're being honest about things, I might as well be the same. Keep your insults to yourself. They're wasted on me. If it means having you laying down the odds I'd sooner pack this place in. feck you pal.

So, Tango. Why are you referring to individuals that go to incredible lengths to qualify in their chosen profession as "Highwaymen"? Over to you, again, Handyman! Where, exactly, have I insulted you or anyone else? And where, exactly, have I denied you your right to an opinion? Am I not allowed to respond with mine?

If I think that you're talking absolute bollocks, which I think you do, quite often, and if I think that your paintings are laughable shit, which i think that they generally are, then I'll say so. If you have a problem with me saying so then that's your problem, not mine!

Posted at midnight. You been sniffing the barmaids apron by any chance?

[TANGODANCER]

Wasn't going to bother replying but I decided to put this to bed in a civilised manner. I admire honesty in anyone, so we now know where we stand. Handyman? Hmm, has a nice ring to it. In my time I've been allsorts including works manager, general manager and site service manager. My handyman trade also allowed me to make model ships and paint, albeit with shit results. I've also written three shit books. Worry not, I won't be offending your sensitivities with any further shit paint offerings ( I will remind you why that thread was started; so amateur painters could have somewhere to discuss things without impinging on the art thread). As of now you're persona non grata with me for conversation, but, in the words of Mr Darcy:

"Forgive me for having taken up so much of your time, and accept my best wishes for your health and happiness."

[Bruce Rioja]

Suits me just fine.

[Gooner Girl]

Tango. Ignore Bruce and please don't stop posting on the art thread. I enjoy seeing your creations and happen to think they are very good. 100 times better then what I can do. X

[Bruce Rioja]

Dear All. I was going to send Tango a PM, but I think it only decent to post this here, and that's for me to offer Tango a full apology for my well over-the-top and actually quite spiteful reaction last night. There was no need for it. I've enjoyed Tango's company on several occassions and we've always got on very well indeed. No excuses - I'm embarrassed and I apologise.

[Montreal Wanderer]

Dear All. I was going to send Tango a PM, but I think it only decent to post this here, and that's for me to offer Tango a full apology for my well over-the-top and actually quite spiteful reaction last night. There was no need for it. I've enjoyed Tango's company on several occassions and we've always got on very well indeed. No excuses - I'm embarrassed and I apologise.

I suspect Clappers had the answer and we can blame high octane fuel.

[TANGODANCER]

Dear All. I was going to send Tango a PM, but I think it only decent to post this here, and that's for me to offer Tango a full apology for my well over-the-top and actually quite spiteful reaction last night. There was no need for it. I've enjoyed Tango's company on several occassions and we've always got on very well indeed. No excuses - I'm embarrassed and I apologise.

It's accepted and forgotten by me, my own part in it wasn't exactly classy. .

[Zulus Thousand of em]

Bugger!

Every time I get this rifle out I've got to clean it - whether I get to fire it or not!

I'm glad that you're both loved up again.

[William the White]

Dear All. I was going to send Tango a PM, but I think it only decent to post this here, and that's for me to offer Tango a full apology for my well over-the-top and actually quite spiteful reaction last night. There was no need for it. I've enjoyed Tango's company on several occassions and we've always got on very well indeed. No excuses - I'm embarrassed and I apologise.

I suspect Clappers had the answer and we can blame high octane fuel.

If that is the answer I can only hope it wasn't the expensive Douro he was wasting - when he could have been sharing it with others!

[Bruce Rioja]

Dear All. I was going to send Tango a PM, but I think it only decent to post this here, and that's for me to offer Tango a full apology for my well over-the-top and actually quite spiteful reaction last night. There was no need for it. I've enjoyed Tango's company on several occassions and we've always got on very well indeed. No excuses - I'm embarrassed and I apologise.

I suspect Clappers had the answer and we can blame high octane fuel.

If that is the answer I can only hope it wasn't the expensive Douro he was wasting - when he could have been sharing it with others!

All perfectly in tact, Will. No worries. Can be stored for up to 10 years too.

[William the White]

The Happy Thread?

DMB 1 People from Wales 2

I'm happy.

[Montreal Wanderer]

The Happy Thread?

DMB 1 People from Wales 2

I'm happy.

Yes, but van Persie wasn't playing...

[bobo the clown]

The Happy Thread?

DMB 1 People from Wales 2

I'm happy.

f'cough. Don't drag me into it !!

[bwfcdan94]

The Happy Thread?

DMB 1 People from Wales 2

I'm happy.

I actually now expect them to lose when I see them play like Wednesday or us!

[Lost Leopard Spot]

We have a perfect dog. She is both a pet and a working dog. I find she knows what role is required of her. She is allowed on our sofa, but nobody elses, she's allowed on the bed but only utilises it when stressed (after fxckin fireworks mainly).
Do not worry about it mummy. Even if you're doing the wrong things, they are easily reversible later. The only thing that cannot be reversed is trust - just never hit your dog, the cold shoulder works and does not lead to lack of trust.

Remind me what you've got, LLS? Are you saying you do actually have your dog working?

I'd love to have several dogs one day - I've enjoyed reading Sewell's book recently about his life owning dogs - always three or four at a time. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sleeping-Dogs-A ... 0704373254" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sorry this thread has become a bit hijacked - other sources of happiness welcome!

I've got a border collie PB. She works sheep and cows on the local farms - not everyday, or even every week, just as required when livestock needs moving. She's actually very good and much better than most of the farm dogs, especially with cows. I've entered her before into some of the Derbyshire trials: she even won at her very first attempt at Hollingsclough when she was only nine months old and a raw beginner. Mind you, she probably only won because the opposition were hardly 'one man and his dog' material, the judge and some farmers even had to wrestle one collie off a sheep it had pinned down by the throat.

Here she is at work...

[clapton is god]

Gorgeous dog, Spotty. I love BC's, best dogs in the world by far. I still miss my Meg who died in 2006 but I don't think I'll ever have another. This is her surveying her surroundings on Carrock Fell.

[thebish]

^ another absolutely cracking photo!!

[Lost Leopard Spot]

superb Clappers. I used to photograph myself on top of each big hill/mountain I'd ascended, but now (like that one ^) I just photograph my dog on top these days usually posing on top of the cairn.

[thebish]

it's easier with a dog that has some brain - like a collie...

trying to do it with a greyhound is MUCH harder - she won't stay up on top of a cairn or a rocky outcrop if i climb back down!




this is my mum's newest border collie (she now has three) - you can tell he is smart....

[Lost Leopard Spot]