Hi Carol!

> HI all!  I hope I added right!

Working fine :)

> (msg shifted from 'COOKING')

>> > I have my 'murder board' tomorrow for JCFNO Watch Officer. 
That won't mea
>> > much but it's *big stuff*.  It's why I am behind.  Been
studying my butt
>> > off and more to go tonight, then pending how that pre-board
goes, lots mor
>> > all weekend.
>>
>> Hope it went well today.. Good luck with the rest over the weekend as well
>> since here's hoping you did well 

> Got put off to Monday.

Yep, saw that..

> Anyways, all points agree no matter who looks at Cash.  he is at least 2 lbs
> underweight, possibly (high estimates) as much as 9 still.

Did the doc suggest increasing the food? 1 cup twice a day isn't a lot I'd
think.. I don't remember when I started giving my two horses er..dogs 2
cups twice a day   Maybe the vet is just waiting to see if he's
going to grow more first though :)

> (for the rest, Cash is defined loosely as a beagle mix because first glance
> says 'beagle' but second gasping look goes 'wow!  Big ass muscley beagle!)

>> > Olive oil, nice but not essential in his specific case.  Coat
very healthy
>> > and she (his main vet is a she, works LARGE dogs and special
medical cases
>> > heart patients etc).  She said in shed season, add 1 TB per
meal as it wil
>> > help him pass any 'fur' he licks up.
>>
>> Yes, that's true, it will do that :)  Boy do I hate when dogs start hacking
>> 

> Try it with cats in the house and the dog licking the cat.  Man, she's
> looking at him crosseyed just now.  He just licked her tail and half her head
> in one swipe.  (Daisy decided to relocate to the top of the sofa again and is
> trying to dry herself off).

No wonder she moved to top of the sofa!  Dog cooties on her fur haha  Now
she'll have to bathe all over again 

>> True, Some might not consider that for their animals.. but it stands to reas
>> that it would be important for them just like it is for us..

> With known problems due to heartworm infestation, it seemed natural to us to
> watch that.  I dunno if dogs are normally needing reduced sodium or not, just
> that they cant need added sodium.

Yep...  I can't imagine it does their blood pressure any good though again,
I don't know if dogs have the same kinds of problems with circulatory
systems that people do.. I kinda doubt that .. they uh..
probably get more excercise than we do :) :)  hehe.. just wagging their
tails, these labs get more exercise than I do 

>> > -> > Oh, Cash got in early yesterday withthe vet.  Don
had to walk him up
>> > (about 2
>> > -> > miles each way but nice weather).
>> > ->
>> > -> That's a good walk :)  I envy your 70's :) :)
>>
>> > Real lady vet, said not to do that again just now.  Cash's
heart has taken
>> > a hit with the heart worms.  He is now pending another
'active or inactive
>> > test.  The first vet (and I) knew no better than to take the
word of the
>> > foster parents that he is no longer infectious.  She said 'hold your
>> > horses, I wanna check that again'.  If he shows positive, I
have to bring
>> > in Daisy (cat) right away and i guess I'm gonna pay for
Technic since they
>> > were allowed to play last night.

> Technic is ok.  Tests show (and lab/vet results of earlier) that there is no
> active passing on situation.

That's good to hear!

>> Oh, that's sad.. I guess I figured the place where you got Cash would have h
>> extensive testing done to make sure that he was not infections any longer
>> before allowing him to be adopted.. Well, perhaps they did, and your vet wil
>> find out that he's fine with her test.. we can hope.

> Vet just being careful.  I feel pretty good about that.

Ok, good news :)

>> > Cash's heart skips some beats.  It may be a forever thing. 
(We aint dumb,
>> > we looked that up before taking him).  She revalidates, do NOT jog with
>> > this dog.  Do not let him get too excited running around.  A
few jogs in
>> > our backyard running after a ball is ok, but not more than 5
mins and watc
>> > his breathing.  Do not walk him to school and back just now, due to the
>> > females in heat he has to pass by.  (too much excitement).  Under NO
>> > circumstances let him escape to 'breed' as he'd not be up to it.
>>
>> Oh boy.. that is sad.  Well, you should definitely come over to DogHouse and
>> talk to Richard Webb... he had a dog with heartworm for a number of years..
>> sad as well, but the dog made it through Katrina. A fighter I would imagine
>> :)


> Ok, I'm here!

:)

>> > Big change here.  They were calibrating the scale as I left
(I didnt know
>> > that).  Today, they were calling several critical folks back
in.  The scal
>> > was off big time.  The amount to gain fortunately is pretty
much the same.
>>
>> > Keep in mind please when you read this, Cash is *not*
purebred beagle but
>> > mix.
>>
>> > Cash on the calibrated scale (now tested and very accurate)
is 41.5 lbs.
>> > His weight in November07, was 35 per the records they now
have (and which
>> > now have a copy of).  At that stage, he was severely
underweight per the
>> > vet.  At his current stage, he still is by at least 2 lbs and
once he gain
>> > those, she will reassess to see if he needs *more*.  She said
he might eve
>> > be at 'perfect health for body type' at 50lbs but suspects someplace
>> > between 43 and 44 just now.  She has to see where the gained
weight lands
>> > on him to be able to tell.  His back hips are fine but quite thin.  The
>> > rest of his build, she says is an amazing combination she can
best relate
>> > to english bulldog (those are taller, 15 inch or so ones). 
She is familia
>> > with that breed just like i am, and for the reason that she
is the vet who
>> > deals with most of the local dogs (and the little breeders
here across the
>> > street).  No one can know for sure, but she wanted us that *if* she is
>> > right, Cash will not be a long lived fellow especially if he has heart
>> > damage, and is as closely genetic to the bulldog as she
suspects.  English
>> > bulldogs she said are 7-9 years.  Local ones seem a bit
longer lived in ou
>> > area, but none are old enough to be over 6 that she treats.

> Revision later, bull mastiff seems the likely ancestor though he's not that
> big.  Sorta a scaled down version of that with a beagle head, funy as it may
> sound.

It does sound funny :)  He sounds like he's a great dog though (fit right in
:)) and that's what counts!

>> I'm sure that whatever time you have with him will be great.. It must be rou
>> for you to hear that news from your vet though, I'd bet..

>Not glorious but we've beaten the odds with Roscoe (previous cat, now on other
> side of the bridge).  Who knows this time?

You never know! He may fool everyone :)

> Cash was simply not going to be adopted.  He'd have ended up euthanized.
> With eyes wide open, we accpt the love we can have for the time he has.

That's the way to go :)

>> > beagle 'looks' at first glance are not accurate though nature of his
>> > actions seem very typical to 'beagle'.  I've mentioned
several times he is
>> > a large mixed beagle of the 'muscular sort'.
>>
>> Yep :) :)
>>
>> > Now, by second guessing, we can make some basic guesses as to why.  She
>> > grinned when I said looks a little foxhound but only because
he's so tall,
>> > yet the build is bigger chested by far.
>>
>> I'll have to look up foxhounds .. I think I know what kind you mean there...

> They look like thin beagles on stilts .

> Now have 2 large dog vets saying, 'english bulldog or bull mastiff' in the
> not too distant past.  This fellow is a very muscular sort with a broad chest
> packed with muscle.

I was looking on the web at beagles.. and there are actually some picture
of beagle/bulldog mix dogs.. they are so good looking... very handsome
dogs!

>> > -> > right.  Also said, 1 cup (mixed like we are) and 1
cup at night (also
>> > -> > and 6 'treat doggies biscuits' (vice our 3 broke
in half) is right.
>>
>> > She said, keep this up, consider any low salt 'treats' in
mid-day up to 1/
>> > cup as 'fair game' but aim to gain about 1/2 lb a month at this stage
>> > though she wont freak if he gains a whole lb.  Bring him in
every 2 weeks
>> > just to load him on the scale. (something was wrong with it
but they fixed
>> > it and we just didnt know at that time on first weigh, nor
had we asked or
>> > we would have been told I suspect).
>>
>> So they'll keep their eye on his weight.. that's good.

> Oh yeah.  They are really happy he's 41.5 lbs and wonder how sick he must
> have been when a mere 35.  You can still see his ribs when standing but not
> by as much as 3 weeks ago.

Wow.. I bet..

>> > -> > Also vet figured out left distal leg is *faintly*
shorter and almost
>> > sure to
>> > -> > be genetic which was one query (may not have
posted here) trainer had
>> > to have
>> > -> > his hips checked.  Nothing wrong.  Ttainer and
hubby both right
>> > though, that
>> > ->
>> > -> That's good!
>>
>> > Yup, and age now more solid.  She said it's not unusual for
others to have
>> > assumed he ws as much as 4.5 years old (one record said that)
because his
>> > first glance looks are 'beagle' and he's huge for the breed. 
She cant be
>> > sure, but she thinks just under 2YO.  Don was guessing
nearing 3.  Teeth
>> > pattern shows just under 2.  Her assement is 'gawky
teenager', doesnt have
>> > full fill out of muscular growth.

> Best guesses as of today:  1.5 roughly.

A good age then :)  A young man :) :) When Toby used to run around here
like crazy, and my Grandson was living here, I told him 'go ahead and run
around with the dog, you're both about the same age'.. Toby was about a
year old.. and Alex was about 8 haha.... was perfect :)  The two of them
ran around like there was no tomorrow.. I'll never forget it :)

>>
>> > Naw, may have been kicked hard in the ribs.  Scatter patern
of scars she
>> > says, hunting dog.  May have been kicked by a deer or something.  Human
>> > would have left 2-3 ribs damaged, not just one.  He will need
xrays so we
>> > have the max 35$ a month plan on him. (Xrays covered).  Needs
them anyway
>> > over heart/chest issues.  She cant give us a solid plan for
his long term
>> > health without more data.
>>
>> Right.. that makes sense..

> Slated to EKG and check x-rays on 11APR.

That's good.  That's a very good vet!

>> > Yeah, we are not to take Cash in the front yard now per
specialist vet.  H
>> > hasnt been fixed.  He needs no heart strain.  Later when
tests are back,
>> > normal 'cardio' training is good but wait for tests and a
developed plan.
>>
>> I can understand that.. it's like any injury.. This one is in his heart
>> muscle..

> Cancelled traner too, had to.  Too much excitement.  They want the EKG
> results first.

Yep also makes sense.. there will plenty of time for that.. for now, you
can just give him simple commands like sit, and reward him with dog biscuit
when he does it on his own .. that's even if you care to.. it
won't hurt to just wait til he's up to it all...

>> > I agree in general.  I saw one as a kid, who raised Saint
Bernards though
>> > who I shudder at.
>>
>> There are always going to be losers, at any trade.. but there are plenty of
>> good people who do it right too :)

> They just knocked out a part of the basement and let them run wild to the
> yard from it.  No training, nothing.  Really dirty smelly puppies.

oof.. that's so sad.. :(

>> >  The folks across the street though? *Well* raised, well
>> > socialized, healthy as the breed can be, with vet records and
shots and al
>> > that.  I'm not sure what age puppies are normally 'house
trained' (just I
>> > am dumb and never looked it up) but these fellows are pretty
much there by
>> > 8-10 weeks before they are adopted out.
>>
>> Well, let's see.. of the dogs I have bought from breeders (not pet stores),
>> there were three of them.. The first one was our German Shepherd, Rhema.. Sh
>> was 8 weeks old, not trained at all, but it took her all of a day or two to
>> the hang of going outside (shepherds are really smart
).  The second o
>> was funny.. it was in Louisville, when we bought Priscilla and Midnight.. Af
>> I had them home for a day or so, I called the breeder and said, I don't know
>> what's wrong with them, they keep whining and crying and pawing at me.. I to
>> her I made sure they had mushy puppy food as she'd indicated I should give
>> them, water, plenty of clean paper on the floor, anything I could think of t
>> might want.. what could the problem be??? She said, 'Um.. Mrs.K, the puppies
>> want to go outside... they're already trained to use a dog door' :) :) I was
>> little embarrased  They were also about  7 weeks old
IIRC.. The other on
>> was the one we bought Toby from.. This guy was also in Louisville but turned
>> out not to be as neat as that first lady we'd gotten Priscilla and Midnight
>> from.. (I called her to see if she had puppies after Midnight died, but she
>> didn't :( )  Anyway, this guy had his puppies out for sale the day they were
>> weeks old.. to the day.. you don't usually see that... I mean these puppies
>> were barely weaned it seemed... in the end we never got Toby's paper's eithe
>> quite a ripoff for what was supposed to be a pedigreed dog with testing done
>> for various disease/problems, etc... :(  So far he hasn't had any problems
>> though so we're happy at least.  If we were going to breed him we'd have bee
>> more upset most likely.

> Ok, seems to me some types train easier than others or at least, somewhat
> earlier .

Yes, that's true.. at least it seems that way to me.

>> > -> around here? :) :)  I'll have to pay more attention to
the howls around
>> > me :)
>>
>> > My best guess on what I hear?  If all the others stop for a
second to hear
>> > the 'big cheese' then wait a slightly respectful moment then
chime in, tha
>> > one they wait for is the 'alpha barker'.  When Cash does
start, all else
>> > *goes silent* tl he is done then they all chime in with some
dropping back
>> > then back in when it's their turn in the barking sequence heirarchy.
>> > Little yippy ones, never count. ;-)
>>
>> Lol :)

> Dunnmo if I am right but thats how it seems!

If only we knew :) :)

>> > Be at ease though, Cash is not a 'barker' nor does he disrupt the
>> > neighborhood. It's rare when he makes his voiuce heard and
all else 'pause
>> > in awe' then chimes in.  He has never 'bayoooed' inside or
even in the bac
>> > yard though he may pause to 'listen' in both places.
>>
>> That's good :)  Over here, my idiots bark at every bird that goes by Lol or
>> seems that way Lol
>>
>> > Sadly, not at all just now and have to make sure they are just quietly
>> > communing later for a bit.  Cash's heart cant handle major excitement.
>> > Technic is sorta like a 45lb peke with short hair and on
speed ;-)  We lov
>>
>> Oh, I know the type.. :)
>>
>> > Technic but the only way to make him sleep instead of jumping
around, is a
>> > sledgehammer.
>>
>> Yes, it's the nature of some dogs to be that way..Sadly Cash will have to av
>> Technic at least for a few months.. hopefully if he does, he'll recover enou
>> so you won't have to worry quite so much about it.

> Hope so!  Meantime, they commune through the fence at one another.

Like neighbors haha

>> > Horrible group, or at least horrible to me.  Terrible advice.
 Get this,
>> > the female vet said 'you happen to be cshenk'?  she reads it
but will not
>> > reply there.  Wow.  Yes, I said. She said my instincts are
excellent and
>> > they are total idiots.  She was considering making her first
reply there t
>> > the bozos as the vet who *cares* for that english bulldog
pair and their
>> > 'kids'.  She tagged in the name of Cash to me .  She
lurks there to kee
>> > abreast of the stupid advice her dog owners might be getting.
>>
>> Too much :) :)

> I wa laughing my ass off once I put it together.

I bet!  I'll have to check out that newsgroup and put in my 2cents haha

>> > Yeah, well Cash is close to your labs on size though shorter 
>>
>> hehe.. well, he may be in length.. he probably is :)  Though Priscilla is a

> Opps. missed the wright of your babes!

haha... you won't forget it, if you get here this summer 

>> lab in length and height.. Toby is a smaller one in length and height.. funn
>> too since he's a male.. different breeders though. She's overweight now at
>> about 120+ lbs, and he's just right at about 100 lbs.. but he's packed solid
>> she's definitely gained weight since getting fixed :( She's on diet dog food
>> but you know, it doesn't help the dog to lose weight when she eats her dog f
>> and his too :) :) :)


>Ok, Cash is maybe 1/2 that weight (close enough) but if there is an ounce of f
> at on him now, it's hidden between his ears...

That's how Toby is now.. but he's an adult dog now, so he's pretty solidly
packed now.. I haven't had him weighed recently but he's due for shots
soon.. so will let you know when we get him over to the vets..

>> > Got a special one from the vet.  Comes in packs of 30 and not a choking
>> > hazard as the pattern they come off with, doesnt lead to
that. 9$ for 30
>> > and he loves them.  The vet treats LARGE dogs and knows what is needed
>> > here.  (It was funny to see Cash almost able to walk under
the bellys of
>> > the others in the waiting room, bull mastiffs and a
absolutely *beautiful*
>> > Irish Wolfhound, as well as many rotts and such and a few cowed looking
>> > shepards among the 'big boys').  Anyways, you still supervise
with these,
>> > but that's a legal 'thing'.
>>
>> Sounds like a dog show sometimes  haha.. I know what you mean though..
>> sometimes visits to the vet are so neat just to see the other dogs (g)
>>

> Today there was this itty bitty pup.  I mean it was so cute!  I was astounded
> to be told he was 6 weeks and would hit 150lbs!  He was just a double handful
> if that!

Wow.. that is incredible..

> -> of us addicts there :)  All we need now is meow echo haha  I'd start
>> > one.. :)

> Naw, let my Cat Daisy wander in.  After all, she's already using Cash as a
> step ladder.  Yup.  Cats and Dogs, living in sin together.

Lol :)

>> > suspect he
>> > -> > knows his place .  Cats rule, dogs drool.
>> > ->
>> > -> Lol, that's it exactly :)
>>
>> > Yeah well as of 5 mins ago, she figured out he was feeling a bit low
>> > (several shots, kinda like you and me feel after a flu shot
for the next
>> > day). He's laying on the sofa snoozilating. (between awake
and snoozing).
>> > She's watching over him from above and purring.  She used him as a step
>> > stool to get up there with a gentle purr brief 'nuzzle' (got
a lazy lick)
>> > and now is watching.
>>
>> Lol.. I can just see it :)  too cool ;)

> He's better now.  She';s miffed.  He licked her whole face at once with one
> sloppy lick.  She's been trying to fix her fur for 15 mins.

I can imagine the scene now .. haha

>> > Life is real good here .
>>
>> :)
>>

>> Good idea.. promise we'll go there after you read this one :)  don't reply h
>> :) :) :)
>>

> Hehe gotta scoot and color easter eggs!
> xxcarol

Hope you had a great Easter :)

Take care,
Janis

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