dmdsmoxie

Hi Trudy and Jeff, The new forum looks great. I know some things take time in such a big undertaking and this may be one of them, is the forum column going to be used at some time in the future? Using the "view new topic" link. Dick

Nice ramp and it looks pretty solid. Are the slats screwed on from the bottom? If they are I would take them off and drill two or three small holes near the bottom to let the rain water drain. I would also do as you suggested and sand and either stain or just clear coat them with polyurethane. Nice gift from your dogsitter and her neighbor. Dick

The dog many consider the greatest racer ever, Downing, never chased the lure. He would come back after races with grease on his left side from rubbing the rail. He chased the wheel that runs on the rail. It never mattered to him if there was a pole with a lure on it or not. Inside cats never have a problem with greyhounds wanting to kill them. Dick

This is a moot point and more just FYI Stars N Stripes raced at Bluffs Run Good luck with the surgery. Dick

Would it help if you made a small stool, maybe 8 or 10 inches high and put it in back of her so when she starts to go down she would be sitting on the stool and could continue to eat? Dick

Xylitol causes dogs to secrete insulin so their blood sugar drops very quickly. The second thing that happens is liver failure. Maybe there is such a small amount in Biotene that it has no effect on the dogs. Dick

At this point I would take the toe off. Once it's gone it will never bother her again. The best racer I ever owned mangled a toe and it was taken off. In 6 weeks he was back racing and never missed a beat. Dick

Hi syra42, It sounds like you actually are looking for the kennel that ran your pups. If you post the name of your dog there are some people here that may be able to help you. Dick

If the bitter apple works I would stick to that. Another thing that usually works is Vicks VapoRub. Putting it like you do the bitter apple, on the pins or near, but, not on the incision. Most dogs hate the menthol smell. I see your boy ran at Lincoln and Mardi Gras, use to be called Hollywood. His last race was May 10th and the comment was Bumped 1st turn. That's not an unusual comment, but, he must have done something to have them retire a two year old dog. He won a couple of races, but, wasn't real competitive at these upper grade tracks. I'm sure they would have sent him to a mid grade track and with his speed he would have done good. Dick

Just a reminder, if the road is hottop and hot to your bare foot, it's hot to your pups feet also. Dick

If she doesn't know about the thyroid then she knows nothing else about greys and I would not let her put my grey under for dental. She may be a fine vet, just not with greys. Dick

Don't switch to Hi Pro, Purina has stopped making the Hi Pro so even if you find some you will have to switch again soon. Dick

Try putting some Vicks' Vaporub around, but not in, the sore.

Wow, I didn't know that. Thanks. BTW, where is Lincoln? Rhode Island

Rudy actually had his last race on Sept. 11, 2008. He ran at Lincoln and Orange Park/Jacksonville. If you go here then click on dog/raceline viewer. Then just type in his name. LI is Lincoln and OP is Orange Park/ Jacksonville Dick

Any chance she got into some anti freeze on your walk? Dick

I got this e mail a few days ago. This may have been posted before. Snopes Yesterday one of our dog agility friends experienced a tragedy and wanted me to pass a special message along to all of my dog loving friends and family. Please tell every dog or cat owner you know. Over the weekend the doting owner of two young lab mixes purchased *Cocoa Mulch* from Target to use in their garden. They loved the way it smelled and it was advertised to keep cats away from their garden. Their dog Calypso decided that the mulch smelled good enough to eat and devoured a large helping. She vomited a few times which was typical when she eats something new but wasn't acting lethargic in any way. The next day, Mom woke up and took Calypso out for her morning walk. Half way through the walk, she had a seizure and died instantly. Although the mulch had NO warnings printed on the label, upon further investigation on the company's website, this product is *HIGHLY toxic* to dogs and cats. Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey's, and they claim that 'It is true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees (depending on each individual dog). However, 98% of all dogs won't eat it.' This Snopes site gives the following information: Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Home Depot, Foreman's Garden Supply and other Garden supply stores, contains a lethal ingredient called 'Theobromine'. It is lethal to dogs and cats. It smells like chocolate and it really attracts dogs. They will ingest this stuff and die. Several deaths already occurred in the last 2-3 weeks. Just a word of caution, check what you are using in your gardens and be aware of what your gardeners are using in your gardens. Theobromine is in all chocolate, especially dark or baker's chocolate which is toxic to dogs. Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline. A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions and died 17 hours later. Analysis of the stomach contents and the ingested cacao bean shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts of theobromine. *PLEASE GIVE THIS THE WIDEST DISTRIBUTION!!! *

Have the toe taken off. The recovery is less than the eight weeks they are talking about and the problem will be solved forever. Dick

I clicked on the link earlier today and it worked, now it doesn't. It might be the site and not the link. Dick

Hi Wayne, Why don't you either call or e mail GPA South Alalbama and tell them what you have said here and offer to leave your e mail and phone number so the owners can get back to you if they want to. Dick

It sounds like the raccon was doing what it should, running away and when it couldn't escape turning to defend itself. So it doesn't sound like the raccon was rabid. Your vet will probably have you bring the dog in to get a booster shot.

Whatever your decision is, it will be the right one for Design. Dogs, and animals in general, live in the now. They handle adversity way better than humans. She will play the hand that is dealt her and not complain. I've posted these videos before, but, since you haven't seen them, here they are again. Dick

There is a better chance it's a spider bite instead of a bee. Hope the meds start helping. Dick

There is a free trial period for Global greyhounds for 30 days. American Greyhounds is free. Dick

KTsGreytPups, Your pup will get along with no problem as a tripod. If you haven't seen these check them out. Good luck and a speedy recovery for your girl. Dick