LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Friday, August 20, 2010

Fridays are Golden

It's easier to find a personal physician than it is to find the right veterinarian. Long before we found our own physicians when we moved back to NC, we took the girls to their new vet. We very much liked him and his approach to us and to our dogs. After examining them, he said they were "within a pound of perfection." (They had gained a little weight while our friend was caring for them.) He asked us about their food. We had always fed them the food recommended by the breeder. Our vet diplomatically said that he wasn't particularly fond of that food because it contained too much grain. Then he added that our dogs were so healthy with wonderful coats, teeth, and gums that he would not change their diet since they seemed to thrive on it.

This summer Lucy began having occasional GI problems. Our vet thought this might be a good time to change their food. So we did.

When my husband leaves the house for any length of time, the girls get up as soon as they hear his car. They run to the laundry room waiting for him to come inside.


The instant they hear the car door open they each go closer to the door. Lucy, of course, must be first in line.
On this occasion my husband had been to the pet store to get a new supply of dog food. They have been on this new food for a couple of months and they really like it.





They check out the bag just like they check out everything we bring in.




Lucy carefully reads the label to make certain we have the right thing.



She checks it out from top to bottom.




Although Ellie can probably read, she prefers looking at the pictures.
The "new" dog food is Taste of the Wild. This particular formula has roasted venison and roasted bison. It is grain free, and contains sweet potatoes, berries, and tomatoes instead. It contains 32% protein. Our previous food (Iams Large Breed) contained only 22% protein and a lot of grain including barley, corn, and sorghum grain. I have no idea whether or not the higher grain food was a contributing factor in Lucy's GI problems, but I do feel better that we switched. The girls have no opinion at all. They will wolf down anything they are given.


A quick change of subject here, but I cannot think of another way to transition.

Our Nation and the rest of the world are full of problems and disasters. As I have listened to the news it seems very clear to me that we are becoming more and more polarized. It has always been true that non-political issues are politicized, especially during election years. But this year seems to be the worst. People are becoming ever more intolerant of others who do not share their religious views, political views, skin color, or life styles.

Kofi Annan said these important words:

"We need to promote greater tolerance and understanding among the peoples of the world. Nothing can be more dangerous to our efforts to build peace and development than a world divided along religious, ethnic, or cultural lines. In each nation, and among all nations, we must work to promote unity based on our shared humanity."

None of us individually can make the Nation or the world more tolerant of others. We can (and must) be more tolerant ourselves, and teach that tolerance to our children. So make a pledge this weekend to be more accepting of others and less vocal about criticizing those who are different.

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!





27 comments:

Sam said...

I use Taste of the Wild occasionally and I really like it. Come the winter, I might switch Marge on to it permanently since it's higher in protein than her normal food (and she can use all the extra energy she can get in the winter, when she's most active!).

The Bug said...

First of all - congrats for winning something from the Thundering Herd!

You know what scares me most lately about intolerance? It's my intolerance for people who are intolerant! I'm not any less insular than they are, really, since I want to leave them out of any serious discussion (they're so DUMB to believe that way that they don't deserve a plate at the table - sheesh!). So for this weekend I'll try to not make fun of any teaparty signs, or poo poo the concerns of a person more conservative than me. I might have to just stay home & not turn on the news to accomplish that :)

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Carolyn, You two do such a nice job with your dogs and take such good care of them.. And obviously you have a wonderful vet....

Glad you taught Lucy to read... NOW--get busy and teach Ellie to read instead of looking at the pictures (which is what I like to do)...

Yes---tolerance and understanding is needed across the board in this country.. It's sad to see what is happening --but we are more divided than we've even been I think. I try not to talk politics --since I lost a good blog friend due to our differences. I wanted to talk --and she didn't want to. Too Bad... God Bless our Country.

Hugs,
Betsy

D.K. Wall said...

TOTW was one of the foods we looked at, but ended up with Eagle Pack - a little easier to get, though we have not found a store in Asheville that carries LOTS of the better quality foods at good prices. Plus, we can call ahead and they will have our order ready to go at the door. Very convenient.

We have a group of friends at work that love to talk politics. A couple very conservative, a couple very liberal, a couple in the middle, and an avowed Libertarian. What is fun is that we banter, we joke, and we have a lot of fun, but we also learn from each other and realize that none of us are "bad". In fact, we usually want the same thing, we just believe that different ways get you to that goal. Tolerance is exactly that - embracing each other's ideas as thoughtful, even if you disagree with them personally. Is that really so hard?

Folkways Note Book said...

Yes, Taste of the Wild is the dog food I recently switched to. My black lab's coat now shines and both of my dogs have improved in the pounds category -- less and best.

Agree, change begins with us. Be tolerant.

NanaNor's said...

HI there, I had just read about the new dry kibble you are giving your babies when I ran to purchase canned food for my old dog...found out there is a recall on several brands of dry so wanted to alert you. I've got the specifics on my blog today-just in case. I hope your new brand isn't one of the ones.
Have a wonderful Golden Friday.
Hugs, Noreen & Reggie-dog

Taradharma said...

Ellie and Lucy are just being good consumers. Read the labels!! I'll look for that food next time -- it sounds yummy.

I like your admonishment to be more tolerant within ourselves: it would go a long way to world peace and harmony if we held our tongues more often.

Happy Weekend!

YD, sometimes with ♥June and ♥Angel Samantha said...

I don't think I've seen that brand before but I will check next time when I go to the pet store.
I'm glad Lucy & Ellie approved of the new food.

Cicero Sings said...

Love how your dogs check things out so thoroughly, labels and all. Mingus gets raw food including raw veggies that I whizz up in the vita-mix plus raw buffalo bones to help his teeth. But he is a little dog and you have two BIG dogs so I can see that would be difficult. A lot of people don't agree about raw food but, I must say, Mingus does very well on it. My sisterinlaw put her 12 year old poodle cross on raw and there was a remarkable increase in her energy. She now walks as good and long as her younger Cairn Terrier sister who is just over a year old ... not with quite the amount of racing around mind you, but a good 5 mile walk.

It behooves us more than ever to love our neighbours as ourselves!

Busy Bee Suz said...

I have never heard of this food; glad the girls like it!
I agree with you on your sentiments (and the quote) on tolerance. It does begin at home.
Have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

I am so impressed that Lucy doesn't need reading glasses at her age.

I'm still scratching my head to figure out why Dr. Laura thinks HER first amendment rights have been violated. Am I being intolerant?

George said...

Those are great pictures of Lucy reading the dog food bag -- I'm glad they like it.
Thanks for your plea (and quote) for tolerance in our society. It definitely is in short supply.

Valerie Cummings said...

Oh we think that is primo dog food!!! Joey is so sensitive hes been on a grain free diet most of his life. It really does make a difference!!! Hugs Valerie

Vicki Lane said...

The girls look so gorgeous and they're right to be picky consumers.

And your remarks on tolerance are right on -- sorely needed in this democracy of ours.

amarkonmywall said...

Well, I was tripping along, enjoying this post so much. Thinking to comment that we have moved McCloud, our overweight cat (or big-boned, depending on who's talking) to a 70% protein, gluten free diet and he is doing great, losing weight, happy and active. But then- well, you are absolutely correct. The divisiveness in this country is so depressing and overwhelmingly counterproductive and yet the nitpicking and petty bickering goes on. We need to get the politicians out of government. Sigh.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

I'll add my vote to a good diet. While I don't feed our crew Taste of the Wild, they are fed a no grain kibble (Acana) and I add the grains that they eat, and of course I add a few steamed veggies too. I do think your other food could have been the source of your problems, and am glad to hear that you've switched--Let us know how it goes.

I agree with your other thoughts too...Don't get me started! ;-))

Enjoy your weekend!

How Sam Sees It said...

It sounds like homecoming at our house! We've been lucky with our choice of food - the boys thrive on it, and Monty especially has improved since he came to live with us. He isn't bone thin anymore, and his coat has actually changed color and texture. I will remember your brand, in case it ever comes up!

Sam

KB said...

I tend to be a skeptic but I've found after a number of incidents, that my dogs do much better with minimal grain in their diets. I'm glad that your two girls like their new food so much! They look gorgeous, with shiny and obviously well-groomed coats! And, they can read - they're extraordinary dogs in every way!

I cannot agree more about the polarization. I also believe that seeing such rancor in the news all the time tends to lead strangers to treat each other differently - looking for conflicts rather than commonalities.

My wise mother told me many times that people who automatically disliked anyone in a given group (be it a religious group or a race...) were simply fearful. It seems like an all-pervasive fear is gripping our nation now.

Jayne said...

I love how inquisitive your girls are! I am sharing the info about the new feeding dish with some friends who have two Vizslas and have the same issues.

I know what you mean about the polarization. It makes me weary to even turn on the news and see people spewing such vitriol.

Twisted Fencepost said...

I hope that the new food will help with the GI problem.
Just like kids, they are in the middle of everything. So sweet.
I agree that we must ALL be more tolerable. I just wish that ALL would get with the same program.

Anonymous said...

Ha, it really does look like she is reading the label. Your dogs are so emotive.

cyclopseven said...

the dogs are cute and well take care. They are lucky to be in good hands.

Talking about division among humankind, for many TOLERANCE is just another word in the dictionary. If just all 'at least' attempt to understand the differences among humankind, I feel half of the world's problem would be solved.

Rudee said...

At what age did you teach the girls to read? I may send Leo for lessons with you.

I find your words promoting tolerance to be heartfelt, but The Bug's comment really touched me.

I will try to find more tolerance, but it's hard. Lately, I'm just burned out from this 24/7 news cycle and divisiveness.

Driving home today, I saw a billboard with a caricature of our president and his wife shredding our bill of rights. Really? Sigh.

troutbirder said...

I'm with Jane on this one. For a former social studies teacher not to watch the news (especially cable) is embarrasing...but truth to tell much of what I see and hear makes me sick, so I avoid it. Perhaps ostriches have become my role models.

Ruth said...

Raw meat diets for dogs are all the rage here. Commercial dog foods have received very bad reviews in recent years. The commercial food our vet recommends is $100 a bag and costs more per pound than food I buy for the family.
I do agree with your points in the last part of your post!

Vicki Lane said...

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vicki_laneYOUKNOWWHATmtnareaDOTnet

Barb said...

Hi Carolyn, I think grains can cause allergies to flair in dogs. My Golden could read, too - I think they are a highly intelligent breed. Perhaps the world could take a lesson from Goldens who are the most nonjudgemental of all dogs.