Sparky is a picky eater.

That’s something that was supposed to be theoretically impossible.  A beagle looking wistfully out the window while a bowl of food is right there.

A couple of times per Winter, Boston Mills has a Demo Day, where ski and snowboard companies bring out a bunch of skis and snowboards for people to try.  The equipment is expensive, and people like to try out a model on local conditions before purchasing.  Wineries and breweries have tasting events or offer sample boards.  Why can’t we have that for dog food?

Look at that face.  When Sparky came running up to the bowl, what was he hoping for?  He’s wagging his tail, so he hasn’t lost faith in me, but that face is telling me that I can do better.  Sparky gets Victor Purpose Senior dry dog food.  At $70 for 40 pounds, it isn’t cheap, but since Sparky is little, it lasts about 3 months.  I can’t abandon the bag and try something else hoping I guess right.

I have been trying to fancy it up.  I have cooked chicken and rice to mix in.  That worked for a while.  I’ve added broth, both chicken and beef.  For this trial, I mixed in a tablespoon of nacho cheese.   I don’t know if he is looking for variety, doesn’t like the texture or hates chicken or beef.

Sparky loved chewing on the raccoon tail he found and was excited to find a dead bird, so I don’t think he should be acting like he’s got sophisticated tastes.  He likes going in the brush, so I indulge him when I can.  That’s where he finds dead stuff, and although I take the carcasses away, he probably has worms.  He might like having worms. 

I really don’t want to try canned dog food.  That looks too much like the potted meat that is stashed in my Y2K cache. 

Sparky usually ends up cleaning his plate because he knows no other food is coming.  He is a healthy weight, so perhaps for the next bag, it’s time to try some other food that isn’t designed for geriatrics.  Maybe I’ll buy that brand with the wolf on the bag.  Sparky would like that.