Tuesday, April 26th

mmmm, I deleted the part that used symbols. I wonder if that's the issue.

Chips puppies are eating goats milk and ground up raw chicken  wings.  Breeder is into that BARF diet.  but they eat it so it might help supplement your pups.  but you probably know all that.

My female Liza was  the absolute dairy queen. tons of milk.  couldn't get her to stop feeding them. i think they nursed some until they left home at 8-10 weeks!

diane s.

I understand the whole raw diet, species appropriate diet, and BARF philosophies, but I am not a hard core follower. Frankly, it's too expensive for me. Big dogs eat A LOT! Considering that a lot of the raw foods are more expensive than the chicken I eat, it's hard for me to get on board. I do supplement with meat, eggs, green tripe (stinky!!!!!), anchovies, sardines, and organ meat. I buy in bulk and freeze. Right now I have chicken thighs in the InstantPot for Mama Blue. 

My Cairn Terrier ***** was just like your Liza. She had a pup in her first litter that was allowed to nurse until the day she went to her new home at 11 weeks. She was a very tiny pup and I guess Widget knew she needed a little more than the others. Widget wouldn't let the other two nurse after 7 weeks. 

Blue is a fountain of milk. It's I think overwhelming to have almost 30 pounds of puppies suckling and biting at once. She does get in the "zone" and let them nurse for a good ten minutes or so, but that's all she can handle anymore. I'm hoping they are fully weaned by 5 weeks. Each litter is so different. 

My dogs are on a partial raw diet and have thrived on it.  They get Origens dry food in the morning and raw chicken wings at night.  We buy the organic chicken at Costco, so the cost isn't too bad.  In fact the Origens costs more per pound than the chicken. 

The supplements you give them are a great way to boost their diet, so you really don't need to feed them any more meat.  

I fed Orijen for about a year. It is very expensive here in CA. Great food, but I did not see a huge difference in overall wellness or condition than when I was using another higher quality kibble. With the number of dogs I feed, I close to go back the other brand. 

Like you I feed a partial raw diet. I do have one dog who absolutely refuses to eat raw ANYTHING. It's maddening. She won't even eat Satin Balls unless they are cooked. Go figure. 

Do you buy the organic chicken or the pasture raised, sustainably farmed chicken at Costco? 

I am traveling between clinics and had a moment to quickly scan posts.  I gotta say that Miss Pink with her determination for a full stomach, unhindered by obstacles makes her my twin!

I ate my bag of food early and old tapes of mega meetings equaling mega eating are playing in my head. Yet, I think there might be some real hunger mixed in. I stopped at a trader joes and picked up turkey breast. Crisis averted.

123.6 which is Aok.   

Enjoy the day. I hope the bad weather in other areas doesn't materialize.

Shel

Chiming in late today.  

So appreciate the honesty that is writ large across all our hearts.

 And in the moment of transparency I really need suggestions.

  Once again have started to night eat, in that will get up to visit the loo and veer off to the fridge.   Last night 1/3 cup of chocolate chips went too smoothly down at 3am.   It is almost an unconscious trek.  

Advice please. 

But on a brighter note, saw our first bear on our usual 7am trail walk, and so far steps are10,548.  And another 1/2 day to go.

hope that you are all having a grand day.

Why are there chocolate chips in your pantry ? I can't keep that stuff in my cupboards.

Oddly,  I can see this in recent posts but not on the 4/26 thread itself.  Diane's response isn't visible, either   

That aside, a couple of thoughts tho I am not sure how helpful they are.  Can you block off the kitchen somehow or at least make it a bit of an obstacle course to get in there so that perhaps you wake up a bit more and hopefully be more aware?

 Or, if you are going to get in there, can you have a snack ready to go that is less of a caloric hit than chocolate chips? Would it be possible to exterminate the kitchen of the like of chocolate chips entirely for a while?  

"First bear" in these parts means that people stop walking the trails.  There happens to be a Krispy Kreme near those trails so you know where people end up, instead.    You Canadians are so macho! 

Best of luck with your nighttime wanderings.  I am looking forward to hearing other's advise.