Thanks for all your welcomes, you do seem a friendly bunch. My bitch, Lizzie (3) is a labrador/collie cross. Last year I mated her with a standard poodle and she had 10 pups. I kept one, Sandy, now 10 months. The pups came out smooth but they're reminiscent of labradoodles now, though not as tall. It certainly was an experience, and pretty hectic, but because Sandy's a male I had Lizzie spayed last December. I thought bitches were supposed to calm down after they'd been spayed, but no signs of it so far! They're both very boisterous and need a lot of exercise. I'll be having Sandy clipped and groomed in the mobile dog beauty parlour - an amazing vehicle - later this month, because with his thick curly hair he's getting hot.

Charlie (14) is my cat who I've had since he was born - most unexpectedly - he was the sole kitten. One of my daughters has his mother now. Kitty (8) I've also had since she was born, but sadly her mother got run over.