Belated This Newf Reviews!

I apologize to all of you loyal readers for the tardy nature of this post - it is my intention to run the This Newf Reviews segment on Thursdays, but unfortunately my wee vacation in Virginia interfered. The good news is there are tons of photographs and videos of my Virginia adventures, and I will be telling all sorts of stories later. The bad news is that we're a little off schedule. I am certain you will all forgive me, because after all, who can resist my face?

I want you all to know that as I am dictating this to my secretary, I am also hunting for the reviewed treat on the bottom of my baby pool, which I requested be filled for me due to the extremely warm weather. It was either that, or the air conditioner. Mama opted for the baby pool, and to keep me interested she tossed a handful of cookies into it so I had something to hunt besides my Cuz. Tub toys RULE! And it's good practice for the Water Rescue Test - since it is acclimating me to underwater retrieves. Clever, no? And now, to business.

This Newf Reviews: Zukes Mini Naturals - Salmon Flavor

We picked up a bag of these at Cosmopawlitan on a whim. Mama liked how tiny they were, she thought they would make good training treats in low-distraction environments. Folks it is important that the rewards you give your dog during training are TINY! Quickly eaten and quickly forgotten so that there is no chewing or loss of attention. I liked the fact that they were salmon and looked moist and delicious, and also that they weren't a part of the current recalls.

Don't, don't get me started on the stinkin' recalls. Back to the delicious treats. Here they are:

Ingredients: Salmon, barley flour, rice flour, vegetable glycerin, malted barley, tapioca, gelatin, water, menhaden fish oil, brewer’s yeast, natural flavors, lecithin, salt, acetic acid, cultured whey. Vitamins: A, D3, E, B12, C, B2, B1, B6. Minerals: taurine, calcium pantothenate, niacin, folic acid, zinc oxide, selenium.

Company Standards: As the list of companies affected by the recall grows, it has become more important than ever that the treats and foods our people give us come from companies with reliable high standards applied to their ingredients. Here's Zuke's statement:

All Zuke's products are manufactured in the USA by a highly reputable, longstanding private label manufacturer.

• None of Zuke's products, nor those of our manufacturer, are associated with any recall of any kind.
• All products manufactured in the USA.
• All meats, grains and fruits in Zuke's products originate in the USA, except for Lamb which we import from New Zealand.
• All Zuke's products are wheat-free and corn-free.

Would we be happier if they were also rice flour-free? Yes we would, but at least there's no gluten!

Size and Portability: About half the size of a Root Beer Barrel candy, a mere niblet in human terms. In dog terms - Too Small. On the other hand, I tend to think 12 oz. steaks are too small, so take it with a grain of salt. Oooo, and a slice or two of bacon. Mmmmmmm. Steak and salty, salty bacon.

The mini naturals are also moist and chewy, but not moist enough to stain pockets so they make a good traveling treat for during walks or at the dog park. Although beware of being mobbed if you bring these to the dog park! Although they are quite small, they can be pinched apart easily for toy breeds - in addition to my own testing, I went the extra mile and recruited two additional taste-testers. The salmon treats met with unanimous approval during the focus group session. Just look at how focused we were.

Drool-O-Meter Rating: I give this treat a Simultaneous-Ropes-To-The-Floor* on the Newfy Drool-o-Meter.* I actually did my crocodile impression for them when they were offered to me. Usually I am very polite when I take a treat, but for these I am willing to appropriate any body parts foolish enough to be in contact with them when I go in for the kill. As Scooby Doo would say, "Deeeeerishious!"




*Newfy Drool-o-Meter Key:

Dry Mouth: Zero interest or appreciation for the item in question - not worth drooling over.
Minicicles: Just the tiniest hint of a droolcicle starting at either corner of the mouth. Drool worthy? Barely.
One-Slinger: The treat is good - good enough to get the juices flowing but not so good that I would offer it as an aperitif on a first date with Sunshade.
Two-Slinger: Now we're talking! The drool is even, it's sling-able, and it has been earned.
Simultaneous-Ropes-to-the-Floor: The highest honor I, or any newf, can offer a treat or toy. So delicious and delightful that the drool flows like water.