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Sick Sinus Syndrome

By Lorraine

 

A visit to the vet to see why our miniature schnauzer dog was frequently falling, revealed a diagnosis of Sick Sinus Syndrome, a disease of the heart that eventually took his life.Sick Sinus Syndrome. Have you ever heard of it? That is the diagnosis we got concerning our much loved schnauzer.

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Filed Under: Family Tagged With: dogs, pets, Raider, Schnauzer

Happy Birthday, Raider!

By Lorraine

 
Do you have a sweet dog that fills your heart to overflowing? Heartfelt quotes as we celebrate the years with our schnauzer. Happy Birthday, Raider!Anyone who has a pet knows the joy and love they bring to life. Truly a family member for as long as they fill our home with their loyalty, personality and antics. Celebrating another year with our miniature schnauzer.  Happy Birthday, Raider!
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Filed Under: Family, Family & Friends Tagged With: birthday, dogs, Quote, Raider, Schnauzer

How to Brush Your Dog’s Teeth

By Lorraine

Begin a routine of brushing your dogs teeth for healthy gums and help prevent dental issues and costly vet fees. It is easier than you think.
Did you know February is National Pet Dental Health Month?  Neither did I. So, before February ends, it seems a perfect time to share a post I had in draft showing how to brush your dog’s teeth.  We now keep our Schnauzer’s teeth brushed and clean. Keeping your dog’s teeth clean is much easier than I thought. Scroll down to learn how to brush your dog’s teeth.

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Filed Under: Family Tagged With: Raider, Schnauzer

Homemade Dog Food

By Lorraine

Making homemade dog food is far easier that I thought! Try these recipes using chicken, beef, oats, sweet potatoes and more with guide for great nutrition.Yea, I know, it sounds crazy to make homemade dog food! But I learned, it doesn’t take as much effort as I thought.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Beef, Canning & Freezing, Chicken, Recipes Tagged With: dog food, dogs, Raider, Schnauzer

sad pup

By Lorraine

aww… this getting older stuff stinks!
My appetite has been off (probably) because it hurt to chew.
 my gums were red and inflamed and I had plaque buildup
 so off to to the veterinarian this morning for another dental cleaning
 and… the extraction of SIX teeth. Four loose ones, one getting loose and one abscessed.
now I have stitches, a sore throat and feel dreadful
Since I had a full dental cleaning just over a year ago, Mom resolved to (do her best to) brush my teeth everyday so I don’t have to have them professionally cleaned every year and break the piggy bank.
Doc sent me home with an antibiotic and Rimadyl and said the stitches will dissolve in about 14 days and I will feel better.
And, will be even more kissable and lovable (if that is possible).
My family loves me!

Here are some Periodontal Disease signs and symptoms to look for from Pets Adviser:

Bad Breath: The bacteria from decaying food that causes gingivitis and infection in your dog’s  mouth also results in abnormally bad breath. We don’t expect doggy breath to be “minty fresh,” but any type of sour, acrid odor is indicative of some kind of disease process in your pet’s mouth or other internal organs. (Yes, cats can have bad breath too.)

Inflamed Gums: Also called “gingivitis,” the disease that causes your dog’s red, inflamed and sometimes bleeding gums is a result of the bacteria that linger in his mouth from food left in his teeth. This bacterium typically gathers under the gum line around the roots of the teeth and can cause an infection that leads to tooth loss, bone degeneration and, in severe cases, possible major organ disease.

Plaque and Calculus: Dental plaque is composed of the food particles and saliva that mix together to form a sticky film on your dog’s teeth. If the plaque is left on the teeth, it will harden into a thick, bone-like formation called calculus (or tartar), which can cover the entire tooth and hide an underlying infection.

Swollen Jaw: Often, when infection gathers around the tooth root and creates an abscess, swelling of the jaw occurs that is visible to the naked eye. There will be a lump either on the lower jaw close to your pup’s neck or on the upper jaw just under his eye socket. Sometimes, if the abscess becomes large enough to burst, it will break through the skin covering it and you’ll see pus seeping onto your dog’s fur from a small hole in the lump.

Trouble Chewing: You may notice that your dog is having trouble chewing his food, or that he’s stopped chewing altogether and is just gulping it down. If you look inside his mouth, you may also see loose or missing teeth where the tooth roots have detached from the bone because of disease. Rotting, infected teeth and gums can be extremely painful, and loose teeth can cause your pet to stop using his mouth to break up his food.

Nasal Discharge and Sneezing: When your dog’s gums become infected on his maxilla (upper jaw), the roots of the teeth can abscess, creating pockets of pus and infection that can reach up into his sinus cavities. When the sinuses become infected, your pup can develop a runny nose and begin sneezing.

Filed Under: Family, Family & Friends Tagged With: Raider, Schnauzer

Miniature Schnauzers

By Lorraine

 
 

Dogs… man’s best friend. This one is my best friend. His name is Raider and he is a miniature schnauzer. He is an important part of our family showing unconditional love, loyalty, and companionship each and every day.

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Filed Under: Family, Family & Friends Tagged With: poem, Quote, Raider, Schnauzer

Raider

By Lorraine

sharing some photos of Raider from Christmas

Filed Under: Family, Family & Friends Tagged With: Raider, Schnauzer

My Blessings

By Lorraine

 around the table

and Face Time with Jill and family in NY 🙂

Filed Under: Family, Grandchildren Tagged With: Abbey, AJ, Caleb, Cambrie, Chloe, Erin, Grandchildren, Jamie, Jared, John, Josh, Keri, Lorrie, Noah, Raider, Schnauzer, Silas

Change of Plans

By Lorraine

We had planned to make the 6-hour drive north to visit our daughter in New York but instead will be cleaning out the gutters and storing away outdoor furniture this weekend in anticipation of hurricane Sandy should she decide to smack into New Jersey.
~*~
Sharing a collection of recent Photos
with no purpose ~ just because I like them
each with autumns warm glow
 basket of pears
 coffee containers
 where we have dinner most evenings
little green apples
 sunrise last week
 kitchen table
 orange moth
 sniffing the wind
 snorting
and though my schnauzer sometimes looks like a mean bad-boy, he seldom does anything to qualify for…
one of my favorite blogs…
about dogs doing, well, shameful things.
I just shake my head and smile at some of the trouble they cause and how we just keep on loving them anyway.

Filed Under: Family, Grandchildren Tagged With: Home and Garden, Raider, Schnauzer

Polka Dot Puppy

By Lorraine

Raider visited the groomer a few days ago.
His stern face and jutting eyebrows belie the
bandanna he wore home.
Perhaps the upside-down peace signs are appropriate
Ever since Raiders encounter with the honeybees this past fall, I have
noticed spots where he didn’t used to have spots!

 Kind of unusual.

You’d never know from looking at this face just how sweet he can be.

He likes to find a comfy place where he can also keep an eye out for intruders that might be passing by.

When the coast is clear…

 he feels it is safe to drift off to sleep…

 sweet boy

Filed Under: Family, Family & Friends Tagged With: Raider, Schnauzer

Raider’s Breakfast Dance

By Lorraine


Here are just a few of the unique antics of our much loved
miniature schnauzer:

 
* He has an internal clock… he awakes each morning at almost the exact time (within a few minutes). No alarm clocks needed here!
 
 * After rousing John & I and heading down stairs, he heads to the kitchen where he begins his spinning ritual as his food is being scooped from its container.  It’s two circles around then leaping and skipping to his bowl. He takes his first bite and stops until he hears the opening of the dishwasher (which is unloaded while he eats and prior to his first walk of the day). Only after the click of the door opening does he resume eating his bowl of food.
 
 * He loves popcorn and sits, staring intently up at the microwave while the popping occurs. He sits at attention, staring intently at those eating popcorn hoping for the occasional piece tossed his way.  He is able to snatch most pieces in mid-air even though some family members with sadistic tendencies make him do acrobatic maneuvers for each kernel tossed.
 
* He LOVES fruit! Even when he is alone in the kitchen he will stand by the counter where the bananas are stored making strange throaty sounds indicating his desire. No matter how quietly I take the vegetable peeler from the drawer, he comes running from the far reaches of the house in hopes there will be apples or other fruit peeled and shared with him. He loves all fruit with the exception of citrus. He also loves carrots.
 
* He has lots of toys but his favorite is a little cow that vibrates when it’s string is pulled. Raider holds the end of the string with his teeth and shakes his head until he pulls the string and causes the moving action. When told to go find ‘cow’ he will usually find it and bring it back to play.
 
* He does ‘rolly-polly’ by rolling on his back for belly rubs.
 
* He is a great traveler even on long trips. He does not, however, like the toll takers and snarls most unkindly at them.
 
* He gets more comfortable that any other creature I have known. He seeks out all pillows and has been known to squeeze his little self precariously on the smallest of  them. If there was a stack of pillows he would do all in his ability to get to the top. 
 
*He likes to play “hide and seek”. One of us hides and he seeks. I think he uses his sight more than his sense of smell because sometimes he has a hard time finding the hidden person.
♥
did I mention how much I love this dog!

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: Mosaic Monday, Raider, Schnauzer

Finished Craft Projects, Wooden signs and crocheted Dog Sweater

By Lorraine

Keep you puppy warm and cozy with a crocheted dog sweater in your favorite color with this how-to pattern.It has been a busy and productive week finishing up craft projects. My miniature schnauzer will be warm and cozy in his crocheted dog sweater. Scroll down to find the how-to pattern and video below.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Crafts, Crochet Tagged With: Crafts, Crochet, gifts, Schnauzer, video

Classic Banana Bundt Cake & Helpers

By Lorraine

Our family will never be low on potassium. Almost every day we have bananas or something made with them. I did not realize this is a Dorie Greenspan recipe when I made it ~ it comes from her book From My Home to Yours. I made some changes. The original recipe called for two (2) sticks of butter. I substituted applesauce for half of the butter and used low fat sour cream.
It’s a moist and delicious cake with lots of banana flavor!


My helper and…
my beggar.

Classic Banana Bundt Cake

Ingredients: Makes 1 Bundt Cake (14 servings)

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs, preferably at room temperature
About 4 very ripe bananas, mashed (you should have 1 1/2 – 1 3/4 cups)
1 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
OPTIONAL:  I like to stir in about 3/4 cup chocolate chips.

Center a rack in the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Generously butter a 9- to 10-inch (12 cup) Bundt pan. (If you use a silicone Bundt pan there’s no need to butter it.) Don’t place the pan on a baking sheet – you want the oven’s heat to circulate through the Bundt’s inner tube.

Whisk the flour, baking soda and salt together.

Working with a stand mixer, preferably fitted with a paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter until creamy. Add the sugar and beat at medium speed until pale and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla, then add the eggs one at a time, beating for about 1 minute after each egg goes in. Reduce the mixer speed to low and mix in the bananas. Finally, mix in half the dry ingredients (don’t be disturbed when the batter curdles), all the sour cream and then the rest of the flour mixture. Scrape the batter into the pan, rap the pan on the counter to debubble the batter and smooth the top.

Bake for 65 to 75 minutes, or until a thin knife inserted deep into the center of the cake comes out clean. Check the cake after about 30 minutes – if it is browning too quickly, cover it loosely with a foil tent. Transfer the cake to a rack and cool for 10 minutes before unmolding onto the rack to cool to room temperature.

If you’ve got the time, wrap the cooled cake in plastic and allow it to sit on the counter overnight before serving – it’s better the next day.

Optional Lemony White Icing:
Sift 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar into a bowl and squeeze in enough fresh lemon juice (start with 2 teaspoons and add more by drops) to make an icing thin enough to drizzle down the Bundt’s curves.

Filed Under: Cakes & Cupcakes, Recipes, Sweet Treats Tagged With: Baking, Ella, Raider, Schnauzer

In a Baking Mood

By Lorraine

I tried two new recipes today, a hearty, dense bread and
a fun breakfast muffin.
~~~
I have been looking for a bread with some added texture and bite by the addition of seeds/grains. This recipe caught my eye because of the wild rice (which I love). I think this recipe has potential and plan to make it again but with a slight modification. Instead of baking in a loaf pan I will shape the dough and bake on a baking sheet so it can rise a bit more.

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Filed Under: Muffins, Recipes, Sweet Treats Tagged With: Baking, Raider, Schnauzer

Do You See What I See?

By Lorraine

Have you ever watched fluffy clouds pass overhead and imagine shapes of animals dancing in the sky? My daughter and I still have fun seeing shapes in the clouds. We must have similar imaginations as we often agree on the ever changing menagerie that drifts by while my husband just shakes his head thinking we are a bit out there.
~*~
For the past several years, while sitting on the patio,
I see a recognizable shape in the trees…

Do YOU see it too?

keep looking…

Do you see it now?
~~~
scroll down

There he is! 🙂

(I bet you are shaking your head and rolling your eyes thinking this is a real stretch and this blogger would absolutely fail an inkblot test for psychological evaluation.)
🙂

Filed Under: Flowers Plants & Herbs, Home and Garden Tagged With: Raider, Schnauzer

Hi! I'm Lorraine. Welcome to Grateful Prayer Thankful Heart. A place to find food for your tummy, projects for your hands, and encouragement for your heart.

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