[PatrickCampbell]

First, I would say hello to everyone. I'm Patrick Campbell working as an insurance consultant in an organization. I like traveling, swimming and reading so much. I have lovely pets; a cat (Jasmine) and a dog (Happy). I joined this forum because I think this community could be very helpful for my growing pets. I want to give them complete care. I'm feeling very great to be a part of this community.

[CorkyMax]

Hello! Hope you like this forum. What breed(s) of dog do you have? And how old is Happy? Lol, I never would of thought of Happy for a name---I like it! I may of even considered it when I got my rescue girl about 7 months ago! She is a mix of Golden Retriever and Cocker Spaniel and the Golden part makes her look like she is smiling most of the time---Happy would of been a good name for her as she is a happy looking tail wagging dog!
I named her Sami.

I read in one of your other posts that you feed home cooking. So do I. I do both, home cook and also raw. Morning meal is usually oatmeal with a raw egg added and yogurt and a couple spoons of pumpkin, (plain unadulterated--(not the sugar full pie filling!) a sprinkle of cinnamon and Solid Gold seameal. Also give 'human' capsules of fish oil, taurine, and a low dose pet vitamin. I may add a tablespoon of cooked chicken for variety and I also cook the oatmeal in home made chicken broth when I have it--about 1 cup of it and 2 cups water to a batch. (I cook enough for 2-3 breakfasts at a time---giving it cold the following mornings. I will also give canned mackerel with the same other ingredients I use with the oatmeal days for an alternate breakfast meal--but only give this meal about 2 days straight in a week or a week and a half's time.
Supper is usually raw meat with a couple of Tbsps. of pulverized raw veggies--Try to have a mix of an above ground veg and a below ground one---carrots and asparagus for example. Lol, I garden mainly for vegs for my 2 dogs (I also have a cocker spaniel named Max) I also supplement at this meal with vitamin E and 30 mg. of CoQ10 (Co=Coenzyme). I also supplement calcium by using pulverized egg shells. Sometimes they have a cooked 'thick stew' of pork or chicken with veggies as unless it is boned chicken breasts or thighs--too hard to get the raw meat off the bone. And as for cooked pork---Never give raw pork!!!

I buy chicken or turkey backs when they are marked down and simmer them in enough water to get my chicken/turkey broth for my oatmeal meals--NO SALT PLEASE! I skim off the fat from the broth--after it has cooled enough so I can put it in plastic cottage cheese or other containers and place it in the refrigerator so the fat will rise to the top and harden -- I then take a spoon and skim off the fat (Throw away!) and then stick the broth back in the fridge until I add it to make my oatmeal.(no salt please) I pick off the bits of meat from the bones--tedious as you have to be careful not to have any tiny bones in it!---There is actually a lot of meat to be had from these backs! I then divide it in servings to put in my cooked oatmeal---I just put the sandwich bagged/or plastic container chicken in the bottom of their bowls while I am cooking the oatmeal. Of course if I have enough meat--that should be frozen and not kept in the refrigerator for more than 3-4 days. Actually having it in the freezer in individual servings is good because if you put it in the dog dish frozen while you are cooking the oatmeal---When you add the hot oatmeal overtop the frozen chicken and stir a bit--It helps cool down the oatmeal.

And almost forgot---I put a spoonful of organic uncooked vinegar mixed in their supper meal.--Braggs is the kind to use if you can find it. My grocery store carries it but I am lucky there as I think most don't stock it. You can google Braggs vinegar and find a place closest that carries it. It is more expensive then regular vinegar and it does come in a glass bottle which I believe is 'healthier' than all those plastic bottles of vinegar---I just wonder how much of that plastic leaches into the acidic vinegar?!
What do you feed and is it raw or cooked? I am going to give you a link for a thread I did in here quite awhile back on 'Foods that are Hazardous to your Dog' It is a long read but worth it, especially if you home cook for you dog! It did turn into more hazards then just food but that is also good to know!
Foods that are hazardous to a dog

Just remembered I did a couple of threads on vinegar in this forum. Here is a link for info and tells about the Bragg vinegar too: What About Vinegar!!

[PatrickCampbell]

Hi CrokyMax.. thanks for this warm welcome. I also have Golden Retriever who is 19 months old.