23rd January 08. Days 23, 24, 25.

These last 3 days have been somewhat of a nightmare, but the dogs are fighting fit and ready for their drontal worming tablets. At £1.73 each including postage, plus a discount if you buy 4, I'd say that was fabulous value for money and only at paws 24/7 Its 75% cheaper than your vets and postage is next day delivery.

I always buy my Frontline from them as their service is second to none, and their prices are so much cheaper. £25.00 for 6 pipettes which last 1 year. They also have a special offer on right now!


Food this week:
Monday: Breakfast] Mince, Veg and Rice, with 1/2 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Bonemeal and gravy from juices. Dinner] Chicken with Veg and Rice
Tuesday: BF] Chicken with fresh cooked veg. D] Liver and Potatoes with Olive Oil
Wednesday: BF] Aldi's Pollack (White fish) with rice and Olive Oil. A pack of this fish fed all three dogs and three cats with rice!

Since feeding them myself, their whole demeanor has changed, their eyes are clear, and their coats shiny and unmatted, plus they seem satisfied for much longer. (Springers ears are a nightmare to keep unknotted, but it isn't happening like it was. Odd, but true!

Maddy is getting bigger and more lovely every day, but she is VERY quiet, and food is not her main priority right now. We have to coax her to eat. I guess she feels full with her puppies, but we are hand feeding her to make sure she is getting what she needs.

I must find out what nutrients go into puppy food, as she will need this as from week 6 and up to and including 10 weeks after she has given birth. I also have to see if there will be a vet available on standby should we need him/her. Safe rather than sorry!

Unfortunately Piglet is going to have to go back to her original owners, my son and his partner, as she can be quite aggressive and although still only 5 months old, scares the pants of Maddy and Alfie when she wants something and doesn't get it. Not good for the newborn puppies. I am very sad as she is wonderful, but she loves them too, so feel she will be fine. I'm not sure I will be, but hey, it isn't about me any more.

Went for a lovely after dark walk, and Alfie went in a huge pond and splashed about like a child. We all came back quite muddy, but all three dogs are now suitable tired and ready for bed, as are we.

Back soon~~~~

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!