Carrot-Carob Pupcake Recipe (Happy 3rd Birthday, Buster!!)

August 20, 2014.

HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY, BUSTER!!

As is customary, before sunrise, Chef Bolter put on his chef hat and got to working on "birfday pupcakes" in the kitchen for his big bwudder.  This year, he decided to make Carrot-Carob Pupcakes with Peanut Butter-Carob frosting.  This recipe was inspired by Stacy (@cobragal) one of our Instagram friends who was kind enough to share TONS of pup-friendly recipes with us!! Thank you, Stacy!

INGREDIENTS:

Makes 8-10 pupcakes or 24-36 mini pupcakes

Pupcake batter:

1 cup Whole Wheat Flour

1 tsp Baking Soda

1 Egg

1/4 cup Honey

1/4 cup Vegetable Oil

1/4 cup Peanut Butter

1/2 cup Shredded Carrots

1/4 cup Carob Chips

Frosting:

1/2 cup Non-Fat Cream Cheese

1/4 cup Peanut Butter

1 tbs Honey

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a small bowl, mix together dry ingredients for the pupcake batter.  In another bowl, whisk together the egg, honey, peanut butter and vegetable oil until thoroughly combined.  Stir in the dry ingredients and then the carrots and carob chips.

3. Spoon the batter into the pupcake liners.

4. Bake the pupcakes for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean.

5. Let it cool.

Let the Birthday Boy have a lick!!

6. For the frosting, whip the cream cheese, peanut butter and honey together until light and fluffy.  Pipe (or spread) the frosting on the cooled pupcakes.

7. Top with decorate carrots (in Bolter's case, a heart shaped carrot), or carob chips.... and VOILA!!

Make a wish, Buster!!

Remember to sing Happy Birthday... or in our case, attempt to "sing" Happy Birthday: 

ENJOY!!

*I'm completely aware my singing has not improved since last year's birthday singing:

Also, for recipes on Peanut Butter & Carrot Birfday Pupcakes (the ones Bolter made for Buster's 2nd Birthday, check out the video recipe:

BarkBox (May Review)

Use promo code Buster40k to get 10% off your BarkBox subscription, or go to ruv.me/buster40k

I've done some research on monthly subscription boxes for dogs, and there are currently approximately 10 monthly subscription box companies in the United States.  There were more, but with the competition, some have gone out of business.  The monthly plans are priced generally about the same, some being slightly more expensive than others.  I decided on BarkBox for the simple reason of them being the most popular.  This is my 3rd BarkBox, and I absolutely love receiving it every month.  It is a pleasant surprise in the midst of all the bills that come in the mail.  I have no doubt that there are other companies with comparable products and customer service, but my boys and I HIGHLY recommend BarkBox.

B&B LOVE BarkBox!!

As a side note, I recall some of my friends in Singapore saying they were bummed that BarkBox did not deliver to Singapore.  I actually came across Wag Box (www.wagbox.com.sg), a monthly subscription box for dogs IN SINGAPORE!!

This month's BarkBox's theme was "healthy eating."  The treats were all organic and GMO-free, and the toy(s) were eco-friendly.  In our BarkBox this month, we had 4 treats and 1 toy,... and yet another month of 2 happy Schnauzers sniffing through their box of goodies.  The following products were in our BarkBox:

PEANUT BUTTER!!!

Small (9") Bionic Urbanstick (Bionic) [$14.99]: This is a toy made of bionic rubber, and great for the tough chewers.  It is supposedly great for fetching, chewing and stuffing with peanut butter.  The "stuffing with peanut butter" was the only thing my boys were interested in.  Again, my dogs don't fetch (unless Buster is at a particular dog park), and they don't really enjoy chewing things that aren't edible.  Overall a fun toy that I can put peanut butter in, and since it's dishwasher safe, I can just put it in there once the boys are done licking all the peanut butter!!

No Grainers Jerky Chews BBQ Chicken Flavor 5oz (Nootie) [$4.06]: This is made in the USA and can be broken into bite-sized bits!  This is a grain-free healthy dog treat, with their first listed ingredients being chicken liver, chicken and tapioca starch.  My boys were thrilled to eat them! Online they only sell them in 16oz packages ($12.99).

Duck Chews?? YES PLEASE!

7" Crunchy Duck Chews (Etta Says) [$1.36]: These are apparently a mixture of rawhide and duck feet formed into a tasty(? ...apparently for dogs!!) chew-able treat.  Normally, Buster is not a fan of duck, but he definitely seemed to enjoy these.  I am not a ran of rawhide, especially when there are other tough, chew-able treats out there that are safer for them.  Etta Says claims that they safer than rawhide, however. While I would not buy these again, Buster gives a big 2 paws up!!  Online, they do not sell 7" duck chews.  Instead they have a 3 foot long duck chew, a 4" duck chew sold by the pound, and a 4.5oz bag of duck chews.

24 Carob Gold: Strawberry & Carob Flavor 5oz (Max & Ruffy's) [$5.25]: Max and Ruffy's claim they are amazing delicious, low in fat, healthy and wheat free!!  They combined healthy, antioxidant-rich strawberries, energy-rich carob, the Peruvian SUPERFOOD maca, which has been shown to increase endurance and strength, and extra-virgin coconut oil to support healthy skin and a shiny coat!  B&B were happy with this treat.  Not something I'd go out of my way to restock, but it was a nice addition in the BarkBox.

Z-BONE Natural Grain-Free Dental Chew GIANT (Zukes) [$6.69]: I was actually extremely surprised, and happy to receive this in the BarkBox.  Especially the product says, "for dogs 90+ pounds," (we get the "Just Right" size BarkBox)... opening up any treat made for bigger pups is like Christmas for my 14 pound boys.  Did they like it? You betcha!!

BUSTER: "WHY do we have to pose? Why can't we just EAT the treats like NORMAL dogs??"

This month's BarkBox came out to a total of: $32.35.  I don't particularly see the benefit in buying just one month, or even 3-month deals, based on the fact that my last boxes have been in the $28 to $32 range.  If you're contemplating getting 1 month of BarkBox "just to check it out," I would recommend reading/skimming the past 3 months' reviews on my blog and making your decision based on that (BarkBox (April Review) and BarkBox (March Review)).  If you're only getting 1 month of BarkBox, you might as well spend $30 buying something you KNOW your pup(s) will love.

As always, get 10% of a new subscription of BarkBox by entering promo code: buster40k at www.barkbox.com, or simply by clicking here.  Remember, the last day to order your subscription and still get that month's BarkBox is the 10th!! That means, order by June 10th and you'll get your June BarkBox in the mail!! Yay!!

BOLTER: "You know you want one!!"

Feel free to leave questions and comments pertaining to BarkBox, as well as any questions, comments, suggestions pertaining to my blog.  Remember to hug your pups everyday and let them know how much you love them!!
xx

Himalayan Dog Chew™ Review

BOLTER: "Mommy, pwease don't take my Chew away!!"

Buster enjoying a Himalayan Dog Chew

We first discovered Himalayan Dog Chew from several of our Instagram friends.   Rawhides, tendons, pig ears, hooves, bone marrow, antlers, bully sticks, you name it, we've tried it.  As a quick run down, I still give my boys antlers, and on rare occasions (once a year), I'll give them a bully stick (the odorless ones, of course).  Rawhides are hard for dogs to digest, and while we've never had a blockage resulting in a vet visit, we gave up on rawhides when Buster began swallowing chunks of rawhides, and then throwing up all over the bed (just before bedtime).  We gave Bolter pig ears, and he made a mess on the carpet with bits and pieces everywhere; it was a pain in the butt to clean up.  Suffice to say, we never gave it to him again.  He seemed to love those, however.

BOLTER: "Antler's are good, but can I pwease have a Himawayan Chew?"

How to wake a dog up. SOLUTION: Himalayan Dog Chew!

I'm always hesitant to try new foods/treats for my boys since Buster has such a sensitive stomach, but the ingredients in these Himalayan Chews are so limited that I decided to give it a try.  Himalayan Dog Chews were born from an ancient recipe for a hard cheese snack chewed by the people of the Himalayas.  They are made of yak and cow milk, salt and lime juice, grain-free, gluten-free, with no preservatives or binding agents.  After the milk is boiled for an hour, it is poured into a hand-cranked centrifuge device while still hot to remove all the fat.  The remaining fat-free milk is used to make Himalayan Chews.  Once the milk is cooled down, a touch of salt and lime juice is added to coagulate the milk.  The solids are then separated using a burlap sack, which is washed several times using warm water to remove the whey and any hints of salt and lime.  Moisture is squeezed out of the milk solids for three weeks.  Bricks are used as weights and shapers on tops of the sack of moist chew.  The cakes are then cut to size and strung to hang under the sun, where they are smoked for about two to three months. 

Himalayan Dog Chews come in 6 different sizes to suit your pups’ needs.  Our boys are both 14 pounds, so technically, they are supposed to have the smallest (blue packaged) one, but since they are such voracious chewers, I give them the ones for “dogs under 55 lbs” (red packaged ones).  The 6 sizes are distinguished by the colors on the packaging (smallest to biggest): blue, green, red, yellow and gray.

Himalayan Chew (microwaved)

I give it to them in 15-20 minute increments.  I have heard of owners letting their dogs have it for longer periods of time, and have heard of some dogs finishing the chews in one sitting, and then ultimately getting sick afterwards.  The ones we give our boys are approximately 359 calories.  That’s a lot to eat for a pup in one sitting!!  They've never had any issues with Himalayan Chews, and the company states that “about ten percent of dogs that try [the] products experience an initial loose stool or gas.  [They] have never had a problem with repeated or lasting gastrointestinal issues.”  The boys’ best friend, Toby, however, seems to be allergic to Himalayan Chews, however.  Toby’s mom has told me that every time he eats them, he ends up throwing it up, no matter how much or how little he has eaten.  That being said, always monitor your pups when they eat something new or different and see how they react in the following day(s) after giving the treat before you give it to them again.

BOLTER: "Mommy says this antler is now a choking hazard."
SOLUTION: Himalayan Dog Chew!!

One of the best aspects of the Himalayan Dog Chews is that every last bit can be eaten unlike other treats that should be thrown out if they get to be too small.  Once the Chews get to a size where it can potentially be a choking hazard, just pop it in the microwave (as stated in the directions), and let it “puff” up.  It will get to be about twice the size, and the consistency of stale French bread.  Be careful not to leave it in the microwave for too long since it will burn.  The directions say 45 seconds; I usually end up microwaving my pieces (I microwave them when they get to be about 2-3 inches) for about 90 seconds.  Let it cool completely before you serve it to your pups.  They will love it just as much as the un-microwaved Chews, if not more!!  The entire house will smell delicious, not to mention, your pups breath will smell “smoky” as well.  I think it’s a pretty good smell!!

They have various other products which you can see on their website.  The ones I recommend in addition to the Himalayan Chews are the “Yaky Nuggets” and the “Yaky Charms” (the latter which is not on their website yet).  The “Yaky Nuggets” are little bite-sized Himalayan Dog Chews that are created to be puffed in a microwave and given to dogs to enjoy.  These can also be boiled for ten to fifteen minutes in water to make them soft and easy to chop into smaller bits that can be served with regular dog food.

Yaky Charms!

We also LOVE their creative dog treat “Yaky Charms.” They are packaged EXACTLY like microwaveable popcorn, with the exact same directions.  They are to be microwaved for 1-3 minutes, or until the popping starts to slow.  Be careful not to let them burn.  Let it cool completely and give it to them as normal treats.  This way, you can enjoy your popcorn, and your best friend can enjoy his/her Yaky Charms while you watch an episode of “Dog Whisperer” together on the sofa!!

Airy, bite-sized treats!

BOLTER: "Lemme just stick my head in here..."

I’ve found this particular brand of Himalayan dog chews at PetSmart, Petco and Amazon.com.  The Himalayan Dog Chews I give them (the red packaging) are $8 to $12 depending on the store’s sale.  You can also find other brands of Himalayan dog chews at other pet stores; I have never tried any other brand.

BUSTER: "Are these ALL for us?"

Feel free to leave questions/comments/suggestions below.  I try my best to answer them as soon as possible.  Any suggestions on future blog topics are greatly appreciated.  As always, follow us on Instagram @buster40k.  I may not be able to respond to every comment on there, but I read it all and absolutely appreciate all the love and support you give the boys!!

BarkBox (April Review)

Use promo code Buster40k to get 10% off your BarkBox subscription, or go to ruv.me/buster40k

April BarkBox. Guess which one Buster went for/is going for first?

Last month, I did a brief, introductory BarkBox overview, as well a rundown of the contents of the March BarkBox (http://www.buster40k.com/2014/03/barkbox-march-review.html)

As with last month, I'll be going through the contents of the April BarkBox, but first wanted to explain the different subscription plans BarkBox offers.  (They recently changed things around.)

BarkBox as before, offers 3 boxes based on the size of your dog:  "Small & Cute" is for dogs 0-20lbs, "Just Right" is for dogs 20-50lbs, and "Big & Bold" is for dogs 50+lbs.  Buster and Bolter get the "Just Right" despite them being under 20lbs.  The toys and treats inside differ slightly, but then again, the toys and treats inside are slightly different with everyone.  That is to say, Buster & Bolter's April BarkBox will/may be different from another pupscriber who got the "Just Right" box.  You can also let them know if your dog is a chewer who tends to chew through toys easily, and they will be happy to alter your BarkBox thereafter to fit your pups needs and wants.

There are 4 subscription plans (they added a new plan recently):

• 1 month plan: $29/month for a total of $29. With promo code, you'll pay $26.10.
• 3 months plan: $24/month for a total of $72.  You're already saving 17%, but with promo code, you'll pay $64.80.
• 6 months plan: $19/month for a total of $114. You're already saving 34%, but with promo code, you'll pay $102.60.
• 1 year plan: $18/month for a total of $216. You're already saving 37%, but with promo code, you'll pay $197.10.

*Plans renew automatically, but you may cancel at anytime.
**$5/month shipping applies outside the 48 contiguous states.  BarkBox currently ships to US and Canada only.

The last day to purchase a BarkBox subscription and still get that month's subscription is the 10th!!

This month's BarkBox theme was "outdoors."  With Spring in the air, BarkBox (and Buster & Bolter) encourage you to go outside!  The following treats and toys were inside OUR BarkBox this month:

Simply Fido (Natural Canvas Little Joe Owl) ($9.99): Made out of organic cotton, AZO-free dyes, and organic rope, the company boasts organic pet toys collection.  It has a squeaker inside, and a rope for which the boys can play tug-of-war.  Not their favorite toy, nor is it mine, since I am always hesitant about letting my boys play with ropes.  Nonetheless, it's still a pretty cute toy.

Simply Fido Little Joe Owl & the Boys

Barkworthies Junior Bullystick ($6.30): Made with 100% beef bladder (...certainly a much better term than "penis") from free range, grass-fed cattle, this is a hit with our boys.  Our boys LOVE bullysticks, but I am always careful to pick ones that say "no odor" or "cleaned."  It still smells... meaty, but compared to those that have not been thoroughly cleaned, the "odorless" ones are pleasant.  While I am not a fan of the boys kissing me with their bullystick (penis) breath, it is a much healthier alternative to rawhides.

Someone's mad about having to "pose"...

The treats inside the April BarkBox!

Complete Natural Nutrition Off-Leash Fire-grilled Chicken 150g ($5.99): These tiny, soft, chewy treats are grain, corn, wheat and soy-free.  The ingredients listed are: buckwheat flour, chicken, dried apple pomace, vegetable glycerin, cane molasses,... They are only 4 calories a piece and perfect for training, rewarding, and spoiling!!  Apparently buckwheat flour is not a wheat nor a grain; it's a fruit seed related to rhubarb.  Buckwheat is gluten free and nutritionally rich.

Riley's Organic Peanut Butter & Molasses 5oz ($6.99 for 10oz... so $3.50):  Riley's Organic believes that pup parents should be able to feed their furbabies with food they'd eat themselves.  These treats are made with the most natural, human-grade ingredients, are certified organic and free of corn, soy, wheat, sugar, and preservatives!  The only ingredients are (all organic): peanut butter, oat flour, rolled oats, peanut flour, molasses, nonfat milk and eggs.

Mr. Barksmith's Carrot Cake smoothie 1 cup ($1.49): This smoothie is all natural, and wheat, gluten and dairy free.  The ingredients listed are simply: apple puree, banana puree, water, and carrot puree.  The package states these can be served frozen or unfrozen.  I plan on freezing it and serving it to them on a hot summer day!!  I'm extremely intrigued, and am almost certain the boys will be drooling at the fruity smell!

All totaled, the value of the April BarkBox amounted to $27.27.  Obviously more or less the price you pay if you were doing a 1 month subscription, but a pretty good deal if you're in the other 3 subscription plans.  For more information, visit: www.barkbox.com, or leave a question below and I'd be happy to answer it for you!

Remember to use promo code: Buster40k should you decide to become a pupscriber.  We've been a pupscriber for two months, and are now addicted!! My boys and I look forward to receiving the box in the mail every month! Not to mention, the box and the wrapping inside is simple, yet adorable.  BarkBox ships the boxes by the 15th of each month, and as long as you're in the US, you'll receive a tracking link in the email so you can track the whereabouts of your box!  You can also log into your account and track it from there.  Either way, you'll know exactly where your box is, and exactly when it'll show up at your doorstep!

B&B: "You know you want one!!"

As always feel free to leave suggestions, comments and questions below!

Buster & Bolter

Email: buster40k@gmail.com

Website: www.buster40k.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/buster40k
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Twitter: www.twitter.com/buster40k

#Buster40kBunny Instagram Easter Contest!! UPDATE 4/21

UPDATE 4/21 ...the 3 finalists were:

Top (L-R): Sadie (@thegiantsadie), Rupert (@rupertschnauzer)
Bottom (L-R): Layla (@klynnt514), Bella, Ramsey, Kali (@klynnt514)

...and the WINNER is... SADIE!! CONGRATULATIONS!!

ATTENTION all pups in the United States and Canada*!
We have teamed up with BarkBox for an extra special #Buster40kBarkBox Easter giveaway!!
The winner will be awarded a free 3-month subscription to BarkBox for the month of May!

Here are the Rules: 

1. Repost this pictue:

(the #Buster40kBunny picture from @Buster40k) on your Instagram.

2. Take a picture of your pup in Easter spirit, post on Instagram and tag @Buster40k and hashtag #Buster40kBunny. More than one entry is permitted!!

3. Contest ends Sunday, April 20th, 2014, 11:59 pm PST; The result will be posted on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and this website on Monday, April 21st. 

4. Winner will be chosen by Buster & Bolter's Nana (Grandma), so ANYONE can enter for a chance to WIN! 

5. Must be following @Buster40k; only photos uploaded within the contest period are eligible. 

6. Account MUST be public for us to view the photos. 

CONTEST STARTS NOW! Let the #Buster40kBunny-ing begin!
Feel free to leave comments and questions below.
Make sure to follow our blog via email!

*This is due to BarkBox's shipping restrictions! Sorry...

At anytime, you can order your BarkBox and get 10% off your new subscription by using promo code: buster40k or clicking here.
__
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BarkBox (March Review)

For 10% off your BarkBox subscription, enter promo code: Buster40k, or go to ruv.me/buster40k.

BarkBox, based in New York City, is a monthly subscription box filled with treats and fun toys for dogs.  Each monthly box contains anywhere from 4 to 6 products, which has been paw (hand) selected and approved by Vesper, their Chief Pawduct Tester.  Each month’s BarkBox is thoughtfully crafted together with a common theme, which is a delight for both dog owners and their dogs.  They have 3 different size boxes based on the size of your dog: “Small & Cute” (0-20 lbs), “Just Right” (20-50 lbs), and “Big & Bold” (50+ lbs), and the toys and treats inside differ slightly.  They are extremely understanding of your dog’s needs, and are more than willing to work with you to get the treats and toys your dog deserves; if your dog tends to rip apart toys easily (like our boys tend to do), they will be happy to put together a box of “tougher” toys for you!!

Because BarkBox is always testing out new products to make sure every pup-scriber is happy, it would be difficult to judge BarkBox (the monthly subscription company) as a whole based solely on one month's BarkBox.  Our aim here is to give you a rundown of the products inside this month's BarkBox for people and pups to get a feel for what they may expect should you decide to be a subscriber!  Remember, the last day to purchase a BarkBox subscription and still receive that month's box is the 10th!

The March BarkBox’s theme was “breakfast.”  Our box (size "Just Right") contained 5 items: 2 toys, and 3 treats.  The following were the two toys inside our BarkBox for March:

 “Lily, the Lion (Large)” by Charming Pet™ Products.  It is a latex toy made in China, made out of all natural latex, and is lead free.  Bolter LOVES it, as you can see in the video below.  This is by far the best toy we have gotten for him.  He can't get enough!! Retail price goes for $8.49.

"Amazing Molecule Ball" by Caitec

“Amazing Molecule Ball (2.5”)” by Caitec.  It is a squeaky ball, and floats in the water.  The retail price is $6.99.  For a pup that loves to play fetch, this would no doubt be a fun toy to have.  Neither Buster nor Bolter are “ball dogs,” and show very little interest in this toy.

The following were the treats inside the March BarkBox:

“Baker’s Best Wild Pacific Maple Glazed Salmon with Blueberries Recipe” by FeelGood®.  The 4oz pack goes for CDN$5.99 retail (which currently is USD$5.40).  The ingredients listed are: salmon, oat flour, brown rice flour, blueberries, molasses, olive oil and maple extract.  The treat is a big hit with our boys.

Wagatha’s “Organic Dog Biscuit- Breakfast (apples, bananas, & maple oats).”  This 8oz box of cute bone shaped biscuits, goes for retail $6.99.  It is a wheat, corn and soy free biscuit, and the ingredients are all organic.  Nonetheless, I would prefer not to purchase this treat myself, since I am a firm believer that the first ingredient, and therefore more of that ingredient than any other, should always be a type of meat, vegetable or fruit.  In this case, the first of that type, apple, was 5^th in the ingredients.

“Twistix – Yogurt, Banana Flavor” by NPIC.  This 5.5oz package goes for $4.99.  This wheat-free dog treat aids in good oral hygiene by helping remove plaque and tartar, and freshening their breath.  For the same reason as Wagatha’s dog biscuits, I would not purchase this myself.  On the other hand, the boys loved them, and true to their advertisement, their breath smelled AMAZINGLY minty afterwards.

This month’s BarkBox amounted to a total of $31.87.

Besides the treats by FeelGood®, which I have not been able to find in any of my local pet stores, I would not re-stock on the two other treats.  Our boys, like many other Miniature Schnauzers, have a very strict diet they abide by due to their allergies and food intolerance.  Therefore, we knew that not all treats we received from BarkBox would be edible.  Yet, the box as a whole was delightful.  We especially have so much fun watching Bolter play with Lily the Lion and are looking forward to the April BarkBox! WOOF!

Order yours today, and get 10% off using promo code: Buster40k, or go to ruv.me/buster40k

#Buster40kBarkBox

Make sure to post a picture of your happy pup with the BarkBox and tag #Buster40kBarkBox, and let us know what you think!  We always love including other pup’s reviews in our blog!

As always, follow our blog via e-mail, and we look forward to reading your comments and suggestions below!!

WUv, Buster & Bolter.

Email: buster40k@gmail.com
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Dogswell® "NUTRISCA SALMON AND CHICKPEA RECIPE" Review

Having Dogswell® Nutrisca Salmon and Chickpea Recipe recommended to us by our local pet store was the best thing that could have happened to Buster (and to us). I know a lot of dog owners who have extremely picky pups; Buster is one of them. In addition, Buster also has an extremely sensitive stomach and is allergic to many things. Sensitivity, allergies and pickiness proved to be a tricky combination when it came to finding a dog food perfect for him. The first few months of getting Buster resulted in numerous vet visits, trial-and-error with about a dozen dog foods, and even more vet visits. Finally, after a year and a half, and plenty of head scratching and money spent, we discovered Nutrisca Salmon and Chickpea Recipe.

The Dogswell® Nutrisca dry dog food, made in the United States, comes in three different meats: chicken, salmon and lamb. We chose salmon by process of elimination; I (Buster and Bolter’s mom) HATE lamb, and Buster is allergic to chicken. Fortunately for all of us, I love salmon, and the boys love salmon, making for a happy family.  This is not to say the other meats are not good; after recommending Nutrisca to one of my friends, she ended up getting the Chicken and Chickpea Recipe (since HER Schnauzer hates fish).  Her Schnauzer LOVES his food. [**As a side note, Bolter is not allergic to anything, acts as a garbage disposal (he has tasted guacamole and chocolate, unbeknownst to us, and lived to tell the “tail” without any vet visits), and is a happy-go-lucky pup who will eat anything placed in front of him.]

When choosing a dog food for your pup, always read the ingredients and guaranteed analysis, and check the expiration date). The information on the label is the best way to determine the quality of the dog food. Some things to keep in mind when reading the "Guaranteed Analysis" on the label is mainly the top three: "Crude protein," "Crude Fat," and "Crude fiber."  It's always good to have fiber.  With Schnauzers, it's important to find the right balance between the protein and fat.  Too high of a protein is not necessarily good, and may result in Pancreatitis.  High fat is never good.  When we were testing various dog foods, at one point, Buster was on a crude protein (min) of 34% and was constantly having an upset stomach because he could not digest all the protein.  We also had him on a crude protein (min) of 22% where we saw a loss in his muscle definition.  Nutrisca Salmon and Chickpea has Crude protein (min) 30%, crude fat (min) 16%, and crude fiber (max) of 6%.  In addition to getting half a cup of kibble per meal, the boys also get half a cup of chopped up fresh carrots to increase their fiber amount.

Some key things to keep in mind when looking at the dog food ingredients are:
1. The first ingredient on the label should be an animal protein (chicken, beef, fish, etc...) NOT animal by-products, or anything else.
2. Fats and oils should come from specific sources (salmon oil, sunflower oil, etc..) NOT “poultry fat”, “vegetable oil”, etc.
3. Carbohydrates should be listed in their whole form (rice, oatmeal, barley), NOT “oat hulls”, “rice hulls”, etc.

Nutrisca Salmon and Chickpea Recipes’, first ingredient listed is wild salmon caught off the Pacific Northwest Coast of the United States. Salmon is high in protein and Omega Fatty Acids, which is great for your pup’s healthy skin and shiny coat. For dogs like Buster who have certain poultry or meat allergies, salmon is a great alternative. Additionally, this dog food boasts grain-free, without using potato or tapioca, which are both high glycemic products, and may contribute to weight gain. Instead, they use chickpeas and peas both of which are low glycemic legumes. Both chickpeas and peas are a great source of fiber, which aids in excellent digestion. They do not contain any gluten, corn, soy, wheat, flour, BHA/BHT, added steroids, added hormones, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. In short, Nutrisca's balanced protein levels, antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables and chelated minerals provide optimum nutrition and palatability.

The Dog Food Advisor has rated Nutrisca dry dog food a whopping 5 stars (out of 5 stars). Our boys give it an enthusiastic 4 paws up (out of 4 paws)! It is an EXCEPTIONAL dog food and comes highly recommended.  We are certain your pups will agree!!

Visit their website at: http://nutrisca.dogswell.com for more information.
Additionally, follow them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/dogswell, Instagram @dogswell, and Twitter @dogswell, for more pictures and information.

As with all transitions, we recommend that should you decided to change your pups dog food, you do it over a period of time, so as not to upset their stomach.  Begin adding small amount of the new dog food to your "old" dog food, and make sure to watch your dogs carefully through the transition.

Remember to subscribe to us, follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter (all @buster40k), and as always, feel free to leave comments and suggestions below!!  Happy chomping!!

Loving Pets® "GOBBLE STOPPER" Review

Our boys gobble their food down.  Now, I've heard of dogs who gobble/inhale their food so fast that they end up choking on their food, or throwing up; our dogs are not to that extent.  They finish their meals in about 45 seconds, and then spend the next 15 seconds licking up the bowl (so I don't have to clean it... thanks, boys).  It is still fast, and gobbling down food can cause bloating, choking and gagging.  When we heard of "Gobble Stopper" by Loving Pets, from one of our good friends, we decided to give it a try.

There are many slow feeders out there, but this one is unique in that it is a device you can attach to any bowl to make it a slow feeder.  You can choose from 3 different sizes depending on the size of your bowl, and it has a strong suction so it can attach to the bowl and prevent your dogs from taking it off (easily, at least).  It is simply a plastic bone, which acts as a "canopy", attached to a suction.  By having the device in the middle of the bowl, it prevents the dogs from putting their entire face into the bowl, and forces them to take only small amounts of food at a time.  Petco sells the large one for US$7.99, medium for $6.99, and the small for $5.99.  We bought the large one because the boys eat from a large bowl.  (I use a large bowl so that the food will spread out thinner, thus preventing them from taking large portions of their food and wolfing it down.)

The first time we used it, both boys took SIX MINUTES to finish their meals off.  Loving Pets advertises that it slows down their eating by as much as 5 times.  Based on our initial review, they are correct.  It was clear, however, that the boys were not happy with the inedible device in their bowl that prevented them from easy access to their otherwise delicious meal.  Some of the food would get lodged under the bone, and try as they might, they simply could not get at their food.

We also noticed that their stool was VERY LOOSE after their meal, and they were farting... A LOT.  **If you're anything like us, the consistency of your dog's poop is a pretty important topic in your daily conversation:
"Honey, did our boys poop?"
"Yup."
"Was it solid?"
"Yup."
"GREAT." **
So, it was slightly concerning after a day of testing out the Gobble Stopper that our dogs were having loose poop.  When we watched them eat their meals using the Gobble Stopper, we noticed that our boys, in their desperate need to eat their food, were also inhaling quite a lot of air.  While the time it took for them to finish their meal increased, the speed at which they attempted every bite of their food did not.  As a result, they were inhaling air with every food they ate, as well as with every failed attempt to get at the food.

We've had the Gobble Stopper for two nights now (3 meals).  Last night, both boys woke us up twice in the middle of the night with vomiting and the runs.  It is certainly a possibility that they picked up something on their walks, but the major change in their daily activities was the Gobble Stopper.  After doing some research online, diarrhea, flatulence, and vomiting CAN BE caused by inhalation of too much air (USUALLY as a result of wolfing down their food.)  There is no way for us to know exactly what was the cause of their vomiting and the runs, but they woke up in the morning, ate their breakfast happily (without the Gobble Stopper), and are now taking their luxurious post-breakfast nap.

A dog MAY learn to eat more slowly over time as a result of the Gobble Stopper, but for us, it is not worth testing it out any further at the risk of their well-being (and our sleep).  Most of the reviews online, and the reviews I got via social media is that the suction is not strong enough, and that their dog quickly learned how to take it off.  Some others found a new way of eating that didn't entail them to have to struggle with the Gobble Stopper (ie, flip the entire bowl over on the floor... yikes!).

We give it 2 (front) paws up (out of 4).  Our conclusion: It DID slow down their eating, but it was clear they were extremely unhappy.  While vomiting, flatulence and diarrhea may have had NOTHING to do with this device, the unfortunate overlap makes it difficult for us to want to continue testing this out.

We are still on the hunt for a slow-feeding bowl/device.  Please feel free to leave any comments/suggestions/advice below!!

In-Depth Miniature Schnauzer Grooming Routine

As requested, this post is about our in-depth grooming routine.  I'd like to preface that I am by no means a "professional groomer," or a vet and therefore, my grooming routines may or may not be "perfect" by "professional groomer"/vet standards.  This is what works for us; this is what works for Buster and Bolter.  I have no doubt that there are other methods of doing things, and while suggestions are highly appreciated, any sort of negative comments about us "deliberately harming" our boys through our methods are untrue and unwelcome.  They may not enjoy getting their nail trimmed, their anal glands expelled, or their teeth brushed, but they are NEVER harmed in any way.  This post is merely what "I" do.  If you are unsure or uncomfortable with any part of this post please consult your vet directly.

Buster and Bolter get a full grooming service by us once a month.  This involves teeth brushing, anal glands expelled, bathing, hair trimming in between their paw pads, leggings trimmed, ear hairs pulled out/trimmed, nails clipped and whole body grooming in that order.

We brush their teeth every other day using an Arm & Hammer Pro-Clean electric toothbrush (obviously, it does not necessarily need to be that specific toothbrush.  There is nothing unique about this toothbrush as opposed to any other electric toothbrush.)  A normal toothbrush or pet brush is fine, but like human teeth, I find that the electric toothbrush does a better job of cleaning.  We use Pro-Pet Canine Toothpaste from Target ($3.99 online), which they HATE, but it makes their breath smell good.  I would recommend toothpastes like Sentry Petrodex Enzymatic Toothpaste for Dogs from Petco that have a flavor that dogs can tolerate.  I don't know of one dog that likes getting their teeth brushed.  Our dogs are no different, but they know that it has to be done.

I have had a number of people ask about interdigital hair (hair between their paw pads) trimming.  We do it once during their full grooming service, and once in between their full grooming services (so... twice a month) to keep their paws clean from knots, dirt, and debris.  It helps keep burrs, gum, tar, and other unwanted debris from getting tangled up in between their paws and causing a great deal of discomfort.  I use trimmers to trim between their paw pads.  I've tried scissors, but I've found that trimmers tend to do the trick... and quickly.  Again, our dogs do not like it, but I lay them on their back and work diligently and quickly to trim their hair.

There have been a number of controversies regarding plucking out ear hair.  We do it a maximum of twice a month (or whenever I notice their ear hair getting "too bushy"), to keep their ear clean from dirt and debris, and (knock on wood) our boys have never had an ear infection. We pluck just the hair in their ear canal with a pair of (sanitary) tweezers.  I have heard that it is easier using ear powder, but we've been fine without it. Again, our dogs don't like it.  I pluck out a couple of hairs at once, and sometimes when I accidentally pluck out too much at once, they yelp to let me know.  Don't go too far into the ears, and if you are uncomfortable doing this, I recommend you contact your veterinarian.  Keep in mind that there are some vets that recommend that ear hair plucking doesn't need to be done.  They believe that plucking ear hair opens up the ear follicles to infections.

We clip their nails using a guillotine nail trimmer.  There are many different types of nail trimmers, as well as nail grinders.  We have not tried nail grinders.  Bolter has absolutely no problem with getting his nails trimmed.  He has never fought me. Buster begins to cry the minute he sees me with a nail trimmer in my hand.  He will fight me for every piece of his nail.  I have learned to wrap him up in a blanket and hold him down while I clip his nail, but I am constantly looking for ways to ease his stress.  Before Bolter arrived, we used to take Buster to a professional groomer.  They always did a FANTASTIC job on Buster, and he always seemed to be eager to go the groomers, but it seems that there is quite a lot of trauma from getting his nails clipped there.  We have tried giving him treats, but he merely eats the treats and returns to fighting me for his nail.

For the actual grooming of a Miniature Schnauzer, please visit our youtube channel:buster40k.

For pre-bathing routines: http://youtu.be/ZeVhQDV5DT8
For bathing routines: http://youtu.be/3JSugnpBUhE
For Miniature Schnauzer grooming: http://youtu.be/IcfpLopsy2

Specifically for ear trimming of Miniature Schnauzers with cropped/cut ears: http://youtu.be/g6oFKO4n5Jg

Lastly, and most importantly, we brush our boys hair everyday.  We love our boys' leggings and beard, and in order to keep it from matting, knotting, and ultimately having to shave it off, we brush them everyday.  I've heard some dogs attempt to attack their owner when they are getting brushed.  I have no idea how to rectify that.  I suppose treats are always the safe bet.  We started brushing our boys every since we got them, so they know that it is a nightly event.  I have tried a number of different brushes, and there hasn't been one that I favor over others.  I currently use a normal "human-use" Conair plastic comb from CVS.  They go to the dog park almost every day, and when they return from the dog park, I rinse off their paws and beards.  I've had a number of people ask how their beard remains so white.  I think rinsing them every day has a lot to do with our boys' beards staying white.

As for expelling their anal glands, we've noticed that if we forget to do it, the day after their get their full-service grooming, they scoot their butts to let us know that their anal glands need expelling.  We learned how to do this from the vet, and I am sure that your vet will be happy to show you how (although they may charge you for that service.)  If you're uncomfortable with anal discharge (not that we are *comfortable* with anal discharge), any vet would be happy to do it for you (for a fee, I'm sure.)

I hope this has been a somewhat informative post.  They take a lot of effort and time, but worth it to avoid unnecessary vet visits in the future.  For questions, comments, suggestions, and other post topic suggestions, be sure to comment and let us know!