How To Dye Your Dog Green

You will need:

• Bottle of green food coloring
• Spray bottle
• A place to get really messy
• A white dog with a good sense of humor
• It doesn't hurt to live in a neighborhood called Dogtown, which has a St. Patty's Day parade bigger than the one downtown
• A little bit of crazy

                       

                              Simple tools for such an undertaking.

No leprechauns were slaughtered during this project.

Step 1: Mix the food coloring with water in the spray bottle to the color intensity of your liking.
Step 2: Spray the dog all over, rubbing dye into fur as you go. Repeat and retouch where necessary.

Rowan wants to help.

It's just like getting a bath.

Of course, it started raining, so we had to finish inside

Step 3: Do not towel dry! Be sure to let the dog dry completely before touching anything. Consider a long walk or a blow dryer.
Step 4: Try not to laugh too hard.
Step 5: Have a cider and sit back to enjoy your handiwork.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

supercalifragilisticexpiHALITOSIS

Our dear Fiona has a problem.

Severely. Bad. Breath.

It's not her fault really. We don't know her history. The shelter from which we adopted her said she just wandered up to their doorstep. Her teeth were worn down, crooked, rotten. The vet speculated she had perhaps only eaten very soft foods, thus not benefiting from dry food, crisp treats,and bones, which serve to scrape away excess food bits and plaque from the teeth.

Whatever the reasons, her kisses are sweet, but not in the smelling sort of way. She tolerates me brushing her teeth every morning. We've given her store-bought treats that claim to be "breath-freshening." And so I thought, why not make my own?

Parsley Poppers

 

Ingredients: 

• 1/2 bunch fresh parsley, or 1/8 cup dried flakes
• 1/2 oats (not instant)
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 applesauce (unsweetened is best for the pups, but whatever you have on hand - the first time I made this, all I had were those applesauce cups for kids' lunches)
• 2 cups flour (I've been using wheat flour, but I may move to rice flour. I fear I may be getting on the gluten-free bandwagon...)

Directions:

Combine water, applesauce, egg, and parsley. If using fresh parsley, pulse with a food processor or hand blender. Stir in oats. Gradually mix in flour. Roll into quarter-size balls and place on baking sheets. Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes until golden brown and crispy. 

 

Baker's Notes:

• I used a melon-baller to scoop and form the dough. If you use your hands to shape the balls, wet hands really help with the sticky factor. 
• I also tried this recipe a second time, rolled the dough, and cut it with a circle cookie cutter. It rolled and cut well. I like the balls, though, because it really cuts down on prep time.
• You can also add mint with the parsley for an added burst of freshness. 
• If you want these to be crisper (remember the plaque issue?), after 30 minutes, turn off the oven and let them sit for a few hours, or overnight. This is a great trick for any homemade treats. 
• I was a little skeptical about how these might taste and if the dogs would like them, but the applesauce flavor really comes through. The dogs really seem to enjoy them.
• With fresh parsley at $.98 per bunch, one batch of these poppers, yielding 4 dozen, costs less than $1!!!
• View the original recipe here: Parsley Pucker-Ups

And the most important part - do these really help with bad breath? 

Actually, YES! After giving these exclusively to Fiona for a week, I do notice a difference! This is still combined with brushing her teeth daily, and I won't say her breath smells good. But with a lover like Fiona, who is always in our faces, we'll take any improvement we can get! 

Dogs Like iPhones Too

Nate has been enjoying a new photography app recently and decided to get the dogs in on the fun. What do you think?



Fiona's didn't change much. I told her it was nothing personal...

Recipe: Peanut Butter Biscuits

We're all feeling the pinch of the economy. Pet care can be incredibly expensive. With our extensive training (not to mention the fact that my pups are four-legged vacuums and will do anything for a scrap), we always seem to be in short supply of treats. We've tried a variety of brands, and even improvised with things around the house like raw carrots and crackers. Rowan has a pretty sensitive stomach and reacts poorly to all the added preservatives and fillers present in many "cheaper" products. What's a tight-budgeted Missy-of-three to do? Experiment with homemade recipes!

I think I've really found a winner with these Peanut Butter Biscuits. Many recipes I found called for all kinds of crazy ingredients and things I've never even heard of, which would surely send me running to health stores and racking up the bill. Finally I found one with just a few simple ingredients I already had on hand and a simple, short process. No weird added stuff, no fillers, no mess. And the best part? I calculated the cost compared to store-bought treats, and even the dirt-cheap Walmart treats cost twice as much! One batch of these treats, when using generic brand ingredients (except for the peanut butter - Choosy Missys choose Jif), cost just a little over $1 to make! And they are so much healthier, and if I may say so, my dogs go crazy for them!

So here we go:

Ingredients
-2 cups white flour (you can do 1 cup wheat and 1 cup white if you want to be a tad healthier)
-1 cup oats (not instant)
-1 cup water
-1/2 cup peanut butter (I like crunchy PB so there's an added texture in the treat)
-2 tbsp oil (I use extra virgin olive oil, but you can use any kind or butter)

Directions
Preheat oven to 350. Combine water, peanut butter, oil, and oats in a medium bowl.

Add flour a little at a time to make a stiff dough. Sprinkle some flour on a cutting board or countertop. Roll out dough and cut with cookie cutters of your choice (I use a bone shaped one I got at Target). Place on ungreased cookie sheets and bake for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.

Yield depends on your cookie cutters and how thinly you roll the dough. Mine yields 4-5 dozen. Do not leave unattended or they will vanish. =) 

Thief.

I have also tried substituting 1 cup chicken broth for the water, an additional cup of flour for the oats, and 1/2 cup cooked rice for the peanut butter for a Chicken And Rice Biscuit. The batter is a lot stickier and you'll need to keep flour on hand to sprinkle over your dough and rolling surface as you go. Yield is also slightly less, usually 2-3 dozen. Reduce cooking time slightly for this one. You can view the original recipe here.

Licking the spoon is the best part.

 What recipes do you and your dogs love? I would love to try them and write about them. Share the wealth!

The Pack Leaders

Dogs are pack animals. They are designed to be in community, and they operate under pack rules. Dominance, submission, leadership, and respect are major factors. There must be a pack leader. If you don't take that role, your dog will. Many owners make the mistake of not disciplining their dogs, not commanding their dog's respect, and not establishing a clear chain of command and house rules and expectations.

My husband, Nate, and I wanted to be sure to assert our role as pack leaders, especially in taking on the powerful, often dominant breeds that we did. We do not want to be "mommy" and "daddy" to our dogs. They are not our children. They are our dogs. I'm not looking down on anyone who uses these terms. It's not necessarily about labels, it's about the energy you assert and the discipline you enforce. Anyone who knows our pack will tell you our dogs are "spoiled." And they're probably right. But every treat, every toy, every snuggle on the couch is by our initiation and invitation. They do not have free reign.

We can get into discipline and training more later. the point is, our pack is not just our three dogs. The pack leaders are just as important, if not moreso. So here we are:

Nate, The Master

Nate is an IT Tech at a local university, and he is a closet dog whisperer. Those dogs have done everything he's told them to since day one. It's really remarkable actually. And a little frustrating, when, for example, Arwen wiggles around me and takes off down the street, blatantly ignoring my calls to come. One word from Nate, still sitting on the couch watching tv, and she's at his heels. He helps keep the pack balanced, particularly when it comes to affection and discipline. He is a calm, wise, sensible, and loving Master.

Ashleigh, The "Missy"

I am a singer and music teacher. I love every minute of it, but I think if I had a second life to live, I would train dogs. It's so much work, and so much fun! I love teaching the dogs new obedience commands and new tricks. They also keep me safe on our daily (and sometimes twice daily!) walks/runs. The leadership "energy" required to master a pack doesn't come naturally to me, but I have studied and learned a lot, and I enjoy being a work in progress and seeing my pack grow more disciplined, loving, and stable. And yes, I am guilty of teaching them excessively snuggling. And you're welcome to hit the couch with us any time.

"Uncle" Ben

Ben is a good family friend, and an honorary member of our pack. Like any good uncle, Ben has been deeply involved in the bringing up of our three pups. He watches them for us when we travel, comes over to play ball, and takes them on hikes in the woods. He keeps a rather legendary blog here. Uncle Ben is also an excellent spooner. And he's a rock star. That makes him pretty much the coolest uncle you could possibly have.

Hillary, The Trainer

Hillary Dechane is the most amazing trainer in the whole world. Period. The end. She came into our lives shortly after we adopted Arwen, and our pack hasn't been the same since. Hillary uses a combination of methods and approaches. She has always been extremely intuitive and flexible, walking with us through puppyhood, high anxiety, the ever-challenging "heel," e-collar training, and yes, even pack aggression. That's a story you won't want to miss. Hillary trains for No Leash Needed, a fabulous dog training and boarding organization here in St. Louis. She is also a seminary student at Covenant Theological Seminary. She has certainly been a blessing to us!

There's the core pack!

Butt Sniffing

No, it's not an obnoxious and socially inappropriate behavior - for dogs. It's their way of making introductions. Actually, a dog's sense of smell is the strongest of all the senses, a thousand times more sensitive than a human's. They gather incredible amounts of information, especially when it comes to other dogs - their "name," breed, age, personality, where they live, what their pack is like. So let me give you a whiff of our pack...

ROWAN

Rowan was my Christmas surprise two years ago. After letting me go on about getting a dog until I finally gave up and called it a loss, my clever husband sent me a text on my way home from work that he had invited a friend to spend the night and would explain when I got home. I walked in the door in far worse spirits than I care to admit, and standing on the other side was my husband, with this six week bundle of puppy sweetness.

Puppy Time!

At - or in - the St. Patty's Parade.

He loves to "dance."

 Rowan came from a local rescue. We know his mother was an American Bulldog, but we suspect his father, who clearly had the stronger genes, was a German Shepherd. We live in a very Irish neighborhood called Dogtown. True story. So Rowan is Irish meaning "red haired." His hair isn't really that red, but close enough, and we liked the sound of the name. He loves to play with stuffed animal toys and go for runs. Rowan is a dog's dog. He loves nothing more than to have a romp with a friend.Which leads me to...

ARWEN

Named after the elf princess in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, Arwen was a Craigslist "rescue." When Rowan was about six months old, we realized just how much he loved being around other dogs and thought it was time for a playmate. I was listing some furniture on Craigslist and just thought I'd take a quick look at the pets. When I saw the picture of this beautiful brindled Pit Bull Terrier, I had to meet her. It's a good thing we did. Arwen was brought home by a well-meaning but ignorant husband, whose wife was stressed enough by their hyperactive Akita and said an immediate "no" to a second dog. Arwen was neglected in a basement closet and clearly attacked by the other dog. She was covered in her own feces and scratches when she came up the stairs to greet us. We were worried about her high, anxious energy, but she took to Rowan instantly, and we knew we couldn't leave her where she was.

First night at home, fitting right in.

Some things never change.

Best friends forever.

Yes, you read correctly that Arwen is a Pit Bull. Don't worry, you'll hear lots of what I have to say about Pit Bulls. For now, let's leave it at this: Arwen is as stubborn and hard-headed as they come. Sure, this has made for some hard core training. However, her stubbornness also makes her loyal, and a firm hand and a loving home even moreso. And that hard core training has resulted in an AKC Good Canine Citizen Certification. She loves fiercely. And you will not meet a better snuggler. Except for maybe...

FIONA

My husband has always wanted a bulldog. About six months after Arwen came home, we started talking about looking for one. Eight-month-old Fiona was listed by her rescue as a "Bulldog/Boxer Mix." Apparently she wandered up to their front door, sick and emaciated, so the Bulldog is questionable, but there is no doubt she is a gorgeous albino Boxer. We knew as soon as we saw her multi-colored eyes that we wanted her. Then we found out Fiona is completely deaf. That sealed the deal even more.

Day one at home, pretty girl.

Snuggling is a requirement.

Ok, maybe a little Bulldog.

Fiona is Irish for "white sea foam." She loves chasing bugs, shadows, and the light reflected on the kitchen floor by the microwave door. Because she is deaf, she is extremely visual and does seem to live in her own world sometimes. We have gladly learned a new language and a new perspective. She is just as smart as the other dogs, learning to follow sign-language commands, vibrating collar commands, and eye contact. And she likes to be the little spoon.

So there you have it. The Blevins Pack. Welcome to our adventure. Come on over any time.

We're waiting for you!

Puppy pillows.

Pack snuggles.

Hi! Hi! Hi! I Love you! Will You Be My Friend?

At the ripe old age of 196 (dog years), I expected my life to look a certain way. Nice little house, maybe a kid or two, teaching a few voice lessons here and there, mostly kicking around barefoot enjoying my family.

Nowhere in that equation did I expect three dogs to show up. But, if you know anything about dogs, you know they often show up unexpectedly and make themselves right at home. On your kitchen counter when you've turned your back to grab the ketchup from the fridge. On your freshly manicured lawn. In your bed...

Right beside you with unbridled enthusiasm as you push yourself the extra mile on your morning run. Sprinting down the street chasing after the man who just tried to break through your window. In your arms (or were you in his?) after the phone call that your dad had passed away.

Right at home. Right into your heart.

So as it happened, we found three unplanned companions on this journey with us. And we wouldn't have it any other way.

This is a blog for dog lovers and not-yet-dog-lovers. I will share stories from our pack, which may or may not include training tips, recipes, reviews, and who knows what else. If there's one thing I've learned from my pack, it's that every day is a new adventure, and the fun is just beginning...