How I Organize My Dog's Life, Part 2 - Cooking

Benny Bix Ochman Labradoodle puppy, now two, has tummy troubles. Wanting him to live a long and healthy life, and not wanting to have him on medication forever, I’ve learned to cook for him. (Despite my best efforts, the cat will only eat cat food.)

The first question everyone asks is “Doesn’t that take a lot of time?” I’ve got the whole process very organized, so it takes me about 45-minutes every two weeks.

Raw or Cooked? Supplements?
There are so many opinions about whether to feed cooked or raw, etc, etc. I learned what to feed Benny and what supplements to give him by working with his breeder and the wonderful holistic Vet at the Barn.

My Organizing System
Every two weeks, I get Fresh Direct to deliver
   • 10 pounds of stew meat and calves liver, both of which arrive cut into small pieces so vegetarian me doesn’t have to cut up meat.
   • 6 yams
   • 3 pounds of marrow bones
   • 2 pounds of chicken wings

45 Minutes Every Two Weeks
The first day or so after these arrive I feed him the beef and liver raw. Then I spend a total of about 45-minutes preparing the rest.
   • Boil the meat and freeze it in 2 cup portions.

   • Cut the yams into chunks, boil them, and freeze them in two-cup portions.

   • Every few days I steam some squash, or string beans, or broccoli, and put it in the fridge.

   • Every night I take a container of meat out of the freezer to let it defrost in the fridge.

Come and get it!
Morning and night, when I feed Benny, I mix his supplements with cottage cheese, throw on a handful of veggies, yams, or leftover rice, quinoa or pasta, add a cup of Solid Gold dry food, a bit of oil, and we’re done.

I keep the marrow bones frozen and give him one for ½ an hour at a time a few times a week. Other days, he gets frozen raw chicken wings. (Never give a dog cooked bones because cooked bones will splinter.) My pup's teeth are sparkling white, and his breath is sweet.

Posted September 21, 2007, filed in Organizeit Projects