Meet Theo!

[Theo]

Hello! I am Theo. Actually my full name is Theodore but no one calls me that unless I am being naughty. But since I am 9 years old now, I am rarely a naughty boy. I LOVE my family. I have a people sister (7), a people brother (4), and now a brand new fur baby brother- Caramel Macchiato (we just call him Mackie) (he is a cavalier king charles spaniel). He is way too crazy for me because I am king of this castle, no matter what kind of dog he says he is! I guess he's ok, especially since he brought me all kinds of new toys and treats.

Things I like: my red white and blue squeeky "bone", running in my yard while the wind blows, walks with just my mom, snuggling in bed with my mom, laying by the fireplace, meal time, my people brother's meal time (sometimes he drops food while he is eating and I find it beforem y mom can get it! Hee. hee.)

Things I HATE: Going to the vet (I am sooo nervous about that). When my new brother takes MY toys or nips to play, being picked up by kids, and BEING ON A DIET!!! My mom thinks I am to chunky and is constantly battling my buldge. I think I am handsome as is.

I can't wait to meet all of you here. Is there anyone here that is as old as I am? My birthday is April 18 and I will have my 9th birthday. What kind of parties do you all have for your birthdays?

Here are a couple pictures of me. I am all boy and not so fancy. All my cousins are big dogs (except one, who is a Lasa- but she's just a baby). I like to play like one of the big guys! The second picture is me with my new baby brother. He's pretty cute too!

http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq99/rlmawhite/0202-1.jpg

http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq99/rlmawhite/221.jpg

[Morkie4]

HI THEO AND WELCOME TO MALTESE TALK!!!

1613116132

Sounds like you have a great family. Your new little brother is adorable and has wonderful "markings."

We have three female maltese 6 1/2, 4 1/2, 4 years old and a male yorkie 4 years old. We have a couple of "oldie goldies" on the forum and I am sure they will be glad to meet you and get to know you better in the coming months.

Thanks for introducing yourself to the community!!

[Vylula]

Nice to meet you Theo! You are most adorable! I have a maltipoo named Gracie who is almost 3 and a maltese named LuLu who is almost 2. You and your family will love it here!

I hope to do a party for my girls this year since their birthdays are only a few days apart!

[JesBred]

WELCOME TO MALTESE TALK THEO!!

Im Jess and am owned by a little morkie girl Mitzy!! Shes busy playing in the yard at the moment. She will be 2 in May and we are going down to Tampa FL for yorkie/maltese meetup in June for her birthday!! You are quite the handsome fella and your little brother is so pretty!!

Thanks for joining us here you will love it!!

[Theo]

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome. I just love my little maltese. He is a great guy, in fact the he is by far the easiest of all my babies, fur and skin!
I was wondering if you guys might help me find my way around. I have a few questions that you all may be able to help with. Theo, being 9, is a large maltese. He currently weighs about 14 pounds. I know that sounds HUGE for a mlatese but our vet says he only needs to be about 11-12 to be in a normal weight for his actual body type.

I was using IAM weight control and he has gained weight on it. I know I MUST be vigiant about my 4 year old and the dropping food thing (he sneaks it to our pup... grr.) The new puppy is another way I hoped to encourage more exercise. What brands of weight control food are best for "seniors".
Thanks guys! ANy tips are welcome! I want Theo to live FOREVER!

[JesBred]

I've never had a "senior" dog (lol) these are my first.. And not sure about the weight control. Morkie4 might be able to help you with that Im pretty sure she feeds a few of hers a weight control food but she'll have to tell you for sure.

Have you tried feeding the puppy and Theo seperatly??

When Mitzy started stealing food from our Weim (Jake) I would sit both their bowls down making her sit until he finished his food and then I would say "ok" and she could stand up and eat HER food. That helped ALOT making her wait. Although I still have to watch her sometimes shes a little piglet :p:p

How many cups per day are you giving him?? Are you free feeding or on a schedule??

Oh and if you go to the top of the page and click on "search" and then type in food you might find some old threads about good food. I used to feed Iams before I found this place.. and truly there are lots better foods out there :)

[MaxJack'sMom]

Hi and welcome to MT.
First off, I would love if my Jack could meet up and play with Theo!!! My Jack is a big Maltese, he is 14 pounds also. He goes to puppy day care 2x's a week, he is fast, and he is so active. Our vet also says he is just right and not to worry about the weight.
I am also the birthday greeter for the forum and I will put Theo's b-date on my calendar. I would love to put all your family members on my calendar, so just PM me the info if you would love to be included.
Also glad to have another boy on the forum. We are so outnumbered by the cutie girls, but Jack met his lady love here, so he can't complain.
Hope to get to know all about your pups and read up on all the threads, there is so much info on here, and everyone is so helpful.

[Zo zo's mom]

Hello and Welcome Theo and family (Mackie is adorable and I love the coffee too). I am sure you will meet lots of great people here and lots of great info.

I am Elizabeth and we have two Maltese girls. Zoe will be 2 in May and Abbie is 9 months.

Welcome again..

[maltchimom]

Welcome Theo!!!

[Theo]

I've never had a "senior" dog (lol) these are my first.. And not sure about the weight control. Morkie4 might be able to help you with that Im pretty sure she feeds a few of hers a weight control food but she'll have to tell you for sure.

Have you tried feeding the puppy and Theo seperatly??

When Mitzy started stealing food from our Weim (Jake) I would sit both their bowls down making her sit until he finished his food and then I would say "ok" and she could stand up and eat HER food. That helped ALOT making her wait. Although I still have to watch her sometimes shes a little piglet :p:p

How many cups per day are you giving him?? Are you free feeding or on a schedule??

Oh and if you go to the top of the page and click on "search" and then type in food you might find some old threads about good food. I used to feed Iams before I found this place.. and truly there are lots better foods out there :)

I definately feed the puppy and theo seperately. I have been on this weight loss journey with THeo for about 2 years now. So I was very intentional about that when we got Mac. Mac actually eats in his crate right now because he gets easily distracted and forgets to eat. Then, Big BRother Theo sneaks in and consumes the bowl unless I am right there. TI have even found Theo trying to sneak the crumbs out of the crate after Mac's feeding. IT is also hard because Mac eats 3 times a day so Theo hears the food dishes mid-day and thinks it is chow time for him too. THen he is sadly mistaken. However, we have stopped all the shared food madness by crating Mac and feeding THeo first then Mac. SO that probelm is currently under control.

OK- I currently feed first thing in the morning- 1/3 c. IAMS weight control. Then the same for dinner. Definately on a schedule.

I was thinking of switching to 1/4 c. Senior Innova weight control. Any thoughts on this brand? It has more protein and less fat helping the dogs to stay full longer.

And he thinks he is starving. For real. He is such a good boy and easily corrected. But a couple days ago I left to take my daughter to school and return hom only to find him sitting at the kitchen tabel with both front paws on the table licking up the breakfast crumbs before i had a chance to wipe the table! I was SHOCKED! :awink:

[JesBred]

I definately feed the puppy and theo seperately. I have been on this weight loss journey with THeo for about 2 years now. So I was very intentional about that when we got Mac. Mac actually eats in his crate right now because he gets easily distracted and forgets to eat. Then, Big BRother Theo sneaks in and consumes the bowl unless I am right there. TI have even found Theo trying to sneak the crumbs out of the crate after Mac's feeding. IT is also hard because Mac eats 3 times a day so Theo hears the food dishes mid-day and thinks it is chow time for him too. THen he is sadly mistaken. However, we have stopped all the shared food madness by crating Mac and feeding THeo first then Mac. SO that probelm is currently under control.

OK- I currently feed first thing in the morning- 1/3 c. IAMS weight control. Then the same for dinner. Definately on a schedule.

I was thinking of switching to 1/4 c. Senior Innova weight control. Any thoughts on this brand? It has more protein and less fat helping the dogs to stay full longer.

And he thinks he is starving. For real. He is such a good boy and easily corrected. But a couple days ago I left to take my daughter to school and return hom only to find him sitting at the kitchen tabel with both front paws on the table licking up the breakfast crumbs before i had a chance to wipe the table! I was SHOCKED! :awink:

OMG Theo is so funny!! Lol!! I think 1/3c should be fine I feed mine 1/4c twice a day and shes 7lbs so I think any less than 1/3c might be to little.

Innovas a great food!! I've never tried it though.. It sounds like your doing everything right.. Maybe he just needs extra exercise?? Do you give him alot of treats during the day?? Table scraps??

[bek74]

Aww Welcome Theo, you look ever so handsome:hearter::hearter: and your new brother is pretty darn cute:hearter::hearter:.

Get your mummy to keep on posting pics (larger please) of your handsome self, you look so darn cute:hearter::hearter:

My Max is 3yrs, Cassy-Ann is 1yr and Beanie is a bub

[Morkie4]

Aww Welcome Theo, you look ever so handsome:hearter::hearter: and your new brother is pretty darn cute:hearter::hearter:.

Get your mummy to keep on posting pics (larger please) of your handsome self, you look so darn cute:hearter::hearter:

My Max is 3yrs, Cassy-Ann is 1yr and Beanie is a bub

Who's Beanie??? Did I miss something???:confused::confused::confused:

[MalteseJane]

Welcome Theo and family. I am Janine with little Alex who will be 12 years old end of May. Alex cannot help you with diet. He is not overweight. He is a "huge" :lol2: 5.2 lbs maltese. He does not live to eat, he eats to live. He is better than his mommy for watching his weight. I can't recommend a senior diet either because I cook for Alex. He eats what we eat. And eats only when hungry. Sometimes we have to beg him to eat. Theo is very handsome and his little brother too.

[LilPosh]

Hi and welcome to MT!!!