September

I have 2 dachshunds (who I wouldn't call speedy by any means), and a greyhound and they do pretty well together. She is not cat tolerant, however.

My one dachshund (Mac) seems to be having trouble in the heat, also. I was worried but this week he has definitely perked up since the heat wave broke. He was eating just once a day and generally seemed to just wilt. The other 2 were fine. I have had to force him to come downstairs in the morning or I take the food up so he can eat. We keep the ceiling fans running along with a floor fan downstairs. No A/C here- it bothers my sinuses.

I was shocked to see that Tops Supermarket actually sells holistic dog/cat food. I realize there might not be a Tops in your area, but this thread made me think about that. I was looking at Walmart and they had a new brand of Purina (One Beyond?) or something like that. I think it was supposed to be their version of holistic food. My dogs do really well on Wellness- I finally switched back to it after Tractor Supply started carrying it. I don't consider it a "cheap food", but I think my dogs do great on it. I've tried just about every high end food with less than stellar results. My one dachshund is on Science Diet. He's been on that since a health scare he had a year ago or so. He got really sick, had diarrhea in his kennel and everything. He was on Taste of the Wild at the time. I'd like to put him on Wellness but I don't dare. Good luck with your search- I would definitely take a look at Walmart if you can. I think they might have something that would work.

My dogs will eat veggies and fruit. One dog is not so crazy about lettuce but if he sees the other 2 trying to eat it, he will. Cookie is CRAZY about bananas. She actually steals bananas off the counter when we were around she loves them so much. (Normally she waits until we leave to find stuff on the counter).

We used to "blockade" the couch- we'd put a box or something on it. Not to say the dog couldn't get around this- but it worked most of the time with Cookie. Now we just have big pillows on the new couches- and I haven't caught her on them at all.

Cookie was allowed on the couch until she started getting lippy with us-- then it was off the couch and she hasn't been on it since. She has a nice, comfortable bed nearby.

I'm so sorry, Judy. Run free, Saint.

I feel there are all types of "dog owners" out there. Some of us work long days, some of us don't. Some of us are well off, some aren't. Some feed Ol' Roy- some feed Raw. The list goes on, I guess. I work long hours BUT my mother is here with me most of the time to help with the dogs. There was a time when she moved out and I started to worry about about how I was going to balance working 12 hour days (especially since our busy season is in the summer) and getting the dogs out and fed. I also was starting a second shift job so I wouldn't be home until late at night (or early in the am) but I came up with ways to make it work. I think when your schedule is a little tough, you just have to make some adjustments here and there if your truly committed. If having her isn't for you, that's something you just have to be honest about. It sounds like you've come a long ways with her issues and you've settled into the idea of having her around- and I think she'll give you a much needed break from all the studies when you do have the time. I went from working part time after being laid off to working 2 jobs, to working 3 jobs then working just 2 jobs, then just the one I have now- then from 3rd shift to 2nd shift this past year and this has been since I adopted her in 2008 or so, so I think if you're worried about schedules and how she will adjust- you would be surprised. I think, in the end, the way we treat them when we're there- the time we give them when we can, is just as precious.

Cookie has taught us many lessons about keeping food off the counters- especially bread, lol! I remember one summer I was visiting my dad (who does not have a Cookie proof kitchen) and he was getting things around for grilling. Heard all of this rustling, and lo and behold, Cookie was helping herself to a loaf of Italian bread while my dad was outside turning the meat. She's cleaned out my refrigerator before so I had to put a lock on it. Chinese food, yogurt, lunch meat, cheese...even tried to undo the top on the parm. cheese container, lol. I think he'll be ok!

I dremel the dogs' nails myself- only sometimes if I'm too busy, or it's convenient, I get a groomer or vet to do them. I have to agree with many of the posters- there were a lot of warning signs there before the bite but unfortunately, you just weren't aware at the time. You were just trying to do something necessary in the care of your greyhound. If anything, I would say don't take the bite personally just learn from it- and maybe until some confidence is restored, consider having it professionally done. Usually I start with the weiner dogs first when I do dremel b/c they are squirmy and by the time I've finished, Cookie comes over to investigate and wait for her turn. I put the muzzle on- I feel much better doing that. She doesn't seem to care, either. She'll usually lay down willingly and I'll start her front. She usually pulls her feet away a few times and I try to adjust my positioning so it's comfortable. If I have her legs stretched out too far or in an odd position, she'll pull away if I don't adjust. I don't dremel on her bed, any furniture, or our beds- it's on the floor in the living room, which is pretty much public territory. I've tried dremeling standing up, but she doesn't seem to like it. If she starts pulling away too much or getting too antsy, I stop. I'm usually almost done anyways, but I figure I don't want to push her anymore beyond that and ruin it for next time's experience. Good luck with everything. Hopefully this experience hasn't completely eroded your confidence and I would definitely try and follow some of the suggestions. Maybe at some point, work up to nail clipping again with baby steps. There are a ton of good suggestions and encouragement here.

Teary eyed over here, as well. Chips sounded like such a "wonder dog" and I'm so sorry that he had to succumb to such an awful thing. I loved your narrative about him. Run free Chips!

I spread diatomaceous earth between my 2 mattresses. I've never had a problem but I had heard of people doing that to battle bed bugs so I thought it couldn't hurt to have some precaution. Edited to add: DE is just a fine white powder. I would wear rubber gloves if you're going to apply it- it supposedly dries out your skin something fierce.

It was heartbreaking to watch the video- so very sorry for you and your family, and Steak. We had a seizure dog when I was growing up. She eventually died from one such episode. We had her on different meds. I think though, her issues were genetic. Good luck to you in trying to figure out a way to help Steak.

Hello from Bradford County Pa!!! Welcome back!!!

I used to feed Wellness but had to drive way out of town to get it, so finally switched to TOTW. Would be nice if the TS did have it- I might start feeding it again in that case.

So sorry.

It has be very hard for both parties- good luck to the doggies and to Dragonmom and fam.

Glad Ekko is doing better!

So sorry, Pam.

Mac the dachshund hates fireworks, so he got a benadryl earlier in the night. He hid upstairs and thankfully I lured him downstairs finally. The other 2 could care less. Buddy gets excited about them, Cookie just doesn't care (crazy girl).

Hello, and Welcome! Good luck with your new adoption!

Nope, I did too!!

She definitely looks like she's having a hard time adjusting (lol)!! :lol What a beautiful greyhound and love the name! Welcome to GT!!

from PA!! I'm not too far from the NY border, myself. I'm active with a group that has a satellite in the NY state area. What a great name for your greyhound! I live in a townhouse myself, and find that greyhounds seem to compliment living in a small space well.