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Our puppy Rika was sick last week…the oh-my-God-she-might-die kind of sick. Of course we knew from the first tender moment we brought her into our lives, that we would likely outlive her. But as an 8-month-old puppy with 10,000 more fields to run, and 100,000 more balls to chase, it was way too soon. Through the week, we watched her sink further into digestive issues as we tried an unbelievable array of soft foods and homemade broths to tempt her nonexistent appetite, finally realizing she wasn’t even drinking water. After a barrage of tests that would impress Mayo Clinic, we came up empty of a diagnosis. So the Pet Emergency Clinic propped her up with fluids and sent her home, only for her to go straight downhill again. We’d take her back and we’d start the cycle again.
After several days, we finally identified an infection, and although it was likely a secondary infection, it gave us something to treat. Finally! Something we could do. Then we found she was willing to eat little turkey hot dogs that Gerber makes for toddlers. (I hereby apologize to our town’s parents of toddlers – I’m the one who cleaned out the local store of all their Gerber turkey hot dogs.) Now that she’s zipping around the house again, driving us crazy with squeaky toys she finds no matter where we hide them, I can reflect on that rough 10 days from a position of relief.
Some believe that life is about getting ready for loss – in fact it’s possible to boil Buddhism down to this kernel. Sure, it’s about all the joys life can bring, but it’s also about developing tools to help us preserve some remnant of equanimity to weather, accept, and ultimately integrate catastrophic loss, whether it’s the loss of our parents, our spouse, or a limb. Or it can be the unexpected loss of a house, a marriage, or a loved pet. It’s simply not possible to escape this darker part of life. We need to be able to learn how to respond to these events with some level of wisdom, tact, and strength that comes from a place that knows that this too shall pass. What I learned last week was that I have a long way to go to find that place.
Anyway. Just some thoughts I thought I'd share.
Meanwhile, here's a great side or main dish - I think of this as the Middle Eastern version of the winning rice and beans combo of Mexican fame.
Cook's Notes:
Ras el Hanout is a spice mix seen in many Middle Eastern and North African dishes, and is thought to originate in Morocco. It commonly includes cumin, allspice, cinnamon, coriander, ginger, nutmeg, and cayenne. You can purchase it at many grocery stores (I buy mine at Whole Foods), on Amazon or you can make your own.
Another recipe calling for ras el hanout is this Umbrian lentil recipe. The lentils are mixed with vegetables, and topped with balsamic tomatoes. And if you like rice tossed with herbs, check out this herby rice salad made with lots of fresh herbs and crispy rice.
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Mujadara with Roasted Tomatoes and Greens
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ½ yellow onion
- ¾ teaspoon ras el hanout spice
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ½ teaspoon sea salt + more for your taste
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 2 tablespoon raisins
- 1 tablespoon roasted garlic
- ½ cup vegetable broth
- 1 ½ cups cooked basmati rice
- 1 cup cooked lentils
- ½ cup coarsely chopped watercress leaves
- 3 roasted balsamic tomatoes
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions, spices, salt, raisins, and garlic and sauté until very aromatic, about 10 minutes. Add the broth, cooked rice, and cooked lentils. Gently simmer until the broth is absorbed / evaporated, about 10 minutes. Toss with watercress.
- Serve warm, topped with the tomatoes.
Janet Dsuban
So relieved about your beautiful dog and glad Rika is feeling better. You're right about everyone has to face loss in their lives as we lost our beloved dog Lucy in February and my husband and I are both still grieving.
This dish looks very interesting and I would like to try it. Where would I find ras el hanout spice.
Continued health and happiness to Rika and of course you and your husband.
Janet
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thank you so much Janet - and I'm so sorry for your loss. I've been there, and know how painful it is. I've been making this dish for years - it's a real favorite of mine. In the Cook's Notes above, I have some links to where you can either buy it or make it at home. I buy mine at Whole Foods, but I know not all grocery stores carry it. It's an important flavor part of the dish, though, so if you can't find it, it's easy to make. Without it, the dish is on the bland side.
lizthechef
Goodness, what a scare! I had not "seen" you on social media for a while and thought perhaps you were taking a break - SO glad Rika is better!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks so much Liz. By Wednesday of last week I really thought we were losing her. But now you'd never know she was sick. It's amazing how fast they can be sick, and how fast they bound back.
Alison H.
I just stumbled upon your blog today! Rika is such a cutie & I am so glad she is feeling better. Your musings on life & loss really resonated with me...I needed that today! Thank you!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks so much Alison! And thanks for stopping by 🙂
Suzanne
I am so glad that Rikka is ok now, I know all too well that feeling of helplessness and despair when your little pet is ill.
I love Mujadara, I also love the tomatoes and greens in your dish. The spicing makes this so special It's delicious,
Eha
First of all, thank the Lord the pup is getting over the infection: been there done that, no thanks if it can be avoided!! Big pat, Rika 🙂 ! A dear girlfriend married to a Lebanese taught me Mujadarra [of a multitude of spellings] some three decades ago . . . love it and it is my 'go-to' dish oh so regularly. Use just turmeric but shall try 'ras' . . . all of them are so different . . .
Beth (OMG! Yummy)
What a wonderful rendition of mejadra Susan. I am so glad we met last summer through the Farmers' Market dinner party and continue to get to know each other through our blogs, pets, and shared love for "Jerusalem" !
Cheese with Noodles
Usually I don't make any comments on posts from my assigned SRC blog before the big reveal, but you know it's me anyway, so I figure it doesn't matter! Has Rika still been healthy? That must have been such a scary experience. I got my first dog earlier this year, she's now 10 1/2 months old. We only planned to have one dog, but found ourselves adopting her a brother 3 months ago, so now we have two. I am a huge animal lover, but didn't expect how deeply I would love my dog. My puppy is my baby girl, I'm pretty sure my heart would break in two if anything ever happened to her. I love our other dog as well (of course), but not with the intensity that I love my girl. So far we thankfully have not had any truly life threatening issues with her, but she did eat a rock that made her sick and had an allergic reaction to a bee sting, both incidents had me very worried but she was okay after a couple of days.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Rika (short for Paprika) is doing great. She's 15 months old now, and wears us out, which is just as it should be since she's a very active puppy, and my husband's and my puppy years are behind us so to speak. It's so scary when you watch the decline and see your puppy give up.We want a second one now, but our house and yard are too tiny, we fear. Many congrats on your puppies!! And I completely understand about your little puppy girl being your little girl. She always will be :-).
Michelle Stern
Hi Susan! Glad your pooch is feeling better - what a relief! This recipe looks delicious - a perfect vegetarian meal for my daughter and me - and it would also pack well for school lunches! xo Michelle