Day 22

Yesterday and today the dogs will eat as we do. Well cooked and drained breast of lamb with potatoes and veg.

If anyone has ever tried to cook breast of lamb without success, the results vary with cooking time. I have a gas oven and to cook three whole breasts it takes approx 1.25 hours on high. Gas mark 9 for 30 mins and 7 the rest of the time, turning the breast over 1/2 way through cooking time. I take the dogs meat out after an hour.
1 breast for 3 medium sized dogs is ample and the cost is less then £1.00 if bought in bulk from the butcher...so for one dog you have three meals for less than 2 tins of meat, and if you mix it with rice and veg you can make 1 breast of lamb go even further.

One word of warning, do not give any dog extra salt! Its too dehydrating and they cannot digest it as easily as us, so please be careful with gravy. I just add oxos to the veg water and it is fine. I am just being guided by my own instincts rather than reading from some costly dog cookbook. Their needs are similar to our own so potion like ours, 1/3 protein, 1/3 carbs and 1/3 veg and you won't go far wrong.

The liver was a great success, but do be careful, as it gave Piglet the squits, which was not pleasant, nor was her flatulence!

Maddy's nipples are growing, as is her belly, but she is still lively and responsive to a game of ball.

Chris and I took them all out after dark last night, as it's easier without their leads. By torchlight we squished and squelched through the mud and driving rain to give our brood their daily workout. Alfie ran off as usual but he's a good lad, he comes back when called.
To say the house was pretty covered in mud when we got back is no mean exaggeration, it truly was swimming in it. The joys of owning a dog - no use complaining - they are worth every bit of extra work, and if you don't think you could cope with this, don't buy one, as this is the dogs world and depriving them of it is just cruel.

Now I must go and cook the dogs lunch and ours. My friend Tim is coming for a Sunday roast as usual, and particularly loves breast of lamb, so he's having a treat, though I'm not sure he will appreciate the dogs having the same meal - oh well, such is life!