Footprints in the sand

Sawyer's latest favorite haunt is the local beach, along the shores of Lake Ontario.  Although the city has posted numerous signs disallowing dogs on the beach and in the water, as it is a popular beach destination during the summer months, we chose to turn a blind eye (signs? I didn't see any signs!).   It was a gloriously sunny morning.

Sawyer sniffed his way from the boardwalk, to the sandy beach and finally to the water's edge.  The first few times at the beach, he was in his glory eating the sand, cigarette butts, lake weeds and even fish carcasses.  Finally at 4-1/2 months old, he's developed a more discerning palate and now prefers to wait for his gourmet raw meat!

After our walk, trying to keep up to passersby on the boardwalk and dilly-dallying from one bush to another for almost one hour,  Sawyer had had enough.  He stubbornly planted himself smack-dab on the walkway for a little snooze.  However, after much coaxing (and treats), I finally convinced him to walk a mere few meters to the car.  Puppy is now sound asleep on the living room floor, no doubt dreaming about his next walk on the beach!

What's for lunch?

Our family tends to lean towards a healthy diet, consuming antibiotic & hormone-free meats, as well as organic fruit & veggies.  By no means was I going to make any compromises on Sawyer's food.  I did initially but his digestive track was NOT happy.  After much deliberation with our vet, other dog-owners and experts in the field of dog nutrition, a decision was made to switch Sawyer to a balanced diet comprising of raw meats & veggies.  A local BMD (Bernese Mountain Dog) breeder apparently feeds her dogs a raw meat diet and her dogs have lived up to 15 years of age - unheard of as most have a short life span ranging from 7-10 yrs.  Could the diet make a difference?  Time will tell.

Healthy Paws raw meat packages

Sawyer's been enjoying this diet for over two weeks and is thriving.  No more digestive issues, or smelly toots!  Based on his puppy weight, his breed and his parents' weight, he currently consumes 2 lbs of ground chicken, beef or turkey (with veggies, kelp & fish oil) per day!  Lunch time is a little delicacy referred to as fresh chicken spines which are comprised of cartilage, meat & fat.  Dogs have a much higher hydrochloric stomach acid allowing them to easily digest meat, bones & cartilage.

Sawyer is one happy little feller these days...

Raw chicken spines

Chomping away. 

What!  Is that it?!

Gee, thanks for that delicious lunch, mom! *smiling*

Bones are for the dogs

Sawyer was treated to his first raw beef bone (available from Healthy Paws) as a mid-day meal.   I opted to feed him in the backyard, as the thought of having raw meat gracing my floors was more than my stomach could handle!  Sawyer was deliriously happy when presented with this delicacy. At first he tentatively licked the bone.  After a few minutes, he proceeded to yank it away from me and park himself on his favorite piece of turf, savoring every morsel.  An hour later (I kid you not), he was still gnawing away.  Realizing that we had to rush off to puppy school, I managed to wrestle the bone away from him! WHEW!  No damage done to his ego, I think he's already forgotten about this experience!