You don't take a photograph. You ask, quietly, to borrow it.

Portraits of Border Collies.

I love how the photos capture each distinct personality.

Josey

Lucas

Tess - foster BC

Give me the old familiar walk...

 Josey, Lucas and foster BC-Tess-
played at KH over the holiday weekend.

Lots of rain + vernal pools + BCs = happy dogs!

zippy BCs

They are quite the trio.
 :)

Tess is much better - beat the worms and other gastrointestinal bugs.
She's a lot of fun and an easy pup to take care of (not high maintenance).
Good girl!

If worms carried pistols, birds wouldn't eat 'em.

Yup, Tess has worms. 

ick. 

Also watching a minor "cough" she has too.

Sicky puppy.

She's still a cutie pie though.

Photo taken by BCRNC before I picked her up.

This photo will probably be on the BCRNC website 

- as soon as Tess is healthy.

One fish Two fish...

Will this be my first foster fail?

Lucas & Tess napping together

Tess is a lovely puppy.

She knows sit, down, come. 

We're working on stay.

She plays with Lucas. Leaves Josey alone.

Keeps herself entertained with toys

and she fetches them too!

Tess is a little sound sensitive but not a barker.

She rushes towards Lucas & Josey with kisses;

but the BCs don't like that in-your-face slobber

so they've been teaching her about respecting their space.

The pup loves on-leash walks, too.
She's quite well-behaved for her age!

The lady who surrendered Tess said 

she was protective and snarky around men.

Well, that has not been the case at all with me.

Tess was sweet & affectionate with the husband.

Today, she met two more men without incident.

Good girl!

How could you not love this face?!

The heart makes its choices without weighing the consequences.

Fostering a BC pup for the holidays.

I am in love.

Meet Tess. 

9 months old. B/W rough coat. Female.

Look at those pink paws! Look at those eyes!

Smelly dirty girl got a bath before I brought her home.

Quick bath & dry at Wagger

Within minutes of meeting Lucas, 

Tess play-bowed and off they went...

dogzoomin' around and around in the backyard

in the friggin' rain.

She's classic BC temperament and behavior.

She's a beauty.

She's all P-U-P-P-Y!

**sigh**

If you walk, just walk. If you sit, just sit. But whatever you do, don’t wobble.

The Sit Test - Part 1

There is an excellent piece on Dog Star Daily:  The Sit Test. There are 8 different tests:

• Sit on Heel 
• Signal Sit 
• Sit for Examination 
• Sit on Recall 
• Sit-Stay Sit 
• Out of Sight Sit 
• Down-Stay Sit  
• Sit on Hand

In the next few days, I'll try some of these sit tests on Josey & Lucas. Mostly the BCs sit very nicely even during excitement or stress. They know the sit command verbally and via hand signal. Sometimes they lie down as a sit because they are bored, stubborn or indifferent, too. I'll make it a fun learning experience for them (and me, too). The piece provides lots of tips and insights into why your dog my do this or that during sit tests. Entertaining. Enlightening. It's a good read!

A photograph is memory in the raw.

Cell phone cameras don't take the best photos but they are lots of fun!

These photos were actually taken yesterday.

A study of Lucas...

Josey & Lucas stalking each other...

That's my darling Luke. He grins like a baby but bites like a gator.

Today is Lucas' Gotcha' Day!

 

Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating;

there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.

Heavy rain and wind overnight gave away to sunshine today.

Absolutely gorgeous...so we hiked out to K.H. and

 Josey & Lucas played their favorite game...

Enjoying it while we can...more rain expected this week!

Follow your honest convictions and be strong.

Addendum to November 30, 2010 post & comments

Have you read The Whole Dog Journal November 2010 issue? In "Cold Hard Facts," WDJ reviewed  twelve (12) frozen raw dog food companies based on two selection criteria: 1) complete and balanced diets and 2) wide distribution (1). Like their dry dog food reviews, WDJ profiles each company, describes their products and adds other helpful information. WDJ also included a discussion about HPP, irradiation and pasteurization or sterilization processes. It's a good read!

The companies [in the review] had very compelling, interesting statements about their manufacturing and food safety programs. Pay attention here...of the 12 companies listed in the review:

• seven (7) companies said they do not use HPP
• three (3) companies were vague 
• two (2) companies said they use HPP 

I can identify additional successful companies that do not use HPP, too. At Around the Dog Bowl, we've blogged about HPP & frozen raw dog food in two posts. This is the last because I'm confident of my own selection criteria and what's important to me for my border collies. I'm sticking with the research and my instincts to stay away from frozen raw dog food products that use any kind of pasteurization, sterilization, irradiation and HPP processes.

Of course whatever, however you feel - it is your own decision to make.

Resources: (1) The Whole Dog Journal November 2010 - "Cold Hard Facts" by Nancy Kerns

Things that were hard to bear are sweet to remember.

A trip down memory lane...

with Sam & Josey.

Like two peas in a pod.

In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.

Lucas at Glen Highland Farm - 2008

Lucas watching the BCs in the paddocks.

A bargain ain't a bargain unless it's something you need.

Local Shopping Deals
Just for fun...special sales from local independent retail shops (and Amazon). Good time to stock up on essentials and holiday shop for the other dogs in your life! Woof Woof Woof!

Incredible Pets Annual Anniversary Sale

Saturday, December 4, 2010
Incredible Pets
5030 Folsom Blvd.
Sacramento, CA
(916) 451-1199
All 4 stores are hosting a blowout 15th Anniversary sale this Saturday:  Auburn, Grass Valley, Carmichael and East Sacramento. 

Christmas Party at Excel K9 Diet's New Store
Saturday, December 11, 2010
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Excel K9 Diet 
12716 Kennedy Flat Road
Jackson, CA
(209) 223-00K9
There will be refreshments (for humans and dogs), hourly drawings for great prizes, and special gifts for all dogs that come to our store that day.  In addition, on that day only, all items in the store (except for Excel K9 and Greentripe products) will be 10% off!  Yup, that's all grain-free kibble, dehydrated raw food, treats, toys, books, supplements, etc. Mini-road trip anyone?!


Amazon 4-for-3 Offer on Dog Toys, Treats and Supplies

It is at the edge of a petal that love waits.

Sam at Twin Bridges near Echo Summit - 2003

I remember this day - crystal clear - like it was yesterday.

Sam lost his footing on slippery rocks
and fell into the fast moving water at Twin Bridges.

Luckily, we were nearby and grabbed him. 

Sam always lived on the edge like that.

Fearless.

Marketing is what you do when your product is no good.

More on High Pressure Processing

Have you ever purchased frozen raw dog food (specifically Nature's Variety and Stella & Chewy's) and wondered why the color is so pale and texture smooth like pâté? Well, I've come to learn that these products do not look like other frozen raw foods. You may remember in a previous post I blogged about other types of raw dog food and high pressure processing or HPP. This type of processing explains (to me) why these brands frozen raw food products are pale-colored with pâté-like textures and when I think about it, they're very unappealing. Not to mention they are the most expensive brands. Click here for photos I took of Nature's Variety. Additional perspectives from those who oppose HPP which balances all the stuff we read on Nature's Variety and Stella & Chewy's websites (scrutinize their marketing of carefully chosen words and safety seals and graphics)...

These excerpts are from an on-line retailer's blog (see Resources below for details):  

• "HPP is used by industry to extend shelf life...HPP destroys pathogenic bacteria... a concern is the fact that the beneficial bacteria, enzymes and other functional proteins are known to be destroyed during this process...HPP in effect turns raw food into a processed food, and there is potentially trouble down the road for raw pet food manufacturers that choose to proudly market this process, like the two mentioned above, or those that succumb to fear and ignorance (1)."
• "...the beneficial bacteria found on raw food products, as well as those found in your gastrointestinal tract, are responsible for keeping colonies of pathogenic bacteria from multiplying quickly through competitive inhibition (competing for growth). This leads to my primary concern, which is, once these friendly bacteria are destroyed along with the unfriendly bacteria, there is nothing to keep the pathogenic bacteria from growing out-of-control if the food product is re-contaminated during manufacturing. This is exactly what has happened with several popular brands of kibble dog food recently, as well as over the last several decades, and this re-contamination with pathogenic bacteria, like Salmonella, after the cooking process, without the presence of friendly bacteria, can make people and animals sick (1)."

Excerpts from a frozen raw dog food company on the East Coast:

• "There have been varying opinions within the pet food industry concerning the process of High Pressure Pasteurization (or Processing), often referred to as HPP. Rather than base our decision on opinions and emotions, the team chose to review scientific data and build our knowledge on the research and conclusive facts about this technology. There are many valuable research papers published in reputable scientific journals regarding this technology. We have taken the opportunity to evaluate this research and outline the most relevant conclusions for the concerned pet owner to review (2)."
•  "...When dealing with raw meat there is always an inherent risk from microbial contamination which is a natural part of the animal’s physiology. When processing a raw product it is very important to have strict controls in place to minimize this risk. There are several ways to address this. Generally, the food industry has simply recommended a heat (or kill) step to at least 165°F to eliminate the risk of pathogenic bacteria. However, this obviously negates the benefit of a raw diet since this step denatures proteins and active enzymes as well as depletes vitamins. Another, more recently emerging technology that has been employed to address microbial contamination in food is High Pressure Processing or HPP (2)."
• "...we have chosen to take a different approach to provide a high quality, nutritionally dense, microbially responsible raw food product. First and foremost the best approach to provide a low risk, raw food from pathogenic contamination is by starting with healthy, high quality, properly cared for livestock. Many of the reasons the meat in this country contains the pathogenic bacteria loads it does is directly due to the crowded housing conditions, poor hygiene, improper feeding and handling techniques of livestock animals... we understand the benefits of using livestock that is pasture fed, and never exposed to synthetic hormones and antibiotics. Studies show that healthy, pastured livestock will shed significantly less E. coli. Also, when cows are grass fed there is reduced risk of Salmonella infections. Secondly, butchering and post butcher handling must be closely monitored and controlled to limit contamination (2)."   

Bottom Line: Please read the links below! It will be eye-opening! As a result, I will not be buying frozen raw food from Nature's Variety or Stella & Chewy's anymore (*). There are much better products out there that do not use HPP; that are minimally processed; that look more natural with coarser textures; that offer rational explanations on how and why they make their products the way they do; that are made locally and that are reasonably priced. I can see an awesome post in the near future! I'm confidently piecing together what components or elements are most important to me when I'm selecting frozen raw dog food. Hope you'll keep reading...

Resources:
(1) High Pressure Processing (HPP): is it Safe for Pet Dog and Cat Food? by Natural Pet Health Blog (of The Pet Health & Nutrition Center)
(2) White Paper:  High Pressure Pasteurization ≠ Raw by Answers Pet Food Company. To read the white paper: click on Answers' link, go to Nutrition Ed and scroll down until you find the 6th Q&A (What are the concerns of feeding a raw diet that uses High Pressure Pasteurization (HPP)?)
(*) BTW - Nature's Variety makes excellent dry & wet food and treats (Instinct). Stella & Chewy's freeze-dried patties make hearty treats.

"Although we have come to accept commercial foods as being normal or natural ways to feed animals...

(and indeed ourselves), in fact they are not. They are simply what we've gotten used to in the last few decades. But nothing we can produce commercially ever can rival those mysteriously complex foods manufactured for eons by nature itself."

Thought provoking, huh? In the beginning, I blogged Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers, and explained what I want to accomplish: feed better dog food through my own reading & research. My sister at dogzoomies owns a thoughtfully edited collection of dog books on health, nutrition and holistic care and I hope she blogs about it in the future. A friend at Marley's Adventures recently blogged that she is reading up on dog health and nutrition too. I believe there are many more like us - informed dog owners - who care about our dog's health like we care about our own.

If you haven't already read my post about home-prepared cooked dog food, please take a look! Just wanted to share another perspective, option in the wide world of dog food. Also came across a website by Dr. Andrew Weil (world-renowned leader and pioneer in the field of integrative medicine for humans) where he responded to questions about raw and home cooked food for pets (3, 4). I agree and disagree with his answers. Here's what I take away from it: Keep doing what you're doing (reading & researching). Trust your instincts. Pay attention to your dog and his health. Mix it up and don't rely on one method or opinion. Enjoy the links below! 

Resources:
(1) The Whole(istic) Truth About Pet Food by Christie Keith 
(2) Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats (3rd edt) by Richard Pitcairn, DVM
(3) Home Cooking for Pets? by Dr. Andrew Weil
(4) Raw Food Doggie Diet? by Dr. Andrew Weil

All we can do is be better prepared today than yesterday and better prepared tomorrow than today.

Pet Food Recall 101 

Are you concerned about pet food recalls? Safe yourself from any confusion and pain...follow these 3 steps to stay informed about recalls.

STEP 1: Get the facts and know the difference between product recalls and withdrawal. "In general, recalls are more serious since regulations are being violated that are put in place to protect consumers, pets, or both. Recalls will result in some action on the part of the FDA if a manufacturer does not act. Market withdrawals do not involve regulatory action and are usually done to remove product with flaws or inconsistencies in appearance and/or performance. (1)"

Recall means a firm's removal or correction of a marketed product that the Food and Drug Administration considers to be in violation of the laws it administers and against which the agency would initiate legal action, e.g., seizure. Recall does not include a market withdrawal or a stock recovery. (2) 

Market Withdrawal means a firm's removal or correction of a distributed product which involves a minor violation that would not be subject to legal action by the Food and Drug Administration or which involves no violation, e.g., normal stock rotation practices, routine equipment adjustments and repairs, etc. (2)

STEP 2: Be prepared and bookmark these websites to track pet food recalls. Having more than one go-to source will give you peace of mind regarding legitimacy and accuracy of the recall alerts.

• Food & Drug Administration (FDA) -Animal & Veterinary Products Recalls and Withdrawals
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Pet Food Safety - Recalls and Alerts 
• The Dog Food Project
• Truth About Pet Food

STEP 3: Build a repertoire with the manager or salesperson at your favorite independent pet food store. Their knowledge of dog food can help you find substitutes if your dog’s foods and treats are involved in a recall. Consider upgrading your dog food brand to a company who has a clean track record.

Resources: 

(1) Pet Food Express - Product Issue Information

(2) Federal Code of Regulations, Title 21 Food & Drugs, Part 7 Enforcement Policy, Sub Chapter A - General Provisions, Section 7.3 Definitions (f) product (g) recall, (j) market withdrawal

Thank you Ashley Whippet - The Greatest Frisbee Dog Ever*

Favorite Things >  Ultimate Flyer

Tuffie Toys
8485 Ivory Coast Drive
San Diego CA 92126
866-478-0848

We play with the Ultimate Flyer outside and inside the house. 

Yup - actually cleared out the formal living area to make room for playing!

Here are the border collies during a tormenting photo shoot...

Josey poses beautifully with her little yellow Flyer

Lucas has his own camo blue Flyer

Flyers make great hats too!

Enough already - can we play now?!

*Resources:
(1) Ashley Whippet via Wikipedia; (2) Whippet View website honoring Ashley Whippet

The winner is the chef who takes the same ingredients as everyone else and produces the best results.

Favorite Things > Freeze-dried or Dehydrated Raw Dog Food

SOJOS by Sojourner Farms
1723 Adams Street NE

Minneapolis, MN 55413

1.888.867.6567

SOJOS Complete (blue bag)

Ingredients: sweet potatoes, USDA turkey, whole egg, broccoli, celery, apples, flax meal, pecans, tricalcium phosphate, pumpkin, cranberries, basil, dried alfalfa, ginger root, dried kelp, zinc sulfate, vitamin E acetate, vitamin D2 Guaranteed Analysis: crude protein 22.0% min., crude fat 8.0% min., crude fiber 5.1% max., moisture 12.3% max. Calories: per cup = 480.8 Kcals Note: This is considered a complete and balanced meal.

SOJOS Grain-Free (green bag)
Ingredients: Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Broccoli, Celery, Apples, Whole Egg, Flax Meal, Parsley Leaf, Tricalcium Phosphate, Carob Powder, Kelp Powder, Alfalfa, Ginger Root, Garlic, Vitamin D3 Guaranteed Analysis: crude protein 14.7% min., crude fat 6.5% min., crude fiber 15.4% max., moisture 7.0% max. Calories: No information. Note: This product is intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only. To use this food daily feeding, you must follow the instructions and add the proper amount of meat.


Bottom Line:  SOJOS' chunky home-style texture, high palatability and price point make it our favorite dehydrated raw food. We prefer it over The Honest Kitchen. The border collies have eaten SOJOS as toppers and meals and there were no tummy issues. The Complete mix includes meat so it is also perfect for traveling (they ate it for Thanksgiving dinner!). Pair the Grain-free mix with SmallBatch or K9 Kraving raw blend (meat, bone and organ) - well, it's so easy to prep & serve! I feel confident about feeding the border collies SOJOS because it suits our variety & rotation method. It's Josey & Lucas approved too!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM SOJOS E-NEWSLETTER June 2009:

"Since introducing SOJOS COMPLETE last year (ie. the one with the meat already in the bag), many have wondered what the distinction is between our food and other dehydrated mixes on the market. The most important distinction in our opinion is that SOJOS

Why freeze-dried? Air-drying is a simple, gentle method of moisture removal that works well with fruits and vegetables. However it is not ideal for the dehydration of meat. The reason is that air-dried meat must be cooked first (typically at temperatures of 230 degrees F and up) before it is air-dried to destroy bacteria. However, freeze-dried meat can be dehydrated RAW, which our meat is.

Freeze-drying is a process that completely removes water from a material, while leaving the basic structure and composition of the material intact. This is done without exposing the material to temperatures high enough to destroy enzymes and nutrients. Freeze-drying locks in the taste, smell, and nutritional content of food, while preserving it for a longer period of time. Since most savvy pet owners are looking for raw meat for their pets, freeze-dried meat represents the best option for people that want the convenience of a dry food combined with the bountiful nutrition of raw. We still have SOJOS ORIGINAL and SOJOS GRAIN-FREE for people that want to use fresh, raw meat for their pets. SOJOS COMPLETE simply gives you the added convenience of having the meat already in the bag.

The only disadvantage of freeze-dried meat is the cost, as it usually costs up to three times as much as air-dried meat. In our case, because we manufacture our own food, we're able to include freeze-dried meat in our food and still offer our products at a reasonable price that people can afford. How much do our foods cost to feed? Here's an approximation, based on feeding a 25-50 lb. dog our foods:

• SOJOS ORIGINAL (with ground beef @ $2.50 per lb.) - $0.95 per day SOJOS GRAIN-FREE (with ground beef) - $2.26 per day
• COMPLETE is made with freeze-dried RAW turkey.
• SOJOS COMPLETE - $2.28 per day"

The third day comes a frost, a killing frost.

Josey & Sam at Echo Summit, South Lake Tahoe - 2006

They've been talking about it for a few days now -

 freezing temperatures.

Temperatures will drop to the mid and upper 20s overnight.

Thanksgiving morning will be very very very cold. 

Wrapped up a group of pet sits tonight. 

These cats & dogs have been alone for many days now. 

Enduring cold, windy and rainy weather.

Tried my best to make them feel comfortable & calm

while their owners are away. 

D & J will take over to do the same.

Luckily, Josey & Lucas will be joining us on our trip. 

We'll continue to blog, don't worry.

Stay warm everyone!

We give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.

Gratitude: n. the state of being grateful; thankfulness.

Crazy weather today. I mean c-r-a-z-y.  

Woke up this morning to cold, windy, wet conditions. 

By noon it cleared to a sunny mild 57 degrees. 

It was a perfect autumn afternoon.

This evening temperatures will drop in the 30s. Brrr...

Despite Mother Nature, we still went out on our walks 

and off-leash hike to K.H. today. 

I am grateful to my dogs for getting me outside.

Rain or Shine. 

365 days a year.

I may pout about the rain hitting my face.

I may yell at the dogs for chasing rabbits or eating cat shit.

Deep down inside, though, I am as happy as they are.

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.

Pet Food Updates

Orijen changed formula of their #1 selling dog food
I received an email from an on-line retailer about it and their transition plans to the new Orijen product. Basically Orijen changed the dry food formula to include more meat and more fresh raw meat (less meat meal). They are calling it Orijen 80-20 (as opposed to 70-30). You'll also notice the first 5 ingredients are entirely animal-based. For more information, visit Orijen's FAQ and DogFoodAdvisor's recent blog review (dated 11/20/2010).

New dog food from Acana
Acana is coming out with a new dry dog food called Ranchlands (grain-free red meat formula of free-range beef, bison and lamb). Both Champion Petfoods and Acana's websites do not say anything about it yet. We'll be waiting for more news! We love Acana!

Play is the highest form of research.

Josey & Lucas love their toys. 

Pick one! Let's play!

They play tug-of-war with their toys.

 Love watching them pull & drag each other around
while making lots of noise - grunts & growls.

A few old photos...bring it on!

Talk less of days to come. Live, love, labor more today.

Lucas made the cover of the Glen Highland Farm 2011 Calendar!

Every day at the farm, he was always watching, listening 

to the rescue BCs in the paddocks.

One particular morning he ran towards the barn and at the gate, 

he barked at the people & BCs.

I had to peel him away from the gate and carry him off.

I remember looking over my shoulder and

Lillie was asking who is that?!

She said Lucas was just really curious at what was going on.

That is still so true today...

It's what you learn after you know it all that counts.

Carbohydrate (Part 2)

How to estimate carbohydrate
"Guaranteed analysis" provides information to estimate carbohydrate. "The protein, fat, ash, carbohydrate and water content [accounts] for roughly 100 percent of the total pre-cooking weight of any dog food...Subtract the reported protein, fat, water and ash percentages from the 100 percent total.  And you’ll get a fairly good idea of the carbohydrate content in that dog food (1)."

Estimates of Carbohydrate in select dry grain-free dog foods

• Acana Pacifica ~ 27% (5), 27-32% (2)
• Acana Wild Prairie ~ 26% (5), 26-31% (2)
• Artemis Fresh Mix Maximal ~ 21% (3)
• California Natural Grain Free Lamb Meal Adult ~ 57% (3)
• Dogswell Nutrisca Chicken & Chickpea ~ 36% (3)
• EVO Turkey & Chicken  ~ 12-18% (2), ~ 21% (3)
• Orijen Six Fish ~ 20-24% (2), 30% (3)
• Solid Gold Barking at the Moon ~ 24% (3)
• Wellness Core Original ~ 39% (3)

Bottom Line:  Grain-free dry food is working for us and here is what I know for sure: 1) grain-free does not mean carbohydrate-free 2) grain-free costs more but because it is nutritionally dense, I feed less of it and 3) the border collies are doing well meaning they have no tummy issues with grain-free formulas. If and when I do use "grains" in a home-prepared meal,  I control the source and typically feed cooked white rice or cooked oats. This flexibility is a mainstay of our variety & rotation diet.

Resources:
(1) "How to Quickly Calculate the Carbohydrate Content of Any Dog Food" - DogFoodAdvisor
(2) Estimated from information on actual dog food label. First number is % carb (NFE) printed on label and second number is % carb from math formula.
(3) Dog Food Reviews by Brand - DogFoodAdvisor
(4) "Dry Matter Basis - A Better Way to Compare Dog Foods" - DogFoodAdvisor
(5) Pulled % carb from company website
(6) Grain-free Dog Foods - The Dog Food Project
(7) List of dry dog foods (non-grain free and grain-free) - DogAware

It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes.

Carbohydrates (Part 1)

Have you read The Whole Dog Journal (October 2010) article "Carbs Contribute the Bulk of Your Dog's Kibble (Even Many Grain-Free Foods) - Do dogs need them? How much is enough? How much is too much? (1)" It explains carbohydrates, role of carbs in dog foods and grain-free dog foods. Grain-free is the new buzz word and how it is being marketed drives me crazy because the messages are often misleading.

My starting point: "Carbohydrates can be either simple or complex. Carbohydrates with a simple molecular structure are quickly assimilated and cause a rapid fluctuation in blood sugar; they are primarily found in fruits and sweeteners. Because complex carbohydrates take longer to digest, they help stabilize blood sugar; thus they help prevent hypoglycemia and diabetes. Complex carbohydrates are found abundantly in vegetables, whole grains, and beans and legumes. (2)"

I learned more about good and bad carbs from the Glycemic Index website (in the context of human foods): "The glycemic index (GI) is a ranking of carbohydrates on a scale from 0 to 100 according to the extent to which they raise blood sugar levels after eating. Foods with a high GI are those which are rapidly digested and absorbed and result in marked fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Low-GI foods, by virtue of their slow digestion and absorption, produce gradual rises in blood sugar and insulin levels, and have proven benefits for health."

I used this information to look up the GI (3) for certain foods (which we also see in grain-free dog foods): chickpeas (garbanzo beans), sweet potatoes, tapioca and potatoes.

Chickpeas, boiled

GI (vs Glucose) : 36

Serve Size : 150g

Carb per Serve (g) : 30

        

Sweet potato, boiled

GI (vs Glucose) : 44

Serve Size : 150g

Carb per Serve (g) : 25

Taro, peeled, boiled

GI (vs Glucose) : 54

Serve Size : 150

Carb per Serve (g) : 8

Tapioca, boiled

GI (vs Glucose) : 93

Serve Size : 250g

Carb per Serve (g) : 18

Potato, white without skin, baked

GI (vs Glucose) : 98

Serve Size : 150g

Carb per Serve (g) : 27

Bottom Line: I read in many books and websites that dogs have no nutritional requirements for carbohydrates in their diet. At the same time, some form of carbohydrates are in all types dog foods and dog treats, too! The best thing happening right now is that we have choices! Pet food companies use different types of carbohydrates and we ultimately choose the best carbohydrate source for our dogs. In Part 2, I hope to take a closer look at percentages of carbohydrates in dog food (with help from dogzoomies). I also read there is no magic number for it but just for fun, let's see what is going on out there!

Resources:
(1)"Carbs Contribute the Bulk of Your Dog's Kibble (Even Many Grain-Free Foods) - Do dogs need them? How much is enough? How much is too much?" The Whole Dog Journal (October 2010)
(2) The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia: A Comprehensive Resource for Healthy Eating by Rebecca Wood
(3) Glycemic Index - The Glycemic Index Database

The manner of giving is worth more than the gift.

Today another package arrived from Molly, Ben & dogzoomies!

 

Lucky Lucas and his new Tricky Ball (by Omega Paw)!

Tricky Ball is an awesome treat dispensing toy 

(it is also much quieter than the Buster Cube!)

Thank you dogzoomies!

No, snakes are no problem. I'd go to any country, anywhere, any snakes, not a problem.

A big thank you to Molly & dogzoomies!!!!

Lucas received a new toy - Kyjen Invincibles Plush Snake Dog Toy

(after blogging about it a few days ago)!

Mine!

All mine!

What?! We have to share the new toy?!

Hmm...I'm getting sleepy...

I'm going to take a nap right here,

Do you mind?

Psst...I'm plotting to steal snake from Lucas!

Easy-peasy...look at me with snake!

Ha ha ha...it's all mine now!