Ta Dah!!

Ok, I did it - which makes me one of those insane dog people I know, but I did it. I made Apache his own special home made dog biscuits. After all the money I've spent on 'natural' treats, only to find out they weren't natural, it was my only real option!

They smell fantastic, and are completely safe for people (since I know everything in them). No major protein, since he's allergic to most of it. It's a large can of pumpkin, 1 c applesauce, 2 t cinnamon, 2 t ginger, 2t nutmeg, 1 1/2 c rice flour (for his sensitive little stomach), 2 eggs, 1 c oatmeal, 1/4 c yogurt, 1 t baking soda, & a dash of baking powder (although I'm not sure why, they don't really rise) - throw all ingredients together and beat until completely mixed. Plop them down on a baking sheet (if you want to try and shape them into something, knock yourself out), cook at 325 for about 30 minutes, then turn the oven down to 300, and bake until they dry out. It's kind of like making biscotti (you can cook a thin layer in a cake pan, then dump out and cut up to throw back in to dry if you want too). The dogs LOVE them, it makes a lot, but they don't last that long. The house smells pretty good too (unlike the whole liver brownie thing). The rice flour my mother found on a clearance rack somewhere, but I guess I'll need to locate more soon. It seems to dry the bones out really well (I don't think I'd bake regular cookies with it - it's too fine). I'd imagine that they're fine for human consumption, but I make mine VERY VERY hard, and my dentist would kill me for trying them. They work really well in the Kongs, since they don't really break that easily. They even keep Cheyenne busy, and she's a MASTER at busting stuff out of the Kongs!

Anyway, Apache remains in remission (hooray), Chip is still a wild man, Cheyenne is still moving before I can say a command, everything is pretty normal. Since Apache's in remission, he's doing the Solid Gold dog food, with suppliments prescribed and made up. I'm happy they're all just annoying & healthy!

On a slightly personal note, I had my 4th private training session with a Shar Pei client (ok, the owner's my client). The dog is improving by leaps and bounds. She had aggression problems with people and other animals (the dog, not the owner), and we've been working on it alot. She's still not thrilled with other animals, but they seem to be working as a team, and the dog is starting to trust the handler YAY!! I asked the owner if she was pleased as she was leaving, and she said it was the best money she had ever spent...that's pretty rewarding for me. We're not done, in fact just beginning, but the improvement is obvious & makes the owner happy/gives her confidence, which is key. I think everyone should have a dog they can live with & enjoy, plus I think training helps the dog so much.