A Thanksgiving Feast for Dogs

 

Turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry, sweet rolls, pumpkin pie;  With thanksgiving right around the corner, it’s almost impossible not to think about all the delicious food we’ll get to eat.  It’s hard not to feel bad for the dog who sits quietly under the table waiting for a meager scrap of food to fall for him.  But what do you do when you know it’s bad for him to get table scraps?  Well, you make him his own Thanksgiving feast.

Don’t know where to start? Below is a Thanksgiving favorite that your pup is sure to love.  But if this recipe doesn't work for you, there are dozens of recipes online to help you create a delicious Thanksgiving meal  for your pup. 

What you'll need:

2 lbs. ground turkey
2 eggs
2 cups cooked rice
8 oz. peas
3 carrots, diced
1 apple, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced


Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix well by hand. On baking sheet, form into the shape of a large dog bone (or smaller dog bones if you have more than 1 dog or you plan on saving the leftovers).  Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes. Let cool and serve.  

Note: This recipe makes a large batch. I had enough to make 6 plate-sized dog bones.

So why not treat your dog to a Thanksgiving feast this year.  He will thank you by letting you eat your feast in peace.

Getting Ready for Company: Bathing

 

So, you’re having guests over for the Holidays and you plan to have your four-legged family member in attendance too.  After all, it’s your party and you’ll have your dog there if you want to; which is fine as long as you keep your guests in mind.  Nothing is worse than a stinky, dirty dog jumping and rubbing up on you when you are dressed to impress.  And if you want your friends and family to come to the next party you host, you should probably be sure that Sparky is sparkling and on his best behavior.   

You may hate it as much as your dog does but it’s time to spell out that offensive four letter word……… B-A-T-H. 

Even if you take your dog to the groomer to have the dirty work done for you, there are things you should know about a dog’s skin before you go.  You might think twice if you knew how a bath can affect your dog’s health.

Dog’s oily skin attracts dust and dirt, and sometimes smells.  For people who allow their dog on the furniture and in bed with them, it isn’t unusual to bathe the dog once a month or even weekly.  This is not necessarily bad for dogs but a frequent bathing routine should be approached with caution.

Dogs have thin skin that is easily damaged.  Beneath the skin are special glands that produce an oily substance that coats hair and skin to protect it against moisture.  This waterproof layer also helps keep the good stuff in and the bad stuff out.  Bathing with even mild shampoo can remove some of this layer.  For this reason, unless recommended by your veterinarian for a skin condition, you shouldn’t use medicated shampoo.   Medicated shampoos (like dandruff shampoo) are often too harsh and can cause more problems than they solve, making a skin condition worse.  If frequent bathing is needed then use only the mildest shampoo.

Also keep in mind that brushing and combing your dog’s fur regularly will not only remove loose hair (cutting down on the amount of vacuuming) but will remove dirt as well and prevent mats and tangles from forming.  Regular coat maintenance like this can cut down on the number of baths given each month.

*Weather Watch Tip:  Watch out for dry skin this fall.  If you find your dog is scratching more than usual, try using a moisturizing shampoo or conditioner, like oatmeal, to help relieve dry and itchy skin.

Race for the Rescues

This weekend is a going to the dogs as running enthusiasts and pet advocates alike join forces to raise money for local animal welfare organizations. 

Taking place at The Great Park in Irvine, this Sunday, November 10^th, is a race and adoption fair to benefit local animal welfare organizations.  Registration begins at 7:00 a.m., while the first race starts at 8:30 a.m.  This event is open to the public, and while you do have to pay to run, Entry is free to the expo area and adoption fair.

Not a big fan of running? That’s ok because participants can race in a 5k run, 10k run, 1k dog walk, or 1k kid/couch potato run. There is something for everyone which makes this a great family activity.  It’s also a positive and fun way to introduce your child to philanthropy while getting him/her outdoors exercising!

The event will be hosted by celebrity pet expert Harrison Forbes.  Other celebrities joining the cause include USA Track & Field runner Brenda Martinez, singer Katrina Parker, dog trainer Laura Nativo, the Anaheim Ducks Ice Crew, along with the Anaheim Ducks mascot, Wild Wing.

Race for the Rescue has raised 54% of their goal so far, but they need your help to reach 100%.  Go to the Race for the Rescues Donor Drive page to register, donate, and get more information like race fees, schedules, course maps, parking info, volunteering info, and more.