This "harmful foods" reminder is appreciated and OH-SO important.

Growing-up we always had dogs- most of them HUGE hardy hunting dogs that must have had iron-clad stomachs because we fed them everything- and they ate it! From table-scraps and chicken/pork bones, to live-stock and wild game "butcherings".

We were raised by those old fashioned farm-folk types who either just never knew any better- OR they had a lifetime of farm experience that said the "modern know-how" of the day was all mythical rubbish.

As kids we gave them snippets of absolutely anything we were eating and they woofed-it all down w/ gusto! So I'm sure at some point we must have given them chocolate because we often had access to candy, alas the outdoor over-sized critters survived.

However sadly, we learned a few years back that the dogs/chocolate thing is NOT a myth. As we grew-up we learned that dogs and chocolate don't mix- we just never knew when we were children. So we kept the chocolate put away and out of reach. But one time my sister's kids' tiny little Maltese got some almond jordan candies w/ chocolate and we lost her. It took 2-3 days, but her little body just shut-down all functions one by one... the vet was powerless. He said some large dogs might be able to tolerate it- but tiny dogs definitely could not... Very sad- and Keesha was such a good little dog.

Today I have two cats. Brando won't touch human food at all- nothing! But Garbo eats popcorn, ice and cheese- the stinkier- the better!

My sister has a pair of miniature schnauzers and they too won't touch human food of any kind- not even if it drops onto the floor!

Here's MY FAVORITE HOMEMADE DOG FOOD RECIPE:

8 C. BROWN RICE
1 C. PASTA
25 C. WATER
2-3 LBS. FROZEN MEAT (BEEF, LAMB, OR CHICKEN)
2 CUPS VEGGIES (PEAS, CARROTS, SQUASH, BROCCOLI, CELERY, APPLES, BLUEBERRIES)
1 C. OATMEAL
1/2 C. CANOLA OIL
1/2 C. BUTTERMILK POWDER
3 EGGS
1/4 C. HEALTH SUPPLEMENT (RECIPE BELOW)

USING A LARGE DUTCH OVEN; BRING WATER WITH FROZEN MEAT TO A BOIL, ADD BROWN RICE LET SIMMER 25 MIN'S. REMOVE MEAT, COOL AND CHOP FINE; I USE MY BLENDER AND PULSE UNTIL MEAT IS CONSISTENCY OF BABY FOOD. RETURN MEAT TO POT, AT THIS TIME ADD TOTAL REMINING INGREDIENTS, EXCEPT THE HEALTH FOOD SUPPLEMENT. COOK JUST UNTIL PASTA IS DONE. I ALSO USE MY EGGS WITH THE SHELL AND ALL, I JUST PUT THEM IN THE BLENDER AND BLEND UNTIL FROTHY BEFORE ADDING TO THE POT.

ALLOW TO COOL A LITTLE WHILE, STIR IN HEALTH FOOD SUPPLEMENT AND MIX WELL. THEN PUT INTO FREEZER CONTAINERS AND FREEZE.

***NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT***
(THESE INGREDIENTS CAN BE FOUND AT A HEALTH FOOD STORE)

2 C. NUTRITIONAL YEAST (***NOT FLEISHMAN'S BAKING TYPE***)
1 C. SOY LECITIN GRANULES
1/4 C. HUMAN GRADE BONE MEAL
1/4 C. DRIED KELP
1/4 C. DRIED PARSLEY
1/4 C. FLAX SEED

MIX TOGETHER ALL INGREDIENTS AND KEEP STORED IN A COVERED CONTAINER IN THE REFRIGERATOR. ADD 1/4 C. TO EVERY BATCH OF DOG FOOD YOU MAKE.

FEED 1 CUP PER EVERY 10 LB BODY WEIGHT A DAY.

DO NOT FEED ONION, GARLIC, CHOCOLATE, AVACADO'S, GRAPES, RAISINS, SALT OR SUGAR TO DOGS

Kevin, I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your sister's dog. That is so sad.

I wonder why avocados are on "the list." The Emergency Vet said there are dog foods made out of avocados. Hmmm...I'll do some digging and see what I can find out. We're actually taking our two in for their annual check-ups this weekend, so I'll ask then.

My little dog goes crazy for any sort of poultry. Occasionally I will give him a couple of bites of chicken breast when I roast a chicken. He will not move from in front of the stove when I make the holiday turkeys. He tries his best to get chocolate so we really have to be careful and make sure he never gets the opportunity to get to any.