Horsefeathers!

Razzle is really, really sick (the Standard Poodle I placed with my best friend). As some of you know, he has a seizure disorder, but has become increasingly ill recently and is apparently now in renal failure. He has gone from 50ish lbs down to barely over 30 and is a sack of bones and still refusing to eat. His quality of life seems gone and the vet is certain there is no chance of recovery. My friend has been considering euthanasia, but every time she thinks she's made up her mind, she says Razzle gives her a look that says don't give up. I know how she feels. She WANTS him to be ok and I think she is feeling guilty for "giving up." I told her tonight that part of responsible dog ownership means being able to let them go. She knows this; sometimes it just takes hearing it. She's planning to go tomorrow or Wednesday to put Razzle down. I hope she can go through with it because I'm afraid he may not make it much longer. He used to be the most energetic, go get 'em, happy dog you could imagine. Razzle is the one behind Perry in my avatar... the one with the quizzical look on his face that has always been so typical of him. Now he's so weak and can barely stand. I swear his eyes are pleading to let him go. I'm absolutely devastated and my friend is so heartbroken. Razzle would be only three years old in June. It seems so unfair. Exactly one year ago (March 12), my friend's house burned down and that is exactly the time Razzle came into her life. It always seemed like he came at the right time because he was such a happy diversion. No one could ever be sad for long around him. Please keep them in your thoughts and wish Razzle a peaceful journey to The Bridge. :( [img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0awDRAswgeNORgf28SlNZIzIxkxOVuY6L4kcAhJiSyM506EHWLeas3ljQI!*tcv9YwisZTLvXCDN5uEHVNXnKhNSz2*BV1N23BmOfkBTOhhrtFlQcz2L66xaf65VGotiDZkewZbceHCURFZX3zAwk79FlQ4PgqrLZ/3-31-03%20Razzle%20done.JPG?dc=4675415887989843554[/img]

[quote name='Malamum']I couldn't resist asking if I could give him a bit of a cuddle. [/quote] It is hard to resist skishing up against one, isn't it? Even the most burly, mean looking, bad day having tough guys usually come up and ask if they can skish 'em. I'm glad you finally got to see a Standard Poodle up close and personal. Perry is thrilled as well. :wink: [img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0YwDhAjggBochJNSjCczJkEkLG5mbmwnWUBQMNrOfZm76TXtbyD7ggxzCn7EHTdVevAUid9kLTFkCCVpWHCGjEmQ5dZfcQCbb5SwFCYj19LT51Kp3kJcpyYIeVNNFpq5IbU8XN0Ze1ngCHJhOB0ge9A/Perry%20smiling.jpg?dc=4675444591952465106[/img]

Way to go, Miss/Mr. Standard Poodle 8) ! Thanks for the share! :D

My Tucker dawg (Lab) had fho surgery on his right hip a couple of years ago. He's done really well since and we've been pleased with his recovery. However, there is still some extensive damage to his pelvis and back end that can't be fixed and he still has a bit of a limp when walking slowly. He's recently begun hassling and grunting pretty badly as if he's in pain. He doesn't sleep well at night and moves around a lot as if he can't be in one place too long. He's about 7 years old. The vet says that Tucker is apparently hurting (well, yeah). He has him on Rimadyl, but I really don't want to use that for longterm pain relief. Is there a natural remedy that he can take internally that may help ease his suffering? I feel so bad for my boy. :( [img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0ZgAPA40gCqqHJusLSR!3T4Eo8GBmLmvxTkqjk73irC*67l4J1wMlzoisQSOR!XHGqTevCBhZwCZP7JJeP7uFJpAZa79mBHBj1QN!pGdJXihgu7cte!VLCCQGrl1zuIKIWCeDstKweFm*brPLC3LXNw/good%20boy%20Tucker.JPG?dc=4675379077582745599[/img] Edit: Tucker is already on glucosamine/condroitin/msm supplements. Also, I did do a google search on natural pain relief and do see lots of information. I guess I'm just really looking for input on something someone has experience with before I buy into some company's marketing hype.

Found it! I found some Libby's canned pumpkin in a little out of the way mom and pop country store. It's a good thing, too. Without being TOO graphic, Devin's got it baaaaaaaaad. :-?

[quote name='SexxieRacerChik']As far as I can remember it said something about being ppsec registered.[/quote] Ok, I had to check. It has nothing to do with groomer certification. They recognize trade schools and such, but have nothing to do with groomer certification. No big deal. I was just curious. [quote]I understand about the vaccinations but you said you don't require them be vaccinated yearly...what I'm asking is do you make sure they've been vaccinated at all? [/quote] To answer the question directly, as long as they've had their puppy shots and first adult set, I'm happy. [quote]Some poor dogs probably haven't been vaccinated since puppyhood.[/quote] That's not necessarily a bad thing. :wink: [quote]I'm not trying to argue with you though...if you don't and your vet doesn't then that's all you can go by. I trust my vet and you obviously trust yours. Mine does yearly vaccinations for kennel cough and parvo and rabies because seems alot of dogs around here come down with that. Different strokes for different folks I guess.[/quote] Ask your vet if s/he is aware that suggested vaccination protocols have changed... the AVMA, the council on biologic and therapeutic agents, Texas A&M University, Cornell University, Colorado State University, the AAHA have all changed their vaccination guidelines. It's not just speculation. Overvaccination ruins immune systems, creates all sorts of problems and even kills. I don't mean this in any ugly way, but I've seen that you seem to trust your vet implicitly. I like my vet, too. Actually, he's also a personal friend. However, we've butted heads many times over how I want things handled with my dogs. He DOES still vaccinate yearly... just not MY dogs and he doesn't require it of my groom clients (it's my business, his building). He does recognize that protocol has changed and has met me somewhere in the middle on it. He's also perfectly willing to let my dogs board there if they ever need to without boosters. The reason he still vaccinates yearly, he says, is because people will not bring in their animals for yearly checkups without it. He's not a materialistic, money motivated type of guy, so I do tend to believe him (then again, I trust no one implicitly :wink: ). Seriously, don't take my word for it. You should never take anyone at their word, me, your vet, anybody. Do a google search on "overvaccination." Read through some of it. Take what you can use and leave the rest behind, but it's at least worth reading and then deciding for yourself whether or not it's something you believe. :)

Now, that might be the ticket! When I saw pumpkin pie filling, I didn't look at the label any closer. :oops:

[quote name='newfiemom']HF, did you check the Baking Aisle in the grocery store? That's usually where it is. I know Libby's carries canned pumpkin. Just make sure that you read the label and that it is pure pumpkin.[/quote] I did see some pumpkin pie filling around the baking goods, but I couldn't find pure pumpkin. I thought maybe I was looking in the wrong place. Maybe here in the South, no one eats pumpkin dishes :-? ? I don't know, but I'll keep checking. It's entirely possible that I overlooked it. :oops: Come to think of it, SOMEONE here has to have it. I recently suggested it to a client for her Cocker with the trots and she said it worked like a charm (I read it here first, folks :lol: ). If I have to, I'll call her and ask her where she got it. Malamum, I don't reckon I've ever seen whole or cut pumpkins here for sale other than in the Fall. If I don't come across the canned, I'll certainly look. One of the joys of living in a small town... limited selection of goods. Thanks, guys. :)

[quote name='SexxieRacerChik'][quote name='Horsefeathers!'] [quote name='SexxieRacerChik'] They can make sure your dogs are up-to-date on shots and the sort([b]if they don't ask then definately a no[/b]), [/quote] Actually, I am one that does NOT require vacs to be "current." I don't believe in yearly vaccinations for my own dogs and I don't penalize my clients who do not, either. Everyone here mostly does yearly vaccinations, but I do not require it. [/quote] So you verify by documentation that the dogs have been vaccinated? For parvo, kennel cough, rabies? Just because you don't give them to your dogs doesn't mean that they shouldn't have them. [/quote] Actually, that's wrong. It's not just a personal feeling I have; it's been proven in independent studies that overvaccination is not only NOT protecting animals, but in many cases, it's compromising their immune systems, making them ill and in some cases killing them. It is why I do not vaccinate yearly and do not require vaccinations to be what is considered the norm for "current." My vet supports me in this. He has to be comfortable with it because I groom inside HIS clinic. Type "overvaccination" in a google search and see what you come up with. :wink: [quote]Kennel Cough spreads fast and sometimes undectected in it's first stages for 2-14 days.[/quote] Actually, there are so many strains of kennel cough that I do not rely on the vaccine. I used to keep all of my dogs current on bordatella. Every year, there were some of my dogs who got kennel cough still and the rest didn't. I haven't given it in over two years now and so far, no one has gotten kennel cough... not even the two who used to get it yearly. I am so comfortable in my decision that my own dogs accompany me to work every single day and are in the same room as my groom clients. I've never had one of my dogs contract an illness from work. So far, in the five years I have worked there, there has not been a single reported case of transmittable illness from my salon. Most of my clients are also clients of my vet, so I would be the first to know if there were a problem. [quote]When I groomed years ago(and when I say years I mean like close to 8) I had to pay $500 and take a 2 month class before the vet I went to work for could hire me as a "groomer". I was only allowed to bath/dry the dogs up until I received the certification. They compared it to a hairstylist/manacurist and their license.[/quote] Could you tell me the certifying organization in which you were certified and what your certification title was (MPS, NCMG, etc.)? I'm only aware of a few. I think we are talking about different kinds of certification. There is a huge difference between certification and licensing. Again, some states do require a form of licensing which basically covers sanitation and such, but that is not the same as certification which covers knowledge of breed standards and profiles and, in some organizations, skin and coat care.

Oh, Ickle, I'm so sorry to read this! I know it's been some time, but I still wanted to offer hugs and warm thoughts. I don't always get to see everything that's posted, so some things get by me, like this. Please know that even though it's been a little while, I'm thinking about you.

Thanks. :) I'll just keep plugging away then. I might back off the ester c to every other day for a while to see if it helps and maybe give him the veggie mash just once a day instead of both meals (I really don't know why I didn't buy any fruit :-? ). Actually, I went on a mission this evening for some canned pumpkin. Would you believe I can not find a store that has it?? It doesn't SEEM like a weird request, but I can't find it anywhere. I'll check with the local health food store tomorrow and if that doesn't work out, I reckon I'll have to find an alternative :-?. Any suggestions just in case...? I am truly hoping it is just a transitional thing. Thanks again!

Sorry you had to go through it. At least the store is trying to make good on it. If it turns out the guy is simply hearing impaired, it's no excuse for the accusation of abuse. That was just plain bad form.

[quote name='SexxieRacerChik'] They can make sure your dogs are up-to-date on shots and the sort([b]if they don't ask then definately a no[/b]), [/quote] Actually, I am one that does NOT require vacs to be "current." I don't believe in yearly vaccinations for my own dogs and I don't penalize my clients who do not, either. Everyone here mostly does yearly vaccinations, but I do not require it. [quote](I would assume they have to atleast have a groomer's license..[b]if not then definately no[/b])[/quote] Actually, in the US, there are no federal licensing requirements. In many states, there is a licensing requirement, but they are general licenses that cover boarding facilities, grooming shops, commercial kennels and pet stores. In Georgia, grooming shops are required to have a kennel license which is obtained from the Georgia Department Of Agriculture. Basically, you send in a licensing fee and they might show up once or twice a year to be sure you're keeping your towels in a sealed plastic container :roll:. There are no federal guidelines for groomer training. Basically, anyone can hang a shingle, pick up a clipper and call themselves a groomer. Certification is voluntary at this point. I've met several certified groomers I would not let near any of my dogs. Some were abusive... by no means am I labeling certified groomers as categorically abusive; just pointing out that certification mostly means that you know how to make a breed look like it's supposed to, but it doesn't automatically indicate care and compassion. [quote]but I would find a groomer that has been a groomer for many years...not someone who is just starting out (which is what I suspect the groomers at Petco would be...kinda like hairdresser's who start out at Head Start (local chain of hair/barber shops)).[/quote] I'm not being argumentative; I swear, but some of the top rated schools are turning out competition quality graduates. These people are ready for the competition ring the day they graduate school (California School of Dog Grooming is one of the best, I hear). By the same token, I've seen some really burned out 30something year veteran groomers who were sloppy and abusive.:-? Just my opinion, but I think one great way to find a groomer is to hang out in areas known to be frequented by dogs and ask the owners of the really nicely groomed ones where they had them done :wink: . I would also feel more comfortable with someone who actively attends seminars, competitions (not necessarily to compete... just attending is educational), classes and basically continuing education. Don't be afraid to ask your potential new groomer if s/he attends classes and seminars, if they've had any first aid training, handling classes, or are at least part of the growing network of groomers' lists. What would turn me off is a groomer who "doesn't have time for that sort of thing," or "don't need that stuff... I've been grooming 23784938742 years and know all I need to know." Styles and equipment change all the time. No one can ever know everything there is to know about grooming. IMO a groomer should be eager or at least willing to continue their education. Certification is gravy. Most groomers who care enough to become certified are genuinely concerned with maintaining a certain level of professionalism. It just doesn't guarantee it :wink: . I agree with Cassie's and others' advice above on double coats. It's a hotly debated subject on many groomers' groups (to clip or not to clip), but my personal preference is to dethatch/deshed using pretty much the same method Cassie described above. :)

I've recently taken Devin (17 lb Lhasa Apso) completely off of commercial food (Canidae) and put him on a solely homecooked diet in an effort to help alleviate some allergy symptoms. He was doing fine on Canidae; I just thought I could do better. His stools were always nice and firm and not particularly rancid smelling. Since the diet change, he is having loose stools and kind of smelly. Is it possibly just a transition period? I've been varying his meals some, but it's initially been pretty similar just until I get comfortable with this (I've long supplemented a bit of cooked... haven't done it solely before). For breakfast, he's been getting an egg, acidophilus, a bit of rice, a good spoonful of yogurt or cottage cheese and a bit of veggie mash (I have no fruit yet). For dinner, he's been getting a bit of lightly boiled chicken, bone meal, about a tablespoon more veggie mash (usually carrot/celery) and that's when he gets his 1500 mg of glucosamine and 500 mg of ester c. He's also had a few lightly boiled turkey necks (pretty much dropped in boiling water and removed). That's basically it. Am I missing something, overdoing something, or is it just a transitional thing? He's just shy of having diarrhea. :oops:

Thanks, Cassie. It just has me stumped. Perry's had a bit of tearing from one eye for quite a while, but it has never stained red before. That's a very recent thing. I forgot one potentially important part of the equation... I'm growing him into a show style topknot (banded). Right now, his hair is flopping over in his eyes, but is not quite long enough to stay tied back. Growing pains :-? . Anyway, I'm wondering if the hair might be irritating him (duh? :o ). I've put him on a bit of tetracycline just for now until the hair grows a bit more to see if that was it (or possibly the pollen as mentioned since it's that time of year). We're still doing distilled water basically because I went and bought up a whole buttload of the stuff. :-? Thanks. :)

Well, I'm so relieved that it isn't just me. I just knew I was going to raise the temper of someone who believes I would surely be going to doggy h*ll for damaging their little psyches by depriving them of a perfectly normal, natural activity which is probably vital for their mental wellbeing. *blah!* My husband, who IS a light sleeper, thinks I'm totally nutso for coming apart at the seams when they do this. He doesn't particularly enjoy it, but it really doesn't bother him, either. I told him I thought he was just a weirdo. This proves it. :D

[quote name='kendalyn']I'm actually amazed at how many people here have been approached about breeding their dogs. Who goes up to a complete stranger and asks something like that??? People are nuts! :roll:[/quote] Sadly, it happens all the time. I promise you that I hear it at least once a week (several of my dogs accompany me everywhere including work). I've had requests to breed my Toy Poodle to everything from other Poodles to Chihuahuas and Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, Pomeranians, and I can't even remember what all. These can be people who just see them in my window at home, or just come up to me at a gas station. Very few people ask about registration, qualifications, or any of that. It's ALWAYS "think of the money..." or "sure would be some cute puppies." I have been approached about my Standards, too. Actually, I've had a handful of people ask about breeding them to their Labs ever since something or other came on tv telling about how much people are willing to spend on these dogs. Truly dismaying. I've also had requests to breed Devin... nevermind his bad knees, hip dysplasia, allergies and questionable temperament. People just don't care. :(

...and if one more person tells me to poke a stick in Fred's butt and use him for a mop, I'm going to pop a vein, I swear. Fred is a cream colored, almost white, Lhasa Apso with full coat to the floor. Yes, yes, doG YES, he looks like a mop! For crying out loud, please come up with something more original. Hey, you're white, let me poke a stick in YOUR butt and call you a mop. *mutter* Didn't bug me the first gazillion times, but does get a bit old.

[quote name='Michele']I get: what kind of dog is that? me: a chihuahua them: are you sure? I never seen a white chihuahua before? me: i'm sure........ rolls eyes...hehe[/quote] Oh, that reminds me... My own Chi is tri colored, black, white and a few tan points. I've had sooooooo many people tell me he can't be a Chi as they only come in solid colors and then some of these people think they can only be tan. These are the people who think I'm off my rocker. What gets me is that NOBODY seems to notice his rather large size (about 15 lbs when the breed standard calls for 6 or below). If they want to be so smart and point out his bad breeding, at least point out the fact that he is huge instead of harping on his color which is perfectly acceptable. :P

I just realized that the people locally apparently think I'm the local puppy farm. We have a big ceiling to floor window in the living room that faces the private drive that goes through here. All my dogs like to pile up in that window for a nap, to watch squirrels, whatever. I can't count how many people have stopped here to ask when we would have puppies for sale. Most are interested in Poodles (primarily from my Toy, but have had several inquiries about the Standards) and some would like one o' dem little fuzzy face dawgs (I'm sure they mean my Lhasas). I don't get it. No one has EVER seen a litter of puppies here in the 7 years I've lived here :-?. Most annoying is people who send their children around... "my mama said to ask you if you gotz some puppies to get rid of..." :x I have had several breeding requests... "my uncle's neighbor's workmate's ex-wife's preacher's nephew has a really neat looking little Poodlish dawg... they're just looking for something to breed it with. shore would make some purdy dawgs and think of the money you can make!" Um, no, but thanks for thinking of me to harrass about it. I've had people call me stupid to my face for having any of them fixed. I might as well tell these people that I had a winning lottery ticket and tossed it in the garbage. I don't think they could be any more outraged. Then there's the neighbor behind me who is sure we are living like slobs over here, wading through dog doody, sharing bowls with them, whatever. I've seen her in her backyard (adjacent to mine) taking a head count and shaking her head in disgust. What she doesn't know is that I've seen the company she keeps. I'll take the dogs, thank you. Besides, tossing a dog in my swimming pool has been THE best way to keep neighbors from sending their kids to me to entertain with pool time (not in this lifetime, or the next). One other thing... why do people assume that ALL white Standard Poodles are show dogs and that's only the ones that recognize that they are indeed Poodles and not long haired Pit Bulls? :-?

Probably the most memorable was when someone saw my Standard Poodles in my car at a gas station and asked if they were long haired Pit Bulls. ? :-? ?

Courtnek, I've seen the story before, but I'm still not sure I'm convinced that was the ONLY way to successfully fill that lady's needs. Still, that's neither here nor there (will just agree to respectfully disagree). I am not anti-mixed breeds. I am anti-irresponsibility and anti-greed. At least the dogs you mention are, as far as I know, bred for a purpose other than revenue. As far as I've been able to tell, the vast majority of people mixing breeds and, heck, breeding poor quality purebreds are doing it SOLELY to meet the needs of the "I want it and I want it now" general public who's been sold a bunch of malarkey about "designer" breeds, or about how it's so unfair for people to have to travel, research, or be expected to go to any real trouble other than to write a check or plunk down a credit card to buy a dog. People want convenience in virtually every aspect of their lives. Why should buying a dog be any different (I can think of many reasons, but...). That is all about revenue and that is what I have a problem with. I'm fine with someone who's truly trying to accomplish something driven by a force other than $$$. I love seeing new breeds come onto the scene when there's a function for them other than lining the pockets of unscrupulous breeders.

I recently switched from Wellness to Canidae. So far, the gang is doing well on it. One of my white Standard Poodles has recently started having horrible tear staining. He's had a bit of a drip in one eye before that was not really a big problem, but now both eyes have horrible red tracks under them. It's never looked this bad. The only change I can think of is the food. Is there anything about Canidae that would cause this that Wellness doesn't contain? One other thought... it's been pretty balmy here and Spring has pretty well sprung and there's a lot of pollen in the air. Would that cause it? It didn't happen last Spring. His eyes aren't red and itchy looking... it's just the tearing and awful staining. This boy has such a showy head. I'm sure it's my own vanity, but I do hate to see such a beautiful face marred by these ugly stains. I know about getting rid of staining, but I would like to know what could be causing it... especially in BOTH eyes when it's never happened before. We also wondered if maybe something was going on with our water that we might not be aware of (we're in the county... well water instead of city water). For now, we've switched over entirely to bottled distilled water. Any thoughts?

Ok, you've just settled down in bed for a peaceful night of uninterrupted slumber (one can wish, right?). As you're dozing off, it begins. The ritualistic "slurrup, saloop, shlep, shalop" of their nightly grooming routine. The bed gently rocks to the rhythm of the licking. They might be licking their feet, another dog, whatever. It's just a subtle, seemingly (to them) soothing carressing motion. Now... Do you find this soothing and drift peacefully off to sleep, or do you come unhinged and start screeching, "KNOCK IT OFF!!" causing your significant other to come up muttering, "hey, what the...?" I fall into the latter category and I've found that most people have no middle ground on this. It's either soothing or it's extremely annoying. It grates on my nerves and gives me absolute fits. I HATE it when they do that. They have all day to do it when I'm not home, but I can't stand it when I'm trying to sleep. I'm not a particularly light sleeper, but the sound of that snarking and shalooping will wake me from a sound sleep. To call it a pet peeve is an understatement. I can put up with many things... their snoring, farting, dream racing, karate kicks to my gut, and various other things during the night, but that licking sends me through the roof. What about you?

How did I miss this? :oops: I join the others in sending out my best healing thoughts and warm wishes that Ellie makes a complete recovery. I hope the poor girl is back up and at 'em again soon.