White Shepherd mom

do they bite/sting, etc? Are humans safe? Thank you for the heads up Willow. Might be taking dogs to the beach tonight so will keep a close eye on them.

I'm sure there was an email doing the rounds a while back about diluted Listerine in a spray bottle. I think the ratio was 1:1 Listerine to water. Snopes says it doesn't work but in other websites there are users who say it works well. If anyone does try it, I'd be interested to hear your results. Thankfully we don't have many mozzies so have not tried it. Good luck. The little suckers are really annoying.

Casper gets Fitz-Casper (after a seizure ), Gassy Cassy (after he lets rip), Cassy, Casperov, Cassimov, pumpkin Bella is Belly-Belle (she has an appetite on her), Bellies, princess and if you want to call her from anywhere in the house, "are you hungry"...she always responds to that nicname

I'm sorry, but there's no way that dog is 14. Are you sure? Look at the sparkle in her eye! She looks great! Happy Birthday Emma, may you have many, many more!

kirsty, I have no knowledge of this condition. I just wanted to send my best wishes for Jessie's complete recovery so that she can get many more cuddles. big hugs, :D

That is a very kind offer collies02. I have sent you an email. Thank you very much!

Thanks all. I don't remember seeing Canidae at my Better Pets store, I will have a look at PetStock near home as well. I will look at Eagle Pack and Black Hawk as there seem to be some good DOL reviews. I started Googling diets for DM dogs and ended up looking at exercises for them instead (short attention span). I did see mention of tofu and soy based foods. What is in tofu that would be so good? Would I top up a premium kibble with tofu, veg and vitamins, etc? I need to do more research, there is so much to wade through out there. On another note, the vet recommended I get Casper to walk in shallow water as that would force him to raise his rear legs instead of drag them. We went to the beach yesterday and he was like a demon possessed. The boy has got plenty energy and he was running like a puppy. You wouldn't know there's anything wrong with him to look at him. I was so happy! We'll definitely be making that a routine!

Thanks Stitch, at this stage in his life, money is not a consideration (don't tell my OH :rolleyes: ) I worry that I don't have the luxury of time in order to trial different brands. Thanks persephone. I used to feed raw but after he got pancreatitis my vet suggested I cook mainly grains with low fat roo mince and vegies. He didn't seem to do that great on that (must be my cooking!). As per my vet's instructions, he is not allowed bones or dairy. Yesterday I bought a small bag of Nutro Light, Roo Barf patties and a multi-vitamin for the immune system. Unless someone has a better idea I will give that a go. Perhaps I am "barking up the wrong tree" and looking for a miracle which isn't there.

I am looking for a natural, low fat, no chemicals, no preservatives, no colourings dry dog food. Casper at 9.5 years old has been diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy. My vet reckons we have 18 months - 3 years before he can no longer walk. I don't think we will make it to 3 years. My dogs have always been on IAMS and have done well on it but I think it's time to try something better. There seem to be so many products out there that I feel overwhelmed trying to find the best food for them. He has also had severe pancreatitis in the past so I need a food that is low in fat, also to keep him lean so his joints don't have extra weight to carry. I would like it to have some extra supplements as well. So, please dear DOLers, help me out.

Every night when I put them to bed, I make sure I say "see you tomorrow" as if that will make it so. Every morning when I let them in and they greet me with tail wags, yawns and stretches, I give thanks that they are still with me. They are 9 and a half now. Casper is an epileptic, has had his spleen removed, and has had pancreatitis which almost took him away from us. Now his back legs are starting to give way. I have cried a few times at the thought of losing him. Bella is my rock. She has a few more white hairs in her coat but apart form that she is solid. Lately I've been thinking that she is in my life to help me when Casper is no longer around...hopefully not for a few years yet but I am quite sure that he will go first. What also makes me sad is that as a member of DOL over the past 5 years, I have read all about your dogs, the funny stories, the things they got up to as youngsters. Now we face the same fears together. I feel priviledged to be in your company. My deepest sympathies to those of you who have lost your beloved dogs and my hopes that those who are still around live to a painless old age.

I use Wound Guard as they hate the taste of it. I get it at my vet, though it is not a prescription thing. It's a small spray bottle. It doesn't seem to sting but it is a bitterant so tastes bad.

I have tears in my eyes reading your tribute. That was beautiful. Rest in Peace little one. You are much loved and missed.

where does the time go? I hope that the pain has eased a little since you lost Flash. They leave such an immense hole in your heart. RIP beautiful girl.

Happy Birthday Millie, I am so sorry you couldn't be here to celebrate with your family who loves and misses you. PeiLuvR, I hope the pain of losing your girl eases soon and you have nothing but good memories of her.

the steps look too flimsy for a 37kg dog but I like the selection of ramps. There are some wide/long ones there. OH made one and Casper keeps falling over the side, even though it's quite wide. Will have to compare with the ones listed on the web site. Hate to think what postage will cost!

Thanks a stack, Danelady. What are they made of and is the toe area re-inforced? This looks like what I need to get him. ;) I have sent them an email and will probably be placing an order with them. How long have you had yours and are they quite hardy?

Thank you for your kind offer daisygirl. From the customer reviews it looks like these boots are to protect paws from cold and sharp objects. I'm not sure they'll handle a 37kg GSD running with them before they fall apart. Staff 'n Toller, do the Therapaw boots work well? Does it protect your dogs feet? The thing I need most, is tough reinforcement in the toe area. hey SmoothieGirl, most of the boots on that site are the same as the ones mentioned at the start of the thread. Again, meant for protection from cold but not necessarily strong at the toes. Have you tried any of them? has anyone tried these: http://www.dogbootsactive.com/dogpag/dragpaw.htm there are quite a few reviews from dog owners whose dogs drag their back legs. I shall have to keep looking. Thanks everyone for your help.

oh, I just read a review for the Ruff Terrain Grip-Trex boots from a customer whose GSD drags his back foot until the claw bleeds and he said the shoes lasted 3 days before they had a hole in them. I obviously need to find something a bit more re-inforced in the toe area. Any other suggestion will be gratefully received!

Thanks smooch. Do you have to use the baby socks? Will they stay on without?

Thanks Tatzelwurm. There's one there that looks like a rawhide treat! Somehow I don't see Casper sitting still long enough for me to tie up his laces

Thank you for the info CC and CW. I read the customer reviews and there are some happy customers! However there are also a few comments that the boots don't stay on some dogs. Have you had a problem? I need to look into this company's refund policy.

Thank you for the suggestions, Jed. I spoke to my vet about it last time I took Bella for her check-up and he seems to think that considering his age and breed, there might be some degeneration in the spine. He suggested we continue to exercise him and keep an eye on things. Now, I started taking him for walks instead of runs and he really battled to keep up, dragging his feet within 100 metres. When running, he has an easy gait that carries him a long way before he gets tired. It's really bizzare! Also, now that we are running again, I can already see extra muscle develop in his back legs. Where possible I try to keep him off the asphalt but that can't always be helped so I want to give him some extra protection.

Hi all. Recently during walks, Casper has started dragging his back legs when he is tired. Amazingly he tires sooner during a walk than during a run . The middle two claws in both back paws are being worn down to stubs and yesterday for the first time his one claw started to bleed. Now, my boy loves to go for a run and I don't want to stop him so I thought of getting him booties for his back paws. Can anyone recommend any good ones, perhaps with a re-inforced toe? I know he'll hate me for this but a mom has to do what a mom has to do! Thanks in advance.

my neighbour seems to have a new cat and it started appearing on my shed roof. If the dogs get hold of it it's probably history. I've shooed it a couple of times but it's always come back. One day I had a bucket of water I was going to give to the herbs and I saw the cat and he copped the water instead. Now I only see him on the neighbour's shed roof. I hope it stays that way. Apart from anything else, I don't want my dogs attacking anything.

hi lm, I only just saw this thread. I stopped using Frontline about 7 years ago as I found it did nothing to get rid of fleas and Casper developed bad allergies to flea bites. I changed to Advantix and all problems solved. Casper has been an epi for 6 years now and I have not seen any evidence of Advantix causing seizures. On a different note, I thought I'd take the opportunity to mention that my boy has been seizure free for a year and 6 days now...woohoo!