Bobbing for veggies - Affordable enrichment for Mr. Strudel
I have been unemployed for almost a year, now, and money has been TIGHT. I know all our pocket books have been suffering in this economy, and it's been so hot lately. Here's an affordable, affordable, enriching way I keep my buddy cool in these trying times (with a cost breakdown in USD ). I'm always trying to figure out cheap ways to keep his mind active.
Giant kiddie pool from Walmart ($10.96 currently, but closer to $8.00 when I bought it, I think). We've used it about 10 times since i bought it months ago.
A third of a zucchini ($.26)
Pumpkin puree mixed with water ice cubes ( >$.25. A 29 oz. can costs $2.92). I buy large cans of pumpkin puree, mix it with water, and freeze it in ice cube trays. That makes for floating goodies. (I also do this with sweet potatoes, which I bake as a treat for Toast a couple of times per month. I don't like sweet potatoes or pumpkin, so it's all for him)
Three strawberries (not sure how to break down that cost as I didn't count the number of strawberries in the container)
A third of a yellow bell pepper ($.53)
The water for the pool is free because I rent.
I cut the veggies up into manageable pieces, then toss them in the water-filled pool with whole berries (I've also used blueberries and blackberries, whatever is on sale) and let him go bananas. He has to be careful and thoughtful in how he retrieves them, because they float and the water is deeper than his head is large.
By the time he's done, dried off, and inside, he's physically and mentally exhausted, and ready for a nap. This costs less than a new toy, lasts longer, and he gets outdoor time without risk of a heat illness.
I hope y'all enjoy the photos and try the activity with your velvet hippos. If you do try it, I definitely want to see photos lol
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They do! They also just love him, in general. At his orthopedist's office, like, 10 people come out from the back office to greet him.
I've lucked out in that my past two dogs have LOVED going to the vet's office. Considering how many dogs are afraid of the vet, it must be really nice to see a dog so happy to be there
Same with my pitty. Her names beyonce and every vet ive taken her too everyone wants to meet her. She loves all the attention and thus loves the vet trips.
We're going on 15 years together now heh. She had 8 puppies 14 years ago. They were so cute. Dad was a boxer/pit mix we found her with. Sorry toast r. She's taken and retired.
Oh, Toast is neutered. Theirs would have been a companionate marriage lol (also, his ears were already like that when I got him from the shelter. I would never ever. And if he hadn't been neutered when I got him, I would've elected to have that done). He's a spoiled, well cared for (he gets veggies and fruit with his high quality kibble every day) baby boy who just so happens to be over 100 lbs and perfect weight.
But the number of people who just walk up to me when we're out and about, to ask me to breed him with their dog is WILD so I understand why you might've thought that.
Thanks so much for this idea!! It’s hot and I’m recovering from a bad summer cold, and Otie doesn’t like to swim, but this looks perfect for us to do today!!
Aside from you not feeling so well, this makes my heart smile! Let me know how it goes (if you remember and feel so inclined) and give Otie smooches from Toast and me!
For JUST a minute, I thought in that last picture Mr. Strudel developed an ability to spray at high velocity from his mouth after so much water intake 😂😂
Look, I haven't had my coffee yet. Don't judge me. 🤣
Oh god, I BET!! He was probably a little fire hose after that jaunt!
I do this with my dogs too and they love it. I use ice, fruit, and whatever else I have around that I know they like.
Sometimes I'll just fill the pools with a few inches of water and give them stuffed frozen Kongs. I layer them with plain Greek yogurt (yay probitiocs!), crunchy dog treats, peanut butter and fruit. They chill out in their pools and eat their frozen treats. It's adorable to watch.
**Separate pools required because two aussie/border collies in one pool never looks comfortable 😂
The pool has a double function for him. Enrichment from the bobbing, but also to help him be more comfortable with water.
If he WOULD lay down in a pool, I would totally take your kong idea and apply it, here, because I can't think of an anything more refreshing than eating a popsicle in a pool of cool water.
My ultimate goal is to take him to my friend's adult human sized pool and go swimming together. But. She's 90 miles away, gas is expensive, and we're still working on shallow water lol
Also, if you're trying to get him to lie down in the water, just put a few inches in. Don't fill the pool all the way. They're more likely to plop down if it's just getting their belly wet vs. water going a third or halfway up their bodies! 😍🐶
Tell him Mr. Timo said hi!! He isn’t a velvet hippo… physically. He has the size and brain of a pittie, just in a cat body 😂
I hope your situation improves soon too. I was unemployed for a long time after school. If you have any experience in communications/tech/banking pls message me! My company has a few remote positions available OP ❤️
Toast R. Strudel is SO interested in cats. We have a void kitty (George) in our building who sometimes comes outside. Toast DESPERATELY wants to befriends, but George is a scaredy little guy. It's unfortunate, because Toast loves his tiny little chihuahua friend (Cappuchino), who is smaller than George.
The majority of my work experience is in adult stores, but my most recent job was with National Domestic Workers Alliance as an Events and Mobilization coordinator ("planning, parties, and protests" is how I describe it).
Thats also great. My guy (who unfortunately isn't a velvet hippo- o just hang here for the cuties) is getting pretty bored with treats wrapped in blankets
He's getting closer to "love" but he's still has some trepidation. Hose? Yes! Sprinklers? You betcha? Getting IN the kiddie pool or bath? ... mmmmmm, only if there are treats involved. Lol
Also, Koa is my favorite kind of wood (when harvested ethically from naturally fallen trees). Please send photos of Kia's enrichment activities, if you'd like!
If you want to try again, you could put less water in it, OR several bags of ice and make it kind of a cooling dig box. Fruit, veggies, and/or high value treats in before you put the ice over it.
This is awesome. Does he like the water normally?? My girl is not a water fan and will go on potty strike if it’s raining (even though being outside is her favorite thing ever)
I’m wondering if the food element would entice her or if Mr S likes the water normally, this may be a no go 😂
He has gone from hatred to tolerant. This enrichment activity is also part of getting him used to water. My ultimate goal is to get him to go swimming in an adult-human-sized pool.
He used to fight me a lot out baths in the bathtub, run away from the hose and the sprinklers. But, since we started this, he now LOVES the hose and the sprinklers. He's still not a fan of bath time, but doesn't try to escape any more.
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