This is what happens...

...when Mom waits too long to buy dog food.

Yeah, looks gross right? Well it was actually really delicious! Mom got smart and dug through our box of doggie related things she's gotten free at local dog expos and such and came up with these:

It definitely tasted different than my usual Blue Buffalo but it wasn't so bad to have something new. The best part was this "Keen" stuff (on the left above). It's made by Honest Kitchen and it's a packet of dehydrated dog food. 

A little weird at first but it tasted great. Mom mixed this powder with warm water and MMMM did it smell good!! I could see how it would be easy to bring on a road trip, to go camping, etc. because it doesn't take up any room. Mom says it's a smart buy too because it's made completely from human-grade products with minimal processing selected from fair-trade, sustainable and "green" suppliers in CA. It's even made here in San Diego!

It's a little bit more expensive than the food I eat now but it was still a nice little treat. What have you tried lately that was a pleasant surprise?

Mondays in Mira Mesa: Food Trucks!

Last night we ventured out for a little something different for dinner. Thank goodness because I was getting sick of my kibble all day, every day...

Ok honestly it was really more of a trip for my parents and their friends but at least I got to come! I still had a good time because it was something different and a great chance for us (Lilah and I) to socialize with people, other dogs, and resist the temptations of having food all around. I think we did pretty well!

I was hoping that looking cute was going to help me get some free food. It didn't work.

Ordering from Chubby's Food Truck

You can see where I get my good looks.

Lilah's mom and dad

Aunt Ashley and my Mom tore themselves away from the food just long enough for a picture.

Mom's Asparagus Grilled Cheese from Devilicious was sooooo good.  At least that's what she told me :)

Tabe fries? They smelled amazing!

Dessert? Yes please! Sweet Treats did not disappoint!

This is my begging face. I think I got three truffle fries... total ripoff! 

We had a blast and may just find ourselves back this way again! The trucks are at Mira Mesa High School every Monday night from 5pm to 8pm with some limited tables and chairs provided. I believe it is a fundraiser for the MMHS Football program but don't quote me on that one, just check it out anyway!

My Favorites: Homemade Sweet Potato Snacks

You know what I love? Treats. Food. Any kind of snacky goodness. So when Mom and Grandma set out to make some "Sweet Potato Chews" based on something they saw on Pinterest, let's just say I was all in.

This is a sweet potato. Not the most attractive when it starts but it sure does taste good!

Be sure to peel it. Skin is yucky.

Cut into even slices so they all bake evenly. Mom did mine about 1/3" thick

Bake in the oven at 350 until they are crispy.

Wait patiently while they cool. And Grandma does the dishes.

Act uninterested when Mom waves it in your face. In truth, try to keep from drooling on the floor.

Eat the equivalent of a whole sweet potato in one night. Success.

Now Mom wanted me to tell you that the instructions she found for this told her to cook the sweet potato slices at 250 degrees for three hours!!! Um, what? Who runs their oven for three hours??? Anyways, we're thinking that the lower temperature and longer cooking time would make them more like chewies whereas these were crunchy yummy snacks. I prefer these ones, they are done in about 20 minutes. Thank goodness, the waiting is torture!!

Enjoy!

Evenings at Grandma and Grandpa's

Pot roast is very delicious, in case you didn't know.

Homemade dog treats!

Just a week ago we went to the Doggie Street Festival and thank god we did because Mom walked away with a recipe for Peanut Butter Puppy Poppers, a truly delicious treat! Thanks to the Shelter Island Veterinary Hospital for the recipe and cute cookie cutter.

So here is what you need:

• 2 cups flour (any kind will work -- whole wheat, rice, etc.)
• 1 tbsp. baking powder
• 1 cup peanut butter (this seemed like a lot so mom did 3/4 cup peanut butter and 1/4 cup honey for sweetness but I supposed they would be fine without the honey too)
• 1 cup milk (someone had "accidentally" poured out our milk *ahem, DAD!!* so mom used water and it was fine)

You will want to start by pre-heating the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, in a large bowl begin by combining the flour and baking powder. In a smaller bowl mix the peanut butter and milk. Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and mix well.

 

Place the dough on a lightly floured surface (Mom used a cutting board) and knead. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness and use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes.

We found that the cookies were good both thick and thin. Thick ones puffed up a little more, like soft biscuits, and the thinner ones were more like a crunchy snack. Both were very good!

Bake for 20 minutes on a greased backing sheet until lightly brown.

Cool on a rack, then store in an airtight container. Be careful not to overcook because the cookies burn easily.

Happy baking!

The Wobbler!

I mentioned last week how I'm back in school to work on my manners, right? Well one of the things that Jessica thinks will help is if Mom and Dad do more to wear me out mentally. Ummm... what? Like I'm going to start taking Calculus classes or something?? No way!

Actually, they've introduced me to this thing called the Kong Wobbler. I've told you before how much I love my Kong to run off some of my chewing energy. Well this Kong isn't chewable but it does move around and make me work hard in order to eat my dinner.

I wasn't sure what to do with it at first so Dad had to sit with me and help me figure it out.

Basically the goal is to move the thing around with my nose and my paws so that it topples over and lets my food out, bit by bit. I'm not too good at it yet but check these guys out. They've got the right idea.

Dogs. Love. Food.

Mom thought this was funny. I think it's just plain mean!

How to: Transition to New Dog Food

When we first got Kayna at our house she was really gassy and her stomach did not agree with her food. We soon learned that in her last foster house they transitioned her to a new food too quickly and that was why she was so unhappy. Poor thing!

Our (dogs) stomachs can be very sensitive which is why we have to eat the same food every day. We can have bad diarrhea, vomiting and stomachaches if we eat something new or different. I've always had Blue Buffalo brand dog food though I have tried several flavors in the last couple of years. However, the truth is that sometimes we need to change foods such as when we grow from puppies to adults, as a result of a food allergy or if the company stops making our favorite kinds. We've changed my food a couple of times and we've got it down to a science!

This isn't really FOOD perse but you get the idea!

Here is the trick. Make sure that the transition is done slowly, over the course of 10 days or so.

• For the first three days mix 75 percent of the old food with 25 percent of the new food.
• Over the next three days mix 50 percent of the old food with 50 percent of the new food.
• In the next three days mix 25 percent of the old food with 75 percent of the new food.
• On the tenth day switch to 100 percent of the new food.

Remember that our bellies might still be upset a little bit so cut us some slack. Be sure we drink lots of water and always have access to relieve ourselves in the right place so that we don't upset you if we have to "go" suddenly.

I hope that was helpful...bon appetit!