PrairieProf

Oh, I am so terribly sorry, Carrie. Somehow I missed your blog post that he wasn't doing well. I loved reading everything you said about him, and the pictures of his extremely sweet face. You and all of your family, two and four legged, will be in my thoughts.

I've used Fortiflora . . . can't really say how much difference it has made when I did. I tend to give half a packet per day, a whole packet seems to actually cause gas, though this would presumably be a passing thing (heh, no pun intended). I haven't had the yeast issue though, that I know of. I do give digestive enzymes with every meal -- I can't really say if it makes a difference but I've bought the argument that they're good for the dog, and that kibble doesn't contain the natural enzymes raw does. I'm all for anything that will help her get maximum nutrition out of her food.

I am so sorry -- what a devastating experience. You are so brave not to wait -- it must be so terribly hard not to have had time to really say goodbye.

Welcome to GT! What a sweet face Karissa has, and she's so cute in her pink gear. Moooore pictures, please!

:lol You can sort of see why whoever originally came up with marketing them decided to call them "bully sticks" rather than, er, "peenie sticks."

If you are going to crate, then work on getting her used to it today -- throw treats in, let her go in and out, put her in for a minute or so with a stuffed Kong to keep her busy then let her out before she's done, gradually build up to leaving her in the crate. Some dogs don't like being in the crate (although all greyhounds are used to it from the track), plenty do. It's definitely not safe to just stick her in the crate tomorrow morning and leave for several hours -- she could really hurt herself if she were to freak out. Anyway, whatever you're going to do, I think you really ought to make a plan and practice it as much as possible today. Here's some useful information: http://www.goldengreyhounds.com/about/training.htm I'd really recommend the Greyhounds for Dummies book ... most adoption groups require reading this, or Cynthia Branigan's Adopting the Retired Racing Greyhound, as a condition of adopting.... I also really like Patricia McDonnell's I'll Be Home Soon, about strategies for getting a dog adjusted to being alone.

"Alone training" is described extensively in Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies , and I know on lots of past threads here. Basically it's working on leaving the dog alone step by step, building up from very short increments to longer periods. Quite a few greys can suffer from separation anxiety, though so far you seem OK. Is GreyCee crated when you go out? Separated from your other dogs in some way? I'm not an expert on this, being a relatively new owner with just one dog who never had SA, but I know that it would be very risky to leave her loose with other dogs and go off to work for eight hours and assume she (and your house!) will be OK when you return. I'm sure others will chime in and explain more.

As long as she's eating etc., she's probably just fine. You can't really judge what's normal for her behaviorally after just a few days -- she's still settling in. Remember that settled-in greyhounds sleep almost all. the. time. at home. And I know if my girl has a good play or running session at some point in the day she'll be in a near coma for hours afterwards; I often need to bribe her off the bed with hotdog bits or yogurt to get her up for the last pee call of the night! It's sweet that you stayed home with her . . . I would want to too, just to be with my new baby. Have you had a chance to work through the step by step process of much "alone training" yet? Since she's presumably fine, that would be a great thing to focus on today, so she's as ready as possible for extended absences tomorrow and after.

I am very sorry for your loss.

I am so very sorry for your loss. I love the pictures, and can feel every bit of your love for Sili.

The bones in turkey necks (or poultry anything) are really quite soft, there's no way she could hurt a tooth on them. I'd try it. Don't freak out when she swallows a big chunk whole -- well, you will freak out, as I did the first time, but no harm done. Necks big enough that she just has to chew them work best -- also feeding them still partly frozen, so they're harder overall and need more dedicated chewing. Like countless other people I've been very impressed how much they've helped my dog's teeth.

Welcome to GT -- we're glad you're here.

I am so sorry for the loss of this sweet and special girl. My friend has a cute little cowgirl, Cindy (tattooed but not on Greyhounddata), from her 5/2006 litter; I've forwarded this sad news to her.

Oh how sad -- sending thoughts for comfort and hope for good news for this little girl -- I have a half sister too, just a few months younger, and can't imagine getting this news so soon

Welcome from a neighbor to the west! Hope you'll post some pictures of Comet -- especially with the pirate costume! I got my first greyhound last summer too.

Welcome! Former New Yorker in Iowa here. I'd love to see pictures of Bang (what a great name!).

Welcome to GT! There are plenty of other British folks who are members here . . . sometimes I imagine it can get a little confusing as available products and even some of the customs of life with hounds differ between the US and UK.

Oh I'm so sorry! You totally don't deserve this happening right now. Will check for updates later!

I am so sorry for your loss.

Yes, for heartworm it's prescription only, and you need a heartworm test annually in order to get a prescription. Frontline can be ordered online without a prescription. Some brands of flea/tick stuff are available at Petsmart but I don't know if that includes the good brands that are safe to use on greyhounds.

Welcome to GT! TK looks very sweet -- I love the picture with the hint of tongue! I look forward to hearing lots more about him.

Welcome to you and your handsome happy hound! Yes, looking forward to many more pictures in the future!

Welcome from Iowa! Can't wait to see pics of Betty (Ugly Betty! what a cute name, though I'm sure she's beautiful).

Beth tested 0.5 a couple of months ago, I did the whole super-expensive thyroid panel by equilibrium dialysis as recommended here -- she's perfectly normal. Of the zillion reasons Wizard could be losing weight, I'd say it's highly unlikely to be thyroid related. But if it sets your mind at ease.... Could the weight loss and hunger be simply due to the colder weather?

I am so sorry. You have been the most loving mom possible, to let Teton go before she was suffering.