JenniferS

Well, Quiet Man must've been a VERY good boy this year since he's just received a third package from his secret santa: KRKWMU & Fixer, Gracey & Bonnie! Thank you very much, we love everything!! "Another box addressed to me?" "Wow, something smells good!" (It's K9 Cookies!) "I think I like this toy instead" "Ooh yeah, I'll destroy him!!" The link to his other packages can be found Here Thank you so much Kristin, he loves the toys & treats, I love the bag and other goodies, have a very Merry Christmas!! -Jen & QM

I mailed one main package that was the big gft, I still have a smaller follow-up/reveal package that will go out by the end of the week.

Gus it looks like you've been a very good boy this year!

Quiet Man is having such a hard time going in the snow. We have just a few inches, but it's totally iced over and he can barely walk in the back yard. When we walk we have to walk on the street, and he'll pee on snow banks (easier for a boy), and poop on snowy patches but only if there's some leaves or brush poking through. When I lived in the city w/ my GSD, I put a newspaper under his bum when he was ready to go on the sidewalk, then just folded it up and put it in a bag, very easy clean-up! I am now so talented w/ Quiet Man that I can usually do the "swoop & catch" with the bag so nothing touches the ground.

Quiet Man and I will never ever forget his good buddy Rev. He was a perfect dog in every way. We are thinking of you and your mom during this difficult time.

We got another package yesterday from our still secret santa, and it was a beautiful Christmas collar! We LOVE it and QM looks so snazzy in it: Thank you secret santa!

Sari, you will never be forgotten and I hope you are running pain free....

What a nice surprise when we had a package outside the other day stating "Teaser Package"! Our still secret Santa gave us some delicious liver treats that the dogs loved, some yummy sweets & coffee for me, and QM's favorite new toy, a silly squeaky santa with crazy arms & legs!! Thank you so much secret santa, whoever you are!

Okay, sorry it's taken me so long to reply, it was really that long before I could keep Quiet Man in a standing position to take all those measurements! I don't know if they are all serious or not, but you should've seen the looks he's been giving me chasing him around with a tape measure! 1. What colors does Quiet Man look best in? greens & blues 2. What nicknames do you have for him? Bub, Bubba, Pumpkin 3. Why is he called Quiet Man? It was his racing name, after the John Wayne film “The Quiet Man” 4. Is he quiet? No! He’s a barker! 5. Is he really a man parading as a greyhound? Well, he is the only man in my life… 6. What is the circumference of his neck behind his ears? 13 1/2in. At the base of his neck? 17in. 7. What is the length of his body from base of neck to base of tail? 32in. 8. How long is his tail? 21in. 9. What is the circumference of his chest? 31in. 10. What is the circumference of his waist in front of his back legs? 22in. 11. What is the circumference of the largest part of his back right leg? 13in. 12. What is the circumference of the largest part of his front left leg? 8in. 13. How wide is his chest from one shoulder to the other below his neck? 9in. 14. What is the length of his back legs? 16in. 15. What is the length of his front legs? 16in. 16. What is the length of his head from the base of his snout (between his eyes) to the base of his head where his neck starts (your measurement should go between his ears)? 8in. 17. What is the distance between his ears? 4in. 18. If Quiet Man were a rock, what type of rock would he be? Pet rock 19. Would he prefer to skydive, fly in a hot air balloon or parasail? Skydive, he’s bold! 20. What is the length of his second toe on his back left foot? Ha ha 21. Does he like winter or summer better? winter 22. What food is most like him: Italian, Mexican, Japanese or Indian? Mexican…spicy 23. Is he a crazy happy-dance nut or a laid back cool gentleman? He’s a mix of both 24. Has he ever been spotted with ETS? Oh yes! 25. If so, what steps are you taking to prevent the spread of this horrible disease? If not, what steps are you taking to keep him from acquiring this disease? Prop his head on a pillow? 26. Vanilla or chocolate? chocolate 27. Sprinkles or nuts? sprinkles 28. Blue or red? blue 29. Hummer (the vehicle!) or Prius? Prius 30. Mountains or beach? beach

That's a lot of questions! I'll have to answer tommorrow when I can get Quiet Man into a standing position to take some measurents!

oohh nice poem evil elf! Except for anyone who knows Quiet Man knows he is not quiet! Ha ha, he's about the loudest greyhound you'll ever meet! As for me, I do love chocolate, but ask my friends and I get a bit paranoid about any chocolate around the dogs, so I'd be happy with something safer, like something gummy (I love anything gummy!), or just plain sugary. Thanks for asking secret santa! And please don't worry about little 'ole me, I'd be happy with anything! (So will Quiet Man, he just loves to open packages! ) Here's a pic today I took of my boy just so Santa can see what a good boy he's been this year:

Penny you are so beautiful, and that brother of yours ain't bad either! Did secret santa reveal themselves? Inquiring minds want to know!

Are you talking about Fur-a-zone Dressing by any chance? Sending Sprite good thoughts!

I can't answer all of the questions, but here is a picture of the lovable senior Gus-Man:

hmm, I wonder if I could explain to him that because of cost, I'd rather just catch my own sample initially, then if something comes back suspicous I would go for the sample from the bladder? Cost is not an issue when it comes to my dog's health, but I hate to spend hundreds again to find out he's fine. For example, he's been totally fine the last few days, the onset of drinking/leaking seemed to happen with the change of weather again. I just don't know what to do. If I was made of money the vet would be here tommorrow. But I'm hesitating to see how it goes....I feel like a bad mom.

With all the talk of UTI's and accidents, incontinence, and my on again, off again experience with this... Do the majority of your vets allow you to bring in your own urine sample? My vet, who I really like and trust, usually insists on taking a urine sample directly from the bladder (with a needle, I think), which is not only uncomfortable for Quiet Man, but requires an "office visit" which, since my vet is an in-home vet equals to $125 just to walk in my front door. Most people on here say just bring in a urine sample, but my vet would rather do his own sample, he claims it's more pure, or a more clear reading, or whatever (I can't remember exactly, it was a while ago since I had it done.) Anyway, last year Quiet Man went through a bought of excessive drinking/accidents, was tested for everything, and hundreds of dollars later I found out he was healthy. We never totally figurd out what it was, but went away. He now has started this again, drinking more, peeing more, sometimes leaking in his sleep. Funny thing, I think it was around the same time last year, maybe a change in the weather? Anyway, it you've read this long, what I really want to know is do any of your vets insist on geting a pure urine sample directly from the bladder?

Quiet Man is chipped w/ Avid, and we've had no problems w/ it. The insertion is as easy as a shot, and the paperwork/updating was easy. Gives me one more layer of protection and piece of mind.

I agree, muzzle and stay out there with them; jump in and yell if things are getting too rough. Their skin can tear easily even in play.

AMEN Thank you! I can't see any reason to not neuter or spay any dog as long as we have over-population.

Similar problems with Quiet Man a year or so ago when he was turning 10. What I did: -Full vet check=no problems. -Change in diet: I had started giving him Merrick canned, a very rich food, then stopped due to salt intake. He only gets dry food now. -Started using belly bands at night and when I was not at home, helped A LOT -Changed my job, able to come home on my supper break, so he is not alone for more than 5 or 6 hours. -Going out: goes out to pee 6 times a day vs. 4 previously. -Change in behavior, had a stressful time in the house w/ a divorce, now things have calmed down and so has he. All of these things combined have resulted in being back to no more accidents in the house!

Check out this greyt shot of Lima courtesy of greyhound adventures' resident photographer KelseysLackey: She's sure a beauty and it was nice meeting you!

We're thinking of you Frazzle and hope you have a comfortable night, Jen & Quiet Man

I would also feed twice a day. And I wait around and hour after getting back from a walk to feed. (No exercise at all after, walking included)

I waited a little while to read this in hopes I wouldn't cry, but after your amazing tribute to her I am proud to say I knew her and because of that, proud to say I am shedding tears for her and you now. She was a very special fuzzy girl and so lucky to have you.

Get the teeniest, tiniest baby socks so they'll be fairly tight, then wrap with vet wrap.