Dogs Can Evolve

I was so excited to see the new study out from Uppsala University in Sweden that shows how dogs have evolved right along side humans, helping them to mesh perfectly into our lives.

The main reason for this is contributed to the fact that, as man was creating an agriculture based lifestyle  planting, harvesting and eating grains more regularly, dogs were able to eat and process starchy foods and carbohydrates.

I love this because it just goes to show, again, that dogs are not obligate carnivores like cats and that they can be very healthy on a varied diet.  Just like ours who are still getting (and reacting to) a veggie filled dinner each night.

Evolutionary geneticist, Erik Axelsson, states that all dogs have this genetic change and that it's thousands of years back in time.

So now when people whine about the fact that it's not natural for dogs to eat veggies (like eating kibble is?) we can say "yes, yes it is!"

Veggie Dogs Redux

Back in January we started feeding our pups a grain, bean and veggie filled dinner and they are really thriving on it.  Well, they also get carrots for treats and there are these great sweet potato treats we get them too.  While we give them other veggies from time to time, we just found out how much they love a new treat - collard green stems! 

Both Badger and Oona crunch them right up.  Badger likes both leaf bits and stems while Oona is more about the crunchy stems.  These are now fun treats to give them anytime.  We don't have to worry about fat, salt or who-knows-what-else in commercial "treats".

Our dogs eat more veggies than most people do, especially compared to some kids we know!

Veggie Dogs

So, we've started a new "experiment" here in the house.  Basically, our dogs love to eat veggies and often fruit.  Carrots are their particular favorites but they'll eat bites of apples and bananas, etc.  Knowing that dogs can be somewhat omnivorous (unlike cats that are obligatory carnivores, dogs are preferentially carnivores) and that many of the commercial dog foods found on the market today have a mix of vegetable and meat ingredients, we thought we would supplement their diet with fresh veggies and grains cooked ourselves.

As people spend more time and money on their pets, now fully members of the family, we are right to be concerned about the quality of their foods. The problem is there is not a lot of education on what a dog "food pyramid" should be and not a lot of transparency around the source or percentages of the ingredients in their kibble. 

We've been reading more about the meat industry and have found that not only is the meat people eat of poor quality and sanitation, what goes to our beloved pets is even worse.  What they are getting, often the scraps or 4 D's animals  - dead, downed/dying, diseased, disabled - is considered unfit for human consumption and not what I want to feed my pups.   Dog food can be substandard nutritionally, filled with corn, little meat, etc.  How are we to know that what they are getting is healthy?

We've decided, after reading a few books on the subject, to try out giving the dogs veggie meals just at dinner.   They will remain on their regular kibble for breakfast but have home-made meals at night. That way they will at least be getting what they've had in the past 50% of the time.  We've kept the ingredients simple and prepare them simply too - mostly through boiling or steaming and not adding salt or oil.  We'll probably look more into fatty supplements very soon, just to be sure we're covering all the bases.  Here is an example meal mixture:

 - Steamed carrots - carrots chopped, then steamed until soft and mashed
 - Carrot water from the steamer to add moisture
 - Black beans (or lentils or any bean) - soaked as needed, boiled until tender and mashed
 - Organic no salt/sugar puffed millet or puffed brown rice
 - Rice (brown preferred) - steamed
 - Green beans or peas - bought frozen, steamed until soft and mashed in
 - Sweet potato, pumpkin or other squash - steamed or microwaved until cooked/soft

I use my hand masher to blend all this together and add some of the saved carrot water to make it moist and sticky, very much like the consistency of canned dog food.   But there is no added salt or oils so my pups aren't gulping water after they eat.   A bonus. I make a good amount and give the dogs about 1 to 1.5 cups for their meal, so this batch will last about 3 meals for two dogs. 

I've been keeping a close eye on their energy, behavior and bathroom habits.  They haven't had any stomach issues and seem to be going #2 okay as well. 

As far as I can tell they LOVE IT!  I mean, check this out:

One of the books we read is this one - The Simple Little Vegan Dog Book.  It's not a nutritionist book.  Mostly it gives high level information and some good recipes plus foods to avoid.

After seeing how this goes and talking with our vet, we may try out a commercial food like V-Dog to replace their kibble.  But our first goal is their health.  We want to make sure our pups get what they need before any other concerns or issues.

If you have any experience with dogs eating an omnivorous or vegan/vegetarian diet, I'd love to learn more so please share.

For additional options (I have not checked these out), PETA listed Companies That Sell Vegan Dog and Cat Food:

Evolution Diet
Dog and cat kibble and canned food, ferret kibble, fish food
651-228-0632

F&O Alternative Pet Products
Vegan dog and cat kibble and canned food
1-877-376-9056

Harbingers of a New Age
Vegecat™, Vegekit™, Vegedog™, Vegepup™, and digestive enzymes
406-295-4944

Natural Life Pet Products
Canned and kibble dog food
1-800-367-2391

Nature's Recipe
Canned and kibble dog food
1-800-237-3856

Newman's Own
Organic vegan dog treats

Pet Guard
Canned dog food and biscuits

Wow-Bow Distributors
Canned and kibble dog food and biscuits
1-800-326-0230

Wysong Corporation
Dog and cat kibble
989-631-0009

If you decide to prepare your own vegetarian dog or cat food, we recommend that you read Vegetarian Cats & Dogs to ensure that you understand the nutritional needs of dogs and cats. Do not rely on this factsheet for complete information. The book has several recipes and helpful hints. If your library or bookstore doesn't have it, you can order it from Harbingers of a New Age.

Birthday Bean

Today is Badger Bean's 12th birthday.

(observed - we brought him home from the Humane Society 11 years ago)

 The sweetest happiest puppy I know!

We love you, little man!

Still Remember

Even though it happend a few years ago and Michael Vick is out of prison and playing football again, the trauma is not over for the dogs he and his cohorts abused.

Meet Mel -

Mel is one of the dogs that was rehabilitated and adopted out but he still lives in fear... every. single. day.

I read about Mel just the other day and that sweet face and the words moved me to tears.

Richard Hunter has a new member of his household. That's him, quivering in the corner. Shaking uncontrollably. Convulsing. The 4-year-old is scared shitless.

"He lives in fear," Hunter says of his new best friend, Mel. "You would too if you'd been beating and traumatized your whole life."

Michael Vick is out of prison and back in the NFL. But the dogs he tortured - the ones he didn't kill, that is - will never escape his dark shadow.

"Mel's come a long way. We can pet him. He sleeps in bed with us," Hunter says. "But he's scarred for life. He's never barked. Never made a noise. There are times when he's just terrified."

Mel has a new canine friend now, Pumpkin, a 13 year old terrier, who helps take care of Mel...

Give the assist to Pumpkin. The two dogs hit it off, with the elder sensing the fear in his new introvert friend.

When a stranger enters Hunter's house, Mel freaks out. He grabs his monkey security blanket, slowly backs up into the corner and quivers. In front of him, standing as guard, is Pumpkin. And since Mel can't - or won't - use vocal communication, it's Pumpkin who barks for him, often waking Hunter late at night to find Mel at the back door needing a bathroom break.

You have to read the full article here. It is amazing and wonderful what the Hunter family went through to bring this sweet dog home. There is also a great article from Sports Illustrated a while back that talks about what these pups endured. Read that too.

But I couldn't just stop with writing about it here. I had to let my voice be heard by those that support Vick by employing him. I don't watch a lot of sports so boycotting is easy. That should be the first thing you do - boycott the NFL and the Eagles specifically. But I also had to write them both letters via the comment feedback sections of their sites. I wrote:

I just want you to know that we have not forgotten the evil done by Michael Vick and that there are still many many people who think you are total assholes for hiring him. The money he has paid and limited prison time he has done will never erase the abuse, horror and trauma he inflicted upon those defenseless animals.

The fact that you know his background and pay him buckets of money is beyond disgusting. I will never understand how you can live with yourselves as human beings when there are dogs like this still living with the trauma - http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/sportatorium/2010/06/one_of_michael_vicks_dogs_find.php

I will never support the NFL or your team while you support this sick individual.

Yes, it's harsh but harsh words are minor retribution for the pure evil he doled out and allowed. I hope you will feel equally enraged and let them know as well.

Resting

Another sad post today. My sweet pup has passed.

I've had my boy Bailey for over 15 years. He was a wonderful pup and I can't imagine my life without him.

He was super smart and always with me. When I first brought him home I used to carry him around in my purse he was so small. And he was always good in the car too. We went on many many road trips. He used to like sitting behind my head so he could see out the window.

Baily came from a family that had two pups. They were both totally adorable 2lb fluff balls. I had a hard time choosing between them at first. When I couldn't pic we did a little test. We took both pups to one end of the room. Then I went to a corner and we took the mom to the other corner. Then they let the pups go. The other pup ran to his mom but Bailey ran to me. I've always felt like his mom.

There are a million memories I have of him.

Best Friends Forever

Watch CBS Videos Online

The power of love and friendship... would that we could all be this joyous, accepting, kind and loyal.

A-dor-a-ble!

Okay, I know everyone on the planet has probably seen this already, but I just love the sweetness and compassionate and playful interaction of this pup, kitty and baby chicks.

Thanks to CuteOverload for posting these. I'll do my part to pass this along without cluttering up a million Inboxes!

Enjoy!