Meadow makes the news in Dubuque, Iowa at the DockDog World Championships 2014

Meadow was part of the news video made by the Telegraph Herald during our World Championship in Dubuque, Iowa. Check out my girl doing Extreme Vertical. You can see her at 1:09 and they did a very cool slow motion twist on her jump. I love seeing her   in the air. Not to bad for an 8 year old Veteran Dog. I am so proud and grateful.

Meadow at Worlds in Extreme Vertical

Cleo's Pumpkin Dog Biscuits

Baking gives home and hearth that warm, inviting aroma. Why not bake up a little something healthy for the furry loved ones in your home? When it comes to the health benefits of canine companions pumpkin is one staple that we shouldn't overlook. Pumpkin is a great source of fiber, it is full of antioxidants, and can help aid digestion for those with sensitive stomachs. I always have organice canned pumpkin on hand. 

I happened to catch this great Pumpkin Dog Biscuit Recipe on a Facebook post today. The title "Retriever, Retriever Pumpkin Eater" immediately grabbed my attention. I will be making these with all organic ingredients and perhaps adding some more scrumptious flavors simply because I like to experiment. Please visit the original site for www.simmertilldone.com for more recipes....the human kind of course. Happy Baking!

Cleo’s Pumpkin Dog Biscuits

2 eggs
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
2 tablespoons dry milk
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 1/2 cups brown rice flour *
1 teaspoon dried parsley (optional)

Preheat oven to 350.

In large bowl, whisk together eggs and pumpkin to smooth. Stir in dry milk, sea salt, and dried parsley (if using, optional). Add brown rice flour gradually, combining with spatula or hands to form a stiff, dry dough. Turn out onto lightly floured surface (can use the brown rice flour) and if dough is still rough, briefly knead and press to combine.

Roll dough between 1/4 – 1/2″ – depending on your dog’s chew preferences, ask first – and use biscuit or other shape cutter to punch shapes, gathering and re-rolling scraps as you go. Place shapes on cookie sheet, no greasing or paper necessary. If desired, press fork pattern on biscuits before baking, a quick up-and-down movement with fork, lightly pressing down halfway through dough. Bake 20 minutes. Remove from oven and carefully turn biscuits over, then bake additional 20 minutes. Allow to cool completely on rack before feeding to dog.

* Brown rice flour gives the biscuits crunch and promotes better dog digestion. Many dogs have touchy stomachs or allergies, and do not, like many people I know, tolerate wheat.

Makes up to 75 small (1″) biscuits or 50 medium biscuits

We are back and ready for the DockDogs World Championships

Chessies on the Dock has been very busy this year and are working on getting our blog updated with news. We will begin posting more of those all natural, organic dog recipes.

Chessies on the Dock is feeling blessed and grateful for a year that has been filled with health, peace, and enjoying the simple things in life. After a far too long hiatus from the competitive dock jumping world we decided to get back on the dock this year. Our time on the dock was a blast; new friends were made and old friendships rekindled. I always said that as the girls grew older that as long as they were still having fun and had the desire to jump then we would still play the game. Apparently, they barked, "Game on!". The time on the dock this year came with an added bonus, invitations to the DockDog World Championships in Dubuque, Iowa. In a week and a half we hit the road to compete with great canine athletes in the dock jumping world. We will be taking many photos and videos so we can share our journey with all of you. We couldn't be more thankful that at 7 years old Meadow and Sage are still able to do this little thing we love so much. Thanks for sharing the ride with us.

2013 Invitation - Shari Schukraft and Meadow EV Top Gun.pdf

2013 Invitation - Shari Schukraft and Meadow ID Titan.pdf

JOIN THE FIGHT TODAY TO HELP US END CANINE CANCER

Cancer in dogs is rising at a rapid rate. In the last 6 months alone, I have had several friends lose their beloved companions to this horrible disease. With every loss my heart breaks. It is the sad realization that cancer is not selective. Cancer can strike even the most active and well cared for dog. Cancer does not discriminate. Please join me in my quest to raise money and awareness for such an amazing foundation. I truly believe that with enough persistance that we can find a cure.

Cera Reusser, the founder and a personal friend, started Chase Away K9 Cancer after losing her black lab Chase to this wretched disease. See her story and video here. www.chaseawayk9cancer.org

I am running 13.1 miles for this cause this Super Bowl Sunday. Please donate today and help me honor the memory of those we have lost and those who are still in the fight. To my friends who have beloved's pictured here; this race is for you!! <3

http://wearethecure.org/chaseaway/

Please donate at the above link and in the comments section please enter "Surf City Half Marathon". I can not thank you all enough!

Click this link for Hershey's video. He inspired us all as you fought your battle and still managed to do what you loved on the dock. You will be missed and remembered by many.

Yesterday the another great dog in the dock jumping community lost his battle to cancer. This horrible disease has taken far too many lives, much too soon. Chessies on the Dock dedicates this post in honor, and memorial, of Hershey McCarty. He spent his last days doing what he loved with the people who loved him the most. May this loss to the dock jumping community resonate in all of us to embrace each, and every, moment with our furry family members. 

I have made a donation in Hershey's memory to Chase Away K9 Cancer. It is an organization that was started by my friend Cera Reusser after losing her dog Chase to cancer. I have known many friends in the dock jumping community that have lost their loved ones to cancer. With every loss, we grieve a life taken too soon. Every donation made helps to fund research to cure cancer. Please, if you feel compelled, donate to this cause in memory of any pet that you know that has crossed over the Rainbow Bridge or perhaps in honor of a pet that remains loyally at your side every day. May all of your pets be blessed with an abundance of good health and joy. Sage will be wearing her Chase Away K9 Cancer collar as a reminder that there is hope for a cure.

Link to Chase Away K9 Cancer where you can donate, get support, view memorials and survival stories.

Time has been slipping by and I need to catch up on posting. We have been busy girls. Thanksgiving is a time to reflect and be thankful. Why, though, on just Thanksgiving? Shouldn't we be filled with gratitude each and every day? What could be more heartwarming than spending the day with family, the curly girls, and a beautiful meal? It is a time to truly be gracious and thankful. I have been blessed with the most beautiful girls in the world.

"I think I ate too much. Two words, food coma. Well, that, and all of the exhausting floor cruising I had to do just in case a morsel dropped on the floor."

A healthy organically cooked Thanksgiving meal. 

Emmie loves her Grammie soooo much

"Love my Tiffany and in two seconds I'm going to give her a big sloppy kiss or three."

I hope that you all had a wonderful, blessed holiday filled with gratitude. It's the simple things in life that mean everything. May you have something to fill your heart with love and a smile.

As the seasons change and the leaves drop we've been trying to get in as much swimming as we can. Earlier this week we were excited to visit a friend, get in some girl time and explore someplace we had never been before. I am blessed to have friends that encourage me to bring the curly girls along on our adventures. Upon arrival Meadow and Sage immediately jumped out of the Yukon, put their noses up in the air, smelled the water, and ran down to the dock and jumped right in. What a relaxing get away with a good friend, good food, good wine and a little water time for us all.

The curly girls after swimming on a beautiful fall day

Meadow and Sage were excited to swim in the canal and show their skills to the neighbors who cheered them on.

Does it say "Moose Crossing" or "No Wake" on the back? For those of you who guessed "No Wake", that is spot on.

The curly girls, Meadow and Sage, got to swim and the rest of us girls got in a little kayaking. This was the calm, serene jaunt out to much rougher water. Yes, there was water in my kayak, but so much fun.

I discovered this very simple dog bone recipe for those of you who enjoy an all natural fare for your furry ones. I often bake for Meadow and Sage because frankly, I don't want them having the preservatives and they most definitely deserve to have some healthy, divine tasting treats.

Peanut Butter Doggie Bones

Ingredients
2 cups whole-wheat flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 cup natural peanut butter
1 cup low-fat milk

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl, combine flour and baking powder. In another bowl, mix peanut butter and milk. Add wet mixture to dry, and mix well.

Turn out dough on a lightly floured surface and knead. Roll out to 1/4-inch thickness and cut out shapes. Place on a greased baking sheet and bake 20 minutes or until lightly brown. Cool on a rack and store in an airtight container.

The judge’s verdict:

"Can I eat them all please?"

Brown Eyed Baker - Gone to the Dogs

Happy Autumn

Happy Harvest from the Curly Girls

Sage and Meadow

Sage and Meadow

Sage

Meadow