Squash E Bear, I know that you feel me, wherever you are, and that you know how much we miss you.
Fall was your season. Your coat would get so full and fluffy. Oh, how you loved to put your nose high in the air and sniff the change in the wind. It feels like only yesterday that you would crunch through the leaves and make a nest. Ten falls have passed without you and yet, I still see you lying under the big tree, watching for rabbits or squirrels. Now Louise, Sofie, and Lil’ Charles lay where you once did, keeping guard, and ensuring the yard is safe from intruders.
Fall was always our time, Big Guy. Hope they have leaf piles over the rainbow.
It is a fun holiday full of food and smells and family.
I am busy making vegan pumpkin pie and marinating the tofurky* and roasting all those wonderful winter root veggies.
Thanksgiving is a time when I look back at the people and things in my life and take stock of that for which I am most thankful.
I am thankful for 11 years of blogging this month, which has allowed me to meet YOU, my readers. I have met your families and your pets. You’ve shown me your life through pictures. You’ve read me your poems, and most of all, you have allowed me to experience your life through your blogs.
Thank you from the bottom of my DogDaz heart. – Lorian
The trio sleeping off a good holiday meal.
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TIPS FOR FEEDING PETS AT THE HOLIDAYS
Many pets can get a little too much food today, as do the people. So, as you are getting ready to sit down to the dinner table, here are some tips from ASPCA experts for a fulfilling Thanksgiving that your pets can enjoy, too.
Talkin’ Turkey
If you decide to feed your pet a little nibble of turkey, make sure it’s boneless and well-cooked. Don’t offer her raw or undercooked turkey, which may contain salmonella bacteria.
Sage Advice Sage can make your Thanksgiving stuffing taste delish, but it and many other herbs contain essential oils and resins that can cause gastrointestinal upset and central nervous system depression to pets if eaten in large quantities. Cats are especially sensitive to the effects of certain essential oils.
No Bread Dough Don’t spoil your pet’s holiday by giving him raw bread dough. According to ASPCA experts, when raw bread dough is ingested, an animal’s body heat causes the dough to rise in his stomach. As it expands, the pet may experience vomiting, severe abdominal pain and bloating, which could become a life-threatening emergency, requiring surgery.
Don’t Let Them Eat Cake If you’re baking up Thanksgiving cakes, be sure your pets keep their noses out of the batter, especially if it includes raw eggs—they could contain salmonella bacteria that may lead to food poisoning.
Too Much of a Good Thing A few small boneless pieces of cooked turkey, a taste of mashed potato or even a lick of pumpkin pie shouldn’t pose a problem. However, don’t allow your pets to overindulge, as they could wind up with a case of stomach upset, diarrhea or even worse—an inflammatory condition of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. In fact, it’s best to keep pets on their regular diets during the holidays.
A Feast Fit for a Kong While the humans are chowing down, give your cat and dog their own little feast. Offer them Nylabones or made-for-pet chew bones. Or stuff their usual dinner—perhaps with a few added tidbits of turkey, vegetables (try sweet potato or green beans) and dribbles of gravy—inside a Kong toy. They’ll be happily occupied for a while, working hard to extract their dinner from the toy.
Sofie Bear, my very complex bundle of anxiety, I love you to the ends of the earth and back. 10 years around the sun is a wonderful number of turns. You are a special girl and have taught me much. Keep finding that sunspot.
Sofie: Another beautiful afternoon sitting in the leaves. Big tree sure does drop a lot of them. Charles: Hey, Sofie. I smell some change in the air. Louise: Change? I don’t like change. I think I will hide here in this pile of leaves until it passes. Maybe I will come out on January 21st.
Louise has loved Mojo Rising, the boy next door, since the day they meet, 11 years ago. He is about a year and some older than her. Even now, in their later age, there is a special smile that she only has for him. She always wants to go play with him, even though neither of them plays much anymore. Mojo is currently being treated for lung cancer and doing very well. Time takes its toll on all of us – but true love knows no age or infirmity.
There is nothing more interesting and fun than sitting at the front door and watching the world. There are so many people walking by now: puppies, children, squirrels, cars, trucks, and especially delivery people. Bark bark bark bark bark, woof woof, and arf.
“And they who for their country die shall fill an honored grave, for glory lights the soldier’s tomb, and beauty weeps the brave.” – Joseph Rodman Drake
One day I will be able to sit down and watch TV without a million paws asking for something. To the right of me was Louise, begging in her cute ‘please Mommy’ way for a cookie. What you don’t see is a moment before she was pawing at my leg relentlessly. I don’t know about you but I have these long black and blue marks down my thighs, and then I remember it was Louise.
To the left of me was Mini Cooper. Wanting my endless attention, all the time these days. Sometimes I notice these little scratches all over my legs and tummy and realize, oh yes, Mini was kneading me.
Then I turn away and it is Charles now on my left, who has rousted Mini because he was jealous and wants to make sure no one gets more attention than him. At least, the little man doesn’t leave any marks.
