Monthly Archives: January 2013

Chicken Soup For My Canine Companion

Posted on January 29, 2013 | 8 comments

Let me start by saying, as I made crystal clear in a previous post but I believe is worth repeating, that I hate to cook with a passion that no words could ever explain nor describe, but I do cook for my dog, Alex.  I am in awe anytime I see my girlfriend cook.  Once in a while I watch her cook, and she is so in a zone and many times oblivious to what’s around her.  It’s beautiful to watch her cook.

Anyway, Alex got more and more picky as she got older so now I have to cook for her.  She does eat her kibble, but she seems to enjoy having a little variety in her meals.  What she enjoys a lot, specially during the winter, is chicken soup so I cook it often for her.

Brocolli, celery and carrots.

broccoli, celery and carrots.

This is what I put in the chicken soup for my daughter

  • 2 to 4 chicken legs
  • Broccoli.  Not a lot because it makes her fart
  • Celery.  Cut it small
  • Carrots.  Make sure they are cooked so your dog can digest it easier
  • The broccoli, celery and carrots can be substituted for peas, cauliflower, or potatoes
  • One chicken bouillon
  • A pinch of salt
Chicken Soup

Chicken Soup

I used to add rice or noodles, but I stopped doing it because they absorbed too much of the liquid and Alex was not too happy about it.  She likes it better when I add a bit of cooked rice to the portion that I am serving to her at that particular time.

chickensoup3

Most of the time, not always, Alex loves my cooking and it makes me feel so happy that she enjoys my cooking.  My one and only fan:-)

If you have any recipes you’d like to share or perhaps suggestions to my chicken soup, please feel free to share with us.  Enjoy your week.

8 Comments

Posted in Dog Equipment, Dogs, Humor, Nutrition, Outings, Walking

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Walking In The Snow With My Dog, Alex

Posted on January 27, 2013 | 6 comments
Marcela, "Hello everybody."

Marcela, “Hello everybody.”

Cynthia, my girlfriend, has told me a few times that I rarely ever post a photo of myself so I decided to do it this time without complaining.

Alex and I.

Alex and I.  Responsible pet parent picking up after Alex.

This week we got some snow here in Maryland so I took Alex out so she can stretch her legs and do her business.  It was a beautiful day, and this coming from me is just not possible, but I actually said it and was surprised when I uttered the words.  I have always loved a tropical climate, but for the last couple of years I am actually enjoying winter.

Alex, "mom, what is that."

Alex, “mom, what is that.”

As we were passing by some trees, some snow blew our way.  Can you see Alex’s little ears?  They look adorable.

Alex, "Do I really have to wear 2 sweaters?"

Alex, “Do I really have to wear 2 sweaters?”

When it gets pretty cold, I make Alex wear 2 sweaters.  If you decide to walk your dog, please remember the following things:

  1. Keep your dog’s fur between her toes trimmed.  By doing so, her feet will attract less ice.
  2. Limit the time your dog is outdoors.  If she is shivering, and looking at you with pleading eyes, this is your clue for you to take her inside right away.
  3. Make her wear at least 1 sweater.  Dogs like Alex have very short hair and really need to wear at least 1 sweater.
  4. Before venturing outside, apply Vaseline Petroleum Jelly to her pads.  Make sure to wipe off and inspect her paws after the walk to remove any debris and check for any cracks.
  5. It is time-consuming to apply and remove Petroleum Jelly so the alternative is to buy your dog some boots.

walkinginthesnow5Make the best of the snow and cold weather, but please, always remember to be safe and take care of yourself and your canine companion.

6 Comments

Posted in Dog Equipment, Dogs, Humor, Nutrition, Outings, Walking

Walking Your Dog In Cold Weather

Posted on January 22, 2013 | 16 comments
Alex

Alex

It was supposed to be 20 degrees today here in Maryland, but when we went out to walk with Alex it felt more like -5.  If you are planning to walk your dog in cold weather, please make sure you bundle her up, you too of course, and make the walk a little shorter than usual.

Alex, "I can't believe you took me out for a walk in this horrible cold weather."

Alex, “I can’t believe you took me out for a walk in this horrible cold weather.”

As the picture clearly shows, Alex was not very happy with our walk, but on my defense I’d like to say that we took a shorter walk than usual.  Talk about an ungrateful canine child.

Alex, "Fine, I'll pose for the picture since I feel more like a popsicle than a dog."

Alex, “Fine, I’ll pose for the picture since I feel more like a popsicle than a dog.”

To my amazement, Alex actually posed for this picture.  But I was thinking that it was because she was so cold that she did not want to move at all.  I took all these pictures as soon as we got back home.

Alex, "Mom, I know what you are going to say to me, I am your mother, I command you."

Alex, “Mom, I know what you are going to say to me, I am your mother, I command you.”

Wow!  A total of 4 pictures and I did not have to chase after her for that.  Do take your dog for a walk, but please remember that they also need a sweater or jacket in this unforgiving cold weather.  My suggestion for both human and canine alike would be the following: bundle up, walk fast, ok., walk really fast, shorter walks, hydrate after the walk and turn up that heater full blast once you get home.  Enjoy your walks.

16 Comments

Posted in Dog Equipment, Dogs, Humor, Nutrition, Outings, Walking

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Liebster Award Nominee

Posted on January 22, 2013 | 10 comments

I never thought I’d say this, but here it goes.  It’s an honor just to be nominated.   A fellow blogger, shoefulofdrool, nominated All My Canine Companions for a Liebster award.  Thanks a million for the nomination.

Liebster Blog Award Rules:
1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
2. Answer the questions that the tagger has set for you plus create 11 questions for the people you’ve tagged to answer.
3. Choose 11 people and link them in your post.
4. Go to their page and tell them.
5. No tag backs!

11 Things about me:

When I came to the US, my vocabulary consisted of a couple of words, and I promised myself that one day I’d be able to read, write and speak English and never again need someone to translate for me.

Dogs have taught me so many things, and thanks to them I’d venture to say that I am a better person and I like me a lot more than I did years ago.  Alex, my canine companion, is my constant reminder that I have to try and be a better person each and every day even though I fall flat on my face so many times.

Rudeness, violence, and foul language are the biggest turn off for me.

I hate to cook with a passion that transcends words, but I’d cook for Alex.

I graduated with an MBA from University of Maryland University College and graduation day was bittersweet for me.  Yes, I accomplished my goal, but I was missing my aunt Maria so much that day.  She passed away January 2007.

I enjoy and love my girlfriend’s cooking, and I am grateful that most of the books and magazines she takes out of the library are about cooking.

My taste in music is eclectic for I love the music of: Elvis Presley, Guns N Roses, Shakira, Jose Jose, Rocio Durcal, Kenny Rogers, Juanes, George Michael, etc.

I have a hard time remembering the name of a pet parent, but I can easily recall the name of his/her dog.

I enjoy reading anything about dogs, finance, and real estate.

My definition of a good time, for the last couple of years, is staying at home watching a movie while Alex is sound asleep.

I am grateful for being fortunate enough to live in the US.

These are the questions from Shoeful of drool:

  1. Would you rather be beautiful or smart?  I’d rather be smart.
  1. Where is your favorite place to be besides home?  Anywhere as long as I have Cynthia, my girlfriend, and Alex, our dog, with me.
  2. Briefly, what is your biggest pet peeve with humanity?  Rudeness.  Being courteous can go a long way.
  3. What was your favorite game show as a kid?  I am from Ecuador and to be quite honest I do not remember any game show as a kid.
  4. What musical instrument(s) do you play, if any?  None, sorry to say.
  5. What is your favorite book?  A dog named Boo.
  6. Morning person or night owl?  Morning person.  I love to wake up early for a nice long walk with Alex.
  7. What do you think your perfect job would be?  The job I have now as a pet sitter.
  8. Who is your favorite First Lady?  Hillary Clinton.
  9. If you could have any super power, what would it be?  I’d like to have the super power or ability to make people empathize with the pain and suffering of others.
  1. What do you think is the most significant invention      during your lifetime?  Computers.

Questions for my nominees:

Who do you admire most and why?

Do you love dogs?  Why or why not?

Is family important to you?

Have you lived outside the US?  Did you enjoy it?

What is your favorite dish?

What is the most important lesson you learned from your parents?

What would you like to accomplish within the next 3 years?

Do you like to dance?

What qualities do you like on a person?

What annoys you the most?

Name one unselfish thing you’ve done for others.

These are my nominees:

http://shoefulofdrool.com/

http://dogsmakeeverythingbetter.com/

http://likedbyeveryone.wordpress.com/

http://leroyandcompany.wordpress.com/

http://pittiesforyourthoughts.wordpress.com/

http://markingourterritory.wordpress.com/

http://temporaryhomepermanentlove.com/

http://thehappypitbull.wordpress.com/

http://dogsandbikes.com/

http://oliversdogs.wordpress.com/

http://fostrickson.wordpress.com/

For the above nominees, I’d like to tell you that this will take a bit of time to do, perhaps more time that you can afford at the moment, but if you do get a chance to do it, you’ll find it fun and entertaining.

10 Comments

Posted in Dogs

BBQing In January

Posted on January 21, 2013 | 10 comments
Cynthia

Cynthia

Yes, I know.  You are probably thinking, “Why would anybody be bbqing in January?”  Specially when we live on the east coast, but on my defense I’d like to say and point out that Cynthia offered to bbq, and I accepted her offer.  The day was very sunny, but cold and there were two sous chefs on hand to help her.

Sous chef 1, Alex.

Sous chef 1, Alex.

As you can see, Alex was a reluctant sous chef, but she did try to help.  She gets cold very easy so she started to shiver and went to the area where she could get a bit of sun, but it did not help so I opened the sliding door to see if she would go inside and warm up a bit.

Roxy

Sous chef 2, Roxy

Roxy, unlike Alex, was quite a cooperative sous chef and took it upon herself to patrol our deck to make sure that no human or animal would get close to us, but most importantly to the food.

Alex

Alex

Even though the sliding door was wide open, Alex decided to stay outside with us so I had to call her inside, along with Roxy, because it was pretty cold.  Can you see Alex’s relief face?  Anyway, we had a delicious meal, but I think I’ll wait until the weather gets a bit warm before going outside to bbq.  Although, the one that bbqs is Cynthia, but her sous chefs are usually right behind her and if you have dogs you know that they want to be wherever you are even if that means being in discomfort.  Enjoy the beginning of this week with all your loved ones.

10 Comments

Posted in Dog Equipment, Dogs, Humor, Nutrition, Outings

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Gallery

Should I Get A Bed For My Dog?

Posted on January 11, 2013

This gallery contains 6 photos.

The answer to the question is a resounding yes, you should get a bed for your dog regardless of whether or not she is a small, medium or large size dog.  This is specially important for puppies and seniors. When … Continue reading →

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A Happy New Year With My Canine Family And Human Family

Posted on January 8, 2013 | 6 comments
Tatiana, Alex, and Karol. (from left to right)

Tatiana, Alex, and Karol. (from left to right)

We ended up visiting family in North Carolina for New Year’s.  Alex, loved all the extra attention she got from everybody.  Can you tell by her face?

Karol, my cousin, and her boy, Stryker.

Karol, my cousin, and her boy, Stryker.

Aside from human companionship, Alex was able to see her cousin, Stryker, again.  Stryker is a Jack Russell Terrier.  It was funny and interesting to see them together because whenever the kids would run around the house, both Alex and Stryker would bark at them, with Stryker being the more adamant about ending their running and/or playing.

2013 is here!

2013 is here!

We got lucky that Cynthia, my partner, was able to capture this picture of all of us before Stryker and Alex moved.  Happy New Year to all of you.  May you have health, prosperity, love, and peace in this new year.

6 Comments

Posted in Dogs, Humor, Nutrition, Outings, Walking

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