Hi Sue how are things in the world of cocker's & English Setters? Haven't had much time (not to mention a big hit with a computer virus knocking out my computer big time..... lost everything but luckily I had photos etc backed up) due to our wonderful cocker puppy Woody - more on him later.
Sorry to hear about Jaspers problem with his dislocated leg... we had the exact same problem with our first ES Chester who dislocated his hip when he was about 2 years old, he was just running in a field when it dislocated, like you numerous operations to put the joint back in but as soon as bandages came off out it would pop again, in the end the vet ended up sawing off the top of the leg bone which sounds horrendous but alas after a few months recovering the muscles built up to hold the leg in place and like Jasper he was back to running & lived a great life to 12 years of age and that was the start of our long love affair with all things setters.
So what about cocker's....... well everything I have read on this forum is true and we are so pleased we chose to have a cocker share our lives Woody is a fantastic little fella, here is a picture of him with Sammy our gorden setter
http://i522.photobucket.com/albums/w343/theduces/Summer2008022.jpghe looks so much like a gordie puppy we keep expecting his legs to get longer! He is so loving and wants attention all the time either from us or Sammy (who loved to sleep until about 11am each day but now... no chance!) The only thing I'm a little unsure about is his feeding I am giving him Eukanuba puppy & junior as instructed but woody seems to be a little big he is now 17 weeks old and weighs around 9.5 kg is this ok? It may be that we are so used to Gordie pups who are so tall, thin & gangly at that age making Woody seem a little fat to us. Well talking of food he has now come in to tell me its dinner time and that's another thing what a loud voice for such a little dog!!!!
Hope you had luck finding someone to share your walks, sorry I'm not nearer although with Jasper looking so like my loverly Monty may have taken him home with me.... regards, June