Many thanks Ellen for taking the time looking at my dogs and appreciating them they do make me smile, I hope that your boy will be ok

Claire

HI Ellen, yes living in Wexford now, 5 years in September but originally from Dublin. Kilkenny isn't that far from me but I'm rarely there, pretty sure I'll be there though the end of May at a dog show :) Best wishes & hugs for your brave boy.

your boy is very handsome. Our Molly is 2 years old 3 next Xmas.

Many thanks for the invite Ellen and very happy to become your new ES friend. A very friendly cuddle to handsome Finley  :-)

Hi Ellen

Well you  know to get in touch if you are coming over again!!!

best wishes

Ro

So sorry to read about Finlay, my heart goes out to you. It is never easy when these beautiful dogs are so ill, but getting this news when they are so young is devastating.

Thinking about you.

Hi Ellen thankyou for your nice comment on our dogs , the irish are my great love, the affies have only come along in the last few years as my wife has always loved and wanted them

Hi Helen

I am so sorry to hear about Finlay - my heart goes out to you both. You were correct in thinking that Hattie lost a leg to oestosarcoma and I am happy to help you in anyway I can - I have had a lot of support from friends on ES and delighted to return the favour. He is absolutely gorgeous and so like Hattie that I wonder if they are related - what is his KC name? Am not sure that I can tell you what to do but I will answer any questions as honestly as I can and  tell you Hattie's story - once we are friends and I have more space as it is a long one!!!

Bye for now

Lesley

Hi Ellen

Sorry I typed your name wrong!!

Lesley

sorry went off to watch a DVD. Your Finley is adorable. Take care

I most likely did send it to myself. It was late at night (Saturday). Kisses to your darling boy. Where we are living at the moment we can finally take Molly to the beach or some beaches that is. Raining today so no for today.

weather here is getting cooler. We will take Molly to the beach when it gets sunny again. You are living in England? Finley looks so nice bit spoilt? Same as Molly they are just so human. I also do not know why I love IS so much but they are the breed I have always had. There have been others years ago but the IS is amazing. All our three have been different. Molly absolutely hates the rain. Tippy toes on the grass so not to get wet.

not sure but people with IS surely do love them. Molly sleeps on the bed not much room for us. Also the cat sleeps on the end of the bed. How is Finley going?

no not much room on the bed. Finley does not look sick so yes best to leave it alone I guess. Such a shiny and georgeous coat. He would love Molly they are nearly twins.

Hope you have appreciated them !  We are so proud of our dogs !

Have a nice day with your Finlay !

Hi Ellen ! How's things with you & your special boy Finley ? No new pictures up at the moment of my English boys , they're all up a while now :) I really should put up some more recent ones of them incase they think Rohan is hogging all the lime light :) Sunny day today atlast !! It's been raining with wild winds since friday...hope it stays dry for the shows on the weekend !!

Hi Ellen. I know Brum quite well.  I used to live near Telford so used to go into Brum lots and even worked there for a while, until the company moved to Milton Keynes, and then I ended up here with them for my sins.  My best friend and colleague whom I go dog walking with and do lots of doggy activities with comes from Solihull.   I read that you Finley id a poorly dog? my Tallulah is a poorly girl too, but she is doing ok at the moment. I was told by her specialist that she would be dead, by December 2011 !  she is still with us and going strong, at the moment, but I take each day as it comes and am thankful for every additional day she has.

Yes Ellen the boys really love the water, they can get soaked from head to tail in 2 cm of water .. but don't ask them to swim because they do not know how to do it :-)  My first Irish "MC" took 4 years to do it, I will always remember the day he figured out that he could swim and then we couldn't have him out of the water, so I was hoping that number two "Darwin the angel" will follow the example, but still hoping  :-(  Mac is so dare devil that I wouldn't be surprised he will make it one day!!!  Does Finlay swim? How is he doing these days? a big cuddle to him and big licks from the boys

Everything nice and beautiful here, we have the sun and everyday since 3 weeks now, this is fantastic, so so so so rare in Northern Ireland. Temperatures are not high though but better than grey rainy days. I saw on TV that the Irish weather went to England ... sending you a bit of our sun here to cheer up your days  :-)

Thanks Ellen , we love them to bits. Finley looks a little like Kerry in the face. I can see he is a much treasured Irish as well. We will keep our fingers and paws crossed for Finley. He looks such a brave boy. Rhonda Kerry and Murphy

Nice to drop me a comment  thank you . How strange my new setter is also called Finley. His full name is Ashley View Grand Designer and he does look very much like your Finlay . I will post some pics. so you can have a look. Really sorry to read your Finlay is not well.

Hi Ellen ! the shows in Tipp went well thanks, Ro was second in two junior classes and won the Gun Dog group in a small local dog show in Clonroche...so he's doing well, I'm hoping when he puts on a bit more 'meat' he might even do better :) He has a few more shows lined up so I'll just have to wait & see. We were lucky with the weather thank God, two fairly good dry days. How's Finley keeping ? hope you little man is in good form.

Hi Ellen, what is also good about that story is that I agreed with Mr B that Bella would not be allowed on the sofa to avoid such incidents in the future, and we were very good and stuck to it.  For a year.  Then, we were both struck down with flu and like the great Gundog she could be, Bella sniffed out our weakness and claimed sofa-rights when we were at our most vulnerable.  Unlike her Dad she does prefer to share, whether you were planning on having a cuddle or not.  So tell me about your boy Finley - I love the picture of him sleeping on the tiger.

Thank you Ellen for you lovely words about my sweet little girl "Penny"

Just walked Finlay to his favorite place the reservoir because of his leg we have not been for 6months, he so enjoyed it he met all his friends 4 legged and two, every one made a great fuss of him, it's made his day and mine (",)

Hi, it's not a hard work, always a great one and a lot of pleasure. Finlay is my last great dog, he is so lovely and nice, love him very much !

HI Ellen.  Yes she is doing really well.  She went to see a really nice vet on Friday, not the scary one we have been going to. I don't think he wants to see her anymore, because he seriously screwed up and totally misdiagnosed her condition.  Anyway, the other vet we saw was really nice and calm with her. He had a good poke around and then said "whatever it is you are going for her - just keep on doing it because despite her illness she is in such amazingly good shape". However, on Sunday something a bit worrying happened. She was out running, and I tried to call her back into me when this woman came along with a Staffie that she immediately put on a lead, so I worried it might be a bit unsafe.  I called and called but she didn't acknowledge me at all.  Not even a slight glance, or even a twitch of the ears.  She also had a really strange expression on her face which was all tort.  Eventually I caught her and then after a minute or so she seemed to come back down to earth.  The stupid woman with the staffie looked at me and said "are you deaf or something" (because I had been roaring "TALLY").  So I said no.... but she is.  It was as though she was temporarily, and I have seen this happening on and off over the past few months.  Yesterday, she was scuttling around in the bushes and I barely raised my voice and she was out of them bushes like a shot.  It's really strange.  But with neurological things it really makes me wonder what is happening to her and it can get a bit scary at times. I know she has also had a few minor fits, so I am wondering if these absences are related to that..... :-/  Apart from that, like the vet said,she is in amazing shape, considering they told me she would be gone by last Christmas :-D Go go Finley, and hoping he keeps on going well too :-)  xx

Hi Fran, we love these dogs of ours but they do make us worry, hopefully it was just a one off thing with Tally my first setter always played  at deafness when it suited him, when i take Finlay to vets i hate seeing the lady vet she wanted to amputate his leg in december was quite short with me said he'd only have 6weeks if i didn't, but the two men are wonderful with Finlay they have been in touch with different specilists trying there best for him, they said the same to me keep doing what i'm doing as he seems to be doing very well, mind you he's been scratching his ear last couple of days looked at it this morning there is some dried blood in it but vets closed today will phone them tomorrow for appointment, hope Tally keeps doing well our dogs are both fighters (",) xxx

Well Ellen, she has had a really good day today. She chased several squirrels in the woods, and didn't come back distressed with her breathing, so things looking up again at the moment.  As you say, our guys are real fighters :-)

no Molly has been on holidays at the pet resort while I have been on a week long course. They sent me some photos yesterday of her really good and a report. She has not been in the pool yet this time. We don't have many IS around here but lucky Molly has a IS friend she can play with at the resort boarding at the same time.

------------

how is Finley going??

Hi Ellen, Thank you so much for your comments about my boys, have just read your page and see that your Finley was very ill in April...do so hope things improved...can't imagine losing one of mine and being young must make it heartbreaking. My thoughts are with you......one of my boys has a condition called megaosphagus and is in constant need of meds and care but when he is well he is a very happy boy and very vocal!! Take care of yourself, LOve Chris

Hi Ellen, thanks for the friend request, so nice to meet you. I am so sorry to hear about your boy, so young, love him, has he had any treatment for his tumour?  The thing I love about setters  is their resilience, when they're feeling good we all know about it and it seems the same for your boy!! I do hope he stays well for a  while yet...good luck with the ear drops, fun aren't they lol!!!

Hi Ellen... collected molly this morning... she was so excited to see me.. now alseep on the floor with the cats. We are going to QLD to meet Molly's sister, pups and dad on the weekend. good luck with the drops in his ear. It should clear up very soon. 

HI Ellen, must be very hard when things are inconclusive and Finley seems so well in himself. You have obviously had a lot of experience with irish setters, unlike me who is a bit of a novice!! Your boy looks beautiful and I really hope he continues to stay well for a long time yet, they really get into our hearts don't they.....

Hi Ellen, I think as owners (or being owned!) by our irish, we know what is best, thank goodness you insisted on Paddy having the op, I do know about bloat and how serious it can be....I think with Finley YOU know your dog and what will suit him best and as you say his quality of life is good at the moment, that may change and then there will be difficult decisions to be made. It is the same with our Jack, the prognosis is not good for dogs with MO but he doesn't know he is ill!! Some days he is quite poorly, coughing, regurgitating and tired and others he is very vocal, naughty (like all setters!!) and enjoying life to the full so we just enjoy those times and make the most of them...he is the one with the most character but at least we know if he is quiet that he is not feeling great and can treat him accordingly. I have a brilliant vet whom we have got to know very well due to Jack and I have antibiotics at home to treat Jack immediately if  feel he needs them as delay might start a chest infection which could trun to pneumonia and be fatal...so we are both in similar boats, you and me!! Have you shown any of your dogs? We bought out forst two as pets and then started to show them, got hooked and then bought Harry, the youngest, specifically to show, he is a "god " dog apparently but he wont run in the ring which causes much amusement and embarresment sometimes!! Sorry, this is long too isn't it!!

sorry dyslexic fingers!! Harry is a GOOD dog!! lol!!

Hi Ellen, Thanks for the lovely comment about my reds;o)

Hi Ellen..yes you're right, we can both "type" for England lol!!! I hope Finley has had a good day? I hav ehad to start Jck on antibiotics once again, he has been coughing and regurging quite badly for a couple of days, sometimes ha can clear it but he looked quite off colour today sochecked with the vet and she said to start them. Harry(the baby) was also at the vet to have some of his stitches out, he has been very good about them but Jack, who is the nursemaid of the group, wont stop licking them and this morning we got up to find they were all red and sore...I think we are going to have to separate them tonight as Harry now also has antibiotics!! It just needs a few days of being left to heal!!

With regard to showing, we do it but it is really just a hobby for us as we are not breeders and novices really Harry has won a couple of classes and that is a lovely feeling. If you wanted to try out a few local shows that wouldbe the way to go...look for companion shows, they are good fun and not so serious, more lighthearted..to watch and take part in!! We were at a show yesterday and one of our breeders was there with her new 6 month old puppy, adorable...legs everywhere running around the ring so funny to watch!! My husband goes in the ring with ours,I used to do it but have had ongoing health issues and just can't run around now!! Anyway, nearly bed time so will stop, take care, love and huigs to both you and Finley xx

Thats what I love about discussions! They can go in any direction ;o))

Hi Ellen

Thank you for your lovely comment,we are very proud of Louis

Hi Ellen

Louis was 3 end of  January.

Thanks Ellen. i love the name..... I wanted an Irish name for my Irish :) ,.....good to know somone who recognises it lol I usually get `whats her name ?`

Glad to know that the sun is shinning on Birmingham, it makes such a difference! Yesterday was a very beautiful day here, today it is blue grey and even grey blue sometimes  :-( The boys are fine, the front door is open and Mac is checking the street, then rushes inside to tell me every time someone is greeting him :-) What about Finlay? enjoying the sun? so happy that he is doing so well  :-)  :-)  a special cuddle from me and the boys

it was so good meeting Molly's family. They are really great. The pups were delightful. Good weekend but went too fast. Molly has been so happy to see us and be back home. We are going away again for the long weekend in June (queens birthday) but it is not really her birthday. Anyway it will all settle after that. How is Finlay???

Hi Ellen, Birmingham National Championship Show is held at Stafford County Showground. Sorry to hear your dog is not well.

Wishing you all the best, Sandra.

we are going to another state to the wineries... Molly will stay here with my granddaughter. She just hangs with her when we are away. Getting ready soon to take Molly over on the ferry to our old vet for her needles etc. We do a yearly heartworm here so that also.

My sister in law and family have just came back from England. They hired a car in York and did the tourist thing. They said it was wet just about all the time there. Enjoy your sunshine.

we moved to where we are around last Xmas. if you were to travel by road it takes over 1 1/2 hours. It is where we used to live and the girls at the vets just love Molly. I will eventually find a vet closer but Molly enjoys her outings and got lots of pats. She can sit in the ferry, it takes about 20 minutes

Ellen... I will be finding a closer vet but these guys are so special..I have known both vets for over 25 years. They looked after our previous 2 IS I think Molly is rather special just like your Finlay. Take care.. talk soon.