revamp

I don't think there's anything Costco could do to make me stop shopping there--certainly not something as trivial as changing credit card processors. I'm sorry to hear the change had a negative impact on you, but I fear you'd only be punishing yourself by looking for alternatives (and considering Sam's club *shiver*). I have fed Diamond foods (purchased at Menards) with good results.

Thanks, that's a really kind offer! I received the xpen I bought last week and I think it's going to work out perfect. I appreciate the thought, though!

Ok, you convinced me. I just picked up an xpen on amazon. (30" high, which i think is a good compromise for me between security and portability).

I have a seizure dog and also have a "rescue kit" of liquid valium at home, but the instructions I received from the vet were to only administer if the seizure won't stop (lasting longer than 2-3 minutes before they begin to recover), or if he goes into clusters of seizures one after the other. He has occasional breakthrough seizures even on a cocktail of Phenobarb and Zonisamide, but in 2 years we've never had to administer the valium. Either way, the emergency valium should, in my experience, always be followed up by an immediate visit with a vet. I'll have to check on the dosage we have when I get home from work.

Despite the crate being discontinued, your post was very helpful. In assessing how good Rocky would do with a soft-sided crate, I was about to respond with "You know, I could probably make a perimeter of shoeboxes around him and he would refuse to step over them". In all seriousness, that is pretty accurate--considering I could pen him in the corner with couch cushions, maybe I am overthinking the need for a whole new crate of some kind...lol

Thanks, everyone! Rocky is travelling with me to TN for thanksgiving and we'll be staying with my non-dog owning family. Rocky is sedate, but is used to sleeping in his crate (which weighs a million pounds and I don't want to haul with me). I just wanted to see what my options were for a highly-portable crate solution that Rocky can go to for some quiet from the holiday rush, and if I had to leave the house or what have you I would know that he was safe and not accidentally slipping out of a door or something. I appreciate everyone's input.

What do you guys use when it comes to portable crates (for travel, events, etc)? Do you prefer xpens? Play pens? Crates? Nothing? Got links?

This was a terrible tragedy and makes my heart ache, but that dog would still be alive if he was kept safe and restrained to his own property. It's a shame this dog spent his life keeping others safe and someone couldn't do the same for him. If that bicyclist wasn't truly afraid for his life, I hope karma gets him good! I have, however, been chased by dogs on both a bicycle (and even a motorcycle!) and it's terrifying. Dogs (as us greyhound owners know) can run very, very fast and two wheels often brings out the worst in even the most usually friendly dog.

Just thought I'd share this for those that are using forti-flora. I have a dog (non-grey) who after multiple bouts of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, has to be on probiotics for maintenance. The fortiflora was too expensive for me so I did research to see if there were other options and "Probios" was recommended. Rascal had had 3 HGE episodes in 4 months before probiotics, but none since I started him on the Probios powder (I think we're at about 8 months since the last attack). It's much cheaper than forti-flora but seems to be doing the job. I give it to my other dogs, too, since there doesn't seem to be any harm (and it's not expensive) http://www.amazon.com/Probios-CHR-404-PROBIOS%C2%A0POWDER%C2%A0CHR404-240-g/dp/B001BM1QRC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1441370272&sr=8-3&keywords=probiotic+powder

I have a seizure dog who was on potassium bromide (tablets) for about a year. All it seemed to do for him is make him nauseated and frequently vomit and had the odd side-effect of discoloring his fur (he's white and the KBromide made his eyes and mouth feet and ears turn brown. Due to continued seizures he was changed to Zonisamide and Phenobarb and dropped the KBromide. The staining cleared up completely, the vomiting stopped, and his seizures are (mostly) now under control. I'm not personally a fan of the drug.

Honestly, I had just typed out a few paragraphs of my thoughts but then deleted them because ya know....there's just no way of knowing until you're in that moment. Every dog is different, every situation is different. I tried to describe a few guidelines or feelers, but even those aren't always applicable. It's a highly individual decision specific to a unique circumstance. I do feel, however, that one day too soon is far better than one day too late.

My non-grey had a bout of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis last week. Idiopathic. Course of a bunch of meds and subQ fluids and has bounced back fine. Came out of nowhere, went from uncontrolled watery diarrhea to bloody diarrhea over the course of a day, lethargy then set in. I have three dogs who all eat the same exact things and the dogs are crated when not supervised, so very little chance to have ingested something I wasn't aware of. The other dogs are fine and have showed no symptoms.

I haven't been on greytalk as much lately, but I just popped in today and this thread was the first thing I saw. I am so very sorry for your loss, but so very very glad you've shared so much of Jilly with the forum. She is such a bigger than life personality and you've done such a wonderful job of allowing us on the internet to know her that I think of her often outside of this forum, and will continue to do so.

I'm so sorry to hear this, but very glad it turned out alright. Thank goodness you were watching him!

In my thoughts.