admin answers:

I use Nature’s Variety. They are an all life stages and their brands are interchangeable so that you can switch them without giving your animals an upset tummy. They offer both cat and dog food.

Http://www.naturesvariety.com/

There is also Timberwolf Organics as well. Great food but alittle more expensive than the Nature’s Variety.

Http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.632216/.f

admin answers:

Iams, Royal Canin, and Nutro are all low quality dog foods. There is no ‘best’ dog food. The best dog food for your dog is the high quality dog food he does best on.

Not all pet food is made equally. A lot of it is full of corn, by-products, dyes, unhealthy preservatives, filler grains and all sorts of nasty stuff. A lot of pet food companies are perfectly happy to the dump cheap leftovers and things that aren’t safe for human consumption (from human food processing plants) into their foods. Will it kill your dog? No, it has to be nutritionally complete and safe to even be marketed. Is it healthy? Not by a long shot.

Corn is a low quality ingredient you never want to see in your pet food. Corn and low quality grains are two of the biggest culprits when it comes to food allergies in our pets.

Thankfully, there are some excellent dog foods being made these days that include organic, human grade ingredients rather than trash not fit for human consumption.

Examples of low quality foods to avoid: Anything you can find in a grocery store will be low end, Purina, Iams, Eukanuba, Science Diet, Royal Canin, Pedigree, Kibbles n’ Bits, Beneful, Ol’Roy.

Examples of high quality foods to look for: Innova, Wellness, Solid Gold, Canidae All Life Stages, Fromm Four Star, Merrick, GO Natural, Nature’s Variety Prairie, Nature’s Logic, Artemis Fresh Mix, Timberwolf Organics.

Although the high quality foods are more expensive, you’re getting what you’re paying for. Less filler material and higher quality ingredients means more concentrated nutrients… This means you typically need to feed far less of the high quality food than you would of the low quality one. Which also means less poop!

Seriously on a budget? Two of the most affordable of the higher quality foods would be Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover’s Soul and Canidae All Life Stages.

Before following your vet’s food recommendation, keep in mind that vets get /very/ little nutritional training during their schooling. Besides that, what training they /do/ get is usually sponsored or taught by… You guessed it, the crappy pet food companies! They also often get kickbacks from the companies for pushing these products at their clinics (Science Diet, Royal Canin etc.)

A great option is to go with an entirely grain-free diet. Many of the high quality foods now put out grain-free formulas. Some good grain-free diets include: Innova EVO, Wellness CORE, Blue Wilderness, Nature’s Variety Instinct, Orijen, Horizon Legacy, Canidae Grain Free All Life Stages, Fromm Surf & Turf, Now!, GO Natural Grain Free, Sold Gold Barking At The Moon, Ziwipeak, and Taste of the Wild.

Some pretty decent foods can even be found in common pet stores. Petsmart carries Blue Buffalo products (such as the excellent grain-free diet, Blue Wilderness). Petco carries Wellness, Solid Gold, Natural Balance, Eagle Pack Holistic Select, Blue Buffalo, Castor & Pollux Organix, Pinnacle, and Halo.

If you can’t find a food, most of the high quality dog food brands have websites with store locators on them that will help you find the store closest to you which supplies their products. Simply type the dog food brand’s name into Google, go to their website, and type your zip code into their store locator.

Another option, if you can’t find anywhere around you that sells good foods, is to order your pet food online. Here’s an excellent place to do so: http://www.petfooddirect.com/store/

Remember that foods should be switched gradually (mixing the new slowly in with the old over the period of about week or so), especially when switching to a higher quality one, so as not to upset tummies. For example:
Days 1 & 2: 75% old food, 25% new food
Days 3 & 4: 50% old food, 50% new food
Days 5 & 6: 25% old food, 75% new food
Day 7: 0% old food, 100% new food

Another option for feeding dogs is to feed raw. This is something that should be thoroughly researched before being attempted:
http://www.rawfed.com/ (RawFed)
http://www.rawlearning.com/ (Jane Anderson’s Raw Learning Site)
http://rawfeddogs.net/ (Raw Fed Dogs)
http://www.rawmeatybones.com/ (Raw Meaty Bones)
http://rawfed.com/myths/preymodel.html (Raw Prey Model Diet Vs. BARF Diet)
http://community.livejournal.com/rawdogs/profile/ (Raw Dogs Livejournal Community, excellent raw feeding information on the profile page and overall helpful community for raw feeding questions)
http://www.rawfed.com/myths/index.html (Myths About Raw Feeding)

Also remember that freefeeding (leaving food down) is the fast lane to canine obesity. Make sure to have scheduled feeding times loosely based on the feeding guidelines on your dog’s food. Adult dogs are typically fed two meals a day.

More on dog food:
http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=main (Learn how to determine the quality of your dog’s food.)
http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/ (Dog food reviews. Four stars is a decent food, five stars is a great food, and six stars is an excellent food.)

Darksong~

admin answers:

I’m so sry to hear this. Make sure she drinks lots of water. There is a science diet food that is good for kidney issues I believe it is A/d or maybe i/d or it could be u/d. Petsmart carries it and you will be able to tell which one it is because it should say it on the bag or can. Good Luck and may god bless you and your dog in this time of need.

admin answers:

These work well with Guitar OR Piano

ALREADY GONE… Tempchin/Strandlund
AMERICAN PIE… Don McLean
ANNIE’S SONG… John Denver
BAMBOO.. Dave Van Ronk
BELIEVE.. Elton John/ Bernie Taupin
BLACK WATER… Doobie Brothers
BLACKBEARD’S NAVY. James (Sunny Jim) White
BLACKBIRD.. Paul McCartney
BLOWIN’ IN THE WIND.. Bob Dylan
BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS.. Paul Simon
BROTHER, CAN YOU SPARE A DIME… Jay Gorney
BROWN EYED GIRL… Van Morrison
CALYPSO… John Denver
CAN YOU FEEL THE LOVE TONIGHT.. Elton John
CANDLE IN THE WIND.. Elton John / Bernie Taupin
CHIMES OF FREEDOM.. Bob Dylan
COMES A TIME.. Neil Young
COTTEN FIELDS.. The Highwaymen,
CROSSROAD BLUES.. Cream
DAUGHTERS.. John Mayer
DEPORTEE.. Woody Guthrie
DESPERADO… Henley/Frey
DON’T GO BREAKING MY HEART.. Blanche/Orson
DON’T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON ME..Elton John
DOWN BY THE RIVER.. Neil Young
DREAMING WITH A BROKEN HEART.. John Mayer
EARLY MORNING RAIN… Gordon Lightfoot
EAST TEXAS ROAD.. Woody Guthrie
EAST VIRGINIA.. Pete Seeger (great Banjo Piece)
EDELWEISS.. Traditional and Sound of Music
EL CONDOR PASA.. Paul Simon/ Robles
EVIL WAYS… Santana
FADED BLUE.. Ian Tyson
FAREWELL.. Bob Dylan
FEELIN’ GROOVY.. Paul Simon
FIRE AND RAIN.. James Taylor
FLY AWAY.. John Denver
FOUR STRONG WINDS.. Ian Tyson
FROM A DISTANCE… Julie Gold
GARDEN SONG.. David Mallett
GEORGY GIRL.. The Seekers
GRANDMA’S FEATHER BED… Jim Connor..
GUANTANAMERA.. Jose Marti
HALLELUJAH.. Jeff Buckley
HEART OF GOLD.. Neil Young
HOTEL CALIFORNIA… Felder/Henley/Frey
I AIN’T GOT NO HOME… Wooddy Guthrie
I AM, I AM.. Naomi Hirshorn
I WILL NEVER MARRY.. The Carter Family
I WISH I WAS IN DIXIE.. Daniel Emmitt
IMAGINE… John Lenno
JOLLY MON SING .. Buffet/Jennings/Utley
KNEE DEEP IN WATER.. Zac Brown Band
LAY DOWN SALLY.. Eric Clapton
LEAVING ON A JET PLANE… John Denver
LIFE IN THE FAST LANE.. Walsh/Henley/Frey
LIKE A SAD SONG.. John Denver
LITTLE BIRDIE.. Pete Seeger (a fun Banjo piece to play)
LOUISIANA 1927… Maria Ball
LOVE NEEDS A HEART.. George, Carter and Brown
LYIN’ EYES… Henley/Frey
ME AND BOBBY MAGEE.. Janis Joplin
MEXICO.. James Taylor
MISISIPPI UR ALWAYS ON MY MIND. Jessie Winchester
MISTER TAMBOURINE MAN… Bob Dylan
MOMMA TOLD ME.. Three Dog Night
MONDAY MORNING… Yarbow/Stookey/Travers/Okun
MORNING TRAIN.. Elena Mezzetti
MRS. ROBINSON… Paul Simon
MY SWEET LADY.. John Denver
NEW KID IN TOWN.. Souther/Henley/Frey
NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN.. The Moody Blues
OFF TO SEE THE LIZARD.. Jimmy Buffet
ONE GRAIN OF SAND.. Pete Seeger
PART OF ME.. Paul Barron
PEACEFUL EASY FEELING.. Jack Tempchin
PROPINQUITY .. Michael Nesmith
PROUD MARY.. Creedance Clearwater Revival
RAINY DAY PEOPLE.. Gordon Lightfoot
ROCK ME ON THE WATER.. Jackson Browne
ROCKET MAN.. Elton John/Bernie Taupin
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH… John Denver/Mike Taylor
SAD SONGS… Elton John/Bernie Taupin
SONG FOR CANADA.. Tyson/Gzowski
SOUTHERN CROSS… Jimmy Buffet
SOUTHERN MAN… Neil Young
SUNSHINE ON MY SHOULDERS.. Denver/Taylor/Kniss
SWEET BABY JANE.. James Taylor
SWEET EMOTION.. Arrowsmith
SWEET HOME ALABAMA.. Lynyrd Skynyrd
SWEET POTATOES.. Pete Seegers
T FOR TEXAS… Jimmy Roberts
TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT.. Meisner/Henley/Grey
TAKE ME HOME COUNTRY ROADS.. Denver
TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN.. Yarbow/Stookey/Taravers
TEQUILA SUNRISE… Henley/Frey
THANK GOD I’M A COUNTRY BOY.. John Sommers
THE BOXER.. Paul Simon
THE CRUEL WAR.. Stookey / Peter Yarbow
THE BEAT GOES ON.. Sonny and Cher
THE ENTERTAINER.. Scott Joplin
THE FOOLISH FROG… Pete Seegers
THE HUNGRY YEARS.. Neil Sedaka / Howard Greenfield
THE PRETENDER.. Jackson Browne
THE ONE.. Elton John/ Bernie Taupin
THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND.. Woody Guthrie
THIS TRAIN.. Peter Yarbow and Paul Stookey
THERE’S ANGER IN THE LAND… Hedy and Don West
YOU LOVE THE THUNDER.. . Jackson Browne
YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND.. Carole King
WE’LL SING IN THE SUNSHINE.. Gayle Garnett
WITCHY WOMAN… Leadon/Henley
WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE.. Pete Seeger
WHERE MY HEART WILL TAKE ME … Warren
WILD HORSES.. The Rolling Stones
WORLD WITHOUT LOVE.. Jonah Smith
WRECK OF THE EDMOND FITZGERALD.. Lightfoot
WRITTEN IN THE STARS.. Elton John / Tin Rice
YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Mavis Staples /Jeff Tweedy
YOU RAISE ME UP.. .. Graham/Lovland
YOUR SONG.. Elton John/Bernie Taupin

admin answers:

These VOCAL SOLOS work well with Guitar OR Piano
ALREADY GONE… Tempchin/Strandlund
AMERICAN PIE… Don McLean
ANNIE’S SONG… John Denver
BAMBOO.. Dave Van Ronk
BELIEVE.. Elton John/ Bernie Taupin
BLACK WATER… Doobie Brothers
BLACKBEARD’S NAVY. James (Sunny Jim) White
BLACKBIRD.. Paul McCartney
BLOWIN’ IN THE WIND.. Bob Dylan
BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS.. Paul Simon
BROTHER, CAN YOU SPARE A DIME… Jay Gorney
BROWN EYED GIRL… Van Morrison
CALYPSO… John Denver
CAN YOU FEEL THE LOVE TONIGHT.. Elton John
CANDLE IN THE WIND.. Elton John / Bernie Taupin
CHEESBURGERS IN PARADISE.. Jimmy Buffet
COMES A TIME.. Neil Young
COTTEN FIELDS.. The Highwaymen,
COUNTRY ROAD.. James Taylor
CROSSROAD BLUES.. Cream
DANIEL… Elton John/ Bernie Taupin
DEPORTEE.. Woody Guthrie
DESPERADO… Henley/Frey
DON’T GO BREAKING MY HEART.. Blanche/Orson
DON’T LET ME BE LONELY TONIGHT.. James Taylor
DON’T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON ME..Elton John
DOWN BY THE RIVER.. Neil Young
DREAMING WITH A BROKEN HEART.. John Mayer
EARLY MORNING RAIN… Gordon Lightfoot
EAST TEXAS ROAD.. Woody Guthrie
EAST VIRGINIA.. Pete Seeger (great Banjo Piece)
EL CONDOR PASA.. Paul Simon/ Robles
EVERYTHING’S ALRIGHT… Jesus Christ superstar
EVIL WAYS… Santana
FADED BLUE.. Ian Tyson
FAREWELL.. Bob Dylan
FEELIN’ GROOVY.. Paul Simon
FIRE AND RAIN.. James Taylor
FLY AWAY.. John Denver
FOUR STRONG WINDS.. Ian Tyson
FROM A DISTANCE… Julie Gold
GARDEN SONG.. David Mallett
GEORGY GIRL.. The Seekers
GRANDMA’S FEATHER BED… Jim Connor..
GUANTANAMERA.. Jose Marti
HALLELUJAH.. Jeff Buckley
HE WENT TO PARIS… Jimmy Buffet
HEART OF GOLD.. Neil Young
HOTEL CALIFORNIA… Felder/Henley/Frey
I AIN’T GOT NO HOME… Wooddy Guthrie
I AM, I AM.. Naomi Hirshorn
I WILL NEVER MARRY.. The Carter Family
I WISH I WAS IN DIXIE.. Daniel Emmitt
IMAGINE… John Lenno
JOLLY MON SING .. Buffet/Jennings/Utley
LAY DOWN SALLY.. Eric Clapton
LEAVING ON A JET PLANE… John Denver
LIFE IN THE FAST LANE.. Walsh/Henley/Frey
LIKE A SAD SONG.. John Denver
LITTLE BIRDIE.. Pete Seeger (a fun Banjo piece to play)
LOVE NEEDS A HEART.. George, Carter and Brown
LYIN’ EYES… Henley/Frey
ME AND BOBBY MAGEE.. Janis Joplin
MEXICO.. James Taylor
MISTER TAMBOURINE MAN… Bob Dylan
MOMMA TOLD ME.. Three Dog Night
MONDAY MORNING… Yarbow/Stookey/Travers/Okun
MORNING TRAIN.. Elena Mezzetti
MRS. ROBINSON… Paul Simon
MY SWEET LADY.. John Denver
NEW KID IN TOWN.. Souther/Henley/Frey
NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN.. The Moody Blues
OFF TO SEE THE LIZARD.. Jimmy Buffet
OLD MAN… Neil Young
ONE GRAIN OF SAND.. Pete Seeger
ONE PARTICULAR HARBOR.. Jimmy Buffet
PART OF ME.. Paul Barron
PEACEFUL EASY FEELING.. Jack Tempchin
PROPINQUITY .. Michael Nesmith
PROUD MARY.. Creedance Clearwater Revival
RAINY DAY PEOPLE.. Gordon Lightfoot
ROCK ME ON THE WATER.. Jackson Browne
ROCKET MAN.. Elton John/Bernie Taupin
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH… John Denver/Mike Taylor
SAD SONGS… Elton John/Bernie Taupin
SONG FOR CANADA.. Tyson/Gzowski
SOUTHERN CROSS… Jimmy Buffet
SOUTHERN MAN… Neil Young
SUNSHINE ON MY SHOULDERS.. Denver/Taylor/Kniss
SWEET BABY JANE.. James Taylor
SWEET EMOTION.. Arrowsmith
SWEET HOME ALABAMA.. Lynyrd Skynyrd
SWEET POTATOES.. Pete Seegers
T FOR TEXAS… Jimmy Roberts
TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT.. Meisner/Henley/Grey
TAKE ME HOME COUNTRY ROADS.. Denver
TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN.. Yarbow/Stookey/Taravers
TEQUILA SUNRISE… Henley/Frey
THANK GOD I’M A COUNTRY BOY.. John Sommers
THE CRUEL WAR.. Stookey / Peter Yarbow
THE BEAT GOES ON.. Sonny and Cher
THE ENTERTAINER.. Scott Joplin
THE FOOLISH FROG… Pete Seegers
THE HUNGRY YEARS.. Neil Sedaka / Howard Greenfield
THE PRETENDER.. Jackson Browne
THE ONE.. Elton John/ Bernie Taupin
THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND.. Woody Guthrie
THIS TRAIN.. Peter Yarbow and Paul Stookey
THERE’S ANGER IN THE LAND… Hedy and Don West
YOU LOVE THE THUNDER.. . Jackson Browne
YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND.. Carole King
WASTED TIME.. Henley/Frey
WE’LL SING IN THE SUNSHINE.. Gayle Garnett
WHEN THE SHIP COMES IN.. Bob Dylan
WITCHY WOMAN… Leadon/Henley
WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE.. Pete Seeger
WHERE MY HEART WILL TAKE ME … Warren
WILD HORSES.. The Rolling Stones
WORLD WITHOUT LOVE.. Jonah Smith
WRECK OF THE EDMOND FITZGERALD.. Lightfoot
WRITTEN IN THE STARS.. Elton John / Tin Rice
YOU RAISE

admin answers:

The Denver Dumb Friends League has some really good information sheets for puppy and dog owners. I have found them really useful over the the years.

Http://www.ddfl.org/tips.html