>  S> We did a spray of the yard too.  I suspect a monthly one might be
 > CS> needed for my area. I read the directions then had Don do the back
 > CS> yard, let *dry* (using front yard for dog walks) then front yard
 > CS> (using back as normal).
 > 
 > About every month or so was what I was doing. Iirc. you're in VIrginia beach
 > area. My wife and I visited there back in '06 to shoot  some public service 
 > for your state health department thanks to our radio work in Katrina. Anyway
 > topical again, sure you don't get a hard freeze there, so the broad spectrum
 > spray around the yard every month or so should help keep them down.

Seems right.  Shouldnt be needed in winter for that 4 months or so but
starting now, definate need.  Along with flea dips and that drop stuff from
the vets.

 > CS> We need to pooperscoup the back again but its not bad.  He mostly
 > CS> likes the fence area and the 'dirt pile' so we can just turn some of
 > CS> that under for a natural fertilizer effect.  (Unless there is some
 > CS> medical reason we shouldnt do that?)
 > 
 > I can't see one myself.  ASk your vet to be sure though.

I think we'll turn it under a bit.  Jim says can cause worm problems.

 > CS> There are a lot of dogs along all the streets here.  Leash laws in
 > CS> effect and with so many, we quietly dont worry if a little gift is
 > CS> donated to the grass as long as its not in the middle of the yard.
 > CS> Azaleas love doggie doo .
 > 
 > 
 > IN NEW ORleans I used to choose vacant lots for ROxy's relief.  Many dog peo
 > in inner city NEw ORleans seem to walk their dogs along the streetcar tracks
 > which run down the center of streets.  Lots of fertilizer in the grass betwe
 > streetcar tracks  National Federation of the BLind started arranging with hotels to provide an
 > outdoor area where we had sand trucked in for the relief of all those guide
 > dogs. OTherwise there'd be an alley or other nearby place that got a serious
 > covering of nice doggie landmines when convention sessions first let
out 

LOL!  I can picture that one well!

 >  > YOu'll know if he's picking up more than he should by feel.  WHen Kathy w
 > 
 > CS> Grin, you have to know what that feel is like though to identify it
 > CS> well.  Although I am not totally ignorant of dogs, I have never had
 > CS> a chance to have one for more than a few months as a kid.  Don has,
 > CS> but never other than german shepards and labs.  Very different body
 > CS> build thing going on this time but we arent too far off.  As long as
 > CS> his belly is slightly undertucked after a good 'morning trip the
 > CS> yard and before eating' and you can count his ribs by eyeball from
 > CS> 12 feet away when standing at least 3 up' he's a bit too thin still
 > CS> but not radically.  Seems a workable hypothesis for us.
 > 
 > SEem right, you'll be able to feel some ribs when you run your hand down his
 > side too in that case. Ours is still too heavy, but if these rains would qui

Yes, in this case no need for a hand.  I can feel them.  Cash seems to be
picking up a bit but yesterday his nose got warm and dry and he didnt eat
well.  I figure dogs can also get their version of the flu.  Lots of weather
flux going on between rain, and warm.  Keeping an eye on his breathing to
make sure it isnt some doggie pnemonia.

 > she and I'd start with better exercise program again.  Between Kathy's
 > hospitalization in January and our move and all the work needing to be done 
 > yours truly dog's exercise program still isn't up to par as it should be yet

Cash has to be gentle there until his EKG and things are done.

 >  > cups) and that lasts her all day. I demand feed dogs.  Many don't, but I
 >  > believe in leaving food down for them to have whenever they wish to eat a
 > 
 > CS> I would prefer that method, but Cash will eat til he throws up then
 > CS> go back for more.  He seems to have no 'off' food button.  One vet

 > I know this to be true for many of those breeds that are scenters such as
 > beagles. I had the hardest time with a doberman shepherd dane  basically HEi
 > 57 that I had back in the '80's. I'd put food down and he'd do the pig out
 > until it was gone.  You'd fill the bowl again and he'd continue gorging.
 > 
 > Finally I broke him.  New year's eve I played a job with a jazz trio.  CAme
 > home from the gig ravenously hungry, and saw that pizza delivery place up th
 > street a block was still open. Didn't feel like cooking anything so I called
 > them.  GUy wouldn't sell me what I wanted, but he had two large meat lovers'
 > pizzas that he'd sell me for something like $5 if I'd come down and get them
 > THink they were otherwise throwaways .

 > I'd eat a couple pieces, throw buddy a piece.  REpeat.
 > I stuffed that dog so full he could hardly move.

Hehe Cash throws up then starts eating again.  Was told the foster parents
tried something like that and it didnt work.

(Fat dog at vets)

 > YOu can bet he also got more than his share of table scraps.  I'm trying to
 > convince Kathy right now to cut back on the table scraps. That's going to be
 > part of the key to getting some of the excess weight off which she acquired
 > while she was being cared  for not so well by stepdaughter and her boyfriend

Yes, been noting a definate thing.  Cash will follow me to the kitchen but be
happy totally just for a 'pet'.  Cash follows Charlotte, she feels she has to
give him a noshe.  She's now backing down to what I do (mini sporadic noshe,
just a smear on a finger for taste and no more).

Cash is happy.  Pack leader is Daddy, pack mate to be appeased is me. 
Charlotte is a senior packmate to him but not radically senior enough he cant
play with her or whine softly for a treat .  Cat is alpha whenit comes
to her food bowl, and most other times but will accept a friendly whole face
slobber.


Am I right that dogs are happier with an established spot in the pack?

 > CS> I dont know her circumstances and such.  She may have a multipet
 > CS> house and have a free-feed she cant keep her 'beagle' out of?
 > 
 > this might be, but I'd bet on the table scraps.

Me too on the fat dog .

 > CS> Snipped the rest there as it's over my head but interesting!
 > 
 > The radio is why we didn't evacuate NEw ORleans.  sPent the week handling
 > communications for University and Charity hospitals, stationed at the
 > University campus. we mourned our previous  Rott that week, as we left her
 > chained to front porch in case water came up.  AT least she could get on the
 > roof and stay alive. she survived that, and we learned after we got to SAn

There were so many pets, no one was able to handle them all.  Evacuation
facilites wouldnt take'em either.

 > Antonio she was still alive but our house had sustained quite a bit of damag
 > I was arranging to get paperwork together, and purchasing some vhf/uhf radio
 > gear so that I could get proper paperwork so authorities would let me back i
 > my home. My long range shortwave gear was at the hospital and I didn't have
(snip)
 
 > i was able to call animal hospital next morning, arrange for her shots which
 > were due the Monday of Katrina, and scheduled at another vet's.  A week late
 > when we got to NEw ORleans and retrieved our van from hospital parking garag
 > we went by animal hospital to get her. Lady at animal hospital took pictures
 > reunion with dog.  She said she'd seen too few of those scenes the last  few
 > weeks.

I can well imagine.  

 > CS> When we moved in 1995 from San Diego to Norfolk, we shipped the 2
 > CS> cats by air to my SIL who had them in a pet hotel until we arrived.
 > 
 > My sister did same with sedated cat when she took hers from my parents' in
 > southern Iowa to el Toro, now FOothill Ca.
 > 
 > CS> A mini rant if you do not mind?  I hate the idea of flying animals
 > CS> unattended but stuffing them in a car in a carrier for 6 days is
 > CS> worse.  The absolute worst though is putting then in a car sans


 > WE find the crate is safer for Schatze as well for same reasons.  WHen she w
 > quite small she could get in the way of Kathy's operation of  the pedals. No
 > she can degrade sight of the road.  Hence, the crate's safer for her.

Yes and i bet she felt better too in there.

 > Also our main vehicle is a long wheelbase GMC van, initially designed to hau
 > or 10 folks, but with seats removed making it more of a cargo van.  there ar
 > loose tools and other things which when flying around during an accident cou
 > be haazardous to her as I often carry Kathy's wheelchair, her walker as well
 > A two-wheeled hand truck, jack, spare tire, all sorts of items in the back.
 > sHe's still puppy enough she has to check everything out as well, so the cra
 > keeps her from getting into anything she shouldn't.  Example:  CHewing on th
 > plastic jug of motor oil or antifreeze.

Grin, tie down the 'den' and the dog will be happy!

 >  > We've taught our Schatze that crate is her safe zone.  SHe's the first on
 >  > ever crate/cage trained. Had to though as we were away on business during
 >  > early puppy days, and she was just too chaotic in motel rooms otherwise.
 > 
 > CS> Cash was crate trained when we got him.  We didnt like the sound of
 > CS> the idea at first but now that we know a bit more, it's working
 > CS> well.  Like Daisy has her 'safe room', Cash has his little den where
 > CS> he cant be bothered without waking first.
 > 
 > CS> We gather the key point (for us at least) is never use it as a
 > CS> punishment area.  The 'you've been bad, into your crate' is where
 > CS> that whole thing breaks down.
 > 
 > YOu're right there.  IT's never a punishment.  IT's a safe haven.  THat's th
 > best way to do it.

Yup, with occasional use if everyone has tobe gone at the same time.  We keep
that to 1 hour if possible and never more than 2.
                xxcarol
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