[CorgiPaws]

Grissom has been on the raw diet for a whole week now, and I have already seen improvements. :biggrin: He has solid poop! Solid poop for a whole five days!! That has NEVER happened before, ever.
Also, when I went to brush his teeth, which I do every Tuesday after work, they were absolutely sparkling white. His teeth have always NEEDED brushing every week, they get... uhh... "crappy" pretty quick. :biggrin: But today, I didn't even need to brush.

He's been on just chicken, (Quarters cut into 1/4lb meals, each with decent bone content) and really loves it. I don't have access to turkey necks, and I don't know why. I know I need to do just chicken for one more week (right?) but next week can I try a meal of pork necks, or do I need to do turkey next? And when is it okay to give him an egg?

I know, I know, I ask a lot of stupid questions, I just want to do everything perfect.

 

[rannmiller]

Yay, that's amazing! Go Grissom! Yeah, a proper raw diet pretty much eliminates the need to brush your pup's teeth, it's great :biggrin:

I think if you can't get ahold of turkey necks, you could try drumsticks or wings next instead. If not, then pork necks should be ok as well.

And yes, he does need to stay on chicken for another week. You could maybe try giving him an egg at the end of this week with his chicken meal and see how he handles it. Hopefully he should be fine with it, since eggs come from chickens and all. Maybe he'll even eat the shell!

Congratulations on raw working so well for you and him!

 

[CorgiPaws]

It is working out very well with him. I am prepared for the bout of diarrhea that usually comes after a period of immediate improvement, but no signs of that yet. I'll keep looking for turkey, I buy his meat at wal mart and they do have the whole turkey, i just have nowhere to put it. As for the egg, I will try this weekend maybe. I used to give Champ a raw egg once a week for about six weeks but he threw it up every time so I quit. It's the only food he hasn't handled well. If i stick with it longer do you think he could get used to it? I'm not putting him on Raw because he's up for adoption, and I doubt his new home will raw feed. Sorry for one big paragraph chunk, using my phone to post this. Lol

 

[LabbieMama]

I'm not putting him on Raw because he's up for adoption, and I doubt his new home will raw feed.

Just out of curiosity, why is Champ up for adoption? Isn't he your dog?

 

[whiteleo]

You should be able to find turkey necks pretty darn soon with Thanksgiving right around the corner, when in doubt just ask the guy or gal behind the meat cutting counter to find you some in a smaller amount. Good Luck! sounds like its going good so far.

 

[CorgiPaws]

Just out of curiosity, why is Champ up for adoption? Isn't he your dog?

I took Champ in two years ago from an ex boyfriend who severely abused him with intent of rehoming him. He had so many behavior issues and aggression towards men, as well as ear mites, mange, worms, underweight, etc. and I made it my promise to him to rehabilitate him. It has taken two years, and now he is adoptable. It is bittersweet as I have grown to love him during this time, but he and I both know he would be happier elsewhere.
I was torn on to rehome him or just keep him at this point, but Jon (fiance) and I have decided that IF the perfect home falls out of the sky for him, we'd let him go, but are also prepared to keep and care for him until then, and aren't letting him go to the first to show interest, or the "highest bidder."
Anyway, that is a whole different topic. This thread is about raw feeding. I know many will judge me for our decision to follow through with the origional plan of rehabilitating and rehoming, rather than keeping him forever, but we feel it's best.

 

[LabbieMama]

I know many will judge me for our decision to follow through with the origional plan of rehabilitating and rehoming, rather than keeping him forever, but we feel it's best.

I wasn't judging you at all. Simply asking out of curiosity.

 

[CorgiPaws]

I wasn't judging you at all. Simply asking out of curiosity.

Oh no no, I wasn't saying you were, I know you were just asking.
Jon and I intend to take on another foster when Champ is in his forever home, it's a bittersweet experience, but very rewarding to watch them grow, ya know? Champ has been my first fostering-type experience.

 

[LabbieMama]

Oh no no, I wasn't saying you were, I know you were just asking.
Jon and I intend to take on another foster when Champ is in his forever home, it's a bittersweet experience, but very rewarding to watch them grow, ya know? Champ has been my first fostering-type experience.

Fostering is definitely one of the most rewarding experiences I've had in my life (the other experience is raising children!) I have fostered 30+ dogs for 3 different rescue groups. But, I'm tired. It's rewarding but it's also hard work. I remember each and every one of the 30+ dogs that came to live with me as a foster over the years.

I'm glad you are doing this. It is such important work. Last week, I met up with one of my previous fosters (a shy female Lab Mix) and her new owner at the dog park. This was the first time I had seen that foster dog since she got adopted. I had that foster for about 3 weeks and I was very good to her. I assumed the dog would not remember me at all, I don't expect any of them to. How wrong I was! The dog remembered me right away! She came straight up to me, sniffed, and then started her "wiggle butt dance" as her eyes lit up with joy! Even the dog's owner knew that the dog had recognized me. I was just so happy.

 

[CorgiPaws]

Fostering is definitely one of the most rewarding experiences I've had in my life (the other experience is raising children!) I have fostered 30+ dogs for 3 different rescue groups. But, I'm tired. It's rewarding but it's also hard work. I remember each and every one of the 30+ dogs that came to live with me as a foster over the years.

I'm glad you are doing this. It is such important work. Last week, I met up with one of my previous fosters (a shy female Lab Mix) and her new owner at the dog park. This was the first time I had seen that foster dog since she got adopted. I had that foster for about 3 weeks and I was very good to her. I assumed the dog would not remember me at all, I don't expect any of them to. How wrong I was! The dog remembered me right away! She came straight up to me, sniffed, and then started her "wiggle butt dance" as her eyes lit up with joy! Even the dog's owner knew that the dog had recognized me. I was just so happy.

Thank you for sharing that story, this has definately been tough. I mean, he's been here for two years now. That's just how long it took to train and sort out his issues, but it definately was enough time to get incredibly attached to the sweet boy.
We weighed out the options, and he's just SO adoptable and wonderful, we'd like to place him so we can take in another, and start all over again. I'm definately not doing it by myself again. I will foster through an organization rather than take one in off the streets and be by myself. This way is far too overwhelming. I just can't do it again.:frown:I don't even know how to begin finding him a home!