25 Days of Christmas: Christmas for the Furry Babies....
(He's sticking his tongue out at us?!)
In honor of my childhood dog's birthday!
I lost him 21 years ago (I was a teen) but he's that pet that always stuck in your heart. Almost all of my childhood memories include him, mostly because he was like our Nana (dog from Peter Pan). So in honor of my dog Jordasche (yes he was named after the jeans but we called him Jordy)....Who deserves a Christmas treat more than those adorable furry babies we have in our lives. Not only are the super cute but they provide us with such unconditional love. Every year growing up, we had a stocking for our dogs too. I remember our big German Shepherd/Huskie would get a toy and often a huge bone. He was always excited. I can remember him sitting with us in the living room while we opened gifts just squeaking his toy happily.
Dogs understand so much more than some people think. Cats understand far more than anyone realizes because the cat is too busy pretending none of it matters, but should you leave the room, you might come back to find them happily enjoying whatever you gave them.
A few years after we lost our dog, we decided to change it up and get cats. So then every year our kitties got stockings with little toy mice, a toy what was essentially a catnip toy and maybe a bag of kitty treats. They loved their gifts but they were often too busy pouncing on the torn wrapping paper to pay attention to their gifts. See cats are much like small children, the wrapping makes them happy.
So to celebrate these furry loves of ours, this Tasty Tuesday recipe is going to the dogs and the cats. LOL
Did you know that Pumpkin is really good for your animal? It is a good source of fiber and really great for their digestion. Of course, if your pet has health issues like allergies you should consult your vet before using it but if not try it. I've read the best is pureed because it breaks down the cellulose allowing both cats and dogs to eat it.
So I found this recipe and you can go to her blog and see how much her dogs love them.
3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Pumpkin Homemade Dog Treats
1/2 cup Natural Peanut Butter
1 cup 100% Pure Pumpkin Puree, canned
1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour (I used Whole Grain Brown Rice Flour)
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, stir together peanut butter and pumpkin. Stir in the flour 1/4 cup at a time just until dough is no longer sticky.
3. Roll the dough out between two sheets of parchment paper to 1/4″ thick. Use a cookie cutter to cut out the dough, then place on the prepared pan.
4. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes. Let cool completely. Store in an airtight container or freeze for up to 3 months.
Feel free to cut them into fun shapes for your dog.
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The SPCA put a pumpkin recipe up on there website:
Pumpkin Pie Cookies (for cats and dogs!)
2 cups rice flour
1/2 cup oatmeal
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup grated carrots
1/2 cup unsweetened plain applesauce
1/4 flour for rolling
• In a food processor blend carrots, applesauce and pumpkin until smooth.
• Mix rice flour and oatmeal in a bowl.
• Add wet ingredients to the dry and mix gently until dough forms.
• On a floured breadboard place dough and roll out to about 1/4 inch in thickness.
• Use cookie cutter to cut out little cookies.
• Place cookies on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for seven minutes.
• Flip treats over and cook for five more minutes. Remove from oven and cool thoroughly.
Special Note
Remember, these recipes are treats and should not replace your pet’s regular meals. Please check with your veterinarian if your pet has special dietary needs or food allergies.
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Remember, sugar isn't good for cats or dogs so there are alternatives like raw honey which is not only good for human but for our furry friends. It is naturally antibiotic and soothing to the stomach.
You can even add a tiny amount of cinnamon to a pumpkin recipe. Here is a Dog Treat recipe that call for it. This recipe makes multiple treats but only calls for 1/2 tsp of cinnamon. Large quantities can be harmful just like it can be harmful to people but this is tiny and help with diabetes, arthritis and prevent infections. So adding a little to a treat for them that they get once in a while is a health benefit.
Here there is a whole host of recipes for cat treats including one with catnip in it!
I wish I'd known all this when I was a teenager with my lovable dog. I would have made Jordy and our dog Sassy (Sassion, again named after jeans) treats in a heartbeat and maybe Jordy would have stopped stealing treats that were for humans only.
Jordy (Jordasche) and Sassy (Sassion) the best of friends.
This is Christmas 1985 where Jordy clearly got his candy cane toy which he loved! I can see myself in the red pjs at the top left and my little brother at the top right sitting by the Christmas tree. I can't remember if he also got that newspaper toy by his paws too. Those were his favorites. This picture makes me laugh!
Days Until Christmas: 2