Banning Specific Dog Breeds

©rusty2rusty My dogs

The sad part of specific breed laws is the banning of certain breeds. Families loosing pets Changing how people view certain breeds. I believe it creates fear where there should be none.

Whenever I see a dog out on the street. I look it over to see how it is reacting to the public. Does it look like a service dog? If it does, I will eye it and move on. If not a service dog, and seems to have no issues being in public around strangers. I will ask if I can pet the dog. I never just walk up and start petting a dog.

For one, I never know how the owner will react of me just walking up and petting their dog. Nor do I know how the dog will react to me. Some people take their dogs for walks but they never interact with other people or animals. I don't want to be the first, and it goes bad.

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Moose the "Chug"

I am owned by a Chug, Chihuahua/Pug mix, a Chihuahua mix, and a English Mastiff.

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Rascal Chihuahua mix

Chihuahua's are social creatures but also known to think they are a big dog in a little body, not backing down, not showing fear. They can be snippy little buggers with lots of bark.

From Pixabay.com
English Mastiff

English Mastiff's are extra large dogs. They are  known as gentle giants. With all large breeds, you must give them proper training when they are pups to ensure good behavior.

Who is afraid of my breeds? More people than you think. Maybe not scared. But annoyed, dislike, or just plain ignorant of my breeds of choice. I can think of many breeds over the years that people are afraid of, pointed out by someone wrong in the public eye. The public jumps on the bandwagon and tries to ban that specific breed.

From Pixabay.com
Pit-bull

Currently, it seems to be the Pit-bull family. When I was growing up. I remember German Shepard's, Rottweiler's, and Doberman Pinschers on the hit list of dogs to ban. If they were so bad, why do the military and our police departments use them as work dogs til this day?

From Pixabay.com
Dalmatian 

Dalmatian's even made the list when they became popular after the Disney movie about Dalmatians. Just to land in the local shelters when the breed did not become the image Disney was putting out as being a great family pet. Like any dog, Dalmatian's can become an aggressive breed if not raised and trained right.

What breed works for one family may not be the one for your family. I know if they would try to ban Chihuahua's because they are know ankle biters. I would try my best to help make the public aware of the good qualities my pet posses. I would get them out in the public eye as much as possible, around as many people as I could. I would try and stop the ignorance.

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A Few Rules For Dressing Your Pet

I enjoy dressing my two smaller dogs. One is a chihuahua mix. The other is a Chihuahua pug mix. I mainly dress them in the winter time. As in the area I live gets really cold. To cold to have animals outside.

I do not dress my biggest dog. As nobody makes clothes for his size. I am not a good enough sewer. He is an English Mastiff. I could use one of my boyfriend old shorts. Not sure if they would fit. As he is a skinny man. Personally, I don't feel like fighting with an English Mastiff to put on some clothes to look cute. Would you?

Do you agree with dressing ones pet? Why or why not? I know people that sit on both sides of the fence on dressing their pets.

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I do think if you decide to dress your pet. You need to follow a few rules :

1. Dress for the weather - make sure to remove warm clothing. Once the dog is inside.
2. Do not place anything on your pet that would stop them from exhibiting their regular behavior.
3. Don't add anything that can cause them to trip.
4. Don't add anything they will chew on. Like strings hanging down.
5. Don't place anything over the dogs ears or eyes to prevent them from hearing or seeing.
6. If using an item for display to take a picture. Keep a close eye on your dog. Make sure to remove the items when you are done.

Crockpot Broccoli Mushroom Soup

©rusty2rusty

Another meal for a "Meatless Monday". A friend started making meals on Mondays with no meat to save on her budget. Plus, cut down the amount of meat her family consumes.

I have since Incorporated "Meatless Monday" in to my families dinner routine. Today, I cooked up my homemade version of "Crockpot Broccoli Mushroom Soup". As you can tell from the photo it looks delicious. I just finished a bowl and can say it tastes as good as it looks.

My teen son walked in from getting off the bus. He asked,"What is that I smell?" I replied,"Homemade broccoli mushroom soup made in the crockpot." he put his head down and sighed before muttering,"No wonder it stinks. I hate broccoli. I will eat a can of ravioli's. " As he slipped off in to his bedroom.

Hey folks! I tried. That is the best this mother can do. Getting 3 out of 4 family members eating a little healthier, makes me happy knowing the majority likes my cooking no matter what I make.

Now I am wondering how to you spell crockpot. Do you hyphenate it like crock-pot, separate it like crock pot, or run the words together like crockpot? When I do a Google search. I find it each way. What is the proper usage?

For the recipe :

Crockpot Broccoli Mushroom Soup
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1 head of broccoli
1 small onion
1 package of mushrooms
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
2 tsp butter
1 c. of chicken broth
1/2 gallon of milk
2 tsp cornstarch
5 oz Parmesan cheese

Chop broccoli and onions to small pieces. Slice mushrooms. Add to crockpot.

While doing that prepare a pot on stove with the milk, salt, pepper, butter, and chicken broth. Heat to a slow boil. Add in Parmesan cheese. Make sure you use a whisk to  stir it in. Otherwise the cheese will lump up.

If you want a thicker soup instead of runny. Mix the cornstarch with a little bit water to your desire thickness. Add to boiling mixture while using a whisk to stir. This eliminates any lumps and helps combine all the flavors together to form your soup base. When done, pour mixture over ingredients in your crockpot.

Set crockpot on high for 3 to 4 hours.

Sugar Free Strawberry Fluff

©rusty2rusty

My teens always ask me to make strawberry fluff stuff when I bring home strawberries. Recently, on a trip to my local Chief's grocery store. I picked up what I would need to create a sugar free fluff stuff.

The great part. It is easy to make. It only uses four ingredients. Plus, did I mention it is sugar free. It is a sweet treat I can make for my family and not worry about my ADHD daughter bouncing off the walls. Like most sweet treats loaded with sugar. It is a win win for both my daughter and me.

Here's the recipe :

SUGAR FREE STRAWBERRY FLUFF STUFF
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1 container of sugar free cool whip
1 container or gel pack of sugar free strawberry glaze
2 containers of strawberries, sliced
1 sugar free Angel food cake tore in to small pieces

Mix all ingredients together. Allow to chill for an hour before serving. Enjoy.

See, I told you it was easy to make. 

Red Velvet Cake Review

©rusty2rusty

One thing my family likes doing together, is baking and trying out what we made. Either from scratch or a box. If it looks good, we will try it.

Recently, I was shopping at Aldi's grocery store.I picked up a box of Baker's Choice Red Velvet cake mix. Sure it is an off brand. However, the thought of eating red cake in the month of February was enticing. 

Look at how the cake baked a deep dark red velvet color. Beautiful! Did I forget to mention red is one of my favorite colors? That makes this cake even more desirable to me.

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My teens fought for the right to frost the cake after it cooled off. We chose a bright pink to top off the red velvet color of the cake. The pink was a little to bright to my liking. However, it did look pretty to the eye.

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What do you think? It looks good doesn't it. Do you want to share a piece? Stop on over while it is still warm and dig in.

My family likes to place a piece of warm cake in a bowl. Pour a little cold milk in and eat it that way.

It makes for a great snack. Or a sweet treat right before bed.

On a scale from 1 to 5. 5 being the highest. I rate this cake of 4. Like I stated above, the frosting was to bright for my liking. Otherwise, the taste was delicious. No other complaints. I would buy this brand and shop at Aldi's again.

Chicken Lasagna Recipe

One meal I make for my family is chicken vegetable lasagna. I often serve it with sweet potato fries. One a scale from 1 to 5. 5 being the highest. I rate this recipe a 5. As my pickiest eater enjoys this.

Here is a recipe I use (please enjoy) :

Chicken Vegetable Lasagna
Ingredients :
1 small container of cottage cheese
10-ounce frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
1 c. broccoli
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp olive oil
1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breast (chop or cut in lengths)
8 oz mushrooms
1 med.onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
12 oz. tomatoes - chopped
1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
4 carrots shredded
1/2 tsp black pepper
9 lasagna noodles
Nonstick cooking spray
2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions :
Combine cottage cheese, spinach, egg, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning in a small bowl. Cover and chill until ready to assemble lasagna. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken, mushrooms, onion, garlic, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until chicken is golden. Stir in undrained tomatoes, tomato sauce, carrots, broccoli and pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes or until mixture is slightly thickened. Meanwhile, cook the lasagna noodles according to package directions. Drain noodles; rinse with cold water. Drain well. Coat a 3-quart rectangular baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Place 3 of the lasagna noodles in prepared dish. Spread half of the cottage cheese mixture over the noodles. Spread one-third of the chicken mixture over the cottage cheese; sprinkle with 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese and 1 tablespoon of the Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers, ending with noodles. Spoon remaining chicken mixture over the top. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 degree for 35 minutes. Uncover and bake for 5 to 10 minutes more or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Makes 8 to 10 servings.

Valentine Panacke Review

©rusty2rusty

On Valentine's day I made pancakes for my teens and boyfriend. It is something I like to do for holidays. I like to find different flavors of foods to make for my family.

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This year I stopped at Aldi's grocery store. I found two different flavors of packaged pancake mixes. One is a pink batter with chocolate chips, the other was a red velvet pancake mix.

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Both had icing that was suppose to go on top of the pancakes after they were cooked. However, my teens, boyfriend and I opt to stick with our sugar-free syrup.

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I placed the batter of each flavor on the griddle. I added a little butter to help fry them up to a golden brown. A couple of pancakes split in the middle when I was picking them up with the spatula. Maybe I should have made them a little bit smaller.

However, on a scale from 1 to 5. 5 being rated the highest. I rate these pancakes a 5.  I would buy this brand and both flavors again. As I enjoyed both of these pancakes. I do think the velvet ones were more fluffy. So, next time I plan on making these with milk instead of water. That the directions call for.

Thankfulness 2/18/2015

©rusty2rusty

I am sitting here bored out of my mind. I was going in each morning working with my boyfriend. He was gone for a week. When he came back, he said it was slow. No need for me to come in. Well, I guess I didn't make the cut.

I am thankful I have a home to sit in.
I am thankful my eyesight is not blurry today.
I am thankful I can move without to much pain.
I thankful for the silence. As I know my rebellious child will be home soon screaming her head off for no apparent reason except to bug me. I guess it is her way to make sure I am still alive by getting a reaction out of me.

Note to self : Ignore the rude behavior.

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