Tag Archives: #pets

Forking Dining with Dogs October/November 2015

IMG_0456

We are now having cooler temperatures in the metro Phoenix area and that means we can forking dine with dogs again.

Remember folks not all restaurant patios are dog friendly. You do need to call the restaurant and ask if your furry friend is allowed. You also need to know that there are some rules to dining with dogs. Dogs are not to eat off the restaurants plates. Dogs are not allowed to sit on the seats and are suppose to be close to you. Also it very FORKING important to know much of the food you eat isn’t safe for dogs to eat. No onions, garlic, wine, raisins, grapes, vinegar, avocados, chocolate, macadamia nuts and about a FORKING TEN other things. Please search for the current list of foods not safe for dogs.

The 14 1/2 year old has cancer that appears to be aggressive. Today he seems fine but I don’t know about tomorrow. Every day is his birthday now.  I’m going to take him out to forking eat as often as possible as long as I can. He loves it and deserves it! Many great years of cuddles and kisses. When I sat on the sofa he used to crawl up and wraps himself around my neck like the way cats do. When I drive instead of looking out the window like all dogs do he just looks at me. Many years of those big brown eyes just looking in right though to my soul. Years of him keeping the yard free of invading Hot Air Balloons that he loves to chase. Big loud unique, thundering, yodeling, beautiful barks at coyotes frightening them away. Years of digging bones in the yard that were all cleaned out by the younger dog when we got her. I grew up with dogs all my life but never had a dog before that was a food critic. I had years of him being a food critic. He actually seems to rate the food I give him. Very good leftover get eaten quickly and the bag gets licked. Ok-good just gets eaten, Not so good might get eaten but real slowly and I get that look from his face saying something like….”you didn’t do so good this time.” Sometimes this dog actually SPITS out food. If he doesn’t like it he forking spits it out. Then the younger dog eats it. He also knows when roasted meat I cook is ready. He use to sleep by the oven and leave a big puddle of drool, but now he goes for a cooler spot and wakes up and marches over to the oven just when I’m about to pull the roasted meat out. He is always partial to Italian Food. His first people food he ate was pizza. The 60 pound mixed breed dog was only about a five pound size at the time and climbed up your belly to get pizza. He has the keen nose of a beagle and the warm heart of a golden.

I will have a forking giant hole in my heart when he is gone. He is super forking special.

A few weeks back we went to his favorite patio Cucina Tagliani in Glendale AZ.

Cucina tagliano Sausage Lasagna with sausage and meatball on side

Cecina Tagliani’s Sausage Lasagna with sausage and meatball on side

My husband (and dogs) had the Sausage Lasagna with a side of sausage and meatball. It was seasoned to their forking  liking and they were happy.

"We are FORKING Happy"

“We are FORKING Happy”

I had the Grilled Chicken Parmesan over spaghetti squash instead of pasta. The Chicken is figure friendly and isn’t breaded or fried just grilled. I think it’s great that they offer a meal with a healthy twist.

Cucina tagliano Grilled Chicken Parmesan over Spaghetti Squash

Cucina Tagliani’s Grilled Chicken Parmesan over Spaghetti Squash

I like to slide the cheese on to the garlic bread sometimes but this time I slide it over the spaghetti squash to give it more flavor. The chicken wasn’t dry so I was happy and so were the dogs. The big glass of wine forking helped too.

"I love all the Forking Food from here"

“I love all the Forking Food from here”

Last week us and the dogs made it to Angelina’s Pho and Grill in Glendale AZ.

The Chicken and Asparagus Salad from Angelina's Pho & Grill Glendale AZ

The Chicken and Asparagus Salad from Angelina’s Pho & Grill Glendale AZ

I had this insanely  delicious Chicken and Asparagus Salad. My husband had some Beef Pho that the 14 1/2 year old showed interest in.

IMG_0323

IMG_0324

IMG_0325

Both dogs got treats from us and from our server. Both dogs were pleased.

"This place is Pho-nominal"

“This place is Pho-nominal”

Our latest venture out was on the Patio at A.J.’s Fine Foods in Glendale AZ.

My husband and dogs had a cheese burger platter and me and the dogs had a grilled chicken sandwich platter.

IMG_0462

The chicken was tasty and the portion was very large and great for sharing but the chicken was slightly overcooked. I thought the macaroni and cheese was sort of uncooked floury tasting. I do note that usually it is better than that so it was an off day or from a new cook. Cold Slaw seemed fresh made and was incredibly drip free.

IMG_0472

Dogs enjoyed what they tried.

"I forking am waiting for my next piece"

“I forking am waiting for my next piece”

IMG_0471

I am “Forking waiting for my next piece. I don’t have all day”

They are wondering on where we might go to next week.

I wonder what I'm Forking Eating next"

I wonder what I’m Forking Eating next”

"I love the food from everywhere. I'm happy everywhere"

“I love the food from everywhere. I’m happy everywhere”

The Forking Truth

The Forking Truth

 

 

Forking GREAT Pumpkin Dog Biscuit Recipe

IMG_9933

IMG_9912

My 14 1/2 year old dog just had life saving surgery and I wanted to make him a special treat. I remember the veterinarian said that pumpkin is forking good for dogs. So an all natural high end biscuit was created for him. The biscuits are made from fresh pumpkin, spelt flour, rolled oats, butter and egg. He smelled the biscuits just before they were done and marched into the kitchen.

IMG_9941

And when the biscuits were cool enough………..

IMG_9934

IMG_9935

 

 

IMG_9937

Ooh he REALLY FORKING Likes them…phewwww…he has a discriminating palate and doesn’t like many things other than meat, cheese and butter. He has always been a picky one. The three year old really likes them too!

IMG_9939

IMG_9972

Ingredients makes 22 servings

1 cup fresh pumpkin flesh mashed DON’T FORKING USE CANNED***Tips on Pumpkin Below

1 cup spelt

1 cup rolled oats DON’T FORKING USE INSTANT

2 oz butter melted

1 extra large egg beaten

Directions Set oven to 350 degrees

Mix up all the ingredients and put 1/2 in a pastry bag with about 1/2 inch cut off the tip. Squeeze out dough into about 3 inch log shapes onto parchment paper on top of your sheet tray.

IMG_9926

If desired shape the logs into bone shapes

IMG_9927

and bake about 30 minutes in your preheated 350 degree oven. Serve in moderation as a snack. No chemicals so keep in the refrigerator and use within the week.

IMG_9933

IMG_9989

IMG_9991

IMG_9992

These are Forking Great Dog Biscuits and That's The Forking Truth

These are Forking Great Dog Biscuits and That’s The Forking Truth

Pumpkin Tips

IMG_9911

The most delicious pumpkin looks like this. Make sure you purchase the bright green ones because the duller ones aren’t as sweet or flavorful. These squash go by several names and are mostly named kobacha squash or Thai Pumpkin in this area but I read that they are also called Italian Pumpkin. The easiest and safest way to prepare it is to Just toss it in a pan. Add a little water cover with foil and put in a 350 degree oven and between 45- 75 minutes it should be done depending on size. Most go for about an hour. You want the squash to be fork tender. When the squash is cool enough to handle split it in half and scoop out the stringy seeds.

IMG_9922

Then cut off the skin.

IMG_9923

Keep going till done and you have lots of delicious pumpkin ready for use.

 

Happy #WineWednesday with my Forking Cute #Wine Dogs

IMG_8423

Once a great bottle of wine is finished I can get a little more use out of it if a snap a cute picture of the bottle with my dogs. Of course dogs can’t forking drink wine but they look forking cute with the bottles.

IMG_8419

Rich and tanic with a hint of berries.

IMG_8663

I would like a forking BIG juicy steak with this wine.

IMG_8657

.Oh what a beautiful nose.

IMG_8654

I never drink anything with a forking screw cap.

IMG_8659

..I don’t drink wine.

IMG_8726

No Forking Purple teeth on me!

IMG_8723

I’m appreciating the aroma.

IMG_8250

..That was a lot of forking wine…..

 The Forking Truth!

The Forking Truth!

 

 

Getting HOT in Phoenix Arizona but still was able to Forking Dine with Dogs

IMG_8231

It’s getting forking hot in Phoenix Arizona but we had a few cooler weekends just right for dining outside. Our adventure started with a fun car ride.

IMG_8224

Last week we enjoyed Leo’s Island BBQ and this week we went back to Cucina Tagliani in Glendale AZ to sit under their covered spacious patio. Each dog received their own complimentary pan of water and we received complimentary garlic toast.

IMG_8204

My husband ordered a Stromboli.

IMG_8203

 

The 14 year old seemed highly interested in the Stromboli.

IMG_8209

IMG_8212

Then he got some.

The three year old got some too.

IMG_8214

I had the strawberry goat cheese salad with chicken.

IMG_8205

My salad was very good. Years ago the chicken always sucked here as it was usually very dry and not so tasty. Cucina Tagliani has improved greatly over the past year with the menu changes. The chicken was moist and tasty. The salad was fresh and crisp and the house made dressing was delicious.

The dogs also enjoyed the chicken although I think the 14 year old liked the Stromboli more.

IMG_8218

 

Both dogs left with smiles!

IMG_8222

On the ride home the 14 year old just kept smiling and the three year old fell asleep as three year olds normally do.

IMG_8227

 

Later they were in the mood for a little vino.

IMG_8250

The three year old went for a second forking bottle.

IMG_8253

Just forking kidding dogs don’t forking drink wine.

It’s getting hot in Phoenix Arizona but the past two weekends were cool enough to Forking Dine with Dogs!

The Forking Truth

The Forking Truth

Investigations are Pending for Beneful Dog Food

IMG_8062

A lawsuit has been filed against the Purina Company with allegations that Beneful has possibly caused thousands of dogs to become ill or die. (according to PetfoodRecall.org)

Propylene glycol is the ingredient alleged to cause the illness. Propylene glcol is a preservative that is used in foods for human and pet consumption.

Investigations are pending.

According to PetFoodRecall.org They note 11 recalls by Purina.

Forking Truth

Forking Truth