TwoDogsBlog

Mackenzie: I'm not sure about all you other dogs but in our house Christmas is a time for giving....giving to the dogs in the house that is.

Churchill: That makes it sound cheap...and it isn't because we get the best gifts ever....and our owners get gifts too but they are hard to find underneath all of our wrapping paper.

Mackenzie: So with Christmas fast approaching we wanted to take this opportunity to present (like that?...present?) our Christmas lists.

Churchill: You learn to ignore his awkward humor...but he's right, we do have our lists ready. Mackenzie you go first.

Mackenzie: Ok I would first like to ask for a treasure chest filled with those fabulous liver treats that my grandmother got me hooked on. Apparently they are low in fat - hey whatever eases your mind...all I know is they are delicious and well delicious, do I need more than that for a reason?

Churchill: so defensive....go on to the next item please.

Mackenzie: Oh ya - I would also like to have those salmon treats...they are also delicious and..

Churchill: Wait a minute....is everything on your list food related?

Mackenzie: Ah yes - is that a problem?

Churchill: geesh - ok we get it - you want lots to eat - but is there anything you can think of that is not eatable?

Mackenzie: hmmmm there is one thing but i'll save that one to the end of this post...sort of a private request....you go on, let's hear your list.

Churchill: alright here goes. I would like a nerf football, some shoes (those pebbles really sting), a tobaggan, a robot dog and a doggie lifejacket for the cabin this summer - I hate sinking.

Mackenzie: is that all?

Churchill: well I also want that dog bed that can heat up and cool down with a turn of a knob...that would be awesome! What was the last thing that you wanted to ask for?

Mackenzie: oh that - it's nothing really.

Churchill: just say it

Mackenzie: I wanted to get that dog brace we saw to help steady your noodle legs.

Churchill: really? but that is so sweet! thank you.

Mackenzie: ya ya - don't tell anyone. I have a reputation to protect you know.

Churchill: It will be between Santa and me. Merry Christmas Mackenzie.

Mackenzie: Merry Christmas Churchill...and a note to every dog owner out there - take good care of your dogs this Christmas because just remember you have a tree in your living room ;)

Churchill: I wanted to use this opportunity to talk about Mackenzie's identity crisis.

Mackenzie: What are you talking about - I thought we were going to discuss the strength of the Canadian dollar?

Churchill: ha ya I knew that would work...like anyone wants to talk about that...anyways let's tell the folks about how you seem to like cats better than dogs.

Mackenzie: I don't like cats better...what....what are you talking about.

Churchill: Ok then what does your shirt say then?

Mackenzie: What this? It says "On the Prowl" what's wrong with that? I'm prowling and growling.

Churchill: Ok what is on your feet?

Mackenzie: Just slippers

Churchill: kitten slippers

Mackenzie: they were on sale....

Churchill: Ok and what about your tattoo? What does that say?

Mackenzie: Ahhh this old thing....ok it might say cats have more fun...but hey have you seen them play, they do seem like they are having a good time.

Churchill: I rest my case.

Mackenzie: and they are so soft and fluffy and quite clean

Churchill: I'm leaving now

Mackenzie: And have you ever given catnip a try? Man that some good sh...

Churchill: Oh ok that's enough

Churchill: First of all I would like to apologize for our absence but we have been busy at the cabin most of the summer. The Michael Vick story was like a slap in the face back to reality, so here we are back in the saddle again.

Mackenzie: I hate saddles.

Churchill: I'm taking the lead on this one since the only thing Mackenzie knows about sports is the carbo loading that athletes do the night before.

Mackenzie: mmmmm carbs!

Churchill: Ok well for those of you who do not know superstar Michael Vick, the guy that was given the opportunity of a lifetime in the NFL, not only by Altanta, but also by the fact that he is one of the most naturally talented players in today's game, has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL.

Mackenzie: Let me guess - he stole, bet or took illegal drugs.

Churchill: Hey if that was the case at least he wouldn't have been the first - no he did far worse. In a nutshell he owned and was involved in a property that conducted dog fighting. Worse than that and this is the part that makes me sick - he and his crew killed dogs that did not test or perform well by either hanging or drowning or whatever other cruel ways they could think of.

Mackenzie: So does that mean we (the dog community) get to do that to him?

Churchill: No it doesn't work that way.

Mackenzie: Alright that's it - i'm running for president - it's about time we had a dog in the whitehouse.

Churchill: I think someone may have beat you to that.

Mackenzie: Anyways something needs to be done - how can this type of stuff happen?...I was quite happy floating around in my water wings up at the cabin and this has definitely been a bubble burster.

Churchill: I know Mackenzie, I know. At least he has admitted his guilt and will be punished by the law and by the NFL.

Mackenzie: I would think that most people, if not all, would see his actions for the horrible cruelty that they are and not flip flop.

Churchill: People will forgive a lot of things, especially when it comes to famous people, but I think with this one - people will not be so gracious.

Mackenzie: Let's eat.

Churchill: What?

Mackenzie: Hey - I eat when I'm upset.

Churchill: Wow then you must always be upset.

Mackenzie: Churchie it is the middle of May and that means it's officially what time of the year?

Churchill: SPRING!!!! Ah ha you thought I didn't know!....why do we care so much?

Mackenzie: Well yes it has been spring...actually it has been spring for quite a few weeks now but who's counting..anyways the time of the year is CABIN TIME!!!!

Churchill: Oh YA...yipee!

Mackenzie: Yes my spotted friend and to all my four legged friends this is the time of the year we (those of us lucky enough to have a cabin or cottage to go to) roll up our sleeves and get our hands back into the earth and reunite with nature.

Churchill: We don't have sleeves...

Mackenzie: That's not the point.

Churchill: Oh sorry, continue.

Mackenzie: Both Churchill and I are fortunate to be part owners in a cabin on Canim Lake which is in the interior of British Columbia, Canada. It is a beautiful location and the lake is amazing.

Churchill: And there are lots of animals to bark at and chase.

Mackenzie: Very true plus boats - I love chasing the boats. I am sort of the unofficial manager of the lake.

Churchill: I never knew lakes had managers.

Mackenzie: It's not something the lake office likes to discuss.

Churchill: Oh I see. Anyways tell them about the cabin.

Mackenzie: The cabin is just that, a cabin not one of those huge homes that call themselves a cabin. It has a couple of bedrooms, a screen porch, but one hell of a view.

Churchill: And next year a new cabin or more of a house is being built for our grandparents to move into. And then there will be 3 more dogs at the lake with us.

Mackenzie: As always I am getting prepared to kick the year off with my annual swim across the lake to the island. It is a fierce adventure that only the best of athletes should attempt.

Churchill: When do we get to the part where you don't make it past the first dock?

Mackenzie: That was because of poor weather conditions! Bad weather I say!

Churchill: Every year?

Mackenzie: Yes - very fierce!

Churchill: Well maybe this year is your year because next weekend is supposed to be perfect conditions.

Mackenzie: Great I will be ready...ouch...I feel a cramp coming on...or maybe a pulled muscle...

Churchill: I thought so.

Mackenzie: Today's blog is of a very serious nature and even though it is about food is it defintiely not a laughing matter.

Churchill: Yes we wanted to use this discussion to provide information regarding the Menu Foods recall.

Mackenzie: These are those moments when being a dog has it's disadvantages.

Churchill: You mean because of the contaminated dog food?

Mackenzie: No I mean because we can sue anybody for this insanity.

Churchill: For those of you who may not be aware, Menu Foods which makes dog food for so many major brands, has discovered that some of their cat and dog soft foods have become "tainted"

Mackenzie: Poisonous is a better word for it.

Churchill: The story is that an ingredient may have become toxic, developed mold or something to that effect and they say it is only in wet food and primarily their "cuts and gravy" style foods.

Mackenzie: mmmm gravy

Churchill: Luckily because of YOUR weight problem and my crazy allergies we are eating prescription dog food that isn't one of the long list of recalled foods.

Churchill: Mackenzie?

Mackenzie: Oh sorry I was still...

Churchill: Thinking of the gravy I know. Anyways the horrible consequences of this tainted food is that it apparently is causing severe and possibly fatal kidney problems.

Mackenzie: You know what drives me crazy? I'll tell you. Why couldn't the food just be a little off....but nooooo it has to be super poisonous and from the sounds of it, by the time the symptoms are apparent it may be too late.

Churchill: It is also super crazy when you see the long list of "top quality" food brands that are now being recalled like IAMs, Ukanuba and many many others.

Mackenzie: In fact you can find out the recall list and other valuable information for dogs and even cats (despite the fact that this is a DOG Blog) at http://www.menufoods.com/recall/product_dog.html

Mackenzie: But please remember - food doesn't kill us - the people who make the food do.