Horror at the Vet

Hey B-Stud fans,  it has been a long time since I have talked to you!  The past month has been stressful.  Dad and Mom are really pissed at our vet because of what happened and now, Dad really questions the true intentions of Vets.

It all started when I saw the vet and they said I was underweight and my teeth had plaque.  The doc asked Dad to put me on their vet prescribed diet.

"I think Brix should go on the Hills T/D diet.  This brand is only prescribed by vets.  My dogs are on it and they are doing great.  It's a high quality food so the diet should take care of his weight.  Plus it will help take away some of the plaque because of the big pieces."

Dad really thought hard and his inner voice kept saying "NO!"  Dad's logic told him the Vet had experience and they deal with these problems all the time.  They should know what they are talking about.  He bought the food for me.  

At home Dad looked closely at the ingredients.

"Hmmm...what the f@#k!  Wheat, corn product, more wheat, rice.....where's the protein?"

"What's up Dad?"

"This food is garbage Brix!  It has wheat and corn as the first two named ingredients.  And the protein source is a meat by product. "

"But the vet said it was high quality right?"

"Yeah they did.  They should know what they're talking about.  I guess we'll try it out."

And try it out I did.  I liked it actually, it was like eating junk food.  The next day Dad called the vet again.

"Ummm, how many kilocalories is in each cup of the Hills?"

"Hold on sir, I'll find out for you."

" (5 mins later) ...270 kcal. "

"That's kinda low isn't it?  The food I was feeding before was 430 kcal."

"The vet prescribed it and it's a high quality food.  My dogs are on it and they love it."

"But it has wheat and corn in it.  Isn't it hard for dogs to digest and isn't it just filler?"

"No wheat and corn are good for dogs.  If it were for a cat then I'd have a problem with it."

"Is this just a temporary diet for him?"

"No sir, it's for the life of the dog."

And that was their conversation as Dad described it to me.  Even Mom questioned the knowledge and validity of their statements.  I continued on their diet for a month and I loved it!

And then the worst happened.  One morning,  I went outside for my morning pee and poop.

"Brix!  Why do you have diarrhea?  And is that a bit of blood?!?"  Dad's heart raced.

"What?  I have blood in my poo?"  I was shocked and scared.

Dad looked closer since it was dark in the morning.  Dad shrugged it off and hoped it wasn't serious.  He cut my food by 75% that day.  Later on in the day Grandpa Parcon took me out to do my business.

"Uh oh Brixie.  Your poo poo has blood!  Oh my gosh!  Are you ok?" 

I was sick.  Dad fasted me for 24 hours.  My fur coat was dull and dry.  I had dandruff.  Dad tried me on the same food again.  It was better but by the end of the night, I had diarrhea again and there were traces of blood in my stool.  By this time Dad was freaking out and I had lost a lot of weight  

Now Dad is a pretty smart guy, so he tells me.  He knew what was happening, I had a food allergy.  Dad was so upset.  He was upset at the vet, at the vet tech, at Hills as a company, but really he was mad at himself for not listening to his instinct.  He talked to his mentor Ms. Glenny and she said it's really hit and miss with the vets.  Dad also learned Hills go to the vet schools to promote their brand and give contracts to vets starting up their clinic.  Vets also don't have to take mandatory pet nutrition courses.  Of course Dad doesn't know it for sure butI told him to talk to his elementary school friend Amanda who is a vet tech.  Maybe she could confirm some of this.

So here I am, skinner than before.  Sick on valentine's day with no girlfriend either but I'm feeling better now.  Mom put me back on my grainless diet and I've got a lot more energy.  My shiny coat is also coming back.  It will be months before my weight gain becomes visible.  I guess the morale of the story is to listen to your inner voice.  Usually it's always right.  What do you think?

B-Stud. 

Happy V-Day from a Stud

V-day, it's suppose to be a time of love. V-day, it's the one day of the year to say I love you to that special someone. V-day, it also could be the most depressing day of the year. That's how I feel. My love Hannah, she's probably cheating on me now. The image of another dog mounting her....ugh, get that image out of my head please!

I am so not feeling the love this month. Dad's hours have changed and we don't get to hang out at the daycare anymore. Mom complains I don't bond with her and how I don't love her as much as I do Dad. Shy doesn't want anything to do with me. I woke up Grandpa Parcon during the day when he was sleeping. Needless to say he was pissed. "Man, I'm like a baby sitter." That's what he told Dad. I think the only good thing, I hope, is that my weight is up. Dad's going to make sure by taking me to the Vet to weigh in. He has to pick up food from them anyway.

Even when I, the B-Stud, don't feel the love from others, I will love you back always. When you yelled at me Mom for eating floor scraps when I wasn't suppose to, it's cool, I was just doing what dogs do to survive. I still love you. When you collar grabbed me Dad for barking and lunging at kids, I'm sorry, I was just protecting you 'cause that's what I was bred to do. I still love you. Grandpa Parcon, I know you may not like babysitting me all day 'cause I interrupt your tv time, but I love greeting you every time you come home from work. I know you like that. That's the beauty of being a dog. We simplify life and we love rather than fight. We rather keep the peace and harmony of the pack rather than challenge it.

So on this V-day, I am forever grateful for the family and friends I have. Even when times are tough and when maybe there are more important things than me in your life, just remember I will be there sitting beside you, looking to you and hoping you'd just give me something as simple as a pat on the old furry head.

B-Stud.

Happy B-day Mom and Dad

Last weekend Mom surprised Dad by coming home for his b-day. See I knew all along, I just didn't tell Dad. I didn't really get anything for Dad tho for his 30th except for my pile of poo in the morning. Thanks Dad for taking care of it.

This weekend is Mom's 30th. I wonder what I should get Mom? Mom has been busy lately. I hardly get to see her but she's visiting this weekend. Mom thinks she doesn't have a bond with me but I do. Mom just can't see it. I Dad also is busy. He changed his work hours and now we don't get to go to the daycare. I don't even get to see Hannah anymore. I just stay home with Shy. She doesn't even play with me. She just sleeps all day.

So to keep me stimulated, Dad has been trying to teach me to ring a bell when I need o pee and poo. I see my sister Shy do it all he time, but I don't know if it's me. So far I like touching the bell and the door opens, but it's just not my style. I'd rather look you in the eyes and give you a sad face. Dad also has been playing the piano more and trying to get me to sing. That also is not my style, I'd rather growl or bark. I think Dad said he's playing for the church so he's got less time with me.

Anyway, as my parents get 1 yr older, I too am becoming an adult. I hope my body fills out. I hope I gain weight. So far I think I'm ok. I am a smaller boxer but everyone love me. Everyone knows I'm so handsome.

B-Stud.

So Far, So Good...

To my fans,

That's me up there! I am so damn cute. I have been my happy usual self but it seems like people around me are sad. Dad always has a concerned look on his face. He always touches my ribs and checks my spine and chest.

"Dad I'm fine. Like I said I feel good and I'm not anorexic."
"But you're not gaining weight."
"Yeah, but I'm not losing weight either."

Well that isn't totally true. We went to the Vet to see Dr. Kohr again. I lost 0.3 kg. I think that may have broke Dad's heart since I'm suppose to be gaining weight with this new diet. This time the Doc gave me my final 2 vaccinations and said I need a blood test. Dad agreed and so off I went into the lab not knowing what they were going to do. Lorraine, the vet tech, said I was brave. They drew out the blood from my front leg and sent it to get analyzed.

"The good thing is Brix's poo is firm. And he actually looks a little better since the last time I saw him," Dr. Kohr exclaimed.
"See I thought he looked better too but his weight today threw me off," Dad replied.
"Well so far, the signs are good."

Today Dad got a call from Dr. Kohr.

"Good news. Brix's blood chemistry is at normal levels."

Dad was relieved. Doc said I could eat a little more too but we're not out of the woods yet. I really hope I can gain weight. Hopefully it's just a matter of eating more. So many of my buddies are overweight. Like Joey the black lab for example. He's like probably hitting 90 lbs. He's just one big sausage. My other boxer buddy, Roxie. She's gotta be like 100 lbs.

Maybe I just got a high metabolic rate just like Dad. Maybe I'm just so athletic that I have less body fat than anyone else. Mom would kill to have my problem. In any case, I'm happy, I'm eating and most important, my poo is still hard.

B-Stud.

Hard Poo

I never thought the day Dad would be happy to see hard poops. Dad was saying how hard poo was a good sign that I didn't have anything wrong with me.

"Brix, your poo is hard. Yes!"
"Does it smell good too Dad?"
"Damn it Brix, I got some on my finger. @#$@#$"
"At least it's hard right!?!?"
"Don't be a smart dog now. Go on inside."

My poo was soft before. It had always been. I ate a grain less diet with high protein I would constantly embarrass Mom's friends because of my farts. Now Dad put me on a different diet with some wheat and rice. Almost no farts! Isn't that amazing? Han aah would love me even more now. Hope I see her today.

So Dad says because my poo is hard, it means my body is actually working. If it was still loose even on this wheat and rice diet, then Dad would have worried a lot more. The only thing now, I have to gain weight. Mom says she wishes she had my problem. I don't really understand. Why would Mom want to have my weight problem? She looks good the way she is. Like I have been saying all along, I feel good, I look good so I think I'm good.

Thanks for the support Fluffy. I should come visit you. Fluffy is my family friend. We haven't met 'cause she lives far but one day we will. I hope I don't scare her 'cause I'm much bigger than she is. Fluffy, if you're in High Park area, stay away from light posts. I heard 2 dogs got electrocuted there. Why does High Park have a bad rep for dogs. It's like the ghettos or the projects for dogs.

Anyway, gotta go harass and be the clown of the family. Love you Mom, hope you do well in school.

B-Stud