raw'n easy

I've been crazy busy today and wanted something quick and easy for the hounds. I scored bigtime when I stopped in at the grocers and got round steak for 1.77/lb. Sweet. That is a great deal and four whopp'n sized pieces was only 18.00. I decided to give them a nice big meal tonight; Luke wasn't big on his turkey this morning. So I cut up the beef; added some flax and some egg shell and sat down to feed.

I wasn't sure how well Tilley would do with her Vestibular issue but she did great. I always like to use feeding time as a training time so that the dogs work for their food. As you can see the first exercise was "leave it" which even amazes me when they succeed this well. Then it is manner time; no grabbing, no fighting, the occasional sit or down and then it's gone.

Quick easy and as healthy as it gets.

preparing for your absence

I was away for several days; it was sort of a last minute deal but I had prepared food for the dogs just in case. I had two batches of food mixed up; one was beef the other turkey. They each had different veggies; one had some rice the other a bit of oatmeal. Both had egg shell crushed into them and some berries. I placed a good amount into the refridgerator and some in the freezer in large freezer bags. I love when I have food made ahead; makes life really easy.

Most of the time I make food on a daily basis but when I have thought ahead and bought a big whack of meat to prepare food for down the road it is a nice change. Making food for when you are away does not have to be a big ordeal. If you cook their food just prepare more than their normal portions for several days until you have enough and extra for your absence.

My dogs eat a huge variety of food; both cooked and raw, eggs, meat, fish etc. So when I'm preparing for my absence I like to try to prepare some different foods as well and give whoever is caring for my dogs several options for feeding. It is a good idea to always have some extra food in the freezer for the "just in case" times you have to leave town in a hurry and don't have time to prepare food.

I also have my dogs eating "kibble" type food about once a week so that if there is ever a time I need to leave town in a flash and don't have time to make food, they can eat dog food. Even though I feel horribly guilty about it; it is a good alternative and when that happens it is only Orijen.

cookies

Cookies; who doesn't love cookies? Dogs are the same; most of them love cookies. And believe me not all cookies are made the same; there are cookies that are delicious and some after smelling them, have to taste like a great piece of cardboard. When I make cookies for my dogs I go for healthy and for taste. I taste all of the cookies that I make for dogs and my three guys give them a well rounded taste test as well.

For years I was known as the cookie lady back home in Canada. Not the dog cookie lady; the human cookie lady, so cookies are sort of my specialty. I still make the humans in my life cookies but I'm focusing on the dogs right now. I have made several types that I've been very happy with but I'm still fussing with the ingredients. Luke loves shortbread and I have to admit there isn't much that can touch my authentic Scottish shortbread as far as taste and texture; so I'm trying to think up something that tastes just about as good for the dogs.

So I will keep you up to date with each new batch and let you know how close to yum that I'm getting. So many cookies to make; so many cookies to taste. ;)

Civilized dogs

I thought this morning that I would discuss feeding raw a bit with you. Often when I feed raw I skip the whole "bowl" thing completely and utilize this highly valued food as a training time. I demand that everyone acts civilized and mannerly. There is no arguing or fighting over food. Not too long ago I was at a breeders house when food was being handed out or I should say tossed out. It was basically a free for all and a very dangerous situation. All the dogs were allowed to jump, grab and slam into the breeder; there was no rule once so ever. She was throwing food around and whoever caught it; it was theirs.

So I took some photos this morning of my three practicing our manners. All three dogs must sit; and of course we eat with a fork ;) Each dog waits until the food is coming to them and if there is any confusion about who's turn it is I make sure to use names. So there you have it; a pack of very civilized beasts (not including me of course).

Enough to gag over

There seems to be one thing that bothers my otherwise iron stomach; I can clean up, cook up and work with just about anything without gagging. So when I say something just about makes me gag; it's bad, bad for me that is. I wanted the dogs to have a really great dinner tonight so with their ground beef, green beans, pumpkin, smidge of oatmeal and green pepper I opted for Sardines. Yes I've discussed sardines before; told you how wonderful they are, and they are. They are amazingly good for our dogs and I would imagine us as well.

It happens when the can is only partially open; it doesn't even need to be open the whole way. I could gag; I have to say I have yet to actually gag but I'm sure if I let my mind run away with the whole "sardines" thing I could easily. The entire time I am trying to pull those disgusting little whole body fish out of the can without getting it on me I'm yacking about how gross it is. It doesn't matter if there is anyone around other than the dogs to hear about it either.

Sardines are a very good source of protein and omega fatty acids. So they are indeed good for our dogs and a good value for your money as well. It just so happens that I'm not a big fish lover so these little smelly whole body guys in a can gross me out completely. But; I will do anything for my dogs, even open cans of sardines.......................