After years of washing 40 dog food bowls by hand every day -- about 20 at our house and 20 at Widget's House -- we finally got smart and realized it would be far more efficient in terms of labor and energy usage to install dishwashers in both buildings. We hadn't put one in our own kitchen because of a lack of storage space, but when we redid the kitchen cabinets recently we added some more storage, which freed up enough room for a dishwasher. So now we have dishwashers in each location. My, what a difference. This was one of those slap-yourself-on-the-forehead "why didn't we do this 9 years ago?!" moments.
Anyway, moving on ... even though we installed virtually identical dishwashers -- the one in our house has a 'quiet mode' the other unit doesn't have, but it's essentially the same machine -- the dishwasher in our kitchen sometimes doesn't do as good a job of washing the dog dishes as the one in Widget's House. We'll pull the dishes out and occasionally find small flecks of dog food on them.
The answer to this problem was bringing in a dishwasher of another sort -- Dexter. When he first arrived back in January, Dexter was a little too eager to start cleaning the other dogs' food bowls before they were done eating. "Here, let me help clean that up for you..." We had to teach him appropriate table manners in a pack environment, which he's learned well.
So we decided to put Dexter's penchant for cleaning bowls to work by letting him do the 'pre-wash' for us. As the dogs finish eating, one by one, we'll pick up their bowls and bring them into the kitchen, then set them on the floor for Dexter. He's quick, thorough and determined to leave no fleck behind. By the time he's done, they're spotless ... and ready for the dishwasher.
"Dear Maytag:
If only your dishwasher was as good as our Dachshund...."
----
We're on the final stretch -- voting ends Sunday, July 26th -- so
please keeping voting for us every day in The Animal Rescue
Site/PetFinder's Shelter Challenge.
Enter
"Rolling Dog Ranch" and our state postal code, MT for Montana,
and it will bring up our listing so you can cast your vote. Invite your family and friends to vote, too!
Wow .. still No. 3, and that means a $3,000 grant if we can hold that spot! Thanks for voting!
my neighbors practically never washed their bowl. =[
Posted by: pet sling carrier | July 14, 2009 at 01:07 PM
I agree with Debbie B. There's nothing grosser than old crusty dog bowls. Although I have to say for you guys to be concerned with "small flecks" left after going thru a wash is really something considering you have 40 dogs!! Just another example of how you make Rolling Dog Ranch such a wonderful place.
P.S. I hope you're feeling good Debbie B. (Whenever I see you comment I recall how you and Callie were getting treatment at the same time.)
Posted by: Lynn | July 13, 2009 at 05:45 PM
One of my pet peeves is when folks do not wash out the dog bowls and just leave them and keep adding food. That is so gross to me. My pups know that they better eat in an hour because if there is food left in the bowl it gets thrown out. I do have one "grazer", that licks the bowls just like Dexter. And she gives me the "stinky eye" if I pick up the dish too soon.
Posted by: Debbie B. | July 13, 2009 at 03:36 PM
So funny!
A very noiseless dishwasher, until the end of the bowl and the metal scapes the ground?
Thanks for the doxie laugh!
Posted by: boundforglory | July 13, 2009 at 09:47 AM
Congratulations on the new dishwashers. Wow, I know that is a time saver for you.
What a helpful little guy Dexter is! It seems you have found the perfect kitchen helper along with the new Maytag!
It also seems that Maytag has met up with some competition! Go Dexter! And, he is a lot cuter too!
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | July 13, 2009 at 09:38 AM
What is it about doxie's and cleaning out bowls? Frankie does the same thing. Clang, clang, clang go the bowls every morning and afternoon, as she licks them until there couldn't possibly be a speck of morsel left in them.. yet, clang, clang, clang they go until I say, "Ok, Frankie, they are clean." And then put them up high for fear of her tongue falling off!
~Barbara
Proud Mom of Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog
http://www.joyfulpaws.com
Posted by: Barbara Techel | July 13, 2009 at 09:35 AM
So glad to hear Dexter is doing well. What a cutie!!
Posted by: gayle | July 13, 2009 at 08:52 AM
What a riot he is; but practical. He's fulfilling his needs and yours at the same time. Pretty smart!
Posted by: Barb Ribinski | July 12, 2009 at 11:17 PM
I see you are slowly assigning jobs to everyone—Widget as bed-tester and now Dexter as pre-wash. 'Bout time you got some help!
""Dear Maytag:
If only your dishwasher was as good as our Dachshund...."
You are so freaking funny!
Posted by: Lynne Parker | July 12, 2009 at 10:34 PM
My ratties and cat do the same with their bowls. Clean as a whistle.
Congrats on the dishwashers!
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | July 12, 2009 at 08:47 PM