Holidaze and Friends....

Seems like aaaaggges since we have posted new pictures and fun stories about our adventures! Here it is, FREEEZING cold outside and almost time for Christmas!

This time of year is a big adjustment for us....We definitely prefer the sunshine and warmth of summer...Our walks get shorter in the winter, cuz I don't really like the rain and being soaked and filthy...But we make the best of it and walk lots more on days when it's not wet outside...

Here I am on Thanksgiving day after feasting on some yummy stuff: carrots, sweet potatoes, and organic chicken! YUM!!!

Workin' a little puppy kong action! (Trader Joe's peanut butter treat inside!!)

Hangin' out with our friend Dennis for some lap cuddle...

Michaelangelo has friends and fans everywhere! This is his new friend Gilly, whom he loves to kiss! I do believe Michael misses his kitties he used to live with, Shadow, Rhaja, Pumpkin Pie, and Turzia, oh and there was Moochie Pon for a little while too...

The Dawg's Gone Raw!!!!

I've been feeding Michael "real" food like chicken, sweet potatoes, eggs, for a long time now, and of course, he occasionally steals a piece of pizza, or sandwich or some other such "human" food item off my plate as to heartily annoy me for about 3 minutes. He knows what he likes, and I tell you, it's damn near everything!!

Going to a holistic vet, and having the tendencies toward more "health" food eating than "fast food", it makes sense to feed my animal which I consider pretty darn important, as well as I can, since dog food is mostly, let's face it people, crap....

My vet was telling me about what he feeds his dogs, and wrote some things down for me and told me to go check out "Meat for Cats and Dogs" and so I did. Michael of course went bananas when we went into the place! One of the guys there (whose name sadly is escaping me right now) gave me quite a lot of information about the raw diet idea for dogs, and talked to me about all my options since I was a newbie there. I finally settled on what seems like the best deal for Michael. He of course LOVES it and is doing backflips to get the food in the morning, and night. He's having nearly no dog kibble - which has been Innova for the past couple of years. When I recently found out Proctor & Gamble bought Innova in addition to other supposedly "higher level" dog food, I was pretty disappointed with that, even though they say "nothing's changed in the processing of the food"... I don't believe it's all that great anyway, and now, I'm seeing in just a few days how Michael seems more "cut" where the doctor showed me he wanted to see him a bit more "trim"....Hhhhhhmm. It's supposed to be perfect for them and their health in everyway. I'm pretty happy with it so far and I appreciate that I dont actually have to handle any raw meat myself personally as it's not something I've ever liked to do (even though I have grown up and do at times eat some meat). The food we're going with is Nature's Variety Instinct and comes in a super tight zip lock freezer bag, and you just take out the required amount (based on your dog's weight) for a dat at a time, leave in the fridge to thaw for a few hours, and they get real meat, real vegetables, and so, yeah! I'm quite happy so far and we'll keep on I do believe.

Check out this testimony from a Meat client who turned her pup's life around by changing the diet to raw!

Where There's Sun, There's Kids! Where There's Sun & Kids, There's Michael!!!

Part of the fun of summer is all the people and dogs we meet out and about on walks and hikes! The kids, of course come running when they see Michael, and he goes running for them! They offer their treasured toys and trinkets to share with us, and they follow us half way down the street long after we've said our goodbyes! I love the little green disco ball christmas tree ornament and told her I had one just like it!

This sweet little group of kids we've met four or five times before, Michael never seems to forget anyone! He's friends with everyone, so we hang out for a while and visit, and the kids each talking to me about different things at the same time, it's hilarious. Next time, I will HAVE to get video! Their grandpa just smiled & laughed as he watched us all being silly/loud/funny/crazy for about 15 minutes or so but didn't really talk much. The children have a lot better english than their "grampy", as they called him.

Wow. This little guy! He's gonna be a truck driver, he says....
Kids really are fascinated with Michael and I think love him even MORE so because not only is he one really handsome and friendly dog, he's pretty small for such a powerful hunter dog!!
Ah how we love to see our shadow...Thank goodness summer eventually comes!

Always Adventures and Always Making New Friends!!!

Recently my mom needed to find a safe, warm, loving place for me to have a sleepover, because she and her friends had a film festival thingy to go to in Seattle, and pups had to stay home.

So my mom was calling around all over the place to find a puppy place that pups could spend the night. All she found were places with cages! And she found out that I was a little tiny bit overdue for my every-3-years Rabies vaccination. My mom is not a big huge fan of having me go through things I might not have to for the sake of western medicine and opts for holistic health care whenever possible (see her posts about our Hawthrorne Vets!) but Rabies is required by law, so off to get the Rabies we went...

As much as I love my amazing doctor I didn't want to have any more anything done after my teeth cleaning recently!! But it went just fine. My mom is a bit of a wimp, though. She had one of the vet assistants come in and hold me while Dr. Yale administered the shot.

My mom found this lovely lady and her family in Seattle through a friend of a friend offering a warm cozy place for pups to camp out for the night!! I could not believe my luck!! I got to go stay with a big sweet pup called Riggs, and Bridit, her husband and their two super fun kids who played with me for hours and wore me out! (here's a picture Bridgit sent my mom of me zonked out!)
My mom made a really cool video of her and her friends' trip to Seattle, she loves taking pictures you can see it here: http://www.youtube.com/littlemississues#p/u/0/i3RuxgXMQE8

I love bumping into a group of kids in the park!!! My mom says "kids" and I just run for 'em! Kids like to cuddle and they seem to giggle a lot when they get to pet me! I take all the lovin' I can find!!

and here's the big, the bold, the beautiful Katey, who recently saved Jeff here from these two bullies attacking him in our park here...She's our hero!

Always fun making new friends! and My mom is a little behind on posthing but has more photos and a really cute video of me and all my friends is in the works! So come back soon!

xoxoxo

Michaelangelo

In The Company of Dogs

I LOVE this catalog! I get them in the mail and look at them online...they really have some great things for dogs!! Check them out!! In the Company of Dogs has things you wouldn't believe! From the usual, but better! From cool, different types of leashes, bedding, car & traveling seats and things to agility kits, treadmills, all kinds of stuff!

the AMAZING Jack Russell on Animal Planet!!

the People and Pups We Meet

Michaelangelo and I didn't get much excercise yesterday, since it poured rain for it's entirety.

And apart from falling asleep on the couch at 6:30 pm and waking up at 3am, not much going on around here!!

This morning, since we were awake very early, we got out on an early walk as well. I could tell he needed it, and I certainly needed it. And shock of all shockers!! The ground was relatively dry at 7:30am...so we made our way round the block in the quiet sleepy neighborhood....

As little horses often do, they pull you where THEY want to go, regardless of what it is YOU were thinking...YOU, you know, the PACK LEADER?!?! My little horse thinks he runs things out on our walks. And to be honest with you, sometimes? He does!!

This morning he was DETERMINDED to get us to the park, but I thought it a little early yet, even if a little bit light already - after what we know happened some days ago at the park he loves to chase unsuspecting squirrels in!! So he ends up dragging me toward the park and I relent, thinking I'll steer him clear once we get upon it, we'll go the other way towards home.

As we were about to make that turn away from the park, Micahel sees a beautiful dog off in the distance, which I first thought was a smaller Irish Setter, with a silver haired lady in tow...So, I give him the go-ahead and off we ran to meet our new friends...

Mattie is unbelievably 16 years young!! Her grandma, Pat told me how Mattie was her daughters' dog, and her daughter died on Christmas day two years ago...My heart was immediately gripped for this woman, and tears sprang to my eyes...She said Mattie probably thought I was her daughter, Terri, who kind of looked like me in height and hair...At that point, watching beautiful Mattie jump and romp around like a little puppy, could not help but drop tears. They fell out of my eyes like an overflowing glass, and I said some little prayers for Mattie, and her grandma Pat. I told her how sorry I was to hear it and I also miss my father every day quite a lot of the day, so I sort of understand....and she said, "It's really hard, sometimes - moreso than others. I just get through 24 hours at a time."

We walked with them through the park and I shared with her to take care in and around the park and school as thugs are accosting people with fists and knives in the quiet dark of the morning. She agreed to pass on the warning to other people she knows come to the park as well. I told Pat I'd love to take her and Mattie's portrait, but sadly, did not exchange info with her. I just know that they are in my neighbhorhood. I was kicking myself wishing I'd carried some cards with me to give her, so she could contact me and I could perchance have the opportunity to visit with her and Mattie and make some lovely portraits of these two beautiful ladies...I cried all the way home.

My heart went out to her so much! I am crying even now, as I write this an hour later...I can't express how much I can feel for other people, and have agonized over the pain in the world. Pat and I agreed how much of a difference it makes to have a dog. Mattie took to me and stood happily glued to me for my loving hugs. I was thankful for meeting her today, and I know Michael enjoyed Mattie, too. To see that bounce and playful show of happiness to us, yeah, that sweet old Golden made our day...I so hope we see them again and I vow to start taking my photography cards - and my camera out on our walks with us for when we meet such beautiful folks that they must have be captured and remembered this beautiful forever...

notes: The beautiful Mattie pup. Here is where we are meeting and just starting our walk with Pat & Mattie. I'm sorry my voice is so loud and Pat's is so low.

Whole Food Recipe for Dogs

This was given to us by friends we see at the dog park!

Michael currently gets baked chicken, sweet potatoes (really good for their skin & coat!), carrots and a bit of egg yellows along with a sprinkling of Innova dry food. I have always been concerned about the food that is put out there for dogs, and what people buy to feed their pets! This really came to light for me when I was hired to promote Eukanuba food and learned through their training more about dog foods. This has led me to add a lot of this information on this blog and finding other information that while sickened me ( like here, and what's "really" in the dog food), made me better equipped to decide if what I'm feeding my dog is worth the "savings" (the reason SO many people gave me for feeding their dog total CRAP when I was promoting Eukanuba). You can get some great information at the Whole Dog Journal and here is the Raw Dog Food Book to check out as well!

This blog actually started when Michaelangelo was having some severe reactions to flea bites. I didn't want to put the "frontlines" and all this on him, I thought it was dangerous! And my research shows IT IS! And a showdown with my vet - who only pushed steroids to treat Michael, then yelled at me when I dared question him about there being another way - led me to the Hawthrone Vet Clinic where Michael is treated at his visits with not only love, but herbal remedies and accupuncture if needed. Since we use Comfortis for flea control, Michaelangelo has never had another allergic reation where his skin turns brrrrright red and he scratches holes into his lovely soft skin!! I'm SO thankful I found my vet clinic, and urge you too, if you are not in a bigger city where this might be available to you to do your research and figure out how to help your pet be as healthy as possible for a long, loving life as your "kid"!

Some of my 'raw food friends' on facebook were discussing healthy raw diets for dogs, and has gotten me thinking about doing away altogether once and for all with any dry food for Michael. Our pup doc even said to just do away with it if possible.
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DOGGIE MENU = 4 cups daily (this menu was based on a 65lb dog ADD 1 chewable childrens' vitamin every other day)

Here is the recipe:

4 cups rice
8 cups water
5 lbs. ground turkey
8 eggs
5 lbs shredded carrotts

Preheat oven to 325
Pam sprage large roaster pan
Mix rice - water - turkey - beaten eggs in roaster pan
Bake 1 hour then Stir well
Bake 1 hour more
Mix mixture with raw shredded carrots in big bowl

Freeze in daily portions or refridgerate for no more than 3 days!

Enjoy!

Thanks Lucille & Jerry!
WOOF!!

Beautiful Katy Pup Saves Owner from Knife Weilding Thugs!!!

Michael and I like to visit with our park ranger whenever we see her... and we saw her today!! Today she told us that our park friend Katy, a gorgeous Golden Retriever actually helped save the life her owner after two men attacked her owner in the park at 7am!! One of the men punched her owner in the face, knocking him down to the ground, while the other pulled out a six inch blade and screamed for his money. Katy obviously sensed the danger, and jumped up and bit one of the men on their behinds!!! Then went for his face! Katy's owner-dad pulled her off of the men and they ran off, leaving them both - thankfully - unharmed!!

This has given me something to think about, as I am always on alert while walking, I'm super alert when it's dark and we of course don't go inside the park at dark... Anyway, here is Katy, the beautiful Golden who saved her dad from harm! And here is our park ranger feeding one of her squirrel friends by hand!! Be extra careful out there!!!!

Wintertime Fun on Mt. St. Helens!

Michaelangelo loves to travel and got to go to Mt. St. Helens back in March of 2010! Now that's not really winter anymore, but we were in a winter park for snow hiking and playing! And yes, we had fun! Michael appreciates snow much, much more than cold rain, so you can see his glee at being a snow pup!