Romeo's Birthday

Romeo, my older pup turned 11 today. I threw him a birthday party at the local dog park, the BuTCh,, I think he and his pup friends had a great time playing doggy games and eatin pupcakes, which are what I call the meat cakes in cupcake form.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROMEO!

Turkey, Chicken and Beef Pupcakes

Doggy Meat Cake

Romeo's Birthday is coming up on Thursday and he will be 11. So I am going to throw him a party at the BuTCh dog park!I needed a cake recipe for it so I adapted my puppy meat loaf recipe:

Doggy Meat Cake
1 lb, ground beef Or Chicken or Lamb (depending on your dog's dietary needs)
1 cup of cooked brown rice
1 cup of finely diced carrots or  mixed peas and carrots (frozen is just fine)
2 eggs

Mix all together and mold into a shape or use a baking pan*, bake at 350 for 45 minutes, remove from oven, let cool

Frost with Mashed potatoes!

*I used a cupcake pan, make sure you spray pan with cooking spray (PAM) Then put the cup cake in the papers when they were cool and frosted!

This Years Christmas Photos

 

I just love my dogs' pictures with Santa. But unfortunately (or not) I was unable to do it this year as The B-Town Dog group was hosting Cocoa Bar to raise money for our local dog park. Anyway, we were able to get professional pics done this year, thanks to Mud Bay, a local pet supply chain, with  a fabulous store here in Burien. The photographer, Emily Reiman of Best Friend Photography took to kinda dumb dogs and made them pet models. I cannot get over how she got Buddy to behave and Romeo to listen. She will forever be in my debt!

Now to find a couple of nice photo frames and give to Ma as a Christmas present!

Romeo turns 9!!!

Romeo enjoying Morril Off Leash Dog Park in Kent, Wa

Forgot too mention that my big old fluffy dod Romeo turned 9 on the 24th. He had a good day at Morill Meadows Off leash Dog Park in Kent, WA, the weekend before his birthday. Interesting dog park, about the same size as Lakeview, where our off leash park in Burien is supposed to go, with some good, inexpensive amenities that also are recycled.

Nice reuse for old tires

Super simple jumping gates made from Galvanized Elbows and 18" nipples

An example of a climbing apparatus for agility

And another!

 Romeo had a great day, the boys got to see a great park and we had some lunch, courtesy of a local eatery! I enjoy days like this one!

PIRATE PUP RALLY

One of our B-Town DOG members is a finalist in the Beneful Dream Dog Park 2013 contest. This is so important to the Dogs of the South End. So please attend if you can, dress like a pirate (not required but encouraged) and get ready to yell your lungs out for Kellie and Bailey!!!

AND PLEASE REMEMBER "VOTE DAILY FOR KELLIE AND BAILEY"

Model Dogs

Romeo and Buddy are fashion hounds!!! This show is a local Newsmagazine, Evening Magazine. My friends Joel and Angie own Secondhand Hound. Very cool store- a thrift shop for dogs! See if you can spot my two troublemakers! I need to add Joel and Agie were Buddy's fosters, so for him the trip to Ruston is like going home!

Burien's Sidewalk Pimps

 Romeo and Buddy are lying on the sidewalk acting like they own it because The Bike Rack we sponsored through WABI is finally installed. They remind me of the "Shed Pimps" from the Food Network show "The Shed".

                   

ADOPTING SHELTER DOGS "WORKS FOR ME"

I have two dogs whom I adopted from less than Ideal situations. First, Romeo, a “Cocka-Poo” (Cocker Spaniel/Poodle). He is my calming influence. A good natured happy guy with good manners. Always ready for a game of “ball” or “stick”, plays well with others, as long as they don’t do much “Biting” (he hates that). I adopted Romeo when a gal at work, who owns a boarding kennel, put an ad in our Intra Net classifieds. It appeared Romeo was boarded at the kennel, and the owner, skipped out on paying and skipped out on Romeo. Well first look at Romeo and I was in love. I recognized his calmness, and his love of riding in the truck almost immediately (His favorite place to sit in the Truck is right on the back of the seat- I am thinking so he can look out both front and rear windows. Anyway He is a good dog, one of the best I have ever had!

   

 Buddy, my little “Cocka-Tsu” (Cocker Spaniel/Shi Tsu) on the other hand, well if Romeo is my calming influence, Buddy is my “Let’s go out and ride that damn roller coaster” influence. He is my little comedian. And a great source of entertainment. And when I say “adopted from less than Ideal situations, he wasn’t abused or anything. He was a foster dog at A.A.R.F. and waited a long time for a forever home. People that would try him out, I’m afraid were not patient, expecting a perfectly mannered canine. And get sent back. And while his “foster parents” are all great people, that has got to mess up a dog’s confidence.  Buddy likes to bark and play. And if he is hurting will bite (nip) when you touch him. I can’t blame him for that – I am the same way. So I let him bark when he is hungry until it is dinner time. And it is fine. So with Buddy you have to practice patience.

  

 My adopted pets work for me. Maybe it’s because they have such opposite personalities. Maybe it’s because I think of them as children. All I know is adopted dogs that others have work for them. Sometimes you just have to wait it out!

Romeo's 8!!!

8 years old- man time flies! Yesterday was Romeo's birthday... of course he treated himself to a new stick at the dog park. (he still loves Boom Booms, but Buddy chews their little heads off). Then it was home to indulge in:

DOGGY CUP CAKES!

1 lb. of Hamburger
1 lb. of Ground Turkey
2 cups of Brown Rice
1 cup of peas
1 cup of diced cooked carrots ( if using frozen diced carrots, don't cook them)
3 eggs

Pre-Heat oven to 350. Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Spoon into muffin tins (or form into a loaf if making a doggy meat loaf.) Bake 20-25 minutes. Top with mashed potatoes if desired- Serve to pooch.

Blue Dogs- A collaboration!

My friend, Maureen, who is the Guru of the local walking set, put a post on the WABI site (Walking and Biking) and posted this cool graphic she edited of Romeo and Buddy.

The original B&W picture

I fiddled with it on the computer, making a faux border and after much trimming, cussing, cutting, cussing (note: I said cussing twice- there was that much cussing) I framed it in a Ikea Ribba frame I just happened to have around the house. Here is the final product:

The Graphic is from a favorite photo I took of the dogs at Burien Town Square Park. Turning it into a blue "Warhol-esque" picture was entirely Maureen, I don't know what editing program she used. I am taking partial credit for the original picture and the frame job. Because that is how I roll.

Easy Art

I have a portrait of Romeo taken by Joel Green, a professional  photographer, that I won in an auction. Nicely framed, I wanted some similar pics of Buddy and the both of them to hangnthat would compliment them. So I took some more pics, and with an editing prohrsm turned them Blsck snd white,then “matted them using Windows Paint-- I simply framed the outside using the shape tool and filled in the rest, A trick I learned from a professional photographer I know. Then printed them on glossy photo paper.The end result is some great pics of the dogs and a few other things to hang on the wall!

AARF Fun!

Romeo and Buddy checking out the goodies!

What I did on my weekend. Well I had to work, but I did have some time to attend the annual A.A.R.F (Animal Assistance and Rescue Foundation), where I adopted Buddy, Whine and Cheese Auction. While auctioning, I bid on some great items, and won two... A gift basket of dog goodies, which includes a grooming and a pet sitting certificates!

YUMMY!!!

And a guilt free  Raw Chocolate Cheesecake, which as you can see is slowly getting eaten, piece by delicious piece, from Deceptive Delights, a bakery that specializes in no guilt desserts! And too SWAG Bags full of goodies and food for Romeo and Buddy! All in all a good night and a great organization for dogs!

2nd Hand Hound

I took off Friday to go to Second Hand Hound, in Ruston, (North Tacoma), A unique idea in Pet Supplies... A second hand store for dogs! Very green idea this... They sell all sorts of pre-owned dog gear- toy's, coats, crates leashes, collars; even life jackets for Fido!

Buddy Bucko

The reason I went all the way to Ruston was they are also very involved in the pet rescue community, and I wanted to meet a potential new dog, Buddy, a cocker mix, like Romeo.

Romeo and Buddy

So Romeo and I got in the car and traveled south, were we met the cutest little guy named Buddy Bucko. Romeo seemed to like him just fine and vice-versa. I took him and Romeo for a little walk. They performed on the leashes perfectly. So now I am filling out adoption papers for Buddy, who knows maybe soon Romeo   will have a new "little Brother"!


More to come....

Soggy Doggy

Well You know who got clipped. And this time, I did it.
I met the owners of this neat little store, the Soggy Doggy, at the Strawberry Festival, so decided to give it a shot after they told me they would walk me through the grooming. So what did I learn? Grooming your dog yourself isn't the hardest thing in the world, just takes a little patience, and Romeo isn't as bad as I had been lead to believe by one of his former groomers.
Rachel, who works at the Des Moines store is really great, taking the time to answer all questions and teach everyone how to do it right. And the cost? More than 50% Cheaper then his last groomer. You gotta love that! The end result? Romeo got a great haircut, I saved $$$, and learned a new "skill."- hat trick! If I wento out and bought the clippers, blades and shears I used at Soggy Doggy it would cost over $175. This way I get use of professional equipment, and I get to know how Romeo is treated. A fear of mine becasue, on time I walked into the groomers when Max, my yorkie, was there and he was being abused by the groomer.

Romeo showing off his new do!

Eating out with Romeo

We have a restaurant here in Burien, that is pretty good about remembering people have pets (dogs) The Mark is a cool little spot with front and back patios, where your canine family members can have a bite as well. Romeo and I had lunch there the other day... they even have a special menu for the canine crowd. The food is Stews from the Natural Pet Pantry up the street, and is made fresh for the pooches (yes this is the same dog food I was once tempted to eat) Mark Owner Debra George, a dog owner herself (She has a very nice LabraDoodle) always thinks of folks dogs. Her restaurant also hosts a Santa Photo Party for dogs and cats each year! Romeo now proclaims Mark Restaurant as his favorite.

Nom, nom nom- this is good!

10 Things Your Dog or Cat Would Tell You....

I found this on facebook, substituted Romeo's picture. But boy thinking back of all my dogs (Pepe, Sniffy, Charlie, Bingo, Binky, Spike, Max, Topaz) and cats(OG, Tuffy, Sammy) I find this to be so true:
10 Things Your Dog or Cat Would Tell You....

1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you will be painful: remember that before you get me.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me- it is crucial to my well being.
4. Do not be angry at me for long, and do not lock me up as punishment.
5. You have your work, your entertainment,and your friends. I only have you.
6. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understands your words, I understand your voice when it is speaking to me.
7. Be aware that how ever you treat me, I will never forget.
8. Remember before you hit me that I have teeth that could easily hurt you, but I choose not to bite or scratch you because I love you.
9. Before you scold me for being uncooperative,obstinate,or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I might not be getting the right food, or I have been out too long, or my heart is getting too old and weak.
10. Take care of me when I get old; you too will grow old. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say: "I cannot bear to watch" or "Let it happen in my absence." Everything is easier for me if you are there, even my death.
Remember that I love you.

Happy 7Th Birthday Romeo!

A quick post to wish my pup, Romeo a happy 7th birthday tomorrow. For his birthday, he is getting a doggy door, a Leash cabinet and a day at the Dog Park! Shhhhh! It's a surprise!
"You keep me active, you give me unconditional love, and you are my Best Friend Forever! Plus... You eat cabbage!"

Cabbage Chips for Romeo

I discovered that my pooch, Romeo, likes to eat raw cabbage. So I thought , what about dehydrated cabbage? Here are the instructions for dehydrating cabbage that you can use as cabbage chips or save to reconstitute.
Dehydrating or Drying CABBAGE (RED OR GREEN)
Instructions for Dehydrating Cabbage:
1. Wash the cabbage heads and trim away the outer leaves.
2. Remove the core
3. Shred/grate the cabbage head.
4. Steam blanch vegetables for 2 minutes. For Chips, Salt to taste.
5. Dehydrate cabbage at 100 degrees (F) for 18 hours or until crisp. Note: I use my dehydrator, followed the same time rule
6. Store dried cabbage in a clean, dry, airtight container, in a cool dark location. (Light can cause discoloration) Dried cabbage can be added directly to soups or stews without rehydrating.
 Note: Red cabbage loses some of its color when rehydrated. To rehydrate, soak in cold water with a little lemon juice for 30 minutes and drain.

Romeo Photo Shoot

You know I couldn't finish the year with out a "Cute Dog" post. Here are the proofs from Romeo's Photo Shoot, there are over 90 photo's; theses are the photographer's picks; 

 This is my favorite Romeo on one of the posts in front of the suncatcher statue in Town Square Park

Romeo... A Whore for the Camera!

Well the first photo's of Romeo's photo shoot are coming in. "Whose the handsome boy? Who?"
The photographer was embarrassed due to the fact he had his camera set on JPEG format instead of RAW format, so there are no color pics. I don't care... I am actually biased toward Kodachrome anyhow so I am happy with B&W Pics. Joel, the photographer, and his wife, Angie, are very active in local pet issues, are big advocates of pet adoption and rescue,  own a second hand pet supply shop in Tacoma, WA. They donated this prize of a pet photo shoot to the AARF Auction I went to and spent some dollars on this auction item a few months ago