Off Topic Board

Did the vet recommend that? I started giving it to my dog because he has arthritis too and it's seemed to help. I just started doing it because someone told me it helped their dog, not a vet.

Non-shedding dogs are ok. No cats inside. I have allergies so most dogs don't do well with most of them when inside. But we have a little silky terrier who is hypo-allergenic, so its all good.

In regard to letting them outside - we just don't it without them being supervised. I know it might sound overbearing, but I've had too many friends that have had pets hit by cars or getting hurt in other ways outside.

"I only wish I was half the man my dog thinks I am."

Author unknown

"If you feed a dog, he will not bite you. That is the principal difference between a dog and a man."

Mark Twain

Well - several years ago the dogs we had on the farm as i grew up stayed outside almost exclusively. 1 Collie, 1 German Shepherd, 3 Shelties (my mom's favorite). They helped out with the pigs and cattle - so they were always stepping in manure. The dogs stayed in the garage for the most part, or the dog house, or the barns in the winter. I could not imagine them being in the house and jumping all over the furniture. They were work dogs. I know this is a different situation than having a non-work dog or living in town. I don't think that it was cruel - FWIW.

Now - the family dog is a CKC Spaniel, rarely outside and sleeps 20 hours a day. My nightly greeting has reduced to the dog laying on her side with a half-assed tail wag.