Autumnal Adventures with Astrid

This here human loves the weather this time of year. What's more, this is also the preferred weather of pup Astrid.

Astrid doesn't have much tolerance for heat, and so now that the daily temperatures are around 50°F and 60°F, she's in autumnal heaven. After her annual exam this summer, Astrid also started on a joint supplement. I know that seems like a weird segue, but I say that because this beautiful weather mixed with the benefits of her joint supplement have led Astrid to recently choosing to go on some of our longest walks in years. This pup is approaching 11 years old, and the other day I just followed her lead, letting her pick where we went on our walk, and she chose to walk all over our side of town for well over an hour. It was a beautiful day and I was enjoying the weather just as much as she was, so I certainly wasn't complaining.

It's really nice to see Astrid with more pep in her step than we've seen in a couple years. She's always been active, but her new joint supplement is making her act and move like a puppy again. That makes this human so very happy.

Astrid and all of us here wish you a happy Wednesday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Continuing on with our Thanksgiving dinner tips, yet another common holiday dish is white potatoes, such as mashed potatoes. When it comes to feeding your furbaby white potatoes, those that are cooked and plain can be a reasonable treat in moderation. When additional ingredients are added, though, then you have to start being extra cautious about offering potatoes as a treat. For example, butter or sour cream might cause gastrointestinal distress, especially for cats and dogs who are lactose intolerant. In addition, as we've said before, added ingredients such as garlic, onion, or excess salt can potentially be dangerous if consumed by a kitty or pup. So, you  can let your furbaby try out those mashed potatoes, but first make be sure to take into account how they're prepared.

In addition to white potatoes, Thanksgiving is also often a popular time for sweet potato dishes. If plain and simple, sweet potatoes can make for a great treat for a kitty or pup. They are a great source of fiber and vitamin A, as well as vitamin C, potassium, and a variety of other beneficial nutrients. Plain steamed, baked, or mashed sweet potatoes would be a great treat to allow your kitty or pup during that Thanksgiving dinner. That all being said, though, do be cautious of dishes such as sweet potato casserole. These altered versions of sweet potato often contain added sugar, sugary marshmallows, and other potential seasonings or ingredients that could be unhealthy or lead to gastrointestinal side effects. So, sweet potatoes are a great treat to offer that furbaby in your life, but do be sure it's of the plain and healthy variety. Just as with white mashed potatoes, make sure you know how sweet potatoes are prepared prior to letting your furbaby have a taste.