The Furry Children {Staffordshire Bull Terrier}

I just realized that I don't really talk much on here about my 'other children'.  I breed Staffordshire Bull Terriers.  I am crazy and have 6.

Gracie

Belle

Claire and Myra 

RIP Jack (the best dog ever!)

Dude (my newest mouse killer!)

Tess

I'm a bit biased but these dogs are the best family dogs, period.  They are up for anything you want to do.  Want to climb a mountain they are ready.  Feel like sitting and watching a movie they will be on the couch beside you.  I didn't really know what people meant when they said that these dogs are good with children until I brought my oldest home from the hospital and she met Jack.  Jack's whole personality changed around her.  He would let her maul him and love it!  She even stuck her finger into his eye once up to her first knuckle and he just sat there and took it! ( not that I recommend this at all!)  Jack and Belle would wrestle and play HARD until Bex or Ray Ray would touch them then all would stop to give way to the toddler/baby.

I originally got these dogs to facilitate my husbands love/hobby.  Now, I'm hooked!  (I don't think I would have gotten this many on my own!)  

Jacob says that 'We breed Staffies' but in reality I breed Staffies.   

I am excited about my new boy Dude.  I think that I am going to take him to do dog shows and I would really like to work with him to do Obedience and possibly Lure Coursing.  Of course all the dogs get their share of gopher removal and mouse termination since moving out to the middle of nowhereville.

To see more of these guys and to find out if one is right for your family go to www.gamestaffstaffords.ca

Puppies are chewing on my computer chair!

I just realized!

I feel so bad!...I told myself that I would post everyday.  Well as you can see I have failed in that quite well.  But back on the wagon I go.

Today we had the best day!  We had a 'puppy party' day as my Bex would call it.  We are breeders of Staffordshire Bull Terriers and currently we have a litter of the little devils.   So when our pups are about 5 weeks old ( just about the phase where I want to start pulling my hair out) we invite the puppy parents over to meet their new family member.

Today we also had a puppy photo shoot with a wonderful couple who volunteered to take picture of our pups and a few of the adults for us.  Thanks Emily and Tyler!  I can't wait to post the results.  

I think my dogs are the most beautiful ever.  (sorry everyone else who has a stafford but it's true!)

Well I can hear my chicklets fighting over something totally trivial so I'd better brake up WWIII before it evolves into a screaming  fit (by me).

5 out of 5 Suelzles agree, puppy poo smells just as bad as doggy poo!

Myra and Belle have had their puppies.  Myra had 6 puppies but one died early today.  Belle had 2 very fat puppies.  I think that it is killing Jacob to have to be at work while these puppies are here at home.  I have to stop now!  The puppies are in the computer room and the smell and heat are getting to me.

ROSEMARY PARMESAN TWISTS

It’s a wonderful thing to bake treats for your dog. But if you like to multi-task, or rarely have a chance to bake for yourself let alone your dog, here’s a recipe that could go either way – as appropriate for humans as for canines, these beautiful twists flavoured with fresh rosemary and Parmesan cheese make savoury snacks for you as well as the pooch.

This basic baking powder dough could be used as a canvas to add whatever flavours you (or your dog) fancy; experiment with various fresh or dried herbs, different cheeses, and flours such as rye or oat. For nut twists, add 1/4 cup finely ground nuts such as pecans, hazelnuts or walnuts to the dough in place of (or as well as) the Parmesan cheese, and if you like, replace the canola or olive oil with walnut oil. For bacon-cheese twists, replace the oil with bacon drippings (while they are still liquid) and omit the rosemary.

NGREDIENTS

1 cup (250 mL) all-purpose flour

1 cup (250 mL) whole wheat flour

1 tsp (5 mL) baking powder

1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt

1/4 cup (60 mL) grated Parmesan cheese

2 tbsp (30 mL) fresh rosemary

3 tbsp (45 mL) canola or olive oil

1/2 to 3/4 cup (125 to 165 mL) water, chicken stock or milk

(optional) coarse salt for sprinkling

Yield:

Makes about 24 breadsticks.

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt in the bowl of a food processor and pulse to combine. Add any flavourings you like and pulse until chopped and blended in with the remaining ingredients. Add the oil and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal. (Alternatively, blend everything together in a bowl with a spatula or whisk.)

3. With the machine running, pour 1/2 cup of cold water, chicken stock or milk through the feed tube and pulse, adding extra if you need it, until the dough starts to come together. This will depend on your flour and what flavourings you added; I usually need 1/2 cup plus about 2 tbsp of liquid.

4. Tip the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, gather it into a ball and let it rest for about 10 minutes. Roll the dough out about a quarter-inch thick, sprinkle it with salt (if you like), and roll lightly to help the salt adhere. Cut into quarter- to half-inch-wide strips as long or short as you like, then twist the strips and place them on an ungreased baking sheet, pressing the ends lightly onto the sheet if they start to unravel. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden.