From the Georgia Mountains

I never thought I'd be *that* dog mom.

★★★★★

The best finds for your best friend. From TikTok Shop to Amazon, we test everything so you don't have to.

🐾 🐾 Ellijay, Georgia
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Jennie the pit mix and Baxley the mini — the real product testers
Recent Insights

What we've been writing about.

New guide

How to Choose the Right Dog Harness: A Complete Guide

Back-clip vs front-clip vs dual-clip — we've tested them all on North Georgia trails. Here's how to pick the right harness for your dog's specific needs.

Read more →
Nutrition

Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs (2026 Guide)

After Jennie got sick on kibble, we figured out what actually works. The 4 best foods, what to look for, and when to skip commercial food entirely.

Read more →
Gear review

Best Harnesses for Dogs That Pull

Baxley tested 5 no-pull harnesses on mountain trails. Here's what actually stopped the pulling — and what just moved it to a different body part.

Read more →
See all posts →
The Story

We got tired of buying dog products that disappointed.

Every dog parent knows the cycle. You read a "Top 10 Best Dog Toys" article written by someone who clearly doesn't own a dog. You order the top pick. Your dog ignores it. Money wasted.

Jennie and Baxley are the quality control department. They live in the mountains of North Georgia where they hike, swim, dig, and destroy things with enthusiasm. If a toy survives Jennie and Baxley actually chooses it over a stick, it makes the list.

Everything here has been through the real test: daily life with two dogs who have strong opinions and zero patience for mediocre products.

What We Cover

The finds, organized.

🌮

Food & Treats

The meals they actually finish and the treats that make them lose their minds. Tested over months, not minutes.
🎾

Toys & Play

What survives Jennie's jaw and keeps Baxley engaged past the first five seconds. The bar is high.
🌱

Outdoor Gear

Harnesses, leashes, and trail gear tested on Appalachian mountain hikes. Not just a walk around the block.
🛌

Home & Comfort

Beds they actually sleep in, crates they don't hate, and the grooming products that keep mountain mud at bay.
🍳

Homemade Food Guide

The real recipes I cook for Jennie & Baxley. Ingredients you can read, budget-friendly, and made with love.
Why Different

Not another pet blog.

Everyone Else

  • SEO articles by non-dog-owners
  • Paid placements disguised as picks
  • Generic "best of" lists refreshed yearly
  • Products tested for five minutes in a studio
  • One-size-fits-all recommendations

Jennie & Baxley

  • Two real dogs, one real household
  • Only products we bought and use daily
  • Updated whenever we find something better
  • Mountain-tested through mud, snow, and heat
  • Honest about what flopped, too
🐾 From Our Kitchen

Jennie & Baxley's Homemade Dog Food Guide 🐾

Healthy, Simple & Budget-Friendly Meals for Your Best Friend. Made with love by a dog mom who wants better ingredients.

💡 Why I Switched to Homemade ▼

Like many dog moms, I started reading ingredient labels and didn't love what I saw. Highly processed fillers. Mystery meat by-products. Ingredients I couldn't pronounce.

I wanted: real protein, simple ingredients, fewer stomach issues, shinier coat, better energy.

This guide is what I feed Jennie and Baxley and what works for us.

⚠️ Important Safety Note — Read First ▼
Before switching your dog to homemade food:
  • Talk to your vet
  • Transition slowly (over 7–10 days)
  • Monitor stool, energy, coat, and weight

Every dog is different. What works for Jennie and Baxley may not work for every dog.

🥕 Safe Ingredients List ▼

🥩 Proteins

  • Ground turkey
  • Lean ground beef
  • Chicken breast
  • Chicken thighs (boneless, skinless)
  • Eggs
  • Salmon (fully cooked, boneless)

🥦 Vegetables

  • Carrots
  • Green beans
  • Peas
  • Spinach
  • Zucchini
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Pumpkin (plain, not pie filling)

🍓 Fruits

  • Blueberries
  • Watermelon (seedless, no rind)
  • Apple (no seeds or core)
  • Banana (in moderation)

🍚 Carbs

  • Brown rice
  • White rice
  • Oatmeal
  • Quinoa

🌿 Herbs & Supplements

  • Turmeric — anti-inflammatory, joint support. We use ¼ tsp per batch. Add a tiny pinch of black pepper to help absorption.
  • Ginger — supports digestion, soothes upset stomachs. ¼ tsp fresh grated (or ⅛ tsp ground) per batch is plenty.

Start with small amounts and increase gradually. These are what we personally put in Jennie & Baxley's food every week.

🚫 Foods to NEVER Feed Your Dog ▼

Dangerous Foods

  • Grapes & Raisins
  • Onions
  • Garlic (large amounts)
  • Chocolate
  • Xylitol (in peanut butter & gum)
  • Macadamia nuts
  • Cooked bones
🍳 Basic Balanced Recipe — Jennie's Go-To ▼

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs lean ground turkey (or beef)
  • 1 cup brown rice (uncooked)
  • 1 cup chopped carrots
  • 1 cup green beans
  • ½ cup peas
  • ½ cup diced sweet potato (cooked)
  • ½ cup blueberries
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • ¼ tsp ground turmeric — we add this to every batch
  • ¼ tsp fresh grated ginger (or ⅛ tsp ground)
  • Crushed eggshell for calcium (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook protein fully (no pink remaining)
  2. Cook rice separately per package directions
  3. Steam veggies lightly — don't overdo it
  4. Mix everything together with olive oil
  5. Cool completely before serving

🐌 Slow Cooker Version

Add everything raw (except rice if you prefer it separate) — including the sweet potato and blueberries. Cook on low for 6–7 hours. Stir and portion into containers. The house will smell amazing.

⚖️ Portion Guide ▼

General estimates — adjust based on your dog's activity level and vet guidance.

Dog Weight Daily Amount
10 lb dog½ – ¾ cup per day
20 lb dog1 – 1½ cups per day
40 lb dog2 – 3 cups per day
60 lb dog3 – 4 cups per day
🧊 Storage & Serving Tips ▼
🧊

Refrigerator

Store in airtight containers. Good for 3–4 days. Perfect for weeknight prep.

❄️

Freezer

Seal portions in freezer bags or vacuum seal. Good for 2–3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

Many dogs enjoy meals slightly warm. Make sure food is never hot before serving.

💰 Cost Breakdown ▼
$12–18
Average batch cost. Feeds a medium dog for 4–6 days.
Often comparable to premium kibble — but with real ingredients you can actually read.

Every dog is different. Start by introducing homemade food slowly. Many pet owners notice improved digestion, healthier coats, and better energy levels.

Most importantly, you know exactly what's going into your dog's food.

"This simple recipe is what I make for my dogs at home. Healthy dogs start with real food and real ingredients."
Made With Love ❤️

Want the complete version?

The Full Homemade Dog Food Guide

Portioning charts by weight, 3 months of meal planning templates, and the full recipe archive — in a clean, printable format. One-time purchase.

Get the Full Guide — $12 →

Every find here passed the real test.

Two dogs in the mountains of Georgia. If they love it, you'll hear about it. If they don't, you won't. That's the whole system.

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📖

The Complete Homemade Dog Food Guide

Safe ingredients, danger foods, two full tested recipes, portioning charts, storage guide, and 3 months of meal planning templates. One-time purchase, yours forever.

$12
Get the Guide →

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