No Valentine this year? Fear not! Your fur ball will be more than happy to spend this Hallmark holiday with you! Channel your Valentine's Day energy (or angst!) into a super special day for your canine companion.I found a great recipe for a gourmet "Doggie Dinner" sure to make your pooch feel and taste your undying affection. ♥
Australian Shepherd's Pie:
* 8 oz beef broth
* 10 oz beef trimmings
* 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
* 8 oz dog kibble
* 4 oz mild cheese
* cooked bacon
Grease an 8 x 8 pan and spread half the beef in it. Sprinkle the beef generously with whole wheat flour. Spread remaining half of meat into pan. Sprinkle again with whole wheat flour. Cover with dog kibbles and pour broth over. Bake at 325F for 45 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese (and bacon if you're really feeling festive) immediately after removing from oven and then allow to cool. Feed warm.
Recipe could also be made in muffin pans for portions throughout the week. Bake for 35min at 325F.
Word on the web this week has definitely been about the Chinese proposed ban on eating dogs and cats. Clearly, I'm no dog eater. I'm not even a cat eater But, I am an animal eater. So, the question becomes…where do you draw the line with accepted edible animals?
Say I had grown up in China though. If eating dog meat was the norm, it would be pretty weird to be banned from eating it all of the sudden. I might even be angry about it. Many feel that the ban has been proposed to apease the West. Some speculate that Chinese pet perception is evolving. The point is, people are talking.
What makes this custom so different than others? American's demanding the ban of dog and cat meat is a little ethnocentric, don't ya think?
As for me? I'm conflicted. As animal lover and pet owner, I like the idea of the ban…but, probably because it doesn't apply to or affect me. Really, I think it's simply cultural thing.
It happened in the middle of the night, with no warning. As of yet, the catastrophic Haiti earthquake has taken over 70, 000 people with it.
It has been nearly a week since Haiti witnessed its horrific, widespread devastation. As the need for food and water rises in Haiti, animal care needs also grow. What is being done to help these animals and victims of Haiti?
While helping people is an obvious priority, Animal human rights organizations all over the world are doing anything they can to help the animal victims of this catastrophic natural disaster. Haiti is a country with no veterinary programs, animal shelters or animal advocacy groups. The World Society for Protection of Animals (WSPA) and the United Nations International Fund for Animal Welfare are currently preparing to send support to the suffering animals in need. The American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)–in addition to countless other organizations–is currently taking donations for their efforts to help these suffering dogs and cats. These donations will pay for temporary dog shelters, dog kennels, veterinary care and adoption services.
Ironically, police search dogs and trained rescue animals are currently being sent to help those in Haiti. Trained service animals will search and sniff out Haitians and animals buried beneath the rubble.
Ed Sayres of ASPCA states in a USA Today article, "We hope that by addressing the needs of the animal victims … (we) will ultimately provide much-needed relief to the entire country of Haiti, humans and animals alike."
Whether your pooch has been in the family for years or you just brought him home from the shelter, it’s important that you spend time bonding with him. Dogs love the company of humans, especially humans that belong to their pack. Bonding is something that can be done every day, and there is no planning required. Here are a few ways you can bond with your pet.
Perhaps the easiest way is to simply spend time with your pet. Many owners don’t realize how much time dogs require; and, therefore, they don’t spend enough time with their pets. If you are sitting on the couch watching television, then invite your pooch to join you. If he’s not allowed on the couch, then have him rest at your feet. Believe it or not, just being close to your pet and allowing him to “participate” in your activity can be prime time for bonding.
The healthiest way to bond with your pet is through exercise. Yep! Time to being those 2010 resolutions, and take your dog for a walk or run. Dogs love to run and play, and exercise is good for everyone. If you've got the right dog leash your dog is sure to appreciate you! Lucky for you, a dog can be your best accountability partner; once you start a routine, then he will always expect it! If you are starting a new exercise routine, then include your dog from the beginning. Like humans, it takes time for dogs to develop their stamina. If you are already an avid exerciser but are just now introducing your dog to your workout, then be careful. Have your veterinarian examine your dog to make sure he’s physically capable of the workout. Then, start out slow. As mentioned, dogs can get out of shape just as quickly as humans. You cannot expect him to run a marathon the first time he sets foot outside.
If you are not too thrilled about exercising, then consider other outdoor activities that you can do with your dog. Taking your dog to a dog park is a great way for him to run and play with other dogs, benefitting from both exercising and socializing. A game of Frisbee or fetch won’t be too strenuous on you, but your dog will love it!
Teaching and rewarding your dog for his good behavior is another form of bonding. It takes time and patience to train a dog. By training your pooch, you are establishing yourself as the dominant pack member (an added bonus), and your dog will look to please you. The time spent training will help develop the bond. When you give him an award (treats, playtime, etc.) for his accomplishments, you are further strengthening the bond.
There are many ways to bond with your dog, and these are just suggestions. Once you learn your dog’s personality, you may find ways that strengthen the bond while keeping you both happy. It is important to establish a relationship with your pet. He is part of the family, deserving of your attention. So, whether you have a puppy or an older pooch, spend some time getting to know him.
"Another year has passed and a new year is ready to pounce - like that blasted kitten you persist in believing will be best buds with me sooner or later. “Sooner or never” is more like it if she doesn’t cease and desist with the constant practice of hiding around the corner and dashing out to grab my nose and bite it as I go by. One of these days she’s going to do it when I’m on my way to my pet door after waking up from a very long nap and there’s going to be an accident in the floor for SOMEONE to clean up. I don’t want to hear one word about it when that happens, got it?
But I digress.
Ahem. The new year is around the proverbial corner and I have observed that you and your furless friends make what you call “resolutions” each year, generally after a long night spent drinking, carousing and singing songs whose words you don’t understand (seriously, does anyone know what a “lang syne is?”
You pledge to exercise, lose weight, quit puffing on those stinking firesticks, “teach the dog not to ______ “ (excuse me?), look for a better job, start going to that gym you joined as part of a resolution a couple of New Year’s Eves ago . . . you remember all those, right? And then you remember that in less than a month it was like none of it ever happened. Well, I thought maybe if you had a little help it would be different this year, so I’ve made a list of reasonable resolutions and will be only too happy to assist you in keeping them…
Your 2010 New Years Resolutions:
1 . Eat healthier food. Meat is good for you. Really, really good for you.
2. Eat less. Take normal portions on your plate, but instead of eating it all, divide each pile of food in half. Eat your half, then give ME the other half. If you’re having beets, canned peas or collard greens you can keep all of those for yourself, though. When you eat out, be sure to ask for a doggy box before you start eating. Go ahead and separate my portions before you start eating, that way you won’t be tempted. Remember, I’ll know. I can smell it on your breath.
3. Don’t be wasteful. Give the dog any leftovers.
4. Get more aerobic exercise. Take me out to the park to run. Don’t think I’m being a bad dog when I don’t come when you call; that’s only me helping you get your exercise. Chase me, try to catch me. I’ll meet you back at the car once I’m sure you’ve gotten a good run.
5. Lift weights. Buy bigger bags of dog food. Lift three times each day. Pick me up and put me in the car. Then you can take me for a ride while you rest. Rest is important for muscle recovery. Repeat several times a day.
6. Walk a couple of miles or more every day. I’ll remind you. When I bring you our leash, don’t put me off, get up and do it now. Seriously.
7. Relax more. Stop and smell the roses — or at least stop and let me sniff the bushes and catch up on the news!
8. Meditate to lower your blood pressure. At least twice each day and once before going to sleep, spend a half hour (or more) scratching my neck and rubbing my belly, chanting, “ Ohm-my you’re a good dog, good dog, you’re such a good dog . . .”
9. Support economic recovery; buy more dog toys. I could use a couple of spiffy new collars, too, something in leather? Maybe lined with something soft?
10. Learn to cook new dishes. Check on the internet. There are some really yummy recipes for cookies and treats for ME! You can cook and not spoil your diet!
11. Play more. With the dog.
(Oh, and last but not least, do something about that cat. Please. She’s been biting my tail again.)"
But, I am an animal eater. So, the question becomes…where do you draw the line with accepted edible animals?
