Much-belated 2nd Birthday

Sawyer's 2nd birthday (way back in May) was less eventful than his first, having said that, he WAS treated to a doggie cone courtesy of Mel and it was paw-lickin' good!  Then he was reluctantly made to wear a ridiculous hat & sunglasses...sheesh.

 For dinner he was presented with a platter of fresh wabbit, pardon me,  RABBIT!  One of our local grocery stores carries cleaned rabbits for human consumption.  We hoped Sawyer would find pleasure in this treat.  He managed to eagerly eat half the rabbit.  All was well until later in the evening....we found a puddle of partially digested bunny on our floor, YUK.  That's what happens on birthdays...too much cake or bunny in this case and someone gets a belly ache!

Rack of Lamb Anyone?

Recently, hubby treated himself to a spanking new Weber Genesis gas barbecue.  Our old bbq of 15 years (another well loved Weber grill) stood up to the test of time but after several parts replacements & numerous cleanings, it was time to lay that grill to rest, at our local metal recycling depot of course.

When it comes to outdoor grilling, Sawyer never misses an opportunity to spend time with his "dad", so as usual when the new grill was being "test driven", laden with lemon/garlic marinated chicken breasts and an herb-marinated rack of lamb, Sawyer offered to step in as Warren's sous-chef!  The scent of the grilled meat wafted to our neighbours yard, attracting the lovely Bella who sat patiently at the fence line...sorry Bella & Sawyer, this dinner too good for dogs!

(Bella) 

(Please, Dad, I've been a good boy...)

St. Paddy's Day Outing

I know, I know, three blogs in one week you say?!!

Sawyer took his Mom & Dad out for a late afternoon walk through downtown Burlington to check out the St. Patricks' day festivities.  It was a sea of green...green costumes, green hair,  leprechauns & celtic dancers and lots of green beer.  The outdoor pubs (The Poacher, The Dickens and the Queens' Head) were brimming with activity and much alcohol consumption.  We found the perfect patio setting for dogs at the Queens' Head with a two-tiered patio.  Mom had to try a green beer ,so a Keith's on-tap it was, while Dad had a classic Guiness.  The wait staff were easily distracted by our gorgeous Sawyer, stopping in between customers to pet him.  Sawyer was in his glory.

Sawyer's parental units settled on a light dinner of Potato Guiness Soup with Soda Bread and a decadent Steak & Kidney Pie with Pea Sprouts on the side.  Sawyer agreed that the Steak & Kidney was do drool over!

Our lovely waitress petting Sawyer 

Mom really enjoying her green brew

Delicious Queens' Head Dinner

Cake for Grandpa's 80th

In preparation for my father's 80th birthday party, baking his favorite chocolate mocha cake was my responsibility.   MJ assembled the ingredients: melted dark chocolate, sour cream, flour, creamed butter and loads of white sugar.  Sawyer kept us company in the kitchen,  acting as our personal food tester, floor sweeper, and butter snatcher.

Yes, when we turned our backs,  Sawyer swiftly managed to lick the butter dish.  No worries folks, we discarded any trace of the remaining butter before it ended up on someone's morning toast.

Cake came out of the oven and we promptly placed it on the cooling rack, on top of the fridge.

 Most of you ladies will understand the concept of multi-tasking: I rested the cakes on the back counter with the intention of removing them from the pans but between preparing a photo collage for the party, making a card and sneaking in a nap, I completely forgot about the cakes....then I heard an explosive outbursts from MJ, "SAWYER! WHAT DID YOU DO? OMG!!"  Well, so much for the nap, I ran into the kitchen to find Sawyer sheepishly looking at us, while MJ pointed to the cakes.

Sawyer managed to reach the cake and scarfed down the spongy, tender centre of the cake.  No part of this cake could be salvaged. We now know Sawyer loves chocolate mocha cake as much as Grandpa does!  We felt defeated and so did Sawyer...

 Having run out of the key ingredients to bake another cake, I desperately scrounged the pantry for a cake mix...BINGO!  A box of gluten-free chocolate cake mix - not quite the same caliber as my homemade cake but it would pass for a "real" cake....almost.

 Once baked, the g-free cakes resembled burnt pancakes. Such was my luck that day.  However, nothing a hefty load of butter icing couldn't cover up! Tadda...

Folks, that was the tip of the iceberg... later, while leaving Sawyer unattended again to do some other household chores, I returned to find my apron and a powdery substance on the floor.  Pondering, I was racking my brain to determine what I had left out and sure enough the light bulb went on:  BAKING SODA BOX!  Oh, where was the box?  I had stored the flour safely away but couldn't find the new box of No-name baking soda.....until I looked over to "Sawyer's" couch....there was the evidence on my lovely black leather couch....OH SAWYER! He managed to drag the box to his couch, without leaving a trail from the kitchen to the living room.  Thankfully, the contents were not to his liking and proceeded to leave it there for me to clean up...sigh

Between those two incidents, having eaten a 1/4 cup of butter in the foil, and his hole-digging antics in the backyard, I was ready to park him on the front porch with a sign saying:  "FREE TO A GOOD HOME".....kidding!

Yogurt

Sawyer survived the Holidays with flying colours.  Although we forfeited the natural Christmas tree this year,  the table-top version suited us just fine in light of the addition of a new puppy.  Until Sawyer-Monkey knows not to break off branches and gnaw on the bark, the table-top will remain.   I can just imagine a dissected natural Christmas tree, strewn about the house, broken keepsake ornaments in pieces or better yet, ingested by Sawyer....something out of a horror flick!

Anyways, a few days ago, we treated 'Monkey' (MJ's new nickname) to an empty yogurt container.  Only the best for our boy, as he enjoyed licking the inside of an Organic Meadows No Fat Plain Yogurt  container (no, this is not an infomercial but one of my favorite natural yogurts!)   It was entertaining to watch him get every last drop.  The game ended when 'Monkey' decided to shred the container to bite-size pieces...not a recommended dog treat!

(hope this isn't a permanent fixture)

(Hmm, if only I could reach that last drop on my snout)

(this is exhausting work!)

Farewell 2010, Greetings 2011!

Another year comes to a close yet...a time to reflect....but I'll spare you all those details.

Sawyer's mom spent the last day of 2010 in the company of dear high school friends, savouring a delicious breakfast of mandarin mimosas, croissants & gluten-free bread with a variety of pates & preserves...yum.  TJ & MJ were enjoying one last sleep-in, building up their energy for a full-out evening of partying & toasting in the New Year, and hubby was kindly minding Sawyer while the Henkell Trocken was chilling in the fridge.

Later that afternoon, Sawyer was treated to another hike with his buddy Hurley on the Bruce Trail.  Although we were blessed with a balmy 10C weather, the previously snowy trails were transformed into a quagmire of muck & decomposing organic matter.  This did not deter the 'boys' - they had a blast tearing up and down the trails (off leash might I add) kicking up as much mud as one can imagine.  On occasion they both stopped dead in their tracks to assure themselves that SC and I hadn't gotten lost along the way, then proceeded to explore further on.   

An hour later, all four of us were covered head to toe/tail in mud. 

(one dirty dog)

The dogs seemed to have unlimited levels of energy.  Reluctantly, we parted ways and wished each other a happy new year.  Sawyer had to be bribed with a treat to hop in the car and once again to exit the car upon arrival at home. 

(Refusing to budge)

Once out, he sauntered up the steps and assumed his favorite position on the porch for a power nap.    

 ....Later that evening after a night of partying, Sawyer the Berner finally settled for a dream-filled sleep, while we rang in the New Year.  (ok you animal activists, no harm was done to Sawyer, nor was he forced to drink this wine...  but really, I couldn't resist the opportunity for this photo op!)

Happy New Year to all our family, friends and acquaintances!

First Christmas

Sawyer's first Christmas was full of excitement, treats and delight!  It all started with a 6:30 am wake up call, followed by a delicious breakfast and a refreshing walk.  That just wasn't enough for Sawyer-Doodles, he felt compelled to share his Christmas joy with the remaining sleeping family members.  MJ was a great trooper getting up at the crack of dawn, followed by Mom and TJ trailing behind.

The festivities began with fresh berry salad, yogurt and orange juice.  Papa prepared a delicious pot of fair-trade coffee, with a generous shot of mocha-flavoured Kahlua... nice little kick-start to the day!   With a little food in our bellies, we proceeded to the gift-giving.  MJ's strategy of giving Sawyer his gift  first ( scrumptious doggy candy cane) bought us some time to open our gifts and to put on our goofiest faces.

Although we did not share our delicious eggs Benedict (accompanied with Brie, bacon & asparagus) with Sawyer, he did find a way to find a few delicious morsels on the counter.  Sawyer is, nonetheless, a very clever and resourceful dog and will most certainly never go hungry in our household!

From Sawyer and his faithful & loving family, we wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND JOYEUX NOEL A TOUS!

Tap Dancing with a Pear

After a full morning playing in the backyard, I gave him a special treat - a fresh pear... not just any pear but an organic Bosch pear.  (this dog has a better diet than many humans!)  He usually devours this delicacy but for some reason he seemed quite fascinated swatting it over the hardwood flooring.  I decided to video tape his interaction with the pear.  Check it out.... by the way, he did manage to consume his treat in the end!

Mon petit gourmand

Take a moment to view the following photos... 

What do they have in common you say?  How do they relate to Sawyer??  Well, yes, they are all gluten-free and most definitely edible.  Lately these are foods, carefully prepared by hubby and I, were graciously enjoyed by our lovely Sawyer.    Ahh-haa, yup, this puppy is quick as lightening when it comes to unsupervised food on the counter or dining room table.  He has managed to gobble down a lovely whole roasted head of garlic laden with butter (and he stunk afterwards), half a banana WITH peel attached, THREE (not ONE) but THREE gluten-free muffins and a failed attempt at a roasted leg of lamb, which hubby rescued in the nick of time.  

We do love ya Sawyer...

RMB diet for dogs... and cats too!

Thought we would share some RMB (raw meaty bones) guidelines for dogs & cats, as recommended by Dr. Tom  Lonsdale, Veterinary Surgeon in Australia.  

 Natural foods suitable for pet carnivores 

Raw meaty bones 

• Chicken and turkey carcasses, after the meat has been removed for human consumption, are suitable for dogs and cats. 

• Poultry by-products include: heads, feet, necks and wings. 

• Whole fish and fish heads. 

• Goat, sheep, calf, deer and kangaroo carcasses can be sawn into large pieces of meat and bone. 

• Other by-products include: pigs’ trotters, pigs’ heads, sheep heads, brisket, tail bones, rib bones. 

Whole carcasses 

• Rats, mice, rabbits, fish, chickens, quail, hens. 

Offal 

• Liver, lungs, trachea, hearts, omasums (stomach of ruminants), tripe. 

(photo courtesy of Moesmeats.com)

Things to avoid 

•Excessive meat off the bone — not balanced. 

•Excessive vegetables — not balanced. 

•Small pieces of bone — can be swallowed whole and get stuck. 

•Cooked bones — get stuck. 

•Mineral and vitamin additives — create imbalance. 

•Processed food — leads to dental and other diseases. 

•Excessive starchy food — associated with bloat. 

•Onions, garlic and chocolate — toxic to pets. 

•Grapes, raisins, sultanas, currants — toxic to pets.  

•Fruit stones (pits) and corn cobs — get stuck. 

•Milk — associated with diarrhoea. Animals drink it whether thirsty or not and consequently get fat. Milk sludge sticks to teeth and gums. 

DID YOU KNOW?:  Raw food for cats should always be fresh. Dogs can consume ‘ripe’ food and will sometimes bury bones for later consumption. 

Bag-o-Bones

Decided to post more pics of Sawyer, gnawing away at yet another raw food product called Bag-o-Bones from Northern Naturals .  We were advised by our pet store to carefully watch him while he was feasting, to discourage him from dragging a raw bone all over the house, or worse stashing it somewhere "safe" (dog have a natural tendency to want to bury bones)!  We chose to feed him outside in our backyard, with supervision of course **!


This beef knuckle is part of a raw food product line provided by Northern Naturals  and available at our favorite pet food store, Bones Pet Boutique  (sorry, don't mean to sound like an infomercial but am a huge fan of raw for dogs). Raw bones help in maintaining dogs' teeth, by removing plaque, thus eliminating the need for brushing.   A half-hour session with the bone is plenty for the first few times, approximately once or twice a week.  The bone can be repackaged and refrozen for later.

This is a super treat for dogs and tires them out easily!
**(Warning:  Please watch your pet when giving raw bones - like anything, there is always a risk of choking.)

Half hour later....one tired dog!