Shepard’s Pie a twist on the British Version

Shepard’s Pie a twist on the British Version

Pre heat oven to 350°

This dish will keep for 4 days in fridge or up to 30 days in freezer

Serves 6 Medium size dogs

1 pound ground beef

1 pound ground dark meat chicken ground up like beef

2 eggs, hard boiled- Chopped

4 cups cooked Brown rice

2 precooked sweat potatoes, cubed (this will act as our mashed potatoes)

2 teaspoons Olive oil

1 tablespoon bone meal or 9.000 milligrams calcium or 5 teaspoons eggshell powder**

1 pet vitamin, crushed (Optional)

½ cup chopped baby carrots (they are sweat and many dogs love them)

½ cup baby peas (frozen is fine do not defrost first)

1 ½ cups brown gravy ( you can use a low salt broth which you bring to a simmer and Wisk a very small amount of Wondra ® flour into just to thicken if you want to but it is not necessary)

 In a Dutch oven or a deep fry pan that will go from stove top to oven to then bake, Brown chicken first in a Dutch oven then add your beef till a golden brown color let it with the natural juices become a caramelized this will add flavor.  Stir in all your other ingredients, except your cubed sweat potatoes they will be you’re topping before baking. Next it is time to add your gravy slowly in a separate small sauce pan over medium heat bring your broth to a simmer , once it has come to a simmer now it is time to slowly Wisk your Wondra®  flour into the liquid till the gravy becomes thicker not too thick just enough to hold everything together.

Once ready add this to your meat, rice and vegetable mixture- Mix well!

Smooth everything out and now add your precooked sweat potatoes evenly over the whole top of your dish. Bake for 45 minutes or till your potatoes are golden brown.

COOL WELL and Serve.

Note: Save your eggshells by washing them out immediately after using the eggs. Store in a baggie in the fridge or freezer when you have a dozen or so, bake the shells for 10 minutes at 350 degrees Place them in a blender and grind to the consistency of fine powder.

How much do I feed?

5 pound dog   = 1/2 cup

10 pound dog = 1 cup

20 pound dog = 1 1/2 cups

40 pound dog = 3 cups

60 pound dog = 4 cups

80 pound dog = 4 1/2 cups

If you decide to switch your pet to a homemade cooked or raw diet, you may wish to consult a holistic veterinarian who is familiar with such diets and who can guide you in devising the right menu for your pet.

WHY IT IS IMPORANT TO START GROOMING AS SOON AS YOU GET YOUR DOG OR NEW PUPPY

WHY IT IS IMPORANT TO START GROOMING AS SOON AS YOU GET YOUR DOG OR NEW PUPPY

As with anything else with a new puppy or dog, if they are young enough to be imprinted or they are the age of needing training, grooming is a part of your everyday puppy’s life. It is important for them stand calmly and relaxed for bathing, brushing their hair, cleaning ears, eyes, feet, and even around the tail. The more you do this at a younger age, the more likely your puppy will come to enjoy this time as bonding time and not an experience he has to run from, because of the water or brush. A good tip is for two to three minutes, two or three times a day, run your hands over his entire body with a brush, practice opening his mouth, wiping over his eyes and wiping in his ears, and even cleaning his rear end and tail. Remember, positive reinforcement is what is going to work here, not negative. If in the beginning he doesn’t like the brush on his fur, just simply put the brush down, let him relax and come back with a softer brush to try again. Again, having a treat as a reward will assist in the process.





HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN POWDER SHAMPOO for DOGS

1/2 cup cornstarch

2 tbsp. arrowroot powder

2 tbsp. baking soda

½ cup cornmeal

1/4 cup rice flour





1/2 to 1 cup oatmeal ( I like to blend my oatmeal on its own first to ensure we get a nice uniform mixture and not just dry oatmeal this is great for soothing skin.)



Dry Shampoo and refresher powder

15 drops citronella

10 drops lemon

10 drops rosemary

20 drops tee tree

8 drops Lavender





The trick with making this powder is to sift all your ingredients and then once blended you need to let it sit for 24 hr. till you can sift again then fill up a shaker bottle to use as a powder container. Look for old glass shakers at flea markets

Why does Dry Pet Shampoo works? Simple- by Rubbing the powder deep into your pet’s fur. The granules bind to the dirt, oil and odor which can then be easily brushed out. Dry Shampoo does not leave behind any sticky residue and thus prevents quick re-soiling.





Combine ingredients in a blender if you have one if not I like to use a hand mixing style of bottle like the ones used to mix powder drinks just do not add liquid. Make sure you have a tight fitting lid. Shake or blend vigorously to ensure all your ingredients are well mixed. Brush your dog thoroughly with a natural bristle brush to remove any loose dirt.



Sprinkle Dry pet shampoo uniformly on a small area of your pet. Rub it in with a clean dry brush, warm towel or your fingers in slow, circular movements. Then proceed to the next area. BE SURE TO KEEP OUT OF EYES & EARS!



Leave for 20 minutes. Allow 50 minutes in the case of heavy odor. Should the powder fall into your carpet then simply vacuum afterwards it will also leave a fresh smell on your carpet?



Then Brush your dog thoroughly with a natural bristle brush to remove powder with the dirt and dander is has collected.



Warning: Suitable for all pets. Always be sure to test a small area for reactions. Use contents within a short time. This recipe produces enough Dry Shampoo for 1 medium sized dog



Combine ingredients in a glass container with tight fitting lid. Shake vigorously to blend scent into powder. Follow above directions.

Make sure you purchase a non-shatter style glass container that you are able to place a shaker top when ready to use.

Are you playing Russian roulette with your dog?

You probably never thought you may be gambling with you or your dog's safety when you just went for your short walk. You probably always approached curbside metal or electrical fixtures without the slightest thought, and certainly not, trepidation. But did you know that these unremarkable fixtures have the potential to maim or even kill your pet? Any outdoor metal may leak voltage if it or a street's underlying cables or wires are ruptured. Contact voltage is a chronic hidden hazard that can readily victimize a dog, walker, or both. You may risk seeing the truly heart-wrenching and gruesome spectacle of your poor pooch electrocuted by his own urine. Or you may observe your beloved dog suddenly paralyzed, rendered brain damaged, go into cardiac arrythmia, succumb to edema, or left so traumatized he or she may no longer trust you. And depending upon the current, the walker will be bitten and like poor Aric Roman, suffer permanently. When you exercise your pooch,male or female, please exercise greater caution to shield yourself and your pooch from this invisible danger. Become street smart and learn how to EYEBALL THE BLOCK, AND AVOID A SHOCK. Make free-standing non-conductive contact whenever possible - wood, plastic, cardboard - and intuit your dog's cues. To learn more please see StreetZaps and flag tampered equipment and known hot spots on the Report Form for the public good. A safer walk is always within reach if you open your eyes, mind, and heart to it. Blair Sorrel, Founder, www.StreetZaps.com