We are officially in the season of gratitude! This month is all about giving thanks for all of our blessings.
A Casting Call for the cover and fashion spread of this beautiful issue was conducted at America's Top Dog Model Facebook Fan Club and Instagram. Congratulations to these amazing models that have gathered here for our Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner! Gracing the cover is Mia, America's Top Dog Model 2021 National "Vintage Tails" Contest winner. Meet our fabulous fashion models, Babydoll, Miley Jo, Bosco, Fabio, Dakota, and Shadow. Each of our model guests contributed to our healthy pre-Thanksgiving dinner and shared what they are most thankful for.
Meet Mia, our fabulous November Cover dog from Atlanta, Georgia. She enjoys all toys related with fast food, and her favorite times are squirrel watching from the window, along with modeling.
"This Pre-Thanksgiving dinner, I am bringing a basket of healthy apples to share with my friends. I am thankful for the blessings that God continues giving me and my family, as well as for things I have, and things I don't have. I'm thankful for my family, health, and friends." Mia's beautiful cover photo was taken by her mom Juliana Acosta.
"Hi! My name is Babydoll. I live in Oklahoma in a country setting, and I am 5 years old. What I have chosen to bring to our dog friendly Thanksgiving dinner, is something my mommy helped me bake today. We have chosen "Pumpkin Pie Tarts" and all my friends are just going to love them! I am most thankful for my mommy and daddy for loving me beyond measure, for making sure I have everything I need to stay healthy, and giving me a warm and safe place to grow and play." Adorable photo by mom Dixie Slamans.
"Hi! I’m Miley Jo, a happy girl, who just wants to shine and bring a smile to everyone I meet. So thankful that my parents let me follow my dreams and for all those that love and support me. For dinner I am bringing Turkey Tendon Rings Dog Treats for all guests to enjoy. These healthy chews from @afreschi_global will keep us busy and happy." Cute photo by mom Jodie Keisel.
“Hi! I’m Bosco from Brandon, Florida. I am celebrating thankfulness this season by spreading joy and smiles through photos. For dinner I am bringing pup safe salt free baked pumpkin chips. So thankful to have such amazing friends in my life who always show love and support!” Beautiful bow and photo by his mom Chessica Mace.
"Hello, I'm Fabio, a 1-year and 4 months old Chinese Crested Powderpuff. I am bringing organic coconut to the dog thanksgiving table. It boosts a dog’s immune system and protects from infection, as well keeping coats smooth and glossy. I am truly thankful for the love shared with our friends and family at thanksgiving time." Stunning photo by his mom Alisa Thorne.
“I am Dakota, a 6-year-old male chocolate Yorkie from the Seatle, Washington area. I’m a certified pet therapy dog that loves socializing and spreading love especially to those who need it most. I am sharing with our guests one of my favorite things to eat. It’s called Pumpkin Delight; a recipe mommy created for my sisters and me. What I am most thankful for is my loving family and friends." Adorable photo by his mom Wendy Williams Kapic.
“Hi, I’m Shadow, a 7-year-old, 5 lb. toy poodle from Highpoint, North Carolina. For dinner I am bringing a bottle of champagne made especially for dogs. I am thankful for all of my friends and family." Fabulous fall photo and dress by mom Deanna Astuto.
"Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I am Romeo, your host for our Pre-Thanksgiving dinner. I am very thankful for my loving family, wonderful friends, good health, and happy home. For our dinner I am bringing seedless fresh baked pumpkin to share with all of you." Lovely fall photo by mom Jo Jo Harder.
Pawrents" put their canine family members at the top of their list of what they’re grateful for. So, it’s natural to want to share the delights of this holiday with them. But in order to have a truly safe Thanksgiving dinner for dogs, we need to have a dog-friendly menu of Thanksgiving food and know some of the dangers presented by this holiday celebration.
Welcome to our Pre-Thanksgiving dinner for dogs and thank you to our host Romeo, America's Top Dog Model brand ambassador and our amazing model guests for helping to create this beautiful, safe, healthy and yummy menu.
It's no secret that dogs love turkey, carrots, pumpkin, apples, coconut and doggy champagne. Sharing Thanksgiving dinner with our canine family member(s) is a loving and gracious gesture. Here are some tips for keeping pups healthy, happy, and safe during the Thanksgiving meal. Be sure to scroll to the end, as you will not want to miss this irresistible DIY Thanksgiving dog treat recipe shared by Dakota and his mom Wendy Williams Kapic:
- Serve only cooked turkey meat, minus skin and bones. Skin is fatty food that can lead to gastric distress and turkey bones should never be fed to dogs.
- To avoid a sudden change in diet, add a few pieces of boneless, skinless turkey meat to dog's regular food.
- Apples are a tasty and healthy treat for pups when the core and seeds are removed. This disease-fighting fruit packs a nutritional punch, complete with dietary fiber, vitamins A and C, and antioxidants. As a bonus, apples can help keep dog's teeth clean and breath fresh.
- Pumpkin is a power food for dogs. It helps promote digestive health, and it’s packed with vitamins A and C. Serve plain or in homemade treat recipes like the baked pumpkin chips that Bosco brought and Dakota’s Pumpkin Delight. Dogs can be served fully-cooked pumpkin that has been baked in the oven, skin and pumpkin seeds removed, then pureed to make it easy to eat. Dogs can also eat plain canned pumpkin without sugars and spices, and never feed dogs pumpkin pie filling.
- Save portions of sweet potatoes, carrots and green beans before they have been buttered and creamed.
- Raisin, grapes and chocolate are a no no. If you want your pooch to have a special Thanksgiving dessert, bake homemade pup-cakes like the ones that Babydoll made, or doggie biscuits.
- Onions are toxic to dogs. Make sure dogs stay away from the pearly whites, yellows and reds!
- Sage and nutmeg have essential oils that can cause tummy upsets. Avoid serving your dog food with these seasonings.
- Never serve dogs alcoholic beverages. Make sure they have plenty of water, and as a special treat they can have special dog champagne like the one Shadow brought that contains no alcohol, salt, and no artificial preservatives.
- Keep a watchful eye on children who might want to slip food under the table.
Pumpkin Delight Recipe:
1 cup plain pumpkin
1 cup boneless chicken
1/2 apple sauté
Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon,
1 TBSP peeled pumpkin & sunflower seeds
Thank you Dakota and his mom Wendy Williams Kapic for sharing this yummy recipe.
Check out America's Top Dog Model Pinterest page for more delectable dog treat recipes that will keep your pup's tail wagging! Bone Appetit!"