Tag Archives: #dogfood

Pets in Shelters

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Happy Friday to all our friends, the week is over and the weekend is beginning phew.


As most of you know I am doing at the moment a workshop to become a Domestic Violence Advocate and as this month is Domestic Violence Awareness month I want to discuss having a pet in a shelter.


This is a subject that I have seen discussed on many groups on Facebook, and how important it is for a survivor to have her pet with her in the shelter so am going to share my story here.


I was fortunate to be able to take Baby into the shelter with me towards the end of my stay, before I moved over to another shelter and then transitional housing.


It was fantastic having her with me again and I was really blessed but people also need to understand Shelter policies also so I do understand why shelters say no. They are not being selfish but in a way practical and this is why :


01.There are children in shelters who are going through trauma and might be afraid of pets 

02. Allergies from pets

03.  The shelter staff are overloaded already so if you are running around sorting out your life you are adding another burden to the staff as your pet is in your room.

04. Shelters have curfews so if your pet needs to go potty at night you cannot take him/her out.

05. Not all shelters can you give you a single room so you might be sharing with someone who does not like pets.


When I was in the shelter with Baby I took her out just before the curfew started, I had my own room which made it easier but her food and water was in my room, she was not allowed in the public areas because of the reasons I listed above, when we did go out she was on leash and was on leash when we got back till we got to my room.


This is food for thought and that is why in so many ways I feel there should be some kind of program for the pets to ease it for everyone and I do know that some shelters are slowly opening their doors to pets.


Would love to hear your input on this.


Last Friday Layla and I with friends went for a picnic in Golden Gate Park. It was a beautiful evening, relaxing, good food and lots of laughs. It was just what we needed and a beautiful start to a weekend.

What I did for Layla’s food was instead of taking her home made food I took with me Freeze Dried Kibbles which she thinks are treats from Raw Paws Pet Food – she loves them. The flavor I had was Beef and then I had with me as a treat their Freeze Dried Minnows which she cannot get enough of.

You can see their awesome products on their website plus you have a coupon for shopping : Layla15 – Happy Shopping

https://www.rawpawspetfood.com/


This weekend our plans are to go to the Shih Tzu Meetup which I am really looking forward to as it is a different park and I love that park as it is so big you can do social distancing.


Have a wonderful weekend everyone, be safe

With a woof and love from Layla

May is nearly over

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TGIF !!!


How are all you of you doing ? 


We are sorry we did not blog last week but I needed a break from social media which was really good for me, plus Layla was in her element as I was with her all the time.


This lock down has taught me a lot, it has not been easy triggering things inside me that I had buried, but worked through them, plus I have also realized how in a funny way I think Layla misses me dog sitting and having the other dogs in the house, although she does not play with them it is more the companionship and I really noticed it when Gidget came to spend a couple of hours with us last weekend and although Layla does not play with her, she was happy to see her, and they were lying and sleeping next to each other, which of course was adorable.

Layla is aging and I am noticing it more and more lately, she does not want to do long walks, I carry her into the park as she is afraid and if a person claps or any other odd sound she tries to run out, and this is worrying me. I now leave her leash on in the park as it is easier to catch her plus sit as far away as possible from others so she will relax. Once relaxed she sleeps LOL.


I also am noticing that she is not eating as much as she did in the past, treats yes, her food no so am trying to figure out what to add to her food to make it more appetizing. She loves her gizzards but needs more than that. 

That is what I am working on at the moment and if anyone has any suggestions am open to them.


With the sun shining today I did take her to the park, but it was good for both of us to be outside for an hour, I do not stay long as it starts filling up and I am really keeping social distancing as much as possible. Plus Layla will this week be getting her own mask, a friend of mine got her one so will post a photo with her wearing it next week, cannot wait.


Nothing else exciting happening in the Layla Neighborhood. Like everyone, we are going day by day and praying life will get back to normal one of these days.

I am happy that groomers are opening and maybe next week will see if I can get her an appointment which she desperately needs as I have been cutting away matts as much as possible.


We hope you have a great long weekend,


With a woof and love from Layla 

Wow October is over

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TGIF !!!!!!!!!! 

We cannot believe that 2019 is nearly over, this year has gone too fast.  Who feels the same way ?


I am typing this while looking out the window at all the kids and dogs dressed up for Halloween and some of the parents too, I can see everyone is having lots of fun and of course you have the drunks among them LOL. Layla is fast asleep and keeping her indoors this evening, rather be safe than sorry.

I am sharing a memory of Baby RIP at the only Halloween Party she went to as the costume was priceless.

I still think one of the best costumes in the world BOL


While talking about Halloween I entered her into this contest and if anyone wants to help her win which would be awesome you can click on the link below and it can be done daily. I plan to donate the Bark Boxes to one of the non profits for their Pet Pantry.

http://wshe.es/lO8z1fAh

Last weekend Layla of course went to the Shih Tzu meet up to play with all her fluffy friends, it was fun to hang out with lots of little fluffs and of course be at a different park.


On Sunday we just relaxed and took it easy hanging out at our park with Danielle, a good friend of mine that owns and runs a Sanctuary in the mountains near Yosemite, chatting and catching up. She does amazing work rescuing all the poor senior, disabled, sick pets that are dumped in shelters so that they can live the rest of their lives in comfort in a home. Layla adores her and was in her element to spend time with her. 

On Wednesday some friends of mine took me and Layla on an outing to a beautiful place that I did not know existed and WOW it was amazing. The weather was coolish although warmed up around lunch time.
We walked along this stunning trail with the sea at the end of it, it is called Mori Point near Pacifica about 30 minute drive from San Francisco. Layla was amazing and walked most of it but I carried her in the back pack on the way back to the car as she was hot and tired. That is when I say phew thank goodness I have the cooling vest, backpack and so much more as it makes life so easy to take her.I would have loved to have gone down to the beach but will do it next time I go as I will be more prepared with a towel.


A collage of some of the beauty

I wish I could put all the pics up
I love flowers
the Madam in the car going there, walking and the backpacking

My favorite picture

Layla is exhausted from yesterday and basically been sleeping and eating and quick walks to do her business today LOL, poor baby.


So as you can see we are always on the move although Layla has it easier as when running errands etc I leave her at home. 
As you can see life is never boring in the Layla neighborhood and we have a busy weekend ahead of us, another fun outing with friends on Saturday and Sunday we will be going to one of my favorite pet events. 
We hope you all had a great Halloween and did not OD on candies LOL or our pampered pets on treats.

And before we forget today, 01 November is National Cook for Your Pets Day, I never knew there would be such a holiday to honor us who do cook for our pets. Here is photo of Layla’s food and just finished putting 4 containers into the freezer.

My Pampered Princess eats well 


What are your plans this weekend ? We hope you have a wonderful one and of course cannot wait to see the photos,


Woof with love from Layla 


Aging Gracefully

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TGIF and Woof it is a long weekend. What are your plans ?


Here in the Layla neighborhood we have been taking it slow as Mom has been running around sorting out personal things plus going for interviews for more Hebrew tutoring so it has been a little chaotic.


In between all that she has been trying to take me to the park wherever possible and then grrr she punished me with a bath. I hate them and those should be banished from us plus put on the animal abuse list. Who agrees with me ? I know she says I need them as I roll and get stinky but I like those smells better than the ones from the shampoo which makes me smell fruity. 

So Mom and I had a discussion this week about us growing old together. She told me that I need to stay healthy and that is why she took me to the vet on Tuesday for my Bi-Annual check up. She explained to me that she does it also.


Well bless my vet. I have been seeing him for 8 years now, he is so funny also but very serious too. It is the same vet that looked after my sister when she was very ill and passed away, R.I.P. Baby. When Layla arrived from the Shelter he was the vet that checked her for me and I just adore him.

He calls Mom a typical Jewish Mom and I agree with him.  She worries about everything and needs to slow down a bit. 
The breakdown from the vet visit is like this :
01.  I am a very healthy 12 year old girl. 

02.  I have allergies but he said a lot of the dogs have at the moment so nothing to worry.

03.   He wanted to give me a flu shot and Mom said no it is not necessary as there is no flu here in San Francisco at the moment. Mom does not get them either.

04.  My cataract on my left eye – I still have some vision so we are not worrying about that and as Mom joked with him she does not have good vision at all in her left eye either – so we are two peas in a pod.

05. Teeth – all good phew.

06. Weight -perfect

These are the changes we discussed as with age adjustments are made :
01.  Food – He said the diet I am getting is awesome and the only change there is Mom must stop with apples as it is too much sugar for my teeth.
This is the recipe :
Boil a whole chicken, gizzards, chicken livers with a tbsp of apple cider vinegar, vegetables : carrots, peas, kale, spinach, apples, green beans, brussels sprouts, broccoli, pumpkin or sweet potato, zucchini, cauliflower. When cooked, I cool it down, then shred the chicken without the skin and bones, I make a smoothie of the veggies using the broth as liquid, I mix all together and put in containers and freeze. When I feed her I put these supplements in her food so she has a balanced diet – Raw Paws Organic Hip and Joint Green Lipped Mussel Powder and Raw Paws Organic Sea Kelp Daily Supplement.
This is the website of Raw Paws Pet Food and I swear by their products :

https://www.rawpawspetfood.com/default.asp

You can also use ground turkey or beef instead of the chicken.   

There is a 15% discount with the coupon Layla15  

02.  He wants me to get more fish oil so Mom is researching at this moment plus we have the Bay Area Pet Fair in two weeks time so Mom said she will see what is going on as there are loads of booths.


03.  Hemp Oil – He agrees with Mom giving it to me daily to keep me calm as lately I have become afraid of all kinds of things, part of growing old.


04.  Me not wanting to go out at night for my last walk – he said that could be because of my sight and if I do not want to go out then just to leave it. I am very smart telling Mom when I want to go out especially BOL when she is sleeping.


On the way home from the vet Mom popped into Trader Joes and got me some chicken jerky for being such a good girl. 


So you all see, age is just a number as I still act  like a puppy and full of energy which keeps my old Mother on her toes and I love it.


And now of course is siesta time as the dictating is very hard, I am going to have a snooze while Mom finishes off here. I have also ordered her to see what events there are this weekend so we can do something especially as it is a long weekend.


OY before I start my siesta I want to send prayers to all those that might be hit by the hurricane in Florida, our thoughts are with you and please be safe PLUS do not forget to take your pets with you as they are family.


Have a wonderful weekend everyone, enjoy the quality time with your families and please keep your pets safe.


Woof with love from Layla



Happy Thanksgiving All

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Happy Thanksgiving Everyone !!!

We woke up this morning to rain which Mom is really happy about although I am not happy as that means my paws will get wet. Mom was explaining to me that the rain will clear the air so we can breathe fresh air again plus she can finally open the windows and air out the house. I do not care, I hate the rain.

So Mom told me to compensate for the rain she is going to go to the butcher today and get me my favorite bones, beef neck bone which I love to chew on, I am still not happy and yes the compensation is yummy but it means me still being stuck indoors.

As it is Thanksgiving Mom cooked me for this weeks meals, turkey and made me my favorite turkey treats, she is really trying to keep me happy and I am very grateful for that.

My turkey meal is made up of boiled turkey breast, pumpkin, broccoli and other veggies and then Mom adds supplements to each meal. The food is so good and there is nothing like home cooking.

What are the supplements :

Elder Dog – for Mobility and Immunity Optimal Health
Skin & Allergy – Supports Skin Health and Sensitive Skin
Multi Vitamin – For a good balanced diet

They are all made by a company called Licks Pill Free, so that means no pills but are gels which can be disguised in the dogs food and makes life so much easier. It is an American company of course and 100% Natural Holistic Remedies. What I really love about them is they are vet formulated.

To read more about them you can visit their site :

LicksPillFree

And best of all they have for cats too.

I have seen a big difference with Layla since feeding her them especially when it comes to her allergies so am really excited over trying them.

My Turkey Treats are made of : Ground Turkey, Broccoli, Pumpkin (I use canned pumpkin as it is easier to mix in), eggs and whatever other veggies I have on hand. I mix it all together, lay it flat on a baking sheet with parchment paper and bake on 350 Deg till ready. When cool, I cut up into squares, and put in zip lock bags – freezing some of the portions so that I have for the week.

So as you can see Mom has been busy in the kitchen while I have become the official taster, and what I love, HA, is watching Mom accidentally on purpose drop a bit here and there on the floor for me to eat. NOPE am not spoiled HA.

What are your plans for Thanksgiving ?

We hope you have a wonderful time with your family, and once again please keep your pets safe from all the Thanksgiving hazards.

With a woof and gobble gobble
Layla

What are we up to !

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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