Moose Wisdom

From the ages...

If it smells good

eat it

if you can't eat it

roll in it

This will be fun.

That is all~

Since Mooselet is a fan of the feline

I figured that I'd give Kristi some help with meal preparation ideas for Mini Moose...

Catloaf has long been a standard main dish in America, and according to John Mariani in "Encyclopedia of American Food And Drink," was first seen in print as early as 1899. For many, meat of cat created in loaf form is an ultimate comfort food, bringing back pleasant childhood memories of family meals.

There are many ways to cut the calories and enhance the flavor of ordinary Catloaf, from tasty additions to spicy toppings. Ground cat is a great choice for your Catloaf, since excess fat in fattier ground cat meats is absorbed by breadcrumbs. Use soft bread crumbs in place of dry for a moister Catloaf, or substitute grated potato or carrots for a portion of the meat, which will also eliminate some of the calories. Baking the Catloaf on a rack will keep it out of the fatty drippings. Sharon Tyler Herbst, author of "The Food Lover's Tiptionary," describes a method for making your own meat loaf pan by piercing holes in an inexpensive loaf pan then setting it on a rack in a larger baking pan.

Another great thing about Catloaf is that you can bake it in the oven, microwave, electric roaster, or crock pot. Truly, the only limit is your imagination! If Mom's basic Catloaf has lost its appeal, try one of this week's featured recipes or create your own with some of the tips below.
Enjoy!

Tips and flavor-enhancing ideas:

• For more flavor and a juicier Catloaf, add about 1/4 cup of tomato juice, wine, or broth for each pound of Cat meat.
• Bake in muffin tins or mini-loaf pans for individual servings.
• Kittens optional but the meat is tender and juicy
• Use leftovers sliced in sandwiches or crumbled in sauces or chili.
• Replace some of the liquid in the recipe with red wine or dark beer.
• Add a cup of grated or shredded cheese to the Catloaf and top with more cheese about 10 minutes before it's done.
• Replace liquids with red wine or dark beer.
• Make the finished Catloaf extra fancy by frosting with mashed potatoes and topping with cheese; return to the oven and cook until the cheese is melted.

And now for some Cat Recipes that you can use at home for your dogs:

This Cat loaf is an old-fashioned favorite, made with lean ground cat or kitten, chili sauce, oats, and other ingredients and seasonings.
INGREDIENTS:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 ribs celery, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 1/2 pounds lean ground kitten or 1 pound lean ground cat and 1/2 pound ground pork
• 3/4 cup oats, quick or old-fashioned
• 1/4 cup chili sauce or ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 3 tablespoons water or milk

PREPARATION:
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped celery and onion; cook, stirring, until tender, about 7 to 9 minutes.

In a large bowl, mix ground cat or cat and pork mixture, oats, chili sauce or ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, beaten egg, celery and onion mixture, and the water or milk. In a 13x9-inch baking pan, shape meat mixture into a 9x5-inch loaf. Bake at 375° for 1 hour. Using 2 spatulas, carefully move Cat loaf to a serving plate and slice.
Serves 6 to 8.

Lions and Tigers and Mooses OH MY!

By Kristi

Saturday morning we all went to Stew and Jennifer’s house to pick up Mini Moose and head back to NC. After letting the puppies play for a little while, collecting all of Moose’s things, we loaded up the truck and started our 500 mile journey home. We folded down the middle seats in the Suburban giving the dogs a good 4 X 5’ space to lie down and be comfortable. Trying to convince Mini Moose that while there was enough room to play, riding down the interstate was not the best time to initiate play with Ralph.

When we stopped to get lunch, Carlos took the dogs out for a short walk. Before I could get to the back of our truck, a van stops to ask about the dogs. It turns out the lady has two OES of her own. We told her that we had just adopted Mini Moose and shared the blog address with her. Before I got in to order our lunch, I got stopped by yet another lady asking about the dogs. She thought they were OES but had not seen one shaved down and thought they were beautiful.

Once home, Mini Moose and Ralph played for a little while before sacking out for the night. Ralph found his favorite place on the nice cool floor while Mini Moose found his spot on the couch. Both puppies slept through the night.

Today has been a lazy down here in eastern NC. The dogs have played inside and outside for a while. Mini Moose introduced himself to the two cats in the house. One cat, Freckles, stood her ground with Mini Moose. The other cat, Puddy, decided her best bet was to run. Needless to say, the chase was on! Hopefully in time they will all find a way to live together, let’s hope that time is soon.

We have promised to keep this blog up-to-date with Stew’s help. He and Jennifer have done an excellent job in fostering this little guy getting him ready for his furever home. More to follow as Mini Moose Magoo settles into life here with cats, another OES and three upright children.

Moose Adoption Slideshow

Enjoy,
Stew

Moose Tracks

Moose has had quite an adventure with us. He's largely housebroken (unless it's raining outside, he's apparently scared of water), he's just an absolute joy with his love of life and wonderful attitude. He's come quite far.

But it's time for him to go a little further. This time without us. He's going to his furever home. I didn't want to spoil the surprise but it's finally happening for him. A wonderful WONDERFUL family is going to be lucky enough to add Mini Moose to their repertoire of sheepies.

Many many thanks to everyone who helped, in thought, word or deed. The feeling I get knowing that he's going to a great home is unbelievable.

Here he is with the new family.

Letter to manufacturer

Dear Manufacturer,
You seem to have faulty merchandise that you're trying to foist off on the public. I'm very upset to find out that this dog cannot hear. Obviously this dog is defective. Worthless. Nobody could want him I'm sure.

Oh sure he's as cute as all the other dogs. Cuter even sometimes. But he can't hear me tell him no. I don't get the head tilt that I'm expecting when I say his name. In fact, what good is it to even name him? He can't hear.

Yeah there are moments that he shows an unbelievable amount of affection. Cuddling up with me and touching me. It seems that he's always touching me. Why? Is it because he can't hear that he's so attuned to touch? He sleeps so close to me. It's unusual and I'm uncomfortable with all this affection. Why can't he just be a "normal" dog?

I think that in light of all these obvious flaws; his sweet loving nature, his need to be touched and near the ones he loves, his overwhelming intelligence -- it's simply best that he just be put down.

Nobody could possibly want a deaf dog.

The preceding is a tongue in cheek, satire.

PLAY WITH ME!

Major Mooselet update coming soon!