Tasty Tuesday – Koko’s Favorite Vegetable

Hey It’s Jet Here.

Thanks to Sugar and Kol for initiating Tasty Tuesdays, today is our twenty-fourth participating post!

When I joined my forever family, I quickly learned not to mess with the original Kitchen K9’s sweet red pepper tidbits.  As you may or may not already know, Mom shares lots of veggie tidbits when she makes salads.  I’ve noticed Mom equally divides the tidbits and makes sure we are fed one, two in alternating order to keep things fair and square.

Except when Koko received her sweet red pepper… she couldn’t get enough.  Mom watched her intake for tummy purposes of course.  She wished Koko could tell her why that veggie in particular made her happy.  In honor of Koko, we would like to share a recipe with sweet red pepper (ok, we love the yogurt part, too… and I, Kitchen K9 Jetty, like to lick the olive oil off the tablespoon measure!)

Roasted Red Pepper, Feta and Yogurt Dip

• 2 lg roasted red peppers
• 8 oz. plain low fat yogurt
• 1/3 c. crumbled feta cheese
• 8 fresh basil leaves
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 tsp. oregano
• 1 tbs. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• ½ tsp. raw cane sugar

Place ingredients in a food processor and pulse until smooth. Adjust seasonings to taste.

Another great, sweet red pepper day.

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Our Second Black and White Sunday – Koko Week

Hey It’s Jet here.

For most of Koko’s life, Mom did not own a digital camera nor a smart phone.  She tried to obtain as many photos as she could when the opportunity presented itself.  Here’s one of her favorites because it captures Koko’s essence.  Mom’s workmate, now a full time photographer took the shot in our backyard in Fall 2008.

Thanks to My Life in Blog Years ​and Dachshund Nola for hosting the Black and White Sunday blog hop.

Remembering Koko – Our Week of Memories

Hey It’s Jet Here.

A year ago today, Koko, our golden girl crossed OTRB.  She was the inspiration for my blog because both Mom and I needed a pick-me-up.  We did not begin posting until Halloween, as we were mired (vocab building project VBP) in sadness for quite some time.  Join us this week for our tribute to Koko, Mom’s first ever K9 and my first ever K9 sister (I think!).

Mom spent lots of time in her teen years finding ways to visit her Aunt and Uncle, when, really… she wanted to snuggle, pet and play with their gorgeous, sweet golden, Brandywine.  Her Aunt took her to the famous golden breeder in Princeton, NJ every now and then.  Mom wanted to hide and never leave the gaggle of goldens!  (Her hair color kind of matched!)  Her Aunt took her to the Westminster the year Brandy’s mate won his group.  As she got older and her cousins went off to college, she began dogsitting when her Aunt and Uncle traveled.  She was hooked on Goldens for life!

When Mom learned about rescue in college, she vowed that when the time was right to share her life with a K9, she would rescue.  Somehow, she had to reconcile that decision with her unbending desire to share her life with a golden retriever.

About 10 years ago now, she was in NYC with Mr. Fred and Rachel and met a golden on the street.  Of course she had to chat with the owner and pet the pup!  She learned that breed rescues existed.  Well, that took care of that.  Mom and Mr. Fred adopted Koko in February 2004 from Golden Rescue South Florida.  Here’s the story as told to Dog Fancy in August 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

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Egg and Avocado Surprise

Hey, It’s Jet Here.

Last night, well, it was a beautiful thing… I had no idea Mom was making an omelet for dinner.  Have I mentioned I LOVE eggs?  Mom used to boil two extra eggs about once a week to share with Koko and me.  I must have like this egg ESP thing, because I just know when eggs move from the fridge to the counter and my tail goes fast and my ears perk up.  I shall describe my delight with pictures.

Mom's eggs - she gave me 2 yolks

My scrumptious yolks...

Mom's cast iron pan with test onions.

My nonstick with olive oil spray.

Mom's dish - half an omelet.

My dish - Mom only gave me half. I tried puppy dog eyes and everything.

Another great and incredible edible egg day.

I Think I Might Need Chicken Soup

Hey, It’s Jet Here.

Over the last few days, I’ve had this itchy, uncomfortable feeling in my left ear.  I’ve tried three methods to relieve the itch: scratching with back left paw, scratching with front left paw, and shaking my head right to left really, really fast.   I’ve noticed Mom watching my attempts to help myself.  She tried massaging the area, scratching the area and making me sit near her reading lamp to determine if she can see to the other side of my head through my left ear canal.  Jet, don’t exaggerate.  I tried to determine if your ear was inflamed or gooky.  Sorry Mom. Koko often had ear infections, and don’t get us started about Rachel and her ear infections. (going on about 150 by now, FOR REAL.)

We wondered if maybe, (dare we think it?) a flying or crawling icky thing might have tried to investigate my sensational hearing appendage.  If so, I would have shaken it right out of there by now.

Then, I started sneezing, just like Mom does when she has this thing called an allergy attack.  My nose looked a smidge like a leaky faucet, and after this fall when our house flooded, WE KNOW LEAKY PLUMBING!

Mom started asking the pack if K9s can get a cold.  She told me she would make me her special chicken soup if Dr. Shaffer said I had a cold or an ear infection.  Yummmm…. I can already smell the carrots, celery, parsnips, turnips, and maybe some calabaza.  K9s cannot eat onions, leeks, scallions etc… so; garlic and ginger would substitute nicely and add medicinal qualities.  This is when having a Kitchen Counselor for a Mom pays off big time.  Mom says chicken soup is medicine and love in a bowl.

We had already budgeted this morning after our walk for spa day and determined the temperature suited the endeavor.  Mom spent the late morning and afternoon out.  Through the late afternoon and evening, she observed that I wasn’t fussing over my ear as much.  She’ll watch me today and if I’m ok, yippee, if not, you can come over tomorrow night and share some chicken soup with me!

Another great and hopefully less itchy day.

Nurse Jetty

Hey It’s Jet Here.

Part of my Scooby Doo Academy curriculum focuses on health and wellness.  This section includes my own health and wellness as well as others.  My sister, Koko, had a special knack in this area.  When Mom burned her foot a few years ago, Koko knew the exact location and tried to minister cleanings every day.  Unfortunately, the burn needed more intensive human treatment, requiring special bandaging.  Koko licked around the bandage and gently laid her chin over Mom’s foot every day for about four months to protect from further injury.  Koko also did therapy work as I’ve shared before; she provided a great model for me.

Yesterday, Mom finally spent some time at home.  I heard her tell my Auntie Liz that she would finish knitting her scarf by bedtime.  (She and Auntie Liz have an art show next week at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden.  Mom sold more knitted items and spice mixes recently than expected (yippee, more biscuits), which means she has to knit and blend really, really fast to increase this thing called inventory by next week!

Anyway, she spent a few hours knitting yesterday.  I kept her company and practiced my nursing skills.  From all the walking at that Art Basel stuff she had two boo-boos on her foot.  I licked her wounds for so long, I put myself to sleep!  Jetty, thank you for your loving care yesterday, you made me feel better.  You have a gentle touch, just like Koko did.  Your welcome Mom.

My favorite part of nursing Mom’s feet is when she puts this stuff called Shea Butter on her boo-boos.  I must control myself because I want to lick it right off her foot.  Mom always asks me to wait while she covers her boo-boo and then lets me lick the small amount of shea butter still on her finger.

Another great and helpful day.

Détente?

Hey, It’s Jet Here.

Four days ago, something happened that shocked Mom and I so much, Mom had to call Mary Ann and I had to tell Dixie right away, to make sure we had not imagined the situation.  Here’s what transpired.

Most mornings, we pass that darn Max (please read this) and his human at some point on our route.  Monday morning did not disappoint as Max and I did the whole western showdown without the dueling pistols!  Jet, don’t exaggerate. Mom, I’ve always wanted to paint that picture.  Anyway, we had reached Neve’s house on the right side of the street and Max and his human were about 1/4 of the way down our lawn on the left side our our street.

Out of the blue, Max’s human says IN ENGLISH, “Where’s your other dog?”

Mom wore this stunned look on her face, hesitating a moment to respond, “She died.”

Max’s Human:  “I’m sorry to hear that.”

Mom: “That’s Max, right?”

Max’s Human:  “Yes, this is Max.”

Mom:  “Max looks like he lost a lot of weight, he looks really good.”

Max’s Human:  “He’s been on a diet.”

Mom:  “Thanks for asking about Koko. Have a good day”

Max’s Human:  “You too.”

Mom explained this thing called détente to me, shortly after we returned to the house.  Perhaps, Max’s Human ate some “holiday spirit” with her turkey last week.  Mary Ann made Mom laugh when she said Nostradamus isn’t until next year!  Whatever the reasons, I hope the “thawing” of our relationship continues.

                                  

Another great and healing day.

Air Sniffing 2.0

Hey It’s Jet Here.

I know, you may feel skeptical about the need for K9s to take a specific type of sniffing course.  However, Scooby Doo Academy offers education from the K9 point of view.  I will fill in the back-story of Air Sniffing.  While K9s excel in sniffing, subtle differences exist within this genre.  For example, my sister, Koko, excelled in ground sniffing; when off leash, she sniffed the ground in grid-like patterns that fascinated us.  As a member of the retriever family, her breed evolved to retrieve the birds their human hunters shot; methodical ground sniffing therefore is a sub-specialty of sniffing.

While I have flat coat retriever heritage, Mom says I excel in sniffing like the Border collie heritage I possess.  Since collies belong to the herding group, air sniffing would become essential to locate herds.  Because I live in the tropical burbs, I enroll in Scooby Doo Academy’s change of season air sniffing class.  I passed 1.0 last year.  My first autumn/winter with Mom I did not enroll because I had to do this adjusting stuff.  If you live elsewhere, there may be seasonal differences.

Over the last few days, we had one of our first big temperature drops.  When the weather changes like that and a light wind or stronger exists, here’s what I do.

• Exit garage with Mom.
• Pause – assume the tail at rest position or the full ‘cue tail position. (if unfamiliar with Tail Talk, read this)
• Look ahead, sniff, look up to the heavens, sniff.
• Look side to side and sniff.
• Make internal calculations like a NASA scientist.
• Determine best route to take suggest to Mom.
• Proceed with walk.
• Repeat as needed.

(Forgive my somewhat feminine Hannukah collar, I traded with Koko really fast that year!)

One air sniff result that causes me to 180 back to the house?  Fire.  Year after year, Mom tries to explain the concept of fireplaces.  However, it’s in the collie genes – fire, protect self and herd – GET OUT OF THERE!

Another great and sniffy day.

P.S.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY HUMAN SISTER, RACHEL, LOVE YOU, Jetty, Jetty, Jetty

Small Biz Saturday? I’d like…

Hey, It’s Jet Here.

What’s with naming days; Turkey Day, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday? Jet, the Thanksgiving long weekend kicks off the holiday season for gift buying.  Small Business Saturday asks citizens to support small businesses and American Express will credit a cardholder’s account with $25.00. I need some shampoo.  Uh Mom? Yes Jet? Pet’s Best is small, right?  Yes Jet, I believe they have a few stores in our area, however, they are not a chain.  Really Mom? In that case, I have some requests…

Ok Mom… I like:

• Their leashes and collars.
• Their Solid Gold Hunden Flocken, I’m kinda getting tired of Koko’s salmon variety, where’s the lamb?
• Their recycled water bottle toys and other fun stuff that you could let me try.
• Their dental treats like hooves, antlers, and bones.
• Their yummy training treats and cookies.

Jet, you already have most of those items and your list surpasses the $25.00 required spending.

But Mom, you said holiday shopping began yesterday, I’m ready for presents!  We’ll see, we’ll see.

Another great and hopeful day.

6:25 Squawkers and 6:35 Walkers

Hey, It’s Jet Here.

Yesterday, Mom and I began our morning constitutional about ten minutes later than usual.  Most days, we head out between 6:10/6:15 a.m.  Because I’m such a gentleman, I curl up on the couch and politely wait until Mom finishes her breakfast.  Jet, tell the truth, you bark your “I’m ready, what’s taking you so long” woof in combination with wagging and dancing the K9 jig about 2/3 through whatever I’m eating for breakfast.  Mom, I’m looking out for your portion control.  Jet… Yes, Mom.

Anyway, because of the recent time change, see Human Peeves, the birds in our area exercise earlier too.  Over the last few mornings, amazingly at the same time, a flock of birds cross our path diagonally from Southeast to Northwest and boy do they squawk.  They totally disturb my Scooby Doo Academy sniff detecting practice.

Mom thought they might be the noisy flock of parrots that escaped from Parrot Jungle and now hover in our general area.  In fact, the parrots used to distract my sister, Koko, when she and Mom did pet therapy at S. Miami Hospital.  However, Mom decided they are black, not green.  When the Ibis flock sails overhead, all you hear is swoosh, so, count them out.  It’s a bit of an ongoing mystery for us, Jet, student of Scooby Doo Academy and Mom, curious by nature.

So, I go back to detecting; head down, sniffing each blade of grass, hedge, palm tree and hark – I hear voices.  A pack of 2 female humans walking very fast pass us.  Mom and the ladies exchange morning greetings.  (Some days their pack has up to 4 ladies talking, talking, talking.)  One lady always tells Mom how afraid of dogs she is.  The crazy part – she owns a small barky bark dog named Herbie.  I’m Jet the gentleman, Mom, maybe I need a sign?

Another great day.