WESTIE WALKERS - for Westies and Friends of Westies

Leanne has sent us an update on Bonnies' litter. As you can see from the photos below, they are adorable and are doing well. Fortunately, or unfortunately if you were too slow to contact Leanne, they have all found homes. We look forward to seeing them at future Westie Walks, after they've had all their shots of course.

Congratulations to Bonnie, who has just given birth to a litter of pedigree puppies. Three male pups are for sale, and will be ready to leave their Mum at the end of July 2008.

They are all beautiful healthy boys, and growing rapidly. All will be vet checked, wormed and vaccinated, and with papers. Price on application. Please contact Leanne by email, leanne@leannestevens.com.au.

Click "Read More" to see the photos...

The School of Veterinary Science at The University of Queensland would like you help with their valuable research into the genetic causes of skin allergies and itchiness in our beloved breed. They are specifically looking for non-itchy Westies 5 years of age or older. If you own a Westie that meets these criteria and would like to participate, please call or email them at the contact details given below.

Click "Read More" to read more and for the contact details ...

Central New Farm Veterinary Surgery is sponsoring a Fun Day and Amateur Dog Show.

It is at the Lamington St Off Leash Dog Park at New Farm on Saturday April 5th from 7-10 am.

There is and Amateur Dog Show with prizes and free dental checks for all entrants, demonstrations of Dog Obedience, Agility and Grooming and Food, Sample bags and more. See current issue of Brisbane News page 24!

Hope to see you all there to show Westies Rule!

Have a read of this request sent to the Queensland West Highland White Terriers Club - you might like to participate! If you do, please contact Stefanie at the contact points described below:

My name is Stefanie Mellon and I am in my final year of my Bachelor of Photography degree at the Queensland College of Art. I am currently in the process of creating a new social documentary project. I hope you don’t mind me contacting you. I sourced your email address from the Canine Control Council of QLD website.

I am interested in conducting professional portraits of owners and their dogs in their natural environment. I am especially interested in dogs that compete in dog shows. I will be photographing the project over the next three weeks and was wondering whether you or anyone you know would like to take part. In short I would be taking a professional portrait on film and digital in which you would receive a print of. I am willing to travel to your location as well as organize an appropriate time that would suit both you and me.

It is a very positive project and I hope that you consider taking part in it. I will leave my contact details and hope to hear from you within the next couple of days. Feel free to email me back if you have any questions as I would be happy to answer.

Also feel free to pass on my contacts detail if you know anyone that would be interested. Thankyou.

Stefanie Mellon
Mobile- 0403717214
Home- 3700 9687
Email- Stefanie.Mellon@student.griffith.edu.au

Trish, Indy and Chloe have informed us that Wilston Westie Walkers made the social pages of the first quarter edition of Your Pet magazine! There is a wonderful pictorial of our year end Westies on Parade held on 18 November 2007 at Merthyr Park. The magazine is available for free and is usually distributed at local vets. Alternatively, click on the link and go to Page 9.

Guide Dogs Queensland was very grateful for your generous donations and sent you all a letter.

Here's wishing all Wilston Westie Walkers a very Merry Festive Season and looking forward to catching up again in the New Year!

A wonderful opportunity has arisen for you to increase your pack size by up to four. Dr. Meredith Brothers from Wilston Vet , has four, very cute Westie puppies available for adoption. If you're interested, please contact Meredith by email or on (07) 3357 3882. Photos of the puppies from 16th October 2007.

Rachel was lucky enough to adopt Piper, one of Grace's latest litter. She has kindly sent through some photos of how quickly Piper is growing and how well she and Booker are getting on. Hopefully, Piper will be joining the next walk on the 18th November.

As opportunity would have it, we've received this request for assistance with one of our popular forum topics - Skin Problems in Westies. Please have a read and consider if you'd like to help!

Hello,

My name is Joana and I am postgraduate international student of the Veterinary School of the University of Queensland. I am currently enrolled in a MPhil project about atopic dermatitis, an allergic inflammatory chronic skin disease in Westies, under the supervision of Dr Caroline O'Leary and with the collaboration of three veterinary dermatologists in QLS and NSW. Your contact was kindly provided by Rob Dalla-Costa, owner of "Angus", who is collaborating with us in this study.

The aim of our research is to improve the clinical, pathological and genetic description of this disease in this breed and therefore contribute to the future development of a molecular genetic test that could identify sick puppies and carrier animals before they are bred (and thus preventing the transmission of the condition along generations). We also expect to contribute to a better understanding of the disease in these dogs, as well as to improve its diagnosis and therapeutic options.

Therefore, we would be very grateful if any interested owner of an already diagnosed or probably affected Westie with this disease could voluntarily collaborate with us on this research, with no financial obligations.

Please feel free to contact me if you're willing to participate or make any enquiries.

Thank you very much,

Joana

Dr Joana Roque BVSc

MPhil candidate

School of Veterinary Science

The University of Queensland

St Lucia Queensland

Australia 4072

s4130849@student.uq.edu.au

0410968452