Food Safety for Dogs

Some things are obvious not to give a dog to ingest, such as caffeine, alcohol…

But did you know that onions and garlic are dangerous for a dog to ingest?  Even though both are good for us, they are toxic to your dog as they destroy a dog’s red blood cells.  This includes every kind, whether it is raw, powdered, dehydrated, or cooked.  Even small frequent amounts over time are dangerous. (Be aware that some baby foods contain onion powder.)

Most all of us have heard that it isn’t safe to give a dog chocolate.  That is true.  Theobromine is the toxic agent in chocolate and it is in all forms, including white chocolate.  Chocolate can cause gastrointestinal issues, as well as heart arrhythmia, seizures, tremors, and potentially death.

If dogs ingest macadamia nuts or avocados, it can be fatal, and takes very little to make them sick.  Nutmeg is also toxic to your K9 pet. 

Raisins and grapes cause kidney failure in dogs. 

As with people, ingesting raw eggs, meat, or fish may cause food poisoning.  With dogs, raw eggs inhibits the absorption of B vitamins.  Raw fish contain bacteria that can cause “fish disease” in dogs and may be fatal within 2 weeks if untreated. 

Dogs should not have any kind of seeds or pits.  Peach and plum pits contain cyanide, which makes the pits dangerous to both us and dogs.

Unbaked yeast dough ferments and swells in their tummies and will cause severe pain and possibly alcohol poisoning.

Watch out for foods that are sweetened with xylitol, as it can cause a dog’s blood sugar to dive dangerously low and it can cause liver failure.  Xylitol is also found in toothpaste, so even if Rover needs a little breath refreshing, don’t use your toothpaste. :)

Milk and dairy products should be avoided because it can upset their tummies.  

Fat trimmings is unhealthy to dogs, just like people, as well as too much sugary foods, which can cause blood sugar issues in our beloved loyal friends. 

Bones can splinter and cause obstructions and small bones can cause choking hazard.

Heavily salty foods such as chips or pretzels can cause ion poisoning.

Whew!  That is a lot to remember, so I made a graphic for you that you are welcome to use. 

Dangerous foods for dogs free graphic (click to enlarge)
(Background dog graphic is from thegraphicsfairy.com)

You Are So Loved!

“As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you; continue ye in my love.”

                                             John 15:9

Dear reader, will you take a moment to read that verse one more time and let Jesus’ words thoroughly soak in? 

Jesus loves you as much as God loves Him - I’m here to tell you, that is POWERFUL LOVE!
Not only did He describe how He feels about us, but He showed us at the cross.

So, whenever you need a dose of feeling loved, renew your heart and mind with the realization of just how loved you are by our Lord Jesus Christ!  You can walk through the rest of your life with the confidence that you are loved with intensity beyond comprehension.  

And, God loves you so much that He gave His only begotten Son…(see also John 16:27)  Because our minds can become numb to familiar passages, take the time to ponder the layers of depth in those verses.  It truly is astounding that He would do that for us. 

My friend, feel loved, because you are!!!

This is a free Valentine graphic with scripture for you, created by my daughter and me.  I’m so glad that you came over for a visit today!

(Little boy and girl Valentine used for this scripture graphic came from The Graphics Fairy.)

Adventure of the Best Kind

Do you like adventure?

You do?  Good!  So how about take part in an adventure to reclaim stolen territory—God’s territory? 

There is so much need in our world.  Will you be one of the few that is willing to help souls that desperately need to know and experience the love of Jesus?

Now, just in case you don’t feel qualified, here’s the thing.  You are!

God made you with just the right traits—your knowledge, your gifts and talents, your temperament, your life experiences—all of which will help you as you witness, serve, and live out God’s calling for your life.

Why, you’re His beloved child and friend!  He’s full of plans and purpose for you (and don’t let anyone or anything convince you otherwise!).

I bet you already know where to begin…

Yep,  you got it, in prayer and in His Word. 

• Take care to make your relationship with Him your first priority
  
• Seek His guidance with an obedient and teachable heart 
  
• Expectantly, stay on the lookout for opportunities that He puts before you
  
• Realize that each obstacle and each challenge is an opportunity to grow spiritually stronger  

Your adventure may or may not take you to far away lands; it may or may not have you doing out of the ordinary things. 

Thus far, my adventure has been pretty ordinary in the world’s eyes, but not to the Lord, nor to me.  An example that comes to mind is having the privilege to teach my children to read, and now I get to see them as a teen and young adults choose to read and study God’s Word.  Many of you moms know what a thrilling adventure that is!   

You see, there’s no such of a thing as an unimportant assignment to God. 

Look at Tychicus.  His job was to carry Paul’s letters from prison to the churches.  Imagine how insignificant that may have seemed to a casual observer.  Reckon Tyhchicus realized how significant his tasks were going to be?

So just think, my friend,

what you do with your days will literally have eternal significance!  Isn’t that an awesome thought. . . . and responsibility!

Will you say “yes, Lord,” and set sail today on your lifetime adventure? 

There is nothing more fulfilling than living the life that the Lord Jesus Christ calls you to. 

P.S.
The sailor boy image in this post is a free graphic that you are welcome to use.