MJWPG

You can use Tuf-Foot http://www.tuffoot.com/ to toughen up their pads but in the interim use Newskin to protect the raw spot, that's what I use on the rare occasion it happens. MJ

I can't lump my needs in with my pets needs, we are different species so as much as I don't like handling the meat it is best for them. Mind you I'll probably end up paying extra and going to a farmer who has free range organic humane meat Thanks for the glove suggestion, I should have thought of that duh, lol. I have to say though won't be feeding my guys anything with a head, my stomach couldn't take that, Monica

I also notice Alaska is a vegetarian and I am as well, and will have to get used to handling the meat. My husband isn't on board with the raw diet so until he sees them doing well on it I'll have to handle the meat. But once he's on board I'll pass that duty onto him since he's not a vegetarian Monica

Thanks for all the great information and links, I certainly have a lot of reading to do Monica

Hello I know information has been posted before regarding this subject, I tried to do a search but it didn't work. I've recently decided to switch to raw but am not sure about a couple of things. I'm feeding right now raw ground chicken, a mix a vegetables and flaxseed and I planned on getting Missing Link as well, is this acceptable? What other supplements should I be adding of any and what to feed for morning meals, meat as well. I used to mix oatmeal & blueberries in with their kibble do they need oatmeal or any grains? Also how many feed chicken carcasses. I'm leery about this that they might eat it too fast and choke on the bones, valid fear or not? I thank anyone with some guidance for me. Monica

I was just at a natural healing seminar last night and have you investigated acupuncture or chiropractic care maybe he has residual pain from the broken leg. Just a thought. MJ

It's cold here in Winnipeg as well, so I put my guys on the treadmill. Great investment! MJ

I also do most of the work, I feed them daily, give med's do all grooming, walking or running them, all obediance training from puppy on..., taking them to their prospective sports. He picks up their poop. I was a little frustrated yesterday because he was on his 4 days off and asked him to walk the 2 older dogs (we have 4) and he said he didn't feel well when I got home, so guess who had to do it after working all day. I like you am more physically active than him but it would be nice once in awhile for him to participate. MJ

So cute, and I love your name choice, here is a picture of my Nova, named after Super Nova! MJ

First dog as a child: GSD First dog as an adult Border Collie Why a BC? After owning GSD's up until I was a teenagers my parents decided to get a smaller dog and ended up with a BC cross and out of all the dogs we've owned that's the dog that stood out in my memory and I always vowed to get another one when I grew up. Did you do research? Yes First BC Haley in 1997, we bought her from a cattle farm a year after me & my husband bought our first house, she's 10 now and still runs around like a puppy! What made you want to get another? Wanted to get a companion for Haley. The rest came after I got into flyball and Haley had to retire so I got 2 more to keep playing the sport. What have you done with your dogs? Haley has done Flyball, herding (but she had to drop out she was also way too hard on the sheep and her own paws) some agiiltyand swims. Willow has tried all of the above but hates all of them and I've done skijoring with her which she tolerates. She does love running on the treadmill and swimming. River swims, flyball, a little agility, and runs with me during the summer and during races I do and she'll be starting herding this winter, skijoring and she also loves the treadmill. Nova herds (he just started this spring and won 3 place in 2 of his runs and won best started for the weekend, flyball, swims, runs with River and me as well, has done some agility & also loves the treadmill. They all love going to the park and running free through the bush! How many BC's? 5 How many do you have now? 4 What "quirks" have you noticed with all your dogs? Haley loves to herd the cats, and sings along to the theme from Sex in the City and Star Trek. River gives kisses without licking, she hordes all the toys under the coffee table and then rests her head on them, she howls when she meets new people or arrives somewhere. She also carries my shoes around and puts them with her toys so she can rest on them as well. She's mommies girl . When you give her a kong and if it has kibble in it she'll go up onto the couch and drop the kong off it so the kibble will fall out. Willow lays on her back on the couch and chuffs at us when she wants attention or she'll lay on the back of the couch. She'll also kick off all the cushions on the couch with her nose. If she hears you talking about her she'll dart her eyes back and forth and it looks like she's thinking "I heard my name, why are they talking about me, aaaahhhh" Nova likes to let River drag him around while they play tug, he plays the corpse, lol. He also loves to snuggle under long hair. Every time he eats while I'm preparing their food he whips his favourite toy like he's killing his supper before he eats it, he's such a big hunter. City dog or county dog? City, but our yard backs onto a park and I'm 5 min's away from a nice rural dog park. Would you ever get another breed? I will always have Border Collies but I wouldn't mind getting a Greyhound or Whippet later on.

Also during our calling we found out that California Natural, they also make Innova, Health Wise and Mother Nature abd Wellness foods are processed at MENU. I'm still waiting to hear from Wysong, I only mention this because I saw these particular brands mentioned. MJ

Here is a list I put together of companies that don't out source at all to MENU, hopefully I can get more companies added to them, of course the Sold at: section is for my location in Winnipeg, Canada, hope this helps: Safe Canned Food (not made at Menu Foods) Company Cat Dog Sold at: Merrick Yes Yes Best West, Pet Valu Solid Gold Yes Yes Best West, Pet Valu, Canvasback Safe Dry Food (not made at Menu Foods) *company doesn’t make canned Company Cat Dog Sold at: Nutrisource * Yes Yes Pet Outfitters Acana * Yes Yes Best West, Pet Valu, Aardvark Pets Sold Gold Yes Yes Best West, Pet Valu, Canvasback Merrick Yes Yes Best West, Pet Valu

I used New Skin (liquid bandaid), the one with the brush not the spray, and it protects the raw spots while they are healing. MJ

Here is video that is surfacing from this company Menu Foods, from what I hear it's pretty graphic, I can't watch it, maybe they'll go belly up one can hope : http://www.petatv. com/tvpopup/ video.asp? video=menu_ foods&Player=rp&speed=_med

I hate to trump everyone but here in Winnipeg, Canada on Monday it was -40 and with the windchill -51. Needless to say the dogs go out and do their business very very fast! bbbbrrrrr. It was a balmy -35 this morning though MJ