Sagittarian

Dog food is designed for dogs. Cat food is designed for cats. Vitamins, amino acids, minerals, protein levels and so on and so on are so differently required by canines and felines. A tiny amount cat to dog is probably okay. I do mean tiny! Taurine is necessary for cats - very important also for dogs. It is found in top quality dry dog foods with inceasing regularity. Feeding canned food always worries me. Canned is full of water. Not to mention all sorts of things one wouldn't really want to feed if properly considered. (There are a couple of wet foods that are superior, and I do not include these in my comment). Certainly, there is insufficient nutrition in wet foods; semi moist foods; and, most dry foods to feed as a complete diet and get the best from your dog. Some of the top of the range dry foods truly do offer a wonderful source of nutrition, including proper amounts of taurine, chondroitin, glucosomine and so on. Balance though is always the key. I would be inclined to check out the feeding habits of any boarding kennel I was considering for my dogs - or take my own food! JMO

Exercise - or exercise? Meaning, there are different levels. Socialisation is highly important. So is basic muscle toning. As a breeder of Saints for more than 25 years, I find that a little formal work is good, along with lots of social contact and normal puppy playtime. I don't road work until after 12 months or even later for a large male. poodlefan is spot on. Once their almost max height is reached, then we start to walk more. Until then, even shows are restricted to a bit of a walk to make friends, and the actual showing. I hate seeing little pups (well, little to me) dragged around and around a showground when they are obviously struggling. We are lucky to have almost 5 acres, of which about 1/2 acre is open to the dogs daily. As pups they get to explore and work as much or little as they want. Good luck with your baby!

Oh Di and Tony, what a very sad time you have had. Our love and thoughts are with you both. Think of them together and running free...