Senior Rescue Dog Needs to Lose Weight

[sutulu]

OK so how does one get started here?

I am having my first foster Corgi come to live with the hoodlums and me this weekend.

Already I know one of my missions is to take some weight off him.

This Corgi gentleman is 14 years old and weighs in at 55-60 lbs!!!! SO I want to talk about feeding him and exercise. I'm guessing he is one of those Corgis who will go 5 feet and poop out. But at his age whatever he does I want to be in his best health interests.

These questions are being asked to his Vet during his checkup tonight but as always would love to hear advice from those of you I have learned so much from already.

Susan

[Jespah]

I think starting a thread about how to help him in the Health Issues Forum is the best way.

Way to go for helping him out Susan!!!!

Deb

[taflar]

Already I know one of my missions is to take some weight off him.

Some? I think you'll be taking a lot of weight off him.
Go to this site and read about Reba, that's the best advice I can give you. But if you have more questions ask. I have taken 25 lbs off a couple. (My heaviest I've taken in was 47 1/2 lbs.)

http://www.goldengatecorgis.org/articles/ss-feeding.htm

Peggy

[sutulu]

Thanks Peggy!

Stay tuned because I will have more questions for you!

I spoke with the folks that are keeping him until this weekend when he comes to stay with me. They have a farm and JoJo apparently followed the husband around most of the day and even tried to herd a goat.

Susan

[glencorgi]

THANK YOU Susan! This fellow has been one that has caused some fretting among rescuers. I've taken 30 pounds off of a former foster using "Reba's program" as a model with some input from others. Once you get the vet's report and suggestions, I'll be glad to pass along any tips, tricks and discoveries I've learned.

Debbie

[jcj528]

Susan:

What a wonderful thing you are doing. I'm sure this big, old gentleman will do well under your care. I can't help you with the weight question, but I sure do comend you on your efforts

[sutulu]

Well Jojo will be my first forray into fostering but I hope one day to foster/adopt senior corgis and give them the good life as opposed to younger dogs. Thus trying to "do it all" with Tucker and Lulu in our lifetime together.

There is good news from JoJo's Vet visit last night. Apparently he is younger than 14, the Vet thought he is closer to 10. And I guess he weighs in just under 55 lbs.

I am told the goal is 2 lbs a week in weight loss for him.

[CorgiMum]

That's good news about his age, and wow that's a lot of weight on that boy.

Good luck with him, he's a very lucky fellow to have had you taken him into your fold Susan.

[Jespah]

With Lulu as a training partner, he'll be a slim fellow in no time!

I know he is in very good hands and from the sounds of him a wonderful dog - good luck to you all!!

Deb

[glencorgi]

I just read an update on JoJo and the news was good, one thing him not being as old as initially thought and he's five pounds lighter than suspected. :BIGGRIN" It sounds as though he does want to be active, which is a big plus.

IF you can get an idea of how much he's been eating a day that might be helpful. With that level of obesity, you don't want to crash him by cutting back too much food too quickly. Cutting back to about 1/2 of what he was eating would be a good start. Another way I've "ball parked" how much to begin initially feeding is to look at their overall build and guestimate as to what would be a healthy weight for him and then feed the amount you would give a dog to maintain that weight. With my Emma, I think I began at around 1 1/2 cups a day for about a week, a cup for the next week or so. As I decreased kibble amounts, the low calorie fillers increased - green beans, pumpkin, squash, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, tomatoes, .... At the serious part of dieting her, she was getting 1/4 cup of kibble a day, but tons of the other things. You might get the suggestion to feed Hills W/D, I never used "diet" food with Emma, except for some canned Nutro. She'd get 1/4 can (this is the small cat food sized ones) as some "dressing" for a mostly veggie day.

I'll look up a post I did elsewhere on Emma and post it here.

Debbie

[dcole]

Susan,

This is a great thing that you are doing. Not only taking in a foster corgi but one with special needs (needs to lose weight!) too. +UROCK+

Looking forward to hearing about Jojo's progress; I know that he will thrive with you and The Hoodlums. :LAUGH:

[Jespah]

Debbie - if you start adding a lot of raw veggies to a dogs diet like that, should you be worried about gastro issues?? Should they be cooked? I know if I add a ton of raw veggies out of the blue to my diet what happens! :TWITCHY:

[CorgiMum]

Dylan & I are still big fans of the cooked canned pure pumpkin. As I've mentioned before, it was recommended that his daily meal intake be replaced by 10% with the pumpkin after his ACL surgery.

He is almost at a good weight for him now, so I'm adding an extra tablespoon in the mornings and it fills him up & keeps him happy. That gives him the spirit that he needs to keep active and muscle-up his hip.

[taflar]

Debbie - if you start adding a lot of raw veggies to a dogs diet like that, should you be worried about gastro issues?? Should they be cooked? I know if I add a ton of raw veggies out of the blue to my diet what happens! :TWITCHY:

Not Debbie, I'm sure she'll give you her experinces too....

It depends on what kind of veggies, some are easier tolearted than others. I've used green beans and pumpkin with no problems.

And yes, I'd go slow in changing his diet.

Peggy

[sutulu]

I'm glad someone asked about how much and how soon with multiple veggies.

I intend to start right off w/ green beans. My two love them.

I also think I will pull the dog cookies from my dog walker and ask him to give baby carrots instead. He knows JoJo will be here Monday, has heard about his weight "challenge" (he's horizontally challenged!) and is really excited about being a part of the team. I really do luck out w/ dog walkers!

The dog walker comes around 1 and takes them to the park for abut 1/2 hour.

My two love fruit. Peaches are Lu's new favorite. Peaches seem like a relatively bland fruit. Any experience with feeding the occasional peach slice?

I just found a new pet store that carries good food, doesn't sell dogs, and is close by and stays open past 5. I was looking at dog food brands. My two have been on fish long enough so I am rotating them to Prarie Venison for awhile.

I was looking at "diet" dog food. I picked up a bag of Inova reduced fat food. It has chicken and turkey. Fruits, veggies, the probiotics I like for my two.

JoJo has been recently switched to one of the new Purina High test foods. I am thinking of weaning him from the Purina to something else. I could feed him what Tuck and Lu get but I have no problem buying him a special kibble. I thought the Inova would be expensive but it's about the same as others.

So I am curious what folks think about diest, reduced calorie or reduced fat dog foods.

I will be sensitive to introducing different things very gradually.

[CorgiMum]

As for the peaches, my two love them, and melons, oranges, apples etc.

I found when I bought the dehydrator and started doing fruits as their normal treats instead of the purchased ones, both Monty ( from necessity) & Dylan kept their weight down.

[sutulu]

Barbara, where did you get your dehydrater????

[Jespah]

Yay Team Jojo!!

Charlie Bears have very few calories - probably as few as carrot slices, if not less. Easier to carry in your pockets.

I put Rupe on the fish based food to reduce his calories, he was able to have the volume he was used to eating, but the calories were less and the protein of the fish kept him feeling full. He lost 9 pounds with no other changes to his life - I kept treats the same.

I've switched them both back this summer to the fish as they both were a little heavier after the winter and they've both lost a couple of pounds. I also add pumpkin and yobudt to their food as you know.

The danger to Jojo is to greatly reduced the amount of food he is eating too fast. His metabolism could slow way down and not burn the calories. It may take a slow reduction of food and slow addition of more exercise. Slow but steady and he'll get there.

You can do it!!

[sutulu]

Basic dieting 101! But that raises the question, should he get 3 small meals instead of 2?

I could divide his kibble in 3's, and have the dog walker feed him at 1.

Our morning feeding will be 6:15-6:30 and evening around 7. They get a treat (milk bone, sweet potato chew, etc) as I leave in the a.m., a treat from the dog walker around 1, and a cookie at bed time.

[Jespah]

Yep - it's easier to impose 101 on dogs than ourselves though!

I'd say the normal 2 meals a day should be fine - just my opinion.

[CorgiMum]

Barbara, where did you get your dehydrater????

I bought it at our local London Drugs, but Sears has them in their catalogue, and it is fantastic for making treats!

[CorgiMum]

I try and feed mine the recommended (read it a long time ago) 12 hours apart. Their's is at 7am and after 6.30pm. A regular feeding schedule also helps them keep on a regular elimination schedule, and that too I feel helps with their weight. IMO.

[glencorgi]

I'm glad someone asked about how much and how soon with multiple veggies.

I intend to start right off w/ green beans. My two love them.

Starting with the green beans is just fine, pumpkin will be fine too. I did the veggies raw or steamed. I also used broccoli slaw that can be purchased at the grocery store. Also some of the frozen blends with the mixed vegetables in them were a hit. All of these I started slowly with, instead of green beans and I had some fresh squash, I'd chop some of that up and mix it with the kibble. When introducing a lot of the vegetables, the kibble out proportioned the vegetables and by the time there was often more vegetables than kibble maybe, Emma was already introduced to them. In Emma's case, going from gravy biscuits to salad ...

My two love fruit. Peaches are Lu's new favorite. Peaches seem like a relatively bland fruit. Any experience with feeding the occasional peach slice?

Fruit and carrots will be fine, just remember they are higher in "sugars."

I was looking at "diet" dog food. I picked up a bag of Inova reduced fat food. It has chicken and turkey. Fruits, veggies, the probiotics I like for my two.

Just keep in mind he is going to need some "fat" in his diet. Just like us when we have cravings it is often a sign we need something in our diet that what we are craving offers, the dogs do too. I would cook up a box of macaroni and add a can of mackeral or salmon to it, stir it all up and add a tablespoon to Emma's food once a week or so. The other dogs got it too and found it a tasty treat.

So I am curious what folks think about diest, reduced calorie or reduced fat dog foods.

I've never used them and had great success in taking weight off. Like with finding the right food(s) for your own dogs, some trial and error might be necessary to find what is going to work.

Another thing to keep in mind, while 2 pounds a week is pretty realistic, he will hit plateaus and not lose as much or any on some weeks. That's normal and okay, the next week might see him lose 2 1/2 or even 3 pounds. Some meals that are kibble only, you might want to try feeding in a Buster Cube or treat ball type toy - he'll exercise for his meal.

Debbie

[glencorgi]

The post I wrote for another forum.

More often than not, fosters I have come in are usually overweight, so
I have become quite versed in dropping weight off corgis and I have
never used lo-cal or diet formulas. What I have found in cases where
only 3 to 5 pounds need to be dropped, putting the dog on the amount of
food that should be their maintenance portion, the weight will come
off. A dog that has been fed two cups of kibble a day or a couple of
cans of food a day, when put on a cup of kibble a day, the body adjusts
and the weight normalizes. If more drastic measures are needed then a
different regime is needed.

I have dropped 30 pounds - that's right, 30 pounds - a whole corgi's
weight, off of one girl. She came into rescue weighing 56 pounds when
the healthiest weight for her should have been 26 pounds. Now she took
time and it was over a year before she hit her target weight. With one
like Emma, caution has to be taken not to crash their systems, move too
drastically and more health problems can be created. There are often
secondary health issues that arise with that level obesity as well and
Emma had - hot spots, bladder infections, raw spots under her arms -
and skin/coat problems. I started her out at a cup of food a day,
dropped to 3/4, then down to 1/2 a cup, and when we were at our most
intense working on her weight, she was only getting 1/4 cup of kibble a
day. As I decreased the amount of kibble then lo-cal fillers were
added. She was one that would literally eat anything so she got green
beans, canned pumpkin, broccoli, cauliflower, squash, zucchini,
lettuce, tomatoes, (fresh, frozen or canned) puffed wheat cereal (not
good if there are allergies to wheat), rice cakes, Cheerios, macaroni
and salmon or mackerel mix, the tuna mixture. Not all at one meal of
course, but according to what I had on hand or was in season to fill up
the bowl and her. Today she is maintaining her healthy weight on 2/3
to 3/4 cup of food a day.

Emma was very much like Reba (now known as Reba the svelte) although
Reba was even more extreme an obesity case than Emma and weighed 70
pounds at her heaviest. I had the fortune of meeting Reba and her now
owner and learned a lot of tips from her. Reba's story can be found
at: <http://www.honeyfoxcorgis.com/faq-feeding.htm>.

Overall size and balance, age, activity levels (as weight drops then
activity and energy levels tend to increase) are all variables to
consider when trying to get one to their healthy weight. The buster
cube toys and/or treat balls are good ways to feed a meal. The corgis
have to exercise in order to get the kibble out and get their meal. IF
you are training, then use a portion of their meal kibble as treats for
training.

Right now in foster care, we have a petite girl who weighed 34 pounds,
when 24 should be her weight. She's doing well and is about half way
to her goal. She's no longer worried about being stuck on her back
like a turtle because she couldn't roll over and back wallows are a new
favorite pastime. Another challenge now is putting weight on a 15
month old boy, so that is kind of a pleasant change.

Debbie

[taflar]

I was looking at "diet" dog food. I picked up a bag of Inova reduced fat food. It has chicken and turkey. Fruits, veggies, the probiotics I like for my two.

JoJo has been recently switched to one of the new Purina High test foods. I am thinking of weaning him from the Purina to something else. I could feed him what Tuck and Lu get but I have no problem buying him a special kibble. I thought the Inova would be expensive but it's about the same as others.

So I am curious what folks think about diest, reduced calorie or reduced fat dog foods.

I will be sensitive to introducing different things very gradually.

The last 4 fosters I've had were overweight, ranging from 32 lbs (female) to 47 1/2. I did not use a "diet" food with them. In fact a diet food usually has more fillers such as peanut hulls, and if you're using green beans you're doing the same thing, replacing some kibble with a filler. And I think green beans are better than peanut hulls.

I'd just feed him what your other dogs are getting. Just adjust the amount to what he needs.

That's how I feed all my dogs here, the same food, just adjust the amount to what each one needs.

Peggy

[Jaxerspal]

So help me understand....pumpkin? Are we talking Libby's out of the can? Cooked? how? and then how much? Lastly, tell me again what are the benefits. Sorry to have to cover ground many of you are quite familar with,but I'm thinking Jax should eat better than he does/

[taflar]

So help me understand....pumpkin? Are we talking Libby's out of the can? Cooked? how? and then how much? Lastly, tell me again what are the benefits. Sorry to have to cover ground many of you are quite familar with,but I'm thinking Jax should eat better than he does/

Yup, Pumpkin, Libby's from the can. Only the plain pumpkin, make sure it's not the pie filling.

Doesn't need to be cooked, it's been cooked in processing before it was put in the can. Add a spoonful to the kibble. Benefits are it adds fiber, can firm up loose stool, can soften a hard one.

Pumpkin doesn't necessarily make a dog eat better.

Why do you think he needs to eat better than he does? Is he picky? What do you feed? How much at a time, and how often? Do you add water or just give dry kibble?

Peggy

[CorgiMum]

Yes, 100% pure pumpkin, cooked, canned, no spices.

I give Danny a good tablespoon with his morning meal, Dylan gets more as I am really watching how much dry kibble he has.

It does firm up their stool when it's too loose, and loosen it when needed too. It's a great addition to their food bowls I think.

[corgiland]

Susan.....what a wonderful thing you are doing! The best of luck to you with Jojo!

[MVons]

So on the exercise, if a dog can only walk say 5 houses, do you then make sure the dog does it several times a day so that they can build up to farther? Or do you push for the 6th house twice a day? Just wondering whether several times a day at their comfort level works out better than once or twice a day a longer walk?

thanks.

[taflar]

So on the exercise, if a dog can only walk say 5 houses, do you then make sure the dog does it several times a day so that they can build up to farther? Or do you push for the 6th house twice a day? Just wondering whether several times a day at their comfort level works out better than once or twice a day a longer walk?

Ok, here's what I did, Wiggles came here at 47 1/2 lbs. His previous owners said he was crabby and didn't want to go for walks any more. They had a harness for him. I never used the harness. I used a slip collar (choke collar) that he could not pull out of. I used it to guide him and coax him. I did not force him.

For exercise he had to go down 13 steps to go outside. He had to come up 13 steps to come back in. At first that's all I ask him to do. Was go down those stairs to a potty break and back up. (For as many times as he needed a potty break.) That was enough. I could not carry him as he'd snap so he had to walk.

We cut his food and he had to go up and down the stairs. Other than that he could lie around.

When the weight started to come off he went outside with the other dogs in the runs. The following summer he had lost enough to go on walks with us. He took his turn on walks with the other dogs, not a daily thing.

When he lost all the weight he needed to he weighed 25 lbs. So he was carrying enough for two of him!

So my advice is go slow. Let the dog dictate what he/she needs. As they lose the weight they will feel better and be able and willing to do more.

Peggy

[Jaxerspal]

Why do you think he needs to eat better than he does? Is he picky? What do you feed? How much at a time, and how often? Do you add water or just give dry kibble?

Well he gets nearly a cup a day, we put food down twice a day but he only really eats once a day, so we've began putting down his full ration in the morning. Most days he waits until I come home from work to eat. Right now he's eating eating Iams in the blue bag (weight control). We've tried some others too, but he's never been am eager eater. He eats it dry. It just seems that everyone else eats more "exotic" menus and Jax's seems so bland. Right now he's around 30 to 31 pounds but I'd like to see him just a bit less.

[taflar]

Well he gets nearly a cup a day, we put food down twice a day but he only really eats once a day, so we've began putting down his full ration in the morning. Most days he waits until I come home from work to eat. Right now he's eating eating Iams in the blue bag (weight control). We've tried some others too, but he's never been am eager eater. He eats it dry. It just seems that everyone else eats more "exotic" menus and Jax's seems so bland. Right now he's around 30 to 31 pounds but I'd like to see him just a bit less.

Ok, if he were my dog, I'd use the regualar adult food. I'd cut back to 2/3 - 3/4 cup of food per day. I feed once a day. I'd put the food down and give him 20 min. If he doesn't eat or what he doesn't finish you pick up. NO food, not even snacks till his next regular meal time. And do the same thing.

When he eats what you want, when you want then you can go back to a couple small treats a day.

Also try adding some warm water to his kibble. Warm water increases the smell and makes it more palatable.

If you want to add something to his food, add green beans for the amount of kibble you take away from the one cup. (So 1/4 - 1/3rd cup of green beans.) You can add a spoonful of yogurt to his food if you'd like. Or a spoonful of pumpkin.

If he wants to eat when you get home, feed him then. You can offer the food before you go to work but don't leave it down. If he doesn't eat then too bad. Some dogs prefer to eat once a day. Maybe he's one of those.

By the way my dogs don't get an "exotic" menu. They get kibble with warm water. Sometimes if we have bacon they get the grease in their water (now remember this is split between several dogs). The same with hamburger, they sometimes get the fat from that. Once in awhile if we have something left over I will put that on their food the next day. Again, split between several dogs. No one gets more than a spoonful of anything.

Most days it's kibble and warm water though.

Peggy

[Jaxerspal]

Thanks Peggy! I'll sleep on all that! Niters!

[Jespah]

Several of us here that I know of, add the plain canned pumpkin and plain yoghurt to their dog's kibble. I do, and I add a little warm water and mix it all up. I also give them a can of sardines in water every other week or so. They each get 2 sardines in two meals over a weekend. They also get MissingLink Plus in their evening meals. I like mine to have some moisture in their food, and I've found that the pumpkin and yoghurt help keep their tummies well and their poop firm. They are both fine as to their weight.

[sutulu]

JoJo is here. And he is as sweet as can be. A really precious guy. And clearly all of 50+ lbs.

He doesn't make a sound. I hope he rubs off on mine and not the other way around.

Lulu welcomed him immediately. He was very curious to meet her. Tucker refrained from being snarky and they gave each other good sniffs.

Jo tried to follow them around every now and then. When they get wrestling he will walk over to them and give them sniffs, doesn't try to get involved though.

Tuck and Lu are being very respectful of Jo. Tuck shared the water bowl with him.

To say JoJo waddles is an understatement. It's very hard to see his feet he has so much "corgi" hanging down. But he wants to be with people so he followed me everywhere.

There are 2 steps going up from the family room to the kitchen + rest of the house. It is a tough climb for him. He has been up and down several times since this afternoon and is getting better at it.

We have been outside, he wanders around a bit, we went outside the fenced in area and a few times he actually broke into a trot. He doesn't go far and he stops and rests. But he clearly is engaged and is really giving it his best.

What worries me most is his breathing. It is very labored. Fortunately, today was a wonderfully cool and low humidity day, so unlike what we have had lately. He drools a lot. Not really heavy panting but more like labored breathing.

The dogs got a dried apple snack mid afternoon and around 6:30 I put down their food. I gave Jo a shy 1/2 cup of kibble that was 1/2 his food and 1/2 new food. And I put a handful of green beans in it.

I put his dish down and nothing. A colleague who does American Eskimo rescue told me that it is very likely that he wouldn't eat the first day or so due to the changes he is going thru.

So I took up his bowl. Awhile later I had some low sodium beef broth so I put a little on the kibble. HE still didn't want it. Finally an hour later I tried again and he went to the bowl and started eating. Didn't he pick the green beans out and put them on the floor!

So I picked them up and put them back in the bowl. Eventually he ate some of the green beans. He ate all the kibble and most of the green beans. He'd eat, get winded, take a break, then go back to it.

I left him alone with Tuck and Lu mid afternoon to run to the store. They were fine, he was clearly happy when I got back.

So tomorrow we will try a little more walking, I don't think he will make it to the park. I think we have a long way to go before that happens.

So that's the update.

Susan

[Jespah]

Aww, poor guy. Sounds like he is a great dog. He'll get there Susan, he'll get a little more fit everyday, and be able to get around better as he does.

Sounds like the hoodlums were on their best behaviour - that's great - give them hugs from Auntie Deb!

Thanks for the update and hang in there!!

Deb

[sutulu]

JoJo slept downstairs in the large crate. He actually went right into the crate when I was getting ready to go to bed. Tuck and Lu sleep in crates in my room on the 2nd floor.

We went to bed around 11 and got up just after 7. JoJo was awake and sitting up waiting for us.

All 3 went out in the yard to potty,Jo ate a little bit of breakfast, tried to spit out the green beans again, but ate a few, I could hear him crunching them.

So I took him out for 2 laps around the front yard. I'm guessing it is 1/2-3/4 of an acre. He moves slow but followed me around.

We'll do it again this afternoon if it's not too hot and at least again after sundown. His last home was an apartment so he seems to really enjoy being outside. That seems like a good thing to me. He does want to nibble on grass. He started nibbling my purple cone flowers (leaves) and I put a quick stop to that.

[Kassie]

Way to go Susan! Bravo for taking Jojo on, big kudos to Tucker and Lulu too! Sounds like they know Jojo needs their help. How exciting to be changing this dogs life like this!

[CorgiMum]

Sounds like things are coming along well Susan. Minus the plant nibbling.:SMILE:I'm sure it took a while for JoJo to put that weight on, so it will take him a while to get it off too.

[LaRogue]

Just out of curiosity, does it matter if he eats the green beans? I thought they were just to add fiber to make them fill full when you cut back on the amout of food. Sounds like JoJo is pretty willing to put in the effort and has a nice temperment! He's a lucky guy to have found you to help him get in shape so he can have a longer and happier life!

[CorgiMum]

Dylan will only eat his green beans if they are very fresh, and very firm, so that they have a nice snap to them when he bites them.:ROLLEYES

[LaRogue]

Dylan will only eat his green beans if they are very fresh, and very firm, so that they have a nice snap to them when he bites them.I've always said corgis are the connoisseurs of the dog world! :BIGLAUGH:

[MVons]

This has helped me decide to change the missing link to be with Chester's dinner and the plop of yogurt on top. He isn't real fond of the missing link on top of the food, probably a little dry. He was funny when I did put a little water on top but it was so long ago I can't think of what he did. This will help Chester not be demanding for yogurt whenever I get it out of the refrigerator as he will get his with his dinner.

[CorgiMum]

I put the spoonful of pumpkin on top of the Missing Link to moisten it.

[sutulu]

Sunday turned out to be kind of a rough day for JoJo. We had thunder storms rolling through the area pretty much all day. He would tuck himself between the chair and the crate and just lie there. Never made a sound, slept, didn't shake or cry. He actually looked depressed.

A colleague who has done rescue for years told me that it was common for the dogs to be depressed and confused over their surroundings and I am guessing that was what Jojo was feeling. SO I commiserated with him by lying on the couch and watching movies thru the storms.

In between storms the sun would come out so I would get him up and out in the yard to walk around while Tuck and Lu played ball.

In the evening the storms finally passed so I put collars on the dogs and walked them across the road to the dog park. Jojo again broke into a trot several times.

He sniffed trees, the picnic area, and walked over to the creek to look, so he was pretty interested in the park. I was very pleased after being so worried about him throughout the afternoon. Not many dogs or people but he did take interest in the few dogs and people that came by.

He didn't eat much breakfast and refused to eat dinner. SO when he went to bed in the big crate, I again left him a little water and also his food dish. When I got up this morning he had cleaned his bowl overnight... including the green beans!

Around 6 a.m. I fed him, he came right up the 2 steps into the kitchen with Tuck and Lu and waited while I filled the dishes, and as soon as I put his bowl down he ate everything! That is the first time he went to his food dish without me prompting him.

Last night around 9:30 Tucker decided he wanted Jo to play with him. He got right up to Jo's face, gave his pathetic "Play with me" bark, did the play bow and rolled over on his back. Jo actually got up, gave him a sniff, then went back to lay down.

This morning they all went out before breakfast to play in the fenced in area, Jo approached both Tuck and Lu to sniff them. We also did laps around the front yard while my two played ball.

I got the bright idea of getting out my "Rebok Step" and lying it next to the first step up into the kitchen. It has helped Jo get up and down the stairs much better.

I left a message for the dog walker to go ahead and take Jo to the park with my two this afternoon rather than just leaving him in the fenced in part of the yard.

So his morning started out good, we'll see how he is this evening. We are supposed to have rain this afternoon but hopefully, not the storms like yesterday.

[Jespah]

It's too bad he had to go through the thunder and lightening so soon in his new place - but it sounds like he bounced back pretty well. Very good of you to hang out and watch movies with him. What a trooper you are! :WINK:

Great news about him eating right away. :SMILE:

He's been through so much in a short time, so it will take a while for him to adapt to all this new stuff. We know how much these dogs seem to thrive on routine and knowing what's going to happen, so it's not surprising to hear that they would be depressed and unsettled. You have a routine oriented life, so it won't take him long to learn the ropes.

So - is he a red and white? Tri-colour? Does he have a blaze??? Hint, hint.

[disraeli ears]

Wow...sounds like he is settling in pretty well, Susan. You should have him slim 'n trim in no time! :BIGGRIN"

[Fluffypants]

Sounds like it is going well so far Susan! You are doing a great job!! Would love to see pictures of him!!! :CUTE:

[glencorgi]

It isn't unusual for rescues to confused, depressed, off. Sometimes they will go off their food for a few days and digestive upsets (loose stools for example) due to the stress of change. Missing a meal or two, not going to hurt JoJo, so that was okay. It usually takes a couple of weeks, at least, for a new rescue to really get their bearings and that's why we have an evaluation period.

Jo has been through quite a lot in a short time period. He lost his beloved owner and then lost what security he had in his home situation when he got "evicted." He then had a brief stay with Diane and then came to you. The resilient nature is shining through though, I reading all kinds of positive signs. The storms, well it sounds as if he has a bit of thunder storm phobia, not unusual in corgis, but sounds like he rode it out fairly well. That he joined in for the breakfast routine this morning is excellent.

He's coming along very well. A lot of the time you just need to take your lead from him as to what he's up for and can handle; at the same time you have to keep an eye out as to if he's figuring out he can call the shots and then reign that in. :WINK: Doing a good job Susan.

Debbie

[sutulu]

Diane actually pointed out that he may try to take advantage by doing his "beached whale" impression.

He will lie very still and not move when I ask him. But I have found putting a collar and leash on him when he does this and making him move goes well. He has such a wonderful temperament he doesn't hold a grudge, just gets up and goes with the flow.

My dog walker just called and he is going to walk him over to the park and down to the "beach area" along the creek to see if he has any interest in the water.

I am so hoping he might like water because I would love to get a life jacket on him and get him swimming. I think it would be so good for his joints.

[sutulu]

JoJo IS a Corgi! No doubt about it.

I walked around the yard with him tonight, he stopped, put his shoulder to the ground, and did the "Corgi Death Roll"!!!! Right onto his back and then he looks up at me as if to say: Rub my tummy!!!!

So I gave him a nice long tummy rub. I think he would have stayed on his back for an hour! What a goofball!

My dog walker very kindly took Tuck and Lu for a walk then came back and took Jo for walk. He said Jo was very happy to be in the park. Jim (our dog walker) pointed put that Jo has rawspots on his his pads on the back paw and the start of a spot on his front paw. He says his pads look like he's never seen pavement.

I dug put the Bag Balm and will give it a shot on his pads.

[Jespah]

Good to know he can do the Corgi deathroll!! Sounds like he is a sweetheart for sure! +WUBCLUB+

I bet that he hasn't had much walking and with his weight, it's really hard on his feet. Poor guy. Maybe he can walk primarily on grass for a while. Plus, if it's been hot down there, the hot asphalt and pavement will make it worse. If they get too sore, it might put him off walking altogether.

Hopefully he won't lick all of the balm off!! Good luck!

Deb

[glencorgi]

Susan,

A couple of things to be on the watch out for - hot spots and maybe (?) UTI's. All the extra weight, both Reba and Emma were prone to hot spots and UTI's. Now being girls, their private area didn't get a lot of air circulation and they couldn't clean themselves well, sooooo they would end up with UTI's. JoJo being built "differently" :WINK: maybe that won't be an issue, the hot spots could be, maybe.

I love the "rub my tummy" action.

Debbie

[Jaxerspal]

I'm thoroughly enjoying reading about Jojo's transition and little victories. Hats off to you Susan for making a difference in this world! :NOTWORTHY:

[corgiland]

Good for you Susan!............Am really interested in reading about Jojo's progress.

[sutulu]

My dog walker described the boo-boo's as blisters. The thought of hot spots popped into my head later on.

Tucker, about a year ago, started to get a hot spot on a paw (that's when I pulled chicken from his diet - went right away) but I really have never had any experience with them.

The more I look at Jo's pads, I don't think they are hot spots. I think it is from walking and scraping the ground.

I hope I won't offend Mr. Rupert but Deb has described him as sometimes "knuckle dragging". That's what Jo sounds like when he walks. He many times will shuffle. I'm doing my best to keep him on grass and off pavement.

So I have a blue cleaning solution my Vet gave Tucker for something (???) that I washed his pads off with. Then I used Bag Balm before I put him in his crate for bedtime. I also picked up from Petsmart something called Liquid Bandage. I left it for the dog walker.

On the tummy - no sores, everything looks pretty normal. Jo can lick his front paws but poor guy can't reach his back paws.

I have to say... whatever his life has come to, there must be a very sound Corgi frame under all the weight. It is amazing to me that he doesn't have back pain or hip problems. He doesn't seem to be at all in pain. When he gets on his back he has to do a few rolls to get upright again. You can't help but chuckle at him.

AND... My dog walker gets paid for 1/2 hour. He left me a note that he wants to walk Tuck and Lu for 1/2 hour and then donate 1/2 hour of his time to walk with Joey. I thought that was the nicest thing.

[Jespah]

Poor Jojo - his blisters, or sores, are most likely because he can't lift his feet high enough off the ground right now. Rupe's not offended BTW - although he says you owe him ice cream now. :WINK: Rupe drags the top part of his foot on the step forward of a stride, and his nails stay ground down - I never have to clip them.

Sounds like your dog walker is a gem! It takes a village to foster a Corgi +WUBCLUB+.

[LaRogue]

I hope I won't offend Mr. Rupert but Deb has described him as sometimes "knuckle dragging". That's what Jo sounds like when he walks.Toenail dragging? .
Rupe drags the top part of his foot on the step forward of a stride, and his nails stay ground down - I never have to clip them. Oh, see, I missed this post, some how. Pip drags his toenails, too. Breeder says it's a symptom of inncorrect angulation of the shoulders. He wears his two middle toenails on both front feet to a point, and I grind a little, with a dremel, only when the "pointy" side of the nail has alot of white. another way to tell if they are dragging is they will leave little lines in the snow.
AND... My dog walker gets paid for 1/2 hour. He left me a note that he wants to walk Tuck and Lu for 1/2 hour and then donate 1/2 hour of his time to walk with Joey. I thought that was the nicest thing. How nice is that! It's great everyone seems to be onboard with JoJO's rehabilitation! I bet it makes everything alot easier.
I'm thoroughly enjoying reading about Jojo's transition and little victories.I do, too! It's nice to follow such positive and heartwarming story.

[glencorgi]

My dog walker described the boo-boo's as blisters. The thought of hot spots popped into my head later on.

That's kind of what happened with me, the mention of the blisters reminded me of the number of hotspots Emma had and those mentioned in Reba's story. I just wanted to pass the potential of them occurring along - just in case. They seem, at times, to be secondary issues of severe obesity.


AND... My dog walker gets paid for 1/2 hour. He left me a note that he wants to walk Tuck and Lu for 1/2 hour and then donate 1/2 hour of his time to walk with Joey. I thought that was the nicest thing.

That is super!

Debbie

[Kassie]

Sounds like you have a real gem of a dog walker. I guess that's one way of knowing for sure that they have chosen their job out of real love! It is great to hear about JoJo's accomplishments!

[sutulu]

We took a long walk down to the creek in the park tonight.

I walked into the creek and called Jo. He stepped into the creek with 2 front paws, looked at me, then backed out. So I stayed in the creek, he walked around, sniffed with a bunch of big dogs, flirted with the dog owners on the creek bank, then looks at me and walks right into the creek. He moved into deeper water and finally just sat down in the water.

Woohoo! No swimming yet but he doesn't hate the water!

He loves to roll on his back in the grass. When we got home I gave him cottage cheese in the small Kong. I don't think he ever has seen a Kong.

[dcole]

Am really enjoying reading about Jojo's progress. He sounds like he's a great guy! +WUBCLUB+

Now if only we knew what he looked like... +WHIST+

[Kassie]

Am really enjoying reading about Jojo's progress. He sounds like he's a great guy! +WUBCLUB+

Now if only we knew what he looked like... +WHIST+
Yeah, hmmm.....JoJo the mystery dog.....

[Jespah]

Yeah - I wonder what Jojo looks like?????? :WINK:

[sutulu]

I'm trying!!!!! Camera has to be somewhere.... just don't know which box.

Keep your fingers crossed the charger unit is there too! That could be God knows where!

[CorgiMum]

We're being patient Susan, really we are.:WINK:

[Jane Austen]

Thank you for taking in Jojo and keeping us informed of how he is doing. This has been a very interesting story and popular with the regulars. But for all that respond think of the many that are following the thread and not posting?

When I don't have time to read all the new postings I go look for this one.

[sutulu]

I just posted pictures of JoJo in the "Non-Corgi" discussion area.

Susan

[sutulu]

I thought about starting a new thread "how to torture your poor foster dog..." but thought I'd just bury it here!

I made Jo swim tonight! It was really hot and he was in the water and.... I just had to see.

So what did he do? Not much! He of course looked at me like I was the most horrible person in the world. But he wasn't anxious, swam/paddled a few strokes, then headed for shore.

I called him back to the water, he stepped in, stood there, so I picked him up and put him in water deep enough to need to swim, and he swam a bit, then climbed out.

I decided not to push it that it was good enough for his first try.

You will probably be pleased to know that he did get even with me. He climbed up on the creek bank and rolled in the mud.

Payback is a bi&%$!

[Jespah]

I think you and Jo are a match made in heaven! :TWITCHY:

I'm sure he didn't suffer too much!

Deb

[colbycorgi]

ok...i was feeling so sad for him when you said he's never seen a kong, then i was feeling bad that you "threw him in the lake" a.k.a.-colby torture...but i see "he's got your number" with the mud so it sounds like all's fair in love and corgi's, eh??!!

this is just soooo wonderful what you are doing for him...i can't even describe how i feel about it at the moment...

but it was a long first day of fourth grade here so i will sign out for tonight..just didnt want to not post, as june suggested as i have been following this and the other photo enclosed thread and he's just so darn cute...you're doing amazing!!! KUDOS!!

[Jaxerspal]

Mud Rolling? Way to go, JoJo!! :NOTWORTHY:

(Besides, it's gotta be worth a few calories!)

[dcole]

You will probably be pleased to know that he did get even with me. He climbed up on the creek bank and rolled in the mud.

Payback is a bi&%$!

Jojo, hehehehehe... +NANA+

[disraeli ears]

Hehe...life's full of surprises with Jo, isn't it? :LAUGH: He got you!

[Diane M]

I guess Susan has been too busy to let everyone know that last weekend she took JoJo to get him weighed and he has lost a whopping 7 pounds. I am beyond ecstatic that she has taken JoJo into her wonderful home when I asked for foster help. I have a foster here and I couldn't do another one, what with my heathens already mad to have an interloper in their home, so her help has just relieved my mind soooo much as to his welfare. He is a wonderful boy and Lulu and Tucker are the perfect foster brother and sister.

I'm sure she'll update us soon as to how things are going.
Diane M