30 June 2013 Honeybun's coconut oil

Put coconut oil into smaller glass containers, I started Honeybun on all the supplements today, preparing his stomach for raw! 

He only had one small brisket bone today, poo ok, 2 more days will add a bit more to see how he goes!

30 June 2013 Honeybun's cannot be mad with him face

Honeybun, You are very naughty, but how can I not love you!

30 June 2013 Honeybun's so don't want to wait face

When is time for dinner, and I am not getting up, Honeybun will come and remind me, if I ignore him, this is the face I'll see ... Fine Honeybun...I'll feed you now!!!

30 June 2013 Found Honeybun's baby tooth

Took the glass bottles out to divide coconut oil into smaller containers, and I find this, Honeybun's baby tooth! 

I thought I lost it, so happy I found it !!!

28 June 2013 Start Honeybun on raw again....

Got some brisket bones and start giving them to Honeybun yesterday, small amount to start with as planned, he loves them. 

I removed most of the fatty part..they were soooo fat!!!  He had 2 small one yesterday, checked his poo this morning, obviously more dryer than normal, only gave him one today, night time poo was ok, no diarrhea at all  ...

So happy, finally I can start getting him into raw

   

28 June 2013 Personalised "I love Honeybun" nail stickers

"I  Honeybun" personalised nail stickers, can't wait to put them on!!!  

26 June 2013 Not so good side of Honeybun

I shared few videos that show the good side of Honeybun, but I like to share some "Not so good side of Honeybun" too.


I took Honeybun to the park yesterday, didn't turn out too good...
Anyway, Honeybun Still does not have a good recall, BUT he was extremely unusual yesterday, he only did maybe 10% of what I asked him to do, normally I can get him to do everything (except recall).

I used a rope today to help get him back after he got the toy, my partner properly is one of the reason why he is so not focus, plus I think Honeybun wasn't 100% yesterday too.

After yesterday experience, I think is better to stick with me and Honeybun only, we both need to focus and not get distracted!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O1SF1CNlCY

26 June 2013 Dinner out with Honeybun - at Hawthorn

Got so tired from all the work at home, didn't go out for lunch today, instead took Honeybun to the park but didn't go too well!!! 

After the park, we went to Hawthorn Chinese cafe for a really early dinner! 

Honeybun? He was tired from all the crazy running at the park, he still walk too fast but he was quite good when we sat down at the cafe! 

25 June 2013 Redone Honeybun's room again

Did Honeybun's room months ago, but he destroyed the walls within 2 days. 

The so called waterproof floor cover is not that waterproof after all. Honeybun can hold when he is in my room but he wouldn't hold any other place in the house, of course, he pee in his room and his wee got through the so called waterproof floor cover, the room smelled like a dirty public toilet! 

Didn't really have time to fix the room in the last few months, but really can't stand it anymore, spent 5 hours to fix the room, putted it proper vinyl flooring, fence on the wall as decorations, second hand drawers, freezer to store his raw food and a crate just in case if I need him to stay at one place while I am cleaning his area! 

Still need to secure the fence with 3M stickers and cover at least 2/3 of the holes, or Honeybun will pull everything down! 

Although the room is not completely finish yet, but I am quite happy with the result! 

19 June 2013 Honeybun out with us again - at Hampton

We are having Greek tonight! 

Honeybun is really good today, but constantly looked at me and see if I can give him something to eat! :) 

13 June 2013 Honeybun No Pain (Work) No Gain

Honeybun is really good at "Wait" especially when it involves food, he always wait until I allow him to eat (Of course not if I am not looking)....

But instead of looking at me while waiting, he looks at the food most of the time, even if he was looking at me, as soon as I make a bit of movement, he will look at the food, which I don't want, I want him to focus on me...

I did this in the past but couldn't do it daily so whenever I practice with him, I have to start all over again..I think now I will start with his 2 meals, then to the larger treats, bones and so on....I wouldn't expect him to do it if I am giving him treats while training him for other things, don't want to confuse him.....Step by step...One by one.... :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQMil_qHFC0

12 June 2013 Out and about with Honeybun again

Nice Chai Latte time — at Mocha Jo's






















Dinner At The Black Toro. 

Yummy food, not very nice weather, very good Honeybun 

11 June 2013 Honeybun studied hard...

It is funny that Honeybun always "Look" so focus when I play our water training videos, and he always go to the window and see if they are outside and give me the look "Where are they mum....????" What's next? ...ALWAYS...Sleep like a pig....!!!

The videos are all about a minute long only, but he acts like he's been watching for hours that he got so tired!!!

Love Love Love him :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8it5pjXK6k&feature=youtu.be

10 June 2013 Finally can put ear drops on Honeybun easier

I had difficulty applying ear drops on Honeybun, he tried everything to avoid it. 

He tried hitting me with his hand, bit me, ran off, rolled over, kicked me...anything you can think of...It was a nightmare...BUT I figured out, since Honeybun loves food, maybe I can try doing it right before his meals, higher chance for him to cooperate.

The first couple of days still struggled a bit, but I did not give in, I didn't give him his meals until he cooperated. He knows now that he is not getting his food until after he had his ear drops, he just reluctantly let me quickly do it!!! Yeah!!! Finally I don't have to be tortured when I am giving him the ear drop....

Honeybun gave me a lot of muscles pain, more joints feel sore...Really hope he becomes easier as he grows up (With Trainings), so I can have less pain!!!!

I love you very much Honeybun, you better know it!!! (^^^)

Sorry for my not very good looking outfit..... hehehe!!! :P

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2nDH_ozQ7g&feature=youtu.be

10 June 2013 Honeybun destroys anything he can reach....

Honeybun is truly burning my money...  I turned my back for a minute, he got my camera case and it is what it looks like now!!! Arrrrrrr!!!! Lucky the camera is not attach to this part of the case!!!! 

09 June 2013 Honeybun Running, Practicing and Heeling at the park

Missed out the Water Rescue Training yesterday....Took Honeybun to the park to allow him to run for a bit, we also did some practices and Heeling...

Although Honeybun STILL get distracted extremely easy with other people and dogs, the "Recall" is just terrible, nowhere near where I want us to be (except how cute he looks), but we are both improving very very very slowly.....

Honeybun did Drop, Sit, Stand, Back and Drop again....His Heeling is not perfect but this is the first time we did off leash Heeling outside of our house (Still with no distractions of course)!!!

I am very proud of Honeybun even though it seems he is improving wayyyyyy too slow!!! (My fault of course).....I am a happy MaMa :)

Honeybun Running, Practicing and Heeling Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owLQDKpAG-A

07 June 2013 Honeybun's pre desexing consultation (Supposingly)

A friend of mine recommended this vet to me, the vet seems to have a very good reputation and lots of experiences.

I made the appointment to do a pre-desexing blood test and confirm his ear infection is gone, but after I got there, the vet (younger than I thought) said is better to wait until he comes back from his holiday 2 and a half weeks later to do the tests (including the ears) so all the medicines in his system is out, then the results will be more accurate!!!
Don't really know why I had to go there today if Honeybun can't do any of the tests, $60 consultant fees still !!!

Overall, the vets and all the staffs are really nice, the vet showed me the operation room that Honeybun will have his desexing. IV Fluid to be used during operation, Monitor for Oxygen and Heartbeat, they even have BP that provide oxygen through his mouth during operation....All sound pretty good....

Now, just have to wait until Dr.Bob comes back from his holiday, have the tests done, re-check his ears then is desex!!!!

5 June 2013 Dinner out with Honeybun again, Hawthorn this time!!!

Took Honeybun to a Japanese restaurant that has outdoor seating in Hawthorn today, he was quite good the whole time except when the waitress saw Honeybun and used her high pitch and got Honeybun excited.

Of course, whenever we have Japanese food, we always order raw beef, and we always ask them to serve the sauce separately so we can give some to Honeybun, he loves it a lot.

I never give Honeybun anything with sauce on, they are no good for any dogs!!!

5 June 2013 Honeybun's supplements started to arrive!!!

Preparing everything to turn Honeybun into Raw Diet, it might take me a year to completely turn him into raw due to his sensitive stomach, but we will eventually get there.....

With the help of my friends and a lot of research, I now know with Raw Diet, it is important that we cannot just give them a steak, a piece of meat or a whole chicken...Raw Diet is a lot more than just meat. Bones like chicken drumstick is not a good idea for large dog due to the bone and the excessive calcium, organs has to be part of the diet, supplements to make up the balance diets are essential etc....

Anyone who are interested in this most natural healthy diet should do all the research, read a lot of information and books before they start giving their dogs raw diet.

If the dog has been on commercial diet like Honeybun, the transition should be slow, allowing the dog to get used to raw or the dog might have diarrhea like Honeybun.

Small amount of fat on the bones are ok, but not too much as the fat can cause diarrhea like it did to Honeybun.....

Commercial diets are convenient and can be very cheap if you buy them from the supermarket which I never do. They are rubbish, can foods are high in water, high in salt, they have preservative and all type of chemicals....same with the dry food beside it is not high in water.

The commercial food that I give to Honeybun is one of the most expensive, most balanced, high quality dry food that I can get from the vet clinic. However, I still dislike the salt, the preservative and the chemicals in there. A lot of dogs has allergic reactions to Wheat, Corn etc, and most of the dry food contain them, which I also do not like my Honeybun to have.

Raw diet require quite a bit of research and work, but I love Honeybun enough that I am willing to put the work into finding the most healthy diet for him.

Already purchased most of the supplements that are needed for his diet from the online Health Food Stores, all organic which is essential, I received 2 so far!!!

3 June 2013 Got so many books to help me with Raw Diet...Hate reading.

I was able to find quite a few books about Raw Diet.

Trying to find some Raw diet recipes but they either require their own supplements or they are so hard to understand... 

Got so many books to read...Honestly, I hate reading, but for Honeybun, I must do it!!! 

After I purchased the actual book (Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats:The Ultimate Diet) online, which was recommended by a lot of Raw feeding owners, I find the ebook version on Amazon.com for $1.99... WT!!!!

Had to download some apps to convert the kindle version (All ebooks from Amazon are Kindle version) to iBook version for IPad (although I can read that book in my iPad Kindle apps too, but I like to keep all my books in ibooks instead, easier to manage), after I converted it, it is now in my iBooks with all other books that I have to read!!! 

  

 

1 June 2013 Preparing Honeybun to switch to raw diet SLOWLY....

Honeybun had 3 days diarrhea after I gave him some bones. He always on commercial diet, so he properly not used to the raw and the bones properly too fatty as well.....

I am not going to stop trying, but this time I will do it really really slow,  allowing him to switch to raw diet without upsetting his tummy!!!

Got some advices from other Newfoundland owners that if a dog is on Raw Diet, they must also take some supplements to make sure they have enough nutrition in their diet! 

The list below are some of the supplements that Honeybun needs to have with the Raw Diet:

Pro Biotics - To produce good flora for his stomach, help improve his digesting system.
Evening Primrose Oil - No need if has National Animals Solution Oil.
Coconut Oil-Cold Pressed - Good for his stomach, skin and fur.
Omega 3 Oil - No need if has Naitonal Animals Solution Oil.
Alfalfa/Kelp Powder - Digesting system.
Vitamin C - I picked Ester C which include more than just vitamin C, give them the calcium that he needs.
Vitamin E - Which also replaced by the National Animals Solution Oil.

Hopefully all these extras will help Honeybun to have a better healthier life! 
Never spend so much time on reading, researching and training for any of our animals (kids). 
All our kids are special and unique but Honeybun obviously is the VIP.

31 May 2013 Honeybun at the vet for his ears allergic reaction

 

Honeybun is allergic to the ear cleaner, his ears are inflamed...
 

Asked the vet to check if he has ear infection just in case, lucky I requested it, he actually does also has ear infection that has nothing to do with the ear cleaner....
 

Wired case according to the vet as I used one of the most gentle ear cleaner available, obviously Honeybun has very very sensitive skin!!!
 

Instructed by the vet, no swimming for at least the next 3 weeks!!!
Drops twice a days for at least 2 weeks!!!
 

Waiting for the Epi-Otic Advance to arrive, hopefully he is not allergic to that or I will have to make my own.

We have water rescue training on the 9th of June, but I can't get his ears wet due to his infection, so we just have to give this one a miss....!!!!!

$200 vet bill, can't claim insurance because it is again under the excess amount...Is time to consider paying a bit more for the premium to reduce the excess...Otherwise I might ended up paying thousands for vet bills but I can never claim anything back!!! ... 

Also discussed with the vet about desexing, he said he gave Honeybun an injections to settle down his allergic reaction, it takes about 10 days for the injection to completely get out of his system, and Honeybun cannot have any operation done when he has an infection, so we have to wait until he recovered from the infection before I can take Honeybun to allergy testing or perform desexing. 

And since Honeybun is soooooo sensitive that he gets allergic reaction from one of the most gentle cleaner (which the vet find it really weird), he will be extra careful with what he uses when he desex Honeybun to avoid any problems.

A friend of mine who is a dog trainer that also has a Newfoundland dog recommended another vet to me that she is very happy with, I contacted that vet and will properly get him to do the desexing for Honeybun. 

Honeybun is a giant dog, very different from a small, medium or large dog, whatever that need to be done, we have to be extremely careful with who we pick, what they use, when to do it, to make sure nothing bad is going to happen. 

Majority of the vets do not have experience with giant dogs, they just treat the giant dogs like any other dogs when they are very different, they wouldn't know what to do if something happen because they won't have enough knowledge to know why it happens, what cause it and therefore wouldn't be able to deal with it in the way that it should be in time, which is very dangerous for the giant dogs. And if they deal with small dogs most of the time and don't really know the breed, it is very hard for them to deal with certain situations. Therefore, I like to only use vets that are recommended by other Newfoundland owners, of course, I have to see them myself. 

I've been to few vets, however, up until today, I still have not find one that I am confident with. They are all very nice vets but they are not experience enough for Newfoundland. Really hope Dr. Bob Cavey is the one so I can stop searching!!!!!

31 May 2013 Honeybun got real bad reaction to Paw Gentle Ear Cleaner...

Honeybun has a huge reaction after I used the PAW Gentle Ear Cleaner on him yesterday, both of his ears turns red, he screams when I touch them!!! 

He properly allergic to something in there, had to take him to the vet later today!!!!
 
Only used the PAW Gentle Ear Cleaner once, can't use it anymore!!! According to the vets and many dog owners, Paw Gentle Ear Cleaner is one of the most gentle ear cleaner that we can get, believe he is allergic to eith acid or alcohol.

Already brought Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleanser, which also recommended by a vet!!! 
Hopefully he doesn't has negative reactions to it!!!
 
My poor baby has sensitive skin and stomach!!!

 

29 May 2013 Went out to dinner with Honeybun in Mornington

As usual, dinner out with Honeybun on Wednesday!

Today we picked Counting House in Mornington. 
If you like original taste you will like their food...but...too original for me!!!

Honeybun behaved quite ok today except when a man just appeared next to us too quick that Honeybun moved forward few steps, I quickly pull Honeybun back and turn the other way, and when a couple came to us while we were having coffee and petted Honeybun without asking, Honeybun start licking and I said, 'ENOUGH Honeybun' and put him back to a drop, they backed off too, obviously they know I didn't like what Honeybun was doing, and of course that mean I didn't like their actions either!!! 
They are really nice people, I didn't want to be rude but I make sure they know I don't allow Honeybun behave in a way that I don't accept! 

Other than that, Honeybun was good!!!
 
Not too bad!