Happy, Happy Carnivores

After class on Sunday, which was a bit of a rough one, Lilly and I made our first visit to PC’s Pantry in Boulder, which comes highly recommended by several of our training and blogging friends. Lilly stayed in the car since off-leash dogs are welcome in the store, and there are several cats hanging out, etc. I bought some training treats, some organic shampoo and such, but I also went for some EXTRA SPECIAL treats — raw bison bones from Boulder Dog Food. PC’s keeps them in a freezer. (And, P.S. I think that St. Bernard in the dog food logo was sound asleep in the store while I was there. If I’d known, I would have asked for a pawtograph.)

Honestly, I’m somewhat careful when it comes to bones. I allow bones every few months. The reason? I recently interviewed Dr. Kate Knutson from Pet Crossing Animal Hospital and Dental Clinic in Bloomington, Minnesota, for an article in the summer 2009 issue of HealthyPet magazine.When I asked her about it, she basically said that dogs can chew onbones as long as you are willing to get any dental damage fixed, if ithappens. She understands that many of us consider chewing on bones aquality-of-life issue, so we balance the risk against the reward.

She did warn me about some dog chews you’ll find on the market: “Thereare a couple things I say no to,” she told me. “No hooves, no ears, norocks, and no pizzle (bully) sticks. Those are the fourthings that cause the most root canals in our practice.”

So, with those warnings and caveats in mind, I went ahead and got some big, meaty, raw bones for my pups.

Lilly enjoyed hers on the way home.

Then, all afternoon, both dogs chewed and chewed and chewed. They did a good job getting the meat off.

I even managed to give Ginko a bath. He never once stopped playing with the bone. Sorry there isn’t video of that, but I was home alone at the time.

A debate in the following days cropped up about bones coming in the house. The people here at Chez Champion of My Heart vetoed the idea. But, the canine members of the family are ever hopeful.

Again, I wish I had video of it, but Ginko stood outside my office Monday looking forlorn. So, I went to let him in. He got the biggest smile on his face when he saw me. But, before he came inside, he raced around back to get his bone and came running up to the door. When I told him to leave it outside, Ginko gave me the most hurt look.

So, we’ve been working a lot on DROP IT and LEAVE IT as they come inside.

Lilly remains optimistic that her powers of persuasion will prevail. “Pleease, Mom? Please?”