Hello World

It has been quite sometime since I've blogged. We've been thru some things at home, but hopefully now, everything is returning to normal. I've had bad allergies in recent months, Momma has now found a new outlet. She started giving me raw coconut oil, and wez is very impressed so far. I'm sharing with all of you, Coconut oil is good for us doggies to help with alot of different things.

Coconut oil is rapidly growing in popularity. No longer found in health food stores only, large grocery store chains have begun to carry multiple brands in response to the increased demand. People have discovered the health benefits from cooking with it, baking with it and even using coconut oil as a hair conditioner. Now even our dogs can experience the health benefits inside and out from coconut oil.

The Science:
The fat in virgin coconut oil is largely made up of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA). This type of saturated fat is easily metabolized and turned into energy. There are two types of coconut oil, refined and unrefined. Refined usually is tasteless, because it is refined to the point that you are able to fry with it or bake with it without imparting any coconut flavor or taste into your food. However, the refining process may include harsh solvents and chemicals. If possible, look for a slightly more expensive brand that uses a chemical-free cleaning process. On the other hand, unrefined coconut oil is typically virgin and extra virgin, and similar to olive oil—the oil comes from the first pressing of fresh, raw coconut. There are pesticide-free organic brands as well. With so many choices and price points, reading the labels closely is highly recommended.

There are many healthful benefits to adding coconut oil to your dog’s diet. The unrefined type has a taste that most dogs immediately love. You can incorporate it directly into your dog’s meal by adding a 1/4 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon, depending on the size of your dog. As with any added fat to a diet, you will want to start slowly so your dog can properly absorb and process the oil and avoid diarrhea.

Why it’s Good for the Inside of a Dog:

• Virgin coconut oil contains fatty acids such as lauric acid, which is also found in breast milk. Lauric acid has natural antibacterial properties.
• The anti-fungal properties of coconut helps prevent and treat Candida and other yeast infections.
• It improves digestive system function and enables better absorption of nutrients from the foods your dog normally eats. 
• Coconut oil is also known to stimulate the thyroid gland which in turns helps maintain a healthy weight and activity level.

How it Can Help the Outside of a Dog:

• Coconut oil is a great moisturizer when applied to your dog’s skin, healing hot spots and rough cracked foot pads.
• You will notice overall improvement in your dog’s coat
• Inflamed and itchy skin from flea bites or sores benefit from this oil applied directly.
• Add it to your dog’s shampoo or rinse water to add a nice smell, and take advantage of its antioxidant properties.

Keep your furrbabies safe this Halloween

Keep your dog out of harm's way this Halloween with these important safety tips: http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-health/halloween-dog-safety-tips.aspx

Wisdom of Pets

Sometimes the greatest wisdom and encouragement come from the animals who touch our lives.
Human communication can sometimes fall short in conveying spiritual truth. God speaks through whatever means he chooses - and often he chooses animals. Dogs teach us unconditional love. The purr of a kitten can bring peace and warmth.
Paws to Reflect: 365 Devotions for the Animal Lovers Soul offers gentle daily reflections for those who seek to grow spiritually by observing the animal kingdom and all the wonderful lessons it teaches us.
“The journey of rescue work is hard but so profoundly rewarding.  I now find that Paws to Reflect provides me with the daily devotionals and spiritual depth that I need to continue daily as I help  stay the course to help these precious babies.” -- Candace Simpson-Giles, Founder Critter Cavalry National Animal Rescue and Transport
“Paws to Reflect is an intimate and personal journey through Scripture and life as shared with our best friends—our pets. I begin each day by focusing on the positive—my Lab at my feet, gazing across the pastures at our horses, watching our cat wake up, while reading Paws to Reflect. You do well to do the same.” - Dr. Joey Faucette, best-selling author Listen to Life with Your Pets

Paws To Reflect

Talk about getting your motor started up.....  Dog Survives 110 mile trip...

Good Times!!

Wow!!! Just have to share with you all, the weather has turned cooler and guess what? My allergies have gone away!!! YAY!!! No skin rashes or bad places on my skin for awhile now. I feel so good, running and playing,and just being a poodle dog. Momma has been amazed!! No nasty ear infections....Ohh Yes Life is good!! My oldest skin brother will be home in a few weeks, and the youngest will be here in February!!!  Can't wait!! Surely am glad the nasty pollen is gone, and i feel good!! :) Have a happy day, friends!! Love you all! :)

For Doggies with Sensitive stomach's or a upset Tummy

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Leftover Love: Onion Soup-Onions »

Retriever Retriever, Pumpkin Eater

Oct 7th, 2009 by Marilyn

Cleo wasn’t feeling well. Our four-year old black Lab had a problem, in that special dog way of having a problem, the kind that finds you outside at 3 a.m., wondering how she ate a paper towel, a pen, six bagels and their bag. Of course dog owners know that goes with the territory, and messy territory it is. But a few years back our vet gave me some swell advice, the sort of helpful tip you never forget: pumpkin.

Turns out pumpkin, in addition to filling pies, soups, and being eminently carve-able, works a certain enzyme magic on stomach irritation. Does it work on people?  I don’t know.  My job was to get it into the dog. “Feed her a tablespoon of pumpkin,” he said, “mixed in her food. Or right from the spoon – if she’ll take it.”

Would she? Her first move was to stuff her mouth with Ducky, thus avoidingwhatever was on the spoon. Take it?

No.

And no.

And no way.

So I mixed it with her food – and for a time, she snubbed the food. She finally ate it, never making the connection that snacking on shrubs, or snail shells, or used Kleenex would earn her dinner a pumpkin garnish.  Now, I have cared for and loved three dogs. I have seen a lot of 3 a.m’s, a lot of snowy, moonlit grass. I wanted a better pumpkin delivery system, and for me, baking something “in” is an easy answer – especially for Cleo, who is sweet and trusting, and not bright enough to suspect a biscuit.

Rolling dough got her attention…

…and while they cooled on the counter, she even forgot the edible bits in the yard. Dogs love these simple biscuits and sick or not sick, they make great treats. They’re delightful – but my best advice? Buy wastebaskets with lids. Don’t plant poisonous shrubs, shut bathroom doors, avoid the tastiest pens. And by all means, keep a handy can of pumpkin.

Cleo’s Pumpkin Dog Biscuits

2 eggs
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
2 tablespoons dry milk
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 1/2 cups brown rice flour *
1 teaspoon dried parsley (optional)

Preheat oven to 350.

In large bowl, whisk together eggs and pumpkin to smooth. Stir in dry milk, sea salt, and dried parsley (if using, optional). Add brown rice flour gradually, combining with spatula or hands to form a stiff, dry dough. Turn out onto lightly floured surface (can use the brown rice flour) and if dough is still rough, briefly knead and press to combine.

Roll dough between 1/4 – 1/2″ – depending on your dog’s chew preferences, ask first – and use biscuit or other shape cutter to punch shapes, gathering and re-rolling scraps as you go. Place shapes on cookie sheet, no greasing or paper necessary. If desired, press fork pattern on biscuits before baking, a quick up-and-down movement with fork, lightly pressing down halfway through dough. Bake 20 minutes. Remove from oven and carefully turn biscuits over, then bake additional 20 minutes. Allow to cool completely on rack before feeding to dog.

* Brown rice flour gives the biscuits crunch and promotes better dog digestion. Many dogs have touchy stomachs or allergies, and do not, like many people I know, tolerate wheat.

Makes up to 75 small (1″) biscuits or 50 medium biscuits

Please note: This is not professional medical advice. These biscuits are a healthy everyday treat, and useful for a dog with a sensitive stomach, or minor digestion issues. If your dog is showing any signs of serious distress, remove all food and contact your veterinarian immediately.

Wordless Wednesday