Cold and Snow

It was very cold this past week and we had some additional snow. We have not been able to really spend any amount of time outside at all. Gypsy hates it. I've even been a slacker when it comes to walking her. She gets ants in her pants if I don't walk her enough. During one of the cold days I was going through some old photos and came across this one. Gypsy laying at "home base" enjoying the sun with her favorite toy of all time, Dino.
Ahhh yes, those were the days!!!
Dino has been her favorite for years. They don't make them anymore but we went on-line and found a few more. We had to pay top dollar for them but it is worth it. This area under a tree is the spot (home base) where she will go chill out after a round of playing with Dino.
She hasn't been able to play with Dino all winter. Actually Dino is buried under snow and ice at this time. I think it is going to warm up some this weekend and I'll have to get out there and find Dino for her.
And get off your lazy butt and walk me!!!

Birds Out There

It has been cold and basically miserable outside. The birds have been hitting the feeders with gusto. We spent $30 at the store the other day on seed. We don't spend that on Gypsy's food? The cats enjoy the view and sit at the window for hours keeping track of the activity. Gypsy is a know bird watcher and will join in the fun.

Cat Sunday

This is the morning ritual for Sushi, looking out the back window overlooking the bird feeders. The birds have been at the feeders like crazy with all the snow on the ground. The cats enjoy the view.

Paleo Poodle....Pumpkin

While visiting my daughter a few weeks ago she mentioned how she mixes a bit of pumpkin in with her dogs kibble. She has a very handsome standard poodle that does not appear to be as finicky of an eater as Gypsy. She is the least food driven dog of all time. We've tried cooking for her, eggs, peanut butter, chicken, beef, raw, high end food, low end food, and everything else. When she gets a short haircut for the summer she appears to have just arrived from a refugee camp. We've never been able to put any weight on her. I pretty much have just accepted this as being just the way she is wired. During her last visit with the vet she did mention that it would be a good thing if Gyp put a few lbs. on as she is getting a bit older.

So, here we go with the pumpkin. I googled pumpkin for dogs on the Internet and it appears to be a good food supplement. I just happened to have a can in the pantry this morning so I mixed a bit up for the picky poodle.

As usual, she gobbled it up. She ate the entire bowl of food at one sitting. I"m trying to contain my enthusiasm though as this is what she usually does. She'll really seems to like something for the first few days and then she turns her nose up at it.

What to do with the rest of the pumpkin?

Sandi and I have been following a Paleo diet for the last few months. I don't really remember why we decided to do this. I think we just wanted to try to eat healthier. Anyway, it has been much easier than I thought it would be. To me the biggest challenge has been breakfast. It is my favorite meal and one that is usually rushed.
Paleo Pumpkin Pancakes!

I made these Paleo Pumpkin Pancakes this morning with Gypsy's leftover Pumpkin. They turnout not so bad. Pretty good actually. I need to tweak the recipe and then maybe I'll share it.

I'll keep you posted on Gypsy and the pumpkin kibble.

Snow Day

All day yesterday the talk was of the approaching winter storm, Octavia. Since when do we name winter storms? I think it is a Weather channel thing. Did anybody else think Jim Cantore looked like an idiot jumping around in a blizzard after he heard lightening? Anyway we did actually get some snow out of this one. All winter long the snow has traveled to the north of us and while we've been cold, not much snow. By morning we had about 7" on the ground. Gypsy was obviously thrilled to see it. She ran around the yard, chasing the birds away from the feeders. Sandi and I then took her on a walk around the neighborhood and to the corn field and let her run some more. Just when I think she is getting older and slowing down she surprises me with puppy like enthusiasm. She loves the snow and I think I'll take her out again.

2nd Annual Pet of the Year

While I was on the road I realized that I had not selected the second annual "pet of the year" award. Being alone I was able to reflect on the past year and all the pets without being swayed by Gypsy.

Hey, I was robbed last year!!!
Yes, last year the award went to Stomi the feral cat that is now a love bug. Stomi is still a great cat and if I'm sitting she is usually either on my lap or in the vicinity. This year though has been the year of Moose. He is a laid back, unassuming red boy. You would hardly know he was in the house for the most part. He spends most of his waking hours upstairs in the office in a chair on the look out for the girls cats that torment him to no end. Chloe in particular goes after Moose with abandon. We aren't really sure why but Moose always has his head on a swivel, looking out for the Bitches. The truth is that Moose could take any of the girls easily but he is such a little lover that he just lets them boss him around. When he does come down stairs he usually will end up in a high spot, knowing that Chloe is too fat to jump.
So this year the award goes to Moose, the good red boy that avoids confrontation at all costs.

Road Trip

I had to travel the end of last week into most of this week for my company Global Sales meeting. We are just outside Orlando. I come to these things every February and they always have them in nice warm locations. The thing is they bus us in from the airport and then we have a week of meetings in the bowels of the resort, hardly even seeing the sun. We could have this event in Akron Ohio and I don't think anyone would notice. If anyone from Akron is reading (I doubt it) I apologize. I'm actually from NE Ohio. Go Bucks!!!
Anyway one of the perks this year was being able to come down a few days early and visiting with my youngest and her family that now reside in Jacksonville. It was the first time for me seeing their new house and it was great to see my baby making a home for her hubby and kiddos. Also it was nice meeting her Standard Poodle puppy. A little boy Joe Jo.

I think he is around 6 months old and he is the exact opposite of Gypsy.
Obviously, I'm beautiful!
You are very pretty Gyp but Joe Jo is a good looking boy. He is a smart little guy and I think he'll be a great dog. He is smart as a whip and I think he spends the majority of his waking hours trying to figure out ways to be around his people, ways to get food, and ways to get someone to play with him. I think he is going to have to be mentally challenged everyday otherwise he'll find something not great to do. They will do a good job with him I'm sure.

Still Picky

If you've read this post at all I think you already know that Gypsy is about the most picky eater of all time. I've tried all sorts of the high end foods. I've made her food.  We've added eggs, chicken stock, and peanut butter. She likes just about anything for a short time and then returns to her picky ways.  She is rather tall for a girl poodle but we have difficultly getting her to 40 lbs. Actually she is about 37 to 39 lbs. Don't get me wrong, she is in good shape, just looks like she lives in a poor Third World village.

Last Saturday I roasted a big, fat chicken and decided to give Gyp the neck. I tossed it out into the backyard and she did go up and give it a big sniff. That was about all she did with it. For the next several days I'd let her out the back door and she would eventually stop and give the neck a lick.
Today she finally acted like a dog and she ate the entire thing. Just like a Lab. Don't worry either...it has been really cold so it isn't like the neck has been sitting around turning into a science experiment.
I guess the bottom line is that she is what she is, a picky eater and not food driven in the least. I'll do my best to keep her in great shape and healthy. I'll continue to try to find the magic mix of kibble that gets her excited.
Hey, I like the things I like... no pressure dude!!!

HoHoHo????

Happy Holidays!!

Since I was MIA over the holiday season I thought I'd pass along my best wishes now. Better late than never? And yes, we do dress gypsy up!
Jeez, I look ridiculous!!!