Latestarter's ramblings/musings/gripes and grumbles.

[OneFineAcre]

Right now Mel gets a ~50/50 mix of:
Earthborn Holistic Primitive Natural (Dry) http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/earthborn-holistic-primitive-natural/

Mixed with one of the two choices below:
Purina Savor Adult Shredded Blend Beef and Rice http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/purina-pro-plan-savor/ rated 2.5 stars
Purina One SmartBlend True Instinct with Real Turkey and Venison http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/purina-one-smartblend-true-instinct/
Rated 2 stars

Now having gone in and read about them (Purina), neither will be on the menu any longer. Purina is such a "trusted" name, which just goes to show that you can't trust any business... you need to verify. At least they're not as bad as some of the other "popular" big name dog foods.

I generally buy both bags at the same time at TSC as wally world doesn't carry the more expensive Earthborn products. I just checked with wally online and they DO offer 6 pound packages of the Earthborn, for $19.54 ($3.28/lb!! Sold & Shipped by "We The People" <--really?). I buy it at TSC in the 28 pound bag for ~$52.00 or $1.86/lb.

Was considering Merrick or Blue (Blue buffalo/wilderness/etc), but just checked the cost of that and it's even higher than the Earthborn So after further research, I believe I want to keep a 5 star rated dry like the earthborn, and mix it with nothing less than a 4 star that's reasonably priced. So here's what I've found that I can get at TSC For the high cost/high quality food I can go with:

Taste of the Wild High Prairie Formula http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/taste-of-the-wild-dog-food-dry/ 5 star $49/30 lb or $1.63/lb
Earthborn Holistic Primitive Natural (Dry) http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/earthborn-holistic-primitive-natural/ 5 star $52/28lb $1.86/lb

And then for the 4 star to mix with it I can go with:

4Health Chicken and Rice Adult http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/4health-dog-food-dry/ 4 star $35/35lb ~$1/lb
Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Turkey and Potato http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/rachael-ray-nutrish-zero-grain-dog-food/ 4 star $42/28lb or $1.50/lb

Since I'm a member of TSC, they have told me that they'll price match. So If I bring in an online price document or sale paper, they should match it saving me a little bit. I just found out some more interesting information... The 4Health brand is owned by TSC. It's packaged by Diamond, which could be good or bad since their dog food ranks anywhere from ~ 2.5 to 4.5 with most falling in the 3-3.5 range.

I've now dedicated too many hours to this post and it's 2am

Now what is it exactly that Purina did? I haven't seen that.

 

[OneFineAcre]

Interesting on the sales stats @greybeard

Totals to 63.7%, 26.1% (of 100%) is labeled Purina.



But how much would it cost if they didn't have to send money Rachel's way every time they sell a bag of dog food? A non value add "intermediary". I wonder (but do not need to know) how many people buy it BECAUSE her name is on it. Like Trump getting money any time his name is attached to anything that he has NO financial or other interest in.

I'd be willing to bet that Purina makes a lot of the Private Label ones.
I'm pretty sure they make the Retriever for Tractor Supply.

 

[Southern by choice]

I think I'll just stick with what has worked for years.

Everyone should do what works for them however, the LGD breeds are quite different. I know I cannot feed my LGD's what I feed my GSD. They don't use the energy and long term that is health issues waiting. The critical stage is the growth stage in the first 8 months. We still do monitoring til 18 months.

As far as Mel, I would be careful. Sounds like you cook for him because he isn't eating his kibble. That is actually normal, hot , no use of energy why would he eat?

All this protein can cause issues for Mel. He is not a working dog and isn't utilizing the food.

Our house LGD(retired) uses little energy. He eats very little and still skips food when he doesn't feel like eating.

 

[babsbag]

My LGds will eat some Diamond food and stare at other Diamond food like I am trying to poison them. The love the Purina shredded stuff. My house dogs get a different Nature's Domain every month and they seem to like them all, but they really prefer cat food.

 

[Latestarter]

Everyone should do what works for them however, the LGD breeds are quite different. I know I cannot feed my LGD's what I feed my GSD. They don't use the energy and long term that is health issues waiting. The critical stage is the growth stage in the first 8 months. We still do monitoring til 18 months.

As far as Mel, I would be careful. Sounds like you cook for him because he isn't eating his kibble. That is actually normal, hot , no use of energy why would he eat?

All this protein can cause issues for Mel. He is not a working dog and isn't utilizing the food.

Our house LGD(retired) uses little energy. He eats very little and still skips food when he doesn't feel like eating.

I don't force Mel to eat... He eats as and when he feels the need. I just make it available for him. I'm not "cooking for him" except in one situation, and that's all these eggs I have to get rid of. My main egg buyer moved back east, and they pile up quick. Not going waste them. And though I do still sell some and give some away, If I can use them as part of Mel's diet, that is far better. The fact that he tends to eat more when I add protein makes sense to me... Like you said, dogs are scavengers, they eat what they feel they need when and if they can get it. I've paid very close attention to everything you've shared before and after getting Mell WRT LGDs and their food.

Anyway... seems dog food can become a "hot topic of discussion" like just about anything else

SO, I just got off the phone with the owner of the roofing company that's replacing the roof on the potential new home. He assured me that the chimney is a triple wall chimney so there's no issue with the shingles being right up against it, and no issue with potential fires from the roof being against it. He also told me that he'll be removing the turbine vents on the roof and re-decking those holes and installing a ridge vent instead for better attic cooling. And though it's not required, it is recommended, so he'll be installing drip edge all around. He'll be doing a complete scrape of the roof to check the decking, and will be giving a transferable 5 year warranty as well. I called my REA and told him I'm satisfied and good to go. I was told the roof will be done before closing with no problem.

 

[Southern by choice]

LOL Latestarter... Badger- we don't cook for him but you know how it is... if it isn't up on top of the fridge or closed in the oven it is gone. He has no shame.
I carried my burger out on the couch late last night. Had some people her with goats to evaluate... got in late.
I was sooooo hungry.
Badger climbs up beside me with the "mommy are you going to give me that look"... I said Badge are you hungry?
He did his real alert look... saying "yes mommy"
I said ok baby, but you can't have my burger... I'll get you your food

Then he did that think that Pyrenees are famous for- he turned on the big brown sad eyes look - you know with a tough of sadness, mopiness, i am so dejected look

Yeah- I gave him my burger.

My DH is horrible about it too. Badger lays his head down on the table- YES the table and looks at "daddy"... Daddy is a sucker cuz Badge is "his" dog. NONE of the other dogs would even DREAM of doing these things.

 

[babsbag]

Badger OWNS you.

 

[Latestarter]

Badger is one awesome dog... Gotta say.

 

[Latestarter]

So, pretty much as I expected, the appraisal didn't come in. Not near as bad as it could have been... Just got a call from my REA and it came in at $252K on sales price of $275K. About 8% lower than sales price. Now, I didn't expect to get the sales price, but did expect a little higher than that. My REA and his team are going to work to try and get more value from the appraiser, but haven't actually received the report yet. They'll work on that over the weekend and get to hammering on Monday.

I explained to my REA that I knew the buyers bid it up to 275 expecting/knowing/hoping the appraisal wouldn't come in that high, and they'd never have to pay that. They just wanted to knock everybody else out of contention and make sure their contract offer was accepted over all the others. In the final (both actually) contract they said they'd pay up to 2K over appraised value. In the original contract they offered 250K and were doing 16K down. In the final offer that I accepted, they were just doing the 3% down. So I know they can meet the 3% FHA down payment requirement with room to spare. As I told my REA, if we can at least get value to $260K, I can ask the buyers to pay $5K vice 2K over appraised value and get what the next 2 highest bidders had offered to purchase it for; $264K and 265K respectively. They should be happy as they'll be paying 10K less than they offered. I'll be happy as I'll be getting what I perceive the real sales value to be.

So once more, it's a waiting game.

Edit to add:

Daddy is a sucker cuz Badge is "his" dog. NONE of the other dogs would even DREAM of doing these things.

Ummmm, so correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember a certain "D", that is DW's dog, doing the salsa on the dining room table over apples.... Justsayin So "none" might be stretching things just a bit Hehehe

 

[Southern by choice]