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The following is a guest post by one of PETA's star volunteer writers, Laura Frisk.
My dogs, Lucky and Gracie, look forward to many events throughout their day. Since my husband and I work at home, they are always with us, and our days, for the most part, are pretty routine. Dogs love routines, and one of their favorites is being "kitchen dogs."
Cooking is my hobby. The dogs know this, and tails start wagging when I go into the kitchen. Slicing a banana for our smoothie, pulling the vegetable peeler over a carrot, or simply taking one of my copper pots from the cupboard signals that it’s time for the routine to begin. They race into the kitchen full of joy! Lucky and Gracie are vegan, by the way, just like us.
They love the pieces of carrots, cucumbers, and even red bell peppers that I give them while chopping our salad veggies. Needless to say, my floor is always wiped—I mean licked—clean of any little tidbits that happen to fall off the counter. Good little vegans that they are, they love raw vegetables. If tofu is on the menu, they are in doggy heaven.
Dogs are happiest when they have something to look forward to during their days, which usually aren’t nearly as full as ours. Lucky and Gracie have decided that being kitchen dogs is part of their routine, and that suits me just fine. I love having my little helpers with me, smiling and keeping me company while I cook and sampling the food that they always think is the best food they have ever tasted. I, too, love our routine, and I can’t think of anyone else I'd rather have in my kitchen than my two best friends, my kitchen dogs.
Comments ( 9 )
I'm so glad you talked about the importance of food in dogs' lives. To me, perhaps the only thing more depressing than a dog who is chained up or kenneled all day and/or who never gets a walk is a dog sentenced to a lifetime of the same old dry, boring kibble. Eating is one of the few joys in dogs' lives. How sad that this joy is denied to so many dogs.
Posted by Alisa Mullins | November 2, 2007 5:29 PM
Posted on November 2, 2007 17:29
My dogs too look forward "kitchen time" as soon as I get back from work I start to prepare dinner and they love to be there with me waiting for any snack. I'm learning so much from these posts thanks I'll be more careful on preparing my doggie's meals since, I've to admit, they always have kibble for dinner. but this will change from now on. Thanks so much for teaching us to be better dog parents.
Posted by Laura | November 5, 2007 12:43 PM
Posted on November 5, 2007 12:43
Thank you, Laura! Even though my dogs aren't vegan (I am, though!) they absolutely love avocado, peas, carrot sticks, and beans. I never thought I'd be a 5-star chef, but I am, to my dogs.
Posted by Becky F. | November 6, 2007 3:58 PM
Posted on November 6, 2007 15:58
My dog comes running at the sound of anything being chopped! He'll eat anything (except citrus fruits)-- even managing to chomp down difficult-to-chew treats like apples and lettuce! (Especially if you try to take them away from him!)
Posted by CN | November 12, 2007 6:51 PM
Posted on November 12, 2007 18:51
I am seriously thinking about becoming vegitarian. I think my dogs may like this, they may be able to get more snacks if they are vegitables? I really limit them now on what they can have that we are eating, I don't want them to be unhealthy. Thanks for this article.
>>> KP's Response:
Hi DeeAnna!
Sure. Dogs can have extra treats if they're veggies because they're so low in calories.
KP
Posted by DeeAnna W. | November 13, 2007 11:57 AM
Posted on November 13, 2007 11:57
Our three big dogs, Madison, Preston and Lili, are all vegetarians that thrive on their daily home cooked meals. Once I began making their carob-peanut butter dog treats, there was no going back! I only wish people were more open to feeding this incredibly healthful food to their pets.
Posted by Paula Moran | November 14, 2007 4:08 PM
Posted on November 14, 2007 16:08
thats so cute :D my puppy, babe, has little routines with me too. she wakes up with me every morning at 5:30 and follows me around. she knows my routine around the house so well that every morning she walks in front of me as i move around the house because she likes to lead me i guess. i always turn the living room lights on first thing in the morning so no one will be stumbling through the dark, and she leads me from lamp to lamp. theres nothing more heart warming than having a daily routine with your dog. babe always brightens my morning.
Posted by brittney | November 15, 2007 5:14 PM
Posted on November 15, 2007 17:14
Whenever I cook my meals, I make a little extra for my Riley. He loves my cooking and he sits right next to me when we are eating.
Posted by karen wall | November 15, 2007 11:29 PM
Posted on November 15, 2007 23:29
hello this is great advice as my dog gets often excited by the kitchen
Posted by Penney | February 18, 2008 4:40 AM
Posted on February 18, 2008 04:40