Considering the age and size of the "patient", I would get one of the clicker training books, and use those principles to teach Hormel to let you handle his legs and feet and then to file the hooves. It may take a little more time, but will be easier on all concerned not to have a wrestling match. And, the job will be easier the next time. Teach in small increments, and if he's really good about one lesson, quit there, while you are ahead! Since he's gone 2 years without trimming, another few weeks won't kill him. If you know a farrier, ask for a file he considers worn out - it will be plenty sharp enough for your sometime job, just not for his full-time work. If farriers aren't among your acquaintances, then any feed store or tack store should have blacksmith files, but they are pricey as I recall. If you can, put a handle on it - that narrow tang has sharp edges. And wear gloves - new files are SHARP!

I hear ya loud and clear barefoot babe - been there last 3 years and I am just S L O W L Y getting past my stall point where I always quit. Get MAD at yourself for quitting last time and stick with it. It's mathematics if ya talked to a dietician - eventually the weight will shift. Its true - keep the faith. I have been bouncing - since late Feb from 145 - 143. BAck and forth, back and forth. Do you notice while you are stalling/plateauing that your body is changing - clothes are a little more loose? Shape changing - even slightly? I found my weight sticking but body changing - a lot. Just peeked at the scales this morning for damage control and see if this week has been as bad and looks like my weight is snailing its way down again - like half a pound. My weigh day is Monday, I have a weekend away with LOTS of already paid for meals. I promise to enjoy myself but also pay attention to what I eat - I promise myself. My body changes has settled down again but my weight is trying to move. Its been a very, very slow process for me. I figure if I give up now I will be kicking myself by summer that I let myself down. Hang in there - I am walking beside you on this one. I am grabbing your arm and pulling you along with me! Let's stick with this. Don't give up. Even if ya have a bad day - let it go and get back on track. One bad day compared to a good, healthy week of taking care of yourself should not topple your goals. I will pull you along and you can pull me along. We are here for each other! Have a fabby day today. Get out and TREAT yourself with something else to take your mind off things. My treats have been fun earrings - you should see the collection I have since starting my diet! Get something new for yourself. You need a treat. Cheers, McPeg

Wow, thanks for all the good advice. Dusty is in the kitchen pushing the (empty) food bowl around, telling me to fill it!! He is such a little pig. My vet told me to feed him the half cup of food a day, so I'll go with what he says. That was back when Dusty was a svelte 11 lbs, guess I should have listened to him then. He did say he feeds his adult dog puppy food because it is less fillers and the dog eats less. I didn't feel comfortable with that, but I do mix iams puppy with regular iams. I put two cups of regular to one cup of puppy, mix it all up and take Dusty's half cup out of that. No chance of getting him off the steroids, I've tried and he really coughs a lot. He always has water available, and does drink (and pee) a lot more now that he's on the steroids. I really did think he was hefty in my arms from water weight gain, lol. It's pretty easy to trick yourself. No treats anymore, or rarely, and luckily he will eat ANYTHING, so he's satisfied with baby carrots. I think I will try the green beans, great idea. He never really did table scraps, unless something fell on the floor. Thanks, everyone for the great ideas. I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who has to deal with this issue, makes me feel like less of a bad mom!

We went through this 5-6 years ago. We have a half size commercial basically free that served us well for years. Still use it for extra ice and a 'blast chiller'. Maybe two months a year. Plug it in a week before a party or a couple days before a stock making weekend. Probably used commercially in a pastry chefs area so flavors don't meld with savory. I went through the Lowes/HD game for weeks. In stock/order/then out of stock. Very frustrating and felt like a scam over and over. Started looking at commercial but a Fridgedare was finally delivered and in stock. It has been great. It is all about need. I did not need it but DH wanted it for Fall harvest veg, meats, seafood, juices and stocks. We have been buying farm bulk. Seasonal rotation. Large enough for bulk herbs, grains, seeds, nuts. Grains alone is worth it. Shopping lists are a minor chore having quality proteins in the freezer. I don't get the hesitation for frost free if contents are properly sealed and used timely. All our proteins are 2019 and nothing else older than 2018 except for some herbs and grains, nuts and seeds. A chest freezer for bulk if you hunt or raise chickens. We did consider this one.