Belisma Rune

About time!

2008-12-05T18:12:00.000-08:00

We're lame & havent updated. Its been crazy around here.

Bel got weighed & is now 118#'s

She went to the dog park today for the first time... and had a BLAST. What a social butterfly.

Bel's view on puppies:

2008-10-07T14:39:00.000-07:00

They have sharp teeth.

They never stop playing.and They dont listen well.

Over all, she likes them.

Feeding Raw

2008-09-22T19:18:00.000-07:00

Loads of links.

These are links I've gotten from others, and a few I stumbled across myself.

Raw has been really easy for us. I feed fresh ground flax seed & Sunflower seed for Omega 3 & 6. I give them the Yeast fighter product that Ii previously bought. It includes enzymes & probiotics. I grind egg shells for calcium. I occasionally give yogurt, cottage cheese, pumpkin for tummy when they have loose stools (which isnt very often), and Bel gets occasional veggies. Blu does not.

Links copied from a local Great Dane Breeder & member of DOL.com

Book by Sue Johnson "Switching to Raw" http://www.switchingtoraw.com/

Tom Lonsdales book 'Work Wonders, Feed your dog raw meaty bones ' Raw Feeding links http://www.dogaware.com/menus.html http://www.thehealthyhound.com/whyraw_shortstory.html
http://www.raw-connections.com/
http://www.greatdanelady.com/article...d_raw_diet.html http://www.ilcockerrescue.org/feeding.html http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Spri.../chemicals.html http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/Articles.asp?ID=122 http://www.newcastleboxers.com/diet.shtml http://www.canadasguidetodogs.com/he...onarticle2.html http://www.rawdogranch.com/feedingrawdiet.html
http://b-naturals.com/Jan2005.php
http://www.4loveofdog.com/menu.html
http://www.njboxers.com/faqs.htm#calcium
http://b-naturals.com/natural.php
http://www.rawmeatybones.com/
http://www.leerburg.com/diet2.html
http://www.rawlearning.com/
http://www.rawlearning.com/rawfaq.html http://www.nudimensionsnutrition.com/Why_Feed_Raw.html http://www.skylarzack.com/rawfeeding.html
http://www.rawfeddogs.net/index.phpl
http://www.rawfed.com/myths/index.html
http://www.k9rawdiet.com/how2.html
http://www.k9rawdiet.com/how2.html
http://www.eastwooddanes.com/SampleMenu.html http://www.naturalrearing.com/coda/index.html
http://www.njboxers.com/faqs.htm#diarrhea
http://www.auntjeni.com/barf.html
http://www.charlesloopsdvm.com/dogdiet.html

How Much To Feed CALCULATOR
http://www.raw4dogs.com/calculate.html http://www.barfproducts.com/feedingcalculator.html

DETOXIFICATION
http://www.siriusdog.com/detoxificat...d-holistic.html

There are raw/barf groups on Yahoo for danes wholseomedane@yahoogroups.com GreatDanesNaturally@yahoogroups.com

Other Links (note some links are very extreme - but gather info where you can)
Xcel Danes
Myths of Raw Feeding

Affordable meals
Mountain dog food

Bel took to raw like white on rice. She has stopped destructive chewing & doesn't tear apart her toys anymore.
We feed raw at less cost than it was for 5 star kibble. Now that's an incentive.

We are honored!

2008-09-22T11:02:00.000-07:00

We we're bestowed with this blog honor by our friends over at The PR Gang.

:Bel takes a bow:

So here is the deal. The winner can put the logo on his/her blog. Link to the person you received your award from... then nominate seven OTHER blogs! Put links of those blogs on yours and leave a message on those blogs you've nominated! So basically...keep passing it on!!

Our favorites:

Shopping is my Cardio

It's a Dog's world...

Great Dane Service Dog's Blog

Cycle

2008-09-14T11:19:00.001-07:00

Bel started her cycle a week after her birthday. She JUST finished. It was aweful at times, but once we adjusted to her constant complaining & need to be ON you, we were able to make it through.
Enjoy the photos of her in her various undies.

Happy Birthday Belisma Rune!

2008-08-19T20:42:00.001-07:00

108.4#

Camping was amazing

2008-08-13T17:10:00.000-07:00

Dude... we're famous!

2008-08-07T17:41:00.000-07:00

Not really but close! http://gloryhoundgear.blogspot.com/2008/08/bel.html

Do you see what I see?

2008-07-26T12:08:00.001-07:00

New collar

2008-07-24T17:55:00.000-07:00

Bel got a new collar. What do you think? If you or your friend want one visit http://www.gloryhoundgear.com/

Amazing designs, colors, and a great hand crafter!

Stealing Blanket

2008-07-21T18:43:00.000-07:00

Bel stole brothers blanket. Apparently it looked very comfy.

Camping dry run

2008-07-14T21:52:00.001-07:00

110 Its HOT

2008-07-08T10:29:00.001-07:00

In the pool

2008-07-03T17:58:00.000-07:00

All by herself Bel went in the pool. She could not be any happier with herself.

Doggie Bling

2008-06-17T17:48:00.000-07:00

New Livingroom Bed

2008-06-17T17:29:00.000-07:00

And Bel took a bath. Notable difference!

New Crate Bed

2008-06-17T17:27:00.000-07:00

Family

2008-05-24T14:49:00.001-07:00

Bel's n Friend

2008-05-24T14:46:00.000-07:00

Big Girl, Bat Girl

2008-05-20T19:54:00.001-07:00

Crate arrived

2008-05-20T19:52:00.000-07:00

Bel got her crate Yesterday. I set it up and by time for bed Im pretty sure she was mad.

She did the following:

eaten a japanese maple
peed on the one last area of carpet in my room... at an unknown time
stolen 2 choco chip peanut butter nutella cookies right off the counter

Oh well... I guess we should have gotten the crate sooner than 9 months old.

Accident Update 5

2008-05-13T19:36:00.000-07:00

Apparently Mom is a GREAT pillow!

2008-05-13T19:35:00.000-07:00

Big Dog, Little Chair

2008-05-12T19:08:00.001-07:00

We did it!

2008-05-08T20:40:00.001-07:00

I finally did it. After months of ruined hard wood, chipped walls, annoying clanking, and moving her xpen about, we purchased the biggest crate known to man.

It was 30% off retail, AND I got a discount with NO freight shipping.

It measures 54"L X 35"W X 45"H

Ill let you know how she likes it.

I plan on buying the bed & cover via etsy. Perhaps in pink. Bel looks good in pink. Then again the room she is in is red. Who knows.

First time in the pool

2008-05-05T20:32:00.000-07:00

intentionally.

My Cover Girl

2008-05-05T20:16:00.000-07:00

Bel's cousin is Pergo, the Pergo spokes dog, so its no shock that Bel is a natural cover girl. I wonder when Domino Mag. will pick us up.

Rawr

2008-05-04T14:50:00.001-07:00

Sitting in the window

2008-05-03T07:57:00.001-07:00

Big Dog + Big Window

It aint easy being a Dane

2008-05-03T07:56:00.001-07:00

Let alone a Dane with no bed.

96.8 lbs - Stitches removed!

2008-04-30T19:35:00.001-07:00

No running for a few days, and no bath for another day... but no more stitches, no more e-collar!

All is back to normal... well sort of

2008-04-28T18:53:00.000-07:00

Bel ate her bed. Not just the cover, but the entire thing. She is lost without it really. So very sad.
Bel is a big girl and she knows it.

Wednesday is her appointment to have her stitches removed. Life is pretty much back to normal, except she cant play ball. She cant wait to run.

Accident Update 4

2008-04-21T16:59:00.000-07:00

Benadryl doesn't work. Bela is going crazy & taking us all with her. She was doing great until Sunday - she started to pool fluids despite the drain, and I had to go back to full compresses etc.
She had an appointment Monday morning for drain removal, so I called in. (Glorious part of them being open 24 hours.) They said it could wait but they may need to move the drain. I was thinking infection. Either way- how much will this cost?

I also asked the Mr. to request Tranqs - and to convince them she weighs 140lbs.

She had her appointment, Dad took her, and the dr RAVED about how well she looks, how good the stitches look, and what good care she has received (FULL TIME JOB- and its nice to know she could tell and that it was helping). The pooling was from the drain itself. Her body had finished oozing from the wound and decided that it wasn't okay with the foreign body & concentrated on "getting rid of it". The drain is removed and the hole stays... no stitches for it. Already looks better Mike said.

She also laughed at the tranquilizer request and okay'ed her for a mile walk 3 times a day or more as needed.

Well thats our update. Ive been busy changing sheets, compressing, cleaning, medicating, feeding, comforting, walking, ...

But overall had a nice weekend. She can have her E-collar off. Which by the way, she rubs against her xpen like a cup against a jail cell.

Accident Update 3

2008-04-18T16:38:00.001-07:00

We are doing well. Lots of drainage (which apparently is good), eating well, and taking Benadryl to drug her. We have been okay'd for short walks a few times a day as long as no jumping, running, pulling... all things puppy basically.

She can reach her sutures with the cone collar so I made my own collar. WAY BETTER. We have to use both for now, even with the new one she can reach the drain. Monday after drain removal we will use the e-collar for a chew toy!

Accident Update 2

2008-04-17T07:29:00.000-07:00

We have #2!

Bel has also been moved from the Dogie Den to the Living room. She cried out a few times yesterday and last night, just from being lonely. Sitting IN the x-pen with her, with Dad on a chair outside of the door, trying to love her around a cone is unfortunate.

I will be calling the vet to find a collar for just her neck... not this atrocious run into everything cone.

Accident Update

2008-04-16T18:22:00.001-07:00

Bel has eaten all her meals, and has been out to potty (number 1 only so far). She even tried to get a chicken.

She just got re dosed her meds, including pain, and is sleeping.

Accident

2008-04-16T13:01:00.000-07:00

Bela filet'ed open her back. She had to be put out, cleaned up, sewn back together, etc. The wound was contaminated, took longer to repair & she was under a bit longer than expected.

We figured out the cause once morning came. We have our trailer parked near the fence, with plenty of clearance - we go in and out all the time. Apparently Bela was running laps, and cut the corner way too close, and ripped open on the base of the awning pole, attached to the side of the trailer. Its DULL. I can only imagine how much it really hurt.

She is on meds, need warm compresses, and lots of love but she is finally home. We were all a wreck, and now that I have her back in my arms, Im a mess.

87 degrees

2008-04-13T20:39:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful weekend.

8 months (give or take) and 97 lbs

2008-04-11T20:22:00.001-07:00

FINALLY got her to petsmart to be weighed on the big scale.

97 pounds. She is a dainty dane.

Pirate Booty

2008-04-06T11:10:00.001-07:00

Ethan sat eating Pirate Booty after his birthday party. Bela sat patiently eating up what was spilled. However, the moment we all turned our backs & Ethan left the table... she was snout in the bag.

She also keeps sneaking the original product bag out of the recycle. Silly Bela.

Sprinkler Fun

2008-03-28T16:53:00.000-07:00

HAPPY EASTER

2008-03-23T08:57:00.000-07:00

Starbucks

2008-03-22T08:53:00.000-07:00

Good Friday

2008-03-21T21:35:00.001-07:00

Graduated!

2008-03-21T21:33:00.000-07:00

We graduated from basic obedience!

X-pen Mania

2008-03-15T11:35:00.000-07:00

perhaps we need a crate

Sunday schedule: Mud Bath

2008-03-15T11:07:00.000-07:00

Someone played in the mud... but she LOVED it... cant fault her for that.

I can be mean

2008-03-15T11:05:00.000-07:00

You dont believe me do you?

Marshmallows

2008-03-15T11:02:00.001-07:00

Bela wanted the marshmallows... but did her sit stay anyways. Such a good girl.

27 weeks - 89.4 lbs

2008-03-03T18:43:00.000-08:00

Yes she lost 2 ounces!

Bel learned a new trick Sunday.

Sit
Hold my hand
Sit pretty!

26 weeks - 89.6 lbs

2008-02-25T20:12:00.000-08:00

Not much to report. Bel hurt her leg last Wednesday & folks were concerned with her hip/knee. She's been on puppy rest since then. Of course today it was sunny & happy & warm ... and the dane zoomies came out. There was no controlling it.

All 4 of us were on the couch tonight. Bela wanted to join in. It was painful and awkward, but she did it. Note her foot around her ear? She literally took up a 12 inch wide space.

25 weeks

2008-02-18T17:33:00.000-08:00

We spent two hours at the park today. What a great time. Bela would like to play with the horses but aside from that we had a blast.

Bela found a ball...
saw a hawk...

and had tickle time....Apparently bela would like bubbles in her next bath.

And this is what training is all about

2008-02-13T20:46:00.000-08:00

We had our second class tonight. I took plenty of photos. If you look hard enough in the group photos you can find Leo, Magnolia & Bela.
Leo
Bela
Magnolia And then after class it was visit time. While talking, the breeders not only mentioned her great bite but her excellent bone structure. (Enter cheesy proud mom grin here.) We were also asked how much she eats... and I said 6 cups , to which they looked at me funny. Magnolia eats 10.5 cups a day. Of course the first thing I did once home was measure how many cups her scoop holds. I was wrong about the amount. She is eating 12 cups a day! I have no clue why she's so skinny. It must be her metabolism. Anyways- on to the fun photos.And a candid on the car ride home.

24 weeks- 83.4 lbs

2008-02-12T18:16:00.000-08:00

This is what it takes to get Bela's weekly weight. Soon we will start going to Petsmart to use the scale there... and at that point we may not be weighing her weekly.

obedience training part 2

2008-02-08T20:29:00.001-08:00

Only 2 siblings came to class... and came 1 hour late! We only got photos with Magnolia. Bela was exhausted from class & a bit unsteady. I hope to get photos of all 4 together this next week. In the mean time:

Sisters, sisters....
Lord help the Mister....
Who comes between me and my sister....

And this was how tired she was!

23 weeks - 80 lbs

2008-02-04T19:24:00.000-08:00

Not much to report... stay tuned for training updates Wednesday night. Rumor is Bela has class with 2 litter mates AND a half brother! I plan on taking plenty of photos!

Super Bowl games part 2

2008-02-03T15:37:00.000-08:00

Bela showing off her sit & catch. Girls got game!

Super Bowl games

2008-02-03T15:30:00.000-08:00

In honor of Super Bowl Sunday, Bela learned a running play!

22 weeks - 75.2 lbs

2008-01-27T19:28:00.000-08:00

Bela played with her Kong for the first time this week. Best toy ever. She never got to play with one before because we invested in the GIANT and up until now, she didn't fit it. Not so much anymore. She played with it for hours... she loves her kong.Today we got in contact with a Therapy dog group. We are too young to start volunteering now, but we are welcomed to the monthly meetings & we will start therapy training a month after we're done with obedience. We are excited! I think its a great way to give back & an awesome use of our people loving girl! Now we are in for a long period of socializing & training. I think it will fit her well. Who doesn't love a Bela? And what Bela doesn't love the extra attention?

Bela was sad it was so wet for so long, and the forecast calls for MORE RAIN. We had some sun yesterday. I found her on a rug we dusted & left outside... on TOP of the storage bench...

For my Koiphen friends... see our bela's secret spots? Remind you of a Bekko?

Bela had her first boo boo. Who knows how it happened, but its all better today. It didn't cause her any pain (or we would have noticed it sooner - I hope)

21 weeks - 74 lbs

2008-01-20T18:23:00.000-08:00

Another week older, another week bigger. I have found three teeth today (2 k-9's and a molar).

Spay/neuter of your Giant breed dog

2008-01-20T12:27:00.000-08:00

As promised, the great debate. Per our breeder, we were asked not to fix our girl until 12-14 months old. Crazy some say, however, I think we should follow the breeders instruction. I proceed to call all vets in a 30 mile radius to chose a vet. Our vet would be one familiar with tacking & spaying/neutering a giant breed at a year old.

When making my calls all of TWO vets have the experience, one with only having done it once. That limits things.

During my phone calls EVERY SINGLE VET stated to fix her at 6 months. Why put her through heat? Why make her uncomfortable, why do that to us... etc

I was at a loss. The breeder was on vacation (holiday season of course) and I was getting such conflicting info. So I turn to a friend who is big in the GSD world & ask her. She agrees to wait & gives me this link:

http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf

On the negative side, spaying female dogs
• if done before 1 year of age, significantly increases the risk of osteosarcoma (bone cancer); this is a common cancer in larger breeds with a poor prognosis
• increases the risk of splenic hemangiosarcoma by a factor of 2.2 and cardiac hemangiosarcoma bya factor of >5; this is a common cancer and major cause of death in some breeds
• triples the risk of hypothyroidism
• increases the risk of obesity by a factor of 1.6-2, a common health problem in dogs with many
associated health problems
• causes urinary “spay incontinence” in 4-20% of female dogs
• increases the risk of persistent or recurring urinary tract infections by a factor of 3-4
• increases the risk of recessed vulva, vaginal dermatitis, and vaginitis, especially for female dogs
spayed before puberty
• doubles the small risk (<1%)>
• increases the risk of orthopedic disorders
• increases the risk of adverse reactions to vaccinations

Did you read that? Bone cancer! I went through all this trouble to get a healthy dog with lines free of cancer only to subject her to bone cancer by fixing her prior to being physically mature.
I call BS on the vet field! How can vet's blindly go along giving possibly life threatening information? I get that we live in the generation of unwanted pets, irresponsible owners, BYB's and unscrupulous breeders. But come on! The least you can do is inform the public. Remember - knowledge is power!

So we choose to wait. We also called the breeder to let her know that none of the vets are following her guidelines, even the one she referred. Oh and dont forget the responsibilities as owners to protect our giant breed! There is no dropping off our dog for surgery knowing they are in good hands. We MUST discuss every part of the procedure - all the way from head holding to type of induction agent used. Please see:

http://greatdanelady.com/articles/surgery_guidelines_for_great_danes_htm.htm

Surgery Guidelines for Great Danes

The following information regarding both routine spay and neuter surgery as well as emergency situations in the Great Dane (such as those involving C-sections) is presented as a basic protocol to help avoid complications such as DIC (Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy) which appear to occur in a higher number of giant dogs undergoing surgery than the norm. Therefore, the GDCA offers the following information for owners and breeders of Great Danes.

Several veterinary clinics with regular and extensive experience dealing with giant breeds have developed similar protocols for surgery that can be recommended preferentially for giant breeds. These are techniques that have proven highly successful; both in routine spay/neuter surgeries as well as more critical care situations, such as C-sections. Such a set of protocols is offered below. We suggest you download it and discuss this with your veterinarian PRIOR to any surgical appointment.

Please review the following with your attending veterinarian before deciding to have surgery done on your Dane:

1. First find a veterinarian experienced with surgeries involving giant breeds.

2. All elective surgeries, such as spay/neuter, should be done ideally only on healthy animals. Spays are best planned in anestrous: about 3 months after the last season. Please insure your veterinarian is aware of any health concerns you might have about your dog prior to surgery.

3. Prior to any surgery, request that the veterinarian do a complete physical examination, including a good heart auscultation, and EKG.

4. Ensure that you elect to have the pre-surgical blood work done (CBC and serum chemistry panel) and ask them to also include a CLOTTING PROFILE.

5. If all blood work and the exam are normal, then schedule the surgery and fast the dog overnight. It's not generally necessary to withhold water for 12 hours (simply put the water bowl away at bedtime).

6. Ask that the surgeon insert an IV catheter prior to surgery. Fluid therapy should generally be administered as a safety precaution. Pulse oximetry and cardiac monitoring are also recommended. If blood pressure monitoring is available, consider any extra costs as potentially insuring additional safety margins.

7. Spay surgery in conjunction with C-section is not always the safest option in giant dogs. Be sure to discuss the pros and cons of two separate surgeries vs. doing both procedures at once with your veterinarian.

8. Currently, the induction agent, Propofol (deprivan), and the gas anesthesia, Sevoflurane, are considered the most ideal (safe and effective) anesthetic agents. These agents are not always available and always cost more to use. Valium, ketamine, and the gas isoflurane are widely available and generally acceptable. Due to the variations in physiology in giant breeds, drugs such as acepromazine, rompun and the thiopentals are less appropriate choices. Discuss this with your veterinarian. Also discuss appropriate pain control for your dog when contemplating surgery for your Great Dane.

9. During and after surgery, dogs are highly susceptible to hypothermia (lowered body temperature). The body loses heat directly through the surgical opening; stress and anesthetic agents further impair ability to maintain body temperature. Hypothermia adversely affects the cardiovascular system, coagulation, anesthesia recovery time and increases the risk of wound infection. Preventive measures, including warming of IV fluids, placing the dog on a heated pad (circulating water heating pad or other heating pad set on “low”) and covering the body and extremities with warmed blankets, towels, bubble wrap, or other protective coverings post-surgery are vital in conserving body heat. Temperature monitoring, either via electronic device or rectal thermometer, should be done during surgery and periodically throughout recovery.

Prepared by the Health and Welfare committee of the Great Dane Club of America. Written by Sue Cates, RVT and reviewed by LeAnn Lake-Heidke, DVM.

Permission to reprint as submitted for educational purposes is given.

I hope that this information helps some of you. We will update you on how our experience goes when the time comes.

Play time

2008-01-20T12:24:00.000-08:00

Bela's best-est friend is Isis the Basenji.

What is the best way to play with a Basenji? Sit on her of course!

Disclaimer: No dogs were harmed during play time.

How many dogs fit on one bed?

2008-01-20T12:22:00.000-08:00

5 Months (20 weeks - 71.4 lbs)

2008-01-13T18:36:00.000-08:00

Oddity

2008-01-13T13:38:00.000-08:00

Bela has a habit. When she no longer wants her bowl in her crate, or she is done eating, she covers the dish with a blanket.

Im concerned that this may lead to an eating disorder

Hair, hair, everywhere hair...

2008-01-13T13:33:00.000-08:00

Yesterday my dear Bela had a brushing resulting in the following photo:

Today I dusted, the picture speaks for itself:

I believe we have a case of "losing baby coat"

Photo session

2008-01-11T18:07:00.001-08:00

obedience training

2008-01-11T17:24:00.002-08:00

What a mean word. We start February 6, 2008 and can not wait to complete the 7 week course & move on to private lessons with the kids of the house. Once they are confident with handling the Giant Beast I know we will all be that much happier.

On another note... we have a socialization chart that we are filling out. This is a handy dandy "what you may run into in the future, so run into it now" list.

http://dogpact.com/Services/Training/Pet_Manners/socializeChart.pdf

A local training company has a great article library, please take a look:

http://www.4pawsuniversity.com/articles.htm

AND, my favorite Dane site. Check out her Great Dane Owner's Checklist

http://www.ginnie.com/DaDane.htm

As for Collars, check out http://www.blockydogs.com/index.htm Read up on them, their products, and what motivates this fabulous gal.

Next discussion? Spay/Neuter of your giant breed.

19 weeks - 66 lbs

2008-01-07T20:10:00.001-08:00

18 weeks - 60 lbs

2008-01-07T20:09:00.000-08:00

17 weeks - 55 lbs

2008-01-07T20:08:00.002-08:00

16 weeks - 50 lbs

2008-01-07T20:08:00.001-08:00

15 weeks - 45 lbs

2008-01-07T20:07:00.000-08:00

14 weeks - 40 lbs

2008-01-07T20:05:00.002-08:00

13 Weeks - 35 lbs

2008-01-07T20:04:00.001-08:00

12 weeks - 33 lbs

2008-01-07T19:52:00.000-08:00

11 weeks - 28 lbs

2008-01-07T19:51:00.001-08:00

10 weeks - 25 lbs

2008-01-07T19:50:00.000-08:00

Bela Ru

2008-01-07T19:32:00.000-08:00

Considering the most updates my myspace account has is due to our new dog, a blog is in order to track her growth and updates.

May I Introduce Belisma (The name of the Gallic Minerva. The Celtic goddess of light and fire, the forge, and of crafts, and its meaning is "beautiful".) Rune (The name Rune is of Old Norse origin, and its meaning is "secret".) AKA "Bela Ru" (9 weeks old), a Piebald Harlequin Great Dane

Born 8/19/07
Sire: Jerlin's Magnificent Merlin
Dam: Morningstar's Let Freedom Ring