[nagdu] Guide Dog School

[Debby Phillips]

I do think that there is a slight disconnect between what some 
vets think and what the schools think is a good weight.  We were 
shone how you need to be able to feel their ribs, and if they 
have a waistline to be able to feel that.  Some people thought 
that Neena was too skinny when I brought her home, but according 
to the vet at school, she was fine.  Of course, she's filling out 
now, losing a lot of that puppy look.  But still she is pretty 
skinny.  (I don't think she's too skinny).  But there definitely 
is a difference in what some vets say is a just fine weight and 
what the schools think is a just fine weight.  I'm not sure how 
you resolve that, if you are required to give yearly vet checks, 
and the vet says the dog's weight is okay but the school says 
it's not.  You know, it's kind of like human doctors can't even 
always agree on what a good weight for a person is.  One doctor I 
had said I should way around 130 pounds, because as I get older 
my bones will need a little more padding to protect them from 
falls.  Another doctor told me I should be 120 pounds.  So there 
you go, two doctors, and a 10 pound difference in what they think 
would be the right weight for me.     Peace,    Debby with Neena