Horsefeathers!

Guest, I think you and I may be interpreting this post differently. My understanding is that the neighbors aren't just minding their own business on their own property. If I'm understanding it right, the neighbors are tormenting the dogs at the fence line. I don't necessarily agree that this is owner negligence as much as it's just buttheaded neighbors. Maybe it's too close to my own circumstances. I, too, have neighbors (mostly kids, but sometimes adults) who come to my fence line and jump and yell at my dogs who, in return, get stirred up and begin barking. They would never bark at my neighbors going about their business in a normal fashion. They respond to the taunts. Then again, upon re-reading the original post before sending this, I see that the dogs are barking at the fence before the neighbors approach. Hmmm... guess my vision was clouded by images of my own $#@! neighbors... :oops: I suppose I'd have to agree to bringing the dogs inside if they're barking at the neighbors just for approaching. My dogs will often bark at the unrestrained dogs that run our neighborhood and up and down our fence, so I do usually bring them inside as a courtesy to my neighbors (and also to avoid the risk of losing them if I were to begin getting a lot of complaints). I only wish my neighbors were as courteous with their bratty children. :( I wonder if it's possible that the neighbors have taunted these dogs when no one was around which would be causing the behavior...? Either way, I'd just bring them inside until later, or until I could figure out a way to train them out of this behavior (the neighbors AND the dogs :lol: ). Or maybe a 6 foot privacy fence? Now, that's just wishful thinking on MY part... :roll:

Cattieos, I think much will depend on where you are. Laws vary so widely depending on locale. If you are in the states, this site has a lot of info regarding dog bites and liability. Good luck with your dog's treatment and with the rotten neighbor kids. I feel your pain.... my neighbors' kids are brats, too. [url]www.dogbitelaw.com[/url]

Hmmmm... Aroura, I'm not sure I agree that a dog's diet should consist of 60% meat. I'm still studying and learning, but according to a very respected source, it should be 50% carbs, 25% beta carotenes (veggies) and 25% protein. And even then, from my understanding, the amount of red meat should be limited (white meat is best) and no fatty table scraps. I was concerned at first about that high amount of carbs potentially leading to diabetes (and in cats, it certainly will), but I'm following the evidence that this works well. This is something I'm still very fresh at and am still learning, so I'm not "preaching." There are many people who say something about, "Well, look how the wolves and primitive dogs ate..." but I just don't think that's a valid argument. Anyway, just my spin on the 60% meat thing. Several of you already know my take on the BARF diet. While I think it's great that so many dogs do well on it, if you REALLY do your homework from an objective point of view ("you" meaning anyone considering it... not meaning any particular "you"), you will find that it certainly is NOT without risk, no matter how carefully executed. You can't just follow the BARF sites... you have to weigh both sides of the issue and find objective sources of information. Even with the soakings and all the proper care, dogs can and do get salmonella poisoning and they can and do get bones (even raw) lodged where they ought not. Again, I'm certainly not trying to talk anyone out of anything. I just believe anyone considering it should be armed with all available information. It's a calculated risk, for sure. My own allergy dog did great on it as far as her allergies were concerned and, for that, I hated to have to take her off it. There are, however, for anyone interested, quality commercially prepared foods available. Again, it just requires doing the homework. High price does not guarantee high quality (Science Diet and Eukanuba are, IMO, high priced garbage), but then again, high quality will not come cheap. I personally prefer to feed OMH Wellness supplemented with a COOKED diet. I feel it is outright misleading (at best) for the "professionals"(the people who write these books) to say that cooking destroys vital nutrients. It simply does not. Just my nickel's worth... peace 8)

Oh wow, Guest! I can't believe you said that! Now I'm just sick enough (being I KNOW you weren't serious and all) to have found that whole cat's-butthole-glued-to-your-finger-and-had-to-keep-him-in-your-pocket thing funny. Oh, Lordy, did I get a chuckle out of that. I know, I know, I'm a weirdo! :roll: Before anyone slams me to the mat (please be gentle), it's only funny to me because it's too ridiculous to be real. I do not endorse REAL cruelty. [size=2]Some assembly required. Tax, tag and title not included. Don't try this at home. See dealer for details. If 9 out of 10 people suffer from diarrhea, does that mean 1 enjoys it? Do not take if pregnant, or nursing.[/size] Sorry... got a little carried away with the disclaimer. Peace 8)

I'm absolutely freaking out. My Schnauzer had a knot on his side seen by my vet a couple of weeks ago. It was about pea sized then. The vet told me to watch it (whatever that means). Well, over the last few days, this thing really seems to be bugging him (lots of licking) and I just checked it again to see if it was maybe bleeding and HOLY BALLS this thing is now the size of a golf ball! In two weeks! Obviously, I'll be taking him to the vet first thing in the morning, but I was hoping that one of the clinical scientific folks on here could tell me something... ANYTHING to make me not freak out all night. Is there something it could possibly be besides a tumor? What else could grow that fast? I know I can't expect a diagnosis via internet, but I'm just hoping for ANY sign that it doesn't HAVE to be a cancerous tumor. I'm hoping one of the scientific types can tell me, "Oh, we see these harmless _____ all the time!" so that I can at least sleep tonight thinking that it doesn't have to be doom and gloom. This boy is estimated to be 6 - 7 years old (rescue). Anybody? Any little ray of sunshine...? :cry:

Oh, Lordy, Sashagal... everyone doesn't think I'm as funny as you do. Sometimes I offend unintentionally... :oops: What a great ego booster you are! :wink:

Maybe it was a joke... I quickly cleared my PM box without saving anything. I did have a problem with one member harrassing me by way of PM for a while and thought maybe it was them harrassing me again before I saw this thread. You know me... I was schizophrenic, but we're all better now. :roll:

[img]http://fun.ohmygoodness.com/Cards/eating/vomitx.jpg[/img]

You and me both, Gigi... I'm turning into the ugly redheaded stepchild. :-?

Ok, so why am [b][u]I[/u][/b] getting PM's asking if I'm the mysterious guest in question...? Surely, you're kidding. :-?

Here in the southeast, heartworms are a major threat. In fact, according to my vet, a dog here without prevention stands a greater chance of getting heartworms than not. It seems to be almost a certainty. We keep our dogs on heartworm prevention year round and, as recommended, have heartworm tests done every other year. We haven't had a dog come up positive yet, but it does occasionally happen that even dogs on prevention can get heartworms. It's just that big a threat here with the major humidity and lots of standing water and mosquitoes. The 'skeeters here are unbelievable! :-?

Ooohhhh, I can't believe this whole thread started with Lhasa Apsos. It just only happens to be my most favoritest breed in the geegolly whoooooole wide world. I adore them. They aren't just the cute, fuzzledy happy dogs that similar looking Shih Tzus are, but do tend to be a bit stand-offish and pick and choose their friends carefully. They should not be openly snappy and antagonistic, but should, instead, be wary of strangers and aware of their environment. Unfortunately, as with any breed that gains popularity, they are being mass produced and poorly bred so that many Lhasas are indeed snappy and aggressive. That's poor breeding and should not be typical of the breed. Cynical and wary, yes, but not outright snappy. How sad to have that happen to such a wonderful breed. They make excellent inside watch dogs as they are very alert and have an unbelievably keen sense of hearing. They are quick to sound the alarm at the first sign that something isn't quite right. I saw someone mention that they originated in Tibet, but did you know they were originally used as indoor palace guards? Of course, that's if anything got past the Tibetan Mastiffs that were outside! They were also believed by the monks of Tibet to be able to carry the souls of the deceased. Religious rituals included Lhasas. They were given as gifts to royalty (I believe). They are also known to have an amazing lifespan and live to a very ripe ol' age. I have eight dogs including two Lhasa Apsos... one in a short clip and one in full coat. They do require very diligent grooming. I don't show them, or breed them (they are not show quality dogs, anyway). They are strictly companions (both spayed and neutered, of course, but then so are ALL my dogs :D ). I'm just so tickled that this thread recognized my favorite breed... what a pick-me-up for such a rotten couple of days I've had. 8) Sorry to weigh in so late on the Lhasa thing, but I just saw this thread. :oops: Here's my Lhasa girl! [img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0RwAAABUa3KYEC!izW5p9mWZ8v*F8I!pJ6IUaOE*GiipVu7RhniHyI2D7v5LjJpZQqh4XYV37uxXHYuMK4xNWA2SGCN1qKblsiWTbwiLS!Lw/Missyagain.jpg[/img]

Our health department might say that... if they knew :P . No, seriously, I'm kind of assuming(?) that since my dogs are in a fenced area that NO other dogs have access to and have regular fecals done and are parasite free that it wouldn't be a problem? Or am I wrong? This was just my assumption, but I'm SURE someone will correct me if I'm wrong. I'll be called ugly names, they'll talk about my mama... oh my, I'll be the laughing stock of the doggie forums! :( Seriously, am I wrong on the parasites thing? Someone? Anyone? Oh, Treavor, the things you speak of... I think you are talking about the Doggie Dooleys! If anyone has one of these devices, I'd be curious to know about it as it seems like a wonderful way to dispose of "stuff." I just never checked into one further when I found out that the doo doo kept my dog from digging around the pool... :oops:

Guest, have you ever heard of Revolution causing seizures in dogs? I know that a few dogs will seize with Advantage, but I haven't heard if Revolution can cause it. The one episode of seizures MY Yorkie had was shortly after an application of Revolution. I wondered then if it might be related...

How about screaming obscenities? Ok, ok, I was just asking! :o 8)

Cally, I can feel your pain. Honest. Recently, my own Yorkie had an episode of mild seizures. My vet pretty much said the same thing as yours... to watch him. Apparently, they don't really begin medicating them unless it becomes a regular thing(?). My vet told me that it's really difficult to tell what might trigger it and told me that he could begin having seizures regularly, or he may never have one again. I'm in a rural area and, though he is a good vet, it's not quite the same as a university. I'll be interested to know what one particular guest we have says, or Tic Doc. They may be able to offer some cutting edge advice. I really can't offer much except to say I know how you feel and that my vet pretty much says the same thing as yours. It really breaks a heart to have to watch one, especially so tiny, go through something like that. A friend of mine told me something that I will pass along to you. It sounds silly, but really gave me comfort. She said that when they seizure, they go to a special place where friends talk to them and comfort them and to not be scared. It sounds so silly and I know it's scary and traumatic, but, for some reason, those words brought me comfort. Keep checking back and good luck.

Tic Doc, I'm curious... by "idiopathic aggression," is that the same thing that's known as rage syndrome, or something entirely different? According to many sources, English Springer Spaniels also have a tendency to "rage" and I know of one, personally, that did, and have heard of many others, but I'm wondering if it's the same thing. Also, in my area, according to all the local vets I've talked to and some of the dogs I've seen, black American Cocker Spaniels are the most likely to "rage" as opposed to the buff colored ones. Every single solid black Cocker in my area that I've ever come into contact with was a very unstable dog with a tendency to fly into a fury for no apparent reason... if there's the slightest variance in the coat (for instance, a splash of white, or tan), they seem ok. The ones I'm referring to ALL have really slick, hard solid black coats and snipy faces. Maybe that's just the result of regional poor breeding, but I'm just uncertain as to whether "rage syndrome" is the same as "idiopathic aggression." Anything you could tell me about either would be greatly appreciated as so little seems to be known.

Mei Mei... since you asked, LOL :lol: Expensive does not necessarily mean better quality. Just because a food is high priced is no quarantee that it's not garbage (Science Diet and Eukanuba being some of the worst offenders of duping customers with that tactic, IMO). However, by the same token, quality does not come cheap. It's just a matter of doing homework, finding out what canine nutrition is all about (it can be debated and, of course, I still have a lot to learn) and learning what's REALLY in the food you choose to feed. As far as personal choices go, I really like the OMH Wellness (what I feed mine), 3 Dog Bakery, Solid Gold and am sort of checking out Flint River Ranch (undecided, but looks promising). I used to consider Nutro as an alternative to the Wellness I'm feeding only because Nutro is so much more widely available, but was disappointed to learn of their deceptive advertising and that it also contains sodium pentobarbital (the drug used to euthanize animals). Anyway, that's my $.02 since you asked... :wink:

Aroura, here is something you might not have considered when looking at labels. I noticed you said you couldn't really afford a "premium" brand with the amounts of food your dogs eat. Do you free feed? Meaning do you just leave food available at all times? I found out that, if you compare the feeding recommendations on the labels of food, often the recommendations of cheaper food... the feeding amount... can be up to FOUR times more than is recommended for a higher quality food. So actually, if you feed the recommended amounts, you might actually not have to spend much more to feed a higher quality food. Most of the cheaper foods and many of the self proclaimed "quality" brands use a lot of fillers, so it takes much more of that food to get any nutrition at all. Make sense? I don't know what food is available where you are, but, where I am, it really doesn't cost me that much more to buy a high quality food IF I feed it correctly and don't just leave it out. Just some points to ponder... 8)

YES, Mei Mei, I, too, cook for my dogs and feed them OMH Wellness. I have become very conscientious about what I'm feeding my critters. I did try the BARF diet on one of my little allergy dogs and she became horribly ill from salmonella, so you are right to be concerned about handling raw meat. Granted, many dogs do fine on it, but many do not. Unfortunately, mine didn't. I thought I was the only person here feeding Wellness and supplementing with COOKED food. :D Not to be a real downer, but Eukanuba, despite it's high price, is not any better, nutritionally, than many of the cheaper store brand foods. We call it "high priced garbage." Sorry. :(

You say "perverts" like it's a bad thing, or sumfin'... :o :)

Avalonia, a picture by your name must be 6kb or smaller. The best way [b][u]I've[/u][/b] found to do it is to run it through my paint pad on my computer and keep diddling with it until it's small enough. It also must be 80 x 80 pixels, or less. They don't give you much to work with, but I guess we have to take what we can get. Especially, if it's free. It took some diddling, but I finally am able to get my pictures shrunken enough to be able to post. Do you have paint pad on your computer? Some people have just decided to email pictures to other members and have them fix them up.

[quote name='"puppies411"']become a dismember if you cant stop joking around. (hairdying my dog post)(remember that one) Personally, I feel that people who hurl blatant insults (remember "stupid and retarded"?) should be "dismembered!" LOL Oh, I'm sorry, but that was toooooooo easy! :lol: Anybody else ever get the giggles late at night? :o

Oh, Lordy! Our southern bred frogs are poisonous?! Eeeek! One of my dogs mauls them all the time. Our property is overrun with frogs (I'm not a frog-ologist and have no idea what all kinds we have except tree frogs) and my Penny, though I don't think she actually consumes them, does maul them and toss them around. YUCK! Thanks for nothing, guest! You should know by now that any time I read of some other type of danger, the laws of nature demand that it befall my household. Therefore, I expect my Penny to become horribly ill any day from "frog-o-toxo-lick-em-osis" and it will all be YOUR fault! You have cursed me. Cursed, I say!:evil:

Now I'm curious, having read your other post elsewhere and noticing your ummm passion, for lack of another word. What percentage of a dog's total diet do you feel should consist of protein and red meat vs white meat? 100%? 50%? What percentage of carbs and what percentage of beta carotenes? I'm thinking this may be where the agreement ends...