Today I Thank God for...

Today I thank God for... THE KONG!

Thank God for whoever created the Kong! It has provided me with entertained puppies this afternoon and I am forever grateful!

Emma has a pink puppy strength and size kong and today I purchased a large, super tough kong for Jack. I also picked up some kong filling that comes in a can like whipped cream or cheese whiz. This stuff is much easier to use than trying to fill it with peanut butter.

I filled up both kongs and then handed the red one to Mr. Jack and the pink one to sweet Emma. They each licked their respective kongs for about a minute then had to see what the other dog had. So the switch happened. 

It's funny watching Jack chew on Emma's kong. His jaw is so strong that the little hole for the treats gets squeezed almost all the way shut. 

So happy for busy, happy puppies. Thank you Kong inventor! Today you are my hero! =)

Homemade Dog Treats

Emma loved the homemade sweet potato rawhides so much that I decided to give homemade dog biscuits a try. A plus to making dog treats from scratch is you know what is going into it and know what your dog is eating. For example, some dogs are allergic to wheat flour, so you can choose a different type, etc. These are also cheap to make, and, for me, are fun to make! 

(Click Here to Print Instructions)

You will need:

1 cup rolled oats

2 cups flour

1 1/4 cup hot water

1/3 cup of peanut butter (I used smooth)

1 egg

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Step 2: Mix the oats and flour together

Step 3: Add peanut butter and hot water; stir. (If the dough is too sticky, add more flour)

Step 4: Knead the dough.

Step 5: Place the dough on flat, floured surface and roll out dough to about 1/4 inch

Step 6: Place cookie cutter in bowl of flour before each press into the dough, and cut out shapes. I used the dog bone cookie cutter from Wilton 4 piece Pet Cookie Cutter Set.

Step 7: Place cut out dough onto baking sheet lined with parchment paper

Step 8: Beat 1 egg in small bowl with fork

Step 9: Put egg wash over dough with a brush, this will make the treats have a sheen to them once baked

(I also made some smaller cut outs using two different heart cookie cutters)

Step 10: Once baked for 40 minutes, take out of oven and place on cooling rack. 

Once thoroughly cooled, treat your dog and enjoy all the wags and lip licking goodness!

This recipe makes a lot... I got four sheets worth out of it.

Look at those focused eyes!

Sweet Potato Rawhides

Rawhides. I LOVE rawhides. They are my go to when I have an excited dog in my face and I'm not in the position to get down on the floor and play with her. I especially love rawhides on rainy days when it's impossible to take the dog out to get some good exercise. However, rawhides really are not the best for your dog. So I started researching and found a good alternative. Homemade sweet potato rawhides. Since I'm all about easy recipes... this is, of course, super simple. 

(Click Here to Print Instructions)

All you need is a sweet potato, a sharp knife, cookie sheet, and oven!

Step 1: First, preheat oven to 250 degrees.

Step 2: Slice one end of the potato off. 

This allows you to turn it on its side and cut with a flat surface. 

Step 3: Slice the potato into small pieces, no smaller than 1/4". 

Step 4: Place on a baking sheet and bake for 3 hours, turning the slices over half way through.

Step 5: Cool after baking and have an entertained, distracted dog for a few minutes!

Refrigerate for up to three weeks.

Emma threw hers up in the air and chased it a bit before finally settling in to chew.