Cabin Trip #3

Unbleached Green Tripe - Tripett

Tripett is unbleached 'green' tripe in a can. It has all the nutrients and enzymes from partially digested grasses in the beef, venison, or lamb's stomach.

It is everything missing from any pet diet, whether it be raw, homecooked, or commercial.

Instead of supplementing Lexi with powder enzymes, amino acids etc, I thought it would be best to supplement her diet with the next closest thing. Although Tripett is technically cooked because of the heat used in the canning process, all the beneficial nutrients are still retained.

Do keep in mind that green tripe does smell pretty bad, but Lexi and Wilson both loves it!

Ingredients: Beef Tripe, Water, Garlic, Vegetable Gum (for binding) Nice and simple!

Tripett is intended to be mixed with dry or raw food. Don’t think of it as a canned food to replace your current feeding program.

To find out more go to their website: www.tripett.com

You can buy online at PetFoodDirect $17.79 for 12 small 5.5 oz cans or try a sampler pack from SitStay.com $37.70 for 24 small 5.5 oz cans

Lexi Rates it: 5 Stars for yummy greens!
Mom Rates it: 5 Stars for super nutrients!

Store N Feed To Go

It's a cooler and feeder and bag all in one! Great for hikes, camping, or just romping in the park.

Big storage for food, water, toys and a nice 10 inch height for ideal raised feeding.

Let's pack it up and go somewhere mommy!

Available at Pampered Pet Mart for $26.95 plus shipping.

Lexi Rates it: 5 Stars for new picnic table
Mom Rates it: 5 Stars for all in one comfort and good price

Lexi & Wilson's Diet

I've had many people asking at parks and online what I feed Lexi and its definitely been a journey to find what is best for her individual needs and what my schedule and budget allowed.

This is a post on what and how I feed her now. Please keep in mind these are suggestions only and what works for one dog might not work for others.

However, Lexi has had many surgery and health problems since she was a puppy. Here is a list of what she went through:

Ear Crop - This was a cosmetic choice her breeder and I chose. I have many regrets but also appreciate the way she looks. I now think differently about ear cropping, although I can understand both options...I still say sorry to Lexi once in a while for making her go through unnecessary surgery when she had so much more to go through that I had not yet known. Ear crop done by Dr. Sophia Koster at Millstone Animal Hospital in Clarksburg, NJ.

Spay - This was a choice I made for her in regards to her health, temperament, and overpopulation of dogs.

Microchip Adverse Reaction - When HomeAgain chip was inserted she grew a small hump on the site. Inflamed tissue surrounded the chip and never went away. I wish I was told sooner about such reactions to the microchip. She's never leaves my side, she never needed the chip.

Xray & MRI - These were to find out the causes of her inability to walk without pain. Doctors thought it might be displaysia, disc problem, lyme disease etc. She had to be put under anasthesia each time for xrays. Finally, the MRI results were able to identify the wobblers.

Spine Surgery - A vertebrae had grown into her spinal cord which disabled her back legs from functioning. This is congenital disease also known as wobblers which is common in dobermans, great danes, dalmations etc.) She whined and yelped in pain with every step before she had surgery. She has fully recovered from her surgery by excellent Dr. Jason Berg at VCA in Yonkers and is an avid ball catching maniac!

Dew Claw torn off - This happened from playing ball. The dew claw had to be removed by surgery but the claw still grew back but crooked....

Chin Acne - More frequent washing and wiping chin after eating. No prescriptions worked and were unnecessary.

Hair Loss - This was due to surgery and to much chemical medications and rubbing off of hard surfaces. Fish oil, bathing, and Eqyss shampoo helped a lot of the regrowth.

Ok, so after all that how could I not research the best foods?
This is what Lexi and Wilson eats and their coats are gleaming and their stools are perfection!

Morning Meal:

1 Boiled Chicken Leg Quarter & 1 Boiled Drumstick
(fat trimmed)
1 Scoop of Pumpkin (for Vitamin A and fiber - optional, could also use Baby food vegetables)
1 Garlic clove (mashed, to fight off bugs)
1 Tbl of Apple Cider Vinegar (for trace minerals and fight bacteria)
1 Scoop of brown rice steamed in Chicken Broth (optional for when chicken is smaller amt)

Evening Meal:

3/4 lb Boiled Beef (usually Chuck Roast or sale items fat trimmed, ground for easy digestion)
1/2 Can of Tripett
1 Scoop of ground Anchovy ($5.99/8 0z at asian grocery)
Supplement with one of following -

Glucosamine, Shark Cartilage, Omega Oils, Taurine (rotation)

Frozen Raw Meals:

1 Cornish Hen or 1 Steak with Marrow Bone

Frozen Raw Snacks:
Marrow Bone
Pig Neck
Pig Back
Pork Ribs
Beef Ribs
Tendon

**Make sure to clean surfaces and mouths and chins after raw feeding. I use vinegar + water for the vinyl tablecloth - chemicals could be harmful**



Commerical Snacks:

Wellness Whitefish Kibble
Wellness Yogurt Bars
Dogswell Chicken Jerky
Organix Chicken/Cheese Biscuits

Commerical Food for No-Time-To-Cook-Days:

Nature's Variety Can Food
Evo Can Food
Tripett (Supplement feeding only)

To feed home-cooked you will need to hunt for cheap meats by looking at the per/lb price.
I find America's Choice chicken family packs at A&P for as low as 69 cents/lb. Thats so much cheaper than premium can foods and so much better for them. You can also feed the chicken raw, but Lexi preferred boiled. I always have fresh chicken broth from boiling their chicken everyday! You can boil brown rice in the broth to give them back the nutrients.

I bought a chest freezer to accommodate their meats that I pack in ziplock bags. In the morning or at night, I just defrost one of the meal bags in the microwave and boil. Once its boiled I rinse off in cool water and debone the chicken in the morning, and grind the beef at night.


I then add the other goodies like pumpkin, anchovy, garlic, brown rice, any healthy leftovers, and supplements like glucosamine, omega oils, or taurine, mix it all up and serve. They love it, and once you get the routine going its just clockwork. Its actually cheaper than commercial food and they are so very healthy and energetic!

Cool Bed III

The Cool Bed III is a great way to keep dogs cool in the summer. It's Cool Core foam absorbs the water and has great squishy feeling even better than memory foam, which can be beneficial to dogs with achy joints, arthritis, or surgery.

Lexi had cervical surgery when she 11mths old and her elbows were always getting rubbed raw on hard surfaces. Whenever it's hot she likes to lie down on the cool bed and she stops panting soon. It was so comfortable, inexpensive, and easy to clean I bought another one for Wilson too~

I did purchase the optional linen cover, but I recommend you do not because the fabric is not good quality and seem itchy and rough even after washing.

Putting the water in (red valve above) and squeezing out the air (2nd smaller red valve not shown) in the beginning was in fact quite a challenge to get the right level of comfort, and be aware that the bed gets very heavy with all the water inside so transporting the bed from place to place is not easy. Also the water should be replaced once every couple months to prevent mold.

I brought the garden hose in through the patio door and filled it with water. When expelling excess water and air I had the corner of the bed sticking out the patio door. If the foam folds inside, just smooth it out by lifting it up to get it flat again.

All in all, the bed does keep the dogs cool, (even humans!) comfortable, and its very easy to wipe clean. You can purchase a large bed (32"x44") at CozyWinters.com for $37.95 with Free Shipping over $75 purchase. This was the best deal I found on the internet.

Lexi Rates it: 5 Stars for extreme comfort and cooling.
Mom Rates it: 4 Stars for coolness without electricity or chemical. It is very heavy though...

Light Up Bouncy Balls

These bouncy balls are so cute and inexpensive. Lexi plays with them all day and its great to use at night in the park. They flash once they hit the ground for a couple seconds and then stops flashing automatically. It's very cute to see the flashing ball in Lexi's mouth, she looks like she's gone clubbing!

Lexi was able to puncture the ball, but they regained their shape once I rolled it around in my hand. The LED and battery is safely secured around a rubber button but chewing can make this part come off.

Lexi doesn't chew on the ball enough for it to fall apart. She loses interest if the ball isn't bouncing or being thrown. Excellent inexpensive light up ball for non-ball chewers and supervised play!

You can purchase it wholesale only for 24 balls minimum at $1.39 each (Total $33.36 plus shipping) at FlashingBlinky Lights.com

*Please supervise your dog while playing with this ball because the ball and parts are small enough to swallow*

Lexi Rates it: 5 Stars for nightime fun!
Mom Rates it: 3 Stars for wholesale only purchase and safety concerns

*Spring Snapshots*

Trendy Pet Feeder

Trendy Pet's raised feeder is very well made and simple in design. They carry many sizes and number of bowls per feeder. Lexi has been using it since June 2007 and still very sturdy.
Only problem is the bowl clangs against the feeder when they eat, so just stick on some foam or raised dot stickers on the feeder station itself to remove the annoying noise.

FYI: The personalized mats are available in different colors at Orvis.com

Lexi Rates it: 5 Stars for ideal eating height
Mom Rates it: 3 Stars for clanging noise and a lil too expensive ($96.99 + Shipping)

Spring is Here

WILSON - Lexi's New Lil' Brother

Wilson was brought over to New Jersey from a high-kill shelter in Georgia by a kind hearted vet and the Doggie Dog World Rescue group.

They say he is a husky shepherd mix, but we think he's an Akita Labrador mix. We purchased a DNA kit from Biopet to determine his background.

He's grown almost twice his size in a week, and Lexi just loves him.
So does Leo (the cat)...sometimes....

Lexi Rates him: 4 Stars cuz' he's chewable and fiesty! (lil' jealous of the attention mom gives him)
Mom Rates him: N/A Stars cuz he's uncalculable? He stills needs potty training....aaaarrrgh

Buttermilk Falls - West Nyack, NY

Lexi & Wilson had a great time at Buttermilk Falls in West Nyack, NY
Here's the address: http://www.co.rockland.ny.us/environ/county/buttermilk.htm
(Keep in mind, there are signs saying dogs must be leashed)

Lexi Rates it: 5 Stars for good ol' wild dog time~!
Mom Rates it: 5 Stars for breathtaking scenery

Winter Fun

Winter at Bear Mountain, NY & Dana's Cabin in Franklin, NY

Doberman to Afghan Hound

You don't need a full costume to transform your dobie this halloween. Just get a wig from any party city and you got yourself a whole new breed~ hahaha!!!

Lexi Rates it: 1 Star for making amusing mom
Mom Ratesit: 4 Stars just for fun~ hehehe

Larchmont Beach, NY

Larchmont Beach is only 30 minutes from Manhattan

This small beach is off-leash for dogs all year round

A great way to get those big paws wet!

Make sure to check when the tide comes in

Beautiful scenery, neighborhood, and friendly dogs

Great way to spend an afternoon together with your dog!

Pros: Off-leash all year round!
Cons: No fence, so be sure of recall command

Lexi Rates it: 5 Stars for sand between toes~
Mom Rates it: 5 Stars for great alternative off-leash activity

Bear Mountain, NY

Bear Mountain is only about 40 mins from NYC

but the scenery will make you feel like you've traveled far

wonderful fresh mountain breeze and little paths to follow

Lexi becomes very in tune with all the sights & sounds~

and enjoys walking through the 'secret garden' like paths

Don't forget the treats and water!

We go all year long - spring, summer, fall, and even winter!

and we also like to go with friends!
Lexi's girlfriends: Legs & Pinky

Definitely Lexi's favorite places to go *WINNER*!!!

Directions from NYC:
Take Westside Hwy, cross GW bridge stay on right lane to merge onto Palisades Pkwy North. Take Palisades Pkwy to Exit 19. For more info visit: http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkID=55

Pros: Great exercise and beautiful scenery
Cons: Lots of bugs and unofficial* off-leashing.....

*Please respect wildlife & other hikers. Make sure your dog is super efficient with recall command. Pets are not to chase or harm wildlife and please don't litter.

Lexi Rates it: 5 Stars for awesome hike!
Mom Rates: 5 Stars for perfect weekend activity~

Lexi's 2 yr Birthday Party!

~How to throw a Doggy Birthday Party~

1. Make some party bags with healthy treats, and have a injury waiver sign form ready along with a first aid kit for both humans and pets.


2. Start making some yummy treats~


3. Bake a hamburger cake - Ground beef, egg, tofu mix to bind. Use can food for layering/icing. Use cheese and ham for sandwich effect.


4. Garnish with ham, cheese, sausage slices, treats, and write with thick bbq sauce




5. Use cookie cutters to make fun shapes with low sodium spam, and jelly-like can food like Caesar - Aw come on! Once in a while its okay~


6. Invite some cool friends


7. Dress up real snazzy~


8. Do some paw printing with washable non-toxic children's paint!


9. Agility is fun too!!!


10. And of course~ EAT EAT EAT!!!!!!!!


For more images check out our Doberman Group here: http://doberman.meetup.com/113

Pros: Lots of fun and eating!!!
Cons: Lexi can't read the bday cards~

Lexi Rates it: 5 Stars for CAKE, friends, and more CAKE!!!
Mom Rates it: 5 Stars for tons of fun~*

Prong Collar

So a lot of people think this is a torture device, but actually the prong collar is very effective when used correctly. If your dog pulls on the leash, gently and quickly snap at your wrist and the pressure of the prongs and clicking sound of metal will correct the pace.

The most popular mistake is pulling the dog along while its choking on the prongs...then yes, it becomes a torture device. Also be sure to clip the leash on the 'D' ring so the prongs will release after the correction.

This collar is more humane than the 'choke' collar, because it doesn't pinch their skin and pull out hair, but relies on the method of pressure - the same way a mother dog will pick up pups with their mouths and therefore creating leadership.

Lexi doesn't even need correction on this collar anymore, just by putting it on she knows it means loose lash walking (until she sees a rabbit...)

Pros: Inexpensive, very effective
Cons: Easy to use incorrectly, people criticism

Lexi Rates it: 3 Stars for controlled happy walking~
Mom Rates it: 4 Stars for effectiveness

First Choice Naturals 4 in 1 Probiotics

First Choice Natural's 4 in 1 Probiotics is a great supplement to strengthen your pet's digestive health. Recommended for pets with sensitive stomachs, prone to diarrhea, and allergies. Picky eaters may not like it, but when mixed with can food, Lexi chomps down in ignorant bliss~

I like how they give you a scoop to easily measure and sprinkle on food!

Pros: Good for sensitive stomach, tasteless when mixed
Cons: None

Lexi Rates it: 3 Stars because she can't even taste it
Mom Rates it: 4 Stars for keeping Lexi's tummy healthy : )

Lotus Elise

The Lotus Elise, a British made street legal mid-engine, 2-passenger roadster

After a loud & uncomfortable experience when she was just a pup

Lexi is now terrified of this car

and refuses to go in

till the end!

Completely rejected by Lexi~

Pros: Major pimp factor, superior handling
Cons: Uncomfortable, loud, bumpy ride

Lexi Rates it: 0 Stars Period.
Mom Rates it: 4 Stars for best joyride a street legal car can provide!

Catskills Cabin Retreat

A beautiful dog-friendly log cabin retreat in the Catskills~

Lexi enjoyed guarding us from nature's surprises

and relaxing in the cozy atmosphere~

Honing her true working dog instincts