BootsyCollins

"goddammit bootsy "

I'm guessing it adds acid to help digestion? I need to start my hunt for sources in earnest. And order a 40# case of chicken quarters

Sandra, thanks!!! Bootsy weighs about 75lbs. He gets 3 quarters per day, or about 2lbs. I guess we are underfeeding him a bit. Whoops. He looks so good though! His coat is glossy, he has happier eyes, his teeth are brighter, and his breath smells like NOTHING. (I didn't believe Jen when she said this would happen) I will order a big case from Whole Foods, they give a 10% discount if you buy by the case. And I'll replace the batteries in my scale. I'll hit Shoppers this weekend for organs, but I do try to get happy meat, so I'll try the farmers market and a few local farms also.

Heart wouldn't "count" as organ meat, right? Liver is the important one? Or is that completely wrong? Why would a raw fed dog need a calcium supplement?

We transitioned Bootsy to raw just a few weeks ago. We are thrilled with the results so far. Thanks to Neylasmom, who held my hand and got me started, and thanks to all of you raw feeders who are so willing to repeat and repeat and repeat the same information in thread after thread for us newbies. He is still on chicken quarters. I'm trying to find a good source for organs and other meats. I'm going to talk to the beef purveyor at the farmers market this weekend and ask about the good stuff I could get from them - like heart and liver maybe? How & where do you all find organs? What should we move to next? He eats 1.5 chicken quarters each meal. This morning, he swallowed the leg whole and sort of chomped up the quarter. He eats so fast - he's finished the quarter before he used to finish a bowl of kibble. Should this concern me?

I'm sorry you're freaked out Jen. Should I tell you about how she ate a bottle of prenatal vitamins at my house and was totally fine? She didn't but I will tell you she did so you're less scared.

My bootsy reacts strongly when he's touched while sleeping. If you bumped him, that could have been the cause. I would not have him sleep in your bed. He will be fine on a bed on the floor.

Congrats!

Bootsy tore a small chunk in his foot a little over a couple weeks ago. I don't have a boot for him, so I washed it daily and for the first few days put neosporin, a gauze, and vet wrap on it. It took longer to heal than I expected - just as I was getting worried and made a vet appointment, it started to heal. He's fine now

No way! Bootsy eats at 6:30 and 6:30. He sometimes gets a small cookie or treat after his last turnout, around 11pm, but not always. If you don't get hungry in the middle of the night, why would your pup?

Preventive is what I mean. Not curative.

If he's not on a broad worm preventive, I would start him on one. Like ivermectin. Good luck

For what it's worth, I think you made the right decision. I also think there is a grey out there who will be the perfect match for you and your family. I've had 2 of my own, and I frequently dog-sit others, and I would trust any of them around my kid and my cat. When my cat was alive (his death had nothing to do with the hounds ), he and the resident grey were loose in the house when we were at work and there was NEVER an issue. I also have a 3 year old son and there are tons of kids in my neighborhood, and my Bootsy is wonderful with all of them. Every dog is different, but I think Beth (kamsmom above) will be able to help you find a group that can find the right pup for you! This was about a week after we adopted Argos:

If it makes you feel any better at all, I don't have what it takes to handle a dog like that, either, and if I were in your position, I'd return him to the group. I'd feel sad and I'd feel guilty about it, but I'd do it, because somewhere is the perfect home for him. Also, somewhere is the perfect dog for you, and from what you've said here, he isn't it. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Gorgeous, gorgeous boy. I'm so sorry.

Dee, I'm so sorry. Bella was such a sweet and lovely girl.

Heartbreaking. Such a loss of such a special and wonderful boy. I'm so sorry that you lost him, but so happy that he had you.

Bootsy is food obsessed. He climbs on tables, counters, he opens the pantry when he can, he knows what it means when I say "are you all done" to my son, he leaps up anytime we stand up just in case we are going to the kitchen or going for a walk, and he would murder a small child if he wanted the cookie in its hand. In other words, if there is a fix, I don't have it.

We have had Bootsy for 3 years and I think I bathed him once a year or so ago. I only bathe a dog if it stinks. And besides his breath, Bootsy doesn't stink. The frontline residue eventually goes away.

We finally got rid of bootsy's hooks with two doses of panacur @3 days each, 3 weeks apart.

I've hit the brakes on purpose before. Usually only takes a couple rides

I never take anything except a leash and some food. And the dog. Have fun!

Bootsy was a successful racer, and he only runs when I ask him to - as in when he is outside and I offer him a treat if he comes inside. I guess for him, running is akin to a plumber clearing his own drains. He prefers retirement.

Argos was 100% my dog. He pretty much ignored my husband, and wouldn't even leave the house to go for walks with him unless I walked out the door also. Bootsy is much more an equal opportunity lover, but he doesn't respond to anyone's voice but mine when we're in the house.

Butt worms can be notoriously difficult to diagnose. If he has lost weight and his appetite has increased, you may want to do a round of drontal or panacur just to be certain. But I warn you - once they learn counter surfing, they don't unlearn it. The onus is now on you to make it as unrewarding as possible.