We always say it is easier to clean the dog t-shirt than the dog. So, while we will dip her feet and wash down her legs after a messy walk, we just hang the messy t-shirt to dry over the tub.
Ed has come up with a great solution to brush and shake all that gunk off the shirt without making a mess around the house. He puts it into a plastic shopping bag for clean up. Once the loose sand and dirt is off, it can go into the wash for a final cleaning.
More T-shirt Tips!
There are t-shirts for dogs. The black one in the photos is a 16 inch size that fits our 17 pound Westie perfectly.
We have also used t-shirts made for small humans on our dogs. A pony tail tie will work to fit the shirt to the pup's waist.
Rolling up the sleeves and tacking them with a stitch will make sure your dogs doesn't trip over or get caught-up in a long sleeve.
We highly recommend a pre-soak in a product like Nature's Miracle, if a shirt smells doggie.
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.
Learning to cook with two new cooking appliances has me reviewing and following recipes designed specifically for sous vide cooking with my Joule immersion circulator and for pressure cooking with my Instant Pot.
Slowly I’m figuring out whose temperature recommendations and time guidelines for sous vide cooking I can trust. The chicken shown above was cooked at 149 degrees for one hour.
It’s the same way I determine which cookbook authors and websites conduct very good recipe testing and publish reliable guides. Kenji Alt-Lopes and his Sous Vide 101 posts over on Serious Eats seem the most reliable for the taste in our household.
I’m keeping a sous vide journal to record details of each meal cooked and what happens if I do something wrong – like overestimating the thickness of a steak. Since sous vide cooking is something I’ve never attempted, it does come with a bit an experimental, make-a-mistake, correct-it-next-time, learning curve.
Pressure cookers were always in use among members of my extended family and I had one when I lived in a large suburban house. It was one of those things I chose not to move to a tiny city kitchen. Although the learning curve is less steep, I’ve already added too much liquid to a curry, forgetting that in the pressure cooker the sauce was not going to reduce and thicken.
Same Recipe, Different Outcomes
All of this experimentation made me more aware of how daunting learning to cook can be. It helps to realize that the entire process is inexact and even old hands will not have a perfect outcome every time, even if they slavishly follow a recipe.
Jacques uses his recipe for caramelized pears to demonstrate how a cook can go wrong by not adapting a recipe to the conditions and ingredients on hand. For example, unripe pears take longer to cook than ripe ones. In the process of cooking the pears, the sugar used to form the caramel could burn before the unripe fruit cooks through. He also shows how to adapt for each possible problem.
Learning to cook with two new cooking appliances has me reviewing and following recipes designed specifically for sous vide cooking with my Joule immersion circulator and for pressure cooking with my Instant Pot.
Slowly I’m figuring out whose temperature recommendations and time guidelines for sous vide cooking I can trust. The chicken shown above was cooked at 149 degrees for one hour.
It’s the same way I determine which cookbook authors and websites conduct very good recipe testing and publish reliable guides. Kenji Alt-Lopes and his Sous Vide 101 posts over on Serious Eats seem the most reliable for the taste in our household.
I’m keeping a sous vide journal to record details of each meal cooked and what happens if I do something wrong – like overestimating the thickness of a steak. Since sous vide cooking is something I’ve never attempted, it does come with a bit an experimental, make-a-mistake, correct-it-next-time, learning curve.
Pressure cookers were always in use among members of my extended family and I had one when I lived in a large suburban house. It was one of those things I chose not to move to a tiny city kitchen. Although the learning curve is less steep, I’ve already added too much liquid to a curry, forgetting that in the pressure cooker the sauce was not going to reduce and thicken.
Same Recipe, Different Outcomes
All of this experimentation made me more aware of how daunting learning to cook can be. It helps to realize that the entire process is inexact and even old hands will not have a perfect outcome every time, even if they slavishly follow a recipe.
Jacques uses his recipe for caramelized pears to demonstrate how a cook can go wrong by not adapting a recipe to the conditions and ingredients on hand. For example, unripe pears take longer to cook than ripe ones. In the process of cooking the pears, the sugar used to form the caramel could burn before the unripe fruit cooks through. He also shows how to adapt for each possible problem.
Just as some of us feel the cold more than others, some dogs are cold averse too and will try to cut short every trip outside in winter. Others (like all three of our West Highland White Terriers) love the cold and will stay out until they become pupsicles, if you let them.
Dogs like Huskies, Newfoundlands, and Samoyeds have a heavy double coat and a solid body type to protect them from the cold. On the other hand, lean-bodied, short-coated breeds, such as Greyhounds, need protection from the cold.
Small dogs tend to get colder quicker than larger ones. As our first two Westies aged, we became far more careful about the length of time they spent outside. A dog’s general health is also a factor in deciding how long your walks should be.
How much a dog is acclimatized to the cold should be taken into account. A recent transplant from a southern state may feel the cold far more than a New England dog that has been spending time outside all winter.
What’s more, every cold day is not the same. In winter, we become sunseekers choosing a route that will keep us, and our my dog Poppy, in bright sunshine whenever possible. Rain, wind, and icy surfaces can all reduce the time you will want to allow a dog to be outside.
General Guidelines
Dr. Coates offered the following, “In general, cold temperatures should not become a problem for most dogs until they fall below 45°F, at which point some cold-averse dogs might begin to feel uncomfortable.
"When temperatures fall below 32°F, owners of small breed dogs, dogs with thin coats, and/or very young, old, or sick dogs should pay close attention to their pet’s well-being.
"Once temperatures drop under 20°F, all owners need to be aware that their dogs could potentially develop cold-associated health problems like hypothermia and frostbite.”
Signs of Trouble
Dr. Kim Smyth, Staff Veterinarian and Pet Health Writer at Petplan explains, “Symptoms of hypothermia in pets range from weakness and shivering to inaudible heartbeat and trouble breathing, depending on severity.” If symptoms are present, she recommends the animal be moved to a warm area, wrapped in blankets, and transported to a veterinary care facility.
To Coat or Not to Coat
If you have a dog that needs some protection from the cold, there are certainly a wide variety of coats, sweaters, and jackets on the market. A friend recently purchased a combo coat set for her Greyhound Marley. It consists of a light fleece jacket for moderate days, an insulated coat for cold days, and a waterproof raincoat for wet days.
Coats not only keep a dog warm, but they also keep them clean. We put a toddler t-shirt under Poppy’s winter jacket to cover more of her fur. T-shirts are much easier to clean than a dog’s belly.
The next time you check the wind chill and add a few layers as you dress for a dog walk, ask yourself what you can do to see that your dog will be just as comfortable as you both stroll the streets of the city.
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.
Just as some of us feel the cold more than others, some dogs are cold averse too and will try to cut short every trip outside in winter. Others (like all three of our West Highland White Terriers) love the cold and will stay out until they become pupsicles, if you let them.
Dogs like Huskies, Newfoundlands, and Samoyeds have a heavy double coat and a solid body type to protect them from the cold. On the other hand, lean-bodied, short-coated breeds, such as Greyhounds, need protection from the cold.
Small dogs tend to get colder quicker than larger ones. As our first two Westies aged, we became far more careful about the length of time they spent outside. A dog’s general health is also a factor in deciding how long your walks should be.
How much a dog is acclimatized to the cold should be taken into account. A recent transplant from a southern state may feel the cold far more than a New England dog that has been spending time outside all winter.
What’s more, every cold day is not the same. In winter, we become sunseekers choosing a route that will keep us, and our my dog Poppy, in bright sunshine whenever possible. Rain, wind, and icy surfaces can all reduce the time you will want to allow a dog to be outside.
General Guidelines
Dr. Coates offered the following, “In general, cold temperatures should not become a problem for most dogs until they fall below 45°F, at which point some cold-averse dogs might begin to feel uncomfortable.
"When temperatures fall below 32°F, owners of small breed dogs, dogs with thin coats, and/or very young, old, or sick dogs should pay close attention to their pet’s well-being.
"Once temperatures drop under 20°F, all owners need to be aware that their dogs could potentially develop cold-associated health problems like hypothermia and frostbite.”
Signs of Trouble
Dr. Kim Smyth, Staff Veterinarian and Pet Health Writer at Petplan explains, “Symptoms of hypothermia in pets range from weakness and shivering to inaudible heartbeat and trouble breathing, depending on severity.” If symptoms are present, she recommends the animal be moved to a warm area, wrapped in blankets, and transported to a veterinary care facility.
To Coat or Not to Coat
If you have a dog that needs some protection from the cold, there are certainly a wide variety of coats, sweaters, and jackets on the market. A friend recently purchased a combo coat set for her Greyhound Marley. It consists of a light fleece jacket for moderate days, an insulated coat for cold days, and a waterproof raincoat for wet days.
Coats not only keep a dog warm, but they also keep them clean. We put a toddler t-shirt under Poppy’s winter jacket to cover more of her fur. T-shirts are much easier to clean than a dog’s belly.
The next time you check the wind chill and add a few layers as you dress for a dog walk, ask yourself what you can do to see that your dog will be just as comfortable as you both stroll the streets of the city.
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.
The open air farmers market season is nearly over and it's time for us to start our list of the 2017-2018 Winter Farmers Markets in the Boston area. We'll add to this list as we discover more markets opening. And, if you bookmark this page, we'll keep it updated for future years as we hear of new dates and openings.
We have updated all the markets listed below for 2017-2018.
Boston Public Market
The Boston Public Market is open 7 days a week. Here you’ll find: farmers, craft brewers, cheesemakers, local meat, and Red's Best (an outstanding seafood vendor), bakeries, and artisan food producers.
Check the market's twitter and facebook pages for specific weather and holiday closings.
Brookline Winter Farmers Market
Winter Indoor Farmers Markets Around Boston
Check the links to confirm details on these markets before you set out on your shopping trip.
Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover Street at Haymarket Station, Monday – Saturday, 8am – 8pm, Sunday 10am - 8pm (year-round)
Boston/Egleston Winter Farmers Market, Urbano Project, 29 Germania St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 (map) Saturdays, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, (Every Saturday *: November – February *We are closed on Saturday, November 25, 2017 & December 23rd & 30th)
Brookline Winter Farmers Market at The Arcade Building, 318 Harvard Street, (map) Sundays 11:00 am to 3:00 pm (November 19, 2016 thru April 2018)
Chelmsford Agway Winter Farmers Market, 24 Maple Road, Chelmsford, MA (map) Saturdays, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm (November 4, 2017 – February 24, 2018) Thanks to the reader who sent this one our way.
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a Holiday Gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!
The open air farmers market season is nearly over and it's time for us to start our list of the 2017-2018 Winter Farmers Markets in the Boston area. We'll add to this list as we discover more markets opening. And, if you bookmark this page, we'll keep it updated for future years as we hear of new dates and openings.
We have updated all the markets listed below for 2017-2018.
Boston Public Market
The Boston Public Market is open 7 days a week. Here you’ll find: farmers, craft brewers, cheesemakers, local meat, and Red's Best (an outstanding seafood vendor), bakeries, and artisan food producers.
Check the market's twitter and facebook pages for specific weather and holiday closings.
Brookline Winter Farmers Market
Winter Indoor Farmers Markets Around Boston
Check the links to confirm details on these markets before you set out on your shopping trip.
Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover Street at Haymarket Station, Monday – Saturday, 8am – 8pm, Sunday 10am - 8pm (year-round)
Boston/Egleston Winter Farmers Market, Urbano Project, 29 Germania St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 (map) Saturdays, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, (Every Saturday *: November – February *We are closed on Saturday, November 25, 2017 & December 23rd & 30th)
Brookline Winter Farmers Market at The Arcade Building, 318 Harvard Street, (map) Sundays 11:00 am to 3:00 pm (November 19, 2016 thru April 2018)
Chelmsford Agway Winter Farmers Market, 24 Maple Road, Chelmsford, MA (map) Saturdays, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm (November 4, 2017 – February 24, 2018) Thanks to the reader who sent this one our way.
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a Holiday Gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!
With Halloween approaching, cats come to mind. Not just because they are symbols of the holiday, but also because this can be a dangerous time for cats and dogs.
(Photo by Leslie Jones from the Boston Public Library's Leslie Jones Collection)
Tempted by Treats
Having extra candy and treats around for your family, holiday party, or trick-or-treaters can pose a danger to your pets. Chocolate in all forms, but especially the darkest chocolate, can cause symptoms ranging from gastrointestinal upset to seizures.
The ASPCA reminds us that, “Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can be poisonous to dogs. Even small amounts of xylitol sweetener can cause a sudden drop in blood sugarwhich leads to depression, lack of coordination, and seizures.”
Even holiday decorations, like pumpkins and dried corn, can give your pet an upset tummy, if they try to dine on them. And, large pieces of these items, ribbons, and wrappers that are part of the decor can be hazards for choking or intestinal blockages.
As a puppy, Poppy dressed up as a frog in a onesie! As you can see, she was very relaxed in her outfit.
Stressed Out Playing Dress Up
There are a few pets who are total hams and will love wearing a Halloween costume. For many others it can be stressful. Choose costumes with care and give your dog or cat time to adjust before the big party. If your pet shows signs of stress, consider a t-shirt or jacket style costume that leaves the head and ears free. Or, if your beast has stage fright, you wear the costume and let your dog or cat be an accessory.
Dan, from Boston Pet Sitters, has been known to dress up instead of costuming his pack.
Another ASPCA reminder concerns the design and fit of holiday finery. “Take a closer look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.”
This Bulldog says, "I'm going over the hill and there's nut-in' you can do bout it!"
(Photo by Leslie Jones from the Boston Public Library's Leslie Jones Collection)
Escape Artists
Trick-or-treaters in costume can frighten an otherwise well-mannered pet. If you love to dress up to answer the call of trick-or-treaters, you could scare your pet. And, when a pet is frightened, it can and will do the unexpected.
With doors opening and closing to admit partygoers or to hand out treats, there are many opportunities for a gentle homebody – let alone the veteran escape artist – to make a break for it.
Consider tucking your dog or cat away in a separate room with a favorite bed or blanket while you host Halloween visitors.
If you don’t normally keep ID on your dog or cat when they are indoors, this next week might be a good time to add that extra precaution to your Halloween safety checklist.
(Photo by Leslie Jones from the Boston Public Library's Leslie Jones Collection)
Keep Cats Indoors
Horror stories of animal cruelty to cats crop up every Halloween season. There are dozens of reasons cats should be kept indoors any time of the year. City cats are in danger from other animals, poisons like antifreeze, and bait set for rodents. Wandering the streets they can be hit by cars, become trapped in odd spaces, and be exposed to diseases and parasites from feral cats.
Some of the saddest signs around the neighborhood are the ones posted for lost cats. When you see one, you look around and worry about where that tiny creature may be hiding – alone and afraid.
Poison Control
Finally, if you think your dog or cat has eaten something that may have poisoned it, call the Animal Poison Control Hotline at 1-888-426-4435. This is a 24/7 poison hotline. A fee is required to use this service, but fast action could save the life of the pet you love.
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.
With Halloween approaching, cats come to mind. Not just because they are symbols of the holiday, but also because this can be a dangerous time for cats and dogs.
(Photo by Leslie Jones from the Boston Public Library's Leslie Jones Collection)
Tempted by Treats
Having extra candy and treats around for your family, holiday party, or trick-or-treaters can pose a danger to your pets. Chocolate in all forms, but especially the darkest chocolate, can cause symptoms ranging from gastrointestinal upset to seizures.
The ASPCA reminds us that, “Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can be poisonous to dogs. Even small amounts of xylitol sweetener can cause a sudden drop in blood sugarwhich leads to depression, lack of coordination, and seizures.”
Even holiday decorations, like pumpkins and dried corn, can give your pet an upset tummy, if they try to dine on them. And, large pieces of these items, ribbons, and wrappers that are part of the decor can be hazards for choking or intestinal blockages.
As a puppy, Poppy dressed up as a frog in a onesie! As you can see, she was very relaxed in her outfit.
Stressed Out Playing Dress Up
There are a few pets who are total hams and will love wearing a Halloween costume. For many others it can be stressful. Choose costumes with care and give your dog or cat time to adjust before the big party. If your pet shows signs of stress, consider a t-shirt or jacket style costume that leaves the head and ears free. Or, if your beast has stage fright, you wear the costume and let your dog or cat be an accessory.
Dan, from Boston Pet Sitters, has been known to dress up instead of costuming his pack.
Another ASPCA reminder concerns the design and fit of holiday finery. “Take a closer look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.”
This Bulldog says, "I'm going over the hill and there's nut-in' you can do bout it!"
(Photo by Leslie Jones from the Boston Public Library's Leslie Jones Collection)
Escape Artists
Trick-or-treaters in costume can frighten an otherwise well-mannered pet. If you love to dress up to answer the call of trick-or-treaters, you could scare your pet. And, when a pet is frightened, it can and will do the unexpected.
With doors opening and closing to admit partygoers or to hand out treats, there are many opportunities for a gentle homebody – let alone the veteran escape artist – to make a break for it.
Consider tucking your dog or cat away in a separate room with a favorite bed or blanket while you host Halloween visitors.
If you don’t normally keep ID on your dog or cat when they are indoors, this next week might be a good time to add that extra precaution to your Halloween safety checklist.
(Photo by Leslie Jones from the Boston Public Library's Leslie Jones Collection)
Keep Cats Indoors
Horror stories of animal cruelty to cats crop up every Halloween season. There are dozens of reasons cats should be kept indoors any time of the year. City cats are in danger from other animals, poisons like antifreeze, and bait set for rodents. Wandering the streets they can be hit by cars, become trapped in odd spaces, and be exposed to diseases and parasites from feral cats.
Some of the saddest signs around the neighborhood are the ones posted for lost cats. When you see one, you look around and worry about where that tiny creature may be hiding – alone and afraid.
Poison Control
Finally, if you think your dog or cat has eaten something that may have poisoned it, call the Animal Poison Control Hotline at 1-888-426-4435. This is a 24/7 poison hotline. A fee is required to use this service, but fast action could save the life of the pet you love.
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.
She also writes about it on her Go Pet Friendly site. So click over and pick up some hard earned knowledge before you set off on that road trip to Grandma's house for the holidays.
, if a shirt smells doggie.
immersion circulator and for pressure cooking with my 
.
from here to support this site!