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giving dogs chocolate

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giving dogs chocolate

Posted by Vince F on April 08, 2001 at 17:40:52:

came across a site that gave amounts of chocolate that
are Supposed to be toxic to dogs and it was in grams and
not lbs Like the supposed info I read before so I wonder if
Anyone knows so though I will still give it I will continue
to give very little like the One chip each when I ate a
dozen or two and keep it away from them. I also gave them
one choc covered peanut each and storeing both in the
microwave right now since some have been said to be able to open the
frige AND the frige I have now is in the yard till I can
enlarge the kitchen since it is Too big. I leave my hounds
out when i go out and have worried they would have a feast
if they ever got it open. reminds me i have to redo the
1/2" screening on the storm door since my female tries to
eat through it to get in once in a while and Has lost a
tooth doing it. Still trying to figure out why she does it
and it isn't often so maybe something spooks her or she
doesn't feel good and wants the comfort of being inside or
maybe all the cats have left and she is bored.

VF



JUST SAY NO...

Posted by LT on April 08, 2001 at 19:08:47:

In Reply to: giving dogs chocolate posted by Vince F on April 08, 2001 at 17:40:52:

every chart that I've read says something different -- I know the dog on the health board that siezured and died had just a little bit of cooking chocolate (i don't know if it was semi-sweet or bittersweet), which leads me to believe that every dog has their own limits. For the longterm health of the liver, which is the organ that is assaulted when eating chocolate, it's best not even to give it. Larger dogs, like yours, will certainly have a better tolerance. Thank goodness humans don't have this problem -- I'd be dead!

maybe you could find some way to lock the fridge?



I say Maybe...

Posted by Vince F on April 08, 2001 at 19:27:18:

In Reply to: JUST SAY NO... posted by LT on April 08, 2001 at 19:08:47:


Having had a hound survive poisoning with aresnic,
strycnine, and cyanide I figure a little chocolate won't
hurt them. IF it upset their system I would avoid it. My
male ate the 2 lbs of Oreo's and Fig Neutons soon after
and had no problems from either and he was the Sensitive
one.

My first hound who got into the poison and just got the runs
also was bothered by fresh figs that fell into the yard of
a place I had just moved into and didn't know it was a fig
tree that over hung the yard. She had the runs Bad and must
have mouthed figs she didn't eat since there were also
brown lumps Everywhere so I thought her insides had come out

VF



a possible alternative...?

Posted by Peter (new one) on April 08, 2001 at 20:22:40:

In Reply to: giving dogs chocolate posted by Vince F on April 08, 2001 at 17:40:52:

Vince, for their health sake, try offering karob coated yogurt candy instead. I bet they scarf it up, look at you and say: "Hey, Vince! You're a Wild and Crazy Guy!"



Re: a possible alternative...?

Posted by Vince F on April 09, 2001 at 01:48:54:

In Reply to: a possible alternative...? posted by Peter (new one) on April 08, 2001 at 20:22:40:

someone gave me some yogurt candy and they wouldn't eat it.
The ingredients didn't turn me on either and i rarely push
something on them that they don't accept. I Do like giving
them anything they bug me for even spiked chili though I
go easy on anything I feel might bother them but I don't
fear much.

VF

Follow Ups:


chili con carne tonite..

Posted by Vince F on April 09, 2001 at 02:47:31:

In Reply to: giving dogs chocolate posted by Vince F on April 08, 2001 at 17:40:52:

Had to mash the beans and corn since they don't chew.
There's that legume with a yellow veggie again. Would like
to see that forming a complete protein listed again. Been
wanting to give them peanut butter but haven't wanted any
myself so they'll have to wait.

Picked up cod liver oil tonite since the fish oil bothered
so will give the hounds some with the flax. Still can't find
anything that bothers them. It IS amazing... Wish I knew
about the cayenne before. Only took me 4 yrs to try it on
my male. I am thinking of geting Pepper Spray to have
sprayable cayenne. Bet would would cure my mothers bed sore
in a few days instead of all the Voo Doo they are trying on
her with NO success...

VF



Re: I say Maybe...

Posted by katie on April 09, 2001 at 04:20:37:

In Reply to: I say Maybe... posted by Vince F on April 08, 2001 at 19:27:18:

Vince-
Why help them develop a taste for something you know isn't good for them? katie



Re: I say Maybe...

Posted by Vince F on April 09, 2001 at 05:17:30:

In Reply to: Re: I say Maybe... posted by katie on April 09, 2001 at 04:20:37:

katie,

They Already had a taste for it and they don't know it isn't
good for them.

I don't think I can make them want it by giving it just
like the chili I just gave them. It smeels good enough to
eat. I think the chili might be more dangerous since they
ran around like their butts were on fire before and after
I fed it and they wanted More. With chocolate they take what
I give them and don't bug me for more. They must know there
is a question about it.

VF



Re: chili con carne tonite.. Yikes !!!

Posted by Vince F on April 09, 2001 at 05:56:09:

In Reply to: chili con carne tonite.. posted by Vince F on April 09, 2001 at 02:47:31:

Maybe it was the extra hot pepper or the cod oil or the
niacin I fed but I sure had some Manic hounds... They ran
around like their butts were on fire even before I fed them
the chili. They pestered me and made it hard for me to eat
mine and stared at the bowl and poked me to I gave them
some and didn't settle down till 10 min after eating it. It
was like they had a chemical stress test or I should say a
chili one... MAYBE they were geting flashes from the hot
pepper and a flush from the niacin and the cod lubed their
joints making them move around more. Gona have to try that
again but may charge admission.

VF

Follow Ups:


Re: I say Maybe...

Posted by Raisa on April 09, 2001 at 08:47:28:

In Reply to: Re: I say Maybe... posted by Vince F on April 09, 2001 at 05:17:30:

Hi, Vince - Whatever foods you are giving your dogs must be safe for them, since they are doing so well and are so happy. They have lived long lives.
My son's dog, who is about l3 years old by now goes crazy if he drinks even a little coffee! He must be allergic to the caffeine--he's the dog I mentioned that got so sick from a half box of chocolates. My son's wife spilled some coffee and their dog loved it but then became very hyper afterwards.
It seems as if you know how much to give them, and unless they find it accidentally they shouldn't get sick.It's good to hear that your dogs are still acting like puppies most of the time!



Re: I say Maybe...

Posted by Vince F on April 09, 2001 at 14:02:56:

In Reply to: Re: I say Maybe... posted by Raisa on April 09, 2001 at 08:47:28:

Raisa,

Just like people the dog may have been sensitive to the
caffene. I would try Decaf. I could fall asleep while
on my 6th cup in a short time while others can't sleep
after drinking one late at night and it makes them hyper.

You learn how to manage pets and I restrict my hounds from
the kitchen or where i can't see what they are geting into
since they Will. I keep snacks in a bag I hang next to
where I sit on the sofa as i do my soda and keep my glass on
the coffee table so i don't have to get up when i want them
to save energy and the bag is hanging where they have to
get by me to get to it and I Don't leave them alone very
long with it or My food since it would disapear. I keep
a trash bag near me behind the sofa and they used to get on
the sofa and steal wrappers out of it but don't now that I
give them a taste and let them lick the wrappers.

Interesting today that I have left both hounds outside
by themself and No barking to come in. I haven't seen any
other changes in the female but my male was just siting out
there looking at things. it Must be from him feeling better/
normal.

Better get Grooming... I took yesterday off. Trying to
find a brush that fits my hand better and went to 4 stores
with no luck. Gona have to make one. Think I'll get
some material i can mold and hold it around the handle in
my hand till it sets since I get blisters and that keeps me
from finishing.

How's your doggie doin ??

VF



Re: I say Maybe...

Posted by Raisa on April 09, 2001 at 20:46:01:

In Reply to: Re: I say Maybe... posted by Vince F on April 09, 2001 at 14:02:56:

Hi, Vince - Thanks for asking - my little dog is doing fine. She is very demanding, but if I don't pay attention to her, pretty soon she jumps up on my lap to take a nap.
Today, my grandson came over, and Ellie had a great time playing tug-of-war with him. Then we went out, and she gladly (well, to be truthful, not exactly gladly) went into her crate. She wouldn't have to go into her crate, but she seems to feel safer there when I'm not here. I never am gone for long, and she lets me know if she wants to go along by going into her crate if she doesn't, or standing by the door if she does.
They say that people who have dogs live a much happier life.
All I know is that my little dog gives me much joy. I think yours do too! It's a shame that the researchers can't figure out a way to let them live longer!



Re: I say Maybe...

Posted by Vince F on April 09, 2001 at 22:58:34:

In Reply to: Re: I say Maybe... posted by Raisa on April 09, 2001 at 20:46:01:

Raisa,

You sounded like you didn't like Ellie being in the crate.
If so I used to feel that way untill I learned. My guys like
to go in just to lounge and I am always tell D to get out
when I want to crate her. Sometimes both are in it together
which I don't like but they do.

WORKED on Diablo's coat some more and wasn't really up to
doing it but did. Had to wrestle with him to get him to lay
on the side i wanted this time but still I got a Lot done
but seeing the mess again I wanted to get the clippers out
but didn't. I don't feel as bad as I thought I would but had
taken some NADH before starting so maybe that helped.

Talking to their breeder today we talked about giving
chocolate and she said she gives the same amount as I do.
She thinks some dogs are more sensitive and giving a little
gives them an imunity like snake venom or homeopathic
treatments. I gave D a taste of the cake I ate after
grooming him, before I ate it and he didn't bug me for any
more.

It is hard that they don't live as long as us but I figure
that gives us more of them to love with their different
personalities and they are Never really gone. Like any
loved one we have the memories of them and usually only the
good times. My sister called from the hospital with mom and
I talked to mom and she said she might not make it much
longer and I asked what she meant and she said die. I Think
she wants to with all the pains and problems she has that
she or Noone will try much for. She reminded me of her dad
when he said he might not live much longer and I asked him
where he was going like, hang around and enjoy the show but
he asked what the sense of living was when all your friends
have died and even much younger ones. Funny that my mom had
a hallucination about him and me today.

Pets are entertainment and buddies. I say they are like
infants that we can leave at home alone since we have to
feed and clean up after them and they are always wanting or
geting into something..


VF



emphysema

Posted by jimd on April 10, 2001 at 01:21:39:

In Reply to: giving dogs chocolate posted by Vince F on April 08, 2001 at 17:40:52:

i just found out i have mild emphysema. i was also told there are 3 stages of it, mine being the least stage. is all this true and if so, what can i do to help myself with this problem? what do i have to look forward to? i have been using a treadmill to exercise and burn calories, now i'm wondering if this might also help expand my lungs or at least help in some way. any comments will be greatfully appreciated. thanks



Re: emphysema

Posted by Vince F on April 10, 2001 at 02:01:14:

In Reply to: emphysema posted by jimd on April 10, 2001 at 01:21:39:

Jim,
They say that l-glutamine and using a trampoline can help.

VF



Re: JUST SAY NO... (Chocolate toxicity variability in dogs.)

Posted by Walt Stoll on April 10, 2001 at 14:24:23:

In Reply to: JUST SAY NO... posted by LT on April 08, 2001 at 19:08:47:

Hi, L.T.

Just to confuse the issue. About 12 years ago I was visiting my parents in Ohio and bought about a 4# chunk of milk chocolate. My mother used to use this source for making Xmas candy and I bought it sort of as a memory.

I packed it in my suitcase and forgot about it. Since I took my Airdale everywhere with me, I had her there. That night I went to put something in the suitcase and found that the entire 4# had been eaten and there were doggie toothmarks on the container. I was paniced and was sure that she was dead. She never had one symptom and lived to the ripe old age of 14 (5 years later). Go figure.

It seems that there is a terric variability betwen dogs and their tolerance to this poison for themn. There seems to be as much difference between dogs as there is between people.

Namaste`

Walt



Interesting Walt...

Posted by Vince F on April 10, 2001 at 16:53:25:

In Reply to: Re: JUST SAY NO... (Chocolate toxicity variability in dogs.) posted by Walt Stoll on April 10, 2001 at 14:24:23:

I heed all I hear but then also use my own judgement and
having had a hound get sicker from eating its fill of raw
figs than eating aresnic, strycnine, and cyanide in a bug
poison it got hold of I wonder what causes what. I Think
about anything I feed them wether Ol' Roy or Table foods
which I Really wonder what people who say Table foods will
Kill a dog think They eat.

I have heard that 4 & 7 lbs of Dark and Light chocolate
are what it would take to kill a 60 lb dog but recently
read 2 Grams.. and I Could imagine a few oz Hershey bar
might do in a Laso Apso and wouldn't give That much to my
guys who weigh 50 & 60 lbs Just because I want Most of it.
I give them a Taste of peanut butter but not a sandwich
since i don't think they need it. I also don't go overboard
with heart or other organ meats because i feel they might
be too rich, strong or contain toxins along with nutrients
and heart has a plastic smell that I wonder what causes it
and think it might be from nurtients contained like taurine
so they get it as a treat every so often Not to OD them on
it if that is possible.

My guys actually have a little Too much energy for the
breed and not calm and sedate as they are Said to be,
aloof and dignified and indifferent to strangers. When
people complain that an Afghan isn't supposed to try to
pull you from one tree to the next or be so people friendly
and want to jump on them I just say they are the aborigional
type and not muted to be show dogs and hunters as they are
supposed to be but then having had to deal with a Bad fear
of dogs I want my guys to Like people and Won't accept or
tolerate fear or aggression.

VF



Re: I say Maybe...

Posted by Raisa on April 10, 2001 at 18:24:03:

In Reply to: Re: I say Maybe... posted by Vince F on April 09, 2001 at 22:58:34:

Hi, again -
Actually I don't like to MAKE Ellie go in her crate. If she goes in voluntarily, that's fine and I don't feel guilty. But if i have to force her to go in, it bothers me, because I'm not sure about whether she's hungry, or what she is thinking. I always explain that I won't be gone long, and I hope she understands, since I must have said it a million times in her 3 1/2 years! They say dogs hear:
"STAY......garble, garble garble...". Or "SIT...garble,etc...". So, maybe she hears "BACK SOON..."
Yes, Ellie sometimes just goes into her crate to rest. She seems to like it, since she has had the same one since she was a puppy. She's the first of any of my dogs to have a crate. I used to think it was cruel, but my friend convinced me that they feel safe there.
Don't you think that sometimes keeping busy takes your mind off of your illness? I do. I'll suddenly realize that my legs(or whatever) don't feel as tired, and then I realize that I've been so busy doing something which has taken my mind off of how I feel.
That is odd that your Mom is talking about dying and at the same time having hallucinations about you and your Grandfather. Didn't you say in another post that your grandfather lived to be almost 100??
I'm sure they've tried that artificial skin on your mother's bed sores. That really helped my mother's sores to heal. She wasn't in her right mind for her last years, but she would have approved of the artificial skin because she always used to "smother" every blemish by putting peroxide on it and then a few bandaids. She hated doctors and if she ever said she needed a doctor, I knew to run to her!!
She lived a very healthy life--but I can't say happy. She was always either worried or mad at someone! She didn't like my dogs, but they loved her! She would tolerate them, so that's all that mattered.
Your philosphy is very healthy--to enjoy our pets while they are with us and then let them go and have our wonderful memories.




Re: I say Maybe...

Posted by Vince F on April 11, 2001 at 00:21:49:

In Reply to: Re: I say Maybe... posted by Raisa on April 10, 2001 at 18:24:03:

Raisa,

Lots of interesting stuff...

If Ellie has been raised using a crate she doesn't know any
different and not sure what my guys early experience is
with them but my female was shown by her breeder when she
was young till some minor faults surfaced so she was
probably crated often either in the van or at home since
many will crate them to keep their coats from geting messy
and I Have to crate her overnite or she will get to the
kitchen and mess at the door no matter what type of
barricade I erect because if she can't move it by poking at
it she will go over it. She pushes things with her nose and
pulls back, Over and Over to see what they will do. I get a
kick out of watching her when she goes in the crate and
pushes the door and watches it swing back Over and Over. She
pokes many things to see what they will do. It's like she is
checking to see if they are alive or dead.

Diablo used to bark at noises but then Hide in the crate
which I didn't like since it looked like fear. I started
calling him out and praising him for warning me of the noise
and in a short time he didn't go in after barking and used
to come to me after but doesn't anymore. He is always
lounging in the crate and I usually have to get him out
when i want to restrict Marnie. he comes out easily so I
know he isn't hiding.

I was told about new skin for my mom by my last breeder
who cared for an invalid, aging aunt and I mentioned it to
my sister but she hasn't said they have used it yet. I Think
because they have to debreed the sore they may not be using
it or because it is Down To The Bone but maybe they don't
believe in it. I'd be using pepper spray.

My mothers dad is lived to be 104 and got one too many
infections in a hospital to check a minor problem. Reminds
me mom is supposed to have a bladder infection that I
haven't heard about recently which is what did gramps in.

I am pretty sure I mentioned the day before the last for
my Super last male who I am trying to turn Diablo into and
geting close but he had been failing for 2 yrs after a
heat stoke and it Was depressing to see how far he slipped
and I agonized over when to call it quits and his breeder
who he was her first born and Into her hands kept telling me
that I would know when it was time and she was SO upset
about hearing the bad news I would have to say, He's Fine
before saying Anything when i called since when she heard
my voice she thought the worst and she became disabled 1 yr
after I did so very depressed. I dealt with the problems
he cause the last few days and couldn't pull the plug since
he still enjoyed things which is what i used as a guide and
one day i put him out where he prefered to be at the end even though
it was summer and he panted all yr long but that's what he
wanted and he lost conciousness and I may have missed it by
an hr at most so feel I didn't end it too soon.

When I thought of him Just laying there breathing and I
Did put a piece of chocolate cake under his nose to be Sure
he was in a coma i would shift my thoughts to the day before
and he was in the yard with me and I was cleaning up and
kept telling him to Stay so he wouldn't tep in the messes
since he was SO wobbly but he would cock his head waiting
me to say, Come and when i finally did he wobbled over to me
and ...this is tough.... rubbed his head against my leg
Just as he did when I told the rescuer I didn't want him
after seeing him in the sad shape he was in after being
malnourshed to the point he couldn't stand and tried to
palm him off to a friend with a junk yard who treats all his
dogs wether at the yard or home better than Anyone i know
since I was looking at a pretty, show qual female that
had gone into heat so i was waiting till she was done since
she wasn't acting super friendly which is why the breeder
was selling her since she would jump on show judges and
lick them which is a No No Especially for a breed that the
standard says is supposed to be Aloof.

I wound up taking Java myself since my friend had 12 dogs
and the township was geting after him for the 6 he had at
home but I lucked out there and got to spend 10 yrs with a
hound that 4 other owners couldn't deal with or handle and
everyone who saw him was just in awe since he WAS special
in every way and just needed the right owner to handle him,
Me. and I was always hearing Wow or Magnificent and once
his Chocolate Brown coat came in which is why I changed his
name from Robin to Java he was something to see or interact
with since he Demanded you did if you made eye contact.

I used to say that Diablo was No Java but he Might just
make it now. he is JET black and So black it almost hurts
my eyes to loomat him in bright light since the color looks
artifical and I thought it had been dyed. I used to work
in a paint lab and we had pigments there and some were
really intense and the names were ones in a song by Donavan
that i didn't know till working there and some looked SO
deep which is what Diablo's coat looks like. Hopefully I'll
get him groomed and bathed soon and get to enjoy him looking
like Java did when I could keep them the way they should be

Gotta Groom...

VF

Follow Ups:


Re: emphysema

Posted by Vince F on April 11, 2001 at 03:29:33:

In Reply to: Re: emphysema posted by Vince F on April 10, 2001 at 02:01:14:

don't know what is really going on but just started taking
herb, Black Cocosh because it is said to help breathing and
I am functioning a lot better. Now wether it is from that
I can only guess but I don't complain about improvements. It
is also said to help circulation which I am supposed to
have a problem in. not many things have helped me but the
ones that do are Very obvious.

how did this get under chocolate ??

VF

Follow Ups:


Raisa, knew I missed something..

Posted by Vince F on April 11, 2001 at 03:54:15:

In Reply to: Re: I say Maybe... posted by Raisa on April 10, 2001 at 18:24:03:


My family don't understand my love for animals though we
had small pets when a kid but no dogs except for a TOO young
pup that had No chance of making it. My grandfather called
them An Ni Mals. though my dad's family had at least 1 dog.

My last male, Java used to get my folks crazy and Charge
into the kitchen and and check what my mom was cooking and
then come in and sit with my dad and wait to be peted and my
dad would but only on the top of his head. I think he
thought they were dirty, laying on the ground. Java would
start to pant and open his mouth and dad would comment
about how big his teeth were and tell him that if he didn't
close his mouth he would stop peting him. This happened
Every time I stoped over. If I had to go someplace while I
had him there i Told them not to be affraid and Tell him
what to do and he would. They Loved that and think it made
them think a little different about an animal that they
didn't completely accept for whatever reasons. My mom would
always brag about her son's dogs whever dogs came up and
would get a kick out of the comments of people even when
we were riding in my car. Dammm... So many interesting
experiences I am remembering.

An older friend thought owning a dog was crazy till he
moved to the country and got his own and it was like a child
and went everywjere with him and he told me he knows what he
missed now.

VF



I've always suspected that....

Posted by LT on April 11, 2001 at 04:36:14:

In Reply to: Re: JUST SAY NO... (Chocolate toxicity variability in dogs.) posted by Walt Stoll on April 10, 2001 at 14:24:23:

some dogs could handle chocolate much better than others, but never really wanted to find out if mine is one of them -- seems to me a risky experiment.

When Indy was a pup, during the summer months, I used to take her to class with me (I teach). I turned around and found a student feeding her -- turns out he was feeding her chocolate! She was okay, I stopped them before she had too much, but now anytime I bring her into a class, I make sure that everyone knows not to feed a dog chocoalate...have to say that I never knew it was toxic to them before I got Indy.

Glad to hear your Airdale was okay -- they are very cool dogs.

Follow Ups:


Re: Raisa, knew I missed something..

Posted by Raisa on April 11, 2001 at 15:41:17:

In Reply to: Raisa, knew I missed something.. posted by Vince F on April 11, 2001 at 03:54:15:

Hi Vince - I think you are one of those people who can "talk" to animals. The way that Diablo lets you comb the matts out and even comes over to you is amazing! My groomers had to chain the dogs to a table so that they couldn't easily squirm.
I also had a friend who didn't like dogs at all. Then her husband and daughters surprised her with a cocker spaniel, and she and that dog became inseparable! Then when Mitzie died, she got another dog. Dogs loved her. she cooked chicken every day for her cocker spaniel and she became very heavy. But she had a good life--probably died before her time, but she was 12, so that's not bad. My father liked dogs, mainly for hunting. My poor mother had to clean out their pens (which we kept our back yard. I remember her hosing them (the pens)out and grumbling, My father knew people who raised dogs and brought me home several puppies but my mother would find various reasons to have to give them away. I really can't blame her because she usually ended up feeding them, etc., until I got older. I would always bring home every stray dog I saw. As you said, lots of memories!!
You are going to feel so good when your dogs are both groomed! I bet they are beautiful. I've seen pictures but never knew anyone who owned an Afghan. Their coat looks like it would be very difficult to de-matt. And doesn't it take forever to dry? Some people call them "greyhounds in pajamas".
Hope that bed sore doesn't bother your mother too much. There are special seats they can get for wheelchairs, which make them less likely to cause sores.




Re: Raisa, knew I missed something..

Posted by Vince F on April 11, 2001 at 17:05:31:

In Reply to: Re: Raisa, knew I missed something.. posted by Raisa on April 11, 2001 at 15:41:17:

I can see why your mom wasn't eager for more dogs. We can
only accept their desires and when on our own which is a Lot
longer, do or have what we like. I probably wrote about a
neighbors gun dog who stayed outside our bubgalo where we
spend summers because it got no attention there and I played
with the owners kids so I had a dog in the summers and it
slept under our car and went home just to eat.

Yea, Afghans are basically greyhounds with pajamas. They Are
work in every way but when i saw my first one when I was
over my fears and looking I said that was it. Thinking a
blonde one siting up in the back of a car I was following
from stop sign to stop sign was a gorgeous girl till she
turned and rested her Long face on the back of the seat
looking bored told me I needed to get one or more. I like
doing repetitive things like grooming or sanding wood to
reach an outcome I like since I like the physcial exertion
and then the results. I used to build cabinets and furniture
and hand veneer the wood to get pretty matching grains. Have
a basement full of teak veneer.

Worked on Diablo again overnite and got most of a Baseball
sized mat out that was behind a front leg. Other legs had
them half that size. I am geting there Slowly. I think of
it as exercise but would rather be chasing them around a
park.

VF



Re: Raisa, knew I missed something..

Posted by Vince F on April 11, 2001 at 17:43:47:

In Reply to: Re: Raisa, knew I missed something.. posted by Vince F on April 11, 2001 at 17:05:31:

Forgot but my guys should be blown dry though I have been
leting them air dry in the yard since I haven't had the
energy but then that gets done rarely and luckily they
don't have a doggy odor. I have Lots of tools and rigged up
a fan heater from a dishwasher to use but rarely use it.

Funny that after geting my males digestion problems solved
and his fears he isn't as springy which is a puzzle. Maybe
he was always stressed being uncomfortable. I kinda miss
throw rugs going flying as he moved from the kitchen or levitating
onto the sofa. Maybe I am feeding him Too good now. Might
back off a bit.

VF



Re: Raisa, knew I missed something..

Posted by Raisa on April 11, 2001 at 19:16:12:

In Reply to: Re: Raisa, knew I missed something.. posted by Vince F on April 11, 2001 at 17:43:47:

Hi - It's sad to think about, but do you think that maybe Diablo is slowing down a bit on purpose? He's getting older, just as we are, right? My Ellie has changed a lot just in the past year. She still loves to play, but she gets tired a little easier. My son's l3 plus-year-old mixture (siberian Husky and Collie, we think) still bounces around like a puppy at times, but he can't see as well, is hard of hearing, and can't run as fast. No matter what, it couldn't be that you have cured his digestive problems, right? He's still enjoying life and being with you and Marne.
I do know that the long-haired dogs should be blow-dried. My groomer didn't do it right, and she hurt my Lhasa's eyes by letting the dryer go right in her eyes. I didn't realize it until she kept having eye infections and then I read that that could be the reason. Do they get more matts if you don't blow dry them? That must take you forever!!!



Re: Raisa, knew I missed something..

Posted by Vince F on April 11, 2001 at 22:11:42:

In Reply to: Re: Raisa, knew I missed something.. posted by Raisa on April 11, 2001 at 19:16:12:

I thought about D just geting older but it shouldn't be Just
as his digestion is fixed. I Asked him. Age has to be
considered but I am Thinking that all the grooming I have
been doing may be tiring him out since I never did This much
to him in a row. I am hoping that is it or all the new
things I am giving him and am gona back off but I may be
just tiring him out.

That is a shame what the groomer did. Wonder how they
wouldn't know or realize. If my hounds weren't matted they
would dry pretty fast but either way it doesn't take long.

VF



Re: Raisa, knew I missed something..

Posted by Vince F on April 12, 2001 at 06:21:07:

In Reply to: Re: Raisa, knew I missed something.. posted by Raisa on April 11, 2001 at 19:16:12:

Looks like D is recovering so maybe I am just wearing him
out grooming him. pretty soon he will be too old to put
through the stress of grooming. Hope to have a little time
left.

VF

Follow Ups:


Re: Interesting Walt... (Archive in vets.)

Posted by Walt Stoll on April 12, 2001 at 08:14:39:

In Reply to: Interesting Walt... posted by Vince F on April 10, 2001 at 16:53:25:

Hi, Vince.

I have followed your interesting notes about "your guys" for many months now (being a dog person myself). Have you yet been introduced to the "The Whole Dog Journal"? I am sure they would send you a free sample if you asked. Their website is wholedogjl@palmcoastal.com

By the way, you might resolve your need for a turtle pet by getting into a big box turtles. For the past few years, I have been collecting them on my daily walks with my "girl" Black Lab. I now have 3 that are more than 6 inches in diameter and a little one that is about 3 inches. They have their own ground level bird bath and seem to be perfectly happy in our fenced in back yard. They are very friendly and not dangerous like a big snapper would be.

Just a thought before you lose a finger or one of your "guys" lose a nose. Dogs are more careful about this than people, though, (grin).

Namaste`

Walt



Re: Raisa, knew I missed something..

Posted by Raisa on April 12, 2001 at 13:13:15:

In Reply to: Re: Raisa, knew I missed something.. posted by Vince F on April 11, 2001 at 22:11:42:

Hi - No, I don't think it's that he's "old". More and more often, dogs are living to at least 14 or 15 - even Boston Terriers like Ellie, who, books say, live to no more than 10. Whenever I talk to people who have lost a dog, I notice that they are saying l5 and even 20 years old! I just meant that he tires more easily, just as Ellie tires much easier now that she is an adult.
It seems that your Diablo loves having you groom him, since he has all of your attention then. Don't you think that dogs thrive on love? Of course you do - that was kind of a dumb question. Anyhow, you said that he is acting less tired now.



Re: Interesting Walt... (Archive in vets.)

Posted by Vince F on April 12, 2001 at 15:35:54:

In Reply to: Re: Interesting Walt... (Archive in vets.) posted by Walt Stoll on April 12, 2001 at 08:14:39:

Walt,

I seem to prefer aquatic turtles and used to keep both pond
and snappers because I learned how to find the tiny babies
on walks at the marsh where I used to do my meditating but
the land fill polluted it and the pond turtles I got the
last yr Didn't survive and I found them On the trail where
I never did before as if they were trying to get way from
the marsh and to the creek next to it and I Never had any
dies and lost 2 groups of 4 in a matter of days and one got
into the tank I had 3 1 yr olds in and they all picked up
someing and 1 got a fungus.

The snapper I have Didn't grow normally and took a few
yrs to get their usual 1 yr old aggressiveness and size and
14yrs later still isn't that big. Some say it is from tank
size but it is the same 20 gal tank I always had them in.

With my physical and memory limitations the snappers seem to
be the right turtles for me since I Don't think you can kill
them without cuting off their heads to make soup which
happens to be its name though it would probably only make a
bowl full.

I always used to keep painted turtles till they banned
under 3" ones and then found kids finding them at the marsh
which gave me more reason to go there to find them besides
just escaping the city heat in the summer and the preserve
is inside the city limits but we also have a BIG city park
system that is only 2nd to Denver's and close to me so the
Country Boy in me gets satisfied and lots of places to let
hounds run and hunt if I could train my 2 off leash which I
haven't been able to.

I don't have much of a back yard here but remembering
when I lived in the country and found a tortise in the yard
I brought it in to show my girlfriend it Peed on a big box
of greeting cards she got for a friend.

Tom Saywer



about giving dogs attention

Posted by Vince F on April 12, 2001 at 16:02:13:

In Reply to: Re: Raisa, knew I missed something.. posted by Raisa on April 12, 2001 at 13:13:15:

My guys like to be rubbed after they eat and Diablo likes
his muzzle rubbed and not the side like when it gets wet
but on the top and Needs it. I keep thinking it is what his
mom did when he was a pup and cleaning him up so I call them
Mommy Licks.

I Have to touch animals when I am around them like they
are magnetic, I can't resist and they love it. I guess that
is one reason I like my guys soft hair and their height fits
me since I don't have to bend to touch them.

I guess I just hope my guys live a decent length. Not
geting any as pups I don't know what their early life was
like and with a few it Hasn't been good and living in the
heart of a Big city with 3 refineries in the city limits and
farms outside it and being down wind of them and the Whole
country I think the pollution is High and even living in
the country was No bargin since I spent summes as a kid
a few blocks from a refinery that polluted the water and then in a
farm area with a toxic landfill polluting there and I did
All kinds of things with chemicals and worked with most of
them And I smoke and the tennis courts at the park I used
to play at got moved Right next to the interstate that
passes through the back of the park Plus a diesel train used
to pass by on occasion and spew fumes like the buses that
pass the house and the refineries which are up wind would
release noxious fumes every so often that used to cover
the courts and add to that when the wind was right the
sewage treatment plant up wind could be smelled...I Know
I missed a Bunch but I think I am Already embalmed...OR
Immune.

VF

Follow Ups:


Re: Interesting Walt... (Archive in vets.)

Posted by Walt Stoll on April 14, 2001 at 08:54:08:

In Reply to: Re: Interesting Walt... (Archive in vets.) posted by Vince F on April 12, 2001 at 15:35:54:

Thanks, Vince.

I guess if you know what you are doing it can be safe and rewarding. I just have seen too many terrible injuries in the ER in those who were not so knowledgable.

Namaste`

Walt



Re: Interesting Walt... (Archive in vets.)

Posted by Vince F on April 14, 2001 at 10:45:50:

In Reply to: Re: Interesting Walt... (Archive in vets.) posted by Walt Stoll on April 14, 2001 at 08:54:08:

Walt,

My 14 yr old snapper is only 3" in dia and I am pretty aware
of how nasty a big one could be since when a kid I knew a
family who caught adults and cooked them up and they kept
them in a 55 gal drum till then. I respect the babies highly
since they Can reach pretty far with their necks once they
start o mature at about a yr which is one reason why I only
kept them a yr and I also think since I used to catch them
wild I would just rent them for a yr and return them and
know about their lifesyle and that they hibernate and would
release them in the spring after fattening them up and
giving them all summer to adjust or fatten more before
winter. A friend had terrestial turtles and thinking that
they Had to hibernate he put them in his garage but Thinks
they temp change shocked them and since they stop eating
when it Starts to get cold to empty their systems of food
he thinks that the food stayed inside them and fermented and
killed them.

I sorta like the narly look of a snapper and how
prehistoric they look but not that much and think other
turtles are better looking. Would like to find an alligator
snapper with the lure tongue.

I used to be able to spot the baby painters whose shells
were as big as my thumb nail as they sunned them selves on
reeds at the edge of the water withdried mud on their shells
till I was injured and my vision got messed up and had to
stalk and stare to see them. Baby snappers had silver dollar
sized shells and hid on dry ground at the preserve. That
place was wild and scary when the sun started to set and
the rodents got active. The egrets, swans, geese, muskrats,
turtles, and migrating birds and other wildlife always made
it interesting and very relaxing as I watched and studied
them and the vegitation. The great blue herrons made it
look prehistoric and all within the city limits a few mi
away. being right across from the airport the contrast to
modern life was interesting to look up and see a 747
taking off and gaining altitude. Would be nice to be able to
get back there with the hounds.

VF



Re: Interesting Walt... (Archive in vets.) Jim Hare?

Posted by Walt Stoll on April 16, 2001 at 08:49:13:

In Reply to: Re: Interesting Walt... (Archive in vets.) posted by Vince F on April 14, 2001 at 10:45:50:

Thanks, Vince.

Any more writing like this & Jim Hare will have a rival (grin)!

WOW!

Namaste`

Walt



Re: Interesting Walt... (Archive in vets.) Jim Hare?

Posted by Vince F on April 16, 2001 at 15:32:07:

In Reply to: Re: Interesting Walt... (Archive in vets.) Jim Hare? posted by Walt Stoll on April 16, 2001 at 08:49:13:

Walt,

don't think I'm familiar with Jim Hare. Guess spending
summers in a small country town with dirt streets till I was
12 and living in a BIG city in the winter and off and on
since shapes or gives different experiences even like the
Very rich city church to the Very poor country one and
when living in the city in the summer I Had to get to some
green grass, trees, peace & quiet, and wildlife. My dad's
family had a bungalo at the sea shore and that was His
retreat though both were just sold recently and now both my
parents are gone.

Guess i was/am lucky to live in this city with the
F D Rosevelt park we call, The Lakes, because there are a
bunch of small ones, 2 mi away and only a few mi from the
preserve and all the birds from the preserve visit it but
even there modern life isn't far away since the interstate
passes through the back of it though elevated and right
behind it is the now closed Phila, Naval Shipyard so MORE
contrasts. I still would like to be living Deep in the woods
but not sure I can handle it yet or if it is any safer than
the city. If anything happened here, help would be a sand
grains throw away.

VF



Re: Interesting Walt... (Archive in vets.) Jim Hare?

Posted by Walt Stoll on April 18, 2001 at 09:49:59:

In Reply to: Re: Interesting Walt... (Archive in vets.) Jim Hare? posted by Vince F on April 16, 2001 at 15:32:07:

Hi, Vince.

Do you have a treat coming!

Jim Hare is a regular contributer to this board who is an an inspiring writer of wonderful life expereinces. So much so that we have given him his own archive. I keep encouraging him to publish a collection of his stories since the are so wonderfully written that they would promote the health of anyone who read them.

Let us know what you think.

Namaste`

Walt



Re: Interesting Walt... (Archive in vets.) Jim Hare?

Posted by Vince F on April 18, 2001 at 11:25:51:

In Reply to: Re: Interesting Walt... (Archive in vets.) Jim Hare? posted by Walt Stoll on April 18, 2001 at 09:49:59:

Walt,

found Jim's posts and I could never come close to them in
eloquence being a Meat and Potatoes type but have similar
stories. My aging ones are premature from my injury and I
often wonder how many years got knocked off my life because
of it. Maybe adding the years I feel I gained are a way to
calculate it but that has changed from going from 44 to 90
and then coming back down. I felt that if I felt my actual
age that would be an accomplishment though feeling 1/2 of
it used to be great and guess I will Always keep looking to
try to get there since I did have a previous injury that
knocked me down for about 4 years and I came back twice as
strong but then had a minor relapse but this one was Much
worse and probably also a chemical cause.

I always think there has to be a way to reverse the
problems but finding it takes a Lot of work and though I
Always loved troubleshooting and solving problems it isn't
easy with half your brain tied behind your back and the
part that moves you to get things done.

Well, back to my quest betwen trying to find clothes to
wear to my mom's funeral or get them cleaned or buy ones
that fit and get my car runing and work on my hounds and
deal with the IRS and utility co's. Wonder which one i will
work on... Wish I had a coin with a few more sides, like
about 10. Sleep is always an escape especially in the
daytime when one has become a vampire. Wish everything was
open 24hs. that would help.

VF

Follow Ups:


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