This recipe was created by accident.  I set out to make the pups some homemade biscuits using canned chicken instead of leftover turkey.  The protein swap and the addition of a very ripe banana made the batter very moist and more suitable for cupcake tins.  The pups aren’t complaining.

Chicken Banana Doggie “Cupcakes” 

adapted from Turkey Dog Biscuits

Prep time: 10-15 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Makes about one dozen cupcakes

Ingredients:

1/2 cup brown rice flour (rice flours are the easiest for dogs to digest)

1 cup rolled oats

2 large eggs (I used the whole egg, including shells, for calcium.  If that makes you uncomfortable, just the eggs will do!)

1 – 12.5 oz can of chunk white chicken (photo of example below)

1 very ripe banana

1 tablespoon salmon oil (could also use flax seed oil or a generic fish oil)

Peanut butter (optional)

Cooking spray

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

In large mixing bowl, combine flour and oats.  Set aside.

In a blender or food processor, blend eggs (either whole or their contents).

Add whole can of chicken (including the liquid), banana, and oil.  Blend well.  If it looks and smells disgusting, you are doing it right.

Combine chicken mixture with dry ingredients.  Mix well.  Batter should be about as moist as muffin or cake batter.

Spray muffin tin with cooking spray.  Fill evenly with batter.

Bake for 20 minutes or until golden and firm to the touch.

Once cooled, I frosted each cake with peanut butter to turn a muffin into a cupcake!  Just be prepared for the final product to draw a crowd.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Though I do my best to research issues of nutrition, health, and safety, I am not a veterinarian.  Please consult your veterinarian if you have concerns about whether or not these ingredients are right for your dog.

Last summer, I was surprised to learn that one in ten pets is on Facebook.  Sure, my dogs have their own page as public figures, but I thought that was because I am a self-proclaimed crazy dog mom.  One in ten suggests that either: I’m not as crazy as I thought; or, other people are crazier than I thought.

Some of the famous pooches that Lulu and Pippa have befriended on Facebook include Boo (arguably, the world’s cutest dog) and Beast (Mark Zuckerberg’s adorable Puli).

So tell me, are your pets on Facebook?

I think this is something to which many dog owners can relate!

Source

Happy Friday!

Over the holiday season, my husband and I took our two small dogs on a flight from Seattle to Sacramento.  We have flown with them a few times before, and although it doesn’t necessarily get easier for the pups, each flight teaches us a little more to make the next trip smoother.

I have never transported a pet in an airplane cargo cabin, and I would recommend to anyone to avoid it at all costs as it can be dangerous and even deadly.  The tips below pertain to in-flight cabin travel only, and they are from personal experience alone.

Tips for Flying With Your Small Dog (cabin flight only)

First and foremost, get to know your airline’s pet policy.  Even if you think you are familiar with your airline’s pet policy, double check it.  These policies change often and can easily get confusing.  I always call beforehand to learn about all of the requirements.  Some questions to ask:

• Does your airline allow pets on board the aircraft in the main cabin?
• What are the size, weight, or breed restrictions for coming onboard?
• What type of carrier do you require?  (More about carriers below.)
• Do you require a health certificate and/or vaccination records?  How recent must they be?
• Do you require a reservation for my pet ahead of time, and can you guarantee his/her spot on the flight?  (Many airlines specify a maximum number of pets allowed on each flight.)
• What is the fee for flying with my pet?

Many of these questions can be answered online, but I would always call a representative if you are unclear.  Here is a good overview of some of the major airlines’ policies that was last updated in November 2011.  That page also links to each airline’s individual policy pages.

Once you know what the airline requires, it’s time to buy an appropriate carrier.  The carrier pictured in the photo above is the Argo by Teafco Petagon Airline Approved Pet Carrier in Medium.

Before you purchase your carrier, I recommend asking your airline about the dimensions of the space underneath each seat.  This carrier fits perfectly under the seat of a Southwest Airlines plane.  I like it because it has a ton of pockets for all your doggie’s travel needs, it is lightweight, and it also has a mesh opening at the bottom of the back for your pup to stick her head out and watch the world.

Other general tips for a smooth flight:

• Bring a portable water bowl to hydrate your pet throughout the flight.
• Practice containing your dog in the carrier while you are at home.  Make it a positive, happy place for your pup by giving lots of treats and praise while s/he is in the carrier.
• Pack a lot of treats, bully sticks, and yummy distractions to entertain (or distract) your pup during the flight.  This is especially true if your dog does not like being contained.
• If you are worried that your pet will be particularly anxious, consider talking to your vet about a mild sedative to relax him during the flight.  We have tried a couple of different brands and doses.  In each instance, it was just a case of giving them a small pill an hour or two before the flight.  The medication isn’t intended to knock them out, rather, I found it just “takes the edge off” and allows the pup to relax easier in an unfamiliar environment.
• Like the rest of your flight experience, a lot depends on how relaxed the flight attendant is about enforcing the airline’s policies.  I’ve had a couple of flights when the flight attendant allowed me to take my pup out of the carrier if she slept quietly on my lap and was back in the carrier for landing.  This made things easier for everyone, so it might be worth asking (with a smile, of course!).

I hope these tips are helpful to you if you ever consider flying the friendly skies with your pup!

From our home to yours!

I love my little white and fluffies, but sometimes all that fluff just gets out of hand.  Because they are so active, Lulu and Pippa’s hair matts very easily, even with regular brushing.  Their long poodle curls also seem to clutch on to dirt and other goodies from our journeys outdoors.

Exhibit A: (Lulu, before)

I love her fluffy face, but that white hair turns black so much quicker when it’s long.  Here’s Lulu after a day at the beauty parlor:

Much better!

Exhibit B:  (Pippa, before)

Gosh, does poor Pippa look like a little orphan dog in this picture or what?  She even completed the look with a sad face!

Luckily, she cleans up well!

I try to bathe the girls once a week, and brush them nightly or every-other-night.  Even with this routine, we have to go in for full grooms every 6-8 weeks.

How often do you groom your pups?

This post series is designed to help dog owners (especially those of small dogs) learn from my shopping mistakes.  I’ve purchased countless doggie items that didn’t do what they were supposed to do, wore out way too early, or flat-out didn’t get used.  These lists feature my favorite products that I use regularly and think are worth purchasing for your pups (note: I have no relationship whatsoever with the makers of these products.  I am just a very big fan.).

Today let’s discuss gear for when you and your dog are “out and about.”

1.  Puppia harnesses.
A good harness is essential when walking a dog.  These are the best harnesses I have found to date.  The broad, soft use of fabric does not encourage matting the way the more strap-like harnesses do, and they are very easy to get on and off.  They also come in a great range of sizes, colors, and patterns to suit your pup’s personality.

2.   Popware pet travel cups.
I keep one of these in my car and purse at all times.  They collapse to be nice and flat for easy transport and are also dishwasher safe and BPA free (I contacted the company to be 100% sure!).  They do not have a plastic or silicone smell, and thus my dogs have no issues drinking water from this material.  Fabric bowls are another type of travel cup that seems to be popular, but I found those hard to keep clean and inconvenient to quickly assemble.

3.  Handi-Drink Dog Water Bottle.
For outings when you have a little more space, this water bottle is ideal because you do not need to seek out a water source.  The “bowl” part folds up and around the bottle when it’s not in used, and can be pulled down for a thirsty dog.  I pack this for long car rides because it’s a bottle and bowl in one.

4.Outward Hound Backseat Pet Hammock.
This hammock protects your car seats and also serves to deter your dog from trying to come up front, since it closes off the space between the two front seats.  The material is easy to wipe clean after a dirty day at the dog park.  Best of all, it has openings for seat belts for those of you who strap your dogs in while driving (see below).  ”Installation” is a breeze–just lay each handle of the hammock over the headrests of the car.

5.  Harness Houndstooth Car Safety Seatbelt.

Seatbelts are just as important for dogs as they are for humans!  Besides keeping your dog safe in an accident, they also lessen your chances of your dog causing an accident by limiting its mobility to the backseat.  This seatbelt works like a regular harness with a special attachment to buckle into a seatbelt holder.

In case you missed it: Doggie Ownership 101.  I hope it was helpful for some of you!

Part II: Time and commitment 

The financial costs of dog ownership, though ongoing, are short-term for the most part.  Heavier at the beginning and end of a dog’s life, these costs can hopefully be anticipated, calculated, and budgeted for.

A more long-term aspect to consider with raising a dog is the time and commitment involved in doing so.

Some things to think about:

• Your dog will need exercise.  Depending on the breed and size of your dog, it could need a lot of exercise.  I was shocked that my two little pups (both weighing under 10 lbs), had so much energy that needed to be expanded on a daily basis.  Are you willing to walk your dog one to three times a day?  Are you willing to take your dog to the dog park or throw a ball with him/her outside?  If you are not willing or able, are you able to hire a dog walker or doggie daycare?  Dogs that do not receive sufficient physical exercise are not only at risk for health problems, they are also much more likely to have behavior and training problems.
• Your dog will need socialization and training.   Dogs need to be taught how to properly interact with other dogs.  You can do this through the aforementioned trips to the dog park, and/or through doggie socials and training classes.  I think all dogs can also benefit from a basic training class.  This is something we have not yet done with Pippa, and her discipline and socialization skills are dramatically different from Lulu’s (who took training classes as a puppy).  Training also provides the intellectual stimulation that all dogs need to in order to grow developmentally and behaviorally.
• Your dog will need discipline and structure.  This isn’t a one-time thing you can accomplish in a class.  This is an ongoing commitment  to be consistent with all of the above.

Other non-financial issues you should be willing to deal with:

• Potty training.  Some dogs get it right away.  Others, well, not so much.  If it’s the latter, this will be a good test of patience for the humans in the household.
• Picking up #2.  Nothing drives me crazier than dog owners who do not pick up their dog’s waste!  If you’re not willing to do this, please, don’t get a dog.
• Special circumstances.  Dogs are kind of like humans…they’re not perfect.  Besides enforcing their physical health, there are possible emotional and behavioral issues you might have to deal with despite your best training efforts.  Aggression, guarding, digging, excessive barking–these are issues that will require time and patience.  Right now we are dealing with some pretty severe separation anxiety with Pippa, and it is affecting many aspects of our daily lives.

Ah, I almost forgot!

• Your dog will needs lots of love.  

That’s the easy part

I got to spend another afternoon yesterday volunteering with Ginger’s Pet Rescue.  It was a pretty slow day as far as adoption events go, so I was really able to get to know the dogs up for adoption and spend some quality time with them.

Take little Buddy:

Buddy is one of the sweetest puppies I’ve ever met.  At only 10 weeks old, this little guy is very eager to please, cuddly, and quick to learn.  He’s only about three pounds right now, but full grown he will be about 10 lbs.  Buddy is an adorable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel mix.  I think he would be great in a home with other dogs but could adjust equally well to being the only pup in the house.

I couldn’t stop taking pictures of Buddy and sending them to my husband.  We both agreed that this dog was cute enough to make us consider adopting a third pup.

I think Buddy’s adoption fee is lower than what is currently listed on his Petfinder profile, because he is the last of his litter to be adopted.  All dogs from Ginger’s Pet rescue come microchipped, fixed, and vaccinated.  Ginger also has a very good pet return policy if the adoption turns out not to be a good match.

Buddy will be at Ginger’s adoption events all weekend in Northgate and South Center.  Contact Ginger to learn more about Buddy and other adoptable dogs from her rescue group.

Got leftovers?  Here’s a way to share a little bit of your Thanksgiving feast with your pup.  Please be sure to never give your dog bones of any sort, and only use whole, lean, skinless meat.  Dark meat and poultry skin are high in fat and put your dog at risk for pancreatitis.

Bone appetit!

Turkey Dog Biscuits

adapted from this recipe

Prep time: 10-15 minutes

Cook time: 25-30 minutes

Makes about 4 dozen small biscuits

Ingredients:

2 large eggs (I used the whole egg, including shells, for calcium.  If that makes you uncomfortable, just the eggs will do!)

1 cup of skinless, deboned turkey breast meat, chopped (can substitute any other meat or fish that will best suit your pup)

1 tablespoon salmon oil (could also use flax seed oil or a generic fish oil)

1/2 cup brown rice flour (rice flours are the easiest for dogs to digest)

1 cup oat bran (could also use rolled oats)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

Blend eggs (either whole or their contents) in a blender or food processor.

Add turkey meat and oil.  Blend well.  If it looks and smells disgusting, you are doing it right.

Place turkey mixture in large bowl and add flour and oat bran.  Combine well.  Mixture should be on the drier side but still malleable.

Place dough on a surface covered with wax paper.  Using a rolling pin, carefully roll out dough until it is about 1/2″ thick.  You might want to do this in small batches.  The dough will be sticky and sensitive, but it should be strong enough to roll flat.

Using a small cookie cutter or glass rim, cut out cookies and place onto a lightly greased cooking sheet.  Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden and firm to the touch.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Though I do my best to research issues of nutrition, health, and safety, I am not a veterinarian.  Please consult your veterinarian if you have concerns about whether or not these ingredients are right for your dog.