Breakfast Picture

I just wanted to post a picture of a 'finished product'.  This is from this morning's breakfast.  Here's what everybody had:
Canned wild salmon with kibble (a couple of my dogs get supplements added into their meat)
Scrambled egg (organic) with (organic) ground parsley (sometimes I sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese in)
Plain organic yogurt with mashed organic banana (stir together) topped with chopped dried apricots

I also use powdered egg shell supplement for calcium.  I make this myself and you can too.  I believe I have posted how to do this, if not, I will post it.  I sprinkle it on the meat and stir it in...doggies don't even notice it's there, and it's one of THE best forms of calcium you can give your dog.

Also note, if you are starting to cook for your dogs, don't be upset if there's certain foods they won't eat at first.  Give it time.  Remember, you are introducing new foods into a diet that has only had kibble.

Dried Fruits

Prunes, apricots and figs are all good additions to your doggies home cooked meals.  These add beneficial fiber to the diet, which can ward off anal gland issues.  Always make water readily available for your dog, as the added fiber could cause constipation if they do not have enough water to drink.

For a small dog, start off with about 1/2 piece of the dried fruit, chop in small pieces...you can stir in with yogurt, sprinkle over squash, add to oatmeal...be creative.  Feed about every other day so your dog's digestive system can adapt to the change.

Note: If your dog has any issues with yeast infections, this problem can be made worse by feeding foods containing sugar, including fruit.

Buying Organic

I buy organic at every opportunity.  I cannot afford to buy all my foods organic, so I have to be selective.  I watch prices and look for sales.  There are certain foods I ONLY buy organic....celery, broccoli, cauliflower, peppers (any kind)....fruits and vegetables that have no 'shell' or hard covering that is removed are 100% vulnerable to pesticide penetration.  Fruits like watermelon and cantaloupe have a hard shell, therefore they are better protected...even so, these should be washed off good, and use a vegetable wash to rinse away any chemical residue before cutting.  I always buy organic milk, yogurt and eggs, and cheese and cottage cheese and butter when I can.  When it comes to meats, I rarely buy ground beef, as I do not have a connection to that particular meat in a hormone-free, antibiotic-free or organic type readily available.  Most ground chicken and chicken can be purchased without the hormones and antibiotics.  And turkey, ground and in other forms is typically a safe choice.  I do have some cuts of red meat, (i.e. round steak) available in the hormone-free, antibiotic-free option...and I purchase these on markdown and use immediately.  In cooking for our dogs, it is just as important for them to have the top quality of food as we would feed ourselves.  Our precious furkids are susceptible to many of the same diseases we get, especially cancer...and many of these foods, even though they're healthy can be not so when we over-consume ones that are grown with the use of chemicals and pesticides our bodies were not meant to breakdown.  This puts a stress on our immune system...same for our canine companions.  Prevention is key...it is much easier to avoid disease, such as cancer, than it is to treat it.  I will be doing further research, specifically on cancer in dogs and will be posting my findings in future blogs.  This is a very prevalent disease arising in the canine community, and in my opinion needs further research to find ways to prevent it, and I truly believe proper and top quality nutrition is the first step.

Banana Yogurt Surprise

Mash one ripe banana, add about 1/8 cup flaked coconut*, 5-6 Tablespoons of plain organic yogurt.....stir ingredients together to blend...spoon out in doggie dishes, watch furkids enjoy! As an extra added surprise you can even sprinkle in some organic cinnamon :-)

Note: *Soak coconut in some water in a dish in your frig overnight so it can absorb some moisture...probably about 1 Tablespoon will do it...stir before adding into recipe.

Doggie Treats

I'm somewhat of a dog food snob.  I'm sure my furkids appreciate that I am, they just don't realize it.  I picked up some new treats for them last night, so if you have a PetsMart close to you, check it out.  They're 'My Little Wolf' dog treats.  They're made in the United States.  My suggestions, do not buy dog food or dog treats that are made in China! They are lax on their regulations as to what goes into it, to sloppy manufacturing practices, to the long shipping involved.  We can and do have treats made here in our country!  These are grain free.  I got the Salmon-Licious and Pork Liver Recipe (two separate flavors)  They 5.29 ounce bag, for $3.99 each.  They have some great ingredients, the first one being the actual ingredient of the flavor of the treat!  There's dried pumpkin, dried honey, turkey liver, chicken fat...and they are preserved NATURALLY....with mixed tocopherols (which is Vitamin E)...never could understand why artificial preservatives need to be used (they don't)  These are a small soft treat, great for my little ones! Try them for yours....just 2.7 calories per treat!

Doggie Personalities

Fostering has taught me a lot.  I had only one dog when I started volunteering...and she is a very laid back, not to sociable type.  I knew her personality well, but didn't realize, not having any other dogs, I didn't have anything else to compare her to.

Of course, dogs are really just like human kids.  You can't compare them...they are each different.  They have their own unique personality...their likes and dislikes, and their little quirks, which I think make them even the more cuter!  It really wasn't until I started fostering my third dog, Mya that I began to understand some very important things about dogs.  She was just 7 years old and had been a breeder dog up to just 6 months before I got her.  She didn't have a 'normal' puppy life...she spent her time in a crate making babies for profit.  She didn't have any socialization skills.  She turned out to be my 'challenge' dog.  She has come a long way, but it took me a while to realize she needed her space.  So, I learned if Mya wanted to do something, let her, if not...no big deal.  She has come a long way.  I ended up adopting her, and she's been with us for almost four years.  She has turned out to be one of the easiest to get along with, sweetest little girls. 

Each dog that comes into my home is different.  All the ones I've adopted, all the ones I foster I have come to realize to love them for what individuality each one of them brings to me, and to celebrate that.  Just like our children, even though we may want them to be like us, they are an individual, and will pick their own style.  I've found by acknowledging this with dogs, it has made it easier for me to be around so many.    I still have a difficult time with dogs with aggressive behaviors, but those seem to be few and far between even in rescue fostering. 

Our dogs love us with unconditional love, but as humans we tend to place 'conditions' on them.  Let's love them for who they are, with what they have brought to us, and what they give...and the rest will fall into place.  It has been proven to me over and over.    It will make for happy doggies, happy mommies and daddies, and a happy home life! Always be kind, not harsh, never abusive, always loving...give them plenty of encouragement, hugs and kisses....see what your return is...I know, you will not be disappointed.

Recipe: Doggie Salmon Patties

(preheat skillet w/ about 1 Tablespoon Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil) 1 large can of wild caught salmon, (drain liquid and save in separate bowl). 1/2 cup organic quick oats, 1 organic egg, 1 teaspoon organic dried parsley. (can use fresh also, probably about 1 Tablespoon fresh)
Combine ingredients in a bowl...add back enough of the liquid to help the patties hold together. Form into patties and cook in skillet, turning patties to brown on both sides. Makes about 9 patties. You will need to add additional olive oil to the skillet, as the patties absorb the oil. Break up cooked patties with a fork, (you can use some of the extra liquid you saved back to drizzle over the top of the patties) mix with top quality dog kibble...(I added a tad bit of cottage cheese along side), and watch your furbabies gobble it up! This makes about enough for 2 meals with the 8 doggies the Chaplin Doggie Diner in currently feeding! ♥