Check out the Improved Recipe for Kibble

Check out the newest version of Valentina's Krunchy Kibble posted on the Krunchy Kibble Recipe Page.

Happy 9-Month Birthday Valentina!

Today our precious puppy is 9 months old!  (and 91 pounds!) She has remained the sweetest, most affectionate, most alert, and smartest puppy ever -- truly a special spirit and such a joy to have in our family! It is amazing how much she understands from what we say. I am continuing to make all her food -- both kibble and soft food.  (We do keep a few cans of Evanger's canned Vegetarian Dog Food in the pantry just in case.) She just loves vegetables.  One thing I've learned, though, is that dogs don't have the dental structure to chew their food the way humans do, so if you want your dog to absorb the nutrients effectively and to enjoy the flavor of all the foods, it is important to make sure the food is in small pieces.  I use the food processor, and my spiralizer to break up the foods and create as much exposure to the surface of the foods (and nutrients) as possible.  Valentina loves carrots -- thinly sliced, grated, or spiralized. There's hardly a veggie she doesn't like. One of her all-time favorites is the glorious sweet potato.  She  devours the sweet potato leather I make, her kibble contains sweet potatoes, and I always cook extra because it is easily added to her soft food.  I'm being careful to keep onions out of her foods (rumored to be toxic for dogs), but I put in a little garlic (cooked) in her soft food for extra flavor.She loves seeds, like sunflower and pepitas (pumpkin seed), but I've learned to make it into meal in my Vitamix Dry container. (When I fed her the whole pumpkin seed, it was whole and green going in, and it was whole and white coming out.)  She is well muscled, slim, calm, yet high-energy. I've tested her urine and it's in the middle of the healthy range.  Her eyes are bright and the surrounding tissue is pink and red ( a sign of excellent health for dogs!) She is the picture of excellent health.

Great Dane Meet-Up, Sunday, May 5, 2013

 

Beautiful Great Danes Everywhere!

There must have been 40-50 Great Danes at the Meet-Up! All kinds, all ages, and all colors! Harlequin, Mantle, Merle, Fawn, Black, Blue, Grey, and Brindle! One lady had 5 beautiful Great Danes!  At first, Valentina was a bit overwhelmed; she was two days short of being 9 months old and, although there were a few other puppies smaller than her, she was not used to the majority of the dogs being larger than her.  She adored and ran with the Mantle puppies, ran with some of the other Danes, got lots of kisses from many admirers and gave many kisses, too! We were going to stay for only an hour, but Valentina was having soooo much fun, we ended up staying for 2 hours. She ran and ran and ran! When we got home, she was pleasantly exhausted and slept for a couple of hours. What a wonderfully fun day!

Doggy Puberty

They say that Great Danes usually go into heat around 9 to 12 months old.  In four more days, Valentina will be 8 months old.  So, now we wait.  We have a couple pairs of Doggy Hot Pants with pads, and we have a package of adult diapers -- there are several comments online that suggest using disposable adult diapers and cutting a hole in them for the tail to fit through. The vet recommends spaying  dogs after the first heat, but before the second for the maximum protection against mammary cancer. The question I still have is, being that meat is drenched in hormones, and some human females are going through puberty at 8,9, and 10 because of all these hormones in meat, would a vegan Great Dane go through puberty later than a meat-eating Great Dane because it receives none of these hormones from meat? Anybody have an answer to that?

Almost Eight Months Old!

Valentina will turn 8 months old in about a week.  We are so grateful that she is such a smart, sweet puppy dog. I make all her food (vegan), both kibble and soft food, and both veterinarians who have examined her have pronounced her VERY healthy. It's interesting that we have been told that a dog MUST have meat, and yet Valentina remains extremely healthy, full of energy, and exhibiting all the the signs of an extremely healthy dog. She loves every kind of vegetable, raw and cooked, and her favorite chews are the "Broccoli bone" and the Sweet Potato "Leather" The Broccoli Bone (a long stem from broccoli)  is raw, but after experimenting with baked and dehydrated sweet potato slices, I came to the conclusion that baking the the sweet potato slices (about 3/8 in. thick) at around 250 or 300 F, for about 3 hours, (or 325 or 350 degrees F for less time) then dehydrating them for several hours (6, maybe 8 or 10 hours at 105 degrees in the dehydrator, depending on the dryness and chewiness desired) gives the best result.  (I have an Excelsior dehydrator.) When I just baked them, they were too soft and  not "leathery" enough, and when I only dehydrated them, they lacked the caramelizing of the natural sugars. (If you don't have a dehydrator, you can put your oven on the lowest temperature setting, and if you want to lower the temperature a bit more, you can leave the oven door slightly ajar to let a little heat escape and lower the temperature a bit. It's best to purchase a little in-oven thermometer to know exactly what the resulting temperature is.)  Valentina will eat sweet potatoes any way I make them, but it seems that the "bake and dehydrate method" makes the slices she likes the best. I "paint" a coating of warmed coconut oil on all surfaces of the slices, so they don't dry out too much or stick to the cookie sheet. I bought a bag of commercial sweet potato slices for $8.98 at a local pet shop the other day.  The bag did not even have 9 slices.  That means they cost more than a dollar a slice! Valentina actually prefers mine anyway. The first time I gave her a sweet potato slice, she did an intricate dance around and near the slice before she ate it.  Now, even when she is given a broccoli bone or other treat, she will do what we now call "The Sweet Potato Dance.". Stay tuned for  more pictures.

Happy Six Month Birthday, Valentina!

As I write this post, Valentina is lying on a rug next to my desk, playing with her stuffed toy, Christmas doggie. She was six months old as of February 7, 2013, and I must admit she is a well-behaved dog.  When you read up on Great Danes, you will always find a mention somewhere that Great Danes are people dogs.  They are not the kind of dog that you can throw in the back yard and forget about.  They thrive on human attention, and they can actually go crazy and become agressive without human contact.  Personally, it is hard to understand why anyone would get a dog without giving them attention.  Valentina goes everywhere with us.  Our yard in Mexico has not been fenced in yet, so we really do take her everywhere.  We eat in restaurants that are dog friendly, and if we run into the store for groceries or other items, one of us stays with her in the car and walks her out in a patch of grass. When we arrived at our home in Mexico, Valentina was a very timid little puppy, unsure of strangers who came up to admire her, and she would bark at little children, thinking them odd little aliens.  Now she LOVES to meet new people, relishes little children petting her, and is very outgoing. In addition, she behaves herself at restaurants.  We carry a rug, toys, travel water and food dishes with us, and she lies down , plays with her toys, or waits, respectfully, for a bite of spaghetti al pesto, or the occasional corn chip (sans salsa). (She likes my homemade vegan pasta with pesto best, but loves the vegan spaghetti al pesto that they make at the Peacock Garden Restaurant, too. And, at the Peacock Garden, she loves to watch all the multicolored exotic chickens and the peacocks in all their regalia!  The friendly servers  know Valentina by name and always greet her.) 

We have to remind ourselves that she is still a puppy.... Nevertheless, this 80-pound puppy behaves herself at restaurants and everywhere around town.  All  of this has happened because we do take her everywhere with us. She's part of the family. Both Cesar Millan (How to Raise the Perfect Dog) and Sophia Yin (Perfect Puppy in 7 Days) emphasize that you need to take the puppy with you to as many places as possible, and even tie the puppy's leash to your waist as you go about the tasks of your day.  The dog becomes socialized that way, and learns how to act in all the many situations he/she might encounter in life with you.  That advice has paid off -- we have a very well-behaved puppy!

P.S. Have you seen Cesar Millan's new show on National Geographic Wild?  It's called "Leader of the Pack." Just like with Dog Whisperer, I always learn a lot from his show. He's now based in Spain. Lucky Europeans!

A PETA Recipe for Vegan Dog Food

PETA has a great recipe for vegan dog food.
The only thing I change in this recipe is I use one, 14 oz. jar of natural peanut butter instead of the full 24 ounces in the recipe, because I don't want to overdo the protein with a growing Great Dane puppy, I add minced dried cranberries (no sugar) in place of cranberry extract (because I haven't found any cranberry extract here at Lake Chapala, and didn't bring any down with us from the US), and I add BacPac probiotic from  www.nzymes.com in place of PB8. I put it in a rice cooker, and it turns out beautifully.  Lately her soft food consists of a steamed veggie, like green beans, ., a  mixture of cooked grains (millet, brown rice, quinoa, barley, oats,  etc. -- usually 3 or more) , some raw food cut up in a blender,  and a cup of this mixture.  I now try to put it out at least mid-morning (warmed up to at least room temperature or a little warmer) so she can eat what she wants of it all day.  She always leaves some by the end of the day, so I know that she is probably getting what she wants and needs. And  I always keep out a bowl of some of my homemade kibble recipe.  Here's the recipe, which can also be found at:
http://www.peta.org/living/companion-animals/say-no-to-kibble-vegan-dog-food-recipe.aspx

Homemade Sweet-Potato Peanut-Butter Vegan-Dog Delight
6 cups (filtered) water
1 cup mixed rice and quinoa (I mix black, brown, and long grain rice with black and/or
white quinoa.)
1 cup mixed lentils (I mix green, red, and French lentils.)
3 medium sweet potatoes sliced into 1-inch cubes
3 cups or 24 oz. natural peanut butter
1½ cups or 8 to 12-oz. apple cider vinegar, optional (My dog is a flat-nosed breed, which means she tends to get gassy. The vinegar gets rid of virtually all of her gas, but if your dog does not have a problem with this, you can omit the vinegar.)
8 g hemp protein
1 Tbsp. flaxseed oil with DHA (Store in the fridge or freezer.)
200-250 mg cranberry extract (Since a vegan diet is alkalizing, your dog may need this acidifier to maintain a healthy urinary pH.)
VegeDog multivitamin powder
Prozyme Plus (This helps with digestion so that your dog can absorb as many nutrients as possible.)
125 mg PB8 brand probiotic (1/4 pill)

• Boil the water.
• Add the rice, lentils, and sweet potatoes.
• Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 40 minutes to 1 hour, or until all ingredients are soft. Stir occasionally and add more water as needed. Too much water is better than not enough water. (Remember, you want the ingredients to be extra moist because they will be easier to digest.)
• Mash the sweet potatoes with a fork and mix thoroughly. Let cool.
• Add the peanut butter and vinegar. Stir well.
• Place 3 to 5 servings in your refrigerator and store the rest in the freezer.
• Measure 2/3 cup of food per meal.*
• At mealtime: Add hemp protein, flaxseed oil, cranberry extract, Vegedog, Prozyme Plus, and PB8 into the 2/3 cup of food. Mix well and serve twice daily.

* Serving size is based on the diet of a 20-lb. dog. Please adjust the portion size to suit your dog's weight.

Note:Please remember, as with the introduction of any new food, to introduce this new diet gradually. This means replacing a small portion of your dog's current food with the new food and gradually increasing the amount of new food while decreasing the amount of old food over a period of approximately 10 days.

 

 

 

Valentina's Recipe for Kibble and Treats

We did it!  Valentina was eating 6 cups of homemade kibble to 1 cup of commercial vegan kibble.  Now she eats only homemade kibble, cooked grains and other soft food, and raw food.  I noticed when I went to get the one cup of commercial vegan kibble from a tub on the floor and had the 6 cups homemade kibble in the dish to the side, Valentina would always walk up to me and try to  eat only on the homemade kibble side.  We did a taste test, putting 4 kibbles of commercial on the right and 4 homemade kibbles on the left, and she ate the homemade kibble, and walked away, not interested at all in the commercial kibble.

I put down a bowl of cooked food midday or late afternoon, and I put out kibble a cup at a time throughout the day.  Valentina is not a binger, so I don't think I have to worry about that, but I think  it's just safer to put out her food in 5 or 6 smaller portions.
Here's Valentina's recipe for Kibble and Treats:
  

Valentina’s Tantalizing Treats

or

Valentina's Krunchy Kibble

2 cups sweet potatoes, baked at 350 degrees until soft (30-45 min.?)

2 ripe bananas, mashed

2 TBSP flaxseed meal + 6 TBSP boiling water (soak 3 minutes) or 3 TBSP flaxseed meal + 9 TBSP boiling water

1-3/4 cups water

3 TBSP coconut oil (or olive oil)

1 cup dried cranberries, minced (or dried blueberries or dried cherries) (preferably no sugar or sweetened with apple juice)

2-1/2 cups whole wheat flour OR whole wheat pastry flour

1 TBSP VEGEDOG (Vitamin Supplement for Vegan Dogs)

1 cup rye flour

1/2 cup brown rice flour

½ tsp. salt

1/2 cup oat flour

2 TBSP VEGEYEAST or nutritional yeast

1/4 cup garbanzo bean flour

1/4 to 1/2 cup vital wheat gluten flour

1/4 cup to 1/2 cup hulled hemp seed (hemp hearts)

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C).

2. In food processor, mix sweet potatoes, bananas, hydrated flaxseed meal, water, oil, cranberries, and hemp seed.

3. In mixing bowl, add liquids (above) then dry ingredients; mix first with mixing blade, then switch to dough blade until well mixed.

4. Flour hands and counter to keep dough from sticking. Knead dough by folding it on itself until elastic, as if making a pie crust.

5. Roll dough to about 3/8 inch.

6. After placing dough on cookie sheets, poke with a fork to prevent voids, unless using cookie cutters,(before baking)

7. Bake for 20 minutes.

8. To make crunchy, (good for healthy teeth!) place in warm oven (at lowest temperature) for 2 to 4 hours, or leave out in the air for 2-3 days to dry.

Makes ….A LOT!!!

Be prepared to flour hands, board and rolling pin, because this dough is sticky!

This recipe can be cut into cookies for treats, or cut into kibble size pieces and fed as kibble.

The recipe is very versatile, so you can substitute one kind of flour for another if you don't have it.

For a K-9 Little Treats Maker go to:

http://www.fantes.com/cookie-cutters.htm

If you don't have a kibble cutter, you can cut with a pizza cutter to speed up the process. Trust me, you want to get this kibble cutter!

_______________________________________________________________________________

I add the following to about 6 to 7 cups of kibble, and then serve in 1 to 1-1/2 cup portions:

1 TBSP to 1-1/2 TBSP Flaxseed oil (the kind without added Vit. C)

2 Gamma - E capsules (I use NOW brand) pierce gel capsule and squeeze out vit. E oil. (This E vitamin supplement has all 4 vit E's, not just alpha tocopherol.)

Mix the two oils into the kibble, then add:

VEGEDOG (vitamin supplement)

VEGEYEAST (OR IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT, ADD NUTRITIONAL YEAST)

Amino Acids removed from capsules: L-Carnitine, L-Taurine, L-Methionine, L-Lysine

Prozyme, or NZyme -- enzyme supplement

BakPak -- probiotic supplement (or PB8 Probiotic)

Mix.

   

In Search of Dog Food Recipes

Today I made "Homemade Sweet-Potato Peanut-Butter Vegan Dog Delight" for Valentina. (PETA recipe --See Dog Food Links) I knew it was going to be good, because it smelled scrumptious. Valentina gobbled it up.
Later today, I was continuing my search for Homemade Dog Food Recipes, and I happened upon a Great Blog -- Vegan Heartland. (See Dog Food Links)  I found a post (June 7, 2012) entitled "Making Your Own Vegan Dog Food" This one is a real keeper.  Matthew has broken down all the possible foods into categories, as well as described the various nutrients in each food.  He even has a formula for determining how much to feed your dog, as well as correct proportions for protein, starches, fats, etc.  Even though the percentage of protein  for a full grown dog should be 50%, a Great Dane puppy's protein should be limited to 18-23%  (instead of the normal puppy protein level of about 35%) in order to slow down the rapid bone growth of Great Danes.  Matthew has done a great job on this Vegan Blog.  It's well worth  reading. Every time I find a vegan blog like Vegan Heartland, it reminds me that the world IS changing for the better.

It Had to Happen Sooner or Later!

This evening I prepared two grain burger sandwiches with Tomato Olive Sprouted Bread (from Kenn and Sandra Quinn at the Organic Farmer's Market in Ajijic), homemade eggless mayonnaise, and greens. I set the plates with the sandwiches on the counter, turned my back, and before I knew it, Valentina had jumped up, paws on the edge of the counter, and snatched the top piece of bread on my sandwich.  I grabbed it out of her mouth, didn't give her the satisfaction of getting to eat what she had pilfered! She's tall enough to reach the kitchen counters, so we're going to have to watch what we put on the edge of the counters.  (She's sorry, gave us lots of repentant kisses.)

Las Cabañuelas

Valentina has experienced her first rains.  Yesterday and today, January 1^st and 2^nd,  soft rains have bathed dusty foliage and moistened the earth at Lake Chapala.  In Mexico, “ las  cabañuelas” refers to the special rains that come in January.  Usually short-lived and gentler, they are different from the rains that come in summer in Jalisco.  In the prehispanic world, as well as in ancient Spain, parts of Africa, and a few other parts of the world, the weather that occurred during the days of January was believed to predict the weather for the whole year. (See, Wikipedia, “cabañuelas”).  In modern Mexico, for those who have no grandparents closely tied to the land and agriculture, the term has lost its significance and now means only the rains that come in January.  Today, we ran a few errands, ate lunch at Pranzo, a local café with outdoor seating, feeling lucky that we had dodged the rain and were able to sit outside at a table, accompanied by Valentina. We had on long-sleeve shirts, so we were only a little chilled.  Valentina, however, appeared to be trembling a bit from the cold.  (Great Danes do not do well in extreme temperatures.  The weather here was definitely not extreme, but when I went to WalMart and  bought  an inexpensive insulated vest for myself, I couldn’t  resist a 60 peso vest for Valentina.  That’s about five dollars.)   At Pranzo Café,  Valentina had a bowl of kibble and a dish of water, but we also shared our French fries with her. She is quite the proper puppy, never begs, but waits on her little rug, with a sweet pathetic look in her eyes, hoping we will share with her. As I write this from home, the evening rain continues its soothing, gentle pitter-patter on our roof and the tile of our terrace, and Valentina is safe and warm in her bed, asleep, floating on two giant, fake-fur-covered pillows and one smaller one that she likes to rest her head on. (She’s not spoiled at all!) 

Time Flies When You're Having Fun!

Wow! So much has happened lately -- Valentina-wise! Tom and I (and all the people who see her weekly) are watching her grow so quickly.  Valentina is so full of energy (She's a fabulous soccer player!), yet so mellow and so very sweet, loving and affectionate.  She is constantly curious, very alert, and learning all the time.  Her receptive vocabulary is amazing. She is quite well-behaved in public, and if she gets a little too playfully "bitey," all we have to say is "Where's the water bottle?." (It's a spray bottle.) and she turns into an affectionate, all-kisses doggie. Lake Chapala is a wonderful place to socialize a dog.  Everyone takes their dogs almost everywhere. Most restaurants with outdoor seating permit dogs. When we arrived, Valentina was a bit timid about meeting new people, and she would bark at small children.  Now, she is eager to meet new people of all ages.  We take her to the organic farmer's market on Tuesdays and Fridays, and she has a multitude of admirers who greet her by name and always comment on how fast she is growing. We still get the question from newcomers, "Is she a Dalmation?" but as she grows much bigger than a Dalmation, I'm sure that question will come up less. Regardless, she is a great conversation starter and is a great way to meet new people.   Today, she is 20 weeks old, and on January 7th, she will celebrate her 5- month birthday! We haven't weighed her for a couple of weeks, but she was 44 pounds the last time we weighed her.  She has to weigh close to or over 50 pounds now! She is  big, and we have to keep reminding ourselves that she is still a baby. Her diet has been my constant subject of study and research. I've incorporated fresh, raw vegetables into her diet, as well as a cooked brown rice- barley - lentil mixture.  She loves green beans and asparagus. Every day she gets a couple of tablespoons of canned pumpkin which is full of fiber and helps move things along the intestinal tract.  We have a little more than one extra large bag (28 lbs.) of vegan dog food left, and I always mix Vegedog vitamin supplement, probiotics, enzymes, vitamin E complex, l-Taurine, l-carnitine, VegeYeast, flaxmeal, into the vegan kibble, with a tablespoon of Barlean's flaxseed oil.  Why this brand?  I had to find a brand that did not have vitamin C, and Barlean's has only flaxseed oil as its ingredient.  William Cusick, in his book, Canine Nutrition and Breed Specific Diets: The Best Diet for a Great Dane, explains that although a great deal of brands of dog food have vitamin C, (chiefly because it serves as a cheap preservative,) that Vitamin C should not be supplemented in dog diets.  He explains that dogs manufacture their own vitamin C (with a unique molecular structure), using the trace mineral Cobalt, in the liver, and supplementation of vitamin C can cause the liver to stop working as it should.  It can damage the kidneys by creating a pH imbalance because the dog cannot use the kind of vitamin C used and sheds it into the urine.  There's so much to learn! Cusick warns to never give dogs commercial treats, so quite a while ago I modified a recipe for Vegan kibble from the Vegepet recipe and she eats only homemade vegan treats. (The treats contain sweet potatoes, bananas, flaxseed meal, coconut or olive oil, cranberries, whole wheat flour, Vegedog vitamin supplement, rye flour, oat flour, Vegeyeast, garbanzo bean flour, and hulled hemp seed.) The homemade treats have become popular with the dogs of friends, too. They have no preservatives and contain all healthy ingredients. Our local grocery stores (in Mexico as well as in the US) usually carry an ample supply of sweet potatoes, so Valentina always has a supply of baked sweet potato slices. So far, according to all her vet exams as well as her physical state, Valentina is very healthy.  Her coat is shiny and soft.  She is full of energy.  She has all indicators for excellent health: eye color, membrane under lower lid, gums and mouth tissue, skin condition, coat condition, energy level and muscle tone. I've tested the pH of her urine, which most vets say should be between 5.5 and 7.0,  and it falls about in the middle at 6.3or 6.4. As we celebrated the  New Year with friends, eating a vegan feast of  Tofurky, Seitan Roast, Mashed Potatoes, Cranberry Relish, Roasted Basil Corn-on-the-Cob, Mushroom Gravy, Steamed Fresh Brussel Sprouts, and apple-cranberry stuffing, Valentina joined us with her bowl of two tablespoons of cooked pumpkin puree, brown rice- barley - lentil mixture, and a small slice of seitan roast cut into tiny pieces. We all had a great time!

First Crossing: Mission Accomplished

We did it!.  We drove two days, and including the US state and Mexican states, Valentina was in 5 states. The first day she was in four -- Texas, Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosi, and the second day we were in Jalisco.  She was an absolute angel. There weren't even any puppy antics.  I'm trying to figure out why, and I can only guess what made the difference.  I built up the space between the two front seats with a bag of vegan dog food, a box of soy beans, two folded moving blankets and a kingsize bed pillow wrapped in a large blanket and topped off with a little flannel throw.  It put her on a visual level with us. She looked out the window, slept on and off, and alternated giving us hugs on our shoulders and putting her head on our legs. She ate some of her food, drank water from her portable bowl, and had a few bites of our vegan oatmeal cookies. There were no puppy antics! No chewing, no running around, just peaceful coexistence! She is a great traveler. Our trip was sweetened even further by a goodie bag of sweet and salty snacks that my neice Maria and her husband Mark had given us.  Having called ahead and reserved a hotel room for pets at Las Palmas Midway Inn, we found  a very nice room awaiting us.  A late start from Austin and a very thick fog between Monterrey and Saltillo delayed us a bit the first day.  The highway police stopped each car and told us to go no more than 40kph (about 24mph), with headlights and hazard lights. We got to Matehuala after it had turned dark. We set up Valentina's extra large tent crate, which we had set up at home as her regular bed for several weeks before the trip, so it was very familiar to her.  We ordered dinner in our room from the hotel restaurant. ( The menu is limited for a vegan, but you can still find something on their menu. We bring a cooler of food with us, anyway.)  We left early the next morning, two cups of coffee in hand from Las palmas Midway Inn Restaurant that is always open for breakfast, and, later,  as we passed through the last toll road gate, our friends Georgina and Peter called and said they wanted to feed us. We stopped at Secret Garden Vegetarian Restaurant in Ajijic for a wonderful dinner, and then left for home. We arrived exhausted.  Valentina collapsed in her bed as soon as it was set up,  and Tom and I collapsed in ours as soon as we unpacked the car.   Mission accomplished. The next morning we woke up to the sound of windchimes moving in the breeze accompanying a beautiful sunrise,  and a puppy stirring and beginning to make noises to go out to go peepee.

What’s All This Fuss About Enzymes?

I’ve been reading a lot of entries in forums about dog nutrition.  When the subject of vegan dog nutrition comes up, I frequently read the criticism that dogs do not produce amylase, and therefore they cannot break down carbohydrates (starches and sugars). Therefore, dogs should be fed an all raw, all meat diet and I am doing a disservice to my Great Dane puppy by feeding her a vegan diet. After having read the range of internet information and advice (much of it conflicting), I have come to the conclusion that a lot of people are misinformed or underinformed: humans produce amylase in the salivary glands and in the pancreas.  Dogs get their amylase from their pancreas.  And we all get amylase from the many fruits and vegetables that are available to us. (In the wild, dogs would also get amylase from eating some of the entrails of their prey.) All mammals need amylase, and  produce it in the pancreas, but only humans, primates, rodents, and lagomorphs produce it in the salivary glands.

Whether you are talking about dogs or people, it really doesn’t matter: we all need enzymes in order to live.  I must admit that, having been a vegan for almost 36 years, for most of those years, I have chosen my nourishment a bit by happenstance.  It was only about four years ago that I began looking into the basic elements of food and digestion. This is made possible by myriad nutrition websites. I’m not saying that my nourishment was poor.  Even before I became a vegan/vegetarian I adored vegetables, and always lived by the principle that if you eat a rainbow variety of colors of vegetables you are getting a wide variety of nutrients.  I always made sure that I ate protein, carbohydrates and some “good fats” every day. Having a thoracic surgeon father and a nurse mother, my exposure to the world of nutrition, science, biology, and medicine was ongoing as I grew up.   My mother always had a variety of fresh and cooked vegetables, carbs and protein as choices on the dinner table.  I guess you could say that as long as I’ve been a vegan, I’ve always been a partially cooked/partially raw vegan because I love raw foods. When I began researching the raw vegan diet – as a result of viewing the DVD Raw for Thirty: Reducing Diabetes in Thirty Days, and the DVD Raw For Life: The Ultimate Encyclopedia of the Raw Food Lifestyle – I began to really internalize the ultimate power of raw food, and why it must be an integral part of everyone’s diet. I became a green smoothie enthusiast (It reduces chewing, breaks down the cell walls and facilitates absorption of nutrients, and is just plain delicious!). I ordered my Excelsior dehydrator (actually two: one for the US and one for Mexico). I purchased one and then another Vitamix blender.  You get the picture.  I have no official degree in nutrition, but when I become interested in a subject, I dive into it. My bookshelf on the raw vegan diet is overstuffed – and growing! Many enlightened nutritionists frequently quote the ancient paradigm, “Let food be thy medicine, and medicine thy food.”  As I began to understand the number and kinds of nutrients that are destroyed in the cooking process over the temperature of 110 degrees F, I came to realize how important raw food is in the diet of all mammals, and how its lack in the diet can cause a plethora of problems.

I am not a nutritionist, and can only offer my humble opinions on the subject, so I offer the caveat that you should definitely verify all this information yourself before changing your dog's diet.  I am only offering what I have gleaned from many sources I have researched.

 

Batteries Included

Simply stated, enzymes are like batteries for your body’s processes – without batteries your iPod, portable boom box, toys, cell phone, etc. will not work.  Enzymes produce the “spark” responsible for starting the necessary interactions in the body that keep it running.  Without enzymes, there is no miracle of life.  There are thousands of them in the body, and they each have their own functions. Some are responsible for interactions in the processes of cellular function and energy; some work in repairing the body; some help in concentrating various elements in the blood; some work in ridding the lungs of carbon dioxide; some aid in detoxifying the body of various wastes.  

 

Some enzymes are catalysts in the process of assimilation and digestion.  When a “shipment” of food arrives in the body, digestive enzymes  go to work, break it down into small, “decoded” parcels and send it to the necessary “departments” for utilization in the many other processes necessary for life. Metabolic enzymes at the cell level, like “biological translators”, take the “raw energy parcels” and translate them into usable energy for use in the body.  Nature has provided many of these enzymes that are necessary for digestion of the food within the food itself (batteries included!). In many cases, raw food not only provides the enzymes necessary for digestion, it provides extra enzymes that can refill the body’s stores of enzymes.  All these miracles happen automatically in your body.  You don’t have to do a thing other than supply the “batteries”.  If you don’t supply the batteries, your body will have to pull them from a precious store of enzymes stored within the body that it may need for other processes. And, it takes a great deal of energy for the body to do this.

I don’t know about you, but when I buy various electronic items, allowing for similar quality, I always look for the item that has batteries included.  And now, I do the same with food.

Viva Enzymes!

If you eat a food that has been cooked at a temperature above  110 degrees Fahrenheit, fry the food, cook it in oil , refine its carbohydrates (such as in breads and pastries), or denature, freeze, or pasteurize the food in any way, it has been degraded and made deficient in enzymes and other nutrients.  I understand that although a few vitamins and nutrients might remain, enzymes are very delicate and will be annihilated if the temperature goes above 110 degrees.  There are a few exceptions, such as careful steaming of vegetables such that the interior of the vegetable is barely cooked, so that some nutrients may remain. Enzymes are available in living food -- food that is raw, uncooked, or cooked in a dehydrator at 110 degrees Fahrenheit or less.

Different Kinds of Enzymes

Digestive enzymes break down different kinds of nutrients.  Amylase breaks down sugars and carbohydrates (Maltase breaks down malt sugar from grains and carbohydrates; sucrase breaks down cane sugar; lactase breaks down milk sugar.) Lipase breaks down unrefined fats, such as those in raw nuts and seeds and quality oils. Protease breaks down proteins. Cellulases break down cellulose. Metabolic enzymes, such as Superoxide Dismutase (SOD)  are found in all green plants (including young cereal grasses such as wheatgrass and barleygrass), sprouts and broccoli.

Valentina’s Diet

Sooo, what does all of this mean for Valentina, my Great Dane puppy, and for anyone’s dog?

I don’t know anyone who actually calculates the totals on every aspect of nutritional analysis of the food they, or their dogs eat.  Some may total calories, or carbs, proteins and fats, but those who write down the totals on every milligram of every nutrient are few. It takes a lot of time, and we all have busy schedules! And, in addition, our bodies are so forgiving.  (What about that piece of nutritionally worthless birthday cake you ate at work in place of a nourishing lunch?)  What I’m trying to do with Valentina’s nutrition is go for the nutrient-packed foods, and provide supplements where they may help in the digestive process. This means I go for sprouts (nutrient-, and enzyme-rich), pineapple and papaya slice treats, nuts and seeds (not macadamia nuts – they are poisonous to dogs.) As I collect recipes for vegan dog food,  vegan kibble and vegan dog treats, I’m going to test them baking them in my Excelsior Dehydrator oven at no higher than 110 degrees Fahrenheit, so I preserve those delicate enzymes. (I’ll be sharing recipes that I test and ones that I modify on the blog.) So far, I have been adding the VegeDog supplement (Harbingers of a New Age, www.vegepet.com) for vitamins, etc., Nzyme supplement (Nzyme Sprouted Granules, www.Nzymes.com) or Prozyme Plus Supplement (www.vegepet.com) for enzymes, (BacPak by www.Nzymes.com) or PB8 (available in most health food stores) for probiotics, and yeast (nutritional) or VegeYeast (www.vegepet.com) to her food.  I have some Natural Balance Vegan dry dog food that I will be taking with us when we travel to Mexico, to use as an occasional back-up emergency food alternative.  I’m not counting on finding an ample supply of vegan dog food in Mexico, and, besides, homemade dog food is a lot healthier anyway.

Very Healthy, Happy and Energetic

We just took Valentina to the vet today for her rabies shot.  He gave her a full evaluation and pronounced her very healthy, happy and energetic.  She turns 12 weeks tomorrow and has more than doubled her weight since we got her at almost 7 weeks old.  She weighed 8.8 lbs. when we got her. She now weighs 22.8 lbs!

Traveling with Pets to Mexico

I've been combing over internet entries about traveling to and from Mexico with a dog.  And, few agree on the exact regulations and requirements for transporting a pet to and from Mexico.  This is partly because they may or may not ask for specific papers on a particular day at a particular port of entry, and because it appears that the regulations can vary from state to state .  Transporting a pet by air is much more complicated, and most say that by car is less complicated and much less stressful for the pet and owners.  Valentina is a puppy now (she weighed in at 16.8 lbs. when we last took her in to the vet on Oct. 16, 2012 -- 'shroom incident) and I'm sure she weighs more now.  But she is still small (considering).  Neither Tom nor I plan on transporting her via airline carrier.  I've heard horror stories about poorly pressurized luggage compartments. But, still, we want to have all the possible documentation that they might ask for when we cross the border.

A very nicely done website is: www.gringodog.com
It has a section on pet-friendly hotels in Mexico (as well as one for pet-friendly hotels in the U.S.). It has a series of Questions and Answers sent in and responded to over time about requirements, and experiences traveling to and from Mexico. The website authors are well-traveled with 2 dogs and have many solutions to challenges that the dog owner may face when traveling in Mexico.
A helpful Mexican website which contains what may be the latest version of regulations, (they may change frequently.), is :
Spanish:  http://www.senasica.gob.mx/?id=623
English: http://www.senasica.gob.mx/?Idioma=2&id=623
Today, the website states the following regulations:
If you are traveling with up to three pets you do not have to pay the import fee.  With 4 pets, the import fee for the import certificate for the fourth pet is 1,817 pesos. (Other sites say that two are free and there is a charge for the third pet.)
"In order to travel with your pet (dog or cat) to Mexico, you must present a Health Certificate issued by a medical veterinarian, in original and copy, at the Office of Agriculture Health Inspection (OISA) at your port of entry. This document can be in the form of a letter issued by your private medical veterinarian, on the medical center’s letterhead, including the license number (and, if you wish, a copy of the vet's license) and  the information required below:
1. Name and address of exporter and importer.
2. That the animal has been vaccinated against rabies, indicating the date of application of the vaccine and its valid expiration date. Animals under 3 months of age are exempt of this requirement.
3. Certify that the animal has been inspected and found clinically healthy prior to export."
(I read one response that said that they asked for two ORIGINAL Health Certificates instead of an original and a copy. One source recommends that the original be "signed and stamped" by the vet.Some sources recommend that you bring 2 copies, just in case.)
(There is also a warning on the SENASICA site that says the rules may be different at your port of entry.  -- I believe someone mentioned that it differs from state to state.)
Gringodog has a recommendation for the Health Certificate letter wording: "I certify that I have examined the above-named animal and have found it to be clinically healthy and free from external and internal parasites." They also recommend that the letter/health certificate state that the dog has undergone a parasitic prevention treatment, and then describe the treatment.
Many websites have recommendations for what to bring with/for the animal: pet identification tag for the collar, microchipping, first aid kit, current rabies tag for the collar, antibiotic cream, hydrogen peroxide (!) (to induce vomiting (!) in the event the dog eats/swallows something toxic.
Some internet sources state that the dog must be vaccinated for rabies within 12 months prior,  30 days in advance, or 15 days in advance, or,  just vaccinated before you cross.  
Most websites recommend a copy of the vaccinations info (there is a vaccination card that is frequently recommended.)
Some sites say that the health certificate is good for 10 days from the date signed.  Some say 5 days, some say 72 hours, and I have heard from others around the Lake Chapala area that the certificate is good for only 48 hours!
An alternative to the letter Health Certificate is  the Health Certificate that is USDA official format.  Some sites say that this form can be downloaded and printed off the internet.  If you get it directly from the USDA Office (by walk-in or mail,) it has an official folio number.  I read one story about a traveler at an airport who had a computer printed copy of the form that was actually filled out and signed as an original, but did not have a folio number.  The official was ready to reject the validity of the form until another offical came over and talked him into accepting it. They recommended getting the original form with a folio number and not using a printed out copy to be absolutely certain it is acceptable.

Email contact for questions or comments is: contacto@senasica.gob.mx

Even if you are not traveling to the Yucatan area, the website Yucatan Expatriate Services has a lot of good information: http://www.yucatanexpatriateservices.com/

 

Have You Seen This Beautiful Website?

The following website includes information about vegan dogs as well as poetry, compassion, and all things vegan.  It's a must-see.
http://www.veganpoet.com/index.htm

Dangerous, Deadly Substances

Years ago, I knew about only a few substances that could be toxic to dogs. Internet research has taught me that there are many (many!) substances that can be toxic to dogs. So far, I've found that the following are dangerous and, many times, deadly!

Flouride – Flouride can cause many nutritionally-oriented problems, according to Cusick.  I filter our drinking water, and Valentina's drinking water with Zero Water in the US to eliminate the flouride. In Mexico, we all drink bottled water. Our neighborhood in Mexico has its own wells, though, and I understand that although there is no fluoride put in the water, there is still chlorine added .
Vitamin C -- Unlike humans, dogs make their own Vitamin C in the liver. It is interesting that many dog foods use ascorbic acid as a preservative, just because it is cheap! According to Cusick, supplemental Vitamin C can aggravate skeletal disease in labrador retrievers, cause an imbalance in the pH in dog's kidneys, affect the use of other essential nutrients, can cause the liver to stop working as it should.
POISONOUS HOUSEHOLD  PLANTS
Lillies -- Can cause kidney damage
Marijuana -- Depresses the central nervous system causing incoordination as well as vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, increased heart rate, and even seizures and coma.
Sago Palm -- All parts of Cyas Revoluta are poisonous, but the seeds or nuts have the most toxin.  Ingestion of one or two seeds can do serious damage: vomiting, diarrhea, depression seizures, and liver failure.
 Bulbs -- tulips narcissus (daffodils, paperwhites, etc.), -- Gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, loss of appetite, depression of central nervous system, convulsions and cardiac abnormalities.
Azalea/ Rhododendron -- Contain gryantoxins, which cause vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, weakness, depression of the central nervous system in animals. In severe cases: coma and death from cardiovascular collapse.
Oleander -- Contain cardiac glycosides: gastrointestinal irritation, abnormal heart function, hypothermia, and death.
Castor Bean -- Contains ricin, a highly toxic protein that can cause severe abdominal pain, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, weakness and loss of appetite.  Severe cases can result in dehydration, muscle twitching, tremors, seizures, coma and death.
Cyclamen -- Contain cyclamine, with the highest concentration in the roots. Can produce significant gastrointestinal distress, intense vomiting, and in some cases death.
Kalanchoe -- Can cause gastrointestinal irritation, can seriously affest cardiac rhythm and rate.
Can cause gastrointestinal irritation, can seriously affest cardiac rhythm and rate.
Yew -- Affects the central nervous system. Causes trembling, incoordination, difficulty breathing, as well as significant gastrointestinal irritation, cardiac failure, death.
Amaryllis -- Can cause vomiting, depression, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, anorexia, tremors.
Autumn Crocus -- Cause oral irritation, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, shock, multi-organ damage and bone marrow suppression.
Chrysanthemum -- Cause gastrointestinal upset, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, loss of coordination.
Ivy -- English Ivy, brnching ivy, glacier ivy, needlepoint ivy, sweetheart ivy, California ivy -- can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, and diarrhea.
Peace Lily --  Causes oral irritaion, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing, intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue.
Pothos -- causes mechanical irritation and swelling of the oral tissues and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract.
Schefflera and brassaia actinophylla  --                 Contain calcium oxalate crystals that can cause oral irritation (mouth, lips, tongue), excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing, and intense burning.
Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane)  -- With its broad variegated leaves, the dieffenbachia is often recommended as an ideal houseplant for natural air purification.
Poinsettias --    
Aloe --  if you choose to have one in your home, be sure it's well out of your dog's reach. When eaten, it not only burns the mouth and throat but causes the esophagus to swell, potentially blocking the dog's airway.
Ferns    
FOODS 
Chocolate -- Theobromine in chocolate is toxic to dogs. Chocolate and cocoa contain a chemical called theobromide that can adversely affect the heart, lungs, kidney and central nervous system.  Pure baking chocolate is most toxic, while milk chocolate requires a higher quantity to cause harm. A 20 pound dog can be poisoned after consuming about 2 ounces of baking chocolate, but it would take nearly 20 ounces of milk chocolate to cause harm. Ingestion of cacao bean mulch can also be toxic.  Signs include excitement, tremors, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart rate/rhythm, drunken gait, hyperthermia and coma.  Your vet may induce vomiting or perform gastric lavage. Treatment includes administration of activated charcoal and aggressive supportive care with fluid therapy and medications.
Peach Pits --  (This one I do not understand.  Cusick suggests giving an apple core to a dog as a treat. Apple cores are supposed to be a wonderful treat for dogs. ) Apple seeds , by the way,  are believed to be poisonous to humans because apple seeds contain  B-17. (This is true for bitter apricot pits, bitter almonds, etc.  In the molecule, there is cyanide LOCKED INTO the molecule.  According to Griffin, in his book A World Without Cancer, the cyanide does not unlock unless it encounters a rogue cancer cell, in which case, it unlocks and attacks it.  There is a very interesting video about this on YouTube, also entitled A World Without Cancer.
Grapes and raisins -- Can cause irreversible damage to the kidneys, possible resulting in death. Ingesting as few as 4-5 grapes or raisins can be poisonous to a 20 pound dog, though the exact toxic dose is not established.  Signs of toxicity include vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, abdominal pain, decreased urine production (possibly leading to lack of urine production), weakness and drunken gait.  Onset of signs typically occurs within 24 hours (though they can start just a few hours after consumption).  Your vet may start by inducing vomiting, or the stomach might be pumped (gastric lavage). Treatment involves aggressive supportive care - particularly fluid therapy and medications.
Onions -- Onions can cause a form of hemolytic anemia called Heinz body anemia, a condition that causes the destruction of red blood cells. Kidney damage may follow. Toxicity may occur from similar foods such as garlic (I’m not sure, but I believe I have heard that raw garlic is toxic and cooked garlic is okay.) and chives. It is not clear what quantity of onions is poisonous, but the effects can be cumulative. Poisoning can result from raw, cooked and dehydrated forms. Avoid feeding table scraps and any foods cooked with onions (including some baby foods). Check your ingredients! Signs are anemia, such as pale gums, rapid heart rate, weakness and lethargy. Other signs include vomiting, diarrhea, and bloody urine. Treatment: blood transfusions and/or oxygen administration may be necessary, followed by specific fluid therapy.
Caffeine -- Caffeine is quite similar to the toxic chemical in chocolate. It can damage the heart, lungs, kidney and central nervous system.Commons sources of toxicity include caffeine pills, coffee beans and coffee, large amounts of tea, and chocolate.Signs typically begin with restlessness, hyperactivity and vomiting. These can be followed by panting, weakness, drunken gait increased heart rate, muscle tremors and convulsions.Your vet may induce vomiting or perform gastric lavage. Treatment includes administration of activated charcoal and supportive care with fluid therapy and medications.

Macadamia Nuts -- Macadamia nuts, while generally not considered fatal, can cause your dog to experience severe illness. The actually toxin is not known, nor is the mechanism of toxicity.  Ingestion of just a handful of nuts can cause adverse effects in any dog. Signs include vomiting, weakness, depression, drunken gait, joint/muscle pain, and joint swelling. Onset of signs typically occurs within 6-24 hours. Dogs are typically treated symptomatically and recover within 24-48 hours. In-hospital supportive care may be recommend for dogs that become very sick.
Xylitol --Xylitol is a sugar-free sweetener most often found in chewing gum and candy. In dogs, it stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin, resulting in hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Xylitol ingestion can also cause severe liver damage.  As few as two pieces of gum can be hypoglycemia to a 20 pound dog. A pack of gum can cause liver damage.  Signs of toxicity can occur within 30-60 minutes and include weakness, drunken gait, collapse and seizures.  Your vet may induce vomiting or perform gastric lavage. The affected dog will likely need to be treated intravenously with dextrose (sugar) and monitored closely for 1-2 days. Many dogs improve with supportive care if treated early enough, though liver damage can be permanent.
Alcohol and Yeast Dough -- Alcoholic beverages contain ethanol - a seriously toxic chemical compound that causes central nervous system and respiratory depression. Uncooked yeast doughs also produce ethanol.  Even small amounts of ethanol can cause toxic effects. Signs include sedation, depression, lethargy, weakness, drunken gait and hypothermia (low body temperature).  Ethanol is rapidly absorbed into the system, so it is important to seek medical attention quickly. It is not usually helpful to induce vomiting. Treatment includes aggressive supportive care with fluid therapy and medications. Under controlled circumstances, alcohol is used by veterinarians as an antidote for antifreeze (ethylene glycol) poisoning.
Fruit Pits and Seeds        Apple seeds, cherry pits, peach pits, and plum pits contain the toxin cyanide. Signs of cyanide poisoning include vomiting, heavy breathing, apnea tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmias, coma, skin irritation.  In some cases, antidotes are available. Other treatments include oxygen therapy, fluids and supportive care.  Also take note that the leaves, fruit, seeds and bark of avocados contain Persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Also, the fat content is not healthy for dogs.
Rotten or moldy foods -- Moldy or rotten foods can cause many problems for your dog, some more serious than others. Any food that seems "past its prime" should be kept out reach. Be especially careful to keep your dog away from trash cans. Botulism, often from garbage, can cause paralysis, slow heart rate, constipation, and urine retention. An antitoxin is effective only if poisoning is caught early enough.
Rotten fruit produces ethanol, causing the same effects associated with alcohol or dough ingestion.
Moldy foods contain toxins that may cause muscle tremors, convulsions and drunkenness.  Therapy depends on the toxin. Your vet may induce vomiting. Sometimes, treatment includes activated charcoal. Supportive care with fluids and medications is often necessary.
Black walnuts-- Dropping from black walnut trees by the thousands, the nuts themselves don't contain anything that can harm your dog. But once they start to decompose, they grow molds that can cause tremors and seizures. If you have one of these trees in your yard and your dog seems attracted to the nuts, it might be a good idea to rake them up on a regular basis.
Mushrooms -- While there are plenty of great-tasting, perfectly safe mushrooms out there, dogs just don't seem capable of discerning the difference between the edible and the toxic. To be on the safe side, it's best not to allow dogs to eat any wild mushrooms at all, unless you can confidently identify the species yourself.  Amanita, Galerina and Lepiota species are especially dangerous because they contain toxins that cause a series of worsening symptoms, from vomiting to swelling in the brain. Amanita phalloides, the Death Cap mushroom, is responsible for most of the reported fatal mushroom poisoning cases in dogs. 
TOXIC CHEMICALS -- If you suspect your pet has ingested a caustic substance, do NOT induce vomiting. Caustic substances damage flesh on contact, and do fatal damage to your dog's innards within minutes.Seek emergency veterinary care immediately!!
Battery Acid/ Batteries, Bleach,                Carbolic Acid, Motor Oil               , Drain Cleaner,                Fertilizer, Glue,               Household Cleaners, Kerosene, Laundry Detergent/ Fabric Softeners, Turpentine, Plaster, Sidewalk Salt, Putty, Pine Cleaners, Paintbrush Cleaner, Nail Polish, Nail Polish Remover, Paint Thinner
Antifreeze -- Smells and tastes sweet and appealing.  It will kill your dog!
Mothballs -- Powerfull insecticide. Can cause central nervous system excitement and seizures. Can cause liver failure.
Mouthwash/ Contact Lens Cleaner/ Denture Cleaner -- Include boric acid, which is highly toxic to dogs.
MEDICATIONS --  Keep all medications away from your dog.  Never try to give a human medication to your dog. 
Tylenol/ Acetominophen (in most other countries: Paracetamol) -- As little as 2 capsules can kill your dog.  They do not have the liver enzymes to digest it.

 

 

 

Broccoli Bones!

I continue to search the internet for research and info on diet for the Great Dane.  One of the first books I ordered several months ago, long before Valentina whelped/was born,  was, Canine Nutrition and Breed Specific Diets: The Best Diet for a Great Dane, by William D. Cusick. (www.wdcusick.com)  In his books, which are each breed specific, he discusses the background and history of the breed as well as the necessary nutrients a dog needs at various stages of life, and offers recipes for making the dog food at all of these stages. (Although his recipes are developed for a carnivorous Great Dane, I wanted to make sure I was supplying all the necessary nutrients to my future dog's diet.) He warns against feeding dogs commercial dog food and states that commercial dog treats are extremely toxic for dogs. The book costs $30, but I think it's well worth it. I learned of Cusick's book on the Great Dane diet when I found the internet article "Dead Dog Food" by Carrie L. Clayton. http://www.users.qwest.net/~carrielc/dogfoods.html Carrie Clayton's article should be required reading for any dog owner, present or future.  It explains exactly what those ingredient terms mean. I have learned a lot from just these two sources, and add in all the internet resources for vegan dogs/Great Danes, and I must admit, although I've learned a lot, I still have sooo much to learn.

One of the ingredients in Cusick's recipes is fresh broccoli.A few days ago, I was cutting up a few stalks of broccoli to oven roast the florets for Tom and me.  (A little olive oil spray, a little salt and pepper, 20 min. or so at 400 degrees, just until the florets start to turn crispy brown on the edges. If you haven't tried it, you'll be surprised by its nutty flavor!) I pulled off a raw floret for Valentina, and to my surprise, it was the hit of the evening. Valentina loved it. I decided to keep the raw stalks I had cut off, washed one, made a fresh cut off the dried end and gave it to Valentina. It lasted about 2 days; not a single piece was left on the floor.  She loved her broccoli bone.  It was soft and crunchy enough to be soothing to her puppy teeth. She's working on her second broccoli bone now. Whodathunkit! Broccoli bones!

Emergency

Oh my! I was out picking up a few things at the store yesterday, and my husband called, explaining that Valentina was sick.

“Sick?! What do you mean 'sick’? What are her symptoms?!”  

Tom told me she was weak,  lethargic, trembling, her eyes looked bloodshot, she had thrown up several times on the back porch and was fussing and whining a little.  I asked him to call the vet.  In the meantime, I drove home while Tom got an appointment with the vet.  When I arrived, Valentina was already doing better. A noticeably more peppy puppy greeted me at the door.  I examined the “scene of the crime” (a.k.a. the vomit).  It appeared that the first time she threw up was on her pillow in her dog house.  I found what looked like a piece of brown mushroom.  Then I looked at her bed that is out on the porch in the open.  I found several small pieces of the same kind of mushroom.  I put the mushroom pieces in a sandwich bag and scooped up the vomit and put it in a larger bag. Really.  My husband took pictures of the vomit to show the vet. Really. (He’s a biologist.)  We rushed Valentina off to the vet.  It appears that I diagnosed the problem correctly.  The vet put a tube down Valentina’s throat, filled her stomach with charcoal to absorb any toxin that remained, and gave her an injection of Cerenia, an anti-emetic for dogs so she would not throw up the charcoal.  He warned that the next 24 to 48 hours, we should watch her closely for further lethargy, and other symptoms, in which case further action would have to be taken.  And he also warned us that her poopie would be very black for a short while due to the charcoal, and not to be alarmed. We walked out of the vet hospital with a peppy puppy, and  $104.72 poorer.

I had been walking the yard for days, finding four different kinds of strange-looking mushrooms and removing them from the yard, but because of the recent rains, they, as well as the mosquito population, have been flourishing.  One kind of mushroom looked much like a light tan-colored rock , no stem,  just a conical end with roots at the point, and was embedded in the dirt, so I had to dig a little to get it out.  Another mushroom was similar, but was darker brown.  One that was also flush to the ground,  looked like a medium-size, dark brown dead flower with a large brown center and brown petals surrounding the center.  Another grouping of small thin, long-stemmed mushrooms was an orange color. At least one of these types of mushrooms, or all of them, was poisonous.   I had obviously missed at least one poisonous mushroom in my hunt because our puppy was very sick. Thank goodness she threw it all up. Determined to find them all,   I scoured the yard again after returning from the vet and found six more! Everyone has seen toadstools crop up overnight.  First there’s nothing there, and then, they seem to magically appear overnight. I tried to research which mushroom might be poisonous, and after an internet search I concluded that, after all, it didn’t really matter.  Any brown mushroom is most likely poisonous. The skinny orange ones could be poisonous, and who knows what that brown, flower-like fungus could do if consumed! I just need to be even more vigilant and get them out of reach.

The day ended with a sigh of relief, a prayer of thanks, and some pondering…Valentina’s only ten weeks old.  First it’s ‘shrooms; what next? Parental worries began to set in.  She’ll probably check herself into detox for substance abuse by the time she’s 8 months old, be pregnant by her second heat, and flatly refuse to go to college, never reaching her full potential, condemned to entry level positions the rest of her working life. Sheesh! What’s a mother to do?!