An Acquired Taste

It seems like this summer has gone on forever. It's been so hot that we've all stayed inside most all day and the dogs haven't had their normal exercise. Last week when we were outside playing I glanced at Tess and she looked fat. I called her to me and felt her ribs and yes, she is fat. Then I checked the other girls and they had all gained some weight. Dr B likes them to have about 1/8" of padding over the ribs and the girls had a lot more than that. It's time to diet.

Everyone hates dieting, but we try to make it a little less awful. I cut the amount of kibble they get in their bowl, but to make them feel nice and full, I add green beans. It's worked before for Morgan, Sky, Samba and Noah.

We made a run to the store for several cases of green beans because I use two cans at dinner. All my dogs have grown up eating fruits and veggies, so the thought of getting beans on their dinner is more of a treat than a punishment, except for Sebastian.

Sebastian has apparently never eaten either fruit or veggies. We've offered him carrots, apple, berries and oranges. He sniffs, then walks away. But I'm determined that the boy will learn to like them.  The first day of the big diet I put two beans on top of his kibble. He picked them out and put them on the floor. After he'd eaten his kibble, he nosed the beans around a little, but he eventually ate them.

The next day I put four beans on his dinner. This time he left them in his bowl and ate the kibble around them. Then he ate the four beans. The third day I put eight beans on his dinner and he ate them along with the kibble.

Last night I put a pile of beans on his food. Here he is waiting for his dinner.

He ate the beans first, then ate the kibble. What do you know? Green beans are pretty good.

Next week we'll try a little apple.