Halloween and a Happy Pooch

We’ve been lovin’ the Three Dog Bakery Halloween event for the last few years. As with everything, Three Dog does such a terrific job on their Pooch Spooks event and, as most everyone who knows us knows, any opportunity to spend bonding time with your canine friend is A-ok with us!

This particular bonding time will be especially fun: those who are so inclined can come in costume -- human or canine -- and there will be tricks and treats and fun!

Registration begins at high noon on Saturday, October 22nd in Port Moody and in Vancouver on October 29th. See all the details in the poster at left, or get the scoop online.

Angie Wojciechowska & Off Leash Photography

I’ve been seriously impressed by Angie Wojciechowska of Off Leash Photography’s sharp eye and deep talent. As you can see in the photos included here, what Angie does is quite beyond presenting photos of people’s pets. The expression, the composition, the presentation: it’s just a very complete package and one can’t help but appreciate her eye for detail.

Angie says she created Off Leash Photography to provide people with true images of their four legged companions. She says that her goal is to catch your dog or cat’s personality in their own environment, doing what they love and being who they are.

For most people photography is about keeping records of events, but Angie says she believes it should be about expression and communication. She says that the photos should evoke emotion and excitement. When Angie works with dogs and their owners anything can happen. She loves the unpredictable nature of animals and the lack of control that goes with it.

Angie says she loves being there “in the moment to catch it, compose it, interpret it.” Photographing dogs unleashes Angie’s creativity. “I am amazed that every time and every session is so different from the next,” she says. adding that she tries to learn as much as she can about a dog before and during the session. She works to understand as much as possible of their nature, so she can provide the owner with a true representation of their dog.

Off Leash Photography works on location, in your home, your back yard, the beach, park or urban scenery. Rates start at $225 for a signature session or $300 for in-home sessions.

You can visit Angie on the Web for details or e-mail her directly for personal service and quote “Love on a Leash” for access to special promotions.

Angie Wojciechowska
angie@off-leash.ca
http://www.off-leash.ca
http://www.facebook.com/Off.Leash.Photography.Vancouver
http://www.off-leash.ca/blog
phone: 604-618-2236

Recipe Corner: Pumpkin Brownies -- Doggy Halloween Treats!

Pumpkin makes a sweet, nutritious treat for your dog and is plentiful and inexpensive in all its forms, including the canned variety on grocery store shelves. Perfect as Halloween treats these pumpkin brownies are a delicious, nutritious treat for your dog all year long!

Pumpkin (and all squash) is high in vitamin A (beta-carotene), vitamin C, some B vitamins, potassium, manganese, folate and fibre. Because pumpkin is so moist, these treats are superb for dogs of all ages, especially seniors who may have trouble with hard, crunchy treats.

You can use fresh pumpkin, cube the flesh, toss with canola oil, spread on a baking sheet and roast at 400 degrees F. for half an hour or until tender. Mash with a fork or puree in a food processor. Canned, pureed plain pumpkin also works perfectly.

Pumpkin Brownies

Ingredients:

2 large eggs
1 cup canned pure pumpkin puree
1/3 cup canola oil
2 tbsp honey
1 & ¼ cups whole wheat or oat flour, or some of each
2 tbsp ground flax seed or oat bran
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, pumpkin, canola oil & honey. Add the flour, flax seed, cinnamon, baking soda & salt and stir just until combined.

Scrape the batter into an 8 x 8 inch pan that has been sprayed with non-stick spray, and bake for approximately 30 minutes, until golden and springy to the touch. Cool completely before cutting into squares based on the size of your dog.

Store leftovers in an airtight container or wrap well and freeze.