Our Dog, Kuper the Keeshond

Kuper was our 10 year old Keeshond.....he was a ball of fur….in fact, so much of it that I’d often offer to sell a few pounds! I’ve knitted scarfs from Kuper’s combings mixed with raw wool and they turn out beautifully…looks and feels like angora. 

The Keeshond breed originated in Holland and was bred originally as a barge watchdog and ratter. It's origins can be dated back to the 1700's. His job was to sit on the barge and bark at anyone or anything that happens by. If a rat tried to board the barge, Kup's ancestor's job would have been to discourage it from doing so....since they aren't really fighters, they probably barked it to death. 


Keeshond's are known as the "smiling Dutchmen" . Look at Kuper's face...he's always smiling (YES, that's a smile!)  Kees also have distinctive facial markings.....their eyes are circled by dark hairs making them look like they're wearing glasses. How many dogs do you know that wear spectacles??

Kuper was an outstanding representative of his breed, he barked at anything that moved. However, just between us, barking is about all that he would do. I’d never heard Kuper growl or snarl at anyone or anything. 

We jokingly say that if a burglar ever got into our house, Kuper would bound up to him, lick his hand and happily point out where the silver and jewels (if we had any) were hidden. Kup was a very gentle dog and our grandkids crawled all over him.Our granddaughter loved to dress him….although it was not easy putting a dress on top of all that fur!

Kuper's baby picture                                               Kuper all grown up



Note:
I'm very sad to say that Kuper died in February of 2012.  He had jumped or fallen from our back deck and damaged his spine.  Our vet said it was severe.  Several days later we went into the kitchen where his bed was, and found that he had passed away in his sleep.  We buried him at our lake cabin where he loved to play and swim in the pond.  I vow that I will never have another pet, be it dog, cat or bird.  My heart has been broken too many times at their deaths, and I can't do it any more.

Cocker Spaniel Fred

We have a Cocker Spaniel named Fred. Fred is 10 years old and was a surprise "please take the puppy" from our daughter. Her neighbor was moving and their little cocker puppy was going to be sent to the Humane Society.....I know, I know, he would have been adopted in a New York minute. But I get so teary eyed when I see the dogs in the society's TV ads that I couldn't let him be sent there.
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Nancy brought him over, and that was all it took....big brown eyes, a reddish blonde coat and a little topnotch of white hair....
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We've had Fred for 10 years.....when we first got him, the question was "what should we call him?" His "real" name was Copper Valley Flintstone....a little too long for every day usage. We mulled a few "call" names, "Honey"...nah "Goldie"....too feminine "Red"....he's not an Irish Setter..etc, etc, etc. Finally Nancy said..."well, he just looks like a Fred" and from then on, he was "Fred, the dog"....
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Ole Fredthedog got himself into a pickle last night....he has long ears with long, curly hair on them. Last night we heard the most awful cries of pain and barking from the back of our yard. We ran outside and there was Fredthedog, tangled up in one of the climbing rose bushes on the back fence.
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The thorny branches were caught in the long hair on his ears and he had been spinning around trying to get loose but only succeeded in entangling himself even more. Poor Fredthedog was panting, whining and howling.
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It was cold, 9:00 at night, dark and the yard lights didn't give us much light, but Ken and I managed to get him free...the plant clippers were in the garage (I think) so we got him loose by using a butcher knife to cut the branches and scissors to cut the hair that was wound around the rose thorns.....now Fredthedog has a lot less hair on one ear.
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He was so scared, shaking and panting. And, since we've had a deluge of rain in Nebraska, the ground was soggy and muddy....so was Fredthedog. We carried him to the house, wrapped him in a towel and hugged and talked to him until he calmed down.....he wasn't hurt but did have some thorn scratches in his ears.
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Both the rose bush and Fred have lived peacefully together for nearly 10 years......hopefully they will live in peace for the next ten!

Fred will soon be getting a "friend" from our local Humane Society. Ever since seeing a heart wrenching story about the many kittens that are overcrowding the facilities and the dilemma the society faces, I decided we MUST adopt one. However I know very little about cats, much less about kittens, I have always had dogs, never a cat. So, I will be visiting Kitten Blogs & Articles for some much needed advice on how to raise a kitty.

Homemade treats for your dog

These make PERFECT gifts for giving that special pet or a friends special pet. You can get a tin and line with colored tissue paper, then layer the treats inside. You can make up a cute label on your computer with the Dog's name on it and Doggie Treats as a title or go to your local craft store and get some clear cellophane bags, place dog treats inside, tie bag with pretty colored ribbon.

I hope that your dogs love these as much as mine do. Dogs are man's best friend, they love you unconditionally and ask no questions. They are a member of your family and you love them very much so it's OK to Pamper and Spoil them.

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HONEY & PEANUT BUTTER DOG BISCUITS

3/4 cup flour (wheat preferably)

1 egg

2 Tbs honey

2 Tbs peanut butter

1/4 Cup Vegetable Shortening

1 Tsp baking soda

1/4 Tsp salt

1/4 cup oatmeal

1/2 Tsp Vanilla

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In a large glass bowl, heat honey and peanut butter in the microwave until runny. About 20 seconds, depending on your microwave. Next add all other remaining ingredients together and mix well. Dough will be thick. Drop onto an UN-greased cookie sheet by 1/2 teaspoons.

Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes. If you have a bigger dog, make these by the teaspoon.

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BEEF TWISTS

3-1/2 Cups White All Purpose Flour

1 Cup Corn Meal

1/4 Cup Milk

1 Package Unflavored Gelatin

1/4 Cup Corn Oil

1 Egg

1 3-1/2 Oz. Jar Strained Beef Baby Food

1 Beef Bouillon Cube

3/4 Cup Boiling Water

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Dissolve Bouillon cube in boiling water. Sift your dry ingredients together

in a large glass bowl. Add milk, egg, oil, and beef baby food and beef

bouillon. Stir until well mixed. Dough will be thick. Roll out on a

floured surface to 1/4" thickness. Cut in 1/4 inch strips by 3" strips,

twisting each stick 3 turns before placing on cookie sheet. Bake 35 to 40

minutes at 400 degrees. These can be stored in refrigerator.

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DOGGIE FRESH BREATH BISCUITS

1-1/2 Cups Whole Wheat Flour

1-1/2 Cups Bisquick

1/2-Cup Fresh Mint Leaves-lightly packed

1/4 Cup Milk

4 Tbs Margarine

1 Egg

1/2 Tbs Maple or Corn Syrup

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Combine all of your ingredients into a food processor. Process until well

mixed. A large ball will form. Pour out dough on a floured surface and roll

out to a thickness of 1/4" to 1/2". Cut into 1" x 2" strips or use

different shaped cookie cutters or dog bone cookie cutters.

Place biscuits on a lightly greased cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes at 375 degrees or until lightly browned. Cool and store in an airtight container

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LIVER TREATS (these make the house smell terrible but the dogs LOVE them!)

1 Pound Liver (Beef or Chicken)

1-1/2 Cups Whole Wheat Flour

1 Cup Cornmeal

1 Egg

1/2 Tsp Garlic Powder

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Chop up the liver and put it in a blender and blend slightly. Add remaining ingredients and blend well. Spray a flat cookie sheet with PAM and pour mixture in it. Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes. Take out of oven and cut into squares while warm. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator.

(I sometimes add ground carrots to the mixture and thicken it by adding more flour then drop by teaspoons/tablespoons onto the greased cookie sheet)

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HEALTHY MUFFINS

1-1/2 Cups Whole Wheat Flour

1 Cup oatmeal
1 Cup Oat Bran

2 TPS Baking Soda

1 TPS Cinnamon

1 Egg Slightly Beaten

1/4 Cup Honey

3 TBS Vegetable Oil

3/4 Cup Milk

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OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS

Apples/banana's blended together

Shredded zucchini and carrots

Nuts/raisins

Shredded cheddar/jack cheese

Cooked chicken

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Mix all dry ingredients in a large glass bowl. In a separate bowl mix egg, honey and oil. Mix the milk with the dry ingredients blending well. At this point you can mix your OPTIONAL ingredients into the honey mixture, then mix the honey mixture with the flour/milk batter. Line a muffin tin with paper/foil muffin form. Pour mixture into each Muffin paper about 1/2 full. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes at 425 degrees. Cool.

These can be placed in an airtight container and placed in your freezer.

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BASIC DOG TREATS
Mix together
3 1/2 cups unbleached flour
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup skim milk powder
1 tablespoon (or 1 package) dry yeast
3 1/2 cups lukewarm chicken or meat broth

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Dissolve the yeast in the lukewarm chicken or meat broth. The richer this broth is, the better your dog will like the biscuits. Let yeast broth mixture set 10 min. Then stir in flour mixture. Roll resulting dough out 1/4" thick. Cut dog biscuit shapes from dough. Brush biscuits with egg wash. Bake on greased cookie sheets at 300* for 45 min. Then turn off oven and leave in overnight to finish hardening. Makes 60 medium-sized biscuits. recipe from a newsgroup post by: Jill Faerber May 28, 2000.

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FLEA HATER'S DOG BISCUITS marthastewart.com archives
Brewers yeast is a natural anti-flea remedy. Makes about 5 dozen bone biscuits

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1 cup flour
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup brewer’s yeast (available at health-food stores)
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 clove garlic, chopped medium, or 1 teaspoon powdered garlic (optional**)
1/2 cup chicken stock plus 3 tablespoons for basting

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1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Mix flour, wheat germ, brewer’s yeast, and salt together in a medium bowl. In a mixing bowl, combine oil and garlic. Alternately add 1/2 cup chicken stock and flour mixture in 3 parts; mix until well combined.

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Knead about 2 minutes by hand on floured surface; dough will be sticky.2. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough out about 3/8 inch thick. Cut out bone shapes; place on prepared baking sheet.

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Bake 10 minutes, rotate baking sheet, and baste with remaining 3 tablespoons chicken stock. Bake 10 minutes longer. Turn off oven, leaving oven door closed. Leave pan in oven for 1 1/2 hours longer

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**Garlic and Onions can be toxic to dogs. Typically the problem is with large quantities not "seasoning portions". You should seek the advice of your veterinarian to find out if any garlic use is appropriate for your pet. If in doubt, leave the ingredient out.