Recipe for Chicken Soup for the Doggie Soul Pupsicles

Make sure the broth DOES NOT contain Onions!!!!!!!!

During this hot humid weather i have been giving my dog patients a pupsicle made from chicken soup which is frozen inside plastic containers with lids.The dogs seem to love just licking on these as if they were eating a popsicle. It keeps them occupied during their sessions too. Some dogs will try to take the frozen block out of the container once it has melted a bit. You can put it in their food bowl.

Make sure your dog is supervised while eating these. Some dogs, especially food obsessed labs will like to try to put the entire container in their mouth! You may want to break up the frozen block into smaller pieces for those dogs.

You can add other ingredients to this. I cook like my Italian grandmothers, which means i do not like to measure things. Since i tend to burn things left unattended, using a medium sized crock pot is the easiest method for me. If you use a larger crock pot add a bit more of each of these ingredients.

Add about 2 of the 32 oz.containers of organic chicken broth to the crock pot with filtered water. Wolfgang Puck makes an onion free broth OR you could add your own chicken broth. (Trade Joes makes an onion-free turkey broth too.) Make sure there are no onions in it.

Add about 5-8 peeled then shredded carrots. (you can buy them at Trader Joes already shredded!)

Add 2-4 stalks of finely chopped celery (not necessary!)

About 2 tablespoons of dry parsley if you have it. (Very good for stinky dog breath)

Add 3-4 pieces of free range frozen or fresh boneless chicken. You can add more chicken if you like.

Mix it up as best as you can. Put the lid on and cook on low for about 7 hours or on high for about 4 hours. Mix the soup during the day and try to break up the chicken.

Let it cool for about 45 minutes. Then spoon the mixture into tupperware type plastic containers. Put the lids on securely. Turn upside down and place in freezer. This way the chicken will freeze at the top of the container. Let freeze over night. Allow the container to thaw for about 10 minutes to make it easier for the dog to lick.

Do not give this frozen pupsicle to your dog during cold weather!

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Whew! We are having a horrid heat wave in New England. Here are a few tips to keep your dogs cool. Remember.. we are wearing fur so it is way hotter for us than you!
Stay Cool!
Quan Yin

Seven Tips to Cool off a Hot Dog

1. PLEASE! Never, ever leave your pets in a parked car in the summer, even if you crack the windows or park in the shade. A car temperature can rise to 150F or more in just a few minutes. This is the number one cause of canine heat stroke.

2. Always have plenty of fresh water handy for your pets. Carry a bottle of water and a bowl for your dog when walking him or her on a hot day. Add SmartWater to your dog’s bowl which has electrolytes and can help prevent dehydration.

3. Be on the look-out for signs of heatstroke. Symptoms include rapid breathing, a dazed look, very hot skin and twitching muscles. Wrap your pet in a cool, but NOT cold, wet towel. Get them to the vet as soon as possible as heatstroke can be fatal.

4. Be careful not to exercise dogs during the hottest part of the day. Also don’t worry if they are eating less on hot days as it is a normal canine reaction to heat.

5. Put a kiddie pool for dogs to cool off and play in on those hot summer days. They are inexpensive and can be found at most stores like Target.

6. Try to keep your pets indoors during the hottest part of the day, in a room with air conditioning or circulating fans if possible.

7. Short haired dogs or those who have just been shaved are prone to sunburn just like us. Especially early in the summer, try to limit your dog’s exposure to the sun.

We never know the worth of water till the well is dry. ~Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia, 1732

It’s the hot dog days of summer. It has been horribly hot here in Salem these past few days. Taking long walks without water can be dangerous for dogs, especially while wearing a black fur coat. So the pet humans bought me this oh so cool water bottle called the Gulpy Pet Water Dispenser. It is easy to carry. Beta-chic carries it in her purse and it has a cool little bowl attached so its easy to sip from. You can find them at most local pet stores.

Oh and please use filtered water not the tap water for your dogs!

Who wants to go for a walk…….
Happy Tails
Quan Yin