Sagittarian

Man that guy gets around! I could swear he's in our window at the moment. :D Looks like a great day all round! Sags

Yeah, thanks Jed. After that conversation we had the other day, I'd spent hours convincing myself I really DON'T want a boxer. Now look what you've done. I want a boxer! :D Back to the chanting. I do not want a boxer, I do not want a boxer, Jed is not the oracle, I do not want a boxer. Sags

Artemis Medium/Large Breed puppy is a highly suitable alternative. The Artemis website lists the below for SA, or your could contact Artemis direct: [email protected]. The Spoilt Dog 423 - 425 Fullarton Rd Highgate SA 5063 Ph: 08 8272 0082 Unfortunately, many independent stores have been hit the hardest and for the longest by the ongoing Eagle Pack supply problems. Sags

Osopure comes in both an adult version (25% protein, 15% fat) and Power (30% protein, 20% fat). Power is suitable for dogs with high energy needs, including pregnant bitches, and is great for recovery needs. Maximal (42% protein, 22% fat) is by its very nature a food highly suitable for dogs that are worked, are very active or have difficulty with holding their weight. It also suits pregnant and lactating bitches and is balanced for puppies. So, while Maximal may be known as a grain free food, it is in fact a very versatile food. All grain free foods will be higher in energy because of the lack of grains. So, it does come down to the individual's needs. Sags

That is odd as it isn't what we typically experience as a retailer of the food. Many people feed too much of it to start. That occasionally results in soft faeces, but usually reducing the amount firms things up. It is also most suited for very active dogs, so certainly isn't the best choice for every dog. Having said that, we have a lot of regular users who absolutely swear by it. So, as with anything, it comes down to the individual dog, rather than internet opinions, even mine. Sags ;)

Has Evie gone to the bridge Sags? Thanks for the report on the Platinum. I'll get some for the crumblies. She finally missed TBCSITW and her brother, mum and auntie too much. Her health was excellent but her mobility suddenly disappeared and that was the signal that it was time. We miss her so much.

All good. Erny, if you do end up with Nutro, just be certain it isn't one that contains wheat flour. PF- Platinum was actually her favourite. It has a mix of meat proteins so offers a bit more interest for some dogs. I wish I could still be testing foods and reporting back, but that is all in the past now. Sags

Did I hear my name? Okay, I did trial Evie on several varieties of Canidae and she did well on, and enjoyed all. These included the Lamb and Rice, Chicken and Rice, and the Salman Grain free (oh, and old dog food, Platinum). None of these varieties contain wheat, corn, or soy, nor do they have beet pulp, which does seem to affect some dog who get yeast infections (ears, feet, skin etc). Artemis we used extensively, mostly the weight management (which suited as it is lower calorie), but also the adult, and the osopure, which is chicken and rice. Maximal she did try, but she had no real need for a grain free good and was prone to weight gain, so the higher calories weren't her best option, but may be for a highly active doggie. Artemis also does not contain wheat, corn or soy, or beet pulp! The third holistic that we offered her when it came out is the Earthborn Holistic (made by the makers of Pro Pac). She particularly loved the Ocean Fusion, which is purely fish based from a protein perspective. They also have a grain free which is called Primitive Natural, and I have a friend using that with great results. Again, no wheat, corn or soy, no beet pulp. I keep hearing that Nutro contains no wheat. Unfortunately, some varieties most certainly do, in the form of wheat flour, which for a wheat sensitive dog, may be worth noting. Erny, feel free to pm me if you need contacts with any of the above companies and wish to speak to reps. Happy food hunting! Sags

Artemis Maximal is the only "high" protein food in their range - the grain inclusive foods are all comparable protein wise with most other top end foods. I have to wonder why people still worry so much about protein when dogs are carnivores, and many folk add lots of meat or meaty bones to the diet? Does a completely raw feeder know how much protein their dog gets and if so, is that a problem? There seem to be a lot of sweeping statements about a brand, when the food in question may be only one of many products within that brand. Grain free foods are higher in protein. Full stop. There is not the grain, the fillers, etc to lower the animal based protein. If I had a dog with certain health conditions, I would certainly watch the protein levels. Same as for fat, for carbs, for certain man made supplements. But really, unless someone has really researched (and I don't mean just by googling what other people think) what is optimum for a dog in a certain age and activity, then I just don't understand the blanket "high protein" thing at all. Sags

Can I ask if you are buying the US or Australia copy of it? We used to buy via James in NZ when we stocked the US product - is it still the same there? As Nutro is owned by Masterfoods, I don't think there'd be any direct selling in Australia - they don't with Advance so I would be surprised if Nutro was sold that way. Interesting to hear about some smelly product as we found that in several skews not long before the US company was sold. We've chosen not to stock the current Nutro, although we are always happy to order in if anyone wants it. We also no longer have stands of EP, simply because of the ongoing supply issues that they've had over the past few years. Very frustrating. Sags

Congratulations to Team Balkana on the clean sweep of the top four awards. Sags

Thank you... all of you. Each and every word and thought is deeply appreciated. We've also had some beautiful private messages and emails and had never realised that Evie had touched so many people over the years. I forgot to thank our amazing vet - Russell, from Gisborne Vet Clinic. He brought her into the world via c-section, and was there when she closed her eyes a final time. He saved her life when she had pyo a few years ago, and has been a great comfort to us. Phillipa

It's taken a few days for me to write this, and I have to thank some wonderful people who have been pillars of strength and comfort - including but not confined to my husband, Ian, and our sons; my sisters and step mum; Indidog (who rocks); Jed; Toohey; plus Lois, Di, Amy, Jarryd & Jillian from work. This week we said goodbye to our beautiful Saint, Evie. When my first Saint came into my life in 1978, her breeder as my mentor encouraged me to visualise my ideal dog. Evie was that dog. It took many years and refining of bloodlines until her litter came along, which also contained several other noteable pups. Evie was an incredibly easy going girl - particularly in her later years - similar to her grandfather, Mitchell. She loved the family, got on with every dog that she met, and adored her auntie Penny. When Penny passed away, Evie adapted to being the only dog and shared her time between the back deck and her nighttime sleeping quarters. Her time in the showring was memorable, with many dreams wins - many at a time when Saint challenges were worth big points. Quite often, even from puppy days, she and her brother Langley would take both challenges over what was very good competition. At under two years of age, she won Runner Up in Group at Sunbury Dog Show in a downpour, over more than 400 entries. Langley took class in group at the same show. She won multiple best & ru in shows - open all breeds and at specialties. Last year, aged almost 10, she competed in the Veteran's Sweepstakes at Sunbury and thoroughly enjoyed the outing. We keep looking for her. The magpies, who always shared her meals, look for her. The memories will always live on of this gentle lady, who could be a stubborn old bitch at times. :-) Apart from Penny, and her beloved brother Langley, Evie most loved TBCSITW, and once he left this life, she had no one to sit with and share old hunting stories. Now, they can seek out the blue men together and hopefully someone, in that realm, knows how to use a blender. We thank those who loved Evie, who competed against Evie, who judged Evie. We thank Evie for being in our lives, and I thank her for being my perfect Saint. Evie was Champion Portway Tucker's Daughter. Phillipa & family

Thank you, Jed. And everyone else. Sags

Darling Jed, I know I said I would send a tribute to TBCSITW.... As you know, I've always considered that he was one incredible boy and very much loved by many. Now, I believe he is on a new mission, well, something of an old mission. His keen sense of smurfing will only increase now, particularly as he has his loyal and ever loving hunting partner, Little Bear, Evie, alongside him. May they both hunt and delight in the fun of smurfing forever more. Sags

Just to let you know that not all pig's ears are imported. We sell Australian ears that are not irradiated, and hope to always be able to do this. It certainly is worth asking whoever you buy from where the product is sourced as not all retailers simply buy whatever is offered to them. Thank goodness there are more and more Aussie made treats! Sags

Well, it's a good thing that more grain free foods are now on the market here. Artemis Maximal is chicken protein based, fantastic for building muscle mass and getting weight on those hard to build up dogs. Canidae has grain free All Life Stages which is Chicken, Lamb, Turkey and Fish and a lower protein content than most grain frees, which suits some dogs well. It also has grain free Salmon, which is purely fish protein and also calorie dense. Earthborn Holistic has Primitive Natural, which is a multi protein mix and seems to suit a good cross section of dogs. I personally loved Orijen, which of course is not available here anymore, but find that all of the above fit the bill a whole lot better for my current dog (and past dogs) than Evo ever did when I trialled it. If grains are okay, then Artemis Osopure Power is an amazing food for muscle support and building body weight - but like all high energy foods, it must be fed at lesser amounts than less dense foods to ensure proper weight is maintained when reached. Sags

Congratulations to all winners, and particularly Elizabeth and HERO on another BIS! Sags

Had a customer yesterday whose Staffie has been through the blood work tests that are sent off to the States. She brought in the results, which provided incredibly detailed information about the dog's allergies and irritants. It was challenging finding a food for him, as amongst other things, he is allergic to barley, potato and carrot. Also wheat, corn, beef and borderline pork. He's gone home on Propac Sensitive, which completely fitted the profile. This was a most interesting tool to be able to use. To know that the dog could eat without worsening his symptoms was a huge relief for his owner, and certainly made my job easier. The testing, including US costs, along with the resulting series of injections that have been specifically formulated for him to desensitise him to dust mites and some other things, cost her around $600. Well worth considering, if you have a dog with ongoing issues that just doesn't quite respond to all the usual methods. Sags PS Pro Plan also spray their kibble with animal digest (or did a couple of years ago) so worth asking the company if still done and if so, with what.

What is yours and why? Sags

You won't be able to get Orijen as it is no longer available in this country. There are now some excellent holistic foods available - and as with everything it is a case of trial and error to see what suits the individual best. Evie (our old Saint) is currently on her third bag of Canidae (and they have two grain free products that are extremely well made), and thriving on it. She has mostly been fed Artemis over the past year or so and will go back to that next bag (she is a fussy little darling), then I'll rotate between these two brands and Earthborn Holistic which also has a grain free worth looking at. At the end of the day, it always comes down to the overall health, enjoyment and wellbeing a food provides for the individual dog. In an ideal world, Australia would make top end holistic foods that offered variety and had no imported ingredients, nor oversees owners. The reality is though that if you want to feed dry, there is now a huge selection to research and try - we've never had so many options. Some will not work for you. Some may be subject to recall in the future, who knows? The same as the food in the supermarket is on a regular basis. But it is worth doing proper research rather than forming opinions based on the internet or TV. Sags

Earthborn Holistic Ocean Fusion contains no chicken product - it is more like EP "fishy" in that even its fat content is fish or plant based. Any retailer who deals with Aquatopia (a large Queensland wholesaler that specialises in aquarium based products) will be able to order it in. Canidae Grain Free Salmon also has no chicken product at all, but it is higher in protein and fat than grain based foods so that needs to be considered as well. Sags

I think it is positive to see a locally made product that looks to be high in meat content. As with a couple of other Australian made holistic foods, I do question the inclusion of menadione, as well as the wheat flour in the puppy food. I also prefer to avoid beet pulp in feeding my own dogs. Having said that, this particular food has been around for quite a while and I've only heard good feedback about it (and no, we don't currently stock it). Sags

No, no upset tum. Evie is quite good though, so I would still recommend a slow change over on any new food. I just opened the Lamb and offered her that for brekkie and she has almost turned herself inside out to get to it. Personally, I'm thrilled to have another holistic food available, which to me adds to the choices offered by Artemis (which is Evie's main diet) and Earthborn Holistic. Sags

Hi Frodo's Mum. Evie is thoroughly enjoying the Platinum. I chose that first as it is the senior/weight control product of the range, and she is now rather elderly in scheme of things. It is quite a small kibble, and rounded off, which seems to appeal to her as well (she is going through a phase of denying she is a giant breed ). I've brought home a small bag of the Lamb Meal to offer next as lamb suits her very well. Sags