Big Paws Only Dog Forums

This is so exciting, y'all. I'm finding out about the breeder of my grandma's lhasa from his AKC registration papers (which are very sketchy).

So far I know who bred him, and that they were USDA certified and the litter was registered, that they sold him to ****'s kennel, and that that man sold him to Lynnhaven mall's pet store two days later. That man died in a fire on his farm. I also know that his sire was 7 years old, and his dam was only 1 year old when the litter was born in 1999. 

Basically this has opened my eyes to what goes on in a puppymill. They breed as many litters as they can, ship the puppies off to someone who then ships them off to pet stores, to be sold to whoever thinks they're cute. My grandma got him from someone later, not from the pet store. This is fascinating. The dog came from Missouri, origonally.

I know I'm just ranting, but this fascinates me.

So, some of you know how worried I was about leaving the "kids" for a week or so. Well, my Grandmother asked me to stay here and live with her for a couple months. So the dogs (along with all the other animals) will be cared for by my parents. I'm scared crapless!

I know their basic needs will be met (food, water, shelter) I'm just worried they won't get the physical and mental stimulation they need to thrive. Especially Sky! I've told my Flyball coach she's more than welcome to keep working with him, or just letting him run around with the other dogs but I don't think she'll have time with her 5 month old BC keeping her on her toes. My step-dad may take them for the occasional fair-weather walk, which Sam is content with but I need some ideas on easy ways to keep Sky busy and thinking during the day.

Gosh, I am totally in worried mom mode right now. But I know that people, especially family, have to take priority over dogs. But I feel guilty because these are animals that I have taken responability for, and I feel like I am abandoning them.

Ok, so I re-sized them all in Photobucket. How do I get them from there to here?

Okay, so I know y'all must get sick of hearing about my rats... but I couldn't think of a better place to turn to for advice about their food. Right now they are on the same dog food that my dogs are on (with many other things in their diet, of course) which is Blue Buffalo (fish and sweet potato formula). It contains 22% Protein and 12% Fat. The recommended levels for a RAT is 14-16% protein, and 4-5% fat. Now, Sky is a very active performance dog and I want to keep him on something with at least 18% protein. My idea is that I can keep 2 dogs and 3 rats all on the same food, but I'm beginning to lose hope that that will ever happen! Also, Sky has some sort of intolerance to dry foods with Chicken as the main protein source, yet eating a whole raw chicken has no effect on him.  Hence the Fish formula he's currently on. Sammie is a large-breed (border collie/newfoundland) dog and will be 9 years old this spring. I've noticed that some senior formulas are lower in protein and fat. The Blue Senior formula has Protein 18.0% and Fat 8.0%. I could put him on this, and make him share with the ratties, and keep Sky on his food. I guess the point of all this rambling is:

What foods do y'all know of that are lower in prot/fat and what is a good protein level for a very active adult dog like Sky?

Gee whiz, I stress myself out. 

Yup yup, it's happened again. Expanding beyond the world of dogs and cats... I'm a new mommy to three RATS! Hairless ones, at that. 

Ruby is a ruby eyed white hairless rat, 4 or 5 months old.

May is a black hooded dumbo hairless rat, 3 months old.

Charlotte is a tan-ish gray furry rat, and only about 3 weeks old.

The dogs ADORE them, as do I. Has anyone else here had rats?

Ok, so I've been asked to watch "Tippy" (I really despise her name) for two months while her owner does some traveling and moves. Our cat, Rose, doesn't really like the idea. Lol Tippy has been over to the house a couple times to be groomed, and Rose has thrown her usual hissy fit (literally!). I am hoping they'll get used to each other after a week or two, but I need a plan B if they don't. Has anyone had luck with Rescue Remedy or a pheromone spray? Any other suggestions?

Thanks!
Leah

I want to make a slide show for Bailey with all his pictures. I finished all of it, but I want to put it to music. How can I attach a song? It's in Microsoft power point.

Ok, so we have this beautiful little house guest for the Holidays. He is an un-altered male (who pees on everything!). He is mostly white, with a black head and grey-ish black patches on his body. He makes the funniest little snorting sounds and kicks his back feet when he's excited. My step-dad saw him out by our front gate almost a week ago, but couldn't catch him. I was working Sky in the front yard, when he came trotting up. He was absolutely FILTHY, but I didn't want to offend anyone by bathing him if he was only going to go home an hour later. He's been here since yesterday afternoon, and today we went and put up signs, and took a little side trip to the dog park. So I guess I'm mostly just curious what breed he is! I really don't know much about small dogs, but I think he is either a Lhasa or a Shih Tzu. Someone at the dog park said maybe Japanese Chin, but i'm doubtful. I just took a couple crappy pictures, but i'm not sure if my computer will let me load them.