Hi Ellen, thanks for the email...had to laugh about Finley lying down for a better fuss from the children, my eldest, Merlin would be like that, he adores children...apparently when he was born his breeder got all the children in the village to come in at different times and pet the puppies so consequently he LOVES children lol!!

Hope Filey is having a good day and enjoying the sun, very hot isn't it, lovely but the boys find t a bit much especially Jack. Had to take him to the vet yesterday as he hasn't really improved so is now having steroids. Harry has stitches becuase he had some cysts removed. At the moment he looks as if someone has run amok with scissors so no showing for him for a while!!

Yes, do go to a show and watch, it's the best idea to see what happens, there are some champ ones in Birmingham...i think that's where you are??? but you can go along to a companion one this time of year, the format is just the same. Well must go, have retired now but seem to be even busier than I was then!! Have a good weekend Love Chris xx

Hi Ellen,

well you may well have seen on here that very sadly we had to have our lovely boy Jack put to sleep this morning...it was very sad and a difficult decision but he was very poorly so I know we made the right choice but oh dear, just so sad now, the other two have been very queit today, especially Harry as they were very close. Do hope Finley is well and happy. LOve Chris xx

Hi Ellen sorry to hear Finley is ill and keep the photos coming that's what this site is for i just love looking at all the lovely setters from all over the world .

take care Martina and girls

Hi Ellen.

Tally is doing ok in the heat, but I have been taking her out early in the mornings and keeping her close to water so that she can swim if she starts struggling.  I also have a kool coat for her to wear in the house if she gets too hot, and have a fan blowing on her at night.  I have been dreading the heat (as far as she is concerned) but with all this management she is getting through it really well :-D  They are all sleeping much of day, and then bounce about a bit in the evenings and then settle down again quite quickly thankfully.  It is a real sticky day today and she has taken herself off into her cage.  I am now really nice and suntanned :-D  Love to Finley :-D

he is a gem... what a beautiful big boy. Molly is quite small she came from a big litter and I think maybe one of the smaller ones but you could not trade her personality. Your Finlay looks like he has a nice temperment also. Has he met any other IS I often wonder what Molly would do if she met one. They always look good together.

he sure likes his toys. Molly does not have any at the moment. She is too busy lying around doing nothing. Very wet here the last few days and cold but not cold like you would know. We were in London a few years ago at Xmas it was COLD. I feel like I know Finlay hugs and kisses. Where did you get him from I mean what area in the UK.

HI Ellen,

Thank you so much for yourmessages and your phone number, my hearing is not that good so I prefer email on the whole but so nice to have and may well make use of it one day. I'm not sure how to send a private message to you but would like you to maybe have my email so we can chat that way?

We are trying to adjust to life without Jack but it is very hard, because we had to do such a lot for him he has left a huge hole, he was a very "in you face" dog too and always following me around so I talked to him all the time , now I still talk to him but in my head!! I know we did the right thing and luckily we had spoken about what we would do when the time came but talking about it and doing it are very different things......it was clear though that he was suffering and I know we did the right thing for him as you will for Finley, hopefully not for a very long time yet!!

We have had such great kindness, some from people we don't even know which has been a great comfort..like us they love their dogs and realise what a heartbreaking decision it is. At the  moment we are lurching from being "ok" to dissolving in tears at some memory and just missing him so much..we have just had a lovely note from our vet which has set me off again. Anyway better go....if you can explain to me how to send you my eail privately that would be lovely, I would really like to keep in touch Ellen. Love Chris xx

we were fortunate to have the opportunity of visiting London 3 times combined with trips to Europe. Sydney is home but London is something else. I would be back today if I had the funds to get there. I am always looking for cheap airfares. Next time we will go back we will spend some time in the southern part of Italy  spend more time in London and see more of England. I have not been to Ireland where I assume I would see some IS running around. Molly has just got up from the bed it is now nearly 10am. Lazy girl but it is cold and wet... guess she likes her bed also. Hope Finlay is being a good boy as I am sure he would be...

Thank you Ellen for your kind comment about Grace

Hello Ellen, Yes I reckon you are the nearest.  I used to work at the BT Exchange at Kingstanding until I retired, only about 2 miles from where we live.  We are showing Saffy and although she's a late developer she's doing quite well.  Your boy looks lovely.  We have a friend who lives at Bartley Green.  Don't seem to come on this site much lately, but it's good to be in touch with other Setter owners.

Regards  Joan

Thanks for your comment on my blog, Ellen! Venice is really a place worth visiting but I would recommend going out of season - there are always many people in Venice but there are times where there are slightly less :-)). All the best, C & J xxx

Hi Ellen thank you for your lovely comments on my photos its hard sometimes to get nice ones as they are always on the move hope Finley is well

all the best Martina and girls

Thanks for checking out my page and dogs.  Hope you are enjoying the site.

Tally is still in bed.  She had a really good run yesterday and did really well :-)   She doesn't like damp or wet mornings,. and today is damp, so I doubt I will be seeing much of her before walkies time lol.  The past couple of evenings she has gone bonkers, chasing her favorite toy around and sloshing the other two in the face with it. So glad she is feeling happy.   Give Finlay a hug from us xxx

I'll have to make arrangements to come and visit you and Finley :-)  Look up the Kyjen toys  They last forever :-)  I have had two snakes (I bought 2 because I thought they would never last lol ) they have had them for about 2 months now and they are still going strong :-)  :-)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=kyjen+dog+toy&t...

Hi Ellen, thanks for your lovely email, sorry I've taken solong to reply..not sure where the time goes really!! Things seem to be getting better slowly, Merlin and Harry seem brighter, still quiet but playing a bit now....we took them to a show in Newbury  and that seemed to be a bit of a turning point somehow although emotional at first seeing the bench where Jack would have been, empty. We are keeping busy, just doing mundane things, keeeping things going.

Gosh you have quite a busy life don't you!! Two jobs.....I have workd hard in my life but never had two jobs to cope with! As you say very different but that might be a good thing, at least you wont be bored!! I can imagine how Finley is a mummy's boy, long may it last and yes, I do think we have  special bond with them when they are poorly and yet they seem to be th ones with the most character...how sad for you losing two already but I'm sure they live on in your heart forever...I know Jack will stay with us.

One of the people who wrote to me has a web site where you can put a tribute to your setter, so my husband wrote something which is very fitting and gives a real sense of how Jack was, it will be nice to go there and read it from time to time.

Today we are off to my daughter, her partner's girls are coming over as it is Holly's (the eldest) 4th birthday and it will be a chace for me to see my grandson who is 9weeks old...they live about an hour away so not too bad but can't just nip round to see them!! I have a few health problems myself  and get very tired. I have a kidney transplant which i have had for over 30 years but it is now failing so my husband is going to donate one of his to me which is all ready to go but I am now getting some heart problems as well so have to oace myself a bit!! I also belong to something called rock choir which I love, if you are interested you can see us on youtube doing a flashmob at the ideal home exhibition earlier this year singing "let me entertain you" by Robbie Williams..it was brilliant fun.

Well better go, hope you and Finley have been enjoying the weekend, did yoy do anything special? We went to see one of my friends singing in a band last night in a nearby village which was very good.

Take care Ellen, give Finley a hug from me

Love Chris xx

we arrived at the wineries tonight. Wine tasting over the weekend. It is Thursday night here. Molly is just like Finlay... when I am on the computer and it is dinner time she tries to stop me typing by climbing on my back and clawing me. Paws on the keyboard. How is dear Finlay. Good I hope. Do you like red wine well it has to be the best in Australia here in Victoria. I will post on my return or better still during my wine experience. take care Eunice ..... my granddaughter is looking after our precious Molly this weekend.

Enjoy that red wine, i dont drink red wine much and i must admit i've never tried Australian wine but i'll get a bottle to try, Finlay is keeping well at the moment thanks, we went to the resivoir this morning he's so happy to go there it's his favorite place and he met some of his four legged friends but i think he prefers the owners, Molly will be happy when your home but at least she'll have fun with your granddaughter while your away, enjoy the weekend and taste pleanty of wine, speak soon, Ellen& Finlay xxx 

What is the status with your sweet boy? I am just joining the conversation and would like to know about his illness. It appears that he is a strong soul. And that's a great thing.

It is unfair - setters deserve the best. And Finley is getting your best. May the tumor be nothing more than an abcess or something of little consequence.

Peace,

Marc and "the Girls"

we are back after a nice weekend at the wineries. Molly really missed us. Went crazy when we got home.

Hi Ellen

How are you and Finlay getting on? Candy had a wonderful time chasing swallows at lunchtime and I realised that I hadn't been in touch for a while - I think it was remebering Hattie doing the same that brought Finlay to mind. I hope he is doing well, please give him a huge hug from me and the girls.

Lesley, Candy & Poppy

yep just like Molly. She woke up at 1.30am this morning wanting to greet us all again and to play games. Not a happy owner. She went outside in the freezing cold and then back in barking and jumping all over me. We had some nice wine but good to be back home. Off today on the ferry again to see my other grandkids as their parents are doing a course. Hope it is not too rocky weather not great at the moment.

Hi Ellen

I sent a few messages but it seems they did not get through. Anyway we had a good time and Mollyis glad we are back. I went across on the ferry to look after my grandkids and it was rough but not too bad but when I arrived the seas were so bad we had trouble getting off and the waves were breaking on the jetty. Molly is really feeling the separation but my husband was here with her while I was in Sydney with the grandkids. Why are our IS  so spolt .... I guess because we love them so much. How iw Finlay so much a baby like Molly. Next week a conference for 2 days in Sydney then hopefully rest. I have been travelling much of May and June. Take care. xxxx to you and Finlay

that is so great about Finley... don't forget to put the photos on the site. Molly is 9 December and he is 14th? They are only a few days apart. Maybe he has been doing self hypnosis on himself to get better ha ha. GREAT NEWS

Where in Dublin were you based? I'm in the very south side of the county, not far from Dun Laoghaire.

got your message ellen Hope you are ok. Well Finley is an IS they watch but that is about all. Did you speak to this horrible characte? Not nice for you. Keep safe.

Hello Ellen -thanks for your interest in Twoacres. You might like to look at my website www.twoacresweb.co.uk.Nice webcam piccy of my new babies on there.Sorry to hear your boy is not well. hope you both are coping

Let me know if I can help with any further info.

Gill

Hi Ellen, how's things ? Hope you're keeping well. Sorry its taken so long to get back to you, haven't been on the site much recently. Ro swallowed a large stone & had to have bowel surgery to remove it but he's well on the mend now just still under weight. The show in kilkenny you asked about is actually on this weekend, we're going to go & see how he gets on.Enjoying a sunny day here for a change, I can't remember a June this wet in a looong time! How's your baby Finley doing? in good spirits I hope !!!  I'll let you know how Ro gets on...keep the fingers & toes crossed :) take care...

Michelle & the lads

Happy Birthday Ellen;o Have a brilliant day;o)

Hi Ellen ! Have a very ~~Happy Birthday~~ today :)

from Michelle & the boys xxxx

Happy Birthday Ellen!

Happy Birthday Ellen!!!  I am sure Finlay is preparing a fantastic celebration!!  :-)

Happy Birthday Ellen hope you and Finley have a great day

Happy Birthday Ellen, hope there is cake for you and Finlay xx

Hi Ellen ! I don't think any of us like getting older :) still I hope you had a good day. Rohan won his Junior Dog class today in Kilkenny, hopefully he'll do well in Waterford tomorrow too. If you go to the 'main page' Ellen, on the left hand side scroll down past the 'video' clips and the list of birthdays for the current & following day are usually listed so that's where you'll find them :) Another fairly decent day today...hope it stays that way!

Best wishes to you & Finley.

Hello Ellen. Thank you for the friend invite. Love too. Hugs to you and Finley.

Rhonda Kerry and Murphy.

Thanks Ellen for your words of comfort.  Yes, Bajka was a wonderful and beautiful red girl. My first Irish. It was a luck to live with her for 15 years. Many funny days, great meetings, a lot of new friends:-)

I hope Finlay's health improved.

And belated but the best birthday wishes for you:-)

Hi Ellen, second place for Ro today, turned out a nice day too & not a long drive to Tramore either, I'd never driven there before , actually since I started showing \i've been driving to aloit of 'new' destinations :) Thank god for sat-nav :)

How's Finley keeping ? love the long hair on his ears, poor Ro's has to be all trimmed off for the shows. Take care...Michelle & the boys.

Hi, Thank you for your lovely comments.

Hi Ellen, Thanks for the comment, Rio is a lovely chap, great fun,  much admired and quite a character, I love him to bits and he has been a great  comfort and distraction to me since my husband passed away the end of April. He is fantastic with all my nieces and nephews and insists on joining in with most of their games, three of my nephews are autistic to varying levels and were quite wary of Rio to begin with but he has gained their trust and he is playing a huge part in their develpoment and confidence,  I don't think he knows just how special he is!. Bye for now Jennifer Martin  

Morning Ellen, yes everything is fine here and really hope it is the same on your side with your "miracle" boy  :-) I gather he is still doing great? We should never stop hoping for the best  :-)
We are busy showing our big pup, Mac, and I think he will start to love the shows ... nothing to do with the competition but for the fabulous games he can have after the show with very handsome Rohan from Michelle Walsh. Darwin really enjoy going to shows, he is only a spectator and keep a judging eye on his brother  :-)  Love from us all

Beautiful pictures of your baby I love that.

Ellen thank you for lovely comments. I never had two dogs on my own but I think it was the best step forward. Jasper new pup is just wonderful and I can see that bought my boys loves their life what is the best thing for me and I really enjoy them every minute. Have a nice evening and nice to heard from you x. 

Hi Ellen, good to hear from you, we are eagerly awaiting our new arrival on friday next week willsend pictures as soon as possible. My other two girls will have a rude awakening as they are getting on a bit. Georgia is 11 in sept and I think she will mother the new arrival. Becky is cock of the show at present so we will have to make a very big fuss of her.

Kind regards Sandra

Thank you for accepting my invitation! :-) Your dog Finlay is absolutely gorgeous!!! And I see that you live in Birmingham? I know Birmingham quite well and have friends that live there. Part of my mother's family lives in the Northampton/Milton Keynes area.

Ellen, I just read that Finlay is ill? With cancer? I'm so, so sorry to hear that! I also wish you and Finlay the very best!

Hi Ellen,

What a terrible shock! Cancer is the last thing you would think of when a young animal like your wonderful Finlay starts limping ... We lost our Gordon Setter Orlane to cancer but she was already at an advanced age. It's a terrible illness. However, the fact that the vet was so wrong with his prognosis is reason for hope, as well as the fact that Finlay is well and happy. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and wish you both lots of strength! Kind regards, Eileen

Hi Ellen, hope you and Finlay are doing very well and the sun in shinning in your area  :-)  You wanted to know about Mac, so here it is .. Mac is now an Irish Junior Champion!!!!  Will put a blog soon when I can find some time to do it.