Wednesday, August 17, 2011

All Things Dog Blog

All Things Dog Blog


More Pup-sicle Recipes: Icy Cool Treats for Your Best Friend

Posted: 16 Aug 2011 09:01 PM PDT

by Jocelyn Anne, guest contributor

© Carrie Boyko
Pupsicles--A Favorite of the
All Things Dog Blog Pack

When the heat of the summer becomes overly oppressive for you, you can only imagine how much more so it is for your dog or puppy who does not have the same means of sweating and cooling off that you do.  If you are looking for ways to ensure that your best friend stays cool and happy this summer, you shouldn't miss out on one of the most fun: doggie ice cream!  If you've never tried your hand at whipping up homemade "ice cream" for your puppy or treated him to doggie-safe chilled treats, you're both in for some fun!

To get you started, here are a couple of my favorites.  All you need is an ice cream maker and some common ingredients.  Using an ice cream maker, you should have ice cream ready for your dog in less than 10 minutes!  And, if you opt for freezing solid and making popsicles (pup-sicles!), a great idea is to pour the mixture into Kongs and then freeze for even more fun. 

*While it is important not to allow your dog to have too much lactose, the lactose content in yogurt is much lower than that in milk.  Yogurt also offers friendly bacteria and probiotics that are good for your dog.  If your dog is sensitive to any amount of lactose, than simply substitute dairy milk and dairy yogurt for soy or rice varieties. Also, always use plain yogurt, not flavored.

Puppy Pumpkin-Honey Ice Cream

Yogurt.  2 cups
Pureed Pumpkin (plain pumpkin, not the pie mix).  ¼ cup
Honey.  2 tablespoons
© Carrie Boyko
Tanner Loves 'Em Too!
Milk (rice, soy, dairy).  ¼ cup

Directions:

Mix all ingredients and place in ice cream maker.  Follow instructions for freezing.  If you want to make popsicles instead, combine all ingredients and pour into small cups or ice cube trays. 

*Pumpkin can help with diarrhea which makes this recipe especially valuable if your dog is suffering from diarrhea in the heat of the summer.

Rover's Refreshing Minty Ice Cream

Milk. ¼ cup
Mint (chopped or pureed in blender)

Directions:

Combine ingredients in blender, pour into ice cream maker or freeze solid.

Cooling Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Plain yogurt.  12 ounces
Honey. 1 tablespoon
Carob chips.  1/3 cup

Directions:

Combine all ingredients.  If more chocolate flavor desired, add carob powder to taste.  Pour into ice cream maker and follow instructions or freeze solid.

Fro-Yo Peanut Butter Banana Extravaganza

Yogurt. 32 ounces
Banana. 1
Peanut butter, 2 tablespoons (smooth variety)
Honey. 2 tablespoons

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth.  Pour into ice cream maker or freeze solid. 

© Carrie Boyko
Oliver Enjoys his Frozen Treat
Enjoy these recipes and have fun keeping your puppy cool all summer!  Nothing beats a hot day with Chunky Monkey for you and Fro-Yo PB Banana Extravaganza for him!

Freelancer Jocelyn Anne has taken on writing about ice cream makers and is having a blast coming up with fun ways to treat herself and her little 3 pound Chihuahua, Nova, to the best chilled treats!








Wordless Woofing Wednesday: Just Working on the Suntan!

Posted: 16 Aug 2011 09:01 PM PDT

by Carrie Boyko, CEB
© Carrie Boyko
"I'm Just Working on My Suntan"



Do Dogs Need Beds?My Rarely Wordless Wednesday Post

Posted: 16 Aug 2011 09:01 PM PDT

by Carrie Boyko, CEB
© Carrie Boyko
Who Needs a Dog Bed?

© Carrie Boyko
A Golden Lap Dog?
Do dogs really need beds? Maybe you have a lap dog. Even so, can a dog have too many beds? I think this is a semantics question. We think of sleep when we use the word BED. Yet for a dog, this is their only personal and private furniture, a place reserved for them. Many pet owners do not allow their pets to occupy their human chairs, beds and couches, sometimes because of fur or dirt, or simply because it's their house rule. That's fine. It is certainly their choice.


As humans, we expect that everywhere we wish to sit there will be a chair, bench or couch, mostly for our comfort. While I'm not suggesting that your pup requires a bed to sit,  it is clear that dogs will often select a soft spot to pad their nap or rest time. 


Dogs beyond their 7th year are considered to be seniors, and by this time should be offered a bed to rest on in each location that they often like to take a time out. With our larger dogs this may mean a bit more of an investment, but this is one expense that can prevent pressure on joints and relieve oncoming arthritis discomfort with age.


© Carrie Boyko
Beds, Beds...Never Enough!
My 5 year old Golden Retriever, Tanner, is approaching this age. I've begun to select areas where he enjoys hanging out to watch the passersby, the family activities, and other favorite views. My target is to have a large, cushioned bed for each of these spots, so that he can rest in soft comfort, protecting those hip joints that so many Goldens have trouble with as they age.


Let's not forget the pool--his favorite thing to watch! It never ceases to amaze me how, even when forbidden to swim, Tanner still enjoys simply watching his pool. Do you suppose he is like many humans who enjoy a waterfront view from their perch at a window? I think he's secretly hoping that a poolside dog bed will appear one day. Is that a new product category? Hmmm....?


I think we've narrowed it down to 5 spots in the house that require a bed, along with 1 in my doggie-mobile. Tanner travels with me frequently, so I've just recently I've added a bed to the back of my car, where he rides happily seat-belted on a cushiony bed. 


Join me tomorrow when I review our latest acquisition, a bed from P.L.A.Y., or Pet Lifestyle and You. Will there be a giveaway? You bet!




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