Comments on: Guess who’s not going to Miami this weekend?

By: Di

Di — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 04:19:07 +0000

I hope she gets better soon ;)

By: Janeen

Janeen — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:27:55 +0000

I tend to be more of a ‘how’ than ‘why’ person so I’ll suggest that you consider teaching McCutie to carry something safe in her mouth when she gets excited or stressed. I teach clients whose dogs are excited / stressed / nippy with strangers or at the door do this because it’s pretty hard for a dog to nip or bite with a toy in its mouth.

Audie taught himself to do this. When he gets excited during greetings he tends to get mouthy. I’d correct him for mouthing someone’s hand or pantleg and he’d pick up the nearest thing - usually a shoe - and carry it in his mouth. Now my boy automatically picks up a shoe and carries it when he’s excited.

By: Gina Spadafori

Gina Spadafori — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:03:53 +0000

Kim, you made me laugh! Yes, losing a “mom” and raising a “teenager” would make anyone want to eat rocks!

We’re off to see the wizard … er, radiologist.

Hoping for rockless rads and NO SURGERY …

By: retrieverman

retrieverman — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:51:21 +0000

Retrievers, if they were people, would have a bit of what I would call an addictive personality.

I guess she’s addicted to rock(s).

That was a bad joke.

I’ve never had another dog react to the loss of another one, but it could be possible.

She’s had a rough couple of months— pregnancy, nursing, and then a loss of a pack mate.

Doesn’t she still have the puppy to play with?

By: Kim Thornton

Kim Thornton — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:11:26 +0000

Grief. Stress. Raising a teenage daughter. Who wouldn’t have a belly full of rocks? Hang in there, McK. And Gina.

By: Dr. Patty Khuly

Dr. Patty Khuly — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:38:36 +0000

I’m in the Heather-is-what’s-changed camp. A change in hierarchy can be stressful. But rocks? Yet another example proving the human-canine psychological divide is wider than we like to think it is.

And don’t worry, Gina. It only means I have more time to work on Slumdog’s disgusting bathroom habits. ;-)

By: cheryl

cheryl — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:43:40 +0000

Sounds like it is time for the Hannibal Lecter, basket muzzle. An email friend had toput one on her Scottie every time he went out in the yard. Otherwise, he sucked up everything in site like a shop vac.

By: Nancy Freedman-Smith CPDT

Nancy Freedman-Smith CPDT — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:20:21 +0000

I have heard stories Vitamin K supplements help with Pica.

By: dkm

dkm — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:35:00 +0000

Everyone else pretty much has said what I would have. Heather’s death, hormonal change, dealing with her daughter, stress from the aforementioned, etc.We are dealing with a 2 week old grief ( anniversary tomorrow) from the death of our youngest member and loss of the spark that ignited our lives.
You all may laugh, but the first thing I did was contact a friend who is a communicator to help my surviving dogs. And me. They had no clue what had happened except suddenly he was gone. I am watching for unsettling changes in behavior but things seem to be okay so far. I hope that is due to enlisting her help as soon as I could.
I hope with pumpkin, and whatever veterinary care is necessary that this too will pass for your McCutie.

By: Kim

Kim — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:52:43 +0000

No fresh ideas that haven’t already been presented here. I agree that stress, hormones, loss, motherhood, could all be factors.

I do believe, however, that motherhood could be the leading cause. Perhaps on of McCutie’s docs could comment on this, but I would be interested to know just when the mineral requirements for a brood bitch peak after delivery.

Also consider how much her food intake has fluxuated - could be a factor.

Hugs to you both - especially you, Gina - a head full of worry is far more painful than a belly full of rocks. Silly girl, McKenzie!