BuddysMom

Check out this link at another dog forum - Infuriating!!!! [url]http://www.faqs.org/qa/qa-568.html[/url] :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:

Sorry to hog this thread ... but I have one other question. I know you are supposed to phase in new kibble by mixing it with the old, increasing the quantity over several days. However, Buddy (the one I'm adopting) is currently being fed the most horrible stuff, Ol' Roy (sp?) and I'd rather not give him any, just change him to California Natural. Can anyone tell me if this would be OK or not OK? FYI he's a 3 year old lab mix and is overweight.

[quote name='TDG']if you are interested in details about commercial food, have a look here: [url]http://www.mordanna.com/dogfood[/url][/quote] HOORAY! I follwed this link, read a ton, followed some other links and found out that my bording kennel sells (and feeds) California Natural by Innova! Ashamed to say I had never given it more than a glance in the past and instead brought my own WAY inferior food. So Californial Natural it is for my new "kid". (Hope he likes it!)

I've heard of most of the above and that they are great. I have also heard wonderful things about Lick Your Chops, available in many natural food stores. Does anyone have experience with, or know about that one? I too am getting a new adoptive dog Sunday (!!! more on this very soon!) I'm trying to figure out what food to start him on and need to figure it out quick!

OK yes I'm trying to earn my first paw! But I also have some thoughts so here they are ... 1. Agree with all of the above. 2. Repeating others, but LOTS of out in the yard and play time. 3. Family owned and operated is great. Our kennel is special not only because they're so clean, take each dog out in the yard at least 5x per day, groom when needed (wihtout charging extra! and won't accept tips!) but the key ingredient is, they all reeeally love dogs. When Puppy died I called them (two weeks after, when I could talk about it) and one of the owners cried. I hear of kennels in Denver that have your dog on web-cam 24/7, shiatsu, you can call your dog on the phone, etc. but even if money were no object I'd take our local ," Your Best Friends" over any other. Knowing they're here makes me more confident to get another dog.

Well, being new it's interesting to me to browse both past and present and iif I come across something - old or new - that makes me want to "open my big mouth" then I may not be able to help myself. I will keep in mind this guideline though.

Big dog owners, please don't take it personally when people pick up or steer away their smaller dogs. I had a medium sized dog who was very afraid of larger dogs, and I found that avoiding her contact with them was best. Otherwise my Shatz would growl/pull at any larger dog (in sort of a "pre-emptive strike") and the other dogs would usually get defensive too, and then we're all dragging our dogs away from each other. I didn't take her into Pet Smart for this reason, but at the park, school yard, etc. it was amazing how many other dogs owners thought it would be just great to try and let their dog socialize and "wrap leashes" with mine. In other words maybe they don't think your dog will be a problem, but the KNOW theirs will... so don't feel bad or think those other people are necessarily "ridiculous" when this happens.

How is Simon doing? Update? I'm no expert but did have my older dog Puppy slip into senility very quickly, over the span of 1-2 weeks we were losing her fast. During this time she even bit my husband. She had less and less interest in us and what she loved. Took her to the vet, had to deal with the "alternate" because her regular vet was out of town. Was told it was old age and really nothing I could do. I counldn't accept that so I researched sor hours that day and found out about Anipryl, recently approved for senility (and longtime used for cushings). Called the vet back (same day) and requested a prescription. Though they said it may not work at all or if so would probably take 1-4 weeks to see anything, we saw results in 2 days and had our Puppy back mentally almost 100 percent from a week later until she died of other causes almost 1 year later. Just to let you know, if that's what it is there's hope (and I'd love to see an update).

Well said nea, that all makes sense. I would not want to see breeds go away, and that is one flaw in my "idyllic" situation. My feeling that there are "no responsible breeders" is just that, a feeling. And it does come from living in a place where there are MILLIONS of unwanted dogs. I have also been visiting my local shelters about every other day looking for the right one to adopt, and it's really getting to me!

GOOD for YOU for asking and for getting your dogs spayed/nuetered! Way to go, everyone!

Up until very recenly (like yesterday) I was ok with very select, responsible AKC type breeding but after reading many posts in this forum and especially the "Mix" thread I'm beginning to change my mind. We are in a crisis here (speaking for my own country at least). Imagine how much better it would be if everyone who who was going to buy a dog (even IF from a "responsible breeder") were to adopt or rescue one instead? Yet Nooo, we must pay $500 or more to buy one. Why not save your money and save a life at the same time??!! I'm starting to think there is no such thing as a "responsible breeder," period.

Did I miss something about making sure all puppies are registered? Also should there be population limits to keep breeders from capitalizing on "breeds of the week" i.e. the 101-Dalmations effect? Maybe this would be too unenforceable or infringing on people's freedom but it really is a form of cruelty in my opinion, even if you are doing all of the right things otherwise.

I'm preaching to the choir but did anyone notice they don't require (or even SUGGEST) that the "doodle buyers" have their new dogs fixed? If you want a mixed breed GO TO THE HUMANE SOCIETY or dog pound! While I respect truly professional AKC breeders striving to improve an existing breed these other guys are just profiteering and creating countless unwanted shelter dogs down the road. Sick sick sick.

Yeah, those who breed dogs outside professional AKC circles should be made to tour homelss shelters (or better, caged up in them) until they GET it! Thaks for your replies. Usually the snappy comeback doesn't reach my brain till days later but this time it was right there.

Thought I'd share an 'incident' I had in southeast Michigan. I was in line at a convenience store that I frequent a fair amount (it's right next to my company's main office). Well, the young 'man' in front of me had a tiny pit bull puppy and I could just tell he was up to no good; call it instinct and also this area is a horrible cesspool for fighting dogs. Back to the story, he was bragging to the clerk and the small crowd in line about his puppy's lines, etc. and said "Of course I got a female so I can breed her" So I said, "Wouldn't she prefer another dog?" The whole place fell out laughing and he stormed out red-faced.

We had one who looked just like that. We know her mom was a pure Golden Retriever but never saw the dad.