I’m going to come right out and say it.
I put the crew on a raw meat and bone diet. That’s right. Bridget and Spike are kicking the kibble habit, and, let me tell you, they are loving the change!
I didn’t make this decision on a whim or without research. It’s something I’ve considered for a long time, but I figured it would be too difficult to handle, what with all the traveling the crew and I do and the many out-of-the-way places we camp. It’s difficult to shop when camped at 9,000 feet up the side of a mountain, for instance, and space is limited in the BLT’s refrigerator and freezer.
Interstate 8 . . . a straight shot into Yuma, Arizona from the Ogilby Road ramp, California
A few events lead me to reconsider.
About a week ago I gave the crew raw bones as a treat. I think I told you about that — baby back ribs, extra meaty. I watch Bridget and Spike peel the meat off and grind up the bones. They act like they’d never had a real meal before. Never have they eaten kibble with that much enthusiasm!
Then, while over at Nina and Paul’s place last week . . .
I learn that their dog, Polly, is on a raw meat and bones diet. I ask them what the diet consists of and they take the time to explain it to me. Simply put, it’s 80% raw meat (including raw egg), 10% organ meat, and 10% bones. It’s important that the bones be UNcooked. (Cooking causes bones to become brittle, and they can splinter.)
At Wal-Mart I search for the right meat and bones.
It’s a bit of a challenge finding meat that’s affordable. Here’s what I bought: pork neck bones, boneless chicken breasts (only because they were cheaper than wings, drumsticks, or thighs and no chicken backs were available), ground turkey, beef liver, chicken gizzards, sardines, and tuna fish. I also bought a couple cans of plain pumpkin (not pie pumpkin) which helps deal with changes in stool, and also I bought eggs.
Some of the meat I stocked. What I won’t do for my crew!
No room in the fridge for my food.
The crew’s new diet means I’m on a diet, too. I need to get back on the Dukan Diet anyway. My weight is creeping up. Oh, how I love food!
As for the crew . . . so far, so good.
Bridget and Spike have been on their new diet for three days. I can see positive results already. First off, they love the raw meat and bones.
They never were this intense about kibble!
Secondly, they seem more satisfied.
When on kibble, Bridget and Spike were forever acting hungry, begging and tearing into the kibble bag when I wasn’t looking. I do believe the raw meat and bones have them sleeping better, too. I hope Bridget will lose weight now that she’s off the kibble.
The desert along the interstate has more sand than where we are camped. I wouldn’t dare drive across that soft stuff!
In the Wal-Mart parking lot, I hear my name.
“Is that you, Sue?” a lady calls from the passenger seat of a car.
“Yes, I’m Sue.” I smile as she gets out of her car. “Hello,” I say, greeting her with a hug because I know she must be one of my blog readers. She tells me her name is Irene.
“I knew you were in the area! I was hoping I’d see you!” Irene exclaims. It amazes me that anyone would be excited to meet me. “My husband and I follow your blog. When you don’t post, we miss you!”
I have a bag of trash in my hand.
“Let me go dump this and then I’ll let out the crew.” Of course, Bridget and Spike are happy to meet someone new.
Irene says that she and her husband, Harold, are from Vancouver Island, B.C. They stay in the Southwest for four months during the winter.
Irene and Harold have three English cocker spaniels. What a wonderful crew they make! They’re like people, only nicer!
Left to right: Fizz, Radar, and Sadie
Harold comes out of Wal-Mart just then, so I have the opportunity to meet him and thank him, too, for reading my blog.
Irene and Harold mention that they took their dogs over to the dog park before coming to Wal-Mart. I decide to take the crew over there to check it out. However, once I drive out of the parking lot, I remember the milk, the meat, and other perishables in the PTV. If I take Bridget and Spike to the dog park, they won’t want to leave . . . .
rvsue
YOUR AMAZON PURCHASES THROUGH MY BLOG ARE APPRECIATED!
Radar says, “Do like the nice lady says and shop Amazon here.”
