Cooking for Puck

Puck is officially on a diet.

Not because he's chunky. Not because he's too lean.

Puck is on a diet because he's balding in the belly.

I've noticed the balding belly for awhile. I even mentioned it to his "after hours" vet (the doctor that usually gives him his health voucher when we fly to Kodiak because her clinic is open after work closes) and to his daycare owner. They both suggested that his balding was due to having short legs and the likelihood that his belly was rubbing on the ground.

In contrast, Dr. Hurley, his official vet immediately subjected him to several tests. He's had blood drawn. He's been fondled by multiple women simultaneously scouring his belly for signs of skin irritation or some other (read disgusting) trace of a fixable condition. But he passed all those tests.

So, the most current prognosis (as of yesterday) is that Puck is (i) allergic to wheat, (ii) allergic to red meat, (iii) allergic to the absence of the sun for the past couple of months, or (iv) allergic to castration.

Thinking that the wheat and mean allergy options would be easiest to address, Puck is now on the fish & potato diet.

And I, now, have to make his treats.

Here is the recipe for Puck's Tidbits that was given to me courtesy after Puck's $150 vet visit:

1. Scoop one can of Response Formula FP into a mixing bowl. Stir well into an even consistency.

2. On a non-stick cookie sheet, place heaping teaspoonful of Response FP (2 and 1/2 inches apart). Pat flat into a 1/2 inch cookie shape (about 1/4 inch thick).

3. Bake in 350 degree oven for approximately one hour or until cookies have dehydrated enough to make a firm snack.

4. Cool on rack. Store in plastic bags or tubs in refridgerator. Best if used within one week. Extra may be stored in freezer if sealed well.

5. One can of Response FP makes approximately two dozen Fish & Potato "Treats".



p.s. Interestingly enough, J's dog Clyde is also on the fish & potato diet after his allergy to wheat and/or red meat nearly transformed him into a scaly, rather than furry, rottweiller. Dr. Hurley, who also owns rottweillers and counsels me on how (as a small dog owner) to date a big dog owner, suggested that I go ahead and make bit batches of Puck's Tidbits for Clyde too. Apparently, it is advised to make as many as you can at once as it takes awhile for the odor of fish to disperse.