Travel & Recipes

Welcome to Joan's collection of pet-friendly travel adventures and wholesome homemade recipes designed to delight your furry companions!

Pet-Friendly Travel Adventures

Scandalous Tails of North Scottsdale

There are many trails to explore when you are in Scottsdale, Arizona! Fraesfield is less crowded and offers several distinct experiences. Duke, age ten, on the right and Dieter, age three.

Photo: Duke, age ten, on the right and Dieter, age three.

Scandalous Tails of North Scottsdale

There are many trails to explore when you are in Scottsdale, Arizona! Fraesfield is less crowded and offers several distinct experiences. Duke, age ten, and Dieter, age three, enjoying the trails.

Photo: Duke, age ten, on the right and Dieter, age three.

Doris Day's Cypress Inn

Doris Day owned this lovely boutique inn, and her legacy lives on. It's a treasured place where pets are welcomed and pampered in old Hollywood luxury. It remains Joan's favorite spot for a pet-friendly stay!

Photo: Dieter at the Cypress Inn, Carmel, CA

Doris Day's Cypress Inn

Doris Day owned this lovely boutique inn, and her legacy lives on. It's a treasured place where pets are welcomed and pampered in old Hollywood luxury. It remains Joan's favorite spot for a pet-friendly stay!

Photo: Dieter at the Cypress Inn, Carmel, CA

Verde River Adventures

Explore the beauty of Arizona with your pets! Von Diesel and Dieter enjoying their time at the Verde River.

Photo: Von Diesel and Dieter at the Verde River, Arizona

Verde River Adventures

Explore the beauty of Arizona with your pets! Von Diesel and Dieter enjoying their time at the Verde River.

Photo: Von Diesel and Dieter at the Verde River, Arizona

Homemade Pet Recipes

Shepherds Pie

Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or just a special treat!

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Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 cup peas and chopped carrots
• 1 russet potato
• 2 Tblsp. plain unsweetened yogurt OR cream cheese
• ¼ tsp. Oregano

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet, add the oregano.
2. Peel and chop the potato, boil until done, then mix with either yogurt or cream cheese to make mashed potatoes.
3. Separately, boil the peas and carrots until soft.
4. In a baking dish, add the ground beef, then layer the cooked peas and carrots, finishing with the mashed potatoes on top.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

Basic Homemade Dinner

A wholesome and customizable meal for your dog.

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Ingredients:

• 5 lbs. ground beef, turkey, or chicken
• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 cup vegetables: broccoli, asparagus, green beans, brussel sprouts, sweet potatoes
• ⅛ of an apple, peeled and cored
• A few blueberries or cranberries

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Place protein in a roasting pan.
3. While it is baking, add two cups water to quinoa and prepare in a pan.
4. Mix the vegetables, berries and apple in with the quinoa and cook together, or you can do so separately.
5. Check the oven after ten minutes, flip the meat over so browns on other side, and continue to cook until it is no longer pink.
6. Then combine the meat, quinoa and vegetables.

For an occasional treat, you can serve as above. If you are preparing this as your dog’s primary food, then you’ll want to consider adding vitamins, minerals, omega’s and a probiotic. Dr. Dobias.com is where I purchase these items and more for my dogs. I am not a pet nutritionist, however I have consulted with a few and recommend you also do your own research if you are planning to cook for your pups on a regular basis.

Sinbad’s Stew

A hearty and nutritious stew for your canine companion.

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Ingredients:

• 1 whole all-natural free-range chicken*
• 1 cup brown rice
• 1 carrot
• ¼ cup peas and green beans combined
• Few sprigs of parsley or rosemary

Instructions:

1. Cover the whole chicken with water in a large pot, cover, boil on medium heat until falling off the bones.
2. Strain and reserve liquid to cook rice and vegetables.
3. Meanwhile, allow chicken to cool enough to work with, then carefully pick out all bones, splintery pieces, skin, tendons.
4. Chop chicken to desired size depending on dog breed/size.
5. Mix together cooked rice, veggies, and chicken.

*If allergic to chicken, substitute turkey or lean beef stew meat

Special Occasion Doggie Lasagne

A special treat for your German shepherds, or other large breeds!

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I prepared this for three German shepherds—you may need to reduce the recipe!

Ingredients:

• 1 red bell pepper, pureed, add ½ cup water, this will be the “sauce”
• 1 lb. cooked ground turkey, add ¼ tsp. oregano
• 1 lb. cottage cheese, mixed with 1 egg
• 6 lasagna noodles, cooked

Instructions:

1. Layer noodles, sauce, meat, cheese, and sprinkle mozzarella or parmesan cheese on top.
2. Bake at 375 for 25 minutes.
3. Cool for 20 minutes.
4. Test. Serve.

Kitty’s Crave

A delightful and healthy treat for your feline friends.

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Ingredients:

• 8 oz. wild-caught salmon, oven baked
• 6 water-packed unsalted sardines (can substitute mackerel or herring)
• 6 eggs, oven baked well done (no liquid)
• 1 cup quinoa, cooked**

Instructions:

1. Mix and serve as a special treat!
2. Can also be served as a meal topper!

**I leave quinoa out for kitties, add for doggos