when their owners go away they can get depressed and not be on a normal eating habits..... BUT as to the spine thing.... if i run my finger down toby's back i can feel his bumps, he is a really healthy weight (at 9 lbs) and is not "sickly skinny" like you would expect with any other dog... i think it is just their small bone structure and small body that make it a little easier to feel them.....
On animal cops i remember them saying that if you feel their spine then that is a "sign of abuse/neglect"...... i think this is BS because my dog is ANYTHING BUT abused and neglected
