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.

Comments

  1. Some of the SiberNetters have shared they use some of the squashes (butternut or acorn) as a substitute due to the universal pumpkin shortage!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yep, we ran into that earlier this month when I was having some stool consistency issues with one of my dogs. Turn out to be more than stool inconsisitencies, but never-the-less, we couldn't find canned pumpkin.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh yes, the case of the disappearing pumpkin. We have also heard that the squashes work well. We didn't realize it was good for the weight loss, we knew it was a good fiber builder. Hope you can find some soon. Shop Rite - Mom loved that store but she hasn't seen one in the Midwest, only when she lived in Massachusetts.

    Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

    ReplyDelete
  4. I heard about pumpkin when my cats had dirreha, it worked great. In the fall I cut up and freeze a bunch of it. I never thought of it for weight loss. That is good to know. Hope your boy is doing better. He's beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh noes, I hope you find some more pumpkin soon!
    Kodi x

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hmmmm, are there any local farmer markets woo could buy up a bunch & freeze it??

    ReplyDelete
  7. What !!! Only pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie? What a bummer, I was starting to get excited and was looking forward to pumpkin pie every day.

    Good luck finding pumpkin or a substitute and we hope Gibson is doing well.

    Remy (who could use some pumpkin) and Flash

    ReplyDelete
  8. Try sweet potatoes! They are in the same "family" as pumpkin and should be easier to find. You can cook them in the microwave, and then store them in freezer bags.

    Might not be a good year again this year for pumpkins either. The midwest has had lots of flooding. I know we have here in eastern Nebraska!

    Good luck!!

    Holly

    ReplyDelete
  9. Glad you all enjoyed the blog! I never gave much thought about freezing fresh (pumpkin/squash/sweet potatoes), but with the pumpkin shortage the last two years, I will this year! Here's to a prosperous crop of pumpkins this year!

    ReplyDelete
  10. http://www.amazon.com/Farmers-Market-Foods-Organic-15-Ounce/dp/B000HDI5O8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&%20%20amp;s=grocery&qid=1279898900&sr=8-1

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks, RaHusky! I now have a case coming!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm going to try this! Kelly says thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  13. You're welcome, Peggy! Hope Kelly likes it!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Acupressure and Ice to Relieve Seizures and A #LiveGibStrong Epi-Tip

#PrayersForHarley - Dewclaw Tumor

The Rainbow Bridge Welcomes A New FurAngel - Buddy, the Christmas Husky - A Forever Symbol of Hope for Rescued Dogs

Fit For Our #FiveSibes Alpha Queen: Celebrating Harley's 14½ Birthday

Shave a Husky? Don't Do it!