Short LOVE Story

I wrote this TRUE story just hours after it occurred. My first thought was to send to the two people that brought us these puppies Debbie Moncrief from RCAS in Wedowee AL and Debbie Kelly from SparKY from Owensboro KY. But then because of the awesome weekend with Emmaus and the effect that it has had on my life, I wanted to share with all. (September 24, 2012)

 

It was one of the first cool evening of fall, a nip in the air.  We had fallen into bed exhausted after a long week and sleep was almost immediate.  I was snuggled under the covers when suddenly Miss Riley our puppy starts to bark.  I grab my pillow and roll over willing the barking to cease but alas she is persistent.

Then I heard at a distance, near the woods her “brother” Kody barking.  Not a normal bark but a deep bark as if her were saying to something or someone, “stay away from my little sister”. When Kody began barking, Riley came to the window and scratched frantically and began to whine, as if to say “mommy, mommy let me in I am so afraid.”  Knowing this was a rare reaction, I ran to the window and as I opened it, Riley catapulted through the window ran to the living room and jumped in the chair that I normally sit in.  She curled up in a ball and looked at me with those huge loving eyes that now appeared calm where just moments ago there was fear.  She fell to sleep in an instance and slept for hours.  Just at the moment that she looked at me, her “brother’s” barking ceased as if he knew she was now safe. 

When I awoke the next morning sitting in the other chair, it dawned on me that we as humans are much like Riley.  When we are afraid, hurt, hungry or lonely all we want is for someone that we love and trust to say “it’s okay, I am here for you and I will take care of you”….now isn’t that what we have in God?  All we have to do is ask, go to him and he will see that if you truly believe in him and know that Jesus died for your sins, you will live with him for eternity in heaven.  As we all know, all dogs and all of God’s children go to heaven so my beloved pets will be romping on the streets of gold with me forever!

Taken 5/16/12 Big brother protecting his little sister!

Tuna Fudge Dog Treats

Ingredients: 

2 (5 or 6 ounce) cans tuna (do not drain) 

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour 

1 tablespoon garlic powder*

2 eggs, lightly beaten 

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese 

Directions: 

1. Mix all ingredients with an electric mixer until well blended. 

2. Spread mixture into a greased 8x8 cake pan. 

3. Bake covered at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

4. After cooling cut in small squares

5. Store in refrigerator or freeze.

Yield: approx 50 small pieces

Comments:  The puppies really love these but it is essential that they be kept in the refrigerator.  Please be aware that there is a definite fishy odor and needs to be keep in a sealed container!!

*There are many sources that indicate you should be very frugal with giving your pets garlic or onion products.  A small amount should not be a problem.

Dog Food for ALL dogs...including the FUSSY!!

Ingredients

• 2 lbs carrots
• 2 lbs potatoes
• 1/2 bunch celery (can sub zucchini or green beans)
• 3 lbs of cheap beef ( hamburger, mince, chuck or the like)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 3 -4 chicken stock cubes (optional)
• 4-4 1/2 quarts water
• 1 lb of dried pearl barley

Directions

1. Start with a LARGE stock pot.
2. Chop or slice the carrots, potatoes, celery and meat (other than minced meat) to a size that suits your dog.
3. Add the above ingredients to the pot.
4. Add the soy sauce and stock cubes to the pot.
5. Add the water to the pot. You may need to reduce or increase (less likely) the amount of water. It will depend on the moisture in the vegetables and meat.
6. Put the pot on the stove top, over a high heat.
7. Let it cook for about one hour.
8. Then -- assuming the mixture has come to a boil -- add the barley. Don't add the barley until the boil happens (it doesn't have to be a big rolling boil).
9. After adding the barley, cook for another 30-35 minutes (depending on what the barley package suggests.
10. This recipe really holds its heat, so let it cool for at least four hours before serving. Better still, make the recipe in the morning (weekends are good), then dish up the servings for the evening meal and let them cool all day.
11. Store in the refrigerator after completely cooled.  I tried canning and was not "comfortable" with the outcome!

Makes approximately 8 quart jars.



Kody, my fussy eater loves this, of course Riley Lynn and Bo loves it cause they love everything!

No Bake Peanut Butter Oat Dog Treats

Here’s a super-easy dog treat recipe that doesn’t require any baking and only 4 ingredients that you most likely have around the kitchen.  These mouth-watering treats take minutes to make and are a simple but delicious treat.

¾ cup peanut butter
1 ¼ cup oats
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ cup water

Mix peanut butter, cinnamon and water together vigorously until ingredients are combined. Add extra water if necessary (mixture should be thick).

Slowly stir in the oats, 1/4 cup at a time, mashing them into the mixture.

Scoop out the balls using a fruit scooper or your hands to form 1 inch round treats.

Place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and refrigerate for 1-3 hours.

Simple but irresistible– your dogs will shower you with peanut butter kisses

Store in refrigerator in closed plastic container. Stays good for 2 weeks or up to 2 months in the freezer.

This recipe makes 20-25 "Treats" and is easily doubled, saving a clean up!

*Medicine Tip*
You can also use this PB mixture to feed your dogs medicine. Though you can’t insert pills and refrigerate ahead of time (the pills could dilute), you can keep the mixture in a refrigerated plastic bag. When it’s time to give the pill, stuff it into a smaller ball using the mixture. Dogs will gobble their meds right up!

Here are the "puppies" I bake for!!!!

Kody Shipman (DOB 6/15/11)

Bo Shipman (DOB 6/15/11)

Riley Lynn Shipman (DOB 1/31/12)

Snickerpoodles

Snicker Poodles
Ingredients:

1/2 cup vegetable oil 

1/2 cup shortening 

1 cup honey 

2 eggs 

3 3/4 cups white flour 

2 teaspoons cream of tartar 

1 teaspoon baking soda 

1/2 cup cornmeal 

2 teaspoons cinnamon 

 Directions: 

1.  Mix vegetable oil, shortening , honey with eggs. Beat well.

2.  Add flour, soda and cream of tartar. 

3.  Knead dough until mixed well. 

4.  Shape dough into balls.

Mix the cornmeal and cinnamon together in a bowl and roll balls in mixture. 

Place 2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. Press the balls down with a fork. 

5.  Bake for 8-10 minutes at 400°F 

6.  Cool on a rack. 

7.  Store in airtight container.

Made about 50 1" balls

* This is the first time that I made this recipe and I had to add additional flour to make the dough the appropriate consistency. 

PS The puppies loved them!!!!

Homemade Frosty Paws

Ingredients:

32 fluid ounces vanilla yogurt 

1 bananas, ripe, mashed *

2 tablespoons peanut butter 

2 tablespoons honey 

Directions: 

Blend all ingredients together and freeze  

Most recipes call for using the 3 oz paper cups, which I have but really do not like adding to the landfill so, this time, I tried using a tart pan.  


I did have to sit the pan on a warm damp rag to get them out. 

This recipe made 24 tarts and 3 paper cups.  I used some of the crumbs from the Anytime bars on top.

As usual, the pups love them especially with the hot weather. My pups prefer that they are broken up so the tarts make this job easier with the added benefit the smaller portions mean they can have a variety of treats! 

If you use the cups, you may want to microwave just a few seconds before serving.

Time to prepare 10 minutes then freeze time (1 hour or more)

* My puppies aren't wild about bananas so you can make with or without!