Having a short chat with the neighbour today, I was told they've been giving Don cooked ham bones (around 4 or so) during this year.

They then asked if that was alright - I was hesitant to say no, fearing they'd take it the wrong way and feel hurt,as they gave Don the bones with good intention. So I told them, I never give Don any other bones than raw canon bones, hoping they'd take the hint and stop giving Don cooked bones.

I'm also surprised as to how Don managed to eat most if not all of the bones given to him, without me having to pay an emergency visit to the vet. During the year on a couple of occasions I've found medium-sized bone shards that I shudder off at thought of Don swallowing them.

Don doesn't swallow the whole shard, but he nibbles on them until he breaks off tiny pieces and swallow them, but I'm afraid he'll some day decide to swallow a bigger piece.

So what do I say? I'm hoping the neighbour took the hint, but if they don't, I don't want to ruin my relationship with the neighbour, either.

Philip

Firstly thank the neighbour for taking an interest in Don.
Tell them that you apprciate the way in which they think about him.
But tell them very nicely that Don is on a special diet and you need to moniter what he eats, how often and how much due to a medical condition.
You don't need to go into details, but just explain that you are thinking about his wellbeing and his long term future.
Just say thanks so much for the treats that you give Don, but please can you give them to me, for me to give to Don, or give them to Don when I am around so I can see what he is eating.
They sound like lovely people and you are right not to want to upset them or hurt their feelings.
They obviously have a lot of time for Don.
Sounds like he is a very lucky wee dog.
i am sure that they will understand and see where you are coming from.
And... any exam results from you yet ?

Kate and the gang

Thanks Froggy. Will have a chat with them again tomorrow. They are nice people, and they love Don - because he's what they refer to at as their "cost-effective alarm system". Mainly because Don barks at dodgy strangers at nights and they don't have to pay him!

As for exam results - none yet. Expecting them some time in January. I'm just biting my nails, as I'm quite worried about being accepted into uni. They can turn me down if they think I haven't passed sufficiently.

I guess it comes down to my biology results though - and biology is what I'm best at at school.

Philip

Nah!!!! you will have no worries being accepted into Uni.
As Denise has said on many ocassions, you come across on here as very mature, and highly intelligent and this exam stuff is just a drop in the ocean for you.
Let me know what the neighbours say, I am sure you will be fine with that as well.
They will be happy to co operate with you , and from your reply they love Don most likely as much as you do.
They would not like to see anything happen to their " alarm system".

Kate and the gang

Hi Phillip. I agree with Froggy, the easiest way is to tell your neighbour that Don has been put on a special diet and it is important that you know exactly what he eats. Say you know that they kindly give Don some titbits and you are happy for them to continue doing so but could they give them to you first so you can monitor his food. That way they can still feel like they are 'helping' (unfortunately it is not the help you want) and should not be offended.

I am sure you will ace your exams.

Do let your 'web family' know the results when you get them.

Hi Philip

Living in our motorhome with our GSD, often at camp grounds people ask if our dog would like a bone. I always say thank you so much for the kind thought but he can not have bones, and vomits them up. Recently we were at a barbie and someone gave Buck a cooked chop bone, which within 5 minutes he did just that, chucked it up. While people have the best intentions, the repercussions can sometimes be very bad, so I never feel embarrased to say thanks but no thanks. My aunt once had a dog who had to have an operation to remove chipped bone which had built up in his bowel and the dog could not pass it. Was not nice!

Thanks all. Have talked with the neighbours and they seem to understand. They say they'll ask me first if they want to give Don something to eat.

I hope they're the only neighbour that's been feeding him things I don't know about lol.....

Just read post tonite, prescrip diet is the way to go!!!!!!!!!! Good Luck with exams or do you know already??? Keep us posted

Dee, (RIP) Eliie, Hunza,Skyi,& Maddie