Hello from Wisconsin

[LauriS]

Hello everyone!

I'm Lauri. My husband and I live in southeastern WI (near Kenosha for those Cheeseheads here). We currently have 2 German Shepherds, A Cocker Spaniel, a Corgi mix and a Husky (a very old Husky). And one cat.

I also raise rabbits (for meat), chickens (for eggs and showing) and ducks (ditto).

My husband and I run an all breed lure coursing club, do pet photography and I give talks on raw feeding at the local dog events.

I think that about covers it for us! I look forward to participating on the board and getting to know everyone!

[portraitz]

Can you tell me more about raw meat feeding?

[Gordon's Mom]

Hello -

I'm from Milwaukee, mom to a lovely Yellow Lab/Greyhound mix from the Society of Saint Francis in Kenosha. I am having some difficulties in socializing my cat with the new dog. You seem to have a peaceful kingdom (I mean, as peaceful as it CAN be...lol)...how can I get my guys to get along?

Thanks for any advice, one cheesehead to another.
Tobi

[LauriS]

Originally Posted by portraitz

Can you tell me more about raw meat feeding?

Where to start? Here's the basics. I feed raw meat with bone, raw meat without bone and organ meat (liver, kidney, etc.). I feed no grains, no veggies and no dairy (at least not as a normal part of their diet - the occasional pizza crust does makes it's way into their mouthes!).

I started this diet 7+ years ago when my girl Tessa was diagnosed with Immune Mediated Arthritis. Her immune system destroyed the fluids in her joints. The only thing the vets could tell me was to use massive doses of steroids to recude the swelling. Of course, those same steroids would kill her in just a few short years. Some 'cure'.

So I did research and found information that linked grains (carbs and sugars to be exact) to aggrevating arthritis-like conditions in humans. Following that train of thought I stumbled upon peole feeding their dogs raw meat (gasp)! More research and reading had me thinking and I switched her soon after.

Within a month or two she had more energy than she had before, seemed much less painful and her coat and skin were wonderful. I then switched everyone!

Tessa was weaned completely off the steroids witnin a year - something the vets told me would never happen. And she lived another 6 wonderful years with us - drug free. We lost her to internal bleeding from the damage the steroids had done to her.

I have a website that helps people that have decided to switch figure things out:

http://www.rawdogranch.com

I could go on and on but I'll stop here. If you have any questions let me know! I'm always happy to talk about it!

[LauriS]

Originally Posted by Gordon's Mom

Hello -

I'm from Milwaukee, mom to a lovely Yellow Lab/Greyhound mix from the Society of Saint Francis in Kenosha. I am having some difficulties in socializing my cat with the new dog.

Tobi - can you describe what happens in your house when the dog and cat get together?

Being part greyhound there is a chance the dog will never be safe around the cat - can you live with that?

Of my gang there's two I trust 99% around the cat, two I trust about 50% and one I trust only about 5%. ALL the dogs repect me enough not to mess with the cat when I or my husband are around. When we aren't here the cat get's the basement and the dogs have the rest of the house - there's a door between them.

I've had a cat killed by one of my dogs (many years ago) so I can tell you I personally never trust a dog with a cat 100%. I'd rather be safe than sorry ... again.