With a busy weekend of fun activities with our dogs, we decided not to get together for dinner. Here is an update on how our dogs did  on the camping trail and at agility trial!

Maggie will continue training in dog agility

Diane takes Hunter and Maggie to Compete in Agility

Hunter had a 40% success rate. My goal is always 50%. He and I are just not connected right now. I think lack of practice is our problem.

Maggie had one perfect Jumpers run, but in all other runs, she shut down. Still the lack of confidence rears its ugly head. Practice, again, at home and in other locales.

The good news is that my arena is now open for classes and personal practice. Today I included my own training with my dogs in my weekly schedule. If you don’t schedule it, it doesn’t happen.

Brianna and Aaron Take Rankine Camping

With training and practice, our dog will come when called

Although we did not trial this weekend, we had a wonderful time in Estes Park. Rankine was excellent all weekend, he was a pleasure to take camping (ok RVing) because we have invested the upfront training time for reliability off-leash even withstanding the urge to chase after wildlife.

Rankine managed to get pet by several dozen small children, most of whom asked permission before approaching him. Interesting side note, he’s still a little skittish around 3 to 10 year olds. He has grown used to the younger ones and will take an untold amount of abuse. I suppose this will change as our baby gets a little older. We also discovered that our baby knows what the phrase “give Rankine a hug” means. Very cute!

Suzy and Kalee Stay Home

Please follow the rules so we can keep playing!

While I did go on a hike, Kalee stayed home since her old body can’t handle the heat any longer. Instead, we went for a walk around the neighborhood once the sun went down and the temperature dropped.

On both walks, I noticed many people out enjoying the holiday with their dogs. Unfortunately, some were breaking leash laws – consequently scaring off the wildlife in the state park – and failing to pick up after their pets – making the walk a bit hazardous. While out enjoying your dog in public spaces, please remember to keep your dog on leash and pick up so that we may keep the privilege of taking our dogs along on hikes, camping, and to the local parks. At parks where off-leash dogs are allowed, make sure your dog has a really reliable recall – like Rankine above – before unclipping that leash.

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Dogs in Greek Mythology

This list highlights some interesting dogs found in Greek mythology and literature.

Argus the dog and Odysseus

Argus - the faithful dog of Odysseus, Argus is the first to recognize Odysseus upon his return to Troy. The dog has been exiled from the house and is an amazing 20+ years old. You must read Homer’s text (Odyssey, Book 17) which is quite moving.

Cerberus - made faithful by Harry Potter, this is the three headed original watchdog “Hound of Hades.” Interestingly, his saliva is what created the first poisonous plants!

Hecuba - while not originally a dog, the gods turned Hecuba into a dog while she was snarling and cursing at Odysseus, allowing her to escape slavery – but only in the story Hecuba by Euripides.

Laelaps - the dog who always caught his prey, he was gifted to Europa by Zeus, then gifted again a couple more times. Unfortunately,Laelaps was sent to catch the Teumessian fox – which could never be caught – and Zeus grew tired of the never ending chase, turned them both to stone.

Marea - belonging to Icarus, Marea led Icarus’s daughter to his slain body buried under a tree. A star is named Marea, which rises a little before the Dog-star Sirius.

Sirius - Sirius was not originally a dog. The name comes from a Greek word meaning “glowing” or “scorcher.” It is associated with dogs because it is the brightest star of the constellation Canis Major, the “Great Dog.” Ancient Greeks also thought this star affected dogs negatively.

Sources:

• Dogs of Greek Mythology by Sheppard Software
• Wikipedia
• Names and Meanings: Dog names
• Colin Hughes at Washington State University

The Greek Food at Our Weekly Dinner

After a long day working, a Greek dinner is a welcome respite. Healthy, tasty, Greekish, eclectic assortment of tastes. Everyone cleaned their plates and the serving bowls are nearing empty. We had moussaka, cucumber salad, chicken kabobs and falafel with taziki sauce, accompanied by pita, hummus, and tabbouleh.

What do you think? Try our recipes by clicking on “more.” Next week, barbecue and “Snooker” (you must join us to find out what this is!) (more…)

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Dogs

Besides discussing family, life, and technology, we challenged each other to name as many Asian breeds as possible. We came up with…

Shiba Inu, Shih Tzu, Low Chin, Chinese Crested, Akita, Chow. Correct us if we’re wrong and add the breeds we forgot!

Food

Lettuce Wraps, Stir Fry vegetables, (recipes follow) Vegetable Steamed Dumplings, and Bao Steamed Buns (Okami brand Bao Asian-Style pork and b.b.q. sauce steamed buns). Dinner was followed by an Asian Spice Friendship Cake – we took an existing starter bread and gave it an Asian flare, adding cinnamon.

Next week we are trying Greek.

Try our recipes by clicking on (more…)

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This week’s theme was community fajita. Each of us brought different ingredients to the table. Eating our fajitas with the dogs drooling around the table eventually led to a conversation about Mexican Dogs.

The Dogs…

The Mexican Hairless dogs official name is “Xoloitzcuintli”  and the common misconception that they require little grooming. Nothing could be further from the truth! Because their skin is exposed to the elements, they require bathing, lotions, and daily applications of sun block. According to the Xolo Club of America, they are “built for speed, agility and endurance and therefore a variety of exercise regiments will be most beneficial….This not only prevents the dog from getting bored, it will utilize a variety of muscle groups and create balanced muscle definition.”

Chihuahuas are another active dog commonly associated with Mexico. According to AKC’s breed information, they are “highly intelligent and should not be underestimated even though small in size” with “terrier-like qualities”  – aka energetic and benefits from exercise and training!

Exercise your dog by taking dog and puppy training classes and get training advice in the dog training library.

The Dinner…

Fajitas and Mexican Salad

The fajitas featured grilled flank steak marinated in Annie’s Roasted Red Pepper marinade and chicken seasoned with McCormick’s Taco Seasoning. To complete the fajitas, friends contributed grilled peppers and onions, homemade guacamole, shredded cheese, tortillas, lettuce and tomatoes. We also had a green salad with avacados, tomatos, sauteed pablano pepper strips and Litehouse salsa ranch dressing.

Chips, salsas, and frozen margaritas kept the party atmosphere in play and we finished off with a custardy flan.

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Potcake dog pal of The Kohn Foundation

Dinner With Caribbean Potcake Dogs

The majority of the dogs in Grand Bahama are of mixed breed, named “Potcakes” after the popular peas and rice dish that sticks to the bottom of the pot. The leftover peas and rice is often fed to the dogs; hence the name they have been given. These dogs are extremely intelligent and easily-trained, and they make the most grateful and loyal companions.

Some nice flavors here tonight.

Mango Chutney with Crackers – as it was being prepared, the cook took a quick taste and her toenails fell off, but it mellowed after sitting for four hours. From 2002 Best of Weight Watchers cookbook.

Bulgur Wheat with Dried Cranberries – good and healthy. Most of us had seconds.

Caribbean Inspired Salad – we made it table side! Mixed greens, pecans, black beans, red onions, orange wedges, and avocados sprinkled with fresh squeezed oranges.

Caribbean Dinner with Online Dog Coach

Jerk Chicken Pasta – this is spicy. From Allrecipes.com one of our favorite recipe sites. We added more jerk seasoning to spice it up. Used half and half instead of whole cream.

Caribbean crusted Cod with pineapple spears – Costco was good enough to have the whole bag frozen for us, along with pineapple, dried berries, and peach mango salsa so we picked it up and served it.

Rum Mojitos – these are strong! Never made them before but we put together mint leaves, fresh lime, bottled lime juice, simple syrup, club soda, and whole lotta rum.

More about The Kohn Foundation:

The Bahamian Animal Rescue Committee (B.A.R.C.) was formed in April, 2005 to assist the Humane Society of Grand Bahama in their ongoing efforts in West End concerning animal population control, spay and neuter programs, and disease mitigation. The situation with wild dogs and cats has worsened since the hurricanes devastated the village in 2004. There are many more puppies and kittens in the village, resulting in a large homeless population. B.A.R.C. is part of The Kohn Foundation.

The Kohn Foundation (TKF) is a non-profit (501c3) organization based in Evergreen, Colorado, U.S. TKF received its non-profit status in April, 2004, prior to the hurricanes which devastated West End, Grand Bahama Island. As a result of the destruction to the village, fund raising efforts to assist in the rebuilding of homes, schools, and businesses are more critical than ever. To date, the majority of the funds donated to TKF have come from private individuals. Fundraising will continue to be a TKF priority as more programs are developed.

Join us next week for Mexican Fajitas.

Click “more” for the Mango chutney recipe… (more…)

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