February 2014 Expenses

I normally do my monthly expenses posts on the first day of the following month, but tomorrow is Neeko's birthday, and I don't anticipate spending any more money in the next several hours.


I do these posts for a few reasons.  I have seen a few other bloggers do them, and it is a good way for me to keep track and be accountable for dog related expenses.  Also, it is a fairly accurate example of the costs associated with caring for three large dogs.  Some argue that raw is expensive, but in my opinion and experience, it is no more expensive than feeding a good quality kibble.

February 2014 Expenses
Food-$186.32
Health-$215.79
Treats-$38.00
Gear-$31.00

Total-$471.11

Food was a RPI order (technically for March, but I picked it up this afternoon), a My Pet Carnivore order, some turkey necks, turkey gizzards, and chicken leg quarters purchased from the grocery store, and some beef and pork hearts purchased from a local butcher.

Health was Bruce's vet appointment, two doses of Trifexis from Faolan's vet, Bruce's prescription, and a bottle of turmeric for Neeko.

Turmeric has been shown to alleviate pain, and is something I have yet to try for Neeko.

Treat expenses included a Happy Dog Box (which we have yet to receive), a few bully sticks, and two specialty treats for Neeko's birthday.

Gear is a new Lupine collar and leash set that I purchased for Neeko.

Neeko's new collar and leash.  I LOVE this pattern.

February was more expensive than the last few months, and a bit more expensive than average.  This is due to Bruce having a vet appointment, and is to be expected.

Recent Raw Meals and Prep

Meals from the past week. I feed twice daily, with breakfast being a smaller meal.

This past week, I fed seven different proteins-beef, venison, chicken, goat, pork, lamb, and turkey. As with humans, variety, including species, cuts, and organs, is important.

Frozen lamb lung.



Venison ribs, beef liver.



Ground green tripe.



Lamb hearts, goat spleen.



Beef heart.



Chicken leg quarter, beef liver.



Pork heart.



Turkey gizzards.



Venison, beef kidney.



Lamb heart.



Ground green tripe, duck necks.



Blue Ridge Beef Natural Mix.



Chicken leg quarter, beef liver.



Ground green tripe.



Beef heart, beef kidney.



I cut up and portioned out about 10 pounds of sheep liver. I go through about 8-10 lbs of liver per month. Between this and the venison liver I have left, I should be good for 6 weeks or so.





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Monday Mischief- A Doggy Hannibal Lector

On Friday afternoon/evening, Bruce had his annual wellness visit and blood work.  His appointments are always later in the day, because Les has to go with me.

Bruce has always been muzzled at the vet in the past, and I purchased a basket muzzle for us to have in the event of an emergency.

Upon arriving at the vet's office, Les and Bruce walked around, while I checked Bruce in.  We then put the muzzle on him.  He does resist it a little, but nothing too terrible.

It was cold out, so we went into the waiting area.

Claaarrricce...He looks like Hannibal Lector, we joke. 

Bruce was very good while we were waiting, and upon initially going into the examination room.  He sat or lay quietly, even after Dr. S came into the room.  Once she began her exam, his attitude changed, and everyone was grateful for the muzzle.  He can be a giant jerk.

Eventually his exam was finished, with the exception or oral exam and rectal temperature, which we don't have done on Bruce.  I assured the vet his teeth are shiny, white, and that his gums never appear inflamed. 

It took four people, including Les and I, for the vet to draw his blood.  It was sent for CBC and CMP, along with a heartworm test.  (We got the call Saturday morning that everything came back perfect.)

His exam was finished.  Les took him outside briefly, and removed the muzzle.  Dr. S told me Bruce could stand to lose 3-6 lbs.  I have not told Bruce this yet...

Due to the temperature, and the empty waiting area, Les and Bruce came back inside.  Bruce was all smiles, waiting for me to check us out and pay.

Black & White Sunday

Spring is coming.  I see more ground than snow.

February 2014 BarkBox Review

Today we received our February BarkBox!  Reviews of the current and/or previous months can be read HERE.

Last month, the nice folks at BarkBox suggested I email them and ask for the "heavy chewer" box.  I did, and am very happy I did so!

The Goods

 Harry Barker Cotton Rope Tug and Toss Toy Approximate retail value $9.90.  Heavy duty, durable rope toy.  The knot is super thick.  I am sure this will provide some good, supervised tugging fun outside when the weather gets nicer.  We received a toy from this company in our March 2013 BarkBox, and donated it to the shelter.  We will definitely be keeping this one for ourselves.

 Heartland Premium Angus Tendons.  I am guessing at the value, but maybe $5.99?  I have offered similar chews to my dogs in the past, and they last nearly as long as a similarly sized bully stick.  What's even better is that this is a three pack!  Any kind of long lasting chew is always appreciated in my house, and I am certain these will be a huge hit.

Complete Natural Nutrition Cheese Please Approximate retail value $5.74.  We received these in our September 2013 Spoiled Rotten Box, and they were very well received.  I like these because there is only one ingredient.  Dehydrated Wisconsin cheese.  I am not ashamed to admit that I sampled these when we received them before, and found them very tasty.  Very excited to have received these.

Max & Ruffy's Natural Organic Treats for Dogs Approximate retail value $11.94.  We received a product from this company in our July 2013 BarkBox, and they were well received by Neeko and Faolan.  Like the other ones, Bruce cannot have these as they contain coconut oil.  Simple, organic ingredients, and given that they are chocolate (carob) strawberry flavored, I might want to eat them!  These are made in the US by a smallish company.  What's not to like?

Baker's Best by Feelgood Wild Pacific dog treats.  Unknown value.  These Canadian made treats contain quality, simple ingredients, with salmon being first.  They are thin biscuit type treats, and fairly hard.  They do have a "fishy" smell to them, but this is not a bad thing at all.  In fact, the stronger the smell a treat has, the harder my dogs are willing to work for it.  We received Ranch Bars made by the same company in our March 2013 BarkBox, and if I remember correctly, all three liked them. These treats are wheat, corn, and soy free, and I am quite sure they will go over well.  I can already see Faolan scent-rolling on one of them when he is offered it initially.





I am VERY impressed with this month's BarkBox.  The chews, the rope toy, the treats.  I am very pleased with each individual item, which leads me to be extremely happy with the BarkBox overall!

To try BarkBox for yourself, and get $5 off your first one, click HERE.

About Green Tripe/My Pet Carnivore Order

I picked up a relatively simple order from My Pet Carnivore today.  MPC is an Indianapolis-based raw food provider, and as I have mentioned before, I am a huge fan of theirs.  They have delivery sites throughout the US, and will ship as well.


I picked up 15 lbs of lamb hearts, in 5 lb packages.  It is a nice source of meaty meat variety.

I also picked up a case of ground green tripe, 12 containers, each weighing 2 lbs.

The green tripe is my favorite thing to order from MPC.  It is a good price, falling under my $2 per lb boneless meat budget.  These containers are perfect for breakfast, split three ways.  And my dogs LOVE tripe.  They go nuts for it.

About Green Tripe

Green tripe is the unbleached, lightly or not rinsed stomach of ruminating animals.  I have fed both beef and goat tripe in the past.  It differs from tripe found at the grocery store in that it is not bleached/disinfected, and not for human consumption.  Green tripe can typically only be sourced from raw pet food suppliers or small butchers/slaughterhouses.

Green tripe does not smell good.  Actually it smells like poop mixed with duct tape...have you ever smelled duct tape?  It has a very distinct smell.  This is probably the reason the vast majority of dogs love it so much.  As I mentioned my dogs go nuts for it.  Singing, dancing, barking, etc.

While I like to feed it, I am not one of those people who believe tripe is a miracle food.  There are a host of benefits associated with it, however.

• It is acidic, which can aid in dental and digestive health.
• When analyzed, it is shown to have a perfect calcium/phosphorus ratio of 1:1, which is extremely important for growing large breed puppies.  
• It does contain good bacteria and digestive enzymes, which are also good for digestive health.
• Dogs LOVE it.

As long as tripe is available to me, I will continue to feed it on a regular basis, as part of the variety-filled diet I like to offer my dogs.

I do recommend that anyone who is able to source green tripe get some for their dogs.  They will love you for it.

Sources
Dogs Naturally Magazine 
True Carnivores 

Recent Raw Meals

My dogs raw meals from the last week.

This past week, I fed seven different proteins-beef, venison, chicken, goat, pork, lamb, and turkey. As with humans, variety, including species, cuts, and organs, is important.

Ground Tripe SuperMix, from My Pet Carnivore.



Ground venison, lamb spleen.



Beef heart.



Blue Ridge Beef Natural Mix.



Chicken leg quarters, beef liver.



Beef heart chunks.



Venison, goat spleen.



Turkey gizzards.



Duck necks, BRB Natural Mix.



Pork heart.



Chicken leg quarter, beef liver.



Ground venison.



Beef heart, goat spleen.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Bruce and Les #RecipeForMoments

Les is the other dog caretaker in our home.  He is my best friend, and my partner.  He is mentioned occasionally in this blog, but rarely gets much notice.  He is greatly supportive of all my endeavors, including those related to our dogs.

We (Les and I) have had our struggles with Bruce.  He and Bruce have developed an amazing relationship over the last three years.  Where ever Les is, Bruce is not far away.  Our big boy, the big jerk, obligingly, willingly, and lovingly does most whatever Les asks of him.  The same cannot be said for anyone else, including myself.

These two have created many happy memories together, and have funny little rituals.  Bruce and Les love to share a bowl of popcorn together, and Les frequently serves Bruce his dinner in the evenings.  Unlike Neeko and Faolan, Bruce does not get to go on many adventures outside the house.  Because of this, Les frequently takes him out and about on our property, for some one-on-one time, further solidifying their bond.

Where ever Les is, Bruce is not far.

Sticking by Les's side.

Sharing a bowl of popcorn.

Together, Bruce and Les have certainly created a Recipe For Moments.