Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Yes - bloat is a horrible HORRIBLE thing that can happen to any deep-chested breed.
All the books tell you what to feed and what not to feed the dog., and no exercise straight after feeding etc etc - years back, our Bloodhound got it on an empty stomach...........and you really DONT have much time - you must get to a vet!
Sir Humphrey had to have TWO operations, and a long slow recovery.......for a year, we did all the right things, but almost to the day, it happened again........and after all the poor lad had been through, we decided it would be better to put him to sleep. A lot of people have asked me "how do you know when it happens"?.......believe me - you DO....
the dog shows extreme discomfort and agitation, tries to be sick but can't...and you can see the stomach begin to swell.........it's something I hope I NEVER see again.
huggies
Maria

This thread seems like a good place to jump in and add a few comments on the TITA comp....
My first time in it, and I received a copy of the Japan Teddy Bear mag yesterday, with a feature on the nominated bears....................
all the nominated bears had to be sent to Japan, a while back, and they have been BEAUTIFULLY photographed against the same neutral background, to "level the playing field" for the voting. There is also a pic of the bears on display - all perfectly set out to show them off...........
I'm just SO impressed with the whole organisation of the competition!
huggies
Maria

Congratulations, Tami
a well-deserved and lovely feature :dance:  :dance:
huggies
Maria :hug:

Hi Peta
I never did an Arts degree - and always wish I had! Sitting sewing bears, my BSc in Geology seems a bit of a joke!
If I had the opportunity now I would certainly GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!
huggies
Maria :hug:

Congratulations, Marlys - great sales - and yes - it is even more special when someone falls so much in love with your bears that they buy LOTS!
big huggies
Maria :hug:

Oh Julia - how exciting for you!!!  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance: Huge congratulations for a magnificent panda -  and a LOVELY trophy!
big huggies
Maria :hug:

Lisa - congratulations on a fantastic achievement - great idea - and fabulous results...............
HARD to vote!!!!
big huggies
Maria :hug:  :hug:

It's a LOVELY site - well done, you! The bears look marvellous...and of course, your dogs
huggies
Maria

Skin problems seem to be getting more and more common in our furry friends.......
We had a bloodhound, who itched and scratched every Spring/summer.....  we were brushed off with cortisone tablets which seemed to keep the problem under control - then a new vet sent us off to a vet dermatologist.
Patch tests showed that Sir Humphrey was allergic to...GRASS! We then went through a regimen of de-sensitising  injections ......
Our first Leonberger had skin problems, and the vet here sent off blood samples for analysis - turned out she was allergic to all sorts of things - again - de-sensitising injections helped.
I really would suggest trying to find a vet dermatologist, or at least having your vet run some tests......and GOOD LUCK! 
The causes of allergies are difficult to pin down - but it's awful to watch your pet in such discomfort, so it's worth a try
huggies
Maria

To everyone who celebrates it - Happy thanksgiving!!!!
Have a wonderful day! :dance:  :dance:
big huggies
Maria

Kim - your wee accessories are STUNNING!!!!!!!!
I don't dress too many of my bears - but i do LOVE it - and yes - it takes me forever!
I just finished a "Hamlet" doing the "Alas poor Yorick" bit, with of all things, a plastic dinosaur skull (being long in the snout, it looks like it could almost be from one of my bears).......I think his little doublet alone took me two days to sew...............
And I do have a huge stash of bits of fabric, braid, lace, leather - you name it.........seems I just can't throw anything away!
huggies
Maria

Yes - the BarReport is probably the most widely read of the four German bear magazines - and they DO both the Euro Teddy Show in Essen, and the Teddybar Welt in Wiesbaden - one of the biggest shows here.
Maybe they are trying to drum up interest outside of Germany????
For the record - I DIDN'T get the email!
huggies
Maria

Several big huggies for you  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:
I know how disappointed you must be - that's the trouble with shows - you just have no idea HOW they will go.
I've certainly noticed here (in Germany) that the visitors are less and less willing to part with their cash, and with the money markets looking a bit shaky these days, they are probably stashing their "readies" under the mattress.
Must say - I go to shows with NO expectations - just having a fun day, catching up with friends, meeting new ones, and wallowing in all things bear.....and any sales are a bonus. O.K. - it can get expensive if you don't sell...but DON'T give up just yet - you'll get there!!!!

huggies
Maria

Hiya
you could contact Martina on www.mousebears.de  She is a real sweetie, and speaks pretty good English
Silvia's website is www.silviagilles.de , and I did notice the book on her website

hope this helps!
huggies
Maria

Krista - you are an absolute STAR!!!!!!
I hope all goes ell with these adorable babies, and looking forward to more pics
big huggies
Maria :hug:  :hug:

It's a LOVELY website, Marlys - you have evry right to be PROUD of it!
huggies
Maria

Poor you, Jenny! Hope it gets less painful soon - and yes - you deserve/need to be waited on..........
And on a slightly brighter note - I found, years back when I was hobbling round on crutches, I lost a lot of weight - it takes a lot of effort and energy.  Just think - NO post festive season diets for you!
big huggies
Maria

Huge congrats again, Penney and Berta!  :dance:  :dance:
I didn't enter this year, but it was just as exciting to be able to pass the good news on to you both.

Just a word of caution, Penney - try to find someone who is going to the show to take your bear in for you.....
at the risk of introducing a bit of negativity, I must warn you that the TWW lot are not so good at returning things promptly..........
big huggies
Maria

I did a show a couple of weeks back - it was All Bears, at Wallau (near Wiesbaden)
Now this was the third year of the show...............the first year I went, just as a visitor - it was QUIET, to say the least. My friend Sabine reported sales of precisely NO bears........
Last year I went as an exhibitor..........visitor numbers were up, and Sabine and I both sold two bears - two more than I'd expected to!
So this year, off we went again - not holding out much hope......BUT.....we took our dog,Nounours, along - she is a BIG Leonberger, and rather bear like. The show was woefully smaller than last year.....and sales BAD.....
but I did amazingly well...and Nou' had a tremendous time , playing to her constant audience of admirers - food for thought!? The ultimate attention grabber??????????
However - if the show is repeated next year (which looks doubtful) I imagine Nounours will be banned - she was/is moulting as only a Leonberger can, and despite having a rug to lie on, left rather a lot of fur all over the nice carpets!
huggies
Maria

Congratulations (and well-deserved!!!) Vicki :dance:  :dance:

looks like it will be a real TT BBAA event....

huggies
Maria

Sue
you are not alone in that - I think we are all our own worst critics! With every bear I've ever made, all I can see are the bits I'm NOT happy with. Happily, everyone else seems only to notice the overall effect  (whether they actually LIKE it is another matter!)
huggies
Maria

Huge congratulations, Bobbie!!!! :dance:  :dance:
huggies
Maria

hi Sue
please don't feel down - not getting a nomination happens - it doesn't mean your bear is not good enough.....
I think there is always a huge element of luck in this game - however impartial the judges are, they are almost bound to be drawn to a particular type of bear - same thing happens with our purchasing public - one person will fall in love with a bear, another will walk past it.
Using the BBAAs as an example - I made KiXXi (my avatar) last year - entered him in the URSAs - ZILCH - tried the Euro Teddies, where he got nominated but not placed......and last chance - the BBAAs, where he took Best in Show (HUGE shock!!!).........you just never can tell!!!
Your time will come - really!!!!
big huggies
Maria

And congratulations to you too, Lisa...........way to go! :dance:  :dance:
huggies
Maria

Oh - well done, Chloe - I'm so pleased for you!!!
But honestly -- someone ought to be SHOT for this shambolic way of trickling out the news of nominations - it was SO unfair on those of you who had to wait so long! Still - better late than never!
big huggies
Maria