By Ron Cook
Twenty-two years ago I moved out West after my second failed attempt to stay in the saddle of that institution we call marriage. We won’t go into that, the point was just to “Get Me Out West” and start making dog biscuits! I love dogs. Dogs love me. I wish marriage was like dogs. I’d do something special for her, and then she would let me scratch behind her ears and then want to sit on my lap. Wouldn’t that be something?
Anyway… dog biscuits.
I really wanted to make the perfect dog biscuit. The dog biscuit that would help old dogs stay vital, have an appetite, and enjoy a higher quality of life. So, as part of my Masters in Psychology research, I investigated the healthiest dog biscuit ingredients. I did the research available. I had always disliked the chemical smell of commercial dog biscuits. If I didn’t like it, why would a dog like it whose sense of smell is exponentially better than ours. We can smell the stew. Your dog can smell and detect every ingredient in the stew! That’s why dogs check out every telephone pole and fire hydrant to see who’s been there and what they had to say.
So Dogs love stink. But they don’t like chemicals.
Even dogs are smarter than us. We like to inhale chemicals right and left. Fake sugars, fake snacks (Twinkies have a twenty year shelf life), growth hormones in our eggs and meat. Whatever …
So …
It dawned on my wee cabasa (brain bone) that there was information available that told exactly what dogs should and should not have!!!
BRILLIANT!! Duh!
But I did take it one step further, I had a test dog. It had to be a dog that I loved. It had to be just a regular doggie-dog.
My first willing volunteer was Petey. He was a much loved family dog who was getting up there in dog years. He had a lot of older doggie issues. The purpose of the test doggy was to smell each ingredient. If they wanted to lick it or eat it, it would go into the biscuit. If they turn their head away from it, no matter how good that ingredient was supposed to be for them, it was not going into the biscuit. Petey was a great test dog and lived several more happy, lively years with his special biscuits. He died at 21 dog years which was equivalent to 147 human years!! The guidelines for ingredients, I came to realize, were based on only two factors: health and stink.
My next test doggie was my white Japanese one-eyed Chin, Rudy. I no longer have a picture of my good pal, Rudy, but he was the smartest dog I’ve ever known. He had a total human personality. Rudy went everywhere with me in Texas. He would keep me awake if I started falling asleep driving by licking my beard. That dog had the sweetest breath of any dog I’ve ever known. We had hoped to do a Steinbeck-like novel entitled, “Travels with Rudy,” as an on-the-road Texas travel novel. Steinbeck wrote a fun book through the eyes and nose of his dog, Charlie. Thus came, “Travels with Charlie.” Unfortunately, Rudy passed away before we were able to achieve that goal. I had his ashes for some time, yet have lost track of them, but not his sweet memory.
My next poochie-pal test doggie was Nonny (short for Namaste because of her peaceful, sweet Burmese-Mountain Dog presence). Nonny would sun herself on the front porch while the young chickens climbed around on her back.
I moved to Florida the winter of 2018. My brother’s Beagle, Benny, was the eager new test puppy. Ben was around thirteen in dog years (which is about 90 in human). Ben was turning into a slower, more arthritic, version of his puppy self. His appetite had also diminished . He tested several new additions to the now called “Benny Biscuits.” We also started adding CBD to the mix. Benny responded nicely to his new biscuits, enjoying several more quality years on this earthly realm before he went off to chase bunnies in the sky.
Another wonderful doggy pal who enjoyed testing the biscuits for his size shape and approval was my sister’s dog, Duke. Duke, a good looking German shepherd could smell the biscuits through the enclosed box that I mailed to my sister from Florida. There was a picture of him apparently drooling as he stood at attention waiting for my sister to open the box.
Upon returning from Texas to Colorado, I adopted a Rudy 2 Chihuahua/Miniature Italian Greyhound. Rudy 2 had been out and about in the world for a few years. We’re not sure how old she was but she came to us very anxious and full of fears and foibles. Her constitution was very delicate, so her biscuits had to be somewhat modified. Her sister’s name is Lily, a very precocious and athletic Pug Chihuahua with a Mohawk natural hairstyle. Rudy loves to travel … Lily throws up.
Along the way, l have encountered many dogs and a few cats that have enjoyed the biscuits. Cats are a tougher sell. Maybe I’ve mentioned this before, but dogs seem to look at us as family, whereas cats seem to see us as servants and staff. Just an
observation…
Moochie’s Munchies
Special Doggie Biscuits
For Special Doggies
These doggie-culinary biscuits have been designed over 20 years of research done with dog experts, vet advisors, and most importantly, test-doggie input. The research started those 20 years ago, with Pettie, a family-loved border collie. Pettie had all the age-related difficulties that almost all dogs experience to different degrees, based on their breed, age, and temperament. The most common issues have to do with:
1. Bone health,
2. Weight,
3. Arthritis,
4. Cancer,
5. Anxiety,
6. Food sensitivities.
7. And various other issues, including loss of appetite.
These biscuits may not be the cure-all for every dog, yet they are a nice natural, “live” option for most doggies.
The ingredients include:
1. Gluten-reduced sourdough base. Dogs should be Gluten-free.
2. Two vet products that contain Glucosamine-Chondroitin and other bone health organic substances.
3. Tuna fish and liquid smoke (for that lovely stink dogs love).
4. Egg for good doggie fur.
5. Peanut butter – good source of protein, fiber, and fatties.
6. Honey – nature’s healer.
7. Organic Turmeric – bone health.
8. Apples, carrots, pumpkin, and sweet potato for teeth and breath.
9. Olive oil.
10. Other meats such as chicken, beef, pork, etc. Dogs are carnivores.
The biscuits are coated with hemp oil after they have been baked.
Another product, “Moochie Munchies,” offers is “Moochie Good-Doggie Munchies.” This product comes with 250-300 mg of CBD and helps with anxiety or overactive hyperactivity in some dogs, as well as pain management, and digestive health, as well as appetite improvement.
My buddy, Moochie, says, “I eats dem biscuits…dey GOOD!!!”
