SUPER SALMON DOGGIE BROWNIES

Cook up 1 C rice & 1 C barley (or 2 C rice if you don't have barley or if your dog is allergic to barley like mine is)
Once the grain is cooked, mix together with:
1 (12-16 oz) can of salmon (water drained off)
3 carrots (grated finely)
1 apple (grated finely)
1-4 cloves raw garlic (pressed or grated)
2 pounds zucchini (grated finely)
1 pound pumpkin or yams (canned type or raw grated)
1/2 Cup raw fresh or frozen chopped spinach, kale, or swiss chard
2 eggs
1 tsp molasses (optional)
1 T. dried parsley (or a handful of chopped fresh)
1/4 tsp. celery seeds
1/2 tsp. dried oregano and/or basil
(Mixture will be sloppy at this point)
Blend in enough whole wheat flour (about 2 C) that dough is soft but not wet.

Spread dough about a quarter-inch thick on baking sheets, using your hands or the back of a large spoon. (Use non-stick pans or spray pans with non-stick cooking oil.)

Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes, then remove from oven and score into 2-inch squares with pizza cutter.

Return to oven and bake for 40 to 50 minutes more, or until edges and underside are light brown.)
Remove from oven, lift away from pans with spatula, then let cool to room temperature and separate the brownies. These treats will be moist and chewy.
(If you want crunchy treats, return brownies to oven at 200 degrees for about an hour after they've initially cooled. Check often to get desired texture.)

Once cooked, keep brownies refrigerated. They'll keep fresh about a week this way. Brownies also can be frozen for later use.
The raw dough freezes well too. Portion it into plastic zip bags in convenient amounts and freeze flat. Thaw overnite in fridge and bake as above.

Holiday Hazards for your dog!

CHRISTMAS

* Holiday plants – Christmas rose, Holly, Lilies, Mistletoe, and Poinsettias are all toxic to dogs and cats.
* Ribbons – It may look adorable, but placing a ribbon around your pet’s neck may cause them to choke.
* Bubbling lights – Older forms of this attractive decoration may contain methylene chloride, which is a highly toxic chemical.
* Fire salts – Contain chemical that could be harmful to pets.
* Angel hair (spun glass) – Can be irritating to eyes and skin, and could cause intestinal obstruction if eaten in large amounts.
* Christmas tree water – Stagnant tree water or water containing preservatives could result in stomach upset if ingested.
* Decoration hooks – Can cause blockage and/or trauma to gastrointestinal tract if swallowed.
* Styrofoam – Can cause your pets to choke if swallowed.
* Ornaments – These can look like toys to cats and dogs, but they can cause serious injury, especially if your pets break or swallow them.
* Tinsel – Can cause choking or internal trauma if swallowed.

NEW YEAR’S

* Balloons and Confetti – These fun New Year’s party decorations can cause your pets to choke or obstruct their intestines if ingested. Keep an eye on your pets when they’re around these items or move them to an area that is not decorated where they will be safe.
* Loud Noises – New Year’s is typically a noisy holiday. Unfortunately, loud noises frighten pets and can cause them to run off. Keep your pets in a separate room away from noisemakers, music, and other loud sounds that may startle them.

Keep your pet safe this holiday season!

Merry Christmas!
Happy New Year!

Pam, Isabelle, Bandit & Sabrina

What does being a good leader for my dogs mean to me?

One of my friends asked me how I would describe the type of leader I am when it comes to my dogs.

My answer:

I believe in being a good leader to my dogs. However, that does not mean using any form of intimidation or force. I think a good leader can set a good example by showing, explaining, and communicating what is expected of either a kid or a dog. I also think that one must trust a leader and know that no matter what that person will protect, take care of, and not put the dog or kid in harm’s way. I also think that to be a good leader one should be consistent and fair. I say kids/dogs a lot, because to me training/teaching a dog is not any different than teaching a kid (my full time job is teaching 6,7,8th grade physical education). If I would not mistreat, punish, yell at a kid, then I would not ever do it to a dog. I do think that good leaders provide good learning opportunities for the dog, sets the dog up for success and guides them in the right direction but still allowing them to figure it out and learn on their own as long as the environment is safe and will not cause the dog to regress in training, get injured, or have a bad experience. To me a good leader should also have good motivational skills, be able to set goals that are realistic and achievable (I would never expect Isabelle to do some of the tricks that Bandit can do, but I can modify and support her or pick different tricks for her that are more realistic and attainable). I also think that a good leader provides things the dog needs, but does not just give without the dog earning it. I do believe in the notion that nothing in life is free. We all have to work for what we get and therefore I make my dogs work for food, playtime, things in their environment and anything else they may want and they get rewarded heavily for a job well done.

I really hope that this helps some of you and makes you think about your relationship with your dog(s).

Sincerely,
Pamela Johnson

Dog Poem

If you can start the day without caffeine,
If you can get going without pep pills,
If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches & pains,
If you can resist complaining & boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food every day & be grateful for it,
If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,
If you can overlook it when those you love take it out on you when, through no fault of yours, something goes wrong,
If you can take criticism & blame without resentment,
If you can ignore a friend's limited education & never correct him,
If you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor friend,
If you can face the world without lies & deceit,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
If you can say honestly that deep in your heart you have no prejudice against creed, color, religion or politics.....
Then, my friend, you are almost as good as your dog.

Twas the night before Christmas (dog version)

Twas the night before Christmas,
When all through the house;
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
With no thought of the dog filling their head.
And mamma in her 'kerchief,
And I in my cap,
Knew he was cold,
But didn't care about that.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Figuring the dog was free of his chain and into the trash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow;
Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But Santa Claus - with eyes full of tears.
He unchained the dog,
Once so lively and quick,
Last year's Christmas present,
Now painfully thin and sick.
More rapid than eagles,
He called the dog's name,
And the dog ran to him,
Despite all his pain.
"Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!
On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONNER and BLITZEN!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Let's find this dog a home where he'll be loved by all."
I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year,
For Santa Claus had made one thing quite clear.
The gift of a dog is not just for the season,
We had gotten the pup for all the wrong reasons.
In our haste to think of a gift for the kids,
There was one important thing that we missed.
A dog should be family and cared for the same,
You don't give a gift - then put it on a chain.
And I heard him exclaim,
As he rode out of sight,
"You weren't giving a gift!
You were giving a life!"

- Author Unknown