aliwake

Worth checking out the link for cute pics and video: http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/home/dog-who-ran-evansville-half-marathon-unaided-dies-two-weeks-later/story-fngwib2y-1226743574189 What a character :)

Most of the time I just give him yoghurt (every day), but if I find his stools are a bit soft or we're getting lots of stinky farts I just add 1 capsule of probiotics to his daily yoghurt and mix it through. I initially was doing half a capsule, but he's getting pretty big now, and halving a capsule is pretty fiddly. I'm sort of of the opinion that more is better in this case anyway :) ETA I'll usually only do the extra for a day or so then see how he goes. Usually the yoghurt by itself is enough to keep things stable.

Follow up article: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/investigation-underway-into-puppy-breeder-trevor-bussey-who-has-one-month-to-find-a-good-home-for-his-box-of-dogs/story-fni0cx12-1226742010089

I use human probiotics too - I looked up doggy ones and they were freaking expensive!! I happened to have some faulding probiotics at home, so I've just been using them up over time when Nixon needs a boost. Always makes a huge difference.

They're looking super cute Steph! Can't wait to see their Santa pics :)

Speaking of eating disgusting things.... I found Nixon in the garden this morning eating his breakfast for the 2nd time around... He hasn't spewed for quite a while, so fingers crossed there's nothing wrong with him... He seems happy enough though. touch wood. We have my niece and nephew staying at the moment, and I think Nixon is behaving brilliantly, which is great! He's such a good boy (most of the time!) He's been very sleepy and obedient since coming home from the kennel :)

Glad there's nothing to worry about! I add an extra probiotic capsule to nixon's yoghurt if things are a bit soft, or if there are too many stinky farts... Usually gets him back on track pretty quickly.

yeah, I put in my 2nd jumbopets order the other week - just a bag of food. Was just as nice an experience as the first time! I just have to improve my timing - got dangerously close to running out of food :)

I don't really like the smell, but Nixon seems to love it :) I give him 1 tablespoon mixed in with his yoghurt.

It's all good hankodie - the vet is probably just seeing dollar signs :) Nah, I'm sure it's a welcome change from people who aren't willing or able to care for their pets properly, so I wouldn't worry about it!

Hey Hankodie - how is Hank going now? Hope he's all better! I love the pic of the two of them playing!! Must be a relief to have decent fences - I'm sure it will make life a lot easier for you. And I'm sure the dogs will enjoy being outside more too. We had to go away for a gathering of my husband's family, but it was nice to catch up with people. Not a super relaxing weekend though. And I've managed to end up sick, which is great... I picked Nixon up this morning, and he looked beautiful!! We'd missed him a lot. We're lucky they put up some pics of him playing on saturday on fb, so we got a little fix, and knew he was having fun. Apparently there was another lab pup, and a vizsla pup, and the 3 of them had a wonderful time playing together. He seemed very happy in general, and I actually think he was bummed to come home with me. Luckily they hadn't given him breakfast yet, so I got to win him over with food. Hopefully he's so worn out he'll sleep all day, and remember that he loves me by the time I get home again :)

Thanks Lisa ;) We're both feeling a bit sad and miserable without our pup tonight, but hopefully it will be better after we go away tomorrow. Can't wait for tuesday morning to get him back!

If you don't have many stairs, you could make a temporary ramp? We made one from spare fence palings and it made life a lot easier! Better for his joints too. If you don't have a pressure washer, maybe try vinegar, or boiling water? Not really sure though.

Just dropped Nixon off at the kennel - I was feeling so nervous! He was super excited though - could clearly smell dogs everywhere. He didn't even look back as he was lead away... sniff. The kennels looked good I think - very clean, and the other dogs seemed happy enough. I'm sure he'll be in heaven after his first playtime.

When Nixon had Giardia he had vomiting and diarrhoea, and he clearly just didn't feel very well. He was a lot younger than Hank when he had it though. There was no way to tell what it was without testing. Maybe just give your vet a call - they'll probably tell you to come in (they usually do!), but then at least you'll be able to stop stressing hopefully :)

Thanks Yvonne! Congrats on your obedience graduation - that's really exciting! I think I'm less worried about the kennel, and more just sad cos we'll miss him I have to drop him off today because we're leaving early tomorrow. Apparently there's another lab pup there at the moment so I have no doubt he's going to enjoy it. Hopefully he'll be having so much fun he won't miss us at all!

Thanks Lisa, I'm pretty happy with the shape he's in at the moment. Now if only I could get him to smile for the camera!! He looks so serious, but at least his head is up - he usually ignores me and starts sniffing at things as soon as the camera comes out... typical!

It's been a while, so I thought I'd put up a couple of Nixon pics - he's going to be 8 months old next week! And he's going to have his first kennel adventure on the weekend - I have a sneaking suspicion he won't want to come home... Thanks to Lisa for getting me motivated to try Livamol - his coat is looking so much nicer!

Awesome comparison! Look how filled in his nose is, and how bright his tan is now! He's going from cute to handsome :)

So glad he's feeling better. You have every reason to be sensitive, so no need to apologise!!!!

well, that sounds encouraging. bummer about the hernia though. I hope Treble starts feeling better really soon!

Glad you're going to the vet - I'm sure you (and us!) will feel better knowing he's been checked out. Good luck!

Not good Lhok Hope he improves asap

some great tips there dartuche - i'll be giving the backwards walking a try I think! I just avoid walking towards our local dog park lately, cos he's such a PITA. We have a much nicer walk going in any other direction. Will see if that helps :)

I use a halti and it's excellent. My pup still pulls a little, but it's easily controllable, and far easier to offer a correction. I was very hesitant initially, but I just wouldn't be able to walk him without it otherwise, at the moment. Maybe someone with more training experience than me could manage without it, but I can't.