Most people ask me what I feed my dogs since I'm vegan. When I tell them that they are on a vegetarian diet-I'm usually told that I'm a horrible pet owner. They are dogs, they're supposed to eat meat! My response to this is, actually owner implies that they are disposable property, and I'm a responsible pet parent. It's my commitment to them, that they have a smaller carbon footprint and be healthier, here is why...
When I took them off of the crap food (just like mankind) their coats and skin got healthier, and I had less problems with the ear infections. According to Bruce, they don't look or act their age. Fortune is 6 and Choxie is 8, they both still are active (they keep up with us on our hikes). It's only now, in their "old age" that they've gotten that funky breath and need to have their teeth brushed. I feed them Natural Balance Vegetarian Dog Food (Vegan Recipe) and I make them homemade dog biscuits, again not wanting them to be eating fillers and junk (like beaks and feathers). Below are some recipes.
Veggie Cookies
4 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp dried basil (I’ve used fresh, too-it’s whatever I have on hand)
1 tsp dried cilantro
1 tsp dried oregano
¾ cup water (always end up needing more-see step 2)
2/3 cup chopped carrot (I use a cheese grater-instead of chopping)
¼ cup green beans, cut 1 inch, thawed if frozen (I pick up the frozen that are already cut)
2 Tbs tomato paste
2 Tbs canola oil
1.) Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine flour, basil, cilantro and oregano. In a blender (it says a food processor-but the liquid comes out) combine water, carrot, green beans, tomato paste and oil. Puree until smooth and pour over dry ingredients.
2.) In the bowl and using hands, knead until the dough holds together (you’ll need to add more water-a little at a time). Transfer to lightly floured surface. Using a rolling pin, roll out dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. (I make mine slightly thicker.)
3.) With a fork, poke holes all over surface. (This keeps the cookies from getting “puffy”.) Using a pizza cutter or cookie cutter, cut dough into bite size cookies or squares. Place about ½ inch apart on baking sheets.
4.) Bake in oven for 20 minutes until firm (I have to do batches). Place on racks to cool (I use a large plate). Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees F and bake for 30 minutes longer. (This makes them really crunchy-good for cleaning teeth.) Store in an airtight container, they’ll remain fresh for 1 month.
Follow the steps above for making Carrot Cinnamon Cookies
4 cups whole wheat flour
½ cup cornmeal
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup chopped carrot (I use a cheese grater)
½ cup water
2 Tbs canola oil
2 Tbs liquid honey (I use agave nectar)
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla
**In the wild, coyotes have been studied to be more omnivores then carnivores.... They have been seen to eat berries and roots, and in Chicago (yes, due to human sprawl-they are in the cities) they will catch rodents for their protein and will scavenge in the trash eating veggies. Wolves have been known to eat earthworms, berries and grasshoppers.**
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