Brandiandwe

You need to take her back to the vet. You need to research alternative kidney diets. You need to get whatever tests are available for renal failure. You need to reach out to your adoption group if they're available and ask for advice.

I don't know how old she is, but I'd personally be trying to have her eat a homemade diet (chicken, beef, turkey, whatever). I don't like the stuff that's in a lot of the commercial foods. But that might not be possible for you. I would also add, coming from a place of respect and support, that by continually asking if it's time, or saying maybe it's time, you are asking us as a community to give you permission to let her go. I think I can say categorically that you will not get that 'permission' from this community. Not because we don't acknowledge that we do need to let our dogs go, and sometimes a long time before we are ready to, but because it is a personal decision. We are not there and cannot make that decision for you. Personally, I would take Snow back to the vet and have a very frank and long discussion about it. Then decide. You will receive support here either way.

I'm so sorry. Crying now for you.

Like others, mine are both. I do enjoy the times when, after dinner, the humans are enjoying some chocolate and thd hounds a dog treat or too. It makes me feel like a family with everyone nomming happily. kind of like waking up in the middle of the night and gearing the breathing, snoring and wuffles of DH and all the dogs asleep. Makes me feel warm and safe.

And that's how you know that you're a dog person.....

She's likely to be OK. As GreyTzu noted, some people have no problems at all. Some even share their morning coffee with their greys regularly (not something I'd do, but that's more about my attachment to my coffee than anything else). Brandi has got into my coffee, tea, and a tiny bit of chocolate left out by DH ( ). Aside from some slight overactivity, she's been fine. It isn't something I encourage.

If not too much (like the entire mug), just keep an eye. He'll probably be a bit restless and disturbed. "Within 1-2 hours of exposure: mild to severe hyperactivity, restlessness, vomiting, tachycardia (elevated heart rate), hypertension (elevated blood pressure), abnormal heart rhythms, tremors, hyperthermia (elevated body temperature) seizures, and collapse." Any of the more serious symptoms there? Be very concerned. But seriously, if it wasn't the whole mug, just watch and wait. Or induce vomiting if you really want.

I'd say to look for any red flags with people and animals already resident, try to get a sense how they'd fit in, whether they're 'home' with you....

Have you tried a search for alone training? There are loads of threads about this which explain it step by step.

And further, she's confined in a strange place with strange people and a strange dog wandering about. She doesn't know she's safe yet. How's it going?

Just relax. It will be ok. Keep breathing and give it time.

True. I also wondered if they just burn more energy staying warm. Every other animal I can think of drops weight but grows fur.

Weird. I've found the reverse. Mine drop weight in winter but seem to pile it on in summer, I think because they want to do less in the heat.

Other than worming, I'd second the move to a higher quality/ higher calorie food. Hermon couldn't physically eat enough to maintain weight when he arrived with us (and would eat till he was full then throw up undigested kibble some hours later), so for a while he was getting kibble + raw. Then I lost patience and moved everyone onto raw which has done the trick. The motto of my story isn't to move yours onto raw (although you might), but to look for ways to get more good calories without more bulk.

I found two easier than one. Three is no more work. Four isn't either. Go for it.

I think we've finally narrowed many of Boo's issues down to stress and diet which results in an irritated bladder. I've found that Zeel tablets are working well to reduce inflammation and also seem to be helping with the boys' arthritis.

Both Paige an Hermon went off lamb overnight. The same day it began causing problems for the other two so I pulled them all off it and it alL went well. Personally I'd be inclined to blame the food.

Isn't that what this thread is?

You need to exercise him in the morning as well as the evening! Otherwise he has all night to recharge and he won't be tired when you leave for work. You want him tired before being left alone.

As for exercise, you don't need to run him to tire him out. Our first two were 20 months old when they came home. I used to walk them every morning around 4-6km in an hour. That was moving relatively quickly, allowing for sniffing, pooping and peeing, with lots and lots of hills because of where we lived. My commute to work is 45 minutes to an hour. Get up, get dressed and walk your dog to tire him out. As for crating, most of us do know and understand the benefits of crate training. But if it doesn't work for your dog, all the benefits in the world won't help.

I, personally, would be exercising him a lot more before leaving him. Like, take him out for an hour in the morning. At 2, he's got huge amounts of energy. Burn some if that off, get him good and tired, feed, final poop and pee, into the crate (if you must. It can be useful or can be a source of anxiety. If it makes him anxious locking him in it for 10 hours a day won't help). Cut down the food.

We used to have problems. When we stopped feeding red meat, the problem decreased significantly. So diet may be worth considering.

It's improved since the lamb has been stopped. Now I just need to stop her needing yo go for a pee between midnight and 1 am. Vet visit this week to check for a UTI. They should come with a comprehensive care manual, these dogs!

When your turned away from Lois, you might have jolted her or moved her. She may have been falling asleep and been startled. Most of this is workable but you need to follow the rules. If Lois is lying down, for now, no touching. She'll come to you. No furniture. It might not be forever, but it might be. This is what greyhounds are.

First rule is no petting the dog unless she's standing up and conscious. For anyone. Second, no furniture privileges. Third, no interactions between the two of them until you've worked this out. I suspect, though I'm not an expert, that Lois sees your sister as a threat for whatever reason. It may be nothing to do with your sister, but allowing your sister to touch Lois while she was on her bed is really not a good idea. For the snarling while on the recliner, it sounds like resource guarding. Snarling at you while you were patting her? It's won't be because you looked away. But mine bare their teeth in a smile while looks like a snarl and make some very weird vocalisations. Hopefully some others will come along soon with some other suggestions.