Back in the foster saddle

This blog originally started as a way to talk about all my fosters.  Before Henry, we'd had almost 75 fosters over a 3 year period. But after we 'topped out', we stopped fostering. 
Our situation has changed a bit and Jason is home temporarily (anyone looking for an amazing IT professional?) so we figured, let's dance.

no really..that is her race name.

Let's Dance so we call her Dancer.  She will be 5 in November and so far she is a bundle of excitement and energy.  But super sweet.

 she has some really cool white markings under her chin.  I'm sure she will find a forever home soon!

Cali is still doing well.
Tomorrow..Beach Bound Hounds bound!!!

Mmmmm...bully sticks.

 Cali is holding her own. No great days and she doesn't feel like playing any more but she is content and alert.  Our biggest challenge is getting her to eat but so far...she still has the will to chew on a bully stick.  Beach Bound Hounds in one week. This will be the first year I go without Cali. She just isn't up for that kind of activity.  I'm fairly certain Roxi will dig to China and it will make for fun photos. 

Bone jelly

Yeah..it's as gross as it sounds.  But in an attempt to find things appetizing to Cali, I'll try anything once.
They technically call it Bone Broth. 
Since we typically buy our cows and pigs in the 'whole' format (or partially whole) from a local farm, we end up with pieces and parts that while technically "good eats"..we aren't always in the mood. 
So we had some marrow bones and pigs trotters hanging out in the freezer.  So in the crockpot they go with water, garlic and a little vinegar.  The vinegar is the agent that leaches all the goodness from the bones.
Ready to cook.

 24 hours later..it resembles a really nasty soup with bones that are trashed at this point.

 24 hours in the fridge..and everything 'sets' up.  You scrape off the fat layer on top, discard and you get..well..bone jelly.

 It's really quite gross.  I wish I could say it was the magic bullet to get Cali to eat.  It wasn't.  It is supposed to be full of lots of nutrients and minerals. So all my dogs are getting some in their meals while supplies last.  When Cali eats, she gets it too. So it's a win:win. 
She's doing OK.  Bad days are more frequent and good days are never great.  But she still seems pain free, happy on her couch and in good spirits.