Busderpuddle

Thanks everyone for your replies. I am going to be taking Ruby in the 2nd week in Jan to get blood work done again and re-check her thyroid. There was an issue with it when we first got her, had her on thyroid meds but made her SA much worse. She also needs her routine shots and I just want to make sure all is well. I am sure she had just had enough. I know that I had.

Thanks for the ideas and advice. I did remove her from most of the chaos of the afternoon but there is no where to baby gate her in the house where she can still see and crating her makes her howl like crazy if someone is here. I gave her the Valium because the vet told me to if I need to have her in a stressful situation of any kind because she gets kind of nutso and drools and spins. I thought it might help her to deal with all the people but it sounds like I should have been the one to take it. I didn't know it affected them when they are coming off of it. Have never seen a reaction at all from it before. Yes, she was raised around small children according to the place we got her from and someone on here also told me that they knew who raised her and there were small children there. The other 2 kids were not sitting on her bed when the baby was heading her way, they had moved on. As for how many times has a crawling baby came up to her while she was laying there ? too many to count and I have always been there and it has never been a problem before. Appreciate the words of wisdom.

I was there and had my hand on her collar when the baby got near. I would NEVER leave her alone with the kids but I was just so shocked that she growled. I have never heard her do that. Usually she is nudging the kids for pets and her tail is wagging 100 miles a minute. Just not sure why she growled this time. I want to stop this before it is a habit.

We have had Ruby for a year and a half and she has been such a sweet girl. She has SA issues but we are learning to deal with that. She has been around my grandchildren since day 1 and we have never had any problems. Yesterday the kids were all here for Christmas and it was really chaotic and noisy. The kids are 5, 3, 10 mos and 8 mos. During the craziness of the gift exchange I put Ruby outside (heated dog bed-her normal outside place to go) and I had given her a Valium earlier in the day just because. The older 2 kids had sat beside her and petted her as always and her tail was wagging. After all the hoopla died down and one of the families had left, I let her back and she was laying in her usual spot. The 3 year old was petting her a bit like he always does and she was happy. When the 8 month old started to get near her I noticed her ears perk up. I held onto her collar and told her to be good. All of a sudden she let out a fairly loud growl. The baby had not touched her at all. She knows this baby and has been around her a lot. I immediately told her "NO" in a fairly stern voice and put her outside. Now I don't feel safe having her around the kids at all. She has never ever done this before. I know it was an unusual day but I did try to keep her in her usual routine and let her get away from the noisy part of the day. I can't have her growling at the kids. It just can't happen. Ruby was raised around kids and like I said, has always been around mine with no issues at all. Suggestions on what to do now ?

I also bought some from Best Bully sticks, a couple for Ruby and one for my SS gift. The one I gave Ruby made her tummy upset and she didn't eat the next meal offered. She LOVED it though but I don't think I will give her the other one. They were Made In America though so I felt like they were safe.

Ruby LOVES it and poops are perfect. Great stuff.

Such good news. HAPPY Holidays !!!

So very sorry to hear this. I wonder if he was related to my girl Ruby? Her name was Cayenne Pantera. Hugs to all.

I give Ruby 2 frozen turkey necks a week and her teeth are staying really nice. Worth a try and they are cheap right now.

My girl won't drink either and has a mild kidney problem. I have tried everything and the only thing that will work is to put lots of water over her kibble each time I feed her. I tried a couple tablespoons of broth in her water dish and that didn't work. She just won't drink. Not interested in ice cubes. I put her 2 cups of kibble in the bowl and then cover it about 1/2" above the top and it works almost every time. It is really yucky though when she doesn't eat all her food. Her treats are usually things that have some moisture in them too like eggs or pumpkin. Vet said you can try to give them water with a syringe but it didn't work and scared her. Good luck.

Beautiful boy. I am so sorry.

Run free sweet Colonel............

I bathe Ruby once a month and then 5 days later put on her heartworm medication. I have been using this routine for 18 months and she has never had a problem with dandruff or acted itchy. I use a oatmeal soap and also a oatmeal conditioner and she always looks so shiny and smells good. She doesn't seem to shed too bad either but there is always a lot of hair in the shower drain. I use ear cleaner too right before her shower and the vet always says her ears look great.

Sorry to hear about your loss. I hope you can remember the happy moments soon.

I gave small treats when Ruby was new but no longer give those. She gets a chicken foot and a turkey neck twice a week. She also gets chicken jerky after the afternoon walk. Other than that, it is rare that she gets anything other than kibble.

The salmon and sweet potato one here too in the pretty blue bag.

I bought dehydrated chicken feet from a source listed on here and Ruby LOVES them. The bones crumble so I don't know how they would hurt her. I think she likes the raw feet though. They last longer too and are much cheaper.

That picture with the 4 greys in their jammies just makes me smile. So adorable. My Ruby HATES her coats and will not go potty with one on. I finally gave up the last part of the winter and she had no problems at all. It doesn't get bitterly cold here in Oregon though.

Beautiful Stella. I am so sorry............

I will definitely keep an eye on her. This morning she ate a few bites and then tonight polished off the bowl. I don't give her many treats at all and in fact, most days she gets none. The ones she does get are pure dehydrated meat. I used to give her a turkey neck every now and then instead of her meal but haven't been able to find them lately. She is due to go for a vet check soon so will also discuss the food issue when we go. Thanks for all the comments !

Oregon- Ruby (Karen & Patrick)

I will pick up the food after 20 minutes too and then just serve it at the next meal. She usually will gobble it up the next time it is served so I know she likes it. I just worry that she will lose too much weight but she doesn't seem to. Guess she's just smarter than I am. She knows how to keep her trim figure.

For the last few weeks Ruby will decide on occasion not to touch her meal or maybe just take a nibble or 2 and then walk away. This morning she didn't even sniff her food. She is fed kibble and when she chooses to eat, seems to wolf it down with gusto. She isn't losing weight and it happens about 3-4 times a week. She is fed twice a day and I haven't switched her food or anything. On the days she doesn't eat I don't give her any treats because I don't want her filling up on those. Does this sound normal or should I be worried ?

I also have a houseful of grandchildren ages 5, 3, 9 mos. and 6 mos. at times and Ruby loves them all. She completely ignores them when they are playing or eating and the older 2 have been taught not to touch her while she is asleep. My 3 year old grandson though adores her and will lay on her bed with her and watch movies together. Her tail is wagging and he knows not to roll on her. When he takes a nap she will go lay down beside his toddler bed and sleep while he does. They have quite the bond. We specifically asked for a grey that would be safe around small children and we got the perfect one. We do watch the situation closely though because we don't want to risk anything. Good luck finding your new best friend.

thanks everyone. Makes my life easier. I am looking forward to the turkey necks being easy to find too. Going to buy a case or 2.