pure kona wrote:
> On Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:11:34 -0600, Kathleen
> > wrote:
>
>
>>pure kona wrote:
>>
>>
>>>On Mon, 12 Jan 2009 08:06:21 -0600, Kathleen
> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>pure kona wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>On Sun, 11 Jan 2009 18:19:40 -0600, Kathleen
>
> PS. I didn't get her as a pure bred Border Collie. She was given to
> the Humane Society and we wanted her and had a farm. She seemingly has
> all the right attributes, though.

I'm glad to hear that her weight is probably overestimated. Still you
should have a heart to heart with the vet about her weight and fitness
level.

Most pet animal practices are so used to seeing fat animals that they
look normal to them. My primary vet for the past 25 years is well
accustomed to my "skinny" dogs but new partners need to be taken on a
guided tour of their physiques before realizing that what they have
their hands on is an extremely fit animal, and not malnourished.

Every time a new partner has joined my vet's practice I have had to
justify my dogs' "skinny-ness". A review of the actual standards and a
guided tour of their physiques generally leads to back pedaling on their
initial assessment. There's no way starved or malnourished dogs could
maintain their muscle mass or log their level of performance.

Favorite Newby Vet Comment (referencing Cooper, 5 yo JRT):

"Look at those thighs... they're like turkey drumsticks. And his
shoulders! Imagine what he'd look like if he wasn't neutered!"

2nd Favorite Newby Vet Comment (referencing Zane, 7 yo BC):

(While listening to his heart and respirations)
"Ohh, he's so calm."
Erm, no he's not. He hates the vet's office and especially new
personnel. His eyes are showing white all the way around and for him,
his heart is racing and he's breathing hard. But he's basically a
canine Lance Armstrong and his heart rate and respirations only climb
into housepet normal when he's freaked out.

3rd Favorite Newby Vet Comment (referencing Scully, 8 yo BC):
"Her veins are like hosepipes! I could hit them with my eyes closed!"
(Please don't)