Re: [PyrNet-L] advise on feeding please?

["Pendragon" <Pendragon@door.net>]

Hi,
     I was on this list many months ago and have just come back. The fall
was topsy turvy time...kids moved out, I was out of the house and the back
yard wasn't secure....I was job hunting and house hunting most of the
days...so my pyrs went to live for a couple of months in the country with a
dog trainer friend who has lots of room and big kennels/and fenced acreage
for dogs. I'm now moved..pyrs home and happy...have nice area in back of
this 1935 cottage that is perfect for them. I've settled down to have a home
based business..I'm an artist....portraits are bread and butter..
    My question is ....I am not sure how much to feed them. My girl, Isis is
now 15 months old....lean at 100 lbs last vet visit...she's very big...but
was since 3 months old...just big girl. Jupiter, ...the boy, also
lean....addition by daughter...she 'saved' him from a Mall pet store at 3
months and brought him to me...now he's 10 months and was 70 lbs at Vet
couple of months ago. Both have been fixed. They were on Pedigree while in
the country...I found a pedigree knock off in the Farm/Ranch store...brand
is Dura-Life, no soy formula/bites and bones..they like it and the change
from Pedigree didn't upset their digestion...Now, due to finances...I can't
buy high priced Iams or Eukanuba....frankly the dogs get their food bought
before I buy ours...and for the near future I'll have to stay with this
price food. (It's around $12 with tax for 40 lbs) Here is the puzzle....when
I asked how much the dogs were eating a day she said 10 cups each....and
although I've been doing that it really seems too much. They are not
heavy...and while at her house they did have lots more room here they have a
good run but not anything near an acre.
    Does anyone know how much to feed of this brand food? And how many times
a day? They were eating once a day in the country....here I could do twice
if that would be better. Sometime when my budding new business picks up I'd
like to get a fancier dog food for them if that is better...but for now...I
have this 40 lb bag and that's the only choice. Id appreciate some advise on
this.
    Jupiter has been helping me unpack...I had a lot of boxes stored in a
breezeway...he is systematically emptying each one and scattering bits of
(chewed) books, papers, and art reproductions across the yard. I keep moving
the boxes higher but today he got to his fifth one yet. If this keeps up
I'll have much less unpacking to do but lots of trash bags to buy and fill.
It's getting downright inspirational on making effort to hurry and get house
and breezway cleared and dog proofed...although more and more it's like
trying to gorilla proof. Of course like baby's they are so cute when they
sleep.
    Have one more question....well, lots more really but I'll stop at this
next one...while walking Isis yesterday Jupiter jumped the gate..nearly 5 ft
high...he'd never tried..guess he hadn't been inspired to do
so....however...walking both is not easy  as Jupiter is pretty excited when
going for walk and just learning leash manners. Both dogs are used to being
together all the time. keep in mind I have no $$ for tandem
harnesses/leashes.  So...should I try to take both at once or shut him up in
the breezeway or house and take turns with them? I've had my son walk
Jupiter but son is 11 yrs old and exact weight as Jupiter...both appear to
have same degree of patience and attention span.
    Sorry about jumping in with long post. Sort of introduction of dogs..and
say that I didn't abandon them...just needed to keep them safe during
transitional phase. I'll keep other posts short.
Thanks
Pendragon.





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