Bully Stick / Beef Pizzle

Ok, so a while ago I went into the pet store across the street with Penny.  The clerks ooh'd and ahh'd over how cute and small my little Penny bear was.  I told them that she was shy and a rescue dog, etc.  I went in to buy her a small tennis ball, thinking that since she rarely played with her other toys that maybe she would like something that rolled. 

One of the clerks suggested this chew stick thing.  It was expensive like over $3 for one stick, granted it was ~12 inches long, but still.  Anyway, I said that I would pass, because I wasn't sure if she was a chewer or not.  On our way out the woman hands me a smaller version of the original stick she suggested and told me to take it home to find out if she's a chewer or not.  Well...guess wo didn't like the ball I bought her, but LOVED her stick.

That's right, Penny did.  She chowed down on it and finished it that night.  Since I've been gone I thought I would treat her to another chew stick.  I went into the pet store and bought a cheaper version of the one before a 6 inch Beef Pizzle.  This time I checked out the name.  I was curious, because last time Sief joked and said he thought it was a bull penis.

Well....would I be posting this right now if it wasn't?  Yup that's right, I feed my dog bull penis.  One article I found on the internet states that some merchants will claim it's dried beef tendons or muscle, to make it seem more appealing, it's not.  Interesting fact is that at the beginning of the bull stick or beef pizzle making process the penis is 23-25 inches long!  They drain them of their fluid, then stretch them, twist them or braid them into different shapes which are dried or smoked.  This sticks are then cut up into various sizes and sold.

Being the eco-friendly dog owner I am, I did not take a bag, but rather stuck the dried beef penis directly into my purse.  Later I came home and cut them in half with a saw mind you because they are so hard, so Penny could have a 3inch pizzle.  6inches would be too long for her and I picked out thick ones because I wanted to get my moneys worth.

The internet article also states that "bully sticks last an incredibly long time.  It can take weeks for a small dog to chew on one bully stick"  Let me say that my small dog can finish a bully stick in a couple of hours.

And since I know you all would like a better picture here is one from Naturalicious pet treat's website.

Presenting....the Beef Pizzle.  YUM!

Adventures with a rescue Dog!

First, I know I'm behind on my green challenges, but I have some ideas in mind and will catch up with those shortly.  My excuse will be my little Penny bean.  She's a cutie pie and is slowly coming out of her shell.
As you can imagine she is spoiled rotten.

It's funny, how having my first real pet all by myself, without my parents around to help me - feels semi-like having a kid.  I think that's how my parents felt, as I gave them nearly hourly updates during my first few days with Penny.  I wanted to know if this or that was normal.  Yes, I know I will be a doctor in less than 3 weeks, but not a Vet.  My biggest worry was whether or not she was going to the bathroom enough.  My Dad said, "didn't you not like pediatrics because all parents talk about was pee and poop."  Let me tell you I sent my parents numerous emails freaking out because Penny only feels the need to go potty 2x's per day.  I've seen her go nearly 24 hours without going to the bathroom!!!  That's crazy.

 We were all worried when we got her about what were we going to do when Sief and I have to work 12 hr shifts.  Well apparently we've found the dog for us, because she can hold it that long and longer.  During those first few days she barely drank any water and would only eat 1/2 the amount of food the shelter told us to give her.  I kept touching her nose, it was moist, so I figured she wasn't dehydrated.  She's getting better now.

She sleeps all day, but has a little more spunk.  We finally heard her bark after having her for a full week and not hearing a noise from her, except for her breathing.  One night we locked her in the bathroom, with her bed, where she sleeps at night ... well she decided she had had enough of that.  She stomps around, scratched at the door, and finally barked.  It was funny, because we should have been mad, but were happy, because she spoke!  haha....   And let's just say the spoiled baby now sleeps in my bed with me. 

We're continuing to work on house training her, my plan is still to litter box train her.  You can do that with a dog.  I don't want to make her hold it if Sief and I have to work late.  Her and Sief still are not friends, but they are working on it.

That's my Penny update.  We'll see how she does this week by herself in the house from 8am-5pm, because Sief and I have our last week of medical school!!!  woo woo

I didn't tell the adoption lady that I have yet to keep a house plant alive....

Introducing....Penny!

Hi, my new name is Penny.  This is a picture of me and my new mom.  I was rescued on Tuesday from a  shelter, to this new place that will be my furever home!  They tell me I'm 4 years old.  Before coming to Pennsylvania, I lived in Alabama with a woman who was a hoarder and had 30 dogs!  30 dogs - can you imagine.  Let me tell you there, I did not get much individual attention and the other dogs were mean.  I had a set of puppies at some point as well, don't know where my babies are now.

My mom thinks that in my old home I must have had to fight for a spot on the couch, because that's my absolute favorite spot in my new home.  I LOVE the couch.  At some point my tail was broken and there is a permanent kink in it.  I don't remember, but it's possible that I used to be abused, because I am very shy and timid.  I love my new mom, but am scared a little bit around my new Dad.  He's ok when he gives me treats and I'm ok with sitting with him on the couch, but other than that I don't like to go for walks with him or really let him pet me when I walk by. 

This is a pic of Dad and I on a walk.

Here's me at my favorite spot on the couch.  Dad has put a giraffe on my head (*eyes roll*)  He doesn't think I notice, but I do.  And...he wonders why I don't like him. ;)

My new home is wonderful and I get tons of love and attention.  I have new toys and get treats.  I don't really play with my toys very much.  My mom can't figure out if it's because I've never had toys or if it's because I just don't like to play.  I try to play sometimes, but usually only for a few minutes at a time.  Otherwise, my absolute favorite activity is sleeping.  I LOVE to sleep and rest all day long.  Cuddling and sitting in my mom's lap is also pretty awesome.  My new bed is super comfy (not as comfy as the couch though) and it's eco-friendly, because the stuffing is made out of recycled post-consumer plastic bottles.  I know it doesn't sound comfortable, but it is super comfortable and I sleep all day.  Sometimes I sleep on my back so I can get belly rubs!!! 

Oh and this is me getting in trouble.  While Mom was in the shower I stole a slipper, sock, and a couple pairs of underwear - SCORE!!  Except for mom took them away.  She didn't yell at me though, because I'm so shy I think she's afraid I won't like her if she yells at me.  See being shy has advantages.