It's coming.....

That time of year, get the custom orders in now, because I am already getting backed up. 

The Magic Sleigh

 My cut off date for Christmas is approaching, and I may have to make it sooner depending on the amount of orders I have

.

Currently

26 open orders, all but 7 are sculpted and awaiting kiln firings...

guess which one I am....

Making Gingerbread Cookies

I thought I would show how I make the tiny cookies for my creations, just for fun!

close up

This is what they look like completed, glazed and fired....

This is only a test....

 I am testing out some new designs for this year, starting to go in my shop now in a few breeds.

I do love to create new designs, and going on my love for pets, with a healthy dose of humor....

First, Pups with Snowman toy, still deciding if the scarf should be in mouth or not.....

 

Another design, 

with Wreath and red bow, I like it on the head, 

kinda like the Puppy got into the wreath,.... 

Feel free to comment, like, don't like, or any design you would love to see!

I am always open to suggestions.

Adorable!

Post by 標準型貴賓狗哈樂 Standard Poodle Halo.

Homemade Food for Diabetic Dogs

Since my dog, Kira has become diabetic, I have spent much time on forums and discussing with Vets and Veterinary nutritionists on her diet, which is a very low carb, high protein, high fiber diet. 

I am attempting to get some weight on her, so adding additional proteins to her her food, and feeding several times a day, small snacks, like mozzarella string cheese, dried salmon treats, with no additional ingredients (had to search high and low for that).  Her main meals are twice a day, 10 hours apart, followed by her insulin injections. The food that the Vets want to use on her had the worst ingredients I have seen in some dog food, I felt like I would be feeding her trash! I have made dog food in the past and have always supplements my dogs diet with some home made ingredients to add to their kibble.  Now I see I will be doing this on a new level. 

I am still unsure about raw diets, although I have many friends who swear by them. Kira, my Siberian Husky is 12 years old, but the raw is not working well for her at all. I have tried many times with several different methods,and within a few minutes, dinner comes back out... no need to say more on that....

1. Ask your vet first. My personal Vet don't like the idea of homemade diets and would prefer to use their expensive, name brand, diets. Go to your vet well prepared with a list of information about why a homemade diet will work best for you and your dog. Always be sure to inform your vet of your dog's new diet and ask for suggestions. Home testing your dog's blood glucose is a great tool when starting your dog on a homemade diet. All dogs react differently to diets and it is very important to know your dog's reactions to different ingredients.
2. You will need a good multi vitamin to add to your homemade food. Make sure you understand your dogs nutrition requirements and that your new homemade diet will supply their needs. Kira can't take her Dasequin  (glucosamine) -any more  because of the interaction with the insulin, although I highly recommend it for any older dog who can take it, my older Border Collie is doing wonderfully on it! Make sure that none of the ingredients will interfere with the insulin. 
3. Protein- Main ingredient for Kira, is Fish or chicken.  She does not tolerate beef well for some reason. I add eggs a couple of days a week. She does get cheese once a day, but in the form of a low fat string cheese. 
4. Vegetables- Right now, using mostly green beans.                                                        Please Note:  A dog cannot digest vegetables, so you must grind them up in a food processor or blender.        I did not know this and found that dogs do not digest them whole, they just pass right on through...thank you to my raw diet friends! No fruit for her just yet.
5. Fiber- Right now I am slowly adding carbs into her diet, as many of them break down in the digestive track and make a form of glucose. Until we have her completely stabilized, I am trying to keep them at a minimum, so I am using mostly beans, again processed in a blender for her fiber and carbs.

From http://caninesupportgroup.com/homemade_diets.htm

1. 
   
   

   Protein Source
   Chicken Breast	4 oz	120
   Turkey Breast	3 oz	88
   Beef 80%	3 oz	231
   Salmon	3 oz	180

2. 
   

   Fruit or Vegetable		Serving Size	Calories
   Green Beans	1 cup	41	15
   Broccoli	1 cup	35	15
   Pumpkin canned	1 cup	83	6
   Summer Squash	1 cup	20	15
   Cucumber	½ cup	7	15
   Apple	1 med. Skin on	72	38
   Pear	1 med skin on	98	38

3. 
   

   Grain	Serving Size	Calories	Glycemic Index *
   White Rice	½ cup	133	72
   Brown Rice	½ cup	110	51
   Oatmeal	1 cup	166	49
   Steel Oats	¼ cup	150
   Barley

Disclaimer: The following recipes are used by owners of diabetic pets.  They may not be appropriate for your pet, and any change in your pet's diet should be done under the supervision of a veterinarian. If you are interested in home cooking, these recipes can be a source of information for you and may help you discuss ideas for your pet's diet with your vet.  

 

Diabetic Dog Treats

Original recipe makes 2 pounds

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

2 eggs

1 1/2 pounds beef liver, cut into pieces

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 10x15 inch jellyroll pan with parchment paper.
2. Place the liver into a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. If you have room, add the flour and eggs, and process until smooth. Otherwise, transfer to a bowl, and stir in the flour and eggs using a wooden spoon. Spread evenly in the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the center is firm. Cool, and cut into squares using a pizza cutter. The treats will have a consistency similar to a sponge. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

Homemade Dog Food for Diabetic Dogs

5 cups raw rolled oats (or 10 cups cooked oatmeal)

2 pounds (4 cups) raw lean ground beef, chopped chicken or turkey
12 hard boiled eggs with shells, crushed
1 cup cooked vegetables such as green beans (may be omitted occasionally)
1-2 cloves garlic, crushed or minced (optional)


Web Resources
There are more home cooking recipes on the Canine Diabetes website.
Nutritional composition chart of some commonly used foods.

Canine Support Group
http://caninesupportgroup.com/homemade_diets.htm

Books
Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats. Richard H. Pitcairn, Susan Hubble Pitcairn. 1995.  An A-to-Z encyclopedia of common pet ailments and their treatments also features tips on a do-it-yourself pet checkup, recipes for healthier food, sources of herbal and homeopathic supplies, and more.

Kira, The BeaWootiful Update

For those of you who are following the trials and tribulations of my beautiful dog, some new updates!

 

 For those of you new to the BeaWootiful Kira, she is a 12 year old Siberian Husky, with seizures, and now diabetes. 

We have the diabetes under control, with diet and twice daily insulin injections. She did develop a couple of growths on her, which the vet suspects to be a viral papilloma. One was bothering her on her rear paw, and Saturday had to be removed, due to pain. 

The next couple of days were tough, but hopefully she is coming through it.

We are still trying to get her weight back up to normal, she need to gain at least 8 lbs, right now she is just fur and bone.

You can see in her picture, taken this morning, that she had to have the fur on her legs shaved, There is a little tiny dog under that fur!

"Designer" Dogs

While the sun is shining, here in sunny Florida, and spring is in the air, I have noticed a trend in the air that is not pollen.More and more of my customers online and at dog training classes have the mixed breed "designer" dogs.

Some are great, but I have many concerns of breeding dogs for money, and the pet shop atmosphere of puppy mills and backyard breeders making dollars off of these mixed breed dogs! There are benefits to mixed breed dogs, especially less genetic defects. But other problems are still there. Poodle-mixes are touted as hypoallergenic, but breeders and scientists warn that only some puppies from each litter are indeed hypoallergenic! In that case, do families dump the poor puppy at a shelter, after discovering that their child is allergic to the dog?

In some cases, a mixed breed dog can inherit the worst physical and temperament traits of both parents. There are bad breeders on BOTH sides. Which is why education of the dog buying population is key. Whether or not you choose a purebred dog or a "designer" hybrid mix, do your homework and research this subject thoroughly. Please remember that adopting a dog should be a life long commitment and not something that should be taken lightly.

January

Well, its finally over, the Christmas rush.

The last of the orders are in the kiln, taking a long time to dry with the cold weather us Floridians are not too used to...

One small disaster,

*note to self*, do NOT fire the kiln even though you think they have all dried without double checking....

I have not done that in a couple of years, but its always a learning process

kiln explosion