A New Year’s Resolution

We are a little over two weeks into the New Year and, no doubt, many people have already given up on the resolutions they made for 2013.  Have you?  Why not try a resolution that you can stick to and will benefit your four-legged best friend as well?

We all strive to improve ourselves or our situation, and January 1^st is a favorite time to make such a change because the New Year represents a fresh start and a clean slate.  But we often fall short of our new goals because they are extreme or large jumps from our current lifestyles.  Anyone who has ever tried to kick a bad habit before can tell you that success will not come overnight.  It can be a long and gradual process, especially if it is a dramatic life change.

Don’t give up on your resolutions just yet.  Take a look at your overall goal and see how you can turn a large goal into smaller, more manageable goals that will lead you to your desired destination. 

Say you want to start walking your dog every day but you currently walk your dog maybe once a month.  You may have the drive to walk the dog every day for a week, but chances are you will have a rough day where you won’t feel like walking the dog.  That day may turn into two days, then a week, and before you know it you are back to walking the dog maybe once a month.  If you break that big goal into smaller goals you would start with walking the dog once a week.  Once you have done that regularly for a month, you can celebrate your success and then add another walking day, so now you are walking the dog twice a week.

Every month of successful walking will lead to another walking day added the next month.  Every step you reach will be a celebration of success because you are that much closer to your overall goal.  And if you should stumble, don’t let it bring you down or deter you.  If you create a habit of walking the dog three days a week but for some reason can’t seem to be consistent when you add a fourth day, then keep working on four walks per week before trying for five.  You want to set a solid foundation before building on it, so be sure to master your current goal before trying to reach the next.
While you may not reach your original goal overnight, this technique of patience and persistence will get you there before you know it.  Remember the race between the Tortoise and the Hare; slow and steady will win this race. And you have no one to beat but your old self.

If you already have a habit of walking your dog regularly, look to see if there is anything else that you could improve to enrich your dog’s life.  One thing many homes do not have is a first aid kit.  Many people don’t have a first aid kit for themselves, let alone the pets.   If you don’t have a resolution of your own, I challenge you to put together a first aid kit for your family.  It is always beneficial to be prepared for the unexpected, not to mention, being able to care for a superficial wound at home can save you a trip to the vet.   

Bring in a Lucky New Year

Almost every culture has a New Year’s tradition where the people eat certain foods (on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day) that are believed to bring good fortune in the new year.  These certain foods represent money and progress.  Foods like greens (such as kale, cabbage or sauerkraut, and collards) represent money, while legumes (like peas, lentils, and beans) represent coins.  Many cultures eat pork or sausages because the pig is symbolic of progress (in that the animal pushes forward, rooting itself in the ground before moving forward).  Other traditions include eating fish, rice, grapes, and sweet round cakes (like donuts).   And in some cultures it is tradition to leave a little food on your plate to ensure plentiful food throughout the new year.  

Whatever your family New Year’s tradition may be, you can share the tradition with your dog this year – as long as the food is dog friendly, of course.  The following is a fish dinner recipe from Barbara Laino, interviewed in the April/May ’11 issue of The Bark magazine.  This recipe will make 10 1-cup sized meatballs.  

Midsummer Farm Homemade Fish-Based Dog Dinner

Serving Sizes of Raw Meatballs:
• For a large 50-100 pound dog – three to five 1-cup-size meatballs per day
• For a 20-40 pound dog - two or three 1-cup-size meatballs per day
• For a 1-10 pound dog – one to two 1/2-cup-size meatballs per day
*Remember – this is a concentrated and efficient food source and is power packed. You won’t have to feed as much bulk-wise as with a commercial food; most commercial foods have a lot of fillers.

Ingredients
• 2 pounds of Frozen Fish Fillets
• 1-2 cans of Alaskan Wild Pink Salmon
• 1/4 - 1/2 pound of Beef Liver
• 1-3 Eggs (optional)
• 2 cups of Chopped Veggies (can be any combination of carrots, cabbage, broccoli, cooked squash, green beans, cooked yams, apples, berries, kale, spinach). Do NOT use onions or grapes of any kind.
• 5-10 Cloves of Garlic (optional)
• 1/2 cup of Pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds)
• 2 tbsp Honey
• 2 tbsp Dried Parsley
• 2 tbsp Dried Oregano
• 2 tbsp Tumeric Powder
• 2 tbsp Thorvin Kelp Powder
• Optional: 1 cup of cooked oatmeal, barley, or brown rice

Directions:
Alternate putting frozen (frozen items grind much easier) fish fillets, liver, vegetables, garlic, and seeds through a meat grinder. As you grind into a big bowl, add and mix in the canned salmon, eggs, honey, dried herbs, and powdered kelp.

Keep in a well-sealed container in fridge. Scoop out appropriate amounts for your pet.

If you made a very large batch that is more than can be consumed in about 5 days, roll into meal-sized meatballs and freeze.  Then you can just take out whatever number meatballs you need and defrost them a couple days before you need to feed them. Meatballs will last at least 3 months in the freezer.

Enjoy making this special dinner for your dog and have a safe and Happy New Year!

Homemade for the Holidays: Dog Toys

We all know that dog toys can be expensive.  We want the best toys for our dogs, but if you have a rough and rowdy dog, that toy might only last you a week.  All that money spent on the “indestructible” toy, now wasted.  Have you ever considered making your own toy? Maybe your dog does go through toys every week or every month, or maybe you just can’t afford the overpriced toys, or maybe you just want an inexpensive gift for a dog.  Whatever the case, your wallet will appreciate you making your own dog toys. 

Rope Tug Toy

What you’ll need:
            A Tennis Ball (A can of 3 costs approx. $2.50)
            Thread (Dental floss or even a twist-tie will do)
             Masking take
             3 Strand Twisted rope (Approx. $10 for 50ft of rope)
             2 different colored markers
            1 pen or wooden dowel thinner than the rope
             A box cutting knife and a pair of scissors that will cut rope

Because the process of braiding the rope is more easily understood by watching someone else do it, there are no written directions.  For video guided directions, click on this YouTube video on ‘How to make a throwing tug toy’.

Rope Tug Toy Cost

Estimated cost of supplies for 3 toys: $15   Estimated cost per toy: $5
Using all of the rope--Estimated cost of supplies for 15 toys: $35   Estimated cost per toy: $2.33

 Even simpler Rope Tug Toy:  Just buy rope, cut it to the desired length, and knot each end.

 

 Fleece Tug Toy

The fleece tug toy is much simpler to make and can either be done in a simple braid with knots at each end or into a scoubidou pattern (like lanyard).  Your dog may even find the material more comforting to play with.

What you’ll need:

             1 – 3 ft of Fleece fabric (depending on the size of your dog).  Fleece is on sale this time of year for $5 - $11 a yard.
             A rubberband or clip
              Scissors
              A ruler or measuring tape

*Tip: You can hold the strips between your knees while you braid. 

Because braiding is easier to learn by watching someone else, there are no written directions.  For simple braid directions, click on this YouTube video above for ‘Turning the Ordinary into the Extraordinary’: How to make a fleece tug toy. For Scoubidou (pronounced like Scooby-Doo) directions, click on this YouTube video below for ‘Homemade Scoubidou Tug’. 

Fleece Tug Toy Cost

Will make 4 – 5 toys.  Estimated cost of supplies (for 3 yards at $5.50 per yard): $17  Estimated cost per toy: $4.25

 Stuff-Less Animal Toy

Have you ever felt ripped off for paying for the skin of a toy? Dog toys without stuffing can easily cost $7 and up, which may leave you wondering what exactly you are paying for.  Children’s stuffed animals are often cheaper than that; and they come with stuffing.

What you’ll need:

             An old stuff animal (if you don’t have one, buy one at Goodwill for $1)
             A needle and thread
            Scissors

Cut a small hole in the lining of the stuffed animal, take out all of the stuffing and sew it back up.  You do not even need to sew it back up if you don’t want to.  My dogs will pull a stuffed animal apart, pull out all of the stuffing and play with the remaining skin which used to resemble an animal.  If you would like Whatever you choose to do, you now have a dog toy without stuffing that didn’t cost $7 or more.

Stuff-less Animal Toy Cost
Estimated cost per toy: $1 -$4

Could My Dog Eat This?

 

It would be an understatement to say that keeping a diet is hard.  Learning a new language can be hard.  Being surrounded by all of your favorite foods and not being able to eat any of them is more like slow torture.  

You are probably wondering what this has to do with your dog.  Well, chances are, he may need to go on a diet too; and anyone who has ever tried to kick a habit can tell you that the best way to do it is to have an accountability buddy.  

An accountability buddy is someone who helps you stay on track with your new goals by keeping you responsible for them.  Your four-legged best friend can be that very buddy you need.  Though you may be able to cheat yourself or lie to your friends, you should not be willing to cheat the one creature on this Earth who never speaks ill of you, never judges you, and gives you unconditional love every day of his life.  If you don’t owe it to yourself to make a change, then you owe it to your four-legged best friend.  

How do you make a dog your accountability buddy?  Any nutritionist will tell you, it’s not just about how much you eat but also what you eat that will make the difference.  Smaller portions may be important in your diet but most people are just making poor food choices.  And this is true for people of all sizes.  Just because someone is skinny does not mean they are healthy.  And just because someone is stocky does not mean they are unhealthy.  Everyone is built differently and it isn’t our job to judge ourselves or others by what we see.  It’s our job to make sure the things we put into our bodies are things that will make us feel good, look good, and give us energy to get through our day without large amounts of caffeine. 

This is where your dog comes into play.  Rely on your dog to help you make smart food choices.  Every time you go to eat something ask yourself, “Could my dog eat this?”  While this may be extreme in some cases, the basic principle is a good place to start.  For example, processed sugar is not good for dogs, but they love things with natural sugars, like sweet potato.  Use your dog’s dietary restrictions as your own to help you start making better food choices.  This Holiday season is a great time to start with baby steps.  Using the “Could my dog eat this?” rule, snacking with your dog is an easy way to create better eating habits without going cold turkey.  Instead of bringing home cookies and bon bons, here is a list of snacks you can enjoy with your dog:

Cottage Cheese - Non-fat, low sodium only.

Sweet Potato - Great source of vitamin C, vitamin B6, and fiber.

Baby Carrots - Contains beta-carotene which helps dogs maintain a healthy coat.

Apples - Great source of vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber. NEVER feed your dog the apple seeds, core, leaf, or stem; they are highly toxic!

Green Beans - Good source of vitamin K, manganese, and vitamin C. Good for dogs on a diet since they are low in calories.

Boiled Eggs – Great source of protein, selenium, and riboflavin. Do not feed your dog raw eggs; it is very unhealthy! For dogs on a diet, feed only the egg whites, since all the fat is in the yolk. 

Yogurt -  Good source of calcium and good for the digestive system, if your dog is tolerant of yogurt.  Plain yogurt is best (stay away from artificial flavors, high sugars, and high fat content).

Rice Cakes - Natural or plain, not artificially flavored.

Banana Chips – Great for training treats as well.

Pumpkin – pumpkin puree, canned natural pumpkin (not sweetened), and pumpkin seeds are a good source of fiber, vitamin A, beta-carotene, potassium, and iron.  Pumpkin can also help with indigestion, upset stomach, constipation, diarrhea, and even weight loss, among other things.

Seaweed – High in mineral content; enhances coat and pigment color, builds energy, enhances immune system, easy to digest, gives thyroid support, and potentially reduces the risk of cancer.  (Check out your local international food store for Asian packaged seaweed chip-like snacks. Do not give your dog Wasabi flavored seaweed snacks!).  

As a reminder, all of these snacks should be given in moderation.  Too much of anything is never a good thing.  If you stick to this, you will begin to form healthier eating habits for you and your dog and you won’t have to buy expensive dog treats to keep your dog happy either.  Good luck and good eats!

Cooking for Your Dog

What will your dog be doing this Thanksgiving?  Will he be sunbathing on the back porch as you and your guests gather inside? Will he be chasing the cat around the living room, knocking over plants and lamps?  Or will he be patiently waiting under the dining table for any food scraps that might drop?   Whatever he is doing, this is the time of year to reflect and give thanks for the blessings in our lives, including our four-legged family members.  That faithful companion in the house is truly a blessing, no matter what mischief he may get into or how disobedient he can be at times.  So why not thank him for his service to your family by making him a Thanksgiving feast as well.

 No need to buy an extra turkey and can of yams, this simple recipe from Rachel Ray uses items you’ll be serving for your human Thanksgiving meal.  This recipe also makes two servings so you can save a little for later.  

 

Ingredients:

1 cup shredded roasted turkey meat

¼ cup breadcrumbs

1 large egg, beaten

½ sweet potato--baked, skin discarded and potato coarsely chopped

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 tablespoons cranberry sauce

 

Directions:

1.     In a medium bowl, combine the turkey and breadcrumbs. Gently mix with your hands, then mix in the egg and sweet potato. 

2.     Shape into two 1/2 inch-thick patties

3.     In a medium skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium heat.  Add the patties and cook, turning once, for about 5 minutes or until golden brown.

4.     Place the patties on a paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool. 

5.     Top with cranberry sauce and let your dog enjoy!

 

From our pack to yours, have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Heroes Among Us

It’s that time of year again, the time to honor those extraordinary dogs that go above the normal call of dog duty and change the lives of those around them.  Every year a national competition searches for America’s Hero Dogs to compete in eight categories including: Law Enforcement & Arson Dogs, Military Dogs, Service Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Guide Dogs, Search and Rescue Dogs, Hearing Dogs, and Emerging Hero dogs (for non-working dogs).  Eight finalists are chosen, and of those eight, one dog is chosen to be the American Hero Dog of the year.   

The Hero Dog Awards were created by the American Humane Association to celebrate the dedicated bond between dogs and people.  The awards are presented by Lois Pope LIFE Foundation and broadcast across the country on the Hallmark Channel.  Out of over 350 contestants, the public votes for the winners of each category and the eight finalists are flown to Los Angeles to be awarded at a red carpet event.

The winners were announced on October 6^th, but the awards ceremony was just broadcast on the Hallmark Channel last Thursday, November 8^th.  

This year’s finalists included:

Daniel - Emerging Hero Dog Award – Daniel was miraculously still wagging his tail after being locked in a gas chamber that killed eighteen other dogs.  The shelter did not have the heart to try putting him down again.  He quickly found a foster home and then a new forever home.

Tabitha – Guide Dog Award – Tabitha helped her owner overcome the shock and depression of losing her sight.  With Tabitha’s help her owner was able adjust to her new situation both mentally and physically which enabled her to finish her undergraduate and graduate studies.

Tatiana II – Hearing Dog Award – When her owner was experiencing a severe asthma attack in the middle of the night, Tatiana raised the alarm, got help, and saved her owner’s life.  She has given her owner back her independence and helped her earn her Master’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering.

Jynx – Law Enforcement & Arson Dog Award – While trying to execute a warrant, Jynx alerted his handler of the heavily armed suspect in camouflage which was targeting them from a vantage point. Jynx flushed out the suspect but his handler was fatally wounded as the suspect fled.  Jynx tried to drag his handler’s body down the mountain to safety and move another officer to safety as well. Though his handler’s life was lost, Jynx’ actions saved many other officers from the same fate. (Jynx pictured with Bailee Madison at Hero Dog Awards)

Soot – Search and Rescue Dog Award – On a cold December morning, Soot help locate a 78 year-old diabetic hunter who had gotten lost on a remote mountaintop in West Virginia.

Holly – Service Dog Award – Being a seizure alert and response service dog, Holly has saved her owner’s life on several occasions and has helped her owner live a full life despite her seizures.  Holly has also helped her owner give back to the community by raising thousands of dollars each year for various charities and by going to elementary schools to teach children about service dogs. (Holly pictured with owner and Betty White at Hero Dog Awards)

Stella – Therapy Dog Award -   Stella gives love, hope, stimulation, and motivation to people with significant intellectual, medical, and physical disabilities.

And while each finalist is deserving in his or her own right, the 2012 Hero Dog Award goes to the Military Dog finalist, Gabe.  Gabe served in Iraq where he completed over 210 combat missions with 26 finds of explosives and weapons.  When he wasn’t on a mission he was visiting wounded men in the hospital and children in elementary schools.   Gabe retired in 2009, highly decorated, with over 40 awards and coins of excellence for his work, including the American Kennel Club Heroic Military Working Dog Award in 2008.  After becoming the runner up for the American Humane Association Military Working Dog category for the 2011 Hero Dog Awards, Gabe can now add his title of 2012 Hero Dog to his list of achievements. 

Congratulations to the winners of the 2012 Hero Dog Awards.  And thank you to all the of the dogs out there who love us unconditionally, never give up on us, enrich our lives, and make us better people.  

For more information on the Hero Dog Awards and how to get involved, check out the Hero Dog Awards website.  

Celebrating Howl’oween

 

There has never been a shortage of things to do for children at Halloween time, but each year brings new opportunities for furry children of the four-legged kind to participate in the fun.  This year brings lots of costume contests, trick-or-treating, and parades across Southern California to be enjoyed by humans and pups alike.

This Weekend

Howling Halloween in the Park

Bring the kids and dogs down to Fountain Valley this Sunday, October 21^st, 2012 for a little trick-or-treating in the park.  The event will have costume contests, including Best Kid Costume, Best Dog Costume, Best Kid and Dog Costume Combo, and Best Family Costume. With games, food, drinks and more, your family is bound to have a good time.  The fun starts at 12 noon and continues until 5:00 p.m. at the Fountain Valley Recreation and Sports Park located at 16400 Brookhurst Street in Fountain Valley. For more information, check out the Desperate Paws of Orange County Dog Club website.

Next Weekend

Dog Daze at the Corona Crossings

Corona will be having a quiet Halloween celebration for the dogs on Saturday, October 27^th, 2012 from 5p.m. to 7p.m. The costume contests (which can be signed up for from 4:00 -4:45p.m.) will include Best Dog Costume and Best Dog and Human Costume Combo.  Participants will also get a chance to strut down the red carpet and check out the tail waggin’ booth sponsored by Petco. The event will take place by the large water fountain in front of Edwards Stadium 18 Theatre located at 2650 Tuscany Street in Corona. For a flyer, check out the Corona Crossings event page.

Paws on the Promenade Spooktacular

Temecula will be celebrating howl’oween this year to raise money for the areas local animal shelter Animal Friends of the Valley. The event will include a fundraiser walk (pet parade) and costume contest where participants are asked to donate at least $25.  The costume contest categories will include Best Costume, Best Dog and Human Look-A-Like Costume, Best Celebrity Look-A-Like Costume, and Best Float (stroller or wagons only).  The shelter is also in serious need of canned food and are welcoming all donations at the event.  Those who cannot participate are still encouraged to donate through the Animal Friends of the Valley website.

12^th Annual Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade

The biggest howl’oween event in California will be held Sunday, October 28^th, 2012 in Long Beach.  Last year over 500 costumed dogs and a few hundred kids registered and walked in the world famous parade seen by over 3,000 dogless gawkers.  The event raised $13,000 for the non-profit Community Action Team (CAT), which Haute Dog is a part of.  The money raised goes toward spay/neuter programs, adoption and rescue groups, Operation Santa Paws (bringing toys and blankets to shelter animals), and other Long Beach service projects.
The fair will take place from 12:30p.m. – 4:30p.m. with plenty to see and do such as vendors, pet adoption, bobbing for weenies, a treat stacking contest, bulldog kissing booth, huge pumpkin drops, and more.   The parade will begin at 2:30p.m. and last for about an hour.  The costume contests will include Best Dog Costume, Best Person Costume, Best Group, and Best Float (non-motorized, limit 4’ wide).  Gawkers are encouraged to bring a chair.  The event will be held at the Livingston Park located at 4900 E. Livingston Drive at Park Avenue in Belmont Shores, Long Beach.  For more information check out the Haute Dog website.

With all of the events taking place these next two weeks, you and your dog will not be short of things to do.  Have a fun and safe howl’oween, and please be sure to keep all candy out of reach from your pet.