Overdoing-- yes, I know.

A few weeks ago at a regular vet visit he was at a good weight for him-- clocked in at 67 pounds. Sparkling, well muscled, bones well covered, but not overweight. He'd been at that state all winter, so we thought we had the problem solved. We'd adjusted calories and quantities for both dogs all winter, to keep up with the cold both outside and in their cool corner. We gave them an extra night time heater for the nights it was needed, cushy dog beds, insulated the floor even more-- they were quite comfortable and happy doggies.

But since the outdoor running program started, he'd lost so much and not eaten to keep up with the increased energy demand that his ribs were clearly too visible, spine quite sharply felt, and hips beginning to show through the flesh and fur. But happy, sparkly, playful, and eating what he had been eating-- eating a really big meal about every third day and picking in between despite being offered more to compensate for the increased exercise.

We (and the vet) were proceeding on the idea he was simply a picky eater-- but my farm management experience kept telling me there was more to it and that it was a management issue, not a health or temperament issue. We adjusted some of the management issues-- eating alone or in company, cutting out treats, letting him eat when hungry and trusting he'd pick up, adding special sauce, and the like. Each change helped, for a day or two, and then it would be back to the pattern.

By this week, he had just gotten too thin-- no smart dog will do that unless there's a reason. He is a smart one, and not otherwise high-maintenance or picky.

So-- it had to be the nature of the food, because we had tried everything else suggested here, by the vet, and by our friend who runs the SPCA here. Faulkner agrees. He inhaled a third of the morning crockpot, looking for more-- he'll wait till he digests this lot. A bigger crockpot is going now, for tomorrow and maybe even to store a little.

Hopefully, feeding the dog will now become a routine chore instead of the daily circus and worry. And for the summer vacay boarding I should have a working daily ration and not bring home a too-skinny dog.

So good! When he's back up to a fighting weight, the running can resume.

~Susan