No wonder Vader can’t lose weight. He is eating walnuts by the pound, and we don’t even have a walnut tree in our yard— neither do our neighbors.
But the house across the street has a black walnut tree in the backyard. The squirrels transport them across our fence on their way home. I knew Vader was getting extra food, but for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out what it was or where it came from.
Two months on weight-management dog food. How much weight has Vader lost? ZERO
I suspected my husband gave him treats. (Sorry, sweetheart!)
Our puppy Luna helped. She came inside, and I could tell she had something in her mouth. She dropped it when I politely asked her five times: a half-chewed walnut.
No wonder our dogs have been sick. Black walnuts can be very toxic for dogs around this time of the year. It’s not the nut itself—that’s just a very high-calorie snack—but it’s the inside of the shell. They develop mold inside, which makes dogs terribly sick. Both of these geniuses have been sick lately.
No more walnuts!
I don’t like muzzles, but I had to do something. I don’t have the time to watch them when they are in our backyard, and I don’t want them to lose their playtime either. Winter will be here soon enough, and then it will be too cold.
Look at Luna. It’s like she is asking me, “Why me too? I helped?”
I expected both dogs would have a fit when I put the mesh hood on, but to my surprise, they accepted it. They looked at me funny, but after a couple of minutes they acted normal (their normal).
I took a little clip right after Vader tried it on for the first time.
…
They didn’t keep it on for long. I had to alter it a bit. I added Velcro loops and shortened the pulling strings. Now it works like a charm. They can drink but not eat.
I expect a thank-you note from the squirrels!
You are a brilliant mommy!!!
I am going to print it and show it to the dogs. 🙂
Black walnuts are wonderfully nutritious and more costly than regular walnuts. I would hope your neighbor is gathering them or letting someone else gather them. But not Vader and Luna! 🙂
I love walnuts, but the black walnuts can kill dogs. I will find a way to interrupt the supply chain.
Those monkeys!! I like the mesh muzzle idea. Not sure my two would be happy wearing them but sometimes its for their own good.
It doesn’t bother them at all. I tried them on first, because I wanted to know if it would be stiff or if it would hinder them in any form or way.
It’s like the mesh that bee keepers wear to protect themselves. It’s very light weight and bendable. They can breath normally, they can see and it doesn’t close their mouth shut. It’s just a hood, so for the moment, it’s the best solution. They play and run as they always do. I find it funny too and yes, they are monkeys.