Expert: Delores Beck - 1/28/2009

Question
We call her babe' we don't know how old she is but she looks young. when we found her, her coat was matted in knots and she had not eaten in lords knows how long because her bones were showing she follows us around the house everywhere she want eat dog food only vegetables and meat and boy is she a beggar. You can't get to close to her when she's eating because she growls and barks. She'll get in your lap and just lay there and stare. we have to stay close to her when she goes potty or she'll start to wonder off. We have all fallen in love with baby but I can feel that she is very sad yet she is active and sleeps alot.

I just want to be assured that we're doing the right thing and what else can we do to make her feel secure, safe, and able to make our house her home forever.
Please help us we love her

Answer
Bless your heart for saving this little girl.

First of all, I'd get a vet to check her out and for sure, take a stool sample with you.  Intestinal parasites can make her feel pretty bad and it's an easy thing to fix.  She also should have a heartworm test (easy, in-office blood test) and depending on the climate where you are, she should be on flea control.  I like Revolution because it does it all (flea & heartworm) in one product.

I have some questions:
How long have you had her?
Did you try some canned dog food?
Have you bathed and clipped her?

As to feeding her - be very careful about what meat (and how it's cooked - no fried food).  This won't hurt for a short time but it's unbalanced so I'd buy a top quality canned food for her.  If you tell me where you are, I'll find out what store near you sells the good stuff.

If the vet wants to vaccinate her just say you'd rather wait until she's in better health.  No dog should be vaccinated unless they're 100% healthy.

As for the growling when eating - start by sitting down on the floor and then put her food bowl a few feet from you.  Do nothing - just wait quietly until she's done.  At first, sit with your back turned towards her.  I'd also feed her 3x daily.  
Delores