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Post by aijee on Apr 28, 2016 21:59:03 GMT
Really lovely updates on you and Margot learning about each other. So glad to hear that her tummy has settled and that her wound is healing well. Continue to enjoy!
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Post by Margot's Corps de Ballet on Apr 29, 2016 12:03:26 GMT
Today is Day 6 and I am a jubilant failed foster. And proud! I would dearly love to offer her a forever home. This morning I left Margot for the first time, for 2.5 hours. She wasn't alone as initially she had my husband and then my sister for company. Apparently she was pretty vocal and whimpered but this is to be expected as it's been a Big Week. For everyone. This has been a steep learning curve seeing as I have not had day to day care of a hound before. The most 'interactive' pets were my parrots. Food is still an issue. And she doesn't drink much. I have moved her bowls on their stand to a more private area and have bought Caesar and Butchers in sachets plus sardines in oil to tempt her but she just wasn't interested in the Caesar either. Yes, I know I am pandering to her but she is so thin, and really can't afford to lose more weight. I am not stressing. Yet. I popped into my local B&M for the new food but they don't stock pigs ears so I might have to visit a pet shop for those. I managed to get her Tramadol into her using the cheese trick but she wasn't really bothered about that. It could well be that she prefers raw food as she was *really* interested in the defrosting chicken yesterday. She doesn't like rain and so I have bought her a Shires Equi-Flector fluorescent yellow breathable waterproof coat that has retro reflective stripes. Margot isn't 'worrying' her wound site and the Sutical is doing it's job.
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Post by echo on Apr 29, 2016 12:44:45 GMT
Glad to hear Margot is doing well It did occur to me when you said she was interested in the raw chicken yesterday that maybe she has been fed raw in the past. Why not have a look at Nutriment raw food or Natural Instinct. They are complete balanced raw meals and just need to be defrosted and fed. I would take a bet that she would eat that
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Post by Margot's Corps de Ballet on Apr 29, 2016 13:01:51 GMT
Hello Echo and you're on! I have looked into both Nutriment and Natural Instinct as you kindly suggested. My closest pet shop, less than a mile away stocks Natural Instinct so now the sun is shining again, Margot and I are going to pay a visit. I'll let you know.
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Post by rowlfsmum on Apr 29, 2016 13:15:29 GMT
Good luck.
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Post by Margot's Corps de Ballet on Apr 29, 2016 14:22:22 GMT
BINGO! A happy and sated Margot!
I bought just 1kg block of frozen Chicken and Lamb as a try-out. Well, I couldn't get it out of the tub fast enough. To keep her busy I sliced off a piece and she sniffed and then snaffled it down. I defrosted a quarter of the block, popped it in her bowl and she almost inhaled it! So,raw food it is from now on and thanks to Echo for the nudge and info. Her manners on the lead are good and walking through the cemetery she spied several squirrells. Whilst she didn't pull to try and to chase, her hunting instinct is strong, although she ignored the mallards asleep on the grass by the pond. She behaved impeccably walking amongst the shoppers who I could see pointing and laughing at her pink camo doggygrow. In the pet shop she was faced with pigs ears, noses and other dried offerings. I tried to tempt her but again, it doesn't apppear to be her thing. Maybe when she gets to mix with other lurchers she might follow their lead.
She's crashed out in her bed and I'm so pleased that we have solved the enigma that is Margot. Time to order in supplies.
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Post by rowlfsmum on Apr 29, 2016 14:32:49 GMT
Wow raw is obviously Margot's thing. She will probably put on that weight now.
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Post by PawTrax (Jean) on Apr 29, 2016 15:02:23 GMT
Congrats on joining the FF Club. Don't worry about her not drinking much we were told that is normal for a Saluki x, ours never drank much, especially if you are not feeding dry food..
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Post by Margot's Corps de Ballet on Apr 29, 2016 16:37:52 GMT
After a good kip, Margot decided she needed to sunbathe which turned into a grooming session as she does have a flaky skin/dandruff and needs a bath. That cannot happen until shes signed off by the vet. A love-in turned into a playfight where if I stopped stroking she would pounce on me with both front legs for me to continue touching her. So cat like. This morning over Skype, my daughter reckoned she looked like a joey, a kangaroo! Then she tore off at speed, down the garden, flying onto the patio and doing the hound equivalent of a handbreak turn on the posh lino. I believe she has just done her first zoomies as they are referred to in this parts although she is supposed to be calm for another 6 days at least. It goes to show that now she's eating properly she has more energy, continues to recover well from her op and is most definitely showing more of her character, which is adorable.
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Post by echo on Apr 29, 2016 16:52:29 GMT
Great news, so pleased you have found what Margot likes to eat My lot are on Nutriment and I have to say it's keeping the weight off that's the problem so it shouldn't be long before Margot starts to fill out
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Post by Romi on Apr 29, 2016 16:55:17 GMT
Well done Kaaren, I'm so pleased you've found what lights Margot's candle food-wise.
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Post by alfie&tillysmum on Apr 29, 2016 20:32:49 GMT
I just love your updates Kaaren. So glad you've solved the food problem. Margot sounds so lovely.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2016 6:32:37 GMT
Fab news that you've found what she likes to eat, and it's wonderful to hear she's done zoomies, it really is the most joyous thing to watch (although maybe don't mention that to your vet!)!!
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Post by sighthounds on Apr 30, 2016 6:36:55 GMT
We are really getting to know her lovely character with your lovely updates. Glad she loves raw, so much better for them.
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Post by daisydip on Apr 30, 2016 9:27:44 GMT
Need more pics please! I am so glad you found something that suits her tastes. It would be a hard hearted person so don't get excited to see a wee pup doing zoomies. When my grown up greys do it, It still brings me joy! Love your updates Kaaren.
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Post by rowlfsmum on Apr 30, 2016 9:51:14 GMT
Brilliant but one word of warning - when they go into zoomie mode, stand still or you might find out what it's like to be "lurchered"!!!
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Post by Socksmum on Apr 30, 2016 10:58:24 GMT
Hi Kaaren, pleased to see it's all going in the right direction. You are both obviously enjoying learning about each other, she is one lucky girl. I'm sure her skin will improve with her improved diet but I found coconut oil a help with Maisie's skin and coat when she first came to me. It comes 'set' ( a bit like honey) but melts when rubbed on your hands and you can just run it over their body. Love the updates and as others have said, pics of the lovely girl please, pretty please xx
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Post by Margot's Corps de Ballet on Apr 30, 2016 13:02:21 GMT
Margot and I have been out to see Jenny and met Aidan and Penny, so they have been introduced to the serene girl, Margot. Jenny thinks she's a whippet x lurcher x saluki. I've removed her post op recovery suit so she can feel the sun on her back and she's been roaching on the freshly cut grass and is now zonked in her bed.
Food-wise, she objects to getting her long pointy nose in the chilled bowl. I've tried to feed her by hand and she's refusing to eat the self same Natural Instinct that she wolfed down yesterday. Doh! I'm off out now to buy several different varieties and see how we get on later. As a back up plan I'm buying a couple of chickens and I'll try one raw and cook the other.
Thanks to everyone for the encouragement and I will take more photos later.
I am posting "our" progress together as I feel it's good that the visitors to the site can see that even I, with no hound experience, (like children they don't come with a manual), as long as the strict criteria are met, fostering can be done.
Again, like children, the most precious gift we can give, is that of, our time.
Margot's motivator at present seems to be, kindness, love and affection and those requirements are surely not unique to hounds...
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Post by Parv&Freya on Apr 30, 2016 13:09:33 GMT
Well done Kaaran for finding out what foods margot likes. Sounds like margot is a sweet darling, love reading her updates. May I ask what is a 'zoomie' and being 'lurched'? Can't wait to be zoomed myself :-D. I'm really looking forward to meeting Margot once she's had the all clear.
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Post by Margot's Corps de Ballet on Apr 30, 2016 13:40:57 GMT
Hello Parv. Wishing you all the best for Operation Freya and the start of your adventures together, tomorrow. Margot and I met only a week ago and it feels like she's always been a part of our family A zoomie is when a hound has a sudden urge to literally zoom around at incredibly high speed, with amazing agility, from a standing start. No warm-up necessary for these manoeuvres . It's a hunting trait and is why hounds were known as 'topplers' as this is how they barrel roll/ crash into their prey. Oh, and that is what is meant by 'being lurchered' , but I'm sure the experienced hound handers could describe this better. Margot has had 2 attacks of the zoomies which is not exactly part of the recuperative plan that The Vet had in mind But it's difficult to stop yet very amusing to witness. Be prepared to belly laugh at Freya's antics.
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