Life of Po

morning stretches

2011-08-24T22:16:00.002-04:00

Good morning everyone!

"RAAaaaaAAAwwrrr..."

"Oh, hello there mister*, is breakfast ready yet?"

*I am convinced that our Po, in his goofy yet wise, meatball way, would indeed call Dusty "Mister" and me "Hey LADY!!!"

King of the Couch

2011-08-06T10:19:00.004-04:00

Po certainly makes his home his castle! (He makes a mean pillow fort, he does.)

skater boy

2011-08-03T21:23:00.002-04:00

Run, Po, Run!

the boys...

2011-07-26T22:51:00.000-04:00

...and naptime. (Stereo snoring too!)

it's hard work...

2011-07-04T22:21:00.000-04:00

...being this relaxed.

Hey, Meatball!

2011-07-02T14:18:00.006-04:00

Of all the pet names we have for our funny little man, I think I like this one the best. It's not often you can get a twofer so descriptive of both noggin size and temperament.

Also it's quite fun to holler out:

"Get over here, Meatball!"

"Wouldja quit being such a meatball, Meatball?"

"Who me? Well, I guess I am a bit of a meatball..."

And so it was with unreasonable giddyness that we happened upon our good pal Rodney's latest awesome venture - a delicious new joint featuring, you guessed it...meatball sandwiches!

Ever happy to jump on the promotional bandwagon, Po is now decked out with a snazzy new pin to call his own.

Po the Wise

2011-07-01T10:42:00.003-04:00

Pondering the universe, one meal at a time...

road trip

2011-06-29T11:00:00.001-04:00

Driver Po, homebound from the cottage.

(He's pretty good at it, actually, although it does get a bit windy since he insists that all the windows are rolled down...)

a game of strategy, stamina and a stick...

2011-06-27T09:22:00.002-04:00

Our wily boys could (and have) spent hours playing their very complicated game, which consists of:

1) Satchmo finds stick. Holds stick still for Po to grab on.

2) Po runs away with stick, circles Satchmo endlessly until Satchmo deftly snatches stick back from Po.

3) Repeat.

catching up

2011-06-26T09:19:00.002-04:00

We've been on vacation! Po and his new best bud Satchmo have been whooping it up at the cottage, lucky boys.

More soon! :)

snuggy bear

2011-04-16T15:47:00.002-04:00

Oh, the embarrassment...

We love you so, Snuggy Bear!

(Thanks Rachel for the awesome gift. I may have heard Po asking for a Snackmaster and a block of cheese next...)

harumph!

2011-03-23T10:26:00.000-04:00

Po in his classic grumpy pose.

toy story

2011-03-22T09:56:00.000-04:00

Another busy day at the office...

The Couch Flap, or How To Be a Winning Machine

2011-03-19T15:43:00.001-04:00

And this is how Po wins, every time....

nap time

2011-03-18T07:11:00.001-04:00

sun-sun-sunday bear

2011-02-06T09:57:00.001-05:00

new red coat

2011-02-05T11:04:00.000-05:00

As you can see, Po is very impressed with his winter gear...

a good morning

2011-02-02T14:00:00.001-05:00

It's hard not to smile when you wake up to this silly goofball every morning...

a vision!

2011-01-30T15:43:00.002-05:00

Well, it's not quite as miraculous as that Virgin Mary toast, but you have to admit the resemblance is uncanny...

(Of course, you could also consider the amount of sugar the donut decorators at Krispy Kreme ingest in a day - I'd have shaky hands too.)

movie night

2011-01-29T08:57:00.002-05:00

This week, I finally caved and joined Netflix. It must've been the hibernation instincts kicking in (which, I suppose, could also be called borderline denial - What outside bleak and slushy grey world? We're into Day Two of a Mad Men marathon!)

Po is throughly enjoying the couch time too, if only for the selection of the salty-sweet snacks that accompanied, say, last night's Vertigo.

"Hey, who drooled in the popcorn?!"

a few (belated) season's greetings...

2011-01-26T21:07:00.003-05:00

What have we been up to around the Po homestead? With all the fabulous freezing weather we've been having, (not to mention the alaming crunch-crunch-crunch of the carpet of rock salt around our neighbourhood, boo) all I can say is that we've been having a lot of lazy nights in. There have been many games of indoor fetch and pillow fights. Numerous couch forts have been built and ransacked. Silly outfits, with matching goofy booties reluctantly being worn to brave the great outdoors. (More on that in a bit. I think he's still embarrassed about his winter gear.)

Oh, and we've done a bit of reminiscing too, in the form of a calender, featuring yours truly!

We had one made up as a Christmas gift for our dear friends. (The thought had been brewing ever since J told us how much the picture of Mr. September cracked him up.)

So here he is, now a little man of all seasons!

See you next time!

dearest friends,

2011-01-25T21:24:00.002-05:00

It's been awhile. We've missed you and we're back!

Love, Po.

hibernation

2010-12-19T23:02:00.003-05:00

It's cold out there! There's no time like the present to get cozy in the den...

poga

2010-11-28T16:00:00.000-05:00

In which we learn three new po-ses...

Plank

Cobra

Boat?

See you at the next class!

mr. november

2010-11-27T14:34:00.001-05:00

The Artful Dodger

2010-11-23T14:47:00.005-05:00

In which our urchin learns to pick a pocket or two...

(Ah, food, glorious food.)

happiness

2010-11-21T12:00:00.000-05:00

I love my boys!

poser!

2010-11-20T13:38:00.002-05:00

Such a character...today is no different!

november rain

2010-11-17T01:41:00.001-05:00

...the best kind of day for sleeping in.

the look

2010-10-17T01:09:00.002-04:00

(Some days, I swear he'll start speaking.)

wild style

2010-10-07T17:11:00.002-04:00

Po "Crazy Legs". Just chillin'....

a hard day's night

2010-10-04T15:23:00.003-04:00

(and yes, he'll soon be sleeping like a log...)

catch me if you can!

2010-10-02T12:07:00.001-04:00

near & far

2010-09-30T10:02:00.001-04:00

Near....

Far!...

Near again.

dreaming in black and white...

2010-09-29T09:15:00.000-04:00

sleeping in

2010-09-28T00:19:00.003-04:00

(Funny, that's exactly how I feel today. Rainy days are the best.)

centerfold

2010-09-27T17:09:00.000-04:00

Mr. September?

parks and recreation #3

2010-09-24T14:18:00.003-04:00

Can you believe it's nearly October? The weather has been so mild recently...perfect for hanging out in the park with Sir Snorty Pants (and Ball).

"Wait, I'm supposed to give it back? Really? What gives?"

(Um, a little something in your teeth. Yep, just a touch over...)

run, Po, run!

The classic sideways-up-to-no-good-glance. (The variation being the backwards-over-the-shoulder-up-to-funny-business-glance.)

blue period

2010-09-21T10:50:00.003-04:00

Or, Finding Your Inner Artist (aka "I Just Gotta Be Meee!")

Turns out we've got quite the creative type on our hands here.

This weekend I unknowingly became a patron of the arts when I noticed that the sound of Po crunch-crunching on a marrow bone gave way to a suspicious silence, more snuffling about, then a great big plastic "crack, squish!"...hmmm.

...to which I then saw this:

Oh boy.

Lesson learned: Don't ever assume that boxes containing, say, concentrated gel paste food colouring, are safe from wily teenagers bent on expressing themselves! Even if said blue paste is left in a box, on a shelf, and contained in an otherwise pretty tightly sealed little tub. (He's a regular David Blaine, he is.)

Expressing the inner Frenchie - sacre bleu!

The good news was, that a few good giggles and a great big scrubbie bath later (including his silly blue tongue - imagine that, a Frenchie Chow!), all was back to normal.

That is if you don't count the "performance piece" left behind the next morning...

farm boys

2010-09-14T19:20:00.004-04:00

Among our adventures this summer was a visit up to our friends' farm for a great big housewarming party.

A beautiful day was had by all, especially our man Po, who instantly, happily - and noisily - formed one half of the Oddest Couples for the afternoon. Pippo, all elegant and slender limbed, behaved like the perfect gentleman (very Fantastic Mr. Fox) while our stinker joyfully barreled alongside , snorty drool face and all...

Time for a few refreshments in the form of awesome potato and pasta salads, lamb sausages and pickles.

There's always room for ice cream! Especially if it's freshly churned vanilla with local strawberries and maple syrup...oh yes.

Time for a break...

Oh smiley face!

squeak squeak

2010-08-22T20:00:00.004-04:00

Sorry for the absence!

We've all been enjoying the summer, especially since Po pants has been getting to hang out with his best bud Lumpy more often...oh, so much love. And drool!

Also, I'd say that from the constant squeak squeak squeak-ing that's been going on around here, that this little orange ball is officially the little dude's new favourite toy.

"Must. Not....Let. Go...."

lazy sunday

2010-07-18T20:45:00.000-04:00

peek a boo

2010-06-25T11:27:00.001-04:00

back in the day...

2010-06-25T11:19:00.002-04:00

oh, puppy breath!

happy birthday!

2010-06-06T22:03:00.003-04:00

Dearest Monkey Pants,

A very happy first birthday to you! We're so tickled to have you in our lives.

Lots of love and belly rubs,

f & d

itty bitty brand new puppy

oh, squishy face!

(both photos taken by Carol, more here)

One year old, hooray!

bffs

2010-06-03T00:09:00.005-04:00

It's always a treat to see the little dude so smitten with a new friend...let the bromance begin!

(And thanks again, M, for having us up to the cottage. You're the best.)

animal house

2010-06-01T13:05:00.005-04:00

In which our man Po joins the gang for an afternoon of frolicking, fish toys and feasting on bones...

"Hey, hey, glad I could make it today guys!"

"Whoa, nice toy...can I play?"

Sookie: "Oh, those crazy boys..."

"Pet me! Pet me! Over here! Pet me! Hiii!"

"Oy, my fish, mate."

Snack time.

home stretch

2010-05-20T01:37:00.002-04:00

A bit of goofy, floppy rolling and stretching...the best way to start the day!

sleeping bear

2010-05-13T20:08:00.003-04:00

"zzz..zzzzzz..snooorRRT...fllfff...zzzz"

downward dog

2010-05-06T00:32:00.002-04:00

Such fine form!

double trouble, and other adventures

2010-04-30T20:35:00.007-04:00

Today my lovely and amazing friend M called me up to ask if the Po and I might like to join her and her handsome Hiro for a romp in the park. Wheee....hells yeah!

Car rides are awesome, right mister?

It was Po and Hiro's first time meeting...and I swear I could almost hear one say to the other, "Buddy, this is the beginning of a bee-yooou-tee-ful friendship!" Five minutes into the ride, they were doing the dog version of two rompy kids punching each other in the arm and giving each other noogies...

Handsome Hiro!

And Hiro, it should be said, is whippet quick, darting dusty circles around our eager yet lumbery Po along the trail. The two of them were hilarious and instant double trouble, like bruisers trying to pick up every hapless and unsuspecting golden retriever at the bar.

Po aka "The Situation" and Hiro aka "Pauly D"

Po "The Situation": Ay, yo...wanna cruise the ravine and check out those hot shi-poos in the pit?

Hiro "Pauly D": Dude bro, I smell some good treats there, let's hit it up, yo!

But seriously, a fun time was had by all. Lots of romping and playing, sniffing and running. Finally Po's got a buddy to keep up with! Thanks for the awesome play date, M.

Here's to the next time...Fist Pump!

puddle dog

2010-04-29T20:59:00.002-04:00

We like to call Po "the Bear" (or Po Bear, or the Po-ness Bear - very creative!), although sometimes I feel that something a tad more descriptive would do his funny little ways more justice.

Like Crazy Jumpy Monkey Pants, or Stinky Silent Fart Boy (aka "Tiny Cropduster"), or Bully Face Panty Head...oh, the possibilities are endless.

Today, may I present...Sleepy Puddle Dog!

The few moments just before the yawns and snoring (oh, the snoring!) start...

Flatter and flatter.

Oh, the rolls!

Happy squishy face Po.

table for two?

2010-04-24T01:50:00.004-04:00

Breakfast time...please pass the bacon!

(Yes, trying out a new layout. Hope you enjoy it!)

yes, chef!

2010-04-22T13:46:00.002-04:00

Please meet the newest member of our crew...

"Hello up there! What's on the menu for today? Liver treats? Marrow bones?"

"Is it lunch time yet?"

intermission

2010-04-20T11:37:00.000-04:00

Finally, a bit of peace and quiet!

cats and dogs

2010-04-17T14:22:00.004-04:00

Our cozy little house has become a bit of a zoo this past week! While my mom is off traveling (lucky lady) for the next few weeks, we're taking care of her kitty Jelly.

Actually, that's the short story. A longer version would mention that Ms. Jelly Bean was actually first our cat, that we adopted from the Toronto Humane Society. And wow, what a scrappy life she must've led before she came to us! She wasn't, and still isn't, the friendliest cat...not by a long shot, but once she gets to know you, she may tolerate a quick chin scratch now and again. Other than that, she's pretty content to snooze in a sun patch and hide in warm laundry piles. Typical cat, no?

Anywhoo, for some crazy reason, my mom was just smitten with her, and somehow managed to catnap the evil fuzzy one about a year ago. And it was the perfect new home for her, who knew? Jelly just adores my mom. She even snuggles in her lap, while purring, of all things.

(And just in case you were wondering about the name. I started calling her Nigella - I adore Ms. Lawson to bits - because she's got the prettiest face...and a rather voluptuous everything else! And Jelly just seemed to fit after that.)

Yes, I'll admit, she's pretty cute when she's sleeping. But you should know...

...this is more like it! Scrappy evil kitty.

And so here we are, looking after Ms. Jelly for the next little bit, crazy claws and all. Poor Po seems so confused! He really wants to play, and although admittedly he does come off a bit - eager - shall we say, he seems genuinely bummed wondering why his new furry roommate won't just relax and party with him, already!

Hmm. This could get interesting....will keep you posted.

If anyone out there has any suggestions for us about helping these two make nice - Do I rub cat nip on him? Put beer in their water bowls? Just (kinda) kidding! - they would be more than welcome!

chicken leg

2010-04-16T19:10:00.003-04:00

Unwinding after another hectic day.

(Seriously, he needs to learn how to chill out, already.)

family walk

2010-04-15T11:54:00.001-04:00

We're loving these sunny afternoons!

parks and recreation #2

2010-04-14T11:30:00.003-04:00

Spring has finally sprung!

(Well, kinda - if you look reeaaallly hard, I'm sure you can just barely see the buds on the tippy tops of those branches...)

Which happily means that it was a perfect afternoon to spend goofing off in the park. Or p-a-r-k, as I think we're going to have to start saying.

We joined our friends P and J, while The Po approved the blanket set-up.

"Very nice," he said "Now about the whole picnic part of the day?..."

Watch out for the apple thief!

Even the best apple thieves get distracted by other dogs. And bikes. And frisbees. And leaves...

"I've got my game face on...what's next guys?"

oh, nuts.

2010-03-15T23:37:00.003-04:00

Our normally happy-go-lucky little dude had quite the big week recently. It only seems like yesterday that he was a teeny bundle of frenzied floppy ears and fuzziness. Oh, how the little monster has grown. And started humping every thing/person/freestanding object in sight!

We tried about a month ago to book an appointment for The Snip, only to find out that he had some funny liver levels at the time. A few blood tests later, he's all good (but we now supplement his meals with the suggested Rx Vitamins for liver support)...so time to go back to the vet.

(This picture cracks me up. Oh, the boys and their tv shows.)
Enjoying some last minute air time before the big day...

To be honest, I'm pretty sure I was more nervous than Po. He, the little lunkhead, was more than happy to charm and wheedle his way around the vet's office, and seemed thrilled that there were a whole new group of ladies to pat his head and scritch behind his ears.

While he was under, we went and (I know, we're nuts about the pup) cleaned the house, setting out his little blankets and pillows here and there on the floor. A few hours later, we went and collected the still groggy and grumpy dude...

No dignity! Poor little squishy ears...

So far he's being resting up like a champ. Although if I were him, I'd be a little more reluctant to fall asleep, lest something else be missing when I woke up! Another few days of recouping and I think we'll be all good to enjoy those sunny days outside...

(Maybe he's learning...sleeping with one eye open these days!)

being john malkovich...

2010-03-02T17:11:00.008-05:00

...is pretty much amazing, especially if you get to hang out with snuggly love bugs like Po. What an excellent evening!

(Was it the big bunny ears that made him so irresistible? Should I have been worried? heehee)

Clearly not star-stuck, Po figures it's just another saturday night...

Funnier still, I guess being JM means that you hugging and mugging with your fuzzy entourage gets you written up in the next day's Post. Breaking news!

Po seems to have taken his experience all in stride so far. If he starts demanding chilled Evian and peeled grapes though...

caught in the act

2010-02-27T01:44:00.002-05:00

Boogerman strikes again!

shoe monster #2

2010-02-22T16:55:00.004-05:00

It's nice to know that while little dude is getting bigger and funnier every day (20 lbs and growing!), some things really don't change all that much...

"mmm...afternoon shoe!"

parks and recreation

2010-02-07T21:48:00.004-05:00

In which Po goes nuts on this (finally!) sunny day at the park.

"woooo hooooo! we'reherewe'reherewe'rehere! parkparkparkparkyaaay!"

"So much to do...chase squirrels? Spin in circles? Sniff some bums! Jump in leaves!"

On the prowl for those pesky squirrels...

He's growing into such a little tank!

I love watching him "trade up" every time he comes across a bigger stick.

Supersized!

"Catch me if you can!"

happy sunday

2010-02-07T14:06:00.002-05:00

Tummy rubs and then off to the park!

man in the mirror?

2010-01-19T22:09:00.003-05:00

(Sorry this is a bit blurry - I saw this and scrambled for the camera! Funny little dude...)

nap time

2010-01-07T12:14:00.005-05:00

Signs of a good nap:

A full stretch in a little sun patch. And that sweet bully smile...

Squishy face. Pokey tongue.

Little pink pokey tongue!

pillow talk

2009-12-30T16:57:00.002-05:00

In which Po is introduced to his newest comfy spot, courtesy of our dear friends P and J.

"For me? A handmade pillow for my afternoon naps...aww, thanks P!"

"Pillow tester here! Ooh, just right."

"This makes people watching so much nicer. (It is hard work, you know.)"

"Is it snack time yet? A chewie, or a bone perhaps?"

"That hit the spot. Time for a quick nap!"

"ZZZ! (loud snoring = sleepy happy boy)"

happy holidays

2009-12-29T00:47:00.004-05:00

From all of us at the Po household, a very happy holidays to you!

blue steel? not so much...

2009-12-22T18:57:00.005-05:00

Well, it's official.

Po may be a puppy of many faces - a crazy Monster Pants, a sleepy Potato Head, master of the Stink Butt - but Supermodel/Clothes Horse definitely ain't his bag, baby. (Even if he is very, very good looking. And definitely an ambi-turner! On speed.)

With it being pretty nippy out these days, I thought I'd be the hipster "parent" and pick up some swanky new threads for Mr. Pants. After much hemming and hawing I finally found a sweet, respectable little Paddington Bear-esque capelet. And brought it home, much to the dismay of happy naked Po...

"Lady, this is so not my colour..."

Maybe he just needs to get used to it?

Almost resigned. Almost.

Can you feel the love?

Hmm, perhaps I'll have to return the puppy Uggs...
(I kid, I kid!)

method actor

2009-12-18T01:11:00.004-05:00

In which the little dude tries on some looks...

So regal...I am the Couch King!

And yet, sensitive and quizzical and the same time. (Ha ha, as if the knucklehead ponders about much more than when lunch is!)

Oooh, sad dog!

Showing off his "chicken leg" pose.

little action hero

2009-12-09T17:25:00.008-05:00

And now for something completely different...

some goofy Po playtime!

(This is also from September... belated I know, but had to share the fun. Whee!)

happy days

2009-12-09T16:56:00.004-05:00

...in which the Po bear romps in the afternoon September sun.

Definitely nice to remember, as we're now officially into the cold, slushy, dark-by-five pm-days of December!

(I'm trying to catch up on the last few weeks - my, the little potato head has grown!)

He was super thrilled to have so much grass to play in...

...with lots of rolling around to be done.

This just makes me smile. Half-bunny, half-pig, and there he goes!

Oh, that squishy nose.

yawn study #2

2009-12-03T21:50:00.002-05:00

From a slightly different point of view...

He's honestly so much fun to watch in the mornings, the chubby little stumbly bear. (Once he actually wakes up and begins to terrorize the house, however, is a whole other story!)

yawn study #1

2009-11-29T19:34:00.004-05:00

One of the benefits of working like a maniac for the last few weeks is that I was finally able to buy my very first "grown-up" camera. (Not that I don't love my little pocket point and shoot - we've been good buddies for quite awhile. But oh, the wicked call of the dslr...I couldn't resist!)

So while I figure out all the new buttons and doodads, I'm tickled to present The Po hard at work in his finest moments. The little dude yawns like no other!

Harrumph...and we're done!

sorry for the pause...

2009-11-29T19:29:00.002-05:00

Eek, it's been too long!

We've been missing in action - life and work literally had me running around like a crazy person, but we're back, hooray.

(oh, paws, I'm so silly, I know...)

More Mr. Po updates to follow very shortly!

wash & dry

2009-09-30T20:07:00.005-04:00

Oh, that perfect puppy smell! It's something I just can't enough of...almost.

With the cottage trip and a few romps in the park under his collar, Mr. P was starting to get a little, ripe, shall we say...

Time for a scrub-a-dub for the little dude. Love the Mane 'n Tail - I feel like this bottle has been around forever!

Good thing he's still small enough to fit in the kitchen sink. We are definitely not amused, says Po! (Although he seemed to enjoy the warm belly scrub part at least.)

While we were at it, we did a good ear clean too (wow, do those bat ears ever get gunky...guess that's what you get for having those good-looking sails attached to the noggin!)

...the fluffy towel awaits.

And then a nice warm lap to snuggle in. Not a bad afternoon, that!

Fuzzy and clean. The best of the puppy smells....

gone fishin'

2009-09-11T22:52:00.005-04:00

We spent the last long weekend of the summer at a friend's cottage. The weather was amazing, the company even better; add a goofy puppy to the mix and I think we may have had the perfect little getaway...

While we took in the view,

seeing all the little lovely things around us,

Po was busy snorting and snuffling around like a primo truffle pig in training.

Jackpot! Bacon on the griddle...must beg and look really cute!

He was a natural at the whole "lounging" thing...

We had our so-bad-they're-good trashy magazines to flip through - Po was more than happy to gnaw away...

First boat ride! (He fell asleep, good boy.)

We met this handsome fella patiently fishing for guppies. He did manage to catch two or three.

Back at the ranch, Mr. Grumpy Pants wants to know when dinner time is...

...I smell barbeque in the air!

A rare sighting of the Wild French Cottage Bulldog.

oh, the places you'll go...

2009-09-03T11:41:00.006-04:00

First streetcar ride - success!

Looks like Po's quite the happy commuter.

(And a very good, if slightly oblivious, brave boy. We took him to the vet yesterday to get his second round of booster shots, and the silly guy didn't even notice when his butt got poked with the needle. Nice one!)

once a thief

2009-09-02T20:42:00.004-04:00

He's a quick one, that's for sure!

Mmm, I love the smell of Vans in the morning...

Caught in the act!

(At least we know he's an equal opportunity shoe monster.)

Oh, but it's such hard work sneaking off with the goods, lucky there's always time for a quick nap. (I love the little pokey tongue. And the snoring, oh, the snoring...)

couch potato

2009-08-27T09:40:00.001-04:00

A little goofy playtime on the couch. Yeah, at first we waffled on whether our poor, beat up, lumpy stuffed potato of a couch could handle Hurricane Po, but we're suckers for a cute mug!

"Hmm, I wonder if they serve snacks in these seats?"

"Oh, hi, you must be part of the belly rubbing team, yes?"

"A little to the left..."

"Aw, geez, watch the hair!"

"Ok, so a quick snooze, then I'm up and at 'em again!"

family tree

2009-08-26T10:22:00.002-04:00

Ok, so I'm not positive on this one, but you have to admit, the resemblance is uncanny....

(It would explain a lot, though!)

RAWr!

2009-08-25T14:14:00.009-04:00

Or, How I Spent a Saturday Afternoon Making My First Batch of Raw Dog Food...

Lucky Po, our little hoover vac and resident Roomba, eats like quite the wolf king.
Yes, we're a couple of those guys, committed (or should be, possibly) to not only feeding raw, but attempting to make and mix it ourselves. We've got a great place to buy the premixed, frozen stuff - that would be the awesome Menagerie on Parliament - and already have a little stash of the Pets4Life Chicken, Beef and Green Tripe (looks tasty, I tells ya) tubs hanging out in our freezer. We, however are happily ambitious and always up for a challenge, so when the chance came up to make our own, jump we did!
(I should say, as a qualifying aside, that we both also happen to cook for a living. So sourcing out organ meats and bones and processing loads of fruits and veggies isn't too far of a stretch from the daily, harhar, grind...still, making our first batch of doggy food was definitely an interesting process!)
We used Carol's formula, which she feeds her guys, and broke it down for ourselves like this:

50% turkey or chicken necks/thighs
10% organ meatsliver (chicken, veal)kidneygiblets
25% muscle meat (turkey, rabbit, lamb, beef, venison…)
10% ground vegetables (squash, cooked sweet potato, pumpkin)fruit (blueberry, apple, bananas)greens (kale, spinach, parsley)...and a clove of garlic too.
5% mix of eggdairy (goat milk)nutritional yeastmolassesyogurtapple cider vinegar
Sounds good, doesn't it? (Would it be weird to say that I'm actually inspired to shop a bit better for my own food now? In fact, as I type this, I'm finishing off a bowl of yogurt topped with blueberries and bananas...it's working already!)
At first we thought it might be a hassle to shop for and grind up all the different meats/bones, but as it turns out, we had a fabulous resource in a neighbourhood butcher shop. The fine folks at St. Andrew Poultry (they deal mostly in chickens, but have a variety of other meat too) in Kensington Market were kind enough to offer their services, and giant industrial grinder, for our project. It turns out that quite a few folks in our area feed raw too! (The nice man that helped me out told me about the lady who requested her own rabbit/liver mix to add to her cat's salmon diet. Gotta love that.)
So, from the butcher:

Ground chicken legs, necks, backs, giblets and livers. The rest is ground turkey and rabbit meat.

It feels so nice to see and know exactly what goes into our little man's food. And at a price of $38.55 for just over 20 lbs of mix, it's definitely an economical way to do it.

With that taken care of, now it's time to assemble the rest of the goodies:

Apples, carrots, blueberries, parsley, egg, yogurt and a touch of flax oil...and then we added a bit of banana, zucchini, celery and a garlic clove.

We also added a sprinkling of kelp powder to round things out. It's a great source of trace minerals and amino acids. Then bit by bit, we mulched the whole lot through the grinder. And ended up with this....

A dog's breakfast, yes!

With the sleeves rolled up and a super giant bowl handy, we then got right in there and mixed the whole shebang together. Schloop, schloop, schloop. Mmmm, meaty goodness. The end result...kinda like sausage mix.

Doggy mix, ready for portioning and freezing.

Thanks to our recent Ikea trip, we had these handy dandy containers that fit about 1 1/2 cups of food. For now, we're feeding three times a day, and going through just shy of one container each day.

When we ran out of containers, we started bagging the rest, using the tubs as a guide.

Ready for the freezer.

All in all, we ended up with 32 containers of food. With the cost of meat, fruits, veggies and extras, it works out that Po's wholesome little meals cost under $2 a day. Not bad!

I'm pretty sure Po likes it too. (We're taking his massive-inhalation-of-it-ALL-in-under-two-seconds moves as a complement to the chefs.)

road trip

2009-08-15T21:55:00.009-04:00

A big, big day today. Homecoming! I would be lying if I told you that this last week hadn't consisted of daily (hourly, even; another reason I'm so lucky D likes me) cheerful exclamations of "Po!", "Two more sleeps!", "Puppypuppypuppy!", then "One more sleep!", in rotation, like some deranged looping children's show.

On the plus side, in between my silly episodes, we actually managed to do some useful puppy prepping, aka Acting Like Grown-Ups, around the house in the last few days. We finally did the Official Ikea Trip for bookshelves and storage units after realizing that yes, we really did have a crazy number of shoes (him) and half-read books and magazines (me) for two people. That scary black hole/bird's nest of computer, cable, ipod and stereo wires threatening to take over our living room? Tidied! Strangely satisfying, that. Oh, and hooks...that we actually put up! That hold things we use and need everyday, like towels, and keys! Whoah!

Even our fridge, now so fresh and so clean, clean. And all the better, since we then spent a bit of time assembling and storing Po's food. More on that in a bit...

...because that all of that led up to today's big event. This afternoon, we headed on up to Carol's to meet up with the munchkin (and his remaining extended family - some of the crew had already left for their new homes).

We were met by a whole posse of friendly Frenchies. So adorably distracting; um, which one was ours again? (I kid, I kid.)

like a flash mob, they slowly began to gather...

puppies everywhere!

shoes make good snacks

is this thing on?

Then on to the official stuff. Paperwork, medical info, feeding schedule, a tub of Po's current food, plus a disc packed with pictures of Po and his family (that includes, Bunny the mom, plus siblings, Jacques, Hugo, Vela and PB, now Peanut Butter, I think?), all put together by the ever awesome Carol. Thanks Carol!

Then goodbyes, and time for Po to go on his first ever road trip!

(This was taken about five minutes before we experienced the stereophonic sounds of "Frenchie puppy yodel". I had no idea that dogs could holler like that!)

Ah, but the little guy was a champ. After about twenty minutes, he started to chill out and made it look like he might actually enjoy his first major car ride. Almost.

Arriving home, Po calmly surveyed his new digs before chowing down on dinner and a making a visit outside. Then onto a well-deserved nap. He's quite the cool customer so far! (I'll admit I'm a little suspicious, but secretly relieved. For now.)

At playtime. That mug!

then, out cold

flat dog

freckles and spots

I couldn't resist....the end. For today.

Welcome to your new home, Po!

first visit

2009-07-26T23:00:00.009-04:00

Oh, rainy day!

Off we went this soggy afternooon for our very first Po visit. Excited and eager, and armed with classic rock tunage and salty snacks, we ventured off into the great wide open - Mount Forest, here we come....

We were amazed by the corridor of giant turbines slowly spinning in the fields...

After about two hours and change of admiring the gorgeously green fields and frisky looking sheep (not to mention enviously considering giving up our current itty bitty downtown digs for a sprawling spread in the country - complete with a pond, with a slide! - oh, wouldn't that be sweet?), we finally reached Carol's home.

What a warm welcome! Carol clearly loves her Frenchies, and we were thrilled to finally meet the whole extended (mostly furry) family.

Introductions all around, and then off to the serious business of puppy, puppy, puppy!

Po, aka "Mr. Monster Pants"

The pups were a little snoozy from afternoon play time...all except our new little terror monkey, Po. Go figure. Carol mentioned that he had two speeds: full tilt and stop. I slid a sideways glance at D - those of you that know him will see that Po is already taking after him! Oh, I can barely wait for the chaos to begin....

Head scritches.

Oh, but he is a handsome boy! (I'm biased, for sure, but just look at those awesome markings...)
We watched Po play for a bit, in which he only managed to stomp all over his sleeping siblings a few times before promptly passing out on the blankets.

Po's sister Vela, was, unlike her jocky blockhead bro, very sweet and sleepy.

As Po dozed off, we chatted about the monkey for a bit - apparently his ears turn pink when he gets grumpy or sleepy - and talked about feeding raw. We're definitely going to go with that option, since we've got great access to the right equipment and ingredients. I'm pretty sure that little Po is going to eat better than us! (Or at least, I hope we start eating better to keep up with him...that would be a great and unexpected bonus.)

It looks like we may be able to bring the little guy back home with us mid-August. Hooray!

Little Po. Seven weeks old, and counting...

Oh Po, we can't wait to see you again real soon!