only the great die young: a tribute to bambi

We've been taking care of Bambi for a couple of years, now. When we started, her brother, Chunk, was also in the picture. Great (in every sense of the word) Danes. Chunk passed a while back, and Bambi became a big sister to her new cocker spaniel brother, Koko. He's feisty...all puppy. 

We were supposed to take care of Bambi this weekend while Koko went to burn off some wild energy with his parents at the lake.

But we got the call.

"Our beloved Bambi had to be put to sleep today. Her left lung was full of fluid, and the vet suspected cancer...we're so sorry." 

You're sorry? The thing is, these awesome pet parents knew the bond we had with Bambi. She was unique, and so was our relationship with her. It was often a family affair, but it was actually my husband who took care of her most, and it was the two of them that had the most special bond. She would eat well for him, romp with him, and get over-the-moon excited when he came around. She'd let me take care of her as second fiddle, and she'd allow me to cuddle with her on her bed (which was large enough to accommodate the both of us) out of some sense of obligation, I presume, but it was with Brennen that she was truly in love. And he in love with her. I knew it was a source of pride that she favored him. Our clients knew that, and while I did my best to send my condolences her way, she sent just as many to us, recognizing our loss. 

Bambi was a sweet girl to the core, though quite camera-shy. I would try my best to photograph her but not violate her space. She seemed to know if I was fake-texting in order to capture her image on my iPhone. Brains and beauty, that one had. 

We last saw her two weeks ago, and I was able to capture her with her jumbo-dog toy, which is about the size of my four-year-old daughter. 

We talk about what a shame it is that Great Danes have such limited life spans. Such big hearts, so much love, yet so little time. Bambi, you were one of the greats. 

adding quinoa to your dog's diet (with recipes)

Since I wrote about whether a vegan diet is viable for dogs, readers, clients, and friends have asked me about incorporating quinoa into their dogs' diets. Questions have ranged from wondering if quinoa is toxic to dogs to the nutritional value of quinoa for their canine companions.

Whether you and your dog are vegan or not, quinoa is a healthy addition to your diet.

What is quinoa? Though often thought to be a whole grain, quinoa is actually a seed. It is thought to have first been grown and harvested for food by the ancient Incas.

Is quinoa toxic to dogs? First thing's first. Quinoa is not toxic to dogs, but can cause severe digestive upset if fed uncooked, so always serve quinoa to your dog after is has been cooked.

Can dogs digest quinoa? Cooked quinoa can be digested by dogs. Due to it's high fiber content, quinoa can sometimes cause diarrhea when first introduced, so use caution to incorporate it slowly, as you should any new food.

Why is quinoa healthy for my dog and me? Quinoa is packed with nutrients and healing properties. Due to it's high protein content (over 8 grams per cooked cup) and the fact that it contains the nine essential amino acids, it is often a staple of vegan and vegetarian diets. It is low in fat (about 3.5 grams per cooked cup), low in calories (about 220 per cooked cup) and cholesterol-free. It is a good source of iron, magnesium, vitamin B12, and fiber and is rich in antioxidants. 

How do I prepare quinoa? Always rinse quinoa thoroughly before preparing it. Add one part quinoa to two parts liquid, and bring to a boil. Turn down heat to low, and cook, covered, until the liquid has been absorbed.

Though most often cooked in water for a neutral-flavored quinoa that can be used for a variety of purposes, I sometimes cook it in vegetable broth (or broth of your choosing) for a more full-flavored savory dish. Be aware that most store-bought broth is high in sodium and wouldn't be best for dogs to consume. I also cook it in almond milk (you may substitute your favorite milk) for a richer, sweeter breakfast dish. I offer my family accompaniments such as agave syrup, raisins, bananas, and almonds for a energy-packed start to their day. Whether cooked in water, homemade (low sodium) broth, or milk, I will typically make a large batch so that I can use a scoop here and there in our dog food, a scoop in my lunch salad, or a quick side-dish for a kid meal. It's a great thing to have on-hand in the fridge. 

How should I incorporate quinoa into my dog's diet? As with any new food, introduce quinoa into your dog's diet gradually. Because it is so high in fiber, your dog may suffer diarrhea if given too much. A small spoonful mixed into his regular food is a good place to start. Consult your veterinarian or dietitian for specific feeding guidelines for your dog. Quinoa will not provide all of the nutrients your dog needs, but can be a healthy addition to your dog's diet.

RECIPES FOR THE TRYING:

Abby & Chi-chi's Vegan Dog Food

Homemade Sweet Potato Peanut Butter Vegan Dog Delight

Skinny Muttloaf

Quinoa Crisps with Rosemary Salmon Dog Treats

Have you used quinoa in your dog's food? Please tell us about it!

top 10 reasons dogs don't bark at santa, according to my kids

While not a prolonged yapper, our dog, N.A.S.H.A., is pretty trigger-happy in the form of short, explosive, unexpected outbursts at nearly anything. So every Christmas Eve, my littles (six and four) debate how in the world N.A.S.H.A. doesn't alert them to Santa's arrival. Sure, she'd quit barking pretty quick once he'd made his entrance; she even barks at us as we approach our own front door. But how Santa gets past N.A.S.H.A.'s initial security checkpoint is under scrutiny. 

Here are the top ten reasons dogs don't bark at Santa, according to my kids:

1. Santa is so super quiet that dogs can't hear him.

2. Santa has magic dust in his pouch that makes dogs fall asleep. Even cats and fish. 

Top 10 Reasons Dogs Don't Bark at Santa, According to My Kids

3. Santa can turn invisible.

4. Santa goes so fast that he's only in the house for, like, one second, so dogs don't even know he's there.

5. Santa gives dogs their favorite treats–like maybe steak–right when he gets down the chimney so they don't blow his cover. 

6. They don't want to wake up the children.

7. You know, like Silent Night, it has to be silent.

8. Santa is magic. 

9. Dogs just love Santa a lot. 

10. Dogs aren't dumb. Santa brings presents. But they bark at the pizza guy, so maybe that's not a good theory.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas Eve, and hoping your dogs don't scare Santa away!

can dogs be vegan?

As a professional pet sitter, I see a wide variety of canine diets. A big part of my job is to maintain the established routine for the pets in my care as best I can, so whatever they eat on a regular basis is what they eat when I'm feeding them. I don't judge–well, mostly I don't. I see both high-quality and low-quality kibble, canned food, raw diets, dehydrated food, and homemade food. Regardless of what the pets in a family are eating, I have to believe that their owners are feeding them the best they can with the knowledge and finances available to them. I try to keep my clients educated about the benefits of feeding a high-quality diet. That being said, I am not an animal dietician, and I am constantly learning. 

Whether dogs are carnivores or omnivores is hotly debated. The argument that dogs should be fed meat is largely based on the belief that dogs are carnivores, meaning they eat only meat. In fact, dogs are omnivores.  "In the wild" is almost a mute point, now, since they have been domesticated for so many generations, but if in the wild, they would eat a diet of mostly meat and some plants. 

Eager faces as I'm scooping their homemade vegan food into their bowls.

As an aspiring vegan, I was particularly interested in the vegan diet my client, Karla, feeds her dogs. I may have just stepped in a pile of poop, because I understand that feeding a vegan diet to a typically meat-eating creature who is at your mercy for, well, everything, could be quite controversial. To me, it's less controversial than feeding your pooch a bag of low-quality kibble composed mostly of fillers, artificial colors, and preservatives, which doesn't have much meat in it, anyway, but most people don't bat an eye at the person in the big box discount store throwing a 50-pound bag of complete garbage in their cart, then feeding it to their dog for the next month. So I decided to learn more about the vegan diet for dogs, and Karla helped me understand her story. She has fed her Papillon, Chi-chi, and Yorkshire Terrier, Abby, a vegan diet for almost one year.

WM: Can you tell me a bit about your journey to becoming vegan?

Karla: I've been vegan for a few years, and I was vegetarian for a while before that. My reason is a combination of my love for animals and for a healthy, happy, lifestyle.  There's so much information about living vegan, and once I started opening myself up to it, this lifestyle just fell into place.

Karla has two school-aged sons.

WM: Is your whole household vegan?

Karla: I only cook vegan at home, however, my boys live with their father part time, and they do eat meat there.

WM: So what made you decide to feed your dogs a vegan diet?

Karla: Being vegan, I would encourage anyone to eat this way. I hadn't even considered the possibility of switching my pups to a vegan diet until a friend suggested it. I started researching what they can eat and made the switch. I had been under the same impression as many others, that they needed meat to be healthy.

WM: What were your dogs eating before?

Karla: I previously had them eating organic dog food that was free of fillers, etc. The expensive stuff!

WM: Have you noticed any changes in them, health-wise, since you started feeding them a vegan diet?

Karla: Chi-chi has had the most noticeable change. He was a little on the heavy side before, and now he's very healthy. I've also noticed that his coat is healthier, now. As a hair stylist, I believe you can tell a lot about someone's health by their hair and skin. The same goes for our pups!

WM: What research did you do before embarking on this diet for them, and how do you know that they are getting all of the nutrients they need?

Karla: It helped that I'd been eating this way already. I know what I need to be eating in order to get all of my essential amino acids, etc. All I've done is transfer that to Abby and Chi-chi.

Abby and Chi-chi absolutely love their vegan meals.

WM: There is a growing trend to feed dogs a raw diet, and many people will say that dogs are carnivores, so they need meat. They will likely say you're not feeding them what they need. What do you say to that?

Karla: This is also said about us, but the truth is that we and our pups do not need to eat meat to be healthy, and, in fact, we are healthier with a plant-based diet. My dogs love their plant-based lifestyle. They did not get as excited as they do now when they were eating the old stuff!

WM: They do get excited. I notice a huge difference in a dog's poop depending on the diet, and I see a lot of dog poop. With few exceptions, the lower the quality of dog food, the softer and stinkier the poop. I notice that Chi-chi and Abby's poop is reflective of what you are feeding them. It's a bit seedy, and is firm, and not very stinky. I noticed a change in my own poop when I transitioned to a vegan-based diet, too. Sorry to have to go there, but poop is a big deal for dog owners. What do you notice about their poop?

Karla: Just like with humans, poo is a huge indicator of the health of our pet. Initially, they were going more than normal, and so did I when I switched to a vegan diet. This is due to our bodies' ridding of everything that has built up. Once this adjustment was made, I noticed that they go pretty quickly after a meal, and there's not much of a smell to it. I've also noticed that their urine is odorless, now (I have pee pad pups).

WM: I noticed that about their urine, too. I take care of a few "pee pad pups," and your place isn't as stinky. I hardly notice it. How did you figure out how to make your own food for them?

Karla: Initially, I started following recipes online. There's a great one on the PETA web site.

WM: Do you always feed them the same recipe, or do you switch things up?

Karla: I switch it up, now, because they eat pretty much what we eat (other than what's toxic or poison for them). Even when I switch up their food, there are no issues with their bowel. Switching it up is a wonderful treat for them and for us. They're much happier.

WM: Will you share their favorite recipe with us?

Karla: I'd love to!

WM: How large are the batches you make, and how long does it keep?

Sometimes Abby and Chi-chi's homemade vegan food makes me hungry. I can't say that about canned food or kibble.

Karla: I make a mixture of quinoa and beans at the beginning of the week and typically just add the rest to it as I feed them. They're eating the majority of their fruits and veggies raw, at this point, so I just cut those up nice and small and mix them in. If I'm heading out of town, I'll make a decent batch of everything for my amazing pet sitter to give them, and that can last in the fridge for up to a week.

WM: Thanks for the compliment! So what about cost? How does this vegan dog food compare to feeding a high-quality kibble?

Karla: Oh, it's cheap! I get a large amount of fruits and veggies at the local farmers' market weekly, spending around $30 for the whole family. Hemp protein is $15 for a few-months supply, and quinoa–the most expensive out of it all–costs me about $5 per week. They live a healthier life, costing me less, as well.

WM: That's great. Thank you so much for sharing your story.

•

I know Karla to be a loving, responsible pet owner, and Abby and Chi-Chi are happy and healthy. Their breath doesn't stink, and I know, because I'm all about pooch kisses! Their coats are some of the softest I've felt. They are full of energy, a healthy weight, and always eager for meal time. From what I've observed, the vegan diet is working well for them and definitely deserves further exploration. I plan to try Abby & Chi-chi's Vegan Dog Food recipe and see if my picky pooch will go for it.

Dogs do not require meat. They require protein. Though meat-based foods are the most common source of that protein, it is not the only source. Dogs can get their protein from beans, quinoa, etc. We often become so focused on the source of the nutrients that we forget about the nutrients, themselves. The key factor in any diet is that it provides the needed nutrients. Dogs can have their needs met through a vegetarian or vegan diet.

As for longevity, we know that vegetarian and vegan dogs live as long or longer than their meat-eating counterparts, as long as the diet is meeting their nutritional needs. They benefit from good health and typically don't ingest as many preservatives and contaminants, so they are usually quite healthy. Most research says that a nutrient-rich, plant-based diet is a good long term choice for dogs. Dogs with certain ailments such as allergies can often find relief in a vegetarian diet, so those dogs definitely see their quality and length of life improve.  

There is such a wide variety of diet choices for our dogs, and pet owners have very strong opinions about the diet they choose to feed their pet. Have you tried feeding your dog a vegan diet? What do you think about dogs going vegan?

This article by me appeared in its original form in November 2013 on Hybrid Rasta Mama, a blog to which I contribute regularly, and has been reprinted with minor changes with permission. 

Please hop on over to Hybrid Rasta Mama and check out my December 2013 article, Veterinary Acupuncture for Prevention and Treatment.

feeling thankful, for love is being owned by a husky and the giving spirit

I don't often participate in group gift exchanges. Not because I don't believe in giving, but because I don't need any more junk from someone who only kinda knows me, and I don't really want to spend money on a bunch of crap for someone I barely know. So when Pamela from Something Wagging This Way Comes gave me the opportunity to participate in the Pet Blogger Gift Exchange and no material gifts were required, I had to check it out. 

Here's the deal: I signed up, and I got partnered up. Not with some secret-santa-gift-pressure-thing, but with a genuine blogger. Our only gift to each other is to get to know one another and each other's work and share what we like of each other, and it's all good. 

I am thrilled to be getting to know Love is Being Owned by a Husky. 

Although I haven't read all she has to offer, yet, Jenna, the author, has already taught me so much. 

She's all about love. Just pure love of her pets. Her glorious huskies. A cursory look at her blog made me realize that I need to do more love on mine. As a professional pet sitter, I see so much. There are the pets and the business of it all and the causes and the rescues...well...I love it all, but I don't think my blog is showing the love like I feel it. Looking at "Love is Being Owned by a Husky" inspires me to do more love.

Jenna and her huskies are just getting to know me and my blog, too. So here's something they (and you) may not know: My dog, N.A.S.H.A., a scraggly mixed terrier, has some serious husky ties, though you'd never know it and you might have to read about her to understand. 

So check out "Love is Being Owned by a Husky" and feel the love!