Feisty49

Even after all these months of Annie Bella having good poos -- after we switched to Iams Proactive Mini Chunks -- I still check her poo to make sure it's good. I suspect I will always check it out. There are times when it's not as good, but those times follow a day when she's had a new treat or something like that. She's got a very sensitive tummy.

Piper's a great name too. Wiggles just tickled my funny bone. Your hounds are beautiful.

As always I, and many others on the board, support a "cheap" food in the form of Iams Proactive Health Minichunks. I put cheap in quotes because it's not as expensive as the high-end brands I tried. It eliminated Annie Bella's diarrhea and soft stools, and I plan on using it until there's a reason not to.

I think half the battle is feeling good. I used to dread going for walks with Annie the first two weeks after adoption because of her planting. Walks should be fun for both, not dreaded. When I got advice about doing circling and continuing walking coming out of the circle, and it worked, I felt in control. Success breeds success and when the circle thing worked, I started feeling comfortable about doing other things, such as the pushes on her shoulder or her entire side, that were less cumbersome.

::reminder:: Avoid kennel pet Greyhounds.

When I first got Annie Bella, she planted herself more than walking, I swear. She still plants occasionally but I have many ways to get her moving. The first thing I recommend, which sometimes stops the planting, is to not slow down just 'cause she does, if indeed you ever do that. Walk along with the expectation she'll come along and don't slow or stop, even if she falls back a few feet. Without realizing it, we often pace ourselves to our dog's pace, and it should be the other way around. Try walking her in a circle. Hold her close to your thigh, walk around pressing on her shoulder with that thigh and as you come out, keep on walking. I don't use this any more because it can be awkward on a narrow sidewalk but it always worked for me, if not the first circle on the second. Give her a gentle push on a shoulder with your knee or a hand. I don't know about other Greyhounds, but Annie Bella does not like that at all. Talk about giving me stinky eye. The push should be firm enough to make her feet move. Using two hands, give a gentle push on her side. If the push on the shoulder doesn't work with Annie Bella, I do the side push, firm enough so that usually all four feet have to move. For whatever reason, pushing on her makes her start walking again. What also works for me, and I tried it out of frustration one time when I was really really really irritated with her, is to stand in front of her, bend down (I bend down so close that often her nose is touching mine), look her straight in the eyes and say with great firmness and aggravation, "Move!" That always gets her going, because if I've reached that point, she knows I am pissed! Often, especially when we're in the driveway heading back home, she'll plant, or go slowwwwwwly, and I use my shame-on-you voice, and say something like, "Shame on you Annie Bella. Shame on you," my voice just dripping with disappointment. You can always use treats. I never walk Annie Bella without treats in my pocket. They're good for training, if the opportunity comes up, and they're good to get her going. Gotta toss them, though, so your dog has to move. Once she's moving, you start out at a good pace with expectation in every movement. Good luck. I used to feel so foolish on a public street practically begging Annie Bella to move. In the beginning, I often would tighten her collar and drag her to get her moving. I hated that but....

As others have said and will say: Greyhounds are wonderful. My Annie Bella is beautiful (they all are), calm, sweet, independent, a people and dog lover and sometimes stubborn. She doesn't surf counter tops or basket dive. She doesn't like being alone, but doesn't have SA (separation anxiety). She's been known to hoard socks, mittens, scarfs, and slippers, even with lots of stuffies with which to play. She also is very bonded to me and knows that I love her and protect her and have certain expectations of consideration and manners she must follow (no jumping, no going on furniture, waiting nicely while I fix meals, etc.). Another vet student started a topic back in November or December about her experience with being a student and being a first-time Greyhound mom. There were some initial behavior issues, but nothing unusual for a Grey in a new environment. Long story short is she was wondering if having her Greyhound and being a vet student would work because of all the time spent at school and studying. She got lots of advice and if I remember correctly most, if not all, were positive about keeping her Grey and being able to go to school. It's real important when you make the decision to adopt that you find one that you think suits your situation. I think most Grays adjust, without problems to being alone for hours. Sometimes not. My Annie Bella is an only dog in a household with just me. She prefers to be with me, but she is fine being alone when I'm gone; that is there's no whining, barking or rooing. She'll hunt around for something to "borrow" and I often accommodate by leaving something out that I don't mind getting gooey.

She's a pretty girl and I *love* the name. Told my adoption group that if I should adopt another Grey, I am going to rename it Wiggles 'cause I think it's so cute.

This is one of the most difficult decisions to be made, whether a beloved pet or a beloved relative. You can read your boy better than anybody. If you see it in his face, then it is time. I wish you peace.

I'm so sorry about Angel. The only comment I have about Bella is that animals grieve too. I know when I've lost a loved one all I wanted to do was be alone without having to socialize or even be bothered with anyone. Perhaps Bella is mourning her loss that way. My suggestion is not to give up on her. Don't overload her with attention, but don't stint on it either. As far as the backyard, slowly reintroduce her to it. I think she'll come around eventually. As she feels you resolve your grief, I suspect she will resolve hers too.

This is the same for Annie Bella. They are smaller and there is less than when she was on anything else. As we like to say "I'm not gonna rock the boat."

::knocking on wood:: I've never run into this problem in the small town in which I live and where I do most of our walking. We don't see many dogs, but when we do, they are all on a leash. There have been a couple of owners who have not gone short-leash when approaching Annie Bella and me, allowing their dog to get too close without introductions (not as bad as no leash but intimidating nonetheless), but they have responded appropriately when I tell them the dogs need to be supervised closely to see if they get along. The biggest problem I have is with Annie Bella (always on a leash) because she loves other dogs and always wants to romp and sniff and get up close and personal with every dog she meets. Long before we're close to another dog, she's on a very short leash and unable to approach before introductions are made slowly.

That looks awful. Poor guy. How is he this morning? How are you?

I'm sure all of us would feel the same (heck, I feel horrible when I accidentally step on Annie Bella's foot when I'm in sneakers). Accidents happen but nonetheless, we still feel responsible. So glad to read it's all being taken care of. I wonder if she'll lay there again?

I'm rather cynical so question most rating systems. I assume that somewhere along the way toward a final evaluation, someone's personal biases become part of the evaluation or there is money from a manufacturer passing through hands. When it comes to dog food and a discussion of what's good and bad, I just think back 20, 30, 40, etc., years ago when we fed what was available and what our dogs liked. Granted, some ingredients are not so good, but if my dog is healthy and her poop is good, in my opinion, I'm feeding her a winning dog food.

Love never ends but it's so sad that the object of your love is no longer with you. She was a wonderful girl and you were the best for her. You wrote wonderful, loving words and I hope they bring you some peace.

After all this, even if he continues to pee good, I'd make an appt with your regular vet for a check-up and make sure all the info and pics taken at other places are forwarded for Opie's records. ETA: What Batmom said about doc #1.

I must say that Ember is a lovely name, but I am biased because it's also the name of my granddaughter. I can imagine that your still mourn your special girl. She's running and playing and sleeping in the sun with all the freedoms we can imagine.

You must already be in love with this boy. He is wonderful!

She was a beautiful girl, both inside and out. I always think of them running free: no leash, no fence, no roads or threats of any kind.

I am a convert to Iams Proactive Health Minichunks in the green bag. My Annie Bella, whom I adopted in July last year, came to me with soft stools, which got worse and worse and eventually was full-fledged diarrhea. The usual things were done (meds, deworming, chicken/rice) including putting her on a prescription food from the vet, which was what changed the course of her diarrhea. I had read on here from many people that Iams "in the green bag" worked wonders on their dogs' poo, so after Annie's diarrhea went away and her stools were back to being "just" soft ice cream on the 'script food, I introduced Iams in the green bag into her diet. It was astonishing the change in her output within 24 hours. It became firmer literally overnight. She's now on half 'script food and half Iams in green bag and her poo is perfect. It's also interesting that as the weeks have gone by the output has decreased, meaning her body is digesting more of the food. My vet said that some dogs don't tolerate what is considered high-end food and the bottom line is whatever works.

I'm glad to read things are working out. August will be here quicker than we think and it will then be an ideal situation. Good luck with school!

What worked for me in the beginning (I adopted Annie Bella 6 months ago so am also new to the wonderful world of Greyhounds) was not to rely on her to let me know. I set up a schedule with times for P&Ping which included our regular walks as well as just quick trips out to the woods for her to go. As I got to know her well enough to trust her and relax enough to look for her signs (and for me it took longer than 2 weeks) I let up on the strict schedule and watched her very closely. Long story short is when she has to go, shes comes to me and stares. No big deal stuff. No going to the door. No pacing. Just liquid brown eyes talking to me. I'm thinking that Indiana might be pushing your buttons as if saying, "I'm doing it my way to see how it goes over," so yes I think you should just take him out on a schedule. This assumes, of course, that it's not a medical issue.

It must've been scary to have her reaction so intense and long this time. Sounds like you both need sleep.

Your words were so well written about sweet Marissa that I could feel her joy at being loved and free in your home. Marissa and your family were both so lucky in having found one another. She will be missed, but I hope it brings you comfort when you remember how much she loved being your girl.