Surprise!
Last week I adopted the sweetest little pooch there ever was and I decided to name her Chickpea.
I've always been a dog person. I grew up with 3 dogs that I adored. However, these dogs were always living at my parents farm, which is pretty easy and happy way for a dog to grow up. 100 acres of freedom for the pooch = no picking up of poop! I hate picking up poop.
When I moved from home I lived in Montreal, then LA, and now have been happily settled in Toronto for the last 5 years. With all of the moving about, I knew a dog just wasn't a smart choice for me just yet.
Now that I work full-time from home (best job ever!), I felt it was finally the right time to have a pooch of my very own. At first I started looking for puppies... because who doesn't love puppies, but then I realized that I just couldn't get a puppy when I knew perfectly well there were too many dogs in shelters that needed homes very badly. I admit, I was a bit bummed about the idea of getting an older dog at first, I was worried the dog would come with issues and not bond to me in the same way I was used to.
So with a little hesitance, I started searching my local pet shelter, as well as adoptapet.com and finally petfinder.com and there she was. A medium-little dog who had a quirky look about her, and was described as 1 year old, sweet natured, loving and lovable, with a flair for attracting attention with her soft features and bushy tail.
You know how they say that dogs look like their owners... well I mean come on, she's white all over, with blonde highlights, and fabulous eyeliner. My heart melted.
I drove an hour to go visit her where I met Ann and Pete, a lovely couple that have been fostering dogs for over 30 years until the dogs are able to find permanent homes. After a chat with Ann and Pete I found out that they are veg too, woot!
I met Chickpea (she was called Jodi at the time). She was super nervous of me at first, but was so soft, quiet and she watched my every move with those big adorable eyes. I took her home that day. She hid in the back of my car, but stared up at me every time I looked back at her. Nervous, but she instantly seemed to trust me. It wasn't long before she was glued to my side.
I admit at first I was a little nervous about my impromptu decision. I just adopted a life that I would have to care for, and on top of that, she sheds as if she were trying to make me a rug. Seriously. But shedding and all I knew I had found myself a new best friend. I mean just look at that smile!
Adopting a dog it turned out, was the best decision ever. Chickpea came from northern Quebec, where apparently there are many stray dog that are often left neglected, abandoned, or abused. I really think dogs know that you rescued them. My worries about adopting a dog were completely gone. She had no issues, she just needed a loving home, and with that love came instant bonding. ♥
Chickpea is so insanely smart, she was house trained, learned her name, and how to sit in 2 days. Learned how to heel on the leash in 3, and learned how to lie down, not jump up, and is getting pretty good at peeing on command even! (I tell her "washroom" as "go pee" sounds a little too similar to Chickpea). She is so quiet I have yet to hear her bark, but she is so happy and excited about life it makes every day just so much fun. I swear I can just talk to her and she seems to understand me.
Snuggling is her absolute favourite. When I watch a movie, she snuggles into my side and looks back at me like this. It's impossible not to laugh every time. She's also taken to bopping me on the nose when she wants me to wake up in the morning, which I don't think is particularly funny...
Of course, as the vegan that I am, I was worried about feeding her animal based dog food. I was surprised, and thrilled that when I called 3 different local vets they were all totally supportive of a high-quality vegan diet for dogs.
Actually, I just got back from Chickpea's first vet visit, and the doctor recommended the vegan dog food for her anyways as she seems to suffer from a bit of allergies (part of the shedding problem), and he thinks the food will help. Very, very cool. So now I am transitioning her to a vegan diet, and let me tell you, she seems as thrilled about it as I am.
She has decided this is her favourite chair, and sits looking at me like this while I type away or cook, and every time I look at her, she wags her tail. Seriously, could you be more cute!?
Feeling sappy today.
Sam.
Maryanne LeMaire says
Thank you for adopting from a shelter. I volunteer and it is heartbreaking what happens to these poor animals we rescue, so thank you, thank you, thank you. Be Proud. Your Chickpea knows she is a very lucky girl.
Charmaine says
I love that you have dog treats. Do you have any cat treats. I make them for the Humane Society.
Michelle F Caniglia says
What a Sweetheart!!! And a perfect name for her.....just adorable.
So happy for you both : )
Taylin K says
hello! I love your website! I've been printing vegan recipes left and right lols! and also wat a wonderful and sweet surprise to meet Chickpea!!!! how precious, what a sweet angel, thank you so much for sharing her with us. it totally made me laugh to scroll down from the vegan mac and cheese recipe and see chickpea's sweet face lol!
Jess @ IDTLC Support says
We appreciate the kind words and so glad you're enjoying the recipes! 🙂
Linda says
Just a quick Congrats on your new (ish at this point) friend. Chiming in to add that I have 5 rescued 'pitbulls' who are all vegan and doing just fine. Years ago I fed a dog a raw diet and she did no better than my dogs do now.
Thank you for adopting. Your chickpea is a cutie, may you have years and years of joy with her.
Sam Turnbull says
Thank you so much, Linda! So amazing of you to adopt 5 pitbulls, and all vegan too! Adorable!!
Lindsay says
Meet Chickpea (orange) & Lentil (grey), adopted in February from Zoe's animal rescue here in Edmonton. They are 4 year old siblings. They aren't vegan yet but I'm looking into it, as it is more difficult for cats.
Oops, I guess I can't copy a photo here. Anyway, they are adorable.
Sam Turnbull says
Haha, great names! 🙂
Lisa A. says
Hello! I just found you through Viet Vegan. Your dog is adorable and I am glad you made the decision to feed her a vegan diet. We have a six year old hound/boxer mix who has been on a vegan diet since he was several months old and we adopted a chihuahua/jack russell terrier mix have been feeding her a vegan diet since her adoption three years ago. I did find that some of the vegan dog foods are somewhat low in protein, but V-dog at 24% protein seems just right. We also occasionally feed them peanut butter to add a bit more protein to their diet. And they love the stuff.
Sam Turnbull says
Haha, yes, Chickpea LOVES peanut butter. So great that you are raising your dogs vegan as well! Good to note about the protein. Welcome to my blog, and I'm glad you found me 🙂
Kayla Panchmatia says
Amazing, rescue is the way to go. You did such a good thing! I know this is an older post, but hopefully you have had a wonderful year together!
Sam Turnbull says
Thank you so much, Kayla! We sure have. So happy to have wonderful Chickpea in my life, she makes me laugh everyday 🙂
Sarah says
Chickpea!! I love the name. And I learned a lot form everyone about vegan dogs! Healthy strong vegan dogs! Well, as a newbie vegan I will have to check out some of the links listed for dogs. Thanks for all the great info! You rock Girlfriend!!
Sam Turnbull says
My pleasure! There are lots of new vegan dog food brands coming out on the market all the time now to 🙂
concerned says
Hey there,
Your dog is beautiful and I'm so glad you adopted an older pup. All 4 of mine have been older when I adopted and there's never been an issue with learning. Dogs are so adaptable.
And Chickpea is so super adorable!! I wanna just snuggle her.
As far as the vegan diet for dogs, though, I have to fully disagree with your vets. I am actually very surprised that you had so many recommend it. Though it is totally fine for humans to go vegan, Dogs are not omnivores, they're carnivores....just a little more able to eat plant matter than cats (never should a cat be vegan or even vegetarian).
Here's some information from a source I've grown to trust.
Part 1: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2015/09/27/pet-vegan-vegetarian-diet.aspx
Part 2: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2015/10/04/pet-vegan-vegetarian-diet-part-2.aspx
Please, at least look into it further for your pup's sake.
Sam Turnbull says
Hi there,
I appreciate your concern, and I knew that there would be some people who would be against the vegan diet for Chickpea. As a vegan, the last thing I would want to do is hurt an animal. I personally know some dogs on a vegan diet and they are thriving, so with that, the vets recommendation, and a bit of research on my own, I was comfortable trying a vegan diet. I have made the transition to a vegan diet for Chickpea and am keeping a close eye on her, but so far I'm thrilled at the results. (I plan to write a post about this after a few months).
When I got Chickpea she had skin issues, she was excessively shedding, had bald spots, and had teary eyes. My vet suspected that this was due to allergies and recommended the vegan food which happens to be for dogs with allergies. Since she has been on it her shedding has decreased to a normal amount, her bald spots are growing in, and her eyes no longer tear. On top of that her white fur used to have a yellow tone to it, it has now gone crispy snowy white, her fur is softer, she has put on a bit of weight (which she needed), and she is just bouncing around non-stop with playful energy and smiling at me. So far she truly seems to be thriving on this diet. If she wasn't I wouldn't keep her on it. Here's an article that supports vegetarian diets for dogs if you are interested. (There are plenty articles for both view points).
Gary Smith says
I have a ten year old beagle who is also a rescue dog she was going to be my daughters second dog but my daughter want her and I didn't have the heart to take her back to the pound kept her myself and have not regretted my decision she is now family to me also been a vegetarian for about a year and have not looked back I have tried some of your recipes already I like your vegan egg yolk my favorite go to breakfast and now I'm going to try to make those tastey dog treats for my fur baby.
Jess @ IDTLC Support says
Thanks for sharing your story, Gary! We're glad you like the recipes you've tried and we hope your sweet fur baby likes the dog treats!
Terre says
Animals, including humans, have NUTRIENT requirements, not ingredient requirements. Vitamins, minerals, amino acids and all the rest are equal in their basic form, no matter the source. Vegan pet food is a mix of essential ingredients, just like any other pet food. Meat is not essential to humans or the animals who evolved to live with us.
Liv says
Chickpea is so cute! My family also adopted a dog about 4 years ago, and he was about 2 years-old. He was instantly so grateful and is such an amazing companion.
On a slightly different note, I'm transitioning into being vegan and your recipes really inspired me to start cooking. I've done a few of them and they haven't disappointed me or my omnivore family. Thank you so much for all the effort and thought and love you put into everything, it really comes through! I can't wait for your cookbook and wish you a lot of success <3 love from Brazil
Sam Turnbull says
Thank you so much Liv! I feel very lucky to have found Chickpea. Congrats on your transitioning to veganism!! Please let me know if you ever have any questions or need any support. <3 from Canada 🙂
All Dogs Welcome says
Chickpea is adorable and I love that you took a chance on an adult dog, they are the best! I've been heavily involved in rescue for years and am always encouraging everyone to consider an adult dog over a puppy (even though we have a lot of those too). It is a common misconception that they won't bond to you the same way as a pup but it's just the opposite, they are grateful and appreciate you. Wishing you many years of happiness and look forward to updates on Chickpea's vegan journey!
Sam Turnbull says
Thank you so much! I feel very lucky to have found her, she's the sweetest dog ever. And being able to skip over the house training and chewing on things phases was really nice. I would definitely recommend to anyone considering getting a dog to adopt an older one! 🙂
Katie | Delightful Vegans says
Chickpea is absolutely adorable - and she is so lucky to go to such a great home! - Looks like she is so happy and has settled in well!!
Sam Turnbull says
Thank you so much Katie! She loves her new home... isn't too thrilled about strangers, cars, or strollers yet, but is getting better! Haha. 🙂