Where's the Pumpkin???

Back in the mid-80s, Clara Peller used to belt out across the TV airwaves, "Where’s the beef?" in the Wendy’s ads. Well, today, almost 30 years later, my Sibes are barking out across the country asking, "Where’s the pumpkin?" 

Pure pumpkin has become an important staple food in our Siberian Husky household. Gibson, my four-year-old, suffered several grand mal seizures a year-and-a-half ago, and has since been medicated for Canine Epilepsy with a combination of AEDs (anti-seizure drugs): Phenobarbital and Potassium Bromide, both have helped him in managing the seizures. Some side effects, however, include lethargy and weight gain. Both of which has affected him, especially the weight gain to the tune of 19 pounds! Yes, my big wooly boy tips the scales at 113 pounds. While he has good checkups from the vet and routine blood panels to monitor his meds, I am concerned with the weight gain for both his hind legs (which are just not long enough to handle the weight) and just his overall health. So, a key part of his diet – which consists of my cutting back on his regular food and replacing some of it with lean food, as well as pureed steamed green beans, carrots, and the now-coveted pure pumpkin. 

Benefits of Pure Pumpkin Pureé

The "pumpkin diet" is actually not only good for dogs for weight issues as it helps achieve that full feeling, but it is a high source of fiber that is not upsetting to a canine’s stomach. Additionally, it is recommended by some veterinarians to aid in preventing anal gland flare-ups by helping to maintain a healthy stool consistency. KEY: be careful you buy only "100% pure pumpkin" and NOT "pumpkin pie filling," which contains sugar our beloved pooches do not need. 

Last fall I thought I hit the jackpot when I walked into our neighborhood wholesale store and discovered to my sheer delight they sold cases…CASES...of my favorite pure pumpkin. I piled my cart as full as I could with them and happily drove home and stored them for future use. Well, they ran out by Thanksgiving, but I was feeling good as I still had many cases left. When those were gone, I fell in love with another area chain supermarket as they were the only other store in the area to sell it by individual cans. Loading up my cart with the entire shelf supply, I did catch some odd looks. The cashier girl even laughed as she said we must love pumpkin pie. The expression on her face when I told her it was for my Huskies was, well, just priceless. I wish I had my camera with me for that picture-perfect moment! Well, now all those cans are gone and the "future" is now here. I’m down to a precious two, yes just 2, cans of the pureéd gold in a can.  

Apparently, due to the wet crops of last year, no store, not even Internet ones, including the company’s own, has any in stock until this fall. I don’t think I can stretch the last two cans that far, but I’ll give it the ol' Girl Scout try! In the meantime, I WILL find some!

Until next time, I think I’ll go plant some pumpkins of my own.