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The dog that was a big part of my childhood (got him when I was 10 and he lived 15 years) was fed by my parents. He pretty much ate the same things as your dog, Karen.....dry food, mixed with canned occasionally for a treat and lots of table scraps. I can remember my mom scraping anything off our plates at dinner time that wasn't enough to save for a leftover. He wasn't overweight either, believe it or not!
Okay, now that I think about it, whenever we cook a tenderloin, Freddy and TJ get to take turns w/ the bone. We give it to Freddy first, because once TJ gets a hold of it, he goes and hids it. Then, a couple months later, he'll bring the rotten, dirt-covered thing into the house and give it back to me or Freddy. And, seeing that Fred's pure dog, he takes it back and enjoys it as if it were fresh out of the oven. http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/rolleyes.gif
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~~~A House Is Not a Home Without a Dog~~~
I let my puppy Lindy, lick my plate. It's what dogs are for, right? Living vacuum cleaners. http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/biggrin.gif
I wanted to give Graham the BARF diet, I have researched it quite a bit and it is what I would prefer to keep him on, however, it's so hard to travel with that kind of diet. I do some camping and general traveling and sometimes I am nowhere near a fridge to store the raw foods/meats, or if I happen to leave him with a friend to babysit it's alot to ask to prepare such an extensive food. The two only reasons I don't have Graham on the BARF diet is convienience, and I am not comfortable handling meats on a regular basis. I have not eaten/prepaired meat in almost 8 years and because of that I get rather grossed out at the way meat/blood feels, looks and smells. I will feed Graham some organic raw meats, including raw free-range chicken wings and raw beef covered bones on occation but my hubby can't stand having meats in the fridge so I always try not to keep any meats in the fridge. I will usually buy a bone or two every time I go to the whole foods store.
And the subject of animals eating off my plate: Sure, I have no problem with it, depending on what we are eating that night. I love spicy food and I like to make spicy dinners, and that's not something the animals should be eating (in my opinion). The dogs have shared steamed veggies, brown rices, legumes, vegetable salads (but only with light dressings),fruit salads (but not a favorite of theirs) and non spicy pastas but I strongly believe the dry food I buy them is way above average and the supplements I give them compensate for the lack of regular raw foods. Dog food debates will forever go on, but I have never felt this positive about the diet I have had my dogs on, and I have never had dogs with such perfect coats, and so free of health issues (well Graham is super healthy and sound, Cassie is not as healthy, but I think it may be a pug thing). Graham gets complements almost daily on how gorgous his coat is, and the vet is impressed with how fast he heals. The food that I keep Graham on is going to increase his life span, it has already done wonderful things for his overall health, energy level, coat, eyes, joints, teeth and so on.
I think once I get a house I am going to get my mom to start Cassie on California Natural, since it's supposed to be better for dogs with allergies, but Graham will always be on his Innova diet with supplements and an occational raw meat treat, and of course, he can share my vegetarian meals with me and he can eat them right off of my plate http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif. Heck, I kiss his nose, I already have his cooties http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif And becides, he will help wash off the dish before I put it in the dishwasher.
Leslie...I have heard the BARF diet mentioned before here on Pet Talk and I don't know what it is. Help! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/redface.gif
[This message has been edited by Pam (edited June 05, 2001).]
Pam,
BARF stands for Bons And Raw Food. It consists of all things raw, meats, veggies and stuff. It's supposed to be wonderful for dogs, the best diet to keep them on but I am sure there are many who would debate it http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif
Thanks for the tip. I learn so much here. http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif
Since the discussion has migrated to how long dogs live and what they eat, I will mention Freckles. Freckles was one of my dog Bailey's seven puppies (a cockapoo mix). Her folks fed her Pedigree dog food (canned) and she lived 17 years, 84 days. She died yesterday.
Rachel I am sorry to hear about Freckles. At least she had a nice long life.
So sorry about Freckles!
Killian and Shiloh get leftovers every day. Well, most of the time they're not leftovers, we make extra for them! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/biggrin.gif
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