dante2zoe

Thanks for the suggestions! If I do release the magnet, one will stick his nose in there and get it going. I still make sure that it won't swing back and whack another one in the nose. While I love my crew, none of them will be invited to join Mensa! I tried covering the magnet last night, but it's at the bottom of the flap itself and it won't shut then, nor will it swing all the way through. Patience must be the key - something I don't have in abundance! The visual aspect was because for one, I have to stick my face in the opening before he will come through. Now, to be honest, the littermates tried to go through the door at the same time (and the same time that I had the slider open so I could go out) and they shoved the entire door off the track and into the yard. He now has staples in his leg and is a little gun shy. However, knowing him, if his brother will go through, he isn't going to be outdone. Once the weather breaks, I will try to keep the flap up and use something else (like a teatowel and progressively heavier) until they get used to pushing through. Gazehound - it is a nice door, but that flap does have some weight to it. So far, the dang cat hasn't figured out how to get back in, thankfully. Prime hunting season for him. Cindy

Hopefully, I am just being impatient. I purchased a Patio Pacific dog door for sliding glass doors. It has been installed for 12 days now. I can get them to go through if I hold the flap up. If it is closed or not held up high enough, they are afraid to go through. I have used high value treats to encourage them through the door and we do this daily, progressively lowering the flap. I do let it run down their backs as they go through. There is a good magnetic seal on the flap and it does require a little umph to get it open. However, my cat is able to use the door without assistance. Are there any other tricks to try or am I not giving them enough time? They are only allowed out in the yard through the dog door now. There are no other alternatives for them. I also feed them outside, so they know good things await on the other side of the door. I am not sure if it is the weight, the fact that they have to "do" something to get out or that the flap in not clear and they cannot see directly on the other side. Between the indoor only cats and the weather, it is not the time to just keep the flap up all the time. Besides, the idea of going through the opening itself doesn't seem to be an issue. Help! Thanks

I have 5 dogs and raw feed. One had IBD and another had pancreatitis, so I do take the skin off of their meat. It causes the IBD dog to have a flare-up and after dealing with pancreatitis, I would rather not go down that road again. Anyway, I feed twice a day. They usually get chicken backs in the morning. These are rather meaty and I don't have stool issues. They get salmon oil with it, too. They usually get a spoon of pumpkin if any medications need to be administered and I give it randomly so they will just snarf it down instead of inspecting it and spitting anything out. They also get a couple thin slices of banana. Don't know why I started that, but they love it. I work on sit/stay with that and teach them to wait their turn and not chomp on my fingers. The evening meal rotates: chicken quarters, turkey necks, duck frames, ground meat (all kinds), gizzards/hearts, tripe. They get some liver, beef or chicken, several times a week. It makes two of them loose, so I don't make it a meal, just a little a couple times. They get eggs sometimes, too. Depends on how much time I have, what else I am cooking. Raw fish isn't liked by all, so I do canned once in a while. Gets pricey that way. Not all like rabbit either. Venison is seasonal. Pork necks are a warm weather meal. Takes forever to eat and they like to plop themselves on the ground to gnaw. Beef ribs are a good treat, too. As for supplements, in addition to the oil, they get Fresh Factors and Joint Health. Zoe has arthritis problems so she gets stuff for that. I will give them some molasses periodically for the potassium. I used to make a veggie mash, but it bothers my IBD dog, so I stopped and them don't miss it. Feeding time is a big deal around here. They go berserk when it is time to eat - much more so than when I fed kibble. I also have a supplier for some stuff and am constantly looking for deals. Treat-wise, they get small biscuits, frozen green beans, chicken feet, homemade cookies, peanut butter, fruit, yogurt frozen with stuff mixed in, bully sticks, stuff like that. I also have dehydrator and will dry sweet potatoes and fruits. Tried beef liver and the smell almost killed me. Never again. Good luck!

I am so very sorry. I, too, followed his travels to you. What a cutie.

My whippet has had two bouts of dermal hemangiosarcoma - the most recent being 2 weeks ago. He gets these raised blood blister-looking things. We keep an eye on them (he is 14 with other health issues, too) and when one grew rather quickly, it was removed. My vet is confident that he got clean margins. It took over 3 years to get this second tumor, so we are just leaving him alone. If I get 3 more years with him anyway, I would be stunned. My thoughts are with you. Good luck!

I am so very sorry. Wishing you comfort.

I don't know about your VCA, but we have one near us. Goose is a blood donor for them. I haven't had any pets treated there, but have been impressed with the care and attention Goose has received. He gets a thorough annual screening with them and they are very pleasant and friendly. They have a rather large surgery practice at mine and there are always people waiting in the lobby and they don't appear to be frustrated with the care their pets are receiving. Good luck!

I started feeding raw about 6 years ago because of an IBD dog - diagnosed through symptoms by my bet, not a scope - at the advice of my vet because nothing else worked. He was on AB and tylosin at the time I switched. Once he settled in, I stopped them both and have only used the AB sparingly, when needed. I also add Prozyme for him when he starts to loosen up and that helps, too. I also tried to add a meal or three a week of TOTW salmon for cost purposes but it was a disaster. He is doing very well and my vet is pleased. He will be 11 this summer! Good luck. Oh, and he loves duck carcasses, too!

None of mine like to stand on the scale and it's on the floor! I must admit, I certainly don't like getting on the scale at the doctor's office, either! Must be genetic.

My deepest sympathies to those who knew and loved her. I, too, read and followed her story. I so wish she was able to stay longer.

I am absolutely stunned and feel so badly for you and your family. How tragic.

I am just so sorry that you are going through this. Hugs to you and scritches for Mittens.

As far as I am concerned, green tripe smells like an overused, under-maintained outhouse in July. However, the dogs think that it is a delicacy that surpasses all other! While I have gotten used to it, in the beginning I wore gloves to handle it. 'nuff said.

What a perfect tribute for your Rainy-girl. I am so very sorry that she had to leave. The love between everyone in your family is so evident.

I am so very sorry.

While I don't have a hound that is batting OS, I do read these posts. I don't know if it is applicable or not, but when my son was undergoing chemotherapy and his counts dropped, he would feel very lethargic and depressed. I was actually able to know when his counts dropped by what he said or what questions he would ask. Maybe Lucy is feeling the same way? I don't know if it is that way for dogs or not, but just a thought! I found it much easier to answer his questions about whether he was dying (he wasn't and didn't, thank God) when I understood it was his low counts talking, not him. Many, many good wishes to all of you. I am in awe. Cindy

A beautiful tribute and photo of your special girl. I am so very sorry for all of your losses.

If failing is taking her pain and making it your own, I hope we are all able to fail when the time comes. I am just so very sorry.

how blessed you both are. May you still have quality time. I will kept you both in my thoughts.

I have used both Tylan powder and Flagyl for poop problems. Dante has IBS, not IBD (or whichever is the lesser of the 2 evils). He was on Flagyl for months and then Tylan powder. I actually purchased empty capsules and made me own pills. That stuff is truly nasty (don't ask!) We also combined the 2 when needed. I eventually weaned him to a raw diet, which had been a tremendous help for him and was able to stop both medications. He is now being treated for Lymes and is back on the Flagyl because the Doxy is killing his gut. (He takes other stuff for that, too.) He has never had any side effects to any of the medications. He felt better, too. Good luck!

Thank you for posting this. I, too, have a 14 year old dog who is wearing down. He gets lost in the living room, forgets how to use the stairs, is unable to hold his urine and doesn't recall why he had to go outside THAT VERY MINUTE! But, I love him to pieces and will do what I can to make him happy and comfortable until he is ready to go. Do most people understand? Nope. Did I get criticized for pulling up the carpet and putting different flooring down because of him? Nope. Do I care about them? Nope. My only wish - that I am treated with the same consideration that I try to give my dogs.

What a beautiful story for such a special lady. My heart goes out to you. She knew she was so very loved.

I was so hoping for better news. Keeping you and Secret tucked in our thoughts.

Your tribute was perfect. I can just imagine his happy morning dance. I am so very sorry.

What a well-lived life she had with you! I am so very sorry for your loss. Beautiful pictures of your beautiful Nana.