Polly

I'm not judging, merely asking the question and not pussyfooting around the issue. Some owners for whatever reason(s) leave their pets behind when they go on holiday or move, some don't worry about them, others do. We on this forum have no idea into which camp you truly fall. We still don't know what you are going to do IF push comes to shove when your visa or whatever comes through. If you wish to take offence at my comments that's fine by me, my shoulders are broad and I can cope.

Poor darling! Makes me wonder what happened to his litter mates and his mum, do you know?

I asked you what you would do if no-one would take her. Your reply that " I will also contact the breeder where I got her from to see if they'll have her back as a last resort or know through their many contacts of someone who would want her" is inadequate. I asked what if......you haven't replied. Maybe you don't want to think about the dog ending up on death row at an SPA, sacrificing her life for you? Maybe the 'crazy labrador' (or should that be untrained labrador?) could be abandoned instead of her?

Poor dog, I don't really understand why you can't take her if you are taking another dog. Maybe the children you mention (so long as they are, to quote you, 'loving') just need a bit of training and then you could take her? What will you do if no-one takes her in before you go?

Rose, you may want to sort out some soft little scarves for your neck, and some high-collared shirts as you will probably feel embarrassed about the scar. It will be tender. Don't wear metal chains or necklaces for a while either. Also take care not to expose it to strong sunlight as scar tissue burns easily, even the next summer. I even got a silky scarf to match my bikini! The surgeon didn't tell me anything useful like that, one of the nurses who'd had the op advised me. Good luck!

I wonder what sort of 'surveyor' you used? You haven't given us any info on this, nor on the terms or conditions of his/her contract of engagement with you, which you should have agreed in writing. A 'survey' can mean many things, it depends who you commissioned and what precisely you asked them to do. P-D R says"Surveyors' reports invariably contain numerous get-outs, such as not gaining access to particular parts of the building etc, which tend to lessen the value of their reports". To the surveyor who cannot get access to a roof space or who has no permission to rip up floorboards or remover plasterboard these clauses give vital protection: you don't have X-ray eyes, neither does your surveyor!

Labradors aren't just dustbins on 4 legs, they can be useful at times!

I have an idea, will blast off an email to X  who is in the area. Me? I don't 'do' rescue dogs, if I did I couldn't do my guide dog work but I admire all of you who do care for and adopt abandoned dogs

[quote user="Chris Head"][quote user="Polly"]No doubt the lady concerned has already got you sussed out, you men are SO slow to get sorted [/quote] You underestimate a North Norfolk boy with a fresh easterly behind him Polly![:P] [/quote] I learnt to swim at Overstrand so watch it!

Ask your notaire (see my other reply to you, re your house). The scrappage scheme is running down, it"s now only 500€ see http://www.service-public.fr/actualites/001093.html Automatics are not so common in France. Try Nissan & Toyota

No doubt the lady concerned has already got you sussed out, you men are SO slow to get sorted

Hi Sorry to hear of your problems It would help if you said roughly where you are, then you might get some volunteers to help you, but if not don't despair. Explain the situation to your guests and ask if you may clean the pool the evening before you go. That just leaves the house, and believe me you CAN change that on your own in the time allowed: I have been running changeovers for nigh on 20 years. The best person to answer your legal questions is a Notaire, he will see to all the transfers of property. Do you speak good French? If not, try to find an English speaker, see http://www.notaires.fr/static-content/site_gb/web/english-homepage.html (you'll probably have to copy & paste this into your browser as I'm rubbish about posting links!). Click on the 'find a notaire', it gives you lines to fill in including any language you want to specify. Be aware that not all English speaking Notaires have informed the site of their ability, so local knowledge is useful (so again, where are you?) Good luck Edit: I see from your car question you are in the Gers, anyone out there in that area able to help vis à vis cleaning or choosing a Notaire?

Phew, relief all round! Don't be too hard on him meanwhile on toilet training, & do call me for a chat if you wish as per my pm

[quote user="Merlin"]I know that Polly and I seem to banging on about the vet etc., but experience has taught me and I am simply wanting to pass on information to avoid your puppy falling foul of what happened to us.  Our poor lass had a troubled tummy for 18months because of the Giardia and she never grew properly either!  Some years ago when I was rearing an Irish Wolfhound from a puppy and who later lived a strong and happy life till he was 10 (very good life span for a Wolfhound)  I was given very sound advice by the breeder and vet on how you feed them in the first two years.  Big dogs need careful attention when they are growing and what you eventually make of them all starts there.  I am sorry to tell you that Royal Canine is actually a very second rate dog food............ I won't bore you with the details, but it is.  Your puppy is building a big frame and is naturally ebullient because he's a baby but that doesn't mean he's tip top....... his poos are telling you that something is wrong.  I hope you sort it out happily. [/quote] I have to disagree with you as regards Royal Canine: true, it doesn't suit all dogs (no one brand/type of food does), but I have reared 10 guide dogs pups on that brand successfully, and most of the school's dogs are fed RC throughout their lives. You should also be v careful putting such strong negative opinions about a product in writing in public, you leave yourself open to litigation.

Yes, take him to the vet for a check-up. Tomorrow. Without fail. Depending on waht the vet says, you may have to change his diet but don't do it suddenly, he's used to RC: you'd have to switch by mixing the food over a week or so. He's only a baby, remember, and v sensitive

It has SCAM written all over it, DON'T give them any details about yourself AT ALL

Oh Chris, if the wee thing is only nine weeks old you can't expect him to be clean, especially if he's got a tummy bug. What did the vet say? 5 days of bad tum at that age is not good news What breed is he?

[quote user="Chris Head"]Thanks for all the advice, I'm certainly not going to get cross with him 'cos one day he might just get cross back & he's going to be one big dude! Next question, diarroea, he's had it for five days now, I'm syringing smecta into him daily, he's eating well and taking plenty of liquids down. The food is Royal Canin junior 32.[/quote] FIVE DAYS? YOU NEED TO TAKE HIM TO THE VET ASAP PLEEZE And you shouldn't be feeding him if he's got the trots, he needs a day or two's starvation but under veterinary supervision

Seriously, how old is your puppy? Some pups take longer than others to be clean indoors, and even when you think it's all OK the pup will make a mistake. At puberty the pup may also 'forget' him/herself. The only way you are going to get this 'right' is with plenty of patience and awareness of your puppy's needs: think like the dog, not like a human. Yes, you might well have to get up in the night for a very young pup but this doesn't last long. Don't give up, and NEVER get cross with the pup, it doesn't help the dog one little bit. I have also pm'd you

SFR (previously Neuf) automatically bill ADSL customers online, what's the problem with that? Clearly one should check the bills, as with any goods/services, and query anything asap. Since January 2010 bills have been sent monthly I suggest you ring 1077 again, press 3 (?) for the option 'résiliation du contrat' and explain your issues again, it will be someone else and you might get the answers you want. I have never had a problem with their after sales service.

[quote user="Théière"]Hayward are good pumps and should last a good length of time 8-10 years but and there are lots of them, things can go wrong as all pumps have little viton rubber water seals and if something runs too hot due to a shortage of water etc then that can dramatically shorten the life although it is an easy repair, in France however I don't think there is a phrase for easy repair be done tomorrow! A second pump, if budget allows save the mad rush when it happens but if the dealer is close by then less of a problem [/quote] For once I'm going to disagree with you! Re an easy repair in France: when we get problems with any pump which is out of guarantee our first stop is NOT a pool supplier, but local electrical equipment specialists. These guys mend pumps of all sorts, and have helped us out even high season with a prompt turnaround if they can repair the pump If you don't know one, type 'rebobinage' and your dept. into the search box of pages jaunes on line (wwwpagesjaunes.fr)

Hi Rose Sorry to hear of your problems. It's difficult to say much until you have the full verdict from your medics All I would say is if you have to have all or part of your thyroid removed it's not too traumatic, and if you need thyroid replacement therapy afterwards (as I do, for life, and I had the op when I was 19) French GPs are generally clued up.

You either love & admire them: or not. I think they are uncomfortable, gutless, rattly old things.

[quote user="Jonzjob"] You got a 2CV Polly?[8-)] If so then I am envious!! I want a Méhari! No doors![:-))] [/quote] Wash your mouth out with carbolic, I wouldn't be seen dead in either of those!

He could set it on filtration via the sump only.... if he has one BTW we care for several pools which have refills!