Big Paws Only Dog Forums

Don't worry, it has a happy ending.

http://www.tampabays10.com/news/national/story.aspx?storyid=95807&catid=81

I only wish they would have posted the dog's breed in the article or video.  It is obviously a pit bull or pit mix.  It would have been nice for the media to give them some good press for a change.

I am very bored right now so I thought I'd post a few more pix of the crew.  These were all taken in Oct/early Nov.

Keiko got her own personal photo shoot after a vet visit one day.  Helped to cheer her up.








Entire crew photo shoot:


Nigel




Gunther and Nigel


Keiko and Posey

I RESCUED A HUMAN TODAY


Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering
apprehensively into the kennels.

I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her.

I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.

As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little
accident I had in the back of my cage.

I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today.

Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want
her to think poorly of them.
As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel
sad about my past.
 
I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a
difference in someone's life.
 
She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds
at me.
 
I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the
bars to comfort her.
 
Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate
for companionship.
 
A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure
her that all would be well.
Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright
that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep
her safe.

I would promise to always be by her side.

I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant
smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she
came down my corridor.

So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors.

So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.
 
I rescued a human today.

Please consider a shelter animal.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1062575/Pictured-The-punk-rock-turtle-bright-green-mohawk.html?cfm=turtle

check out his way cool mohawk toupee.

This is so cute!

http://www.sonnyradio.com/billyandlilly.htm

I was on a quest today.

Mainly, I was looking for fish shops.  I went to several, but didn't find what I was looking for and only one looked pleasant to visit.  So if anyone in the west/southwest Chicago area knows of a good one, please let me know.  I may have to go and order online.  Looking for algae eating shrimp, my last one died.  My other fish I get at work.

At the same time i was also looking to see what, if any dog foods they carried as i am looking to switch brands.  Of course the last place i went to had the most variety....... ..lol. 

Are any of you familiar with Fromms?  I know it is a good brand of food so that's not my concern.  But some of the info the lady was giving me just confused me. 

i realize meat based foods and grain based foods are different. But is protein from meat different from protein from grains?  I had always thought protein is protein, even if meat is better (maybe I answered my own question?).  Can someone clarify what exactly is different? 

Also.......... .I currently buy 3 different kinds of foods for my dogs. I think she was under the impression that I don't want to do that anymore b/c she said that with Fromms' they can all eat the same food.  It is an all stages food, which to me means all stages of life, not necessarily made for all types of dogs.

Currently Gunther gets large breed, Keiko is on senior, and Nigel and Posey are on a high energy food.  Would the basic Fromm formula work for all of them?  Gunther and Keiko could probably eat less (although Keiko can't eat much less she already only eats 3 cups a day, after upping it 1/4 cup), but Nigel and Posey would have to eat more.  I would think they do need a high fat content to keep up with their metabolism.

What do you all think about having them all on one food?  I actually like buying the different kinds.  Keiko absolutely loves her current food, and being a senior her nutritional needs are a bit different as well, especially when it comes to watching her weight.  She's a little piggie. 

Pricewise, it sounds like a good deal and will be cheaper than their current food, even after my discount if I can cut Gunther down by at least 2-3 cups.  She does not carry their large breed formula (except in puppy, and special orders it for one client) as she says it's not necessary.  Nor does she carry senior.  Only the adult
Gold fomula (one she recommended):
Crude protein: not less than 24%
Crude fat: not less than 16%
Calorie Content:
kcal/gm: 4.070 | kcal/lb: 1,850 | kcal/cup: 405
She also carries the classic forumla and I think all the 4-star formulas, but she said the gold one would be most cost effective for me as she could get me a breeder bag (40lbs) which they kept in back.  Bags in the main part of the store were 33 lbs.

Currently their foods are as follows:
Gunther: protein content b/t 24-26% (depending on flavor I got)
fat content: 12-13%
318-0323 kcal/cup

Keiko: protein: 20%
fat: 10%
268 kcal/cup

Nigel and Posey: protein: 30%
fat: 20%
396 kcal/cup

Sorry this is so long.  it looks like a good food, but I'm just not sure about having everyone on the same formula.  Thoughts?

I figured I haven't posted any new pix of the crew in a very, very long time.      So I thought I'd post a "few" of the better ones in the last few years.  Hope you enjoy them. 

I'll start off with a bigger pic of my avatar.  Taken at our new house.


Of course, that is not my only group shot. I take them a few times a year.  this one taken on my parents' front steps.


at a nature park


At the top of my parent's drive.  I had to finally bang on something to get everyone's attention. 


And I'm sure some of you remember my Christmas avatar


Can't forget Halloween.


Nigel on a log


Posey chillin'


Keiko smiling


Keiko and Nigel at the Japanese Gardens in Sioux Falls, SD


Nigel stacking


Gunther and his big brown eyes


Had to throw this one in..........lo l.


Keiko and Posey along the bike train in Sioux Falls

After I lost Francis, my chinese water dragon, on April 1st (my birthday, how crappy  ) I was pretty bummed.

I had been looking off and on for some new birds for awhile b/c I had some extra cages.  Originally, I had planned on getting a second cockatiel, a conure, and maybe some finches.  But I came across these two and it seemed like a good match.

Originally, I saw an ad for these two, including the cage, very good deal.  Emailed the person and she said someone else was interested but if it didn't work out they were mine. I never heard back from her so I assumed the other person got them.

About a week later I saw the ad up again. I emailed her again and said I was still interested.  When the person replied, I realized it was not the origal poster.  It was the person who beat me to them!  And he was selling them for the same price, but w/o the cage!  Harumph!  Still a good deal though so I figured what the heck.  I was given no ages or names or really any info on them.  So, w/o further ado, meet:

Louigi.  He's a peach fronted conure.  I'm guessing he's still young b/c adults have orange rimmed around their eyes which he doesn't have.


Hellooooo BPO!!


In case you were wondering why his feathers look a bit odd, it's b/c he probably had psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD).  I wish I had noticed before getting him but I was excited to add them, and probably would have gotten him anyway  .  I had noticed his chest looked odd but they are prone to feather plucking so I assumed that's what it was.  They are quarantined from my other birds.


And meet Hamlet.  He is a blue crowned conure.  He shows no signs of PBFD but I will have him tested to see if I can forego my normal isolation and put him up with the other birds.  Since he and Louigi have been together for who knows how long, I am keeping them together for now.


He is definitely the sweeter of the two and will allow head scratches and really seems to enjoy being scratched under his wings.




Here are their cages, for now.  I'd like to upgrade to something bigger by fall.


They are both warming up quickly.  I only just got them on Wed and will already step up w/o much problems.  Louigi is still pretty nippy but I was aware of that issue......... ..which is why I'm wearing gloves in case you noticed....... ..lol 

They both talk too, which is awesome b/c I've tried for years to get my current and previous cockatiels to talk.  My last one never did and my current one just mimics whistles and sounds.  Louigi is much easier to undertand..... ....in fact if I didn't have him I would have no idea what Hamlet is saying.......l ol.  I only know b/c they tend to say the same thing at the same time.  Louigi can say, "hello", "what'cha doin?", "step up", "love you" and something that sounds like "hi babe".  Hamlet can say, "hello", "love you" and "step up"