>Rowan's photo: beautiful head
Dear Lynne
Thank you. Unfortunately, what's inside that head is pure concrete -- or else I'm just a useless trainer. In any case, I'm having no luck at all teaching him the basics: stay. no, stay. really, stay. stay where you are. no, don't jump up in my face. don't run around the yard in circles. stay. >sigh<
At least he can now run around without falling down. This is great progress. I attribute it to his freestyle obedience class, where we are not succeeding in doing anything we are told to, but we are trying and having fun.
You can always feed Stocker home-cooked on alternating days or something. I just cooked up a big stock-pot for 12 days -- HEB was having a sale on chicken breast tenders, with the veg the whole thing cost $15. I will steam up the rice separately.
Isn't it funny how the older ones get to us? You are probably the only person who understands. Allie's eyes are getting so big, and she's like a puppy in many ways. I'm so happy when she gets a wild hair and decides to race down the block for a bit, pulling me along like a kite. She has a kooky sense of humor and loves stealing things and hiding them in my bed. She esp. loves sleeping on my pillow where she isn't allowed. I'm not an affectionate person and had no idea I would ever feel this way about anyone. I feel like the Grinch with my heart growing bigger whenever I'm around her. How did I ever get so lucky?
Best to Stocker,
C
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Kidney diet stuff
Hi, Lynne
We talked in SA about kidney stuff. Here is some info from the kidney diet list. It is really easy to figure out the diet for your dog once you get started. The key values that you need to have checked all the time are for PHOSPHORUS and CALCIUM. Your goal in life is to get the phosphorus level down.
I am lucky in that Allie's phosphorus level is in the normal range and I can keep it there by adding 1/4 tsp of calcium carbonate powder to every meal. I keep an eagle eye to check for hypercalcemia. She does not need a phosphorus binder. However, if I were feeding plain Evo, she probably would. I haven't investigated exactly how much phosphorus is in Evo -- the percentages re: calcium look good, http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=nutrition-facts&pxsl=//product%5B@id='1246'%5D , but I would have to write to them to get the exact amounts.
Her current diet is:
1 lean, skinless chicken breast and the broth it was cooked in, 1 cup broccoli and carrots cooked in the same broth, 2/3 cup egg white, 1/2 cup sticky rice, about 2/3 cup Evo. I vary the veg -- she loves sweet potatoes, squash, peas, green beans ... She is slightly overweight on this. She also gets: 1/4 tsp Calcium Carb, 2 Omega 3, B-50, B-12, Co-Q 10, glucosamine and MSM. The Omega-3 is esp. important, as is staying away from Omega-6. Her only treats are Evo and Natural Balance roll cut up, in small quantities, for drill team.
I cook up her food a week in advance in a big pot, except the rice which I steam in the steamer, yummy.
Allie works out to
80 lbs = 36.4 kg
needs 1400 kcal (except lower for low-activity Arctic dog)
163.8 grams protein using 4.5 g/kg
880 mg phosphorus allowed
chicken breast = 8 oz (1 cup) 374.22 cal 70.31 g protein 517.10 mg p
egg white one large 16.7 cal 3.51 g protein 4.34 mg p (about 8/cup)
broccoli 1 cup 44 cal 92 mg p
carrots 70 cal 47 mg p
sticky rice 1 cup 233 cal 4.8 g protein 19.2 mg p
treats:
Evo 1 cup 537 cal plus protein & p (I'm not sure how to figure this)
So she gets around 93.71 g protein, 644.64 mg phosphorus plus whatever is in the Evo.
I don't weigh it out precisely, obviously, since if I went by the real guidelines, she'd be hideously fat, and we also don't have to watch phosphorus as closely. I am enclosing The Box for doing the actual calculations. Also a few sample recipes for small dogs that I have multiplied. The Box is according to Dr Stromberg and very conservative; I use slightly higher protein, the recommended levels for senior dogs. Am tending that way anyway since the U Georgia study. Enclosed is a short excerpt from Stromberg. Again, the main thing is phosphorus and HIGH QUALITY protein. Bioavailability is everything.
Cheers
C
We talked in SA about kidney stuff. Here is some info from the kidney diet list. It is really easy to figure out the diet for your dog once you get started. The key values that you need to have checked all the time are for PHOSPHORUS and CALCIUM. Your goal in life is to get the phosphorus level down.
I am lucky in that Allie's phosphorus level is in the normal range and I can keep it there by adding 1/4 tsp of calcium carbonate powder to every meal. I keep an eagle eye to check for hypercalcemia. She does not need a phosphorus binder. However, if I were feeding plain Evo, she probably would. I haven't investigated exactly how much phosphorus is in Evo -- the percentages re: calcium look good, http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=nutrition-facts&pxsl=//product%5B@id='1246'%5D , but I would have to write to them to get the exact amounts.
Her current diet is:
1 lean, skinless chicken breast and the broth it was cooked in, 1 cup broccoli and carrots cooked in the same broth, 2/3 cup egg white, 1/2 cup sticky rice, about 2/3 cup Evo. I vary the veg -- she loves sweet potatoes, squash, peas, green beans ... She is slightly overweight on this. She also gets: 1/4 tsp Calcium Carb, 2 Omega 3, B-50, B-12, Co-Q 10, glucosamine and MSM. The Omega-3 is esp. important, as is staying away from Omega-6. Her only treats are Evo and Natural Balance roll cut up, in small quantities, for drill team.
I cook up her food a week in advance in a big pot, except the rice which I steam in the steamer, yummy.
Allie works out to
80 lbs = 36.4 kg
needs 1400 kcal (except lower for low-activity Arctic dog)
163.8 grams protein using 4.5 g/kg
880 mg phosphorus allowed
chicken breast = 8 oz (1 cup) 374.22 cal 70.31 g protein 517.10 mg p
egg white one large 16.7 cal 3.51 g protein 4.34 mg p (about 8/cup)
broccoli 1 cup 44 cal 92 mg p
carrots 70 cal 47 mg p
sticky rice 1 cup 233 cal 4.8 g protein 19.2 mg p
treats:
Evo 1 cup 537 cal plus protein & p (I'm not sure how to figure this)
So she gets around 93.71 g protein, 644.64 mg phosphorus plus whatever is in the Evo.
I don't weigh it out precisely, obviously, since if I went by the real guidelines, she'd be hideously fat, and we also don't have to watch phosphorus as closely. I am enclosing The Box for doing the actual calculations. Also a few sample recipes for small dogs that I have multiplied. The Box is according to Dr Stromberg and very conservative; I use slightly higher protein, the recommended levels for senior dogs. Am tending that way anyway since the U Georgia study. Enclosed is a short excerpt from Stromberg. Again, the main thing is phosphorus and HIGH QUALITY protein. Bioavailability is everything.
Cheers
C
Sunday, February 19, 2006
MRM: stealth report from the Southwest
Dear General Jem
As one lady to another, you and I both know that we perform our deeds
by stealth and don't usually toot our horns about them. Our ability
to dematerialize and magically appear in total silence out of nowhere
is the secret to the demure Mal huntress's success, after all.
However, you have bemoaned silence on the list, so I'll just whisper
in your ear of a recent exploit that you might find edifying.
Humom gave me a nice raw turkey neck last night while she was cooking
up my special dinner and feeding the other dogs. They are outdoors
and get shuffled around to various runs because they have to be fed
separately. She spent some time working with that clown Rowan on his
sits and stays (nanoseconds!), and did a down stay with that young
sprout Ghost, and recalls with Sascha, so it took a while before she
came back in the house with her mind on other dogs. I got my meds
and then we settled down on the bed to give me my subcutaneous
fluids. Mom sure was surprised to touch the turkey neck with her
bare feet when she put them under the blanket! ... everything was
especially moist since it had been there for a while and I had really
chewed it up. I had on my very best innocent angel expression as I
watched in wonderment as she jumped around squealing and yelping. An
old classic but well worth repeating. I smiled gently as I enjoyed
the freshly-laundered linens and blanket ...
Greetings from very cold Texas
Guerillera Alexandria
As one lady to another, you and I both know that we perform our deeds
by stealth and don't usually toot our horns about them. Our ability
to dematerialize and magically appear in total silence out of nowhere
is the secret to the demure Mal huntress's success, after all.
However, you have bemoaned silence on the list, so I'll just whisper
in your ear of a recent exploit that you might find edifying.
Humom gave me a nice raw turkey neck last night while she was cooking
up my special dinner and feeding the other dogs. They are outdoors
and get shuffled around to various runs because they have to be fed
separately. She spent some time working with that clown Rowan on his
sits and stays (nanoseconds!), and did a down stay with that young
sprout Ghost, and recalls with Sascha, so it took a while before she
came back in the house with her mind on other dogs. I got my meds
and then we settled down on the bed to give me my subcutaneous
fluids. Mom sure was surprised to touch the turkey neck with her
bare feet when she put them under the blanket! ... everything was
especially moist since it had been there for a while and I had really
chewed it up. I had on my very best innocent angel expression as I
watched in wonderment as she jumped around squealing and yelping. An
old classic but well worth repeating. I smiled gently as I enjoyed
the freshly-laundered linens and blanket ...
Greetings from very cold Texas
Guerillera Alexandria
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Go Costello!
Costello wins Best in Show at the AKC Eukanuba National championship dog show in Tampa!
This never happens! Alaskan Malamutes are seldom put up in the working group, never mind BIS. He also went Best Bred by Exhibitor, BBE Group, BBE Breed. Congratulations, Costello (Ch. Nanuke's Snoklassic No Boundaries) and Sandra D'Andrea, and the Peels.
Here are some pictures: http://www.akc.org/nationalchampionship/summary.cfm
And of course the infamous Fark photoshop contest
This never happens! Alaskan Malamutes are seldom put up in the working group, never mind BIS. He also went Best Bred by Exhibitor, BBE Group, BBE Breed. Congratulations, Costello (Ch. Nanuke's Snoklassic No Boundaries) and Sandra D'Andrea, and the Peels.
Here are some pictures: http://www.akc.org/nationalchampionship/summary.cfm
And of course the infamous Fark photoshop contest
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Xmas Meds
How about this weather?? My dogs think they're puppies again!
Here is a message I sent to the Austin rescue list, in response to the usual warning about holiday dangers. The poinsettia hysteria is largely debunked -- they will cause gastric upset, which is not pleasant in Mals ;-), and are very bad for cats, but usually not automatically lethal. Still, best not to have a bunch of them sitting on the floor.
New adopters or fosters of large dogs may not be aware that some like to snack on low-hanging ornaments and boughs. Pine needles present a grave danger of choking and can create havoc in the GI tract, resulting in high-$ surgery. Anyone who has a tree indoors with large dogs should familiarize themselves with basic first-aid techniques and have the emergency vet's number to hand.
You may need CPR (refresher at http://members.aol.com/henryhbk/acpr.html). Obviously the Heimlich will NOT work with a pine needle, and it is usually too small for a fingertip, and must be removed carefully with tweezers or forceps or similar. Prop the mouth open with a roll of Vetrap (should be in every First Aid kit anyway). Speed to the vet is of the essence.
If you are looking for Christmas gifts for your best friends, instead of a bunch of squeaky toys or dubious rawhides, how about a useful first aid kit? I've been looking around for a good one, and am leaning toward the sporting dog one at http://store.yahoo.com/moravia/spordogfirai.html, or LL Bean's, although for the price they could have added Benadryl, boxed long-life water and soap or soap towelettes, and a few splints. This one at Cabela's seems like a good base kit if you add antiseptic towelettes etc.:
A decent list of contents for a make-your-own seems to be http://www.afn.org/~afn26752/firstaidkit.html. You'd want to add something to measure out ml, tsp, tbs, etc. I always have a water bowl, leash and towel in the car as well, and use Rescue Remedy.
Connie (veteran of trips to the emergency vet 8-(
Here is a message I sent to the Austin rescue list, in response to the usual warning about holiday dangers. The poinsettia hysteria is largely debunked -- they will cause gastric upset, which is not pleasant in Mals ;-), and are very bad for cats, but usually not automatically lethal. Still, best not to have a bunch of them sitting on the floor.
New adopters or fosters of large dogs may not be aware that some like to snack on low-hanging ornaments and boughs. Pine needles present a grave danger of choking and can create havoc in the GI tract, resulting in high-$ surgery. Anyone who has a tree indoors with large dogs should familiarize themselves with basic first-aid techniques and have the emergency vet's number to hand.
You may need CPR (refresher at http://members.aol.com/henryhbk/acpr.html). Obviously the Heimlich will NOT work with a pine needle, and it is usually too small for a fingertip, and must be removed carefully with tweezers or forceps or similar. Prop the mouth open with a roll of Vetrap (should be in every First Aid kit anyway). Speed to the vet is of the essence.
If you are looking for Christmas gifts for your best friends, instead of a bunch of squeaky toys or dubious rawhides, how about a useful first aid kit? I've been looking around for a good one, and am leaning toward the sporting dog one at http://store.yahoo.com/moravia/spordogfirai.html, or LL Bean's, although for the price they could have added Benadryl, boxed long-life water and soap or soap towelettes, and a few splints. This one at Cabela's seems like a good base kit if you add antiseptic towelettes etc.:
A decent list of contents for a make-your-own seems to be http://www.afn.org/~afn26752/firstaidkit.html. You'd want to add something to measure out ml, tsp, tbs, etc. I always have a water bowl, leash and towel in the car as well, and use Rescue Remedy.
Connie (veteran of trips to the emergency vet 8-(
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Rowan's new tricks
Rowan keeps getting cuter by the minute. He has a couple of new tricks up his sleeve. His sleeves, by the way, are thick and wooly, and he trails clouds of pink undercoat as he goes. Fortunately, he likes to be brushed!
Rowan has learned the ambush kiss. He waits until I am concentrating on something -- weeding, or fixing the lawnmower -- then he sneaks up and sploosh! a long pink tongue right in the ear! He always looks very pleased with himself and dances around grinning and bowing to his applauding audience. Considering that he eats poop, I'm not always in the mood to applaud, but it's awfully cute.
Rowan also has a voice. I was worried that he'd been debarked, since he usually only squeaks or grunts, but the other day a fire truck came roaring by with the sirens going full blast, and Rowan plunked down on his butt, stuck his nose in the air and let loose with a yodel that was perfectly in tune with the sirens. He kept going long after the fire truck was gone, with me and Sascha the Ridgeback mix howling right along with him. The other Mals just looked at him and went back to sleep, but Rowan is now a confirmed siren-howler, and we all look forward to fires and accidents!
Rowan has learned the ambush kiss. He waits until I am concentrating on something -- weeding, or fixing the lawnmower -- then he sneaks up and sploosh! a long pink tongue right in the ear! He always looks very pleased with himself and dances around grinning and bowing to his applauding audience. Considering that he eats poop, I'm not always in the mood to applaud, but it's awfully cute.
Rowan also has a voice. I was worried that he'd been debarked, since he usually only squeaks or grunts, but the other day a fire truck came roaring by with the sirens going full blast, and Rowan plunked down on his butt, stuck his nose in the air and let loose with a yodel that was perfectly in tune with the sirens. He kept going long after the fire truck was gone, with me and Sascha the Ridgeback mix howling right along with him. The other Mals just looked at him and went back to sleep, but Rowan is now a confirmed siren-howler, and we all look forward to fires and accidents!
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Rowan is blowing coat
Rowan is blowing coat and he's RED. Oh my doG!!! There are CLOUDS of PINK fluff thickening the air, clogging my air filter, up my nose, between the sheets, between my teeth, in the fridge, and killing yet another vacuum cleaner ... I swear I'm getting a Dyson one of these years. The other two haven't started shedding yet, but they have regular short hair and only turn into cotton ball dispensers that is easy to rake off. Rowan is relatively long-haired and boy does he shed! He's outdoors now enjoying the cold and turning the yard pink ...
Now to find a spinner and weaver or knitter to make me an awesome variegated scarf -- white from Ghost, cream from Allie and PINK from Rowan!
Now to find a spinner and weaver or knitter to make me an awesome variegated scarf -- white from Ghost, cream from Allie and PINK from Rowan!
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