rdranch.net Blog

Homemade Yogurt

Mon, 19 Jan 2015 10:24:00 GMT

Richard and I have yogurt smoothies most every morning. The yogurt is homemade from my cows milk and very yummy. You can make your own and I found a quick website to explain it. I do it slightly different. First I use a culture (purchased from any cheese supplier) or I use my own yogurt as the culture. And I put the yogurt in a thermos to sit overnight. That will hold the temperature and I have fabulous yogurt the next day. If you buy yogurt to be your starter, make sure it is LIVE cultured.

http://www.makeyourownyogurt.com/

Chlorohexidine & Goat/Cow Udders

Sun, 18 Jan 2015 03:20:15 GMT

Recently I was on a discussion site that was discussing how to prep goat/cow teats for milking. This is what I do: I use Chlorohexidine Solution. A friend who is an equine dentist told me about it. She uses it in horses mouths and uses it for any other topical disinfectant. It is really cheap and goes a heck of a long way. I spray it on the teats, and pull the first couple strips of milk out, take a wet wipe and wipe down teats, turn the wet wipe over and wipe them down again. After milking I follow up with the Chlorohexide solution again. I use a spray bottle. http://www.amazon.com/Bimeda-Inc-Chlorhexidine-Solution-gallon/dp/B00061MU9W

Lyme Disease Vaccinations

Sun, 24 Oct 2010 08:34:49 GMT

Recently, we had one of our dogs returned to us. I was disappointed to see that at a very young age this puppy had received both the Lyme disease vaccination as well as a giardia vaccination. This dog lived in the city in an area where ticks are not common. Lyme disease is carried by ticks. So why would the vet insist upon the Lyme disease vaccination?

The most common side effect of the Lyme disease vaccine is chronic arthritis which is also a symptom of Lyme disease. Personally, on the RD Ranch we choose to not give the vaccine but instead practice a good tick management practice. We use Frontline Plus. And I found a great place to get it - www.vetshoponline.com. They are located in Australia but they have the cheapest prices I have found. A three months supply of the extra large (89 - 132 lbs) dog is $35.95 plus about $5.00 for shipping. Course we buy the 12 months supply for $114.95 plus $5.00 shipping.

I squeeze the contents of one tube into a shot glass. (Most effective use of a shot glass I've had in years.) Then with a syringe, I split it between several dogs. Amount depends upon the weight of the animal. It is very effective and we see a noticeable difference.

We firmly believe in vaccinating our dogs but I do think that some vets go overboard on it. Why does a dog that lives in the city on chlorinated water need a giardia shot?

Read more: Dog Lyme Vaccine Side Effects | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_5518773_dog-lyme-vaccine-side-effects.html#ixzz13IBFiELU

Nala and Powder

Sat, 23 Oct 2010 07:45:00 GMT

A couple weeks ago, I received an email from one of my puppy parents. They had hit on some hard times and needed to place their dogs. This was not the first time they had contacted me. They contacted me last summer asking me to help them place their dogs. I picked up the dogs and had started working on homes for them. Within a week, the previous owners contacted me and said they wanted them back. I was irritated but really had no valid reason to not give them back. The dogs had been cared for. Probably not the way I do, but we are a little "outrageous" on the RD Ranch with our dogs. So the dogs went back.

When I received the email this time, my first thought was to ignore them. But I can't do that to "my kids" so I found a sucker to take them. I told a co-worker about the dogs. She was interested in the older female for her mom. I told Pat (let's call her Pat) to get both dogs and I would place the second. When I called her after the pickup, she went on and on about Nala and Powder. My response to her was "so you're not bringing Powder to me are you?" She laughed and told me no. Her husband didn't know about the new addition yet so it was still a possibility that I would get the dog. Pat was concerned about the possibility that it wouldn't work and Powder would be passed on yet again. I told her that the same thing would happen at my house.

Well I'm happy to say that both Nala and Powder have their new permanent homes. They have both settled in and couldn't be happier. Both have a little bit of baggage that we hope will be diminished as time goes on but a happy ending to what could have been a very sad story.

Unfortunately, the dogs were in pretty sorry shape when we got them back. According to the vets they have seen, both had visible signs of dehydration and malnourishment as well as signs of a recent flea infestation. Powder has a sore leg which the vet could find no obvious injury to account for. We believe it is from being in a kennel and reaching through for food. The dogs were no longer with the owner who got them from me but with a girlfriend of a family member.

People hit upon hard times, which is too common in today's environment. On one hand, it makes me very sad that this happened to the dogs. I don't like to hear that my dogs don't end up in the perfect homes. On the other hand, I have to give them credit for contacting me. Especially after what happened last year. I do believe that they really did want what is best for the dogs.

Not that it happens very often, but now if a dog is returned to me, I have a waiver that insures no return rights. If I had a crystal ball to see what would have happened, they would not have gotten the dogs back. But I did not have any reason to believe that they had been neglected OR would be neglected.

So hug your puppy tonight and feel blessed that you aren't in the situation to have to give up your best friend. Personally, I can't begin to imagine that. I've been very blessed.