What are we up to !

Happy Wednesday all,

We have recovered from the AiDS Walk and last weekend I decided to just relax and take it easy whatever easy is LOL. On Saturday I did volunteer like I always do but then the rest of the weekend was just Layla and Me, walking, and relaxing in the park. The weather was perfect for it and hopefully next weekend will be too.

And of course Madam has to do this :

Lets Roll and get Stinky

I am at the moment re-evaluating Layla’s food as I feel with her getting older am questioning her supplements etc plus with what I have been reading online lately with the no grain, yes grain, etc which is mind boggling and confusing I think the time has come to do it. Plus I already cook half of her food and make some of her treats so why not do the whole lot at home. (I use Grandma Lucy’s Macanna Premix for the extra supplements plus add others)

So with the research I am starting to go to the different pet stores in the city to see what they have, what is interesting and get more ideas.

On Monday we went to visit a store called SFRAW. It was an adventure for both of us as it took 2 bussess each way to get there and by the time I found the place we were hot and tired. Layla of course was in her backpack and I made the mistake of forgetting her cooling vest at home. Bad Mom.

What is SFRAW – They are the largest resource in California for people who feed their pets raw food. It is a great store with loads of products of all kinds, some were incredibly interesting like the frozen chicken necks which you can feed your dog, I am petrified to do that as the bones are small and have always heard that they are not good for your dog although I do have friends that feed them to the dogs and if they sell them then I do know it is perfectly safe.

They support local family farms that practice humane, organic, sustainable and pastured farming methods. So everything is really healthy.

They do not ship their products but their treats which they had which were slices of goats cheese, turkey hearts and beef hearts. Layla got to come home with the turkey hearts which she loves.

Their website :

SFRaw

I have started making Layla a new treat which she loves, and what I love about giving them to her is when we are on the go they can also be a type of food which is better in the long run.

The recipe is simple :

One pound of ground turkey or ground chicken or salmon which I chop up (I do not use ground beef as it can be fatty sometimes)
One Egg
Grated veggies like carrots, zucchini, broccoli and whatever else you want to add

Mix all together, lie flat on a baking sheet so it is about one inch thick, Bake in oven on 350 Deg till ready. (I leave it softish)
When cool I cut into squares and store in a ziplock bag in the fridge and take out as I need.

Bon Appetit !

So as you can see there is never a dull moment in our lives and as a good Jewish Mom one of my main focuses is keeping her happy and healthy as possible.

Madam is at this moment doing what she does best, sleeping and I am off here to carry on with my research and will keep you all posted in the next blogs with recipes. I am always open to suggestions so bring them on 🙂

Have a wonderful week all.
With love as always
Layla

Two old ladies doing the AIDS WALK

Woof its Wednesday !

We are half way through the month and the year is speeding by, I cannot believe it.

We have been busy as always Layla keeping me on my toes raring to go some where all the time, she is a busy bee for an 11 year old and I love it and would not change it for anything.

On Saturday I volunteered like I always do but kept it slow also so we would have more energy for the big day which was Sunday.

On Sunday we left the house at about 8 in the morning to get there on time plus depending on public transport I would rather be early than late.

Layla was in her element as we were riding the tram which she loves so it was a great way to start the day. We had to walk down hill from there to Golden Gate Park – Robin Williams Meadow where it was all happening.

There were loads of people, different booths, each organization had its own booth where they had set up snacks, etc for their walkers. We also had to sign in and I got a baseball cap, t-shirt and badge as a thank you for raising the money that I did. I also received an invite to the party afterwards but I did not go as Layla was tired and so was I.

Why is this event so important – With what is happening in the world today Organizations are having problems with funding and to keep them going every dollar helps so being able to get people to sponsor me, helps an Organization keep on doing the amazing work they do.

Why the Shanti Project – PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support) are part of the Shanti Project and as we are clients of theirs it is my way of giving back to them. They are an incredible organization and I do not know where I would be without them today. I have been with them since I had Baby, they helped me when she passed away, and they have been with Layla ever since.

What is the Shanti Project : ​ Shanti Project exists to enhance the health, quality of life and well-being of people with terminal, life-threatening or disabling illnesses or conditions. Through a continuum of services, including in-home and onsite patient and care navigation, emotional and practical support and preserving the human-animal bond, Shanti strives to achieve the highest medical and quality of life outcomes for San Francisco’s most vulnerable.

Shanti is a Sanskrit word meaning “inner peace” or “tranquility”. It is an appropriate name since, ultimately, all of Shanti’s direct service and educational programs are aimed at easing the burdens and improving the well-being of people in difficult life situations.

The mission of PAWS is to preserve, support and nurture the human-animal bond for those most vulnerable in our community.

As a Domestic Violence Survivor this organization have become my rock in many many ways and have helped me become who I am today and therefore being able to walk the AIDS WALK and raise some money for them makes me feel great as I love giving back and this is one way I can do it with a smile on my face.

What is really unique about the walk also is that it is diverse, you will find kids walking, elderly people walking and of course the dogs walking so it makes it to be a fun family day for everyone. As you walk you have volunteers cheering you on, stands with water and other goodies, bands playing music, dancers and of course the natural beauty of the park.

Layla trotted along most of the way in her pink cooling vest which was great as I did not have to worry about her over heating although the weather was cool, I carried her backpack for emergencies LOL and I think when we got to the last mile is when she started lagging a bit so I put her in the backpack and carried her to the end. I think she was amazing though, doing at least 5 miles of the 6.2 miles with little legs but most important of all is we completed it – WOW.

So that was our Sunday, a long busy day but well worth it as I loved the walk in nature at a great easy pace chatting with a friend but giving back to the community at the same time.

I would like to say a special thanks to the following :

01. All my friends that had faith in me and sponsored me, you are all heroes

02 Jones Natural Chews who donated to Layla and Shanti lots of treats so no dog would starve and what was left over thanks to you has been put into the PAWS Pet food bank for others to enjoy.

Jones Natural Chews

03. Cool Aid for sponsoring Layla with the cooling vest, what a wonderful gift keeping her cool and comfortable during the walk – love this vest and would highly recommend it to everyone.

CoolAid

04. Last but not least, The Shanti Project, you are all amazing, no words can describe my gratitude for all you do and a special thanks for helping me get home after the walk with a ride.

The Shanti Project

Layla is off to her box to sleep after reading this through with me and I am drinking coffee,

Have a wonderful week all, take care and thank you for reading our blog this week,

Woof with love
Layla and Me

Lets Woof this Wednesday

Wednesday has arrived which means my weekly woof. It has been a quiet fun week in many ways with lots of Mom time.

First of all because of the smoke and weather I had a bad allergy attack and poor Mom was so worried. I would go to the park and come home looking red like a tomato so she was wiping me down, doing everything she could think of but the itchy would not go away. What was worrying her was I was hopping with my left back leg in the air and she got concerned that I might hurt my back next. She had not changed my food, nor my treats but a lot of my dog friends are going through the same so we knew it was something from the park. In the end she went to the vet to get some Apoquel ewww which I am taking and it is easing slowly phew. Am now sleeping through the night again and letting Mom sleep too.

The weekend was busy as always as Mom says that is the time to be outdoors as the weather is fantastic for San Francisco so on Saturday we met one of my favorite Uncles in the park and just hung out, chatting, being petted and spoiled while Mom drunk her tea. It was a great couple of hours with Travis my Uncles Dog taking over the blanket so I went to visit our park neighbors and lay on theirs. They were very happy I did it and got lots of love from them.

On Sunday was a special event in our dog park – It was the the 8th Annual Three Legged Dog Picnic! WOW we got there to see so many dogs, both three legged, on wheels and regulars also. There was music going, lots of people and they gave Layla a new toy, she was spoiled.

Tri Pawed Dogs who organizes it does events once or twice a year. Everyone brings their own food and we all hang out together with our pets and families. A really fun time.

There were different rescues there which was fantastic and always makes the events extra special.

01. Nobody’s Perfekt Dogs : They rescue imperfect dogs from local shelters and find them homes with loving families who tolerate the imperfections. What an amazing Rescue Organization and one I did not know about till Sunday.

Nobodysperfektdogs

02. Muttville Senior Dog Rescue : Muttville is an organization focused on how the world thinks and treats older dogs, aged seven years and older, and creating better lives for them through rescue, foster, adoption, and hospice.

Muttville

03. Family Dog Rescue : Their mission is to save family friendly dogs from High Kill Shelters in California and after screening and vetting, they are then adopted by suitable families.

Family Dog Rescue

Oh and we must not forget that we met Michael from DogParks.Tv and he took a photo of me which is on his Instagram so I am now famous woof.

It was a really fun Sunday, when we got home I just went to sleep zzzzzz.

I want to remind everyone that this coming Sunday Layla and I are doing the 6 mile AIDS Walk, as I am saying the two old ladies are doing it LOL and we will have lots of photographs to share next week.

I must remind everyone that the heat is here big time and we all need to keep cool, once again thanks to CoolAid for my awesome cooling vest which is making my life so much more pleasurable when I am out.

Have a wonderful week all,
Woof with love from Layla

It is Woofing Wednesday

Woof everyone,

It is woofing Wednesday and we have been busy which is making me exhausted.

So what is happening in the Layla Neighborhood ? Lots !!!!

On Saturday I went with Mom to volunteer as usual which was lots of fun as I got lots of hugs and pets from everyone, it is the best way to start a day with love. In the afternoon we relaxed and then went for a long walk.

Did you know ! I walk Mom now and she needs a new leash BOL. It goes like this, Mom wants a shortish walk in the afternoons and I decide I want a long one so off we go and when she wants to turn around I just sit down and refuse to move or pull her along in the direction I want. Guess who wins ?? Me of course while Mom is muttering under her breath HA – slaves should not mutter.

On Sunday we had an adventure which was fun although I did not like the drums. Mom and I went on the MUNI (tram) to the Native Contemporary Arts Festival at the Yerba Buena Gardens – it was a beautiful day, cool but sunny. We found a shady spot to sit under a tree and listen to the poetry. music and then dance.

Well when the drums started, I became antsy, did not like it and Mom laid the backpack on the ground open so I could lie in it, but when she saw that I was not relaxing and shhhhh spoiling her relaxing time as she wanted to listen, Mom being the good Mom that she is decided to bring me home.

Phew was I happy to sit in the backpack and get out of there. It was a learning lesson for both of us as Mom says she knows now that when it comes to different events she will have to plan things in a different way.

So this week, excluding walks and park time we are lying low and spending quality time at home. Mom is still teaching but otherwise it is just us.

This coming Saturday is Pride Weekend in San Francisco, loads of chaos so we are not planning any adventure on Sunday but to relax in the dog park. Though on Saturday I become mini Dyke and we are going to the Dyke March. I will allow Mom to do that one plus I have the backpack to sit comfortably and watch it all. Photos of course will be in next weeks blog.

On this note now that I have finished sharing what is happening in our neighborhood, I am off for my afternoon siesta which is needed.

Happy Pride to those celebrating

With a Woof and Love
Layla

The weekend is getting closer

Woof it is Wednesday,

Middle of the week which means the weekend is around the corner. That means a new adventure with Mom which is so much fun.

On Saturdays I volunteer at a food bank which I love doing, Layla sometimes comes with me and she is in seventh heaven being loved by everyone so when I get home I am exhausted, but it is worth it as it makes me feel great giving back and helping. We always laugh as I am a Jew volunteering on the Sabbath in a Lutheran Church.

I decided this year that every Sunday we would be out of the house doing something fun with Layla. Living in San Francisco I am spoiled as there are every week different fairs or events and I am planning to do as many as possible plus of course the Dyke March again this year.

The plus is having the back pack has eased it for me as Layla is safe and happy, my hands are free to take pictures or whatever else I want to do.

layla in backpack

Last Sunday we went to the Haight/Ashbury street fair where there were lots of booths selling all kinds of things, fantastic food trucks with yummy foods so it was great to just wander around, look at the booths or stores and the weather was perfect. It was a fun late morning start and I took the tram up the hill to the fair and then we walked home through the dog park. Layla was exhausted and so was I but we both got lots of exercise. AND the best of all was Layla became a little hippy for that day – all part of the history of San Francisco.

haight ashbury fair

This coming Sunday there is another event which really interests me and I am planning to go to is the Native Contemporary Arts Festival Free Performances at the Yerba Buena Gardens. It is an event celebrating the creativity of North America’s indigenous peoples, the 21st annual Native Contemporary Arts Festival showcases a diverse program of native music, dance, spoken word, artist vendors and native crafts. Will share pictures in next weeks blog.

I am also researching what dog events there will be so Madam can have her share of events also BOL plus of course the different dog parks to visit.

What are your plans for the summer ? If anyone is in San Francisco and wants to join us let us know – we could have a dog play date !

Now Madam is off to have her afternoon sleep, I am as always working as someone has to pay the bills and buy the treats.

Have a wonderful week, with a woof and love from Layla